Nebraska newcomer Nyziah Hunter catching on and snagging Huskers' first touchdown of the season

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LINCOLN -- Nyziah Hunter wasn't the first read, but Dylan Raiola saw the receiver in single coverage.

Nebraska's defense forced a Cincinnati turnover to gift the offense an extra possession and good field position before the end of the first half Thursday, and the Huskers were knocking on the door of the end zone with less than a minute remaining. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen's play call was scratchy in Raiola's ear, and the Bearcat defense was scrambling before the snap as Jacory Barney went into motion.

Raiola rarely went Hunter's way on that play in practice, but his throw from 11 yards out was on target and in time as the California transfer jockeyed for position with defensive back Matthew McDoom near the sideline in the end zone.

Hunter leapt and snagged the ball at his highest point for the Huskers' first touchdown of the season.

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"The catch was great, but I got my feet in," Hunter said. "I toe-tapped it. Just knowing that I did what I had to do in the winning moment, I made that play, and it just felt great."

Hunter was Raiola's go-to target in his Nebraska debut, hauling in six passes for a team-high 65 yards. Cincinnati's high safety shell limited the Huskers' explosive plays, but Hunter's 24-yard catch down the sideline in the second quarter was NU's longest gain of the night.

His presence on short and intermediate routes kept the chains moving in a businesslike performance for an offense with a relatively new coordinator and a restocked receiver room.

"It's really stressful knowing that we can't take a lot of shots, but me, Dane (Key), Jacory, we got guys to make defenses change their game plan and stuff like that," Hunter said. "So I think throughout the game they were changing it up, trying to go man on us and once they did we just capitalized on when they did."

Photos: Nebraska football vs. Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City