Nebraska starts the season 1-0 with a dominant 40-7 win over UTEP, showing significant improvement and resilience. Despite a slow start with penalties and a fumble by Dante Dowell, Nebraska quickly recovered with a safety and a touchdown of 59 yards. This response was crucial as it marked a departure from previous seasons where the team would falter on mistakes. The game featured a wide variety of players, with 11 different rushers and receivers and three quarterbacks, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate different formations and strategies. The team showed a clear and efficient performance, unlike some other teams that struggled early in their seasons.

Nebraska’s offense was versatile, amassing 507 total yards with a balanced mix of 284 passing and 223 rushing yards. Quarterback Dylan Raiola led the way effectively with a strong performance, completing 19 of 27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, showing precision and poise. Backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg also contributed, completing five of five. The running game was equally robust, with several players contributing significant yardage, including Emmett Johnson and Dante Dowdell. Isaiah Neyor stood out in the receiving game, with six catches for 121 yards and a touchdown, highlighting the physical advantage of Nebraska’s receivers.

The defense also performed well, forcing two turnovers and maintaining a positive turnover margin. Special teams showed improvement, particularly in punt returns, where Nebraska gained valuable yardage instead of relying solely on fair catches.

Overall, Nebraska had a strong start, which gave hope for a successful season. The team’s ability to bounce back from early setbacks, engage many players, and perform well in all phases was promising. With a big game against Colorado coming up, this win could serve as a momentum builder for the rest of the season. Optimism is high among fans as Nebraska looks poised for a competitive year. Go Big Red!