Nebraska returns home from Kansas City this week for its home opener under the lights against Akron. The Zips got off to a tough start to the season last Thursday, losing 10-0 at home to Wyoming. As a 35 point favorite Saturday and an even larger one the following week against Houston Christian, the Huskers find themselves in a position to use the next two games to work out kinks and build depth before a huge conference opener against Michigan in late September.
Nebraska Offense vs Cincinnati Defense
Akron’s defense did an excellent job keeping the team in the game last week against Wyoming. Despite giving up 426 yards, the Zips held the Cowboys out of the end zone until a 35 yard touchdown strike 4:26 left in the game. That impressive yards-per-point-allowed performance is a potential concern considering Nebraska’s offense struggles with offensive efficiency. The Huskers were only able to muster 20 points on 353 yards and nearly 40 minutes of possession against Cincinnati. The top two priorities for NU will likely be producing explosive plays and developing depth at running back (Emmett Johnson’s backups only carried the ball three times Thursday).
Nebraska Defense vs Cincinnati Offense
If Akron’s defense was strong enough to win in week one, its offense was, well…not. The Zips were only able to put together 231 yards and were held scoreless despite offensive guru Joe Moorhead as a head coach. They barely even crossed midfield.
If the Huskers want to keep Akron’s offense in the mire, they’ll need better play from its defensive lineman and linebackers. Against Cincinnati, the Huskers didn’t record a sack and gave up 202 rushing yards on an appalling 6.9 yards per carry. That’s a far cry from the stellar front line play the Blackshirts have put on the field for much of the last two seasons. Fortunately, the Husker secondary was excellent Thursday, giving up just 69 passing yards, much of it late in the game. Continuing that strong coverage should help give the young front line time to grow up over the next few weeks.
Game Notes
- Last week’s win over Cincinnati marked the first time the Huskers opened the season with a victory over a Power Four opponent since 2003.
- Akron comes into the game at 0-1 after dropping a 10-0 home contents against Wyoming last Thursday.
- Nebraska has won six straight home openers since a loss to Colorado in 2018.
- Nebraska’s game with Akron is the second official matchup betwwen the two schools. The Huskers defeated Akron 59-14 in the 1997 season opener.
- Akron was, of course, the opponent slated for Scott Frost’s opening game coaching the Huskers, but the contest was canceled after the opening kickoff due to thunderstorms.
- Nebraska is 8-1 all-time against members of the Mid-American Conference, with the lone loss a 21-17 defeat to Northern Illinois in 2017.
- Nebraska has won its past seven games against non-conference opponents following its season-opening win against Cincinnati. That is the Huskers’ longest non-conference win streak since a seven-game streak from 2004-2006.
Broadcast Info
TV: BTN (Mark Followill, Anthony Herron, Dannie Rogers)
Radio: Husker Sports Network (Kyle Crooks, Damon Benning, Jessica Coody)
Internet Audio: Huskers.com
App Audio: Official Huskers App