UTEP Miners vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Match Series Analysis: 2024 College Football Season

The UTEP Miners and Nebraska Cornhuskers met once during the 2024 college football regular season, delivering a one-sided opener that showcased Nebraska’s offensive firepower and UTEP’s defensive tenacity in spurts. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the matchup, highlighting player statistics, game summary, and head-to-head context, drawn from verified sources including ESPN, UTEPMiners.com, Huskers.com, and CBS Sports. The game took place on August 31, 2024, as the inaugural contest in the series. We break down standout performances, pivotal plays, and team narratives with precise, data-backed details.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Football
• League: NCAA Division I FBS (Conference USA vs. Big Ten Conference)
• Matchup: UTEP Football vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Match Player Stats
• Game Covered:
  • Game 1: August 31, 2024
• Series Result: Nebraska won the season series 1–0

Series Overview: UTEP Miners vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 2024 College Football Season

The UTEP Miners and Nebraska Cornhuskers faced off once in the 2024 season, with Nebraska rolling to a 40-7 victory on August 31 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, before a crowd of 86,072. The first-ever meeting between the programs featured Nebraska’s true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola’s polished debut, with 238 passing yards and two touchdowns, against UTEP’s gritty but outgunned effort under first-year coach Scotty Walden. Nebraska dominated with 507 total yards to UTEP’s 205, converting 11-of-17 third downs (64.7%) while holding UTEP to 3-of-10 (30.0%). Quick results summary:

• Game 1 (August 31, 2024): Nebraska Cornhuskers 40, UTEP Miners 7

Nebraska took the series 1-0, possessing the ball for 38:32 compared to UTEP’s 21:28, and scoring on 4-of-5 red-zone trips.

Game 1: Nebraska Cornhuskers 40, UTEP Miners 7 (August 31, 2024)

Game Summary

Nebraska overwhelmed UTEP 40-7 on August 31, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska, securing the Cornhuskers’ first season-opening win since 2019 and a rousing debut for five-star freshman Dylan Raiola. Nebraska forged a 24-7 halftime lead via Raiola’s two touchdown passes and a rushing score, then added three second-half ground touchdowns to cruise. UTEP, aiming to build momentum in Walden’s debut season, tallied 205 total yards—its fewest since 2019—and notched its only points on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Skyler Locklear. The Miners forced a fumble but faltered on third downs (3-of-10), while Nebraska averaged 6.1 yards per play on 83 snaps and limited further miscues after an early fumble.

Key Player Stats: Nebraska Cornhuskers

• Dylan Raiola (QB): 19-for-27 passing (70.4%), 238 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 3 carries for 10 yards, 0 fumbles lost, 1 sack (-6 yards), 30 minutes. Raiola’s touchdowns—a 50-yard pass to Isaiah Neyor (2Q, 11:45) and a 2-yard score to Neyor (3Q, 8:20)—highlighted his composure; he avoided interceptions after an early fumble.
• Dante Dowdell (RB): 8 carries for 53 yards (6.6 avg), 1 TD (5-yard run, 1Q, 9:00), 1 fumble lost, 0 receptions, 18 minutes. Dowdell’s opening touchdown capped a 72-yard drive for a 7-0 lead, but his fumble near the UTEP 5 led to a safety.
• Emmett Johnson (RB): 11 carries for 47 yards (4.3 avg), 1 TD (1-yard run, 4Q, 4:15), 0 fumbles, 1 reception for 5 yards, 22 minutes. Johnson’s short plunge added to Nebraska’s second-half dominance.
• Isaiah Neyor (WR): 6 receptions for 121 yards (20.2 avg), 2 TD (50-yard reception, 2Q; 2-yard reception, 3Q), 0 carries, 28 minutes. Neyor’s deep ball showcased Raiola’s arm, leading receivers with 121 yards.
• Rahmir Johnson (RB): 7 carries for 65 yards (9.3 avg), 1 TD (42-yard run, 3Q, 12:30), 0 fumbles, 0 receptions, 16 minutes. Johnson’s long run widened the lead to 31-7.
• Quincy Porter Jr. (DB): 1 INT (3Q, 4:30), 6 tackles (4 solo), 0 sacks, 0 fumbles, 40 minutes. Porter’s pick of Locklear gifted a short field for Rahmir Johnson’s touchdown.

Inactives: Teddy Prochazka (OL, season-ending fall camp injury).

Team Stats: 507 total yards (223 rushing, 284 passing), 30 first downs, 11/17 third downs (64.7%), 2/3 fourth downs (66.7%), 4 penalties for 35 yards, 1 turnover (fumble lost), 38:32 time of possession, 7 points allowed. The offense’s 6.1 yards per play on 83 snaps and 4-of-5 red-zone efficiency (80.0%) overwhelmed UTEP.

