Nebraska is off and running vs. Northern Iowa, scoring an early touchdown to jumpstart Week 3. That score came on a freshman-to-freshman connection with Dylan Raiola finding tight end Carter Nelson.
The drive itself took eight plays, 75 yards, and 3:20 off the clock. It was Dylan Raiola’s fourth touchdown of the season, and it set the tone early for Nebraska football.
The play came on 1st-and-10 with Nelson splitting the middle of the defense and Raiola finding him in the soft spot. Once Nelson secured the catch, he built up a head of steam and sustained one blow as his momentum carried him into the end zone.
Freshman to Freshman Connection
The pass itself was right up the seam, and Nelson was able to do the rest of the work and take it to the house. The Ainsworth star has made an impact over the last couple of weeks, and he did so again on Saturday.
Nelson’s touchdown came on his 2nd catch of the day. It’s also the first career score for the true freshman and in-state product.
Carter Nelson’s Rise
Nelson joined Nebraska as an elite 4-star tight end in the 2024 recruiting class and the top in-state player for the cycle. The 247 Sports Composite also rated Nelson as the No. 3 TE and the 55th overall prospect in the entire country.
If not for the addition of 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, Nelson would have been the highest-rated signee for Nebraska in the class of 2024. Now, that duo is providing plays early on in their Cornhusker careers.
Nelson has appeared in all 3 games so far this season and entered Saturday’s game with 3 catches for 21 yards. He already has 2 catches for 38 yards and the touchdown against Northern Iowa.
A Promising Future
It will be interesting to see how Nelson impacts the rest of Saturday’s game. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that he should be able to find the end zone a lot more during his time in Lincoln. So far, the returns have been positive.
Impact on the Rest of the Season
It is still early in the season, but Nelson has shown promise early in his career. His ability to make an impact in the passing game is a great sign for Nebraska football. With Raiola at quarterback, Nelson could have a breakout season. It remains to be seen if Nelson can continue to build upon his impressive start. However, his future in Lincoln appears bright, and he will be a key player in Nebraska’s offensive attack.
Takeaways
Nebraska’s win over Northern Iowa was a good start to the season. The team looked impressive, especially on offense. The freshman duo of Raiola and Nelson played well, and they are a key part of Nebraska’s future. It will be exciting to see how these two continue to develop in the coming years. They will be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to watch how Nelson continues to contribute to the Husker offense. This early success for Nelson is a positive sign for Nebraska football, and his performance against Northern Iowa is a reminder of the talent on the team.
