Instant Takes: Nebraska 40, UTEP 7
Nebraska opened its season with a massive confidence boost with a dominant 40-7 victory over UTEP.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola had an impressive debut as a Husker. He led Nebraska to five touchdowns in one half and a drive.
The Huskers defense was lights out against the Miners. NU’s special teams returners had one of their best games in recent history.
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NU has created momentum heading into Colorado week. The Buffalos will be their first real team.
Here are four instant takes from Nebraska’s season opener.
Dylan Raiola has an impressive debut
Raiola went 5-for-7 for 54 passing yards in his opening drive as a Husker. After a penalty set NU back to 2nd-and-30, the freshman found Jahmal Banks for a 19-yard gain to make it 3rd-and-11.
With the pocket collapsing, Raiola stepped up and slid right to connect with Neyor for the first day. It was an incredible move that displayed his athleticism, pocket awareness, and play-making abilities in big moments.
But after the first drive, Nebraska’s offense struggled. They didn’t score again until 10 minutes left in the second quarter. Raiola found Neyor for a 59-yard touchdown to make it 16-7. It was a great pass by Raiola that dropped perfectly over the receiver’s shoulder. Neyor stayed on his feet despite two DBs to earn his first Husker TD.
Raiola still had freshman moments. He had a few throws to a receiver that was double-teamed and totally covered. Luckily for Nebraska, neither was an interception. On a first-and-goal in the second, Raiola wasn’t watching the clock and forced Rhule to call a timeout. He was not happy. There are still wrinkles to work out but the whole picture is very promising.
But he also had some incredible reads. In the second quarter on a 3rd-and-5, Raiola checked and changed the play call. He handed it off to Emmett Johnson, who broke free for a 42-yard gain. At the end of the half, Raiola made a perfect throw to Banks in the endzone with eight seconds remaining.
In his long-awaited debut, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound QB went 19-for-27 for 238 passing yards in one half and one drive.
Raiola was born to be a quarterback. His athleticism, knowledge and instincts are top-tier. With Nebraska’s weapons at wide receiver, this will be a fun season for Nebraska.
Running back battle still on table
To some surprise, Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell was the star of the running back room. Rahmir Johnson got the start, but Dowdell quickly asserted his dominance. NU favored him in later downs.
He scored the Huskers’ first touchdown of the season. To start the second drive, Dowdell exploded for a 12-yard gain. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry with 55 rushing yards.
The back runs extremely hard and is super shifty and explosive. Dowdell fought his way past Emmett Johnson and Gabe Ervin Jr. in the lineup. However, the sophomore fumbled inside the five-yard line. Dowdell didn’t play a snap until the third quarter.
If Dowdell cleans up his ball security, he could be the Huskers’ starting RB.
Rahmir Johnson had a team-high 11 carries for 50 yards. Emmett Johnson averaged 8.9 yards per carry with credit to a 42-yard run. Ervin, who was RB4 on Saturday, had two touchdowns for 24 rushing yards.
Defense and specialist teams change games
Nebraska’s defense ignited its offense and changed the game for the Huskers. After Dowdell fumbled at the UTEP’s five-yard line, Ty Robinson and the Blackshirts forced a safety. Jacory Barney Jr. returned the kickoff 21 yards to the 41. The offense capitalized with a Raiola-to-Neyor TD.
NU’s offense took off at the safety, scoring three touchdowns in the last 10 minutes of the second quarter. Game over.
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The Huskers’ defense was elite against UTEP. They allowed seven points and 194 total yards. Malcolm Hartzog had a beautiful interception, his first since 2022 and fourth career INT. Rahmir Stewart had his first career interception in the fourth quarter.
Robinson led the game with two tackles for loss. Linebacker Mikai Gbayor had 1.5 TFLs. Nine Huskers recorded a tackle for loss.
Nebraska relied heavily on its defense in 2023. The offense gave the ball over 31 times and put their defense in very difficult positions. The Blackshirts were still really good with their backs against the wall often. They have the pieces to be even better in 2024.
The Huskers’ specialist teams had a really strong showing as well. NU had 25 punt return yards, thanks to Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda. They had 48 punt return yards in 2023.
As for kickoff returns, Barney had 75 yards on three returns. He will be a weapon on special teams and offense for Nebraska this season. The freshman had 10 receiving yards on one target. He had one great play that was called back due to a penalty flag.
The specialists didn’t get many opportunities. Brian Buschini had two punts for 44 and 53 yards. Tristan Alvano had one field goal for 20 yards and made five PAT kicks.
The concerns with Nebraska’s specialists haven’t been cleared yet. But their kick/punt return teams look improved so far.
Isaiah Neyor is big-time
Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor might be just what the Huskers needed. He had a game-high 121 receiving yards on six catches. He averaged 20.2 yards per catch with one touchdown.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior is very physical. On his touchdown catch, he fought off two defensive backs to get to the endzone.
He looks to be Raiola’s to-go receiver.
Banks also looked great. He had four catches on four targets. The Wake Forest transfer earned 61 receiving yards and one touchdown.
The Huskers have a deep wide receiver room and a quarterback more than capable of getting them the ball.
