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 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.

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.

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.