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    • Selection, coaches, defense and more
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    Selection, coaches, defense and more

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    From a UTEP perspective, the biggest storyline of Saturday’s game against Nebraska will be the start of the Scotty Walden era, as he becomes the Miners’ 27th coach in the program’s 107th season.

    Nebraska is expected to make significant improvements in Matt Rhule’s second year, as the Cornhuskers looked like a team on the cusp of a breakthrough last season.

    The quarterbacks are a study point, as are the opponents along the sidelines.

    A new season always brings with it questions. Here are five that will kick off the 2024 season for UTEP and Nebraska.

    Huskers’ QB Danny Railoa, UTEP’s QB Skyler Locklear

    Nebraska will start true freshman Danny Raiola, the top quarterback recruit in the class of 2024 and a five-star recruit out of Georgia. He originally committed to nearby Georgia but transferred to Nebraska, where his father was an All-American offensive lineman at the turn of the millennium and a Rimington Award winner. How will he fare in his first college game?

    Walden said he would pick a quarterback on Thursday, two days before kickoff, and he kept his word by naming Skyler Locklear after a long battle with Cade McConnell that stretched through the spring and fall. He also indicated that both could play, but it would depend on the game situation.

    Locklear is more of a run-pass option quarterback and is more of a threat with his legs. He has been in Walden’s system for three years but has never started a college game and has thrown just four passes. McConnell is a classic drop-back passer. He is in his first year in Walden’s system but started five games for UTEP last season and played well.

    Pressure on Nebraska coach Matt Rhule; UTEP coach Scotty Walden era begins

    The pressure is squarely on Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, whose team is a 27.5-point favorite coming into a season fraught with expectations. The Cornhuskers haven’t had a winning season since 2016, but came close in Rhule’s first season last year when they went 5-7.

    Rhule is still looking for his first season-opening win since becoming the head coach of Huskers football. Nebraska lost 13-10 to Minnesota on Aug. 31, 2023.

    Nebraska’s hopeful fans are convinced this is a breakthrough year. In Rhule’s second year at Temple, the Owls went from two wins to six; in his second year at Baylor, the Bears went from one win to seven. Nebraska returns an experienced team playing its first four games at home. The Huskers see UTEP as the layup that will start a big season.

    Walden begins his tenure as the 27th coach in UTEP history. While there is hope that the Miners will have an entertaining offense and can be competitive right away against much of Conference USA, expectations for the opener outside of the locker room are not high. What UTEP fans expect from Walden are glimpses of success from an offense that can develop throughout the year.

    An upset, however unlikely, would make Walden a name to remember quickly in UTEP football history.

    Nebraska Cornhusker defense is discouraging

    The most obvious mismatch on paper is UTEP’s brand-new offensive line against a Nebraska defensive line that returns four starters. The Miners aren’t completely lacking in experience, as the left side of the line, manned by Peay transfers Isaiah Wright at guard and Brennan Smith at tackle, is a tough sell.

    Two more spots will be filled by two reserves from last year, center Ivan Escobar and guard Otis Pitts, and then UTEP will look to true freshman Luka Matamoras.

    That group will face a Cornhusker unit that features returning All-Big 10 players, tackle Nash Hutmacher and end Ty Robinson. To say the least, there will be a premium on UTEP quarterbacks who get off the ball quickly.

    Can Mo Westmoreland spoil the Huskers’ celebration in Lincoln?

    UTEP has fared much better on the other side of the ball, as a defensive front led by outlaw Maurice Westmoreland has been a strength for the team. The other side, KD Johnson, has proven himself, and new tackles Devin Goree (who is questionable with a lower-body injury) and Sione TonTonga’uiha have had good crashes.

    Nebraska’s offensive line, a strong point last year, has made 153 total starts, led by Bryce Benhart, who sets a program record with his 42nd start on the offensive line.

    Any chance UTEP has is going to be getting a good pass rush, but to do that they have to stop the run. That’s not something the Miners excelled at last year.

    Buzz around UTEP vs Nebraska kick game

    Both teams believe they are ready to take a big step forward with a true sophomore kicker who has continued to develop after a slow start last season.

    Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano made 9 of 15 field goals and all 27 extra points. For UTEP, Buzz Flabiano made news earlier this week when he learned from the Sun Bowl jumbotron after a practice that he had earned a scholarship. He made 10 of 14 field goals and 29 of 30 extra points last year.

    Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.

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