'I think it's gonna be electric' — Huskers ready to get new season started in front of home fans

It's been a bit since Nebraska football fans have been this excited for a season.

Yes, the Huskers faithful are one of the most loyal fanbases in sports, a perfect representation of the lyrics in "Dear Old Nebraska U" even when the on-field performance has struggled. And while there is renewed hope every year, the clear progress the program made in head coach Matt Rhule's first year plus the key additions since then have ratcheted up the anticipation for the 2024 campaign.

Of course, true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola , Nebraska's highest-rated football commit in nearly 20 years, is a big part of the excitement, but the Huskers have also added more weapons at receiver and running back while returning defensive coordinator Tony White, the architect of the 11th-best overall defense in the country last season and several defensive leaders.

Rhule's track record is also reason for excitement, as he's help his programs take big steps each season at his past stops, and he already got the Huskers to five wins in his first year at the helm, a bar that, while low, still hadn't been reached since 2019.

All of this has fans believing that this could not only be the year the Huskers end their ridiculous bowl game drought but also take a real step toward reestablishing Nebraska to its place as one of the premier football programs in the country.

Saturday's game against UTEP is the first step toward doing that, and it's not just the fans who are excited.

“To be able to come out and open in front of the fans this season is super exciting, and we’re gonna go out there and we’re gonna give them a show,” senior defensive tackle Nash Hutmacher said earlier this week.

“Oh I think it’s gonna be electric," White added. "I think being in Nebraska you hear about the greatest fanbase and that kinda stuff and it’s just kinda words in the air but it truly — I mean, spring game, 66,000-plus, we were’t getting that when I was at Arizona State in games or Syracuse, I mean, we were not getting that, that was not happening — so to see 90,000 (fans), first game of the year, I think it’s gonna be electric and guys feel it, they know, you feel it in the air, just the vibes, you kinda get the goosebumps right now talking about it. It’s gonna be a great day.”

Related: 12 Huskers defenders get Blackshirts ahead of season-opener

Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield stated, “It’s gonna be a celebration to go out there on Saturday snd see all the hard work and see what happens.”

The Huskers have been focused on hard work all offseason in an effort to take that next step this season, and the program's "Chasing 3" documentary — produced in-house — has offered glimpses of that work in recent months.

Saturday's matchup with UTEP is just one game but it's also the first opportunity for the team to show fans and themselves that the hard work is paying off.

“We’ve worked very hard," Rhule said on Monday, stopping short of making any grand statements about the team's progress. "Excited to play a home game, excited to play UTEP.”

Asked about similarities between this year's team and his 2019 group at Baylor, which went 11-3 and played in the Sugar Bowl after a 7-6 season before it, Rhule deadpanned, "I hope so." However, while Rhule said he sees some similar accountability and leadership from the upperclassmen on this Nebraska team, he also noted 2019 was his third season at Baylor and they won a bowl game in 2018, adding that this team still has to learn how to win.

That's a crucial element, as the Huskers found themselves with a chance to win time and time again last season before collapsing late, losing five games by one score, four of which were by just a field goal.

Related: Rhule roundup, Week 1: Not easing Raiola in or overlooking UTEP

That has fueled the offseason work and seems to have helped raise the team's floor and ceiling, but putting everything together and coming through when it matters is still something that needs to be proven. The coaches and upperclassmen seem to know that, which is another reason they've been looking forward to Saturday.

“Obviously we’re excited. … This is our home turf so we’ve gotta defend it and do anything, you know, play to our ability and that’ll happen,” Junior tight end Thomas Fidone II.

And yet, so much of that will come down to the 19-year-old at quarterback and his ability to lead this team forward to avoid a repeat of last season. Raiola said it best during his media availability this week:

“Buckle up, it’s gonna be a fun ride.”

The bus leaves the station at 2:30 p.m. Are you ready, Huskers fans?

Related: Dylan Raiola's message to Huskers fans: 'Buckle up, it's gonna be a fun ride'