Rarely do ballyhooed recruits live up to the hype throughout their career. They rarely live up to the hype in their first season. Then there's Dylan Raiola, who lived up to the hype and then some in his first game as a true freshman QB for the Nebraska football program.
He's got every Husker fan feeling overwhelmingly optimistic today. Raiola made every type of throw, to every part of the field. He threw it from the pocket. He moved outside the pocket to extend plays. He put the ball on the money. He threw receivers open. He showed poise.
And most important, to me? Zero Turnovers.
Nebraska quarterbacks had one game all of last season without a turnover.
It's amazing what a true quarterback can do for an offense. In a recent podcast conversation, I discussed whether Nebraska had a high ceiling/high floor, or a high ceiling/low floor.
My gut going into this game against UTEP said Nebraska had a higher floor. Before Saturday, I said I would be shocked if they didn't make a bowl game.
After one game, I didn't see anything that make me change my mind. I can confidently say Dylan Raiola raises the ceiling for Nebraska football.
Nebraska football finally dominates an inferior team
I know the argument, "It's only UTEP! It was only one game."
That's true. But Nebraska won 40-7 and the first and second string sat out the final 20 minutes of the game. Chances are you've seen enough Nebraska football games to know that we haven't had many quarterbacks go 19/27 for 238 yards with 2 TDs and no turnovers to start a season in a LONG time.
Nebraska didn't have a 200-yard passer in any game last year. Think about that for a second.
Raiola played so well that his QB roommates got playing time. When was the last time Nebraska willingly played three quarterbacks because the game was in hand so early?
Something about this game was different. I can't wait to see where Dylan will go--and where he'll take this team--this year.
Nebraska did what it was supposed to do to an inferior opponent. When was the last time we said that? (Okay, 2021 Northwestern again.) But it didn't happen last year. Not against Northern Illinois or Louisiana Tech.
You know who did struggle this week against inferior opponents?
Michigan, Arizona, South Carolina, and UCLA struggled against Group of Five teams. Colorado and Oregon escaped absolute embarrassment against FCS opponents. Nebraska didn't.
The first step back to national relevance for Nebraska football is a dominating yet boring win over a team like UTEP.
More than a new QB, you can see Matt Rhule's plan coming to fruition
It wasn't just that Dylan Raiola played lights out. Every phase was good, if not great.
You saw the development Matt Rhule emphasized. This is not the same team as last year. Not even close. They've gown.
The Blackshirts limited a pass-happy offense to 205 yards and under 22 minutes of possession time. Their response to UTEP's lone score was stellar. Their safety set up Raiola's long TD pass to Neyor. The defense swarmed and gang-tackled. They lived up to the Blackshirt tradition.
Special teams had one blunder--a kickoff out of bounds. But they returned kicks and punts--for yards! (Mark my words, Jacorey Barney, Jr. will return a kickoff for a TD this year.)
They even went 1/1 on field goals and didn't miss an extra point. Play even or win special teams is the goal for Nebraska. In game 1, they won.
The offensive line had a fantastic game creating holes for running backs and a clean pocket for Raiola.
Then there were the receivers. Oh the receivers! Isaiah Neyor stole the show with six catches for 121 yards and that beautiful 59-yard TD catch. But then there was Banks, Bonner, Nelson, and more. Eleven Huskers caught passes on Saturday.
This was not the biggest highlight-reel worthy throw from Dylan Raiola but it was my favorite of the day. Worked through all his progressions and hit a wide open Neyor for a big first down.
— James Pruch (@jamespruch) September 1, 2024
If he can do this all year—and I think he can—good things will come. pic.twitter.com/YpXCxIKTMH
Eleven Huskers also carried the ball. Emmet Johnson led the way with eight carries for 71 yards. Dante Dowdwell looked like the best back and would have led the team in rushing had he not been pulled after his fumble.
But even that showed Rhule's own development as a coach. He honored his word: "If you fumble, you won't play." Dowdell will be back and he'll be better for it.
We had a feeling this team would be improved, especially on offense. If this would have been a 28-17 or 24-10 win for Nebraska, this would be a different article. But that didn't happen--finally.
How will Nebraska football follow up against Colorado?
Now we're on to Colorado week. The eyes of the nation will be on Lincoln. It's going to be electric next Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
Can Dylan Raiola outduel Shedeur Sanders? Can Matt Rhule outcoach Prime Tme? Can the Blackshirts slow down the high-powered Buffaloes offense? Can Nebraska football finally win the big game with everyone watching?
Something tells me the answer to each will be a resounding "yes."