KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nebraska kicked off its 2025 football season with a nail-biting 20–17 victory over Cincinnati in the Kansas City Classic at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola paced the offense with 243 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Emmett Johnson powered the ground game with 108 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby led a late-game charge, rushing for two touchdowns, but the Bearcats ultimately came up short.
Key Moments:
- Cincinnati opened the scoring with a field goal, but Nebraska responded before halftime with a long field goal and a short touchdown pass, capped off by a forced fumble recovery.
- In the fourth quarter, both teams traded touchdowns. Nebraska took the lead when Raiola connected with Dane Key for a 2-yard score on fourth down.
- With the game hanging in the balance, Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog Jr. intercepted a final drive pass in the end zone with just 34 seconds left, sealing the win.
What Worked — and What Didn’t:
- Offensive Efficiency: Raiola delivered a sharp performance, completing 33 of 42 passes and avoiding turnovers.
- Ground Game Balance: While Johnson shined, Cincinnati managed 202 rushing yards, exposing gaps in Nebraska’s run defense.
- Special Teams: Nebraska’s kicker nailed a 52-yard field goal, and the punter consistently pinned Cincinnati deep, which helped control field position throughout.
Atmosphere & Attention:
- Nearly 70,000 fans filled Arrowhead, with Nebraska supporters creating a dominant home-field vibe.
- High-profile spectators included Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, who made a rare joint appearance following their engagement announcement.
Looking Ahead
The win moves Nebraska to 1–0, with questions lingering about their run defense and offensive consistency. Next week, they return to Lincoln to face Akron in their home opener. Cincinnati, now 0–1, will regroup as they prepare for their home opener against Bowling Green.
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