Nebraska
Nebraska vs UTEP: The Start of Something Special
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After persuading Dylan Raiola to switch his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska, all that’s left is to hang the banner in the Hawks Center to crown the Huskers the 2024 off-season champions.
With Raiola’s potential to shatter every Nebraska passing record and Rhule adding two new pass catchers, Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor, the 2024 season looks promising. The return of Heinrich Haarberg, the 2023 leading passer, further adds depth to the offense. Whether he plays as a Taysom Hill-type gadget player or a Tim Tebow-esque goal-line QB, his presence will be felt. Nebraska gets an excellent opportunity to start its season on the right note against an opponent who hired a new coach.
I’ll frequently mention Expected Points Added (EPA), which is one stat I’ll cite in my pregame and post-game articles. For a given down, distance, and field position, both teams have a probability of scoring the next points in the game (the expected points). After the play, the teams have a new down, distance, and field position, resulting in a new expected points value. The difference in expected points before and after the play is Expected Points Added. This metric is stated with respect to the offense.
A positive EPA play has improved the offense’s chances of scoring the next points. A negative EPA play has improved the defense’s chance of scoring next. While assigning all the credit for EPA to the QB on a passing play isn’t perfect (after all, ten other players contributed to the play’s success), it does give us a way to rank the performance of skill position players against others in terms of who makes plays that contribute to winning.
As soon as Dylan Raiola committed to Nebraska, it was presumed he would be the starter. He’s potentially a generational player who at least dresses like Patrick Mahomes and will hopefully play like him. Since he’s yet to play a college snap, the graph below shows Heinrich Haarberg’s 2023 cumulative season EPA. The total EPA graph is a running total of all plays where the QB ran the ball, passed the ball, or took a sack. If the line goes up, the QB was involved in a play that helped his team’s scoring chances. However, if the line goes down, that play hurts the team’s chances of scoring (and increases the opponent’s chances).
UTEP’s Cade McConnell and Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg struggled in 2023, finishing with a negative EPA. This means that the total contributions during the season hindered scoring points. In 2024, I don’t expect this to be the case for Dylan Raiola. I predict he’ll finish the season with 3,000 yards passing and 30 touchdowns. Nine players in 2023 accomplished 3000 and 30, and four of the nine were taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Hitting those benchmarks in his freshman season would clearly indicate his elite pedigree.
The carry distribution in the chart below goes beyond the simple “rushing average” statistic. A player with 10 carries each for 4 yards and a player with one carry for 35 yards and nine carries for 5 yards both have a rushing average of 4 YPC, but their distribution of carries would look widely different. The black vertical, dashed line represents carries of 0 yards. The two quarterbacks on the table have a significant peak of negative yards since sacks count against their rushing totals. The goldenrod vertical, dashed line represents carries of 10 yards (a first down). Emmet Johnson, for example, would consistently get positive yards but would rarely break big runs of 10+ yards.
In addition to being the Huskers leading passer in 2023, Heinrich Haarberg was the leading rusher. However, Haarberg’s rushing EPA was also negative, thanks to many sacks and negative carries. Fortunately, I expect fewer QB carries in 2024, but I could still see Haarberg getting some work as a power runner near the goal line. Emmett Johnson consistently had positive carries in 2023, while Gabe Ervin flashed some big play upside in limited availability.
UTEP doesn’t return much rushing production from its 2023 team after its top two rushers from last season entered the portal. The new head coach, Scotty Walden, brings in his leading rusher from 2023, Jevon Jackson, who rushed for 1300 yards at Austin Peay. He’s joined by TCU transfer Corey Wren, who also played at Florida State.
This upcoming game is a crucial opportunity for Dylan Raiola to gain valuable experience in full-speed college football before the significant week two matchup with Colorado. I anticipate a comfortable win for Nebraska. My prediction for the season is a conservative 7-5 finish and a return to a bowl game. I expect Raiola to face some challenges as a freshman and make a few mistakes that might cost the Huskers a game or two; I also believe his natural talent will keep Nebraska competitive against even the most formidable opponents on the schedule.
MORE: Defending the Greatness of Nebraska Football
MORE: Lindsay Krause Shines in Husker Volleyball’s Season Opener Against No. 9 Kentucky
MORE: Carriker Chronicles: Tom Osborne on Year 2 of Nebraska Football Under Matt Rhule
MORE: No. 2 Nebraska Volleyball Grabs Season-Opening Win Over No. 9 Kentucky
MORE: Husker Doc Talk: The Season Starts! UTEP-Nebraska Football Preview
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, following HuskerMax on X, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
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Nebraska
Carriker Chronicles: Tom Osborne on Year 2 of Nebraska Football Under Matt Rhule
![Carriker Chronicles: Tom Osborne on Year 2 of Nebraska Football Under Matt Rhule Carriker Chronicles: Tom Osborne on Year 2 of Nebraska Football Under Matt Rhule](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1279,h_719,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/all_huskers/01j6b9v8psa3hpf3fdvv.jpg)
Nebraska football coaching legend Tom Osborne opens up about what he sees from second-year Husker football coach Matt Rhule, expectations for Nebraska this fall and quarterback Dylan Raiola’s high ceiling. Coach Osborne offers an honest take on Deion Sanders’ coaching style, and he also surprised us all with a very strong response on a question about Tommie Frazier. Dr. Tom also has a new book on leadership. A can’t-miss interview.
