On a beautifully warm afternoon on the final day of August, the Nebraska Cornhuskers crushed the UTEP Miners 40-7 in a game that marked the debut of five-star phenom signal-caller Dylan Raiola. It was also the first home opener and the first home opener in five years. In Matt Rhule’s second season at the helm, the expectations of the Husker faithful are high, and the dominance of an outmatched UTEP team did nothing to dampen those hopes.

After averaging just 18 points per game in 2023, the Huskers had put up 30 points by halftime, the 33-point margin marking the largest in a season opener for Nebraska since a 43-10 win over Fresno State in 2016. Also unusually, the starters left the court with 20 minutes remaining, giving 85 Huskers valuable playing time.

The Huskers held an 83-50 advantage in total plays, a 38:32-21:28 advantage in possession, won the turnover battle 2-1, and earned their first defensive safety in 15 years (2009 Holiday Bowl vs. Arizona). That’s how Nebraska has historically dominated second-tier foes, but it’s been a long time since the Huskers have done it without unnecessary drama.

The Huskers opened the game with an 11-play, 73-yard drive that saw them overcome a 2nd and 30, convert all three third downs and culminate in a Dante Dowdell 5-yard touchdown. The next Husker possession ended with a turnover on downs followed by a UTEP three-play, 63-yard drive that took just 42 ticks off the clock to tie the game at 7-7. It was an oh-dear moment for the crowd that created another big one when Dowdell fumbled at the UTEP 3-yard line two series later. From there, with 10:48 left in the 2nd quarter, the Husker defense created a safety, forced four punts and caught two interceptions. Meanwhile, the Husker offense scored on its next five possessions with four straight touchdowns and a field goal. The nerve-wracking period essentially came to an end when Raiola led the offense on a nine-play, 59-yard drive in the final two minutes of the first half, scoring with :02 left to take a 30-7 lead.

The Huskers finished with 507 yards of total offense, including 284 passing yards and 223 on the ground. Eleven Huskers carried the ball, matched by 11 receptions. The Blackshirts held UTEP to 205 total yards with just 56 yards rushing, the ninth time in 13 games under DC Tony White that the Huskers have held their opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards. Nine Huskers contributed nine tackles for loss with just one solo sack.

Dylan Raiola became just the second Husker true freshman quarterback to start a season opener since the 1940s, following Adrian Martinez who started against Colorado in 2018. He finished his day after just one drive in the second half, completing 19 of 27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, including 192 yards before halftime. The 19-year-old teenager showed tremendous poise in the pocket and threw from multiple arm angles as Nebraska’s short-to-intermediate passing game looked genuinely rhythmic. His check down from a run to a pass and back to a run that set up Emmett Johnson’s 42-yard sprint in the 2nd quarter highlighted his ability to read the defense and show patience before the snap. The back-shoulder 21-yard TD toss to Jahmal Banks was flawlessly executed. Also a damn good catch. He also threw a perfect deep ball to Isaiah Neyor on the first possession that very well could have been a touchdown. Raiola threw only a few scary balls into coverage, but escaped without a pick. A good learning curve start for the freshmen.

Heinrich Haarberg also looked much better this year and could be a very capable backup. Haarberg completed 5 of 5 passes for 35 yards and had 8 rushing yards on 2 attempts. Transfer Jaylyn Gramstad even got into the fray, finishing 1 of 3 for 11 yards. The offensive line looked much better, and they provided a consistent push forward, giving up only one solo sack in pass protection. Bryce Benhart made his 42nd career start in today’s game, setting a record for most career starts by a Husker offensive lineman. He struggled a bit against UTEP’s leading rusher and had the only false start penalty, but the experience up front bodes well for the upcoming season.

The four-man running back approach did not disappoint. Rahmir Johnson started the game and finished with 11 carries for 50 yards. Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell scored the first Husker TD and finished with eight carries for 55 yards, all in the first half. He left the field after his turnover in the second quarter and did not return. Matt Rhule appears to be serious about fumbles leading to bench time. Emmett Johnson had a 42-yard run to the five to set up a touchdown in the second quarter. The run was the longest of Johnson’s career, better than a 29-yard run against Maryland last season. Johnson finished the game with eight carries for 71 yards. Gabe Ervin Jr. had a pair of touchdown runs (3 yards, 1 yard) and made the most of his six carries for 24 yards. All four backs have something to contribute and should keep the runners fresh off the bench. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the feature back. I loved that two of the rushing touchdowns came from the I-formation.

Two transfer wide receivers contributed 10 of the 25 receptions and 182 of the 284 yards receiving. The Huskers were led by Wyoming and Texas transfer Isaiah Neyor’s six catches for 121 yards. Neyor’s 100-yard receiving game is the first by a Husker since Trey Palmer had 165 receiving yards at Iowa in 2022. That means no one accomplished that feat last year. The poise shown after the catch on his 59-yard scoring scamper was worth a highlight. Wake Forest transfer Jahmal Banks added six grabs for 61 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone. Another newcomer, true freshman Carter Nelson contributed three catches for 21 yards, including 32 yards gained after the catch. This kid has big potential, having transitioned from tight end to the slot. Janiran Bonner also had three receptions for 26 yards and Thomas Fidone only managed one yard on his three grabs. I’m not sure what the plan is for Fidone, but he’s much more effective on bootlegs and downfield than he is on the flat. Fidone had a nice clear out block on Dowdell’s first possession touchdown. Luke Lindenmeyer, Roman Mangini and Keelan Smith all had their first career Husker receptions. You have to wonder where Malachi Coleman and Jaylen Lloyd fit into the offensive scheme, as the WR room is much deeper than it was a year ago.

The defense was led by defensive back Malcolm Hartzog who had 5 solo tackles and the first interception of the year, his fourth career pick. He was also burned on the lone Miner score. He will need to be ready to roll next Saturday when Colorado’s speedy receivers come to town. Linebacker Mikai Gbayor also had 5 stops, including 1.5 tackles for loss. I thought Vincent Shavers and Marques Buford both played well with 3 stops each, with Buford adding a pass breakup. The defensive line was solid as expected with Nash Hutmacher adding 3 stops with a tackle for loss and both of Ty Robinson’s tackles coming behind the line, including the safety. I also thought MJ Sherman played well (2 tackles) with reserves Rahmir Stewart (2 tackles) getting the second pick and Mason Goldman having the lone sack.

Special teams helped more than it hurt in the opener, as the return game could be back. We had 48 yards on punt returns all season last year. On Saturday, Isaiah Garcia-Castenada had 25 yards on three returns. Jacory Barney added 75 yards on three kickoff returns with a long of 35 yards. Brian Buschini averaged 48.5 yards on his two punts with a long of 53 yards. John Hohl took the kickoff and after a boot out of bounds on his first attempt, he settled down and was solid. UTEP’s return game was negligible, aside from a 29-yard punt return late in the game. Placekicker Tristan Alvano added five extra points and a short 20-yard field goal, which can only help his confidence.

For the first time in five years, the Huskers are 1-0. Moving the team to the west sideline was a good move. While there is less space, it is much cooler in the shade than in the sun on hot days like Saturday. Even with an undersized opponent, I think the Huskers are much better than they were last year. The offense certainly has a pulse. Not giving the football away is a good start. Next week, the Vermin from Boulder make their appearance after beating North Dakota State 31-26 on Thursday night. The atmosphere of the night game should rock Memorial, although I am not sure there will be enough room for their head coach’s ego. Their QB Sanders and WR Hunter are likely first-round NFL draft picks and containing them will be a tough task, but their defense remains suspect and the Huskers may have some big-play ability as well. Beat the Buffaloes and the momentum will skyrocket. Go for big red!!

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