Raiola, Huskers roll UTEP in season opener

LINCOLN, NEB. - For the first time since 2019, Nebraska can say they’re 1-0.

Nebraska dominated UTEP 40-7 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

“I think the thing I’m most proud of is the way they came out in the second half,” Head Coach Matt Rhule said. “I told them, I think the team I first knew would have been up 30-7 and would have relaxed.”

“It’s just great to start the season 1-0,” DB Maqrues Buford Jr. said. “Coming out, it’s good that a lot of guys get to play… It was our goal to get the guys who helped ugfs to prepare for the game, in the game.”

Saturday was the long awaited Debut of Dylan Raiola, and it didn’t disappoint - Raiola went 19/27 through the air for 238 yards, and tossed two dazzling touchdowns Isaiah Neyor and Jamal Banks. Raiola says it was a special day, to kick off his career and he felt the energy from Husker nation.

“It means a lot to have that kind of support for our team,” Raiola said. “To have them behind us, there’s no place like here. To be in this situation with my teammates, I’m grateful.”

Nebraska also utilized all four running backs listed on the depth chart, racking up 223 of their 507 yards on the ground.

“Dante really ran the ball well, then he had that fumble, but then he came back,” Rhule said. “Gabe showed some really good plays, Emmett had that big run, Rammer ran hard.. I was really impressed with that whole group.”

Nebraska hosts Colorado next Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium.