Talk about a nail-biter! The Huskers kicked off their season with some serious drama in Kansas City, securing a hard-fought 20-17 victory over Cincinnati. It was a game of thrilling plays and late-game heroics that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. What was your favorite moment from the opener?

The Nebraska Cornhuskers kicked off their 2025 college football season with a dramatic 20-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats, a contest that unfolded with unexpected twists and turns at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. What began with moments of comfort for the Huskers quickly devolved into a late-game scramble, ultimately secured by a crucial defensive play, setting a tone of resilience for the season ahead.

The atmosphere after the final whistle was electric, a stark contrast to the nail-biting final minutes. As fireworks illuminated the night sky, euphoric Husker players danced, exchanged triumphant handshakes, and pumped their fists in celebration. Grateful Nebraska fans, who had made the journey to Kansas City, shuffled out of the stadium, their pilgrimage rewarded with a hard-fought win.

Despite controlling the time of possession and eating up yardage on the ground, the Cornhuskers’ early drives often stalled short of the end zone, leading to field goals rather than touchdowns. Small miscues, including an unnecessary roughness penalty and a critical false start on first-and-goal, blunted promising offensive momentum and highlighted areas for improvement despite the victory.

Junior running back Emmett Johnson was a standout performer for Nebraska, carving up the Cincinnati defense for an impressive 108 rushing yards while also proving to be a reliable target with seven receptions. The Nebraska offensive line consistently won the line of scrimmage, creating lanes for Johnson and providing protection, though red zone efficiency remained a challenge for the Huskers.

A pivotal moment arrived when the Huskers capitalized on a loose ball, recovering a crucial turnover that was confirmed after a video replay. This shift in possession immediately injected life into the Nebraska offense, leading to a touchdown three plays later, swinging the momentum firmly in their favor during a tightly contested match.

Cincinnati, led by quarterback Brendan Sorsby, battled fiercely to keep the game within reach, orchestrating a predominantly ground-based drive that culminated in a 7-yard rushing score. However, Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola responded with composure, marching his unit downfield and facing a decisive fourth-and-two. Coach Matt Rhule, trusting his offense, opted to go for it, a gamble that paid off handsomely.

The drama intensified as Cincinnati mounted a fierce comeback with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. With time dwindling, the Bearcats had one final opportunity to snatch victory. It was in this pressure cooker that senior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog emerged as the hero, intercepting a pass in the dying minutes, sealing the 20-17 Nebraska football win.

Coach Matt Rhule lauded Hartzog’s quiet effectiveness, stating, “I just saw the guy was wide open and all of a sudden Malcolm Hartzog showed up. That’s just what Malcolm does — he doesn’t talk a lot; he just makes plays.” This hard-earned victory, secured in a memorable venue against a formidable power conference foe, provides a vital 1-0 start and a significant confidence boost as the Nebraska Cornhuskers look ahead to the rest of their challenging schedule.