What if I told you that Nebraska's football squad has already unleashed a barrage of jaw-dropping, season-altering moments in just their opening six games, setting the stage for what could be an unforgettable year? Buckle up, because we're diving into the highlights that have fans buzzing and opponents scratching their heads. And trust me, these aren't your average plays—they're the stuff of legends. But here's where it gets really interesting: some of these moments hinge on tiny decisions that could have swung the game entirely. Stick around as we explore the top five coolest plays so far, presented in the order they happened, plus a few bonus shoutouts that deserve a nod.
To catch up on the first half of the season's thrills, check out Part One right here. (https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/football/huskers-at-halfway-point-of-promising-season)
It's rare for a team to rack up this much excitement so early on, often taking multiple years to build such a collection of pivotal, head-turning actions. Yet, the Huskers, sitting at a solid 5-1 record, managed to create this electric energy across those initial matchups. So, without further ado, let's highlight the five most sensational plays of 2025, complete with context and quotes to bring them to life.
Kick things off with the season opener against Cincinnati. The Bearcats were surging, just three points shy of tying the game, and with only 34 seconds remaining, they positioned themselves at Nebraska's 33-yard line. Cincinnati's wide receiver, Cyrus Allen, found himself wide open in the end zone, poised for a potential walk-off touchdown catch. Their skilled quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, launched the ball, but opted for a riskier trajectory instead of a safer throw to Allen's outer shoulder. The pass came in a tad short, allowing Nebraska's defensive back, Malcolm Hartzog Jr., to swoop in and snag a game-sealing interception that etched his name into Huskers lore.
Hartzog summed it up post-game in a 20-17 win: 'I glanced up, spotted the ball, and just went for it. It felt like a dream.' On the prior play, he'd been penalized for a hold that gifted Cincinnati 10 vital yards, but he redeemed himself immediately. Imagine the redemption arc—it's the kind of story that makes sports so compelling!
Next up: a play that, while not impacting the final outcome of a lopsided 59-7 victory, grabbed everyone's attention with its sheer ferocity. Picture this—a defensive lineman charging like a freight train toward the opponent's goal line. Huskers lineman Riley Van Poppel pummeled Houston Christian's quarterback, Jake Weir, right in the pocket (for those new to football, the 'pocket' is the protected area around the QB where they throw from). The hit was so brutal it jarred the ball loose, and redshirt freshman Williams Nwaneri scooped it up for a 29-yard dash to the end zone, extending Nebraska's lead to 31-0.
Nwaneri reflected after the game: 'When I grabbed it, I was scrambling to keep my footing—that's why my run looked so wobbly. But hey, I'll make sure to secure the ball better in the future. And get this: I don't think I've ever scored a touchdown, not even in little league. This might've been my first!'
Shifting gears to a nail-biting moment against the 21st-ranked Wolverines: With mere seconds until halftime and trailing 17-10, everything hinged on one last chance. A costly timeout blunder by Michigan handed the Huskers an extra play. Quarterback Dylan Raiola rolled to the right, facing zero pressure, and fired a pass from Nebraska's 45-yard line. The ball landed just inside the end zone, where wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. snagged it amid defenders for a 52-yard gain. Suddenly, it was halftime with the score knotted at 17-all.
Barney shared his thoughts: 'We practice this route every single week. When it was called, I knew my job was to stick to the plan. Dylan delivered a perfect throw, I hauled it in—I'm thrilled, but it wasn't quite enough.' Unfortunately, Michigan pulled ahead for a 30-27 win, Nebraska's lone defeat so far. Here's where it gets controversial—do you think that timeout error was a game-changer, or was it just luck evening out? Fans are divided on whether refs should be more lenient in high-stakes situations.
Fast-forward to the Michigan State clash: Down 7-0 early in the first quarter, the Spartans lined up for a punt on their own 13-yard line. Nebraska's defense charged aggressively, and defensive back Jamir Conn, sprinting like an Olympic runner, broke through untouched to swat the punt away—his second block of the season. Tight end Carter Nelson grabbed the loose ball and scampered 3 yards for a touchdown. For beginners, a punt block happens when a punter kicks the ball, but defenders rush in to knock it down before it can be caught, often leading to big returns.
This might've been one of the easiest blocks ever in college football history. Nelson's score capped a lightning-fast pair of touchdowns within 1 minute and 14 seconds, fueling Nebraska's 38-27 romp. Conn recounted: 'I was eyeing that scoop-and-score myself, but I spotted Carter scoring in the end zone. We'd chatted about it during the week—he'd scoop, I'd be there to celebrate.'
Rounding out the top five: a third-quarter screen pass from Dylan Raiola to Nyziah Hunter during a hard-fought 38-27 win, with Nebraska leading 24-21. Hunter took the handoff, turned the corner, lost one shoe in the process, and bolted 59 yards for six points. He was flying—quite literally!
Hunter joked post-game: 'That was my inaugural one-shoe touchdown, and I was hitting top speed. Even with both shoes, I'm curious what my absolute limit would be.'
And this is the part most people miss—these aren't just flashy highlights; they reveal how Nebraska's versatility and quick thinking are turning heads. But here's where it sparks debate: are these plays evidence of a coaching genius, or could they just be overhyped moments against weaker teams? What do you think—will Nebraska sustain this momentum, or is there a counterpoint that we're overlooking, like potential fatigue in tougher matchups?
Honorable mentions abound, starting with a heartfelt off-field twist: After a dominant 68-0 thrashing of Akron, Huskers tight end Brock Lindenmeyer popped the question to his girlfriend, Kailyn Storovich, a Scarlet dancer, right on Memorial Stadium turf. The former walk-on also nabbed his first career touchdown catch against the Zips. 'I can't imagine a more perfect spot to say I love you and want to spend my life with you,' he told her in a touching Nebraska Instagram clip.
Then, from the thrilling 34-31 victory over Maryland, two standouts: Sophomore Kenneth Williams' explosive 85-yard kickoff return at 8:13 in the second quarter, flipping a 14-10 deficit into a 17-14 lead after Maryland scored. The return planted Nebraska on the Terps' 10-yard line; two plays later, Raiola connected with Lindenmeyer for a 7-yard touchdown.
Secondly, Emmett Johnson's dazzling 50-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, showcasing speed and elusiveness that even Barry Sanders might envy (think jukes, spins, and cuts that leave defenders flat-footed). It set up a field goal, narrowing Maryland's lead to 31-27.
There you have it—a whirlwind of Nebraska's most electrifying plays that have defined their season's start. Are these the building blocks of a championship run, or just early-season fireworks? Do you agree that moments like Hartzog's interception or Hunter's one-shoe dash are game-changers, or should we appreciate them more for the joy they bring? Weigh in with your take in the comments—let's debate whether Nebraska can keep this magic alive!
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