Position grades from Nebraska’s 40-7 win over UTEP

Nebraska started the 2024 season off strong last weekend. The Huskers took down UTEP 40-7, their first season-opening win since 2019. A stellar offense and a strong defense led Nebraska on the day.

On offense, the Huskers amassed 507 total yards, including 284 passing yards and 223 rushing. The 507-yard day was Nebraska’s best since gaining 575 yards against Georgia Southern in 2022, which was also Nebraska’s last 500-yard output.

The Blackshirts held UTEP to 205 total yards, with 59 rushing and 149 passing. It was the eighth consecutive game in which Nebraska had held an opponent under 400 yards of offense. It was also the eighth straight game in which the Huskers limited an opponent to under 23 points.

Though the Husker suffered a few miscues, it didn’t overshadow the solid start to the season overall. Nebraska will now prepare for the Colorado Buffaloes, who visit Memorial Stadium this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Here are position grades from Nebraska’s 40-7 win over UTEP.

Quarterbacks: A-

Dylan Raiola’s first start at quarterback went as well as it could’ve. He threw 19-of-27 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Raiola set the tone from the opening drive, leading the Huskers downfield and erasing a second-and-30.

He did throw a couple of incompletions that were dangerously close to becoming interceptions, something Nebraska’s offense is looking to avoid this season. But, outside of that, Raiola performed exceptionally well.

Heinrich Haarberg threw five-of-five for 38 yards, leading Nebraska to a 20-yard field goal. Jayln Gramstad went one-of-three for 11 yards with his drive ending with a punt.

Running Backs: B+

Overall, the running back squad of Emmett Johnson, Rahmir Johnson, Dante Dowdell and Gabe Ervin Jr proved to be versatile in the win. The squad combined for 200 yards and three touchdowns off 33 carries, keeping up Nebraska’s success on the ground.

But Dowdell’s fumble in the red zone did leave a small reminder of the Huskers’ turnover problem. Though the fumble didn’t result in any points for UTEP, the ground game needs to avoid turnovers, especially if the backs carry the ball over 30 times a game.

Wide Receivers: A

Raiola’s outing wouldn’t have been successful had it not been for his receiving core. Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks led the aerial game, combining for 10 catches, 182 yards, and two touchdowns. The rest of the group helped bring the grand total to 284 receiving yards.

Neyor did have one drop on the opening drive, letting a diving pass go through his hands. But outside of that, the receiving core performed as needed for the win.

Offensive Line: A-

The offensive line rounded out the offensive performance, keeping the running backs out of harm’s way for the majority of the game. The line struggled heavily in the past, but in the win over UTEP, it only allowed Raiola to be sacked once.

That didn’t mean Raiola was completely safe in the pocket, however. The line also coughed up three tackles for loss.

But overall, it’s a solid start for the pipeline.

Defensive Line: A

UTEP finished with 56 yards rushing and suffered nine tackles for loss, one sack, and a safety. That about sums up the Huskers’ defensive line performance in the win.

Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, and Mason Goldman led the linemen, combining for seven tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss. Robinson picked up the safety for the Huskers, while Goldman earned the sack.

Linebackers: A-

The linebackers accompanied the defensive line in only surrendering 56 rushing yards while recording 9.0 tackles for loss. Mikai Gbayor and Vincent Shavers Jr. combined for eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

UTEP did get a few double-digit-yard runs, but the linebackers played the Miners tough throughout the afternoon, never letting too much get by them in the middle of the field.

Defensive Backs: B+

The aerial defense finished with two interceptions and held the UTEP passing game to 149 yards. But one blown drive and nearly another blown coverage dampened what could’ve been an A-grade performance.

UTEP picked up 50 of its 149 passing yards on its lone touchdown drive. The majority coming off the Miners’ 38-yard touchdown pass. UTEP almost scored on another blown coverage later in the game, but the pass fell incomplete.

Special Teams: A-

Outside their first kickoff going out of bounds, Nebraska’s special teams performed without any miscues. Tristan Alvano nailed a chip-shot 20-yard field goal. Brian Buschini delivered two punts, averaging 48.5 yards.

Jacory Barney Jr. took three kickoffs back for 75 return yards, and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda took three punts back for a total of 25 yards.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Position grades from Nebraska’s 40-7 win over UTEP