Rhule, Huskers enjoy opening win over UTEP while recognizing work ahead

Even though it was only one game, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team showed that this isn't the 2023 team in Saturday's 40-7 season-opening win over UTEP.

The offense got contributions from guys up and down the roster, freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola flashed his talent but also looked poised and under control, the defense was great minus one drive and even special teams was strong.

It was a great way to start the new campaign, one that was met with as much hype as any in recent memory at Nebraska. Head coach Matt Rhule and the Huskers said afterward that they know there's plenty of things to improve upon but are also enjoying being 1-0.

“I’m happy for our guys, we’re 1-0," Rhule said after the game. "I told them I don’t care about next week’s game yet. I’m gonna wake up tomorrow morning but I’m gonna enjoy this. This was hard to do and they’ve worked really hard to get there. We’ll wake up tomorrow morning and we’ll start it all again.”

Related: Huskers show improved talent, depth in 40-7 win over UTEP

In particular, Rhule and the Huskers were happy that they put the game away early and allowed guys farther down the depth chart to get some playing time.

“That was our goal this game was to handle our business so the guys that busted their tail for scout team or second string, get those guys in," Raiola said.

“I couldn’t be more happy seeing those guys out on the field because those are some of the hardest working men I've ever been around," junior defensive back Marques Buford Jr. added. "They come out each and every day giving us the best looks possible, so just being able to have them get that experience to play in Memorial (Stadium), not everybody gets to play in a college football game so it was very — it made me happy. … It was special to see.”

Rhule said he was pleased with the effort all-around, for the most part.

He noted "a lot of great things" from Raiola in his first game, said the receivers had "just an amazing vibe" and, of the running backs, said, "I thought they all made plays."

Of course, the coach noted it wasn't all good, saying, "there's a lot of things we have to clean up," but was pleased with how they kicked off the season in front of their fans.

“There’s a lot of things that we have to fix before Colorado. There’s a lot of things that we have to fix before Big Ten play," Rhule said. "This is Game 1. You make your biggest jump from Game 1 to Game 2. I just felt like with our team we just needed to play, like, we needed to get out there and play, see what was good, see what was bad, and now we can go back and fix it.”

On Raiola, the coach said, “I thought for a first game for Dylan, a lot of great things. I think there’s a lot of things that we have to clean up as a staff and we will.”

In particular, he highlighted a couple of miscommunications but also noted that he made three checks before the 42-yard run by Emmett Johnson.

Raiola's teammates also praised him after the game.

Related: Nebraska's Dylan Raiola leads Huskers to end zone on first collegiate drive vs. UTEP

Senior wide receiver Jahmal Banks said he said the fire in his quarterback's eyes when they started the game.

“That killer mentality. … I’m humble but I’m him,” Banks described.

Senior running back Rahmir Johnson said Raiola operated “like a pro, flawless. ... Not surprised at all.”

The 19-year-old, evaluating himself after the win, said, "I think I did pretty good," before noting there are things to clean up and improve.

It was a special day for the Huskers as a whole, as well as their fans, but Raiola noted how meaningful it was to him, too.

“I think I’ve been waiting since I could think about playing football, probably 8 years old," he said, calling it "a lot of fun" to play like they did on Saturday.

Having his family, including former Husker All-American Dominic Raiola, with him for his debut made it extra special.

“It’s always a ritual of ours to have a pregame prayer on the field but to have it on the first college game, all my family there, it meant a little more. … Yeah, it was a great, special moment for our family and one we won’t forget,” the quarterback said.

And doing all of it at Nebraska, in front of the 86,072 fans at Memorial Stadium, was the cherry on top.

"It means a lot to have that kinda support for our team and to just have them behind us, there’s no place like it,” Raiola said of the fans.

Rhule noted that it was so loud on the sideline that he went from a single earphone headset to a double, calling the fans' impact "great." It also wasn't lost on him that the stadium was mostly filled until the final whistle.

“There’s not many places in the country where people stay for the whole game like our fans do, it’s unbelievable,” the coach said.

The crowd will again be rocking next weekend for a primetime matchup with Colorado, which beat the Big Red 36-14 last year in Boulder, and the Huskers know they'll have to bring their A-game. But at least for the season-opener, the Huskers looked much better than a year ago and gave fans' more reason to believe that this team and program is headed in the right direction.

On Thursday, Rhule said he hoped his team's performance against UTEP would "earn (fans') excitement" and make them proud.

"I hope they’re proud not just the result. I hope we play well and they’re proud of the progress and they’re proud of seeing a team that’s better than the team they saw last year,” the head coach said.

I think it's fair to say that goal was accomplished. Now, on to the next ones.