BREAKING NEWS: Matt Rhule Unveils 5 Unexpected Revelations After Dominating 40-7 Win Over UTEP

Nebraska appeared rejuvenated in their season-opening 40-7 victory over the UTEP Miners, and aside from a single 3-play touchdown drive by UTEP, they never seemed threatened. Matt Rhule must be very pleased with both the result and the team’s management of the game. Although Nebraska was heavily favored, they still had to deliver a solid performance. Here are five surprising aspects from the game:

1. Dante Dowdell stood out as the top running back with his impressive combination of power and elusiveness on inside runs. However, a fumble after a 12-yard run near the goal line effectively ended his game, as Rhule decided to bench him. Despite expecting him to be lower on the depth chart, Dowdell’s talent was evident. Hopefully, he gets a chance to showcase his skills against Colorado’s weak defensive line this coming weekend.

2. Dylan Raiola’s poise as a true freshman was remarkable. With immense hype surrounding him, the pressure must have been immense, but he displayed an impressive calmness. I anticipated some nerves and poor decisions along with his talent, but he performed like a seasoned professional. If he continues at this level, expectations for the season’s win total will likely rise.

3. Special teams performed better than expected, especially given the concerning fall camp reports and an average Spring Game. Brian Bushini’s punting lived up to expectations, and while Tristan Alvano didn’t face any challenging kicks, he executed his role effectively, which should boost his confidence. Although celebrating 25 yards of punt returns by Isaiah Garcia-Castanada might seem minor, it plays a significant role in field position, especially in Big Ten games.

4. Turner Corcoran exceeded expectations with a much-improved performance, given his inconsistent past after being a highly recruited high school lineman. Facing Maurice Westmorland, a projected NFL draft pick for UTEP, Corcoran effectively neutralized him, containing the pass rush that had been a previous weakness. This is promising for Nebraska, as the tackle position was a major concern and the Big Ten features many top-tier pass rushers.

5. While Nebraska was expected to win comfortably, past seasons have seen them struggle in similar situations, even against weaker opponents. This time, despite a brief 7-7 tie, Nebraska never appeared at risk of losing. The performance was confident and showed no signs of the usual nervousness seen in previous seasons. Credit goes to Matt Rhule for preparing his team well and instilling the confidence needed, which will be crucial as the season progresses and tougher games loom.