Jalyn “Football” finished the UTEP game at quarterback for Nebraska. That would be Jalyn Gramstad. “Football” is his nickname, assigned by offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield.
Gramstad is a senior transfer from Northwestern College, where he was the 2023 NAIA Player of the Year — and a defensive back his first two seasons at Northwestern.
Gramstad’s name isn’t on the depth chart. He’s the Huskers’ fourth quarterback, behind freshman Daniel Kaelin, who didn’t play Saturday.
As you probably recall, Matt Rhule said he wouldn’t waste a redshirt on Kaelin in a mop-up situation. And that’s what we’re talking about with the fourth quarter of Nebraska’s 40-7 victory. Gramstad was among numerous Husker reserves who saw action during the fourth quarter.
The score was 37-7 after three.
“It’s awesome to see those guys get in,” said Dylan Raiola, the starting quarterback, of course. “They put a lot of work in and they do a lot of work for us. And that was our goal that game, was to handle our business so the guys who work their tail off for scout team or second string, get those guys in.”
After the game, “Jayln and I just shared a special moment; like, both our dreams came true,” Raiola said. “His dream is to play here, and obviously my dream is to play at Nebraska.
“So yeah, it was a special moment for us.”
Raiola played the first half and one series in the third quarter before giving way to Henrich Haarberg. Raiola finished 19-of-27 passing for 238 yards and two touchdowns, without an interception or fumble. But let’s focus on what he did in the first half.
He completed 15 of his 22 passes for 192 yards and the touchdowns. Last season, Nebraska averaged 21.75 passes per game. Underscore those last two words: “per game.” In one half, Raiola threw as many passes as the Huskers averaged in 2023. That gives you an idea of the focus of the offense with Raiola behind center.
And he attacked downfield as well. The first touchdown was 59 yards to Isaiah Neyor, the second 21 yards to Jahmal Banks, with 2 seconds remaining in the half, a reflection of Raiola’s composure.
No surprise, UTEP was overmatched, although for a brief time late in the first quarter and early in the second, it appeared the Miners might keep Nebraska’s reserves from getting on the field. UTEP’s fast-pace offense produced a three-play, 63-yard touchdown “drive” concluding with a 38-yard touchdown pass with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter.
The Huskers responded with a seven-play, 47-yard drive to the UTEP 3-yard line to start the second quarter. But on the 12-yard carry that reached the 3, Dante Dowdell fumbled away the ball — Nebraska’s only turnover. On second down, Ty Robinson tackled Jevon Jackson in the end zone for a safety.
After the fumble, Rhule went to the defensive huddle.
“I tried to say something to Marques (Buford Jr.),” said Rhule.
No need.
“I told him, ‘We’ve been preparing for this all off-season,’” Buford said. “I could see his face. He was getting ready to try to get us riled up, but as soon as we saw it happen, everybody popped up off the bench, super-fast, (and) stormed on the field, ready to go.”
Raiola and the offense knew what to do, too, after the safety. Jacory Barney Jr. returned the kick 21 yards to the Husker 41-yard line and on second down, after an incompletion, Raiola connected with Neyor for the touchdown.
Gabe Ervin Jr. scored the first of two touchdowns from 3 yards out and Raiola passed to Banks for Nebraska’s fourth — Dowdell scored the first, six minutes into the first quarter.
For all intents and purposes, that was it. The Huskers led 30-7 at the half. After Ervin’s second touchdown in the third quarter, Tristan Alvano kicked a 20-yard field goal in the fourth, not to run up the score, but to give Alvano the opportunity; he’s coming back from a groin pull.
By then it was time to bring on the reserves.
“I couldn’t be more happy seeing those guys out on the field, ‘cuz those are some of the hardest-working men I’ve ever been around,” said Buford. “They come out each and every day giving us the best looks possible. So just being able to have them get that experience to play in Memorial [Stadium] … it made me happy seeing them guys on the field.”
Gramstad, Jalyn “Football,” No. 19, was among them.
