Nebraska Finally Wins a One-Score Game: Huskers Survive Cincinnati 20–17

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t dominant, and it sure as hell wasn’t relaxing, but Nebraska fans can finally say it: the Huskers have won a one-score game. In a matchup that felt destined for yet another fourth-quarter collapse, Matt Rhule’s squad held on to beat Cincinnati 20–17 at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Nebraska controlled possession (39:30 to 20:30), converted 10-of-18 third downs, and won the turnover battle 2–0. Dylan Raiola played efficient, if unspectacular, football, finishing 33/42 for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, leaned heavily on QB Brendan Sorsby’s legs. Sorsby rushed for 96 yards but managed just 69 passing yards on 13-of-25 with a backbreaking interception in the final minute that sealed the game for Nebraska. The Bearcats gashed Nebraska on the ground with 202 rushing yards at 6.7 yards per carry, but inexplicably turned away from the run when it mattered most.

The Call Everyone Is Talking About

With under a minute left and the ball inside field goal range, down just three, Cincinnati inexplicably dialed up a deep shot. Sorsby’s floater into the end zone was picked off by Malcolm Hartzog, ending the Bearcats’ hopes and sending Husker Nation into equal parts euphoria and disbelief.

“Why would you throw deep when you’re averaging seven yards a carry?” one fan vented online, echoing hundreds of Bearcat fans who immediately turned their anger toward head coach Scott Satterfield. On Reddit, the verdict was unanimous: fire Satterfield into the sun.

The Venue Drama

Plenty of criticism also went to Cincinnati’s athletic department for moving a home game out of Nippert Stadium and into Arrowhead. In a three-point loss, the “neutral” site worked heavily in Nebraska’s favor, with tens of thousands of Huskers flooding Kansas City. False start penalties directly tied to crowd noise became a storyline, further fueling anger from Bearcat fans who felt their AD sold them out for ticket revenue.

Breaking the Curse

For Nebraska, the narrative wasn’t about style points. It was about exorcising demons. The Huskers had become infamous for blowing close games over the past decade, and even as Cincinnati marched downfield late, the familiar collapse felt inevitable. Instead, Nebraska’s defense held and sealed a win that, while ugly, was cathartic.

“This is exactly the kind of game we’ve lost for 15 years,” one Husker fan admitted. “About damn time one went our way.”

What’s Next

The Huskers now face Akron and Houston Christian before diving into their Big Ten slate. The run defense will be a glaring issue moving forward, as stronger opponents like Penn State and Michigan loom. But for one night, Nebraska found a way to finish.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, leaves Kansas City devastated. The Bearcats controlled large stretches of the second half, only to let it slip away on questionable playcalling and critical mistakes. Their Big 12 debut season now faces more questions than answers.

Final Word

Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17.
The box score will show a modest Week 1 win, but anyone watching knows it was peak chaos: Nebraska nearly Nebraska’d themselves, only for Cincinnati to out-Nebraska Nebraska.

College football, welcome back.