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Matt Rhule Sees UTEP's Pass Rush as Stiff Test for Nebraska Football and Freshman QB

Meeting the press Monday, the Huskers' head coach previewed Saturday's season opener and discussed Nebraska's first depth chart of 2024. He said there will be "no easing into anything" with how the Huskers use their true freshman starter at quarterback, Dylan Raiola.

Joe Hudson

HuskerMax Practice Report, Aug. 26, 2024 (p.m.)
HuskerMax Practice Report, Aug. 26, 2024 (p.m.) /
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There was the season's first depth chart to discuss as well as the season's first opponent as Matt Rhule met with reporters Monday.

Previewing Nebraska football's opener Saturday against UTEP, the Huskers' head coach singled out pass rusher Maurice Westmoreland as someone the Nebraska must account for. The Miners, he said, aren't coming to Lincoln just to put up a respectable showing.

"These guys, they're coming to win. It's a great, great, great first test for us to handle someone that's going to throw everything at you," Rhule said. "A big part of that is Westmoreland and his ability to change the game."

As for his own team, Rhule addressed the four-way tie atop the depth chart at running back between Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr. and Dante Dowdell. "I think we're gonna play them all," Rhule said

Rhule said the staff isn't "easing into anything" with true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. “He’s going to play the plays. When we call drop back, he’s going to drop back, he’s going to go back there and take his drop, go through his progression. Just how we want him to play when he’s a junior, we’re going to start day one that way.”

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Joe Hudson
JOE HUDSON

Joe Hudson has operated a Husker-related website since 1995 and joined forces with David Max to form HuskerPedia (later renamed HuskerMax) in 1999. It began as a hobby during his 35 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, a career that included stints at the Lincoln Star, Omaha World-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. In Denver, Joe was chief of the copy desk during his final 16 years at the Post. He is proud to have been involved in Pulitzer Prize-winning projects in both Philadelphia and Denver. Joe has been a Nebraska football fan since the mid-1960s during his childhood in Omaha. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. He resides a few freeway exits north of Colorado Springs and enjoys bicycling and walking his dogs in his spare time. You can reach him at joeroyhud@outlook.com.

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