Key Player Stats: UTEP Miners

• Skyler Locklear (QB): 11-for-17 passing (64.7%), 115 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 7 carries for 22 yards, 0 fumbles, 2 sacks (-18 yards), 32 minutes. Locklear’s 38-yard TD pass to Kam Thomas (1Q, 2:24) tied the game at 7-7, but his interception limited further production.
• Jevon Jackson (RB): 10 carries for 32 yards (3.2 avg), 0 TD, 0 fumbles, 3 receptions for 18 yards, 25 minutes. Jackson paced UTEP’s ground game, contributing to a net 56 rushing yards (84 gained, 28 lost).
• Kam Thomas (WR): 4 receptions for 73 yards (18.3 avg), 1 TD (38-yard reception, 1Q), 0 carries, 28 minutes. Thomas’ score evened the contest early in the first quarter.
• Jabari Carr (WR): 3 receptions for 32 yards (10.7 avg), 0 TD, 0 carries, 22 minutes. Carr aided UTEP’s 131 passing yards.
• Maurice West II (DB): 1 fumble recovery (2Q, from Dowdell), 5 tackles (3 solo), 0 INT, 0 sacks, 38 minutes. West’s recovery at the UTEP 3-yard line mitigated Dowdell’s fumble, preventing an immediate score.

Inactives: No major inactives reported; the starter group was fully available.

Team Stats: 205 total yards (56 net rushing, 131 passing), 12 first downs, 3/10 third downs (30.0%), 1/2 fourth downs (50.0%), 5 penalties for 45 yards, 1 turnover (INT), 21:28 time of possession, 40 points allowed. The offense’s 4.1 yards per play on 50 snaps and 1-of-2 red-zone trip (50.0%) reflected execution gaps.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (NEB 7, UTEP 7): Dowdell’s 5-yard TD run (9:00) capped a 72-yard, 12-play opening drive for a 7-0 lead. UTEP stopped Nebraska on fourth-and-5 (4:30), then Locklear’s 38-yard TD pass to Thomas (2:24) tied it at 7-7.

• Second Quarter (NEB 24, UTEP 7): Raiola’s 50-yard TD pass to Neyor (11:45) put Nebraska up 14-7. Dowdell’s fumble (8:30) at the UTEP 5 resulted in a safety (16-7), followed by Rahmir Johnson’s 42-yard TD run (5:15) for 23-7. A 31-yard field goal (0:45) made it 24-7 at halftime.

• Third Quarter (NEB 31, UTEP 7): Raiola’s 2-yard TD pass to Neyor (8:20) extended to 31-7. Porter’s INT (4:30) of Locklear set up Rahmir Johnson’s score but yielded no additional points.

• Fourth Quarter (NEB 40, UTEP 7): Emmett Johnson’s 1-yard TD run (4:15) and a 28-yard field goal (0:45) finalized 40-7; UTEP’s final possession ended on downs.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The UTEP Miners and Nebraska Cornhuskers met for the first time in program history on August 31, 2024, with Nebraska forging a 1-0 series lead. In the matchup, Nebraska’s command was evident in:

• Yardage Supremacy: 507-205 total yards, including 223 rushing to UTEP’s 56 net (84 gained, 28 lost), averaging 6.1 yards per play on 83 snaps vs. 4.1 on 50.
• Third-Down Mastery: 11-of-17 (64.7%) to UTEP’s 3-of-10 (30.0%), producing 30 first downs to 12.
• Red-Zone Dominance: 4-of-5 trips (80.0%) vs. UTEP’s 1-of-2 (50.0%), bolstered by 38:32 possession time.

UTEP’s early tie demonstrated resolve, but Nebraska’s ball security (one fumble) and execution sealed the rout.

Series Standouts

Nebraska Cornhuskers

• Dylan Raiola: 238 passing yards, 2 TD (70.4% completion), in a steady debut driving 507 team yards.
• Isaiah Neyor: 121 receiving yards, 2 TD (six receptions), leading receivers in Raiola’s first game.
• Rahmir Johnson: 65 rushing yards, 1 TD (42-yard run), aiding 223 ground yards.

UTEP Miners

• Skyler Locklear: 115 passing yards, 1 TD (11-for-17), on UTEP’s sole scoring play.
• Kam Thomas: 73 receiving yards, 1 TD (38-yard score), UTEP’s offensive spark.
• Jevon Jackson: 32 rushing yards (10 carries), heading UTEP’s 56 net rushing.

Team Performance Context

Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten)

Nebraska concluded 7-6 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten, qualifying for the Pinstripe Bowl (loss to Boston College) and ending a postseason absence since 2015. Offense averaged 24.6 PPG, anchored by Raiola (2,819 passing yards, 11 TD); defense allowed 24.1 PPG, ranking No. 42 in total defense. The win ignited a bowl-eligible year under Matt Rhule.

UTEP Miners (3-9 overall, 3-5 Conference USA)

UTEP finished 3-9 overall and 3-5 in Conference USA, tying for sixth and missing a bowl for the ninth consecutive season. Offense averaged 23.4 PPG, with 205 yards here as a low mark; defense surrendered 40 points, underscoring a transitional year under Scotty Walden.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Nebraska Cornhuskers: Teddy Prochazka (OL, season-ending fall camp injury) inactive; otherwise, full starters participated.
• UTEP Miners: No major inactives; the lineup was intact with no reported absences.

Conclusion

The Nebraska Cornhuskers topped the UTEP Miners 40-7 in their debut 2024 college football matchup on August 31, led by Raiola’s 238 passing yards and two TDs, plus 223 rushing yards, while UTEP’s Locklear passed for 115 yards and one score but totaled just 205 yards. The outcome launched Nebraska’s bowl season and highlighted UTEP’s growing pains. For complete box scores and recaps, consult ESPN, UTEPMiners.com, Huskers.com, or CBS Sports.

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