Nebraska routs FCS Houston Christian 59-7, lets starters sit out 2nd half with Michigan up next

By Canadian Press on September 13, 2025.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Dylan Raiola threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns, Emmett Johnson ran for two scores and Nebraska hammered Houston Christian 59-7 Saturday.

The Cornhuskers (3-0), wearing all-red uniforms for the first time since 1986, scored on their first eight full possessions against the Huskies (1-2) of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Raiola, Johnson and most of the other starters didn’t play in the second half as Nebraska improved to 16-0 against FCS opponents.

The Huskers led 38-0 after rolling up 320 yards and holding Houston Christian to 52 in the first half. They finished with 554 yards.

They got their first fumble return for a touchdown since 2020 early in the second quarter when William Nwaneri picked up Jake Weir’s fumble on a sack and ran 29 yards.

Houston Christian ended Nebraska’s bid for a second straight shutout in the middle of the third quarter. Xai’Shaun Edwards took a handoff, shook off Jaylen George’s tackle attempt and went around the left side for a 45-yard touchdown.

Lateef relieved Raiola to start the second half and was 5 of 5 for 126 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown to Cortez Mills Jr.

Dane Key caught four passes for 104 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown, and Kwinten Ives ran for 72 of his 85 yards in the second half. Johnson added 78 yards on the ground.

The takeaway

Houston Christian: The Huskies received a $500,000 guarantee for making the trip. They’re 0-3 all-time against opponents from power conferences.

Nebraska: The Huskers, 3-0 for the second straight season, outscored Akron and Houston Christian 127-7 after opening the season with a hard-earned 20-17 win over Cincinnati. Now let the real season begin.

Umpire down

Umpire Dan Montgomery hit the turf hard in the third quarter when he got in the middle of Rex Guthrie’s tackle of Houston Christian’s Deuce McMillan. As Montgomery was throwing a flag on the play, Guthrie and McMillan rolled into his heels, causing him to fall backward. The mishap drew oohs from the crowd, but Montgomery popped up right away no worse for the wear.

Up next

Houston Christian hosts Northern Colorado next Saturday.

Nebraska opens Big Ten play at home against No. 23 Michigan next Saturday.

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Eric Olson, The Associated Press