Nebraska starts the season 1-0 with a dominant 40-7 win over UTEP, showing significant improvement and resilience. Despite a rocky start with penalties and a fumble by Dante Dowell, Nebraska quickly recovered with a safety and a 59-yard touchdown. This response was crucial as it marked a departure from previous seasons where the team would falter after mistakes. The game featured a wide array of players, with 11 different rushers and receivers and three quarterbacks, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate various lineups and strategies. The team displayed a crisp and efficient performance, unlike some other teams struggling early in their seasons.