As college football kickoff times begin to be released, one of the more eye-opening matchups is Colorado–Nebraska. NBC picked the game up, meaning the Buffaloes and Cornhuskers will face off in prime time. The game will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT, setting up Round 2 of Deion Sanders vs. Matt Rhule.
The news of NBC putting the game at primetime has brought a buzz to Lincoln and not just for the fans. Rhule is excited for a night game at Memorial Stadium, something Nebraska only got once last season. A lot of mid-day kickoffs fell onto the Huskers’ schedule.
And when you add in the magnitude of the opponent, Rhule knows a special night is awaiting him and his players on Sept. 7.
“I’ve only had one home night game here so far and it was a great experience,” Rhule said. “I think this is great for our fans, it’s great for the game. The Nebraska-Colorado rivalry over the years, what it means. Obviously, they beat us last year.
“And then for our guys, early in the season, have a chance to go out there on national TV and show the country the work that we’ve done and the team that we have. I’m excited. It should be an amazing, amazing game.”
The lone night game Rhule has experienced at Memorial Stadium came against Northern Illinois — not the most exciting opponent on the schedule. Colorado will have Husker Nation at a completely different level, hoping to get a win against their bitter rivals.
Last season’s game in Boulder kicked off at 10 a.m. MT in Boulder. FOX wanted to highlight the rivalry in its Big Noon Saturday window and even with the time zone meaning for an early kickoff, they went for it.
Nebraska fans will not want to reflect on the result, losing 36-14 as Sanders seemingly had the ball rolling early in his time as the head coach. To make matters worse, the rivalry has heavily sided Colorado in recent years as the Buffaloes have won three in a row dating back to a home-and-home series in 2018 and 2019.
All can be forgotten Week 2 if Nebraska comes away with a win. Rhule wants to make sure his team is ready to play, mentioning the great opportunity they have. But he surely will take a moment or two to soak up the atmosphere at Memorial Stadium when the time comes.
As five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola gets the lay of the land at Nebraska, he’s begun to get more comfortable with his surroundings. Including a fast-food joint that he’s quickly grown to love.
It has topped, for him, some of the other potential destinations he could hit.
“I mean everyone talks about Runza, I haven’t had it yet,” Raiola said on a recent episode of Bussin’ with the Boys. “But I like Cane’s. I had Cane’s, the first time ever was in Nebraska. So I always go to the same Cane’s right downtown and get me a box combo.”
He even broke down his order for the show’s hosts. Coleslaw is not a go-to for him.
“No, I sub it out,” Dylan Raiola said. “I’m not a slaw (guy). (I get) more toast.”
Raiola explained that one of the reasons he’s such a big fan of Raising Cane’s is that he didn’t eat fast food in high school, trying to stay as lean and in shape as possible while he competed to become one of the top recruits in the country.
He did offer one other fast food opinion on the show.
“I love Shake Shack way better than In-N-Out,” he said.
Dylan Raiola working on recruiting at Nebraska
As Nebraska looks to continue executing an attempted turnaround under coach Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers have the equivalent of a bazooka on the recruiting trail in the form of Raiola.
He can be a difference-maker when it comes to Nebraska’s recruiting efforts, and he knows it.
“I’m trying to help bring as much talent as I can here,” Raiola said. “Recruiting season now, everyone’s coming through to come see us and I’m getting texts from recruiting people like, ‘Come see this guy, come see this guy.’ I’ve got class and all this stuff, but I’ll come say what’s up.”
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