Matt Rhule on Nebraska’s Week 1 depth chart, four starting running back options vs. UTEP
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - It’s officially Huskers game week. With preseason camp in the rearview mirror, Nebraska is turning its attention to UTEP.
Saturday’s season opener will mark the highly-anticipated collegiate debut of five-star freshman Dylan Raiola, who was named the starting quarterback for Week 1 last Wednesday.
The Miners turn to new head coach Scotty Walden after finishing 3-9 last season with losses to Northwestern, Arizona and Liberty.
Matt Rhule spoke with reporters in his first game week news conference late Monday morning. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Nebraska lists four “ORs” at starting running back
The Huskers revealed their Week 1 depth chart Monday, which included all four running backs — Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr. and Dante Dowdell— as the potential starter. Matt Rhule said he thinks all four will play in the opener vs. UTEP. He hopes to have a more established hierarchy come Big Ten play.
“I feel like they’ve all competed enough that we should give them all a chance. We’ll make some decisions probably three weeks down the line,” he said. “I wouldn’t put ORs on the running backs if I didn’t feel like we had guys that could make plays.”
2. Dylan Raiola is navigating the attention in Lincoln well
“If you’re the quarterback at Nebraska, you better be ready to ride highs and lows,” Rhule said. “Your life better not be what other people think about you.”
Rhule credits the Raiola family for preparing the five-star freshman for this moment.
3. Blye Hill available, dealing with hamstring tightness
Hill was the talk of spring camp prior to his knee injury in the Spring Game. The defensive back is still dealing with lingering hamstring soreness. Rhule said Hill is available, but downplayed how much action he would see. Look for USC transfer Ceyair Wright, Amare Sanders, Jeremiah Charles and Larry Tarver as options in place of Hill for Week 1.
Nebraska kicks off against UTEP Saturday at 2:30pm at Memorial Stadium.
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