Linebacker Mikai Gbayor played 43 snaps in Nebraska’s 36-14 loss at Colorado last season, so he knows the feeling of walking off a field as opposing CU fans stormed it in glee.
“It was a tough game from start to finish,” Gbayor told a small group of reporters Tuesday.
“It was one of those games where we knew it was going to be a dogfight — and same thing this year. We already know what it’s going to be. We already know they’re going to come in here with a little bit of attitude. It’s nothing that we’re not going to prepare for.”
Gbayor said NU’s offense — which struggled last season but racked up 507 yards in a 40-7 win over UTEP — is a good preparation for Buffaloes because the Huskers’ O has a lot of “dogs” on it.
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One of them is new quarterback Dylan Raiola. Asked if Raiola’s passing prowess helps NU’s defense get ready for CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Gbayor cautioned against comparing the two.
“You can’t compare Dylan to Shedeur Sanders,” Gbayor said. “Don’t do that. Dylan is a different man. The way he plays, the way he goes out there and attacks. Dylan is a dog. You’ll see on Saturday. I put all my trust in him and this team and the guys who’s blocking for him. We’ve just got to do our part on defense.”
In a separate interview, Gbayor said Sanders is a good quarterback who likes to get out of the pocket to make throws. Nebraska’s defense will have a plan for that, Gbayor said, and needs to execute it.
Raiola, meanwhile, is like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“He’s a real Mahomes,” Gbayor said. “I see him, I see Patrick Mahomes. The way his mechanics are and everything.”
Photos: Nebraska football takes on No. 22 Colorado
Nebraska’s Elliott Brown (41) jogs onto the field ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
From left, Trevor Simmons, Tobi Moore, Nathan Gaunt and Anna Kerege take in the stadium ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Janisa Shaffer, a Colorado freshman communications major, enter the stadium ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Stadium seats await fans ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Husker fans arrive ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Alex Bullock (84) flips and can’t catch the ball in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) breaks up a pass thrown to Colorado’s Travis Hunter (12) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule calls over the officials during the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) reacts after a missed tackle in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) is hit by Colorado’s LaVonta Bentley (20) while passing the ball in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson (14) gets away form Colorado’s Marvin Ham II (25) and Colorado’s Derrick McLendon (9) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) looks up at the scoreboard in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Colorado’s Jace Feely (17) kicks a field goal in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) can’t grab the ball from Colorado’s Bishop Thomas (95) on a turnover in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with officials during the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) is brought down by Colorado’s Shilo Sanders (21) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Koby Bretz (26) grabs the legs of Colorado’s Dylan Edwards (3) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone II (24) gets ahead of Colorado’s LaVonta Bentley (20) and Colorado’s Jaylen Ellis (7) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs with the ball in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Colorado fans run onto the field following the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule walks off the field following the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) hands the ball off to Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) gets away from Colorado’s Omarion Cooper (3) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) is brought down by Colorado’s Leonard Payne Jr. (55) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
A Nebraska fan wearing a No. 3 jersey is surrounded by celebrating Colorado fans following a Buffalo touchdown in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) keeps his knee off the field in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano (30) and Nebraska’s Nouredin Nouili (63) watch a missed field goal attempt by Alvano in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Colorado’s Jordan Domineck (44) celebrates a missed Nebraska field goal attempt in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Colorado’s Devee Harris (33) is called for taunting after getting in the face of Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Ben Scott (66) is called for unsportsman-like conduct after shoving Colorado’s Devee Harris (33) after he was taunting Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Kai Wallin (93) can’t catch up to Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (2) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Nick Henrich (3) throws the bones in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Blaise Gunnerson (97) goes after Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (2) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Billy Kemp IV (1) and Nebraska’s Grant Tagge (56) walk off the field in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (13) leaps on Colorado’s Xavier Weaver (10) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) looks to pass the ball in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Colorado’s Tar’Varish Dawson (6) and Colorado’s Van Wells (55) celebrate a touchdown catch by Dawson in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton (8) and Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) react talk after a Colorado touchdown in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s MJ Sherman (48) brings down Colorado’s Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Malachi Coleman (15) takes the field for warm-ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Gunnar Gottula (77) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Leona Rhule, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule’s daughter, watches the Huskers take the field for warm-ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Elijah Malesa, of Omaha, cheers as the Huskers take the field for warm-ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) lines up for a play in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Omar Brown (12) takes down Colorado’s Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) hands the ball off to Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
A pylon with the Colorado and PAC12 logos during the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule watches his team in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano (30) kicks a field goal in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) is brought down by Colorado’s Jordan Domineck (44) in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.v
A flyover ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola walks on the field during a break in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Fans watch the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska’s Luke Lindenmeyer (44) takes the field ahead of the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
Nebraska special teams coordinator Ed Foley watches his team in the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game at Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Colorado won the game 36-14.
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