If you were looking for a clean, highlight-reel offensive explosion, the Cincinnati Nebraska game probably wasn't it. But if you wanted old-school, "grip the arms of your chair" tension that lasted until the final 34 seconds, Kansas City delivered. Nebraska won the game 20-17, surviving a furious second-half rally by the Bearcats. It wasn't pretty, honestly. It was gritty.
The game took place on August 28, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. This wasn't just another season opener. This was a massive collision of two fanbases hungry for a statement win to kick off the year. For the Huskers, it was about proving the 2024 turnaround under Matt Rhule was the real deal. For Cincinnati, it was a chance to defend their home-away-from-home turf and prove the Big 12 is where they belong.
The Final Score and How the Huskers Pulled It Off
Nebraska escaped with a 20-17 victory.
While the scoreboard shows a three-point gap, the game felt much wider in the first half and much tighter in the fourth. Nebraska’s sophomore sensation, Dylan Raiola, finished the night with 243 passing yards and two touchdowns. He looked every bit the five-star talent he was billed as, especially during a crucial 13-play, 67-yard drive in the fourth quarter.
The turning point? A fourth-down gamble by Matt Rhule. Instead of kicking a field goal to go up six, he trusted Raiola. The young quarterback found Dane Key on a 3-yard fade to put Nebraska up 20-10. Most people thought that was the dagger. It wasn't.
A Quick Look at the Stat Sheet
- Total Yards: Nebraska 353, Cincinnati 271.
- Rushing Leader: Brendan Sorsby (UC) with 96 yards and 2 TDs; Emmett Johnson (NEB) with 108 yards.
- Passing: Dylan Raiola 33-of-42 for 243 yards; Brendan Sorsby 13-of-25 for 69 yards.
- Turnovers: Cincinnati 2, Nebraska 0.
Why the Cincinnati Nebraska Game Came Down to the Wire
Brendan Sorsby is a fighter. Despite being held to a measly 69 yards through the air, the Cincinnati quarterback used his legs to drag the Bearcats back into the conversation. After Nebraska took that 20-10 lead, Sorsby led a 75-yard drive that looked far too easy. He capped it with a 1-yard plunge to make it 20-17 with over seven minutes left.
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The tension in Arrowhead was palpable.
Nebraska’s offense, which had been efficient, suddenly stalled. They burned five minutes off the clock but couldn't seal it. Cincinnati got the ball back with just over two minutes to go, starting at their own 9-yard line. Sorsby methodically moved the chains. 15 yards here. 10 yards there. Suddenly, they were at the Nebraska 33.
Then came the play of the game. Sorsby dropped back, looking for the win. He forced a ball toward the end zone, and Malcolm Hartzog Jr. stepped in front of it. Interception. Game over.
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The Defensive Masterclass
Everyone talks about the quarterbacks, but the defenses were the real story. Jake Golday for Cincinnati was a nightmare, racking up 12 tackles and a massive sack late in the fourth. On the flip side, Nebraska’s secondary—led by Hartzog—was a "no-fly zone" for most of the night. Sorsby’s 2.8 yards per attempt is a stat he’ll probably want to burn.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s this narrative that Cincinnati just "didn't show up." That's kinda unfair. They out-rushed the Huskers 202 to 110. They were more physical at the point of attack for large stretches of the second half. What they lacked was the "explosive play" factor that Raiola provides.
Nebraska won because they won the turnover battle 2-0. In a three-point game, that's literally the whole story.
Also, can we talk about the venue? Playing at Arrowhead gave this a bowl-game atmosphere in August. 72,884 people showed up. It felt like a neutral site, but the "Sea of Red" definitely made its presence known, which likely helped the Huskers keep their composure when Cincinnati was marching late.
Actionable Takeaways for the Rest of the Season
If you're following these teams, here’s what this game actually tells us about the future:
- Bet on Nebraska's Defense in Close Games: Matt Rhule has finally figured out how to win the one-score games that haunted this program for a decade. The "Blackshirts" are back to being a reliable closing unit.
- Sorsby Needs Help Out Wide: Cincinnati's run game is elite, but they can't survive with a sub-100-yard passing performance every week. Look for Scott Satterfield to incorporate more quick-game schemes to help Sorsby find a rhythm.
- Dylan Raiola is a Heisman Dark Horse: His completion percentage (79% in this game) is absurd for a sophomore. If he keeps this up against Big Ten competition, the hype will be uncontrollable.
The Cincinnati Nebraska game was a reminder that college football is often about who makes the fewest mistakes, not who makes the most plays. Nebraska made the one play that counted at the very end.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the updated Big Ten standings to see how Nebraska’s win impacts their early-season trajectory.
- Watch the condensed replay of the fourth quarter to see the defensive adjustments Nebraska made on the final drive.
- Monitor the injury report for Cincinnati’s offensive line, as they took a few big hits during that physical fourth quarter.