Topline Takeaways: Nebraska Puts a Beatdown on UTEP Like it's 1999

by T.J. Birkel

Boy, that was nice, wasn't it? For the first time in five years, the Nebraska football team played a season opener at home against something other than a Big 10 team. That's pretty remarkable when you think about it (and further evidence that the College Football Industrial Complex is out to get Nebraska...but that's for another day). 

Common Fans of a certain age were surely thinking, this is how it’s supposed to be. Nebraska took control with a touchdown on the opening drive, quickly recovered after a UTEP touchdown and red zone turnover, and never looked back. The 2nd team was in by the 3rd quarter; almost all of the reserves got in by the end of the game. Those of us who grew up in a certain era remember when this would happen with regularity – even in conference games. Hopefully it’s something we see early and often this year. 

Now, on with the Topline Takeaways. 

CHEERS TO THAT

Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. The man every Husker fan has been waiting to see didn’t disappoint. Dylan Raiola completed 19 passes on 27 attempts (that’s a 70% completion percentage for those keeping score at home), to go along with two touchdowns and no interceptions. We’ve heard all offseason about his maturity, his football smarts, and his talent. All of those things were on display Saturday. He threw multiple deep balls that were on the money; he found open receivers in the middle of the field and actually got them the ball; he moved well in the pocket, and looks like a natural in just about everything he does. Perhaps most importantly, he looked completely comfortable and in control running the offense. Coach Rhule specifically called out Raiola audibling at the line of scrimmage, leading to a 42-yard Emmett Johnson run. 

There will be much stiffer competition in the near future, but let’s just take a moment here Common Fans: we’ve got ourselves a dude. Dylan Raiola has all the tools, and he’s only going to get better. 

Having Faith That the Offense Will Come Through. Two things happened in the 1st half that Husker fans have not seen…

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