The Nebraska student section sings along to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" in the middle of a weather delay on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Butch Hug, Nebraska's associate AD for events, signals to the referee after lightning was reported in the area just after kickoff of the Nebraska-Akron game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Never say never, but Nebraska and Akron do not have many promising options when it comes to rescheduling Saturday night's scuttled season opener.
Nebraska's bye week falls Oct. 27, smack in the middle of Big Ten play, and Akron's is Sept. 29.
On Sept. 29, the Huskers host Purdue in a nationally televised game. The Zips host Central Michigan on Oct. 27.
If either team were to make its conference championship — Akron made the Mid-American Conference title game in 2017 — then the first weekend of December would also be completely out the window.
It would theoretically be possible to play the game later in December, although bowl partnerships are typically set after conference title games and it's unclear how any potential bowl appearance or eligibility would be affected by a game played so late.
Either team at that point in the season could find itself in a situation where it is either highly motivated or not at all motivated to play.
The other potential option NU has is to find a game to add to its schedule during its bye week. That could potentially be an FCS opponent that also has an opening or another FBS team that has a game scuttled early in the season.
No matter how you slice it, though, the odds of a makeup game against the Zips look iffy at best.
Suh makes return: After a nearly five-year absence, Ndamukong Suh returned to the University of Nebraska on Saturday.
If only he had the chance to actually see some football.
Suh, the former Husker great and longtime NFL standout, greeted a sold-out Memorial Stadium before the game and waved to fans as he made his way off the field during the weather delay that eventually ended the evening.
Suh had not attended a Husker football game since 2013, when Jordan Westerkamp caught a Hail Mary to beat Northwestern.
Bradley, McGriff did not dress: Before the game was canceled, it became apparent a pair of young offensive players were going to miss the game for unknown reasons.
Sophomore running back Jaylin Bradley and freshman wide receiver Justin McGriff were not in uniform.
Others who did not dress for the game included defensive backs Avery Anderson, Reid Karel and Bradley Bunner and redshirt freshman walk-on receiver Chad Alioth Jr.
John Cook in the house: Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook was as excited as anyone before Saturday night’s game at Memorial Stadium.
“I’ve been counting the days for this since he got hired,†Cook said. “I spend as much time around the football program as I can, watching how they train, how they do things and how they go about their business. It’s been fascinating from a coaching perspective to study them.
“Now I’m excited to see what it looks like for real.â€
Cook also drew parallels with Husker freshman setter Nicklin Hames and Adrian Martinez.
“They remind me a lot of our team. We have a young setter. They have a young quarterback.
“It’s fun to be around those kids.â€
Photos: Frost and lightning at rain-besieged Husker opener
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Video: The Memorial Stadium river
The Memorial Stadium river
— Emily Blobaum (@emilyblobaum)
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Akron vs. Nebraska, college football, 9.1.18
Video: Lightning time-lapse 7:50-8 p.m.
Time lapse video looking over showing the lightning that is causing the delay between the and the . 7:50pm to 8:00pm
Butch Hug, Nebraska's associate AD for events, signals to the referee after lightning was reported in the area just after kickoff of the Nebraska-Akron game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.