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, following HuskerMax on X, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
Nebraska
Nebraska Greats Foundation assists former UNL basketball player Evan Taylor
![Nebraska Greats Foundation assists former UNL basketball player Evan Taylor Nebraska Greats Foundation assists former UNL basketball player Evan Taylor](https://gray-koln-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q7JQSYPNAREMNGZWCUCAR5E46I.jpg?auth=f6ce4b75975ab862a0479fc28f48a0db1eb56057267231e49c68f43c86e796af&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
LINCOLN, Neb. (Press Release) – The Nebraska Greats Foundation announced a grant to Evan Taylor for assistance with medical needs.
The NGF is an organization dedicated to helping former and current college athletes from any of Nebraska’s four year colleges and universities.
Taylor played basketball at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In his senior season he served as the team captain and was nominated for the BIG Ten Sportsmanship award. He played in all 33 games, including 20 starts, for the Huskers in 2017-18. He averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while also defending the opposition’s top perimeter scoring threat.
Taylor reached out to the NGF for help with his medical bills associated with a basketball injury.
“From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank everyone at the Nebraska Greats Foundation for all their support and resources in helping me and my process of recovering in order to get back to my career. The foundation has been such a blessing and I can’t express my level of gratitude. Thank you so much to everyone involved.”’
The NGF said they remain committed to extending support to former and current athletes like Antonio, who have contributed significantly to Nebraska’s rich sporting history.
Any former letter-winning athlete from the four-year colleges and universities in Nebraska who has a qualified medical condition and lacks financial resources to meet their own needs are welcome to apply for support from the Nebraska Greats Foundation.
Since inception, Nebraska Greats Foundation has awarded over $800,000 in grants to help former letter-winners when they needed the most help.
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Nebraska
Nebraska Prep Football Class A Linebackers To Watch in 2024
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Of all the defensive positions, the Linebacker slot is the one that intrigues me
the most. The man in the middle with his hands planted firmly on top of his kneecaps, surveying the upcoming play with the eyes of a hawk.
I became spoiled watching the incomparable LaVonte David play for the Huskers, uncorking some of the greatest lateral movement I have ever seen.
It takes a real Athlete to man that Linebacker position at any level of football, so I have decided to salute those players I think have a huge impact under those sacred Friday Night Lights in each class.
I’ll begin with Class A Linebackers who strike fear into the hearts of anyone with a football in their hands.
CLASS A
*Christian Jones-Omaha Westside-6’3, 225, Senior – Top LB in the state. Saw him play twice last season and there’s a reason he has a gazillion D1 offers. Jones will make a smooth transition from Friday Night Lights to the Saturday afternoon spotlight.
*Pierce Mooberry-Millard North- 6’4, 215, Senior – Husker commit has incredible athletic skills and has for quite some time. A true BALLER.
*Sawyer Schilke-Kearney, 6’3, 225, Senior – Good lord! This dude swallows up ball carriers like they’re an afternoon snack. You also better hope Schilke isn’t rushing off the edge because if he is, you’re done. Sawyer Schilke is one mean motor scooter.
*Dylan Kuhl-Millard South-5’11, 195, Senior – Talk about lateral movement. Kuhl was all over, across, up and down the football field with frequent visits to the opposition’s backfield. Every game. Perfect model of a championship high school linebacker.
*Cash Buettenback-Lincoln Southeast-6 ‘0, 210, Senior – Great footwork, fine speed and this guy will hunt you down, shed blockers and make the tackle. Cash is Money on Friday nights.
*Nate Appleget-Lincoln Southeast-6 ‘3, 200, Junior – Buettenback’s LB partner in that Knight’s defensive middle, Nate is quick off the ball and fast enough to cover speedy wide receivers. Great vision and a nose for the ball.
*McCorter Goese-Elkhorn South, 6 ‘1, 210, Senior – Last I checked, Goese was benching 320 and it showed on the field a year ago. McCorter sets the tone for physicality on this Elkhorn South football team and uses his 4.8 speed to stuff the run game big time. This young man is a BALLER!
*Kale Johnson-Papillion-La Vista, 6 ‘3, 225, Senior – Reminds me of a bigger Nate Appleget with his 4.8 speed and keen ability to cover receivers. Very smart football player who is patient and usually tracks down the man with the ball and snuffs out the play.
*Ben Shafer-Papillion-La Vista South, 6’2, 205, Senior – This Shafer kid is literally EVERYHERE on defense! Ben’`s HUDL film clips list him as MLB, OLB, DE, RB and ATH. They are not kidding. Shafer, who has 4.6 speed and can lift a small building, is a real menace rushing off the end. Goo1d grief, Shafer is on the man with the ball before anyone has a remote shot of blocking him. Ben also accumulated 532 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns as a running back. Can you say Swiss Army Knife?
*Jameson Rayner-Millard South, 5’11, 200, Senior – Really, really terrific MLB, in fact, Rayner is the leading returning tackler in Class A. The man knows where the football is on every play. Jameson also brings the wood with every hit. Smart football mind with that internal radar that ball carriers fear.
……AND, the rest of the top notch Linebackers in the Class A ranks.
*Johnny Hurtado-Omaha Westside-5’10, 215, Senior
*Ian Asselin-Omaha Creighton Prep, 6’1, 180, Senior
*Max Clark-Omaha North, 6’2, 220, Junior
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