Colorado-Nebraska evokes memories of a forlorn college football rivalry.
Big Eight. Wishbone offenses and run-first quarterbacks.
Times have changed. Nebraska freshman Dylan Raiola enjoyed a five-star debut for the Huskers in a 40-7 victory against UTEP, and that will build the hype for a Week 2 showdown against Colorado and projected first-round pick Shedeur Sanders. Raiola was the freshman standout in Week 1 after a debut that offered the promise that Nebraska could turn a corner with second-year coach Matt Rhule.
Speaking of 1990s glory days, Miami quarterback Cam Ward – a two-time transfer – led the Hurricanes to a 41-17 victory against Florida. Ward put his name in the Heisman Trophy mix as one of the top stars of Week 1.
Several other transfer quarterbacks made their debut for College Football Playoff contenders in Week 1. We took a look at a handful of those quarterbacks, including Ward, Notre Dame's Riley Leonard, Ohio State's Will Howard and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, among others.
Who made the grade in Week 1? A closer look:
Top transfer QBs
Cam Ward, Miami: A
Week 1 stats vs. Florida: 26 of 35, 385 yards, 3 TDs, INT
Ward – a Washington State transfer – stayed under control in a 41-17 victory against in-state rival Florida – even after taking two roughing the passer hits in the first half. He was 16 of 20 for 173 yards and two TDs in the first half, and he shook off an interception that led to a field goal.
Ward had two big-time throws in the first half – one a 30-yard dime to Isaiah Horton in the middle of the field, and the other a 24-yard TD pass between two defenders to Xavier Restrepo. He also had two scrambles for 36 yards as a complementary piece to Damien Martinez, an Oregon State transfer and tough inside runner.
Ward saved his best throw for the third quarter, when he spun away from pressure, drifted toward the sideline and delivered a 23-yard TD pass to Jacolby George for a TD. That gave Miami a 38-10 lead and sealed a blowout at The Swamp.
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska: A-
Week 1 stats vs. UTEP: 19 of 28, 238 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Is this a case of a five-star freshman living up to the hype? Or just a product of Nebraska quarterback starvation for the last decade? Raiola – who looks like Patrick Mahomes II – made a few plays that were shades of the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback against UTEP. Mahomes recognized that after Raiola hit Jahmal Banks for a 21-yard TD on a fade in the second quarter.
Nebraska trusted Raiola to make tight throws on third and fourth down in the first half, and was 3 of 4 for 30 yards. He helped Nebraska dig out of a second-and-30 with back-to-back throws, including a side-arm pass to Isaiah Neyor for a first down.
Raiola took a nasty shot on a sack from defensive tackle Sione Tonga'uiha in the first half, and there still is a learning curve.
Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee: A-
Week 1 stats vs. Chattanooga: 22 of 28, 314 yards, 3 TDs
Iamaleava helped Tennessee roll up 717 yards of total offense in a 69-3 victory against FCS Chattanooga. He did have one start in the Cheez-It Bowl victory against Iowa last season, but this was his first start as the full-time starter. He also led the Volunteers to points in seven consecutive possessions to start the game. All three TD passes were in the first half, and Iamaleava set a school record for most passing yards in a half.
He is a true threat to put up prolific numbers in Josh Heupel's offense, much like Hendon Hooker did in 2022. We took a little of the grade based on the degree of difficulty, but the competion will amplify in Week 2 against NC State before the grind of the SEC.
Will Howard, Ohio State: B+
Week 1 stats vs. Akron: 17 of 28, 228 yards, 3 TDs
Howard – a Kansas State transfer – had an uneven first half in a 52-6 victory against Akron. He was 9 of 19 for 113 yards in the first half – and a few passes were dropped. Howard did establish a connection with freshman phenom receiver Jeremiah Smith – who had four catches for 44 yards and two TDs in the first half. Howard also showed what Ohio State has not had at quarterback in recent seasons – and that is a real threat in the running game. He had three carries for 28 yards.
Howard settled down in the third quarter by hitting 8 of 9 passes for 115 yards, and the Buckeyes' leaned on the running game for four straight touchdown drives to put Akron away. Howard offered the topper with a 34-yard TD on a slant pass to Carnell Tate. Smith finished with six receptions for 92 yards, and Howard facilitated the offense around a strong supporting cast. Ohio State has Western Michigan, an early bye week, then Marshall over the next three weeks.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon: B
Week 1 stats vs. Idaho: 41 of 49, 380 yards, 2 TDs
Gabriel – an Oklahoma transfer – fit into Oregon's high-volume passing offense. He hit four different receivers for 10-yard passes on the Ducks' first two drives, and he was 22 of 26 for 244 yards and a TD at halftime and finished with 7.7 yards per attempt.
Gabriel spread the ball out well, but the Ducks had a hard time shaking off FCS Idaho, and it was a 17-14 game after Dan Lanning missed on another aggressive fourth-down call. Lanning doubled down, however, on a fourth-and-2 from the 12-yard line with 5:36 remaining. Gabriel connected with Tez Johnson for a 12-yard TD pass to give the Ducks a 24-14 win. Gabriel was not a threat in the running game, and Oregon will have to be better in what figures to be a shootout with Boise State in Week 2. Gabriel is a fit with the Ducks, but he will need to prove he is a game-changer.
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame: B
Week 1 stats vs. Texas A&M: 18 of 30, 158 yards
Leonard – a Duke transfer – did lead Notre Dame to a go-ahead fourth-quarter drive and a 23-13 victory against Texas A&M, which was the best win among the new quarterbacks on this list.
Leonard had 12 carries for 63 yards and showed he was healthy, but the Irish struggled on third down in the close call against the Aggies. Leonard was 2 of 6 passing for 15 yards on third down, but he had a clutch third-down conversion on the game-winning drive with a 9-yard pass to Jaden Greathouse.
Leonard was 4 of 5 for 33 yards in the fourth quarter, and the Irish closed the Aggies with 10 points in the final two minutes. That bumps the grade up a touch despite the stats.
Granted, Leonard had an inexperienced offensive line, and it was a road hurdle against an SEC team. The Irish were 2 for 12 on third down, and Leonard hit just one pass of 20 yards or more. Notre Dame plays Northern Illinois, Purdue and Miami, Ohio the next three weeks.
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State: D
Week 1 stats vs. FAU: 10 of 24, 114 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
Michigan State beat FAU 16-10, and Chiles owned the offensive struggles afterward . "I'm taking full responsibility for everything that happened today." Chiles said. Chiles threw two interceptions — one on the first offensive snap and one in the red zone – and there will be a learning curve for the sophomore who followed first-year coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State. Chiles had a few play-action bootleg throws to tight end Michael Masunas that worked, but he also was 0 of 6 on passes of 20 yards or more. Chiles did have an 11-yard TD run and showed the ability to extend plays, and the leadership quality is there. It's just going to take more time to develop with Smith in Year 1.
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