Nebraska football handles Houston Christian, moves to 3-0 for second-straight season

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska football team dominated Houston Christian on Saturday, beating FCS foe Houston Christian 59-7 at Memorial Stadium.

The Huskers started hot, scoring on their first three drives of the game and taking a 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

Nebraska shut out Houston Christian in the first half and has allowed just three first-half points in three games this season.

The Huskers out-scored the Huskies 21-0 in the second quarter and has outscored its three opponents 58-0 in the second quarter this season.

Nebraska’s six-and-a-half-quarter shutout streak was ended in the third quarter with a 45-yard touchdown rush from Xai’Shaun Edwards.

That rushing touchdown ended Nebraska’s streak of eight straight home games without allowing a rushing touchdown.

As a squad, Nebraska racked up 554 yards with more than 350 passing yards between three quarterbacks.

The Huskers saw eight different rushers combine for more than 5 yards a carry and rack up 192 rushing yards.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola was efficient from the pocket, going 15-for-21 with 222 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

Raiola completed 71 percent of his passes in the game and has completed at least 70 percent in six of his past seven games. 

He increased his career passing yardage total to 3,648 yards moving him ahead of Tommie Frazier (3,521 yards) into ninth place on the NU career passing list.

Backup TJ Lateef started the second half, going 5-for-5 with 126 yards and a touchdown. Lateef also had a rushing touchdown.

Dane Key led Nebraska’s receiving core with four catches, 104 yards and a touchdown. Key has now scored a touchdown in all three games this season.

Cortez Mills Jr. followed right behind him with three catches, 98 yards and a touchdown.

On the rushing end, Kwinten Ives led the Huskers’ backfield with 85 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, all career highs.

Emmett Johnson carried the ball 13 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Huskers held the Huskies to 160 total yards, with only 67 yards allowed through the air.

After limiting Cincinnati to 69 passing yards and Akron to 62 passing yards, this marks the first time Nebraska has held three consecutive opponents to fewer than 100 passing yards since 1990, when NU limited its first four opponents to fewer than 100 yards through the air.

The Blackshirts totaled three sacks on the day and forced two turnovers, including a 29-yard scoop-and-score from Williams Nwaneri.

The fumble return TD was Nebraska’s first since Deontai Williams had a 26-yard fumble return for a score against Penn State in 2020.

Nebraska wraps up its non-conference schedule with a 3-0 record for the second-consecutive season.

The Big Red will gear up for Big Ten play next Saturday against Michigan.

Kick off is set for 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium with live coverage on CBS.

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FOURTH QUARTER

Houston Christian will start the fourth quarter with the ball.

The Huskies have converted on two fourth downs so far this drive.

Nebraska’s defesne forces a punt and the offense takes over from their own 25-yard line.

TJ Lateef hits Cortez Mills Jr. for a 62-yard touchdown pass, extending Nebraska’s lead to 59-7.

Fumble! Houston Christian’s Jordan Montanez fumbles the ball on his own 8-yard line, recovered by Nebraska.

Nebraska is stopped on fourth and goal on HCU’s 2-yard line. Huskies take over on downs.

THIRD QUARTER

Houston Christian starts the second half with the ball.

TJ Lateef starts the second half for the Huskers.

Nebraska caps off an eight-play, 78-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown rush from backup quarterback TJ Lateef.

The Huskers lead the Huskies 45-0 with 9:19 left in the third quarter.

Nebraska’s 6-quarter shutout streak comes to an end with a 45-yard touchdown rush from Xai’Shaun Edwards, making the score 45-7 Nebraska.

The Huskers answer immediately, getting a 4-yard rushing touchdown from Kwinten Ives to give Nebraska a 52-7 lead.

SECOND QUARTER

Nebraska is knocking on the door on the Huskies 2-yard line. Timeout Huskies.

A 2-yard touchdown run from Emmett Johnson caps off a nine-play, 70-yard drive to give the Huskers a 24-0 lead.

The Huskies get their first first down of the game thanks to a pass interference call on Nebraska.

Nebraska’s defense gets on the board with a 29-yard scoop-and-score from Williams Nwaneri.

The Huskers take a 31-0 lead with 9:38 left in the first quarter.

A punt from the Huskies gives Nebraska the ball on their own 24-yard line.

Johnson gets his second touchdown of the game to give the Huskers a 38-0 lead.

The 10-play, 75-yard drive ended in a 4-yard touchdown rush from Johnson.

At the two minute warning, the Huskies have the ball on their own 42-yard line.

At the end of the first half, the Huskers lead the Huskies 38-0.

Raiola has completed 15 of his 21 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

Dane Key leads the Huskers’ receiving core with four catches for 104 yards  and a touchdown.

Key became the eighth player in FBS history to eclipse 2,000 career receiving yards.

Cortez Mills Jr. has 36 yards on two catches, and Jacory Barney has 22 yards and a touchdown.

Barney’s touchdown was his first career receiving touchdown. He had two rushing touchdowns in 2024.

Emmett Johnson has racked up 78 yards rushing with two touchdowns.

Nebraska shut out Houston Christian in the first half, and has allowed just three first-half points in three games this season.

Nebraska out-scored HCU 21-0 in the second quarter and has out-scored its three opponents 58-0 in the second quarter this se

FIRST QUARTER

The Huskers receive the opening kick and drive down the field with ease.

Once inside the 10-yard line, the Huskers’ offense stalled out.

A 24-yard field goal from Kyle Cunanan gives Nebraska a 3-0 lead with 11:12 left in the first quarter.

Nebraska forces a three-and-out on the Huskies’ first drive.

The Huskers cap off a six-play, 45-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Raiola to Jacory Barney Jr.

Nebraska leads 10-0 with 6:14 left in the first quarter.

The Huskers force another three-and-out and take over from their own 16-yard line.

Nebraska capped off a three-play, 84-yard drive with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Raiola to Dane Key.

Nebraska leads 17-0 with 3:14 left in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, Nebraska is driving with the ball at its own 46-yard line.