Freshman QB Dylan Raiola is 113-of-169 passing (66.9 percent) for 1,358 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Raiola is on pace to have one of the 10 best QB seasons in school history and break Adrian Martinez’s freshman passing record of 2,617 yards. Raiola has been as good, if not better than advertised through six games. Rutgers did manage to humble him, though, last week. It will be interesting to see how Raiola responds over the final six games of 2024.
Offensive surprise player: WR Jacory Barney
It was hard to predict that we’d see this type of early impact from freshman wide receiver Jacory Barney . Thus far, Barney has 19 catches for 149 yards receiving and seven carries for 104 yards on the ground for two scores. Barney has been electric at times, and his presence on the field draws the eyes of the defense in his direction.
Biggest offensive moment: Jumping up 28-0 at half vs. Colorado
I’m not sure there is one singular moment for the offense that defines the first half of the season, but the high point for me was jumping up 28-0 over Colorado in the first half. We saw physical inside running from Dante Dowdell and some spectacular downfield throws by Raiola.
Defensive MVP: LB John Bullock
This one is probably a debate right now between a few players, but today, we give the nod to sixth-year senior linebacker John Bullock . He’s produced as many big moments for the Blackshirts as anyone through six games. Bullock leads NU with 33 tackles, is second with five tackles for loss, fourth with two sacks, and has three pass breakups, one interception returned for a touchdown, two QB hurries, and one forced fumble. He’s been everywhere for the Huskers.
Defensive surprise player: DB Ceyair Wright
Injuries are never easy to deal with, but sometimes you learn more about your football team. In the case of losing corner Tommi Hill , Nebraska learned that USC transfer Ceyair Wright is a star in the making. In Hill’s place, Wright is now the highest-ranked starter on PFF for the Huskers, with a grade of 84.3 on PFF. He’s been credited with four pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and a QB sack. He’s allowed just 10 receptions for 87 yards on 23 targeted throws. In the 206 snaps he’s logged, no player has been targeted more in coverage. Malcolm Hartzog has been targeted 29 times in 328 snaps and has allowed 18 catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns.
Biggest defensive moment: The goal line stand vs. Rutgers
No drive defines Nebraska’s defense more in 2024 than the goal line stand against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights ran six plays starting at the NU 2-yard line and could not get in. They had two different first-and-goal situations at the 2-yard line and were shut out on two consecutive plays from the 1-yard line. Then, on the following possession, they started on the 28-yard line and took a TFL for -1 yard, followed by back-to-back sacks of -4 and -15 yards. It was complete domination for the Blackshirts. Nebraska has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season.
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