Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hands the ball off to wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. (17) against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images Dante Dowdell had a pair of touchdown runs and Nebraska rode a big first half to cruise past Colorado 28-10 on Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb.
With the win, the Cornhuskers are 2-0 for the first time since 2016. It’s also their first win over the Buffaloes since 2010. Colorado is 1-1.
Nebraska freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 185 yards and a touchdown, and Cornhuskers’ defense held Colorado to 16 yards rushing on 22 attempts.
Meanwhile, the Buffaloes appeared to lose starting safety Shilo Sanders to a broken forearm in the first half. News of the injury was confirmed by Colorado coach Deion Sanders during a televised halftime interview.
By that point, Nebraska led 28-0. The Cornhuskers’ defense harassed Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders all evening, sacking him twice in the game’s first four plays.
Nebraska scored on its first offensive possession, with Dowdell capping a seven-play, 44-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run.
After the teams traded punts, Colorado started back at its own seven. Shedeur Sanders dropped back into his own end zone and threw a pass in the right flat intended for Drelon Miller, but Huskers cornerback Tommi Hill picked it off and ran into the end zone to make it 14-0 Nebraska.
Nebraska would miss a field goal on its next possession but march down the field 88 yards on its ensuing drive, with Dowdell bulling in from a yard away to make it 21-0 with 6:44 left in the half.
Colorado would give Nebraska a lot of help on its last touchdown drive of the half. A targeting penalty on Trevor Woods caused him to be ejected and put Nebraska at the Buffs’ 33-yard line. On the next play, Colorado was called for pass interference, giving Nebraska 15 more yards.
On the scoring play, Raiola fired a pass over the middle to Rahmir Johnson. Buffs linebacker LaVonta Bentley deflected the ball, but Johnson was able to adjust and make the catch before racing in the end zone.
Dowdell led all rushers with 74 yards. Johnson had a team-high eight catches for 49 yards.
Shedeur Sanders finished 23-for-38 for 244 yards and a score. He was sacked five times.
Saturday’s game marked the 398th straight sellout at Memorial Stadium.
–Field Level Media
