Game Thread: Nebraska Football vs. UTEP – Dylan Raiola’s Debut Huskers News

Nate M. Quick Thoughts: I think we should all prepare ourselves for a competitive football game. Reminder that Dylan Raiola is a true freshman quarterback and he will likely make mistakes. Nebraska will also spend the day blocking top pass rusher UTEP’s Maurice Westmoreland who Matt Rhule said will be one of the best they see all season.

It should be a comfortable win but we need to prepare for a battle.

Nate M Prediction: Nebraska 45 – UTEP 17

Date: Today.

Location: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE

Time: 2:30 p.m.

TV Broadcast Info: FOX with Jason Benetti, Brock Huard and Allison Williams

Radio Info: Husker Radio Network with Greg Sharpe, Damon Benning and Jessica Cody. A list of affiliates can be found at Huskers.com/Listen

Nebraska – UTEP History: First ever meeting.

Matchup from Husker Game Notes: Nebraska kicks off its 135th season on Saturday when the Cornhuskers begin the 2024 campaign with their first-ever matchup against UTEP. Saturday’s season opener at Memorial Stadium will be televised on FOX with radio coverage on the Huskers Radio Network. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.

Nebraska is coming off a 5-7 record in Matt Rhule’s first season in 2023. The five wins in Rhule’s first season in Lincoln were more than the win total from his first season at Temple and Baylor combined, which is notable considering it took only three years for Rhule to lead both programs to school-record win totals.

The Huskers narrowly missed a bowl game last season, falling one win short of bowl eligibility. Five of Nebraska’s seven losses were by three points or in overtime, including four November losses by a total of 16 points. The Huskers return 10 offensive and seven defensive players who started at least six games last season. NU also returns its starting punter and place-kicker.

Nebraska is playing its first game of the season at home for the first time since the 2019 season. The Huskers are also beginning the season with a non-conference opponent for the first time since 2019. Each of the past four seasons, Nebraska began the year by facing a Big Ten opponent either on the road or at a neutral site.

Saturday’s opener against UTEP marks the first of four straight home games to begin the season for the Big Red. The five-game homestand is Nebraska’s longest season-opening homestand since the 2013 season when the Huskers opened the season with five consecutive home games.