Five players who stood out at Nebraska football’s spring game
From The Daily Nebraskan: https://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/five-players-who-stood-out-at-nebraska-football-s-spring-game/article_bd385702-04d4-11ef-9527-c76fb3f9465f.html
Nebraska football capped off the spring in front of 60,000 fans on Saturday in the annual Spring Game. Head coach Matt Rhule wanted to see a “red-white shootout” and he got that with several offensive players putting forth impressive performances.
Here are five of them that stood out among the rest:
Quarterback Dylan Raiola
The five-star quarterback did not disappoint in his debut.
Raiola got the start for the red team and led them on an eight-play, 76-yard touchdown drive. The freshman completed all four passes including a 16-yard dime to sophomore wide receiver Janiran Bonner for the game's first points.
While most of his early throws were short and quick, Raiola showed off his deep ball by hitting sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd in stride for a 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He had several impressive throws for the white team as well, connecting with junior wide receiver Alex Bullock on multiple occasions.
He capped off his day with another tight window throw to Bullock on a two-point conversion, putting the white team ahead. Overall, Raiola went 16-of-22 for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He threw an interception in the first quarter, however, it was a pass off of the receiver’s hands.
Wide Receiver Jacory Barney Jr.
Freshman Jacory Barney Jr. showcased why he has generated buzz in his short time in Lincoln with a pair of electric plays. The first was a 41-yard touchdown reception on the opening play of the second quarter off of a deep throw from junior quarterback Heinrich Haarberg. Barney beat his defender early before making a last-second adjustment to secure the score.
On his next touch, Barney took a kickoff 78 yards only to be tackled by sophomore kicker Tristan Alvano — whose gray jersey caused some confusion. Still, he displayed his explosiveness on special teams, a unit that has lacked it in the past.
“He’s really competitive and really fast,” Rhule said of Barney postgame. “If he can bring just a little bit of that kick return dynamic to our team that changes things.”
The early enrollee led the game with 163 all-purpose yards while bringing in three catches for 66 yards at receiver.
Wide Receiver Janiran Bonner
After seeing time at fullback and tight end last season, Bonner had a day out wide. The sophomore Swiss Army knife finished with four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. He opened the scoring with an impressive 16-yard grab, making himself open on a corner route.
Bonner added a 24-yard catch and run in the third quarter, showing off his ability with the ball in his hands. His 6-foot-2, 220-pound stature makes him available to play at any position on the Nebraska offense.
“I think he’s an NFL fullback, but also think he’s a dynamic wideout too,” Rhule said of Bonner postgame. “To me, he’s a true weapon. He’s a guy that we could conceivably play at wideout for 10 plays in a row or we can motion him and he’ll block defensive ends and carry the football for us.”
Wide Receiver Jaylen Lloyd
Lloyd flaunted his speed throughout his freshman season with three touchdowns coming over 50 yards. Saturday was no different, but he also showed that he is more than just a deep threat.
In the second quarter, Lloyd beat his defender off the line and tracked down a deep ball from Raiola for a 64-yard touchdown. With the red team in a two-minute drill to end the half, the sophomore made a skillful catch, getting out of bounds in the process.
Lloyd proved that he can be an every-down receiver after never tallying more than a reception per game last year.
“Jaylen’s been one of the most improved players on the team,” Rhule said postgame. “He has such athleticism and mobility.”
Running Back Dante Dowdell
The Huskers return several key pieces from their backfield last season who are all in the running for the starting job. However, the player who made the most noise on the ground Saturday was the group’s newest member.
Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell led the game with 76 rushing yards on just seven carries. He added two touchdowns to his name from one yard and 49 yards out. Dowdell brings hard-nosed running to Nebraska with a 6-foot-3, 215-pound build. He also showed that he is capable of being a receiving back as the subject of multiple screens.
Dowdell’s play of the day came in the third quarter where he took a delayed handoff 49 yards to paydirt. His breakaway speed was on full display as he went untouched for the majority of the run.
“Today, I saw burst from him,” Rhule said of Dowdell postgame. “I haven’t seen that long run from him in the other scrimmages.”
While the play of Nebraska’s quarterbacks and receivers was the main story Saturday, Dowdell’s performance shows that the running back room also has high potential.
Anthony Rubek is an Assistant Sports Editor at The Daily Nebraskan. Follow him on Twitter at @AnthonyRubek.
