Lincoln – True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola consistently led Nebraska’s offense down the field for touchdowns and the Blackshirt defense flexed its muscles as the Husker football team claimed a 40-7 victory over UTEP before more than 86,000 fans in the season opener at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Nebraska earned its first win in a season opener since a 35-21 victory over South Alabama in early 2019. The 33-point margin of victory was the Big Red’s largest since a 43-10 win over Fresno State in early 2016.

Raiola finished 19 of 27 for 238 yards and two touchdown passes on the afternoon while leading a Husker offense that racked up 507 total yards, including 284 passing and 223 rushing. Isaiah Neyor was Raiola’s favorite target, with six catches for 121 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown, while Jahmal Banks added four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown of his own. In all, 11 different Husker receivers had at least one catch.

Emmett Johnson led three Husker backs in receiving 50 or more yards each. Johnson finished with 71 yards on eight carries, while Dante Dowdell added 55 yards on eight carries, including Nebraska’s first touchdown. Rahmir Johnson threw for 50 yards on 11 carries. Gabe Ervin Jr. also contributed greatly to the Husker ground game with 24 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. In all, 11 Huskers had at least one carry.

Heinrich Haarberg also saw extensive action at quarterback behind Raiola, with a perfect 5-for-5 passing for 35 yards and two rushes for eight yards. Jalyn Gramstad also saw his first action at quarterback for the Huskers in the fourth quarter.

Raiola and the Husker offense set the tone by taking the kickoff and covering 72 yards in 12 plays, capped by a five-yard touchdown run from Dowdell with 9:00 left in the first quarter.

The Blackshirts forced a three-and-out in their first appearance on the field in 2024, but a few minutes later UTEP answered with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Skyler Locklear to Kam Thomas to tie the score at 7-7 with 2:24 left in the opening period.

Raiola was prepared to respond two drives later, moving the Husker offense inside the UTEP 5, but a forced fumble by the Miners’ Landon Hullaby and recovered by Dorian Hopkins snuffed out the scoring opportunity. UTEP took over at its own 3, though, and two plays later, Blackshirt defensive tackle Ty Robinson exploded off the end of the line and splashed running back Jevon Jackson in the end zone for a safety to give Nebraska a 9-7 lead with 10:29 left in the second quarter.

From that point on, it was all Huskers. Just 25 seconds later, Raiola connected with Neyor on an impressive 59-yard touchdown strike to extend Nebraska’s lead to 16-7. Neyor shined throughout the first half, hauling in five receptions for 107 yards. It was the Texas transfer’s fourth 100-yard game of his career, and his first as a Husker.

The Blackshirts quickly stopped the ball and Raiola and the offense went to work again, covering 63 yards in eight plays, capped by Ervin’s three-yard touchdown to give Nebraska a 23-7 lead with 5:34 left in the first half.

Raiola and the Big Red offense weren’t done yet. An interception by Malcolm Hartzog Jr. gave the Huskers the ball back with 2:05 left, and Raiola hooked a 21-yard pass that set up a dramatic touchdown reception by Banks with two seconds left, giving Nebraska a 30-7 lead into halftime.

Raiola finished his first half as Husker quarterback 15 of 22 for 192 yards and two scores. Most importantly, he led the offense to touchdowns on 4 of 7 drives.

The Huskers amassed 339 yards on 48 first-half plays, while UTEP managed 114 yards on 21 plays against the Blackshirts. Nebraska’s four running backs shared a first-half running load that totaled 147 yards on 25 carries, led by 55 yards from Dowdell. Emmett Johnson added 54 yards on just three carries, including a career-long 42-yard run. Rahmir Johnson added 37 yards on 10 totes, while Ervin contributed three carries for seven yards.

The Blackshirts shut down UTEP’s opening drive of the second half, and Raiola kept the Big Red moving. He marched Nebraska 73 yards on 11 plays, capped by Ervin’s second touchdown run of the game — this time from a one-yard run — putting the Huskers up 37-7 with 5:34 left in the third. That was Raiola’s last drive of the game, as he gave way to Haarberg on the next drive.

Haarberg’s drive was impressive, as the junior carried the Huskers 87 yards in 17 plays and covered 9:26. Tristan Alvano’s first field goal of the season was the highlight, giving Nebraska a 40-7 lead with 9:22 left in the game.

Nebraska returns to home turf next Saturday when the Huskers host Colorado. Kickoff with the Buffaloes is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT with live national television coverage by NBC.

Summary of the game
Nebraska40
UTEP-7
Saturday August 31, 2024
Lincoln, Nebraska (Memorial Stadium)
Presence: 86,072

Summary of the score
First quarter
NEB – 9:00 – Dante Dowdell 5 runs (Tristan Alvano kick), 12 plays, 72 yards, 5:54, NEB 7-0
UTEP – 2:24 – Kam Thomas 38 pass from Skyler Locklear (Buzz Flabiano kick), 3 plays, 63 yards, 0:42, 7-7

Second quarter
NEB – 10:29 – Ty Robinson Safety, 0:19, NEB 9-7
NEB – 10:04 – Isaiah Neyor 59 pass from Dylan Raiola (Alvano kick), 2 plays, 59 yards, 0:18, NEB 16-7
NEB – 5:34 – Gabe Ervin Jr. 3 runs (Alvano kick), 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:45, NEB 23-7
NEB – 0:02 – Jahmal Banks 21 pass from Raiola (Alvano kick), 9 plays, 59 yards, 2:03, NEB 30-7

Third quarter
NEB – 5:34 – Ervin Jr. 1 run (Alvano kick), 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:04, NEB 37-7

Fourth quarter
NEB – 9:22 – Alvano 20 FG, 17 plays, 87 yards, 9:26, NEB 40-7