Nebraska Leads UTEP 30-7 At The Half

Looks like a beautiful day in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nebraska 7 – UTEP 0
Scoring drive 12 plays, 72 yards, 5:54

Nebraska scored on a 5-yard run by Dante Dowdell.

Nebraska had two penalties on the drive, one for a false start on Bryce Benahart and one for pass interference on Thomas Fidone, who started a block downfield during a pass play before the pass was actually thrown. A rather dumb mistake.

It made no difference. Facing a 2nd and 30, our beloved Huskers made up the yardage as if it were no big deal.

In their first possession of the Dylan-Raiola era, the Huskers looked fairly crisp. They looked like an offense that knows what it’s doing.

Nebraska 7 – UTEP 7

Nebraska stopped UTEP on their opening offensive series, then their drive, then Nebraska’s drive stalled out after they failed to convert on a 4th and 5.

UTEP got the ball back at their 37 yard line and it took them only three plays to score, the big play coming on a 38-yard touchdown reception from Skyler Locklear to Kam Thomas. It was an excellent throw and it’s clear that UTEP came to play.

Nebraska 9 – UTEP 7

Nebraska’s offense looked in good shape, moving the ball down the field, like they were going to score their next touchdown.

Unfortunately, Dante Dowdell fumbled as the turnover demon rose from hell to bite our beloved Huskers, and the Miners started their next drive on the two-yard line.

On the second play of their drive, Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson came off the edge, hitting quarterback Skyler Locklear in the end zone, and while Locklear was able to pitch the ball to Jevin Jackson, Jackson was stopped in the end zone.

Nebraska scores a safety as the defense gets involved.

Nebraska 16 – UTEP 7

Nebraska got the ball back after the safety and scored within two plays.

Dylan Raiola hit Isaiah Neyer on a 59-yard TD.

The scoring drive took two plays, went for 59 yards, and lasted 18 seconds.

Nebraska 23 – UTEP 7

Nebraska’s offense is clicking. Our beloved Huskers started this drive at their own 37, then scored in eight plays 63 yards, the score coming on a three-yard rushing touchdown by Gabe Ervin Jr.

Note that they are playing all the running backs and the running backs appear to be doing well with the exception of Dowdell’s fumble.

The big play on the drive came when Emmett Johnson rushed for 42 yards through a really big hole on the left side to the UTEP five-yard line.

Nebraska 30 – UTEP 7

Nebraska’s final drive of the first half started on their own 41, when Malcolm Hartzog ipulled down an interception.

Riaola did an excellent job managing the scoring drive, which was capped off by a 21-yard touchdown reception from Ryola to Jahmal Banks.

The drive started rather rough when Raiola took a hard hit and was sacked for a loss of 6 yards to back to the 35-yard line. Nebraska made up for it quickly, with key plays of hitting a 15-yard pass to Isaiah Neyor, and a 14-yard pass to Janiran Bonner.

The drive took 2:03, lasted 9 plays and went for 59 yards.

First Half Thoughts

While it may be a little early, it looks like Nebraska may have an offense in 2024 that doesn’t make us cringe every time they walk on the field.

While there was the first half fumble by Dowdell, the entire team responded by keeping their shit together and continuing to play good football, limiting UTEP to no more scores past their initial touchdown and scoring a bunch of points themselves.

It’s a very good start to the 2024 season. A few mistakes that we can complain about, but overall…. WOW!!!!