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.

HuskerMax Practice Report, Aug. 26, 2024 (p.m.) /

Contents

1. Coverage
2. Video
3. From the other side
4. More info

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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Coverage

• Husker247 | Quick Hits from Matt Rhule on a Husker game week
• Husker247 | At running back, the ORs have it for now
• Husker247 | Rhule Huskers going full speed ahead on offense with Raiola at helm
• Husker247 | Nebraska looking to get more from Bonner in new position
• Husker247 | 2024 Breakout: Janiran Bonner
• Daily Nebraskan | Rhule focused on starting season strong against UTEP
• Nebraska Athletics: Rhule transcript
• Omaha World-Herald* | 'We're going to play': Matt Rhule plans no training wheels for Dylan Raiola
• Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska remains undefined at No. 1 running back in first game-week depth chart
• Omaha World-Herald* | Notes: Nebraska's plan for gameday coaching assignments; players out for UTEP game
• Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska is both prepared and still polishing as long-awaited game week arrives
• Omaha World-Herald* | How two surprise safeties on Nebraska’s depth chart made their move
• Omaha World-Herald* | Rhule calls UTEP 'a really good football team' as Nebraska prepares for season opener
• Omaha World-Herald* | Shatel: Continuing running back competition highlights first depth chart
• Lincoln Journal Star* | ‘It’s about us': Nebraska looking inward with 'tremendous respect' for UTEP

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Video

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From the other side

• UTEP Athletics | Scotty Walden's Monday presser (video)
• El Paso Times | UTEP hasn't named a QB starter yet for Nebraska, but it's imminent
• Omaha World-Herald* | UTEP football coach talks QB plan, Dylan Raiola and ire for 'money game' narrative at Nebraska
• ESPN 600 El Paso | Miners face Big Ten power Nebraska

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More info

• Nebraska depth chart
• Nebraska pregame notes
• UTEP game page on HuskerMax
• Practice schedule and coverage
• 2024 roster
• 2024 media guide

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