Dylan Raiola is off and running in his first career start for Nebraska. After one possession, the true freshman quarterback looks as advertised in terms of his talent and poise in the pocket.

The first drive of the season went off without a hitch. The Huskers used 12 plays and 5:54 of game clock to cover 72 yards. More importantly, Raiola guided Nebraska into the end zone with Dante Dowdell scoring the first touchdown of 2024 with a 5-yard carry.

The team did face 3 third downs during the drive but converted all 3. Two of those involved converting on the ground, but the other one goes down as the key play of the possession.

Facing 3rd-and-11, Raiola avoided pressure by stepping up in the pocket and showcased one of his many arm angles while fitting a throw to Isaiah Neyor for the conversion.

Raiola finished the drive 5-for-7 for 54 yards, and even one of his misses looked like a textbook throw. He took a shot at the end zone and placed the ball in a great spot but it ultimately fell just outside of the grasp of Neyor.

We’ll see how Raiola finishes the game, but he is off and running with the offense to start the game.