After an evening sport that darkened the temper, and every week the place doubt rolled in like grey clouds, I noticed the solar.
Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola’s efficiency shined via the loss to Illinois. It was a ray of hope, a shot of optimism that issues don’t have to be the usual, usual.
Raiola aced his first three video games, like so many pop quizzes. But the Big Ten opener, towards a Big Ten protection and coach, could be a telling take a look at for the younger quarterback.
And then Illini coach Bret Bielema threw a curveball. Bielema unabashedly loaded up to cease NU’s run sport and put all the pieces on Raiola’s arm.
It was a psychological chess transfer, with the coach saying he was conscious of Raiola’s expertise however was nonetheless going to make him show it. Could he deal with the strain?
People are additionally studying…
Oh yeah. It was a efficiency that had me questioning: might the freshman single-handedly change this season?
Raiola was 24 of 35 for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception — an unbelievable play on a 50-50 ball. He didn’t flinch. He made play after play, generally becoming in passes the place solely his receiver might get them.
The solely factor he didn’t do was win, and he got here inside one completion of doing that.
Yes, Illinois performed zone all through the sport earlier than switching to man in the time beyond regulation and going after Raiola. Still, it was an eye-opening efficiency, filled with poise and gusto.
And for Husker followers seeing the lengthy sport, it took the edge off a loss that stung.
Raiola is simply getting out of the blocks, on the cusp of a profession whose potential tickles the creativeness. How excessive can he fly? What would possibly he be doing later this season?
Especially in the huddle and at follow.
That’s the half that has me intrigued.
Now, Raiola can’t sort out or defend. He can’t kick. He can’t block. And there’s a listing of issues he’s nonetheless studying as a university soccer quarterback.
But I'm wondering if a freshman can lead the Huskers out of the desert. Can he break down the mental door standing in the method of the subsequent degree?
It’s nonetheless there. NU coach Matt Rhule noticed it towards Illinois. The crew that performed so free and aggressively and with objective, particularly towards Colorado, had a special response when the Illini popped them in the mouth first.
They began considering. They stopped taking part in. They began feeling — the strain and the second.
It wasn’t the sole cause for the loss, however Rhule pointed to it as a significant factor.
“I have to find a way to get our team to — when the game gets tight, to not get tight,” Rhule mentioned. “Enjoy the battle and enjoy the competition.”
Sometimes, a coach can’t try this.
Sometimes, it’s a participant who will get that performed.
It’s uncommon. But I’ve seen it. So have a few of you.
Comparisons aren’t honest to younger gamers. They’re discovering their very own method. Dylan Raiola is the first Dylan Raiola.
And this present scenario is exclusive to any of the final 60 years of Nebraska soccer.
I’ve seen a handful of gamers who modified Nebraska soccer. The method the crew performed. The method it considered itself.
The one which comes to thoughts was a highly-