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Is Dylan Raiola ready for Prime Time? We’re about to find out
By Shawn Ekwall
Published:
Nebraska true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola showed poise beyond his years in his first collegiate start.
A 40-7 season-opening win over UTEP Saturday at Memorial Stadium was the first test of Raiola’s young career. The stage, however, gets bigger this week. Much bigger.
Coach Prime and Colorado come calling Saturday night for an epic showdown on NBC. The Buffs have won 3 straight against Nebraska, including a 36-14 rout in Boulder a year ago.
Prime and his collection of skill players — including son Shedeur and Travis Hunter — provide a steep test for the Nebraska defense. But another storyline has emerged to take center stage. The play of Nebraska’s new QB.
Raiola was magnificent against the Miners. He finished 19-of-27 for 238 yards and 2 TDs. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said Raiola operated the offense “like a freaking surgeon.” His performance earned him B1G Freshman of the Week honors.
Anyone privy to watching Huskers football lately could notice the difference. Raiola — a 5-star recruit from Chandler, Arizona — was going through progressions. Making every throw.
Underneath routes? Yep. Intermediate? Indeed. Deep balls? He aced those as well. A pair of long TD strikes to Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks dominated his highlight reel.
He took care of the football as well. Zero turnovers in his debut had Satterfield and head coach Matt Rhule pleased.
It’s a performance Nebraska hasn’t seen form its quarterback in years. Arguably decades.
And beyond the numbers, Raiola’s performance instilled optimism into a fan base that desperately needs it.
Prime Time Showdown
After acing his initial test, how will Raiola handle the limelight of a national TV audience against a former conference rival?
Those close to Raiola know he stays grounded. Never too high or low. Staying in the moment is one of the 19-year old’s positive traits.
“There’s going to be more cameras, more eyes, but whatever the hype is over the game, you’ve just got to keep it about football and stay in the moment,” Raiola told reporters earlier this week. “It’s very cliche to say that, but I think our team does a great job of acting on that.”
He’ll be wise to lean on those words Saturday. In what’s certain to be a raucous Memorial Stadium, it’d be easy to try to do too much. Nebraska’s fate likely rests on Raiola staying calm and taking what the CU defense gives.
North Dakota State dual-threat QB Cam Miller had success against the Buffs’ secondary in Week 1, throwing for 272 yards and a TD without giving Hunter a chance to make a game-changing interception. Miller also ran for 81 yards and 2 TDs.
Raiola won’t match those running totals, but if the need arises, don’t be shocked to see him make a play. Against UTEP, he attempted 6 passes on 3rd down and completed 4 of them for first downs to extend drives.
History and family
The Nebraska and Colorado series began in 1898. Conference realignment ended the annual meetings. Nebraska leads 49-21-2.
However, the 2018 meeting in Lincoln bears some resemblance to Saturday’s tilt. Adrian Martinez, another true freshman, made his first start at QB for the Huskers.
Martinez played brilliantly, leading the Huskers back from an early 14-0 deficit to lead 28-20 late in the 3rd. Buffs’ QB Steven Montez engineered 2 TD drives over the game’s final 17 minutes, as CU left 33-28 winners.
Martinez injured his knee late in the game. An injury Nebraska fans say was caused by CU linebacker Jacob Callier’s late twist of his leg. Husker fans are hoping to avoid a similar result in 2024.
With Raiola’s dad, Dominic, an All-American center at Nebraska from 1998-200, the Colorado rivalry was in its prime. Dominic made sure to mention to Dylan his 3-0 record against the Buffs during those years.
“My dad said he never lost to them,” Dylan said with a smile.
A subtle reminder of what’s on the line Saturday.
Ahead of his time
When Rhule named Raiola the starter 10 days before the opener, he made clear one thing: There would be no training wheels on the play-calling.
“Just how we want him to play when he’s a junior, we’re going to start Day 1 that way,” Rhule said. “We’re not easing into anything.”
Raiola played that way against UTEP. He looked like a seasoned vet. An old soul, if you will. Even Coach Prime took notice.
“I love what he showed in his first college game, ever,” Deion Sanders said. “I loved what he showed.”
There’s also the comparison to Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes. And it’s not just the eerily similar appearance in looks.
A nifty side-arm completion to Neyor on a 3rd-and-11 on NU’s opening TD drive, drew oohhs and aahhs from the crowd. It was Mahomes-like.
“There’s a bunch of people comparing him to that guy from Kansas City,” NU left tackle Turner Corcoran said. “I like to agree with them. It’s pretty fun to watch him throw the ball.”
Big stage
How things play out Saturday is anyone’s guess. Nebraska looked polished against UTEP. Colorado exhibited flaws in its 31-26 win over North Dakota State.
Consider Raiola the X-factor. Will he build on his first-game success? Or will CU — with NFL prospects in Hunter and Sanders — deliver a back-to-Earth reality check? It’s one thing to do it against UTEP. It’s another to do it in your second career start against a bitter rival.
Nebraska players and coaches have the utmost confidence in the youngster. He’s shown moxie. A bit of swagger, while being grounded and quietly confident.
There’s a reason he was among the most sought-after recruits in the land, eventually picking Nebraska over Ohio State and Georgia.
Saturday is his first real test. Is he ready?
Don’t be shocked if he passes with flying colors.
Shawn Ekwall has been a contributing writer for Huskers Illustrated and covers the Huskers and other B1G teams for Saturday Tradition. Follow him on twitter @shawn_ekwall