Rhule praises Huskers QB Dylan Raiola, says others on offense 'better pick it up'

What a start to the season it's been for the Nebraska football team.

The Huskers, fresh off a big win over the rival Colorado Buffaloes, entered the AP Top-25 Poll for the first time in five years and have a chance to keep it going this weekend against Northern Iowa.

Still, multiple Huskers made it clear after Saturday's win that they're not getting too far ahead of themselves and head coach Matt Rhule called out much of the offense on Monday.

Related: Rhule and Huskers 'fired up' after emphatic win over Colorado but not looking far ahead

When asked about the performance of true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola through two weeks, Rhule praised the 19-year-old and said his teammates need to match his performance.

“I told the offense a lot of them have to pick their intensity up to his level, not the other way around," Rhule said. "He’s trying to throw the ball to guys that are supposed to be in certain places and they’re not there. He’s at a whole other level and those other guys better pick it up.”

In Nebraska's 2-0 start, Raiola has completed 42 of his 57 passes (73.7%) for 423 yards and three touchdowns, with zero interceptions.

In particular, Rhule highlighted Raiola's preparation, explaining that coaches weren't sure how Colorado's new defense would play certain situations, like the final two minutes of the first half. Instead of playing man coverage like Nebraska had readied for all week, the Buffaloes started playing Cover 2.

"We go right to Cover 2-beaters and he's over there like, 'Hey, let's go to this play,' and he hits it," Rhule said of Raiola.

He added, “Dylan’s doing a great job. I need everyone else to understand like, if a freshman knows all 120 plays in the gameplan, then, as a junior, I better know all 120 plays, or 80, whatever’s in the gamelan. ...If he knows that, like from camp, everyone else better know that."

It's already that way on defense, according to the head coach, who called that unit's accountability "unmatched," but the rest of the offense needs to get there to help this team take the next step.

Other notes

• Rhule made clear on Monday that he's not happy with his special teams unit this season.

The group had a punt blocked, missed a short field goal — Rhule indicated that snapping issues could've played a role in that — and allowed a 61-yard kickoff return.

“The worst special teams performance I’ve had in a long time,” Rhule said of Saturday's game, adding that he’s “disappointed.”

The coach said he's confident that special teams coordinator Ed Foley will get things straightened out but said big improvements are needed.

• Running backs Dante Dowdell and Rahmir Johnson are listed as co-starters heading into Week 3, with Emmett Johnson and Gabe Ervin Jr. listed a co-backups.

Rhule noted they'll all still have a role and are still competing but admitted that Dowdell and Rahmir Johnson have been their top two backs thus far.

• Rhule praised freshman wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr., saying, “I love watching Jacory play. We can’t get the ball to him enough in my mind.”

Through two games, Barney has seven catches for 39 yards, two rushes for 28 yards and five kickoff returns for 110 yards, displaying his explosive ability multiple times.

Expect to see him get plenty more opportunities in the weeks ahead.

• Rhule confirmed the Huskers have filed an appeal regarding junior linebacker Mikai Gbayor's targeting ejection early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game.

The coach said he's happy Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders wasn't hurt but believed the quarterback slid late and Gbayor didn't intend to hit him in the helmet.

If the appeal is denied, Gbayor will be suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Northern Iowa.

• Finally, Rhule said he's anxious to see how his team performs against a Northern Iowa team that plays differently than UTEP and Colorado.

“We’ve played two spread teams, now it changes," Rhule said. "How do we match up against teams that wanna run the ball like we wanna run the ball? How do we match up against teams that want to play physical defense and play special teams?”

Kickoff is again set for 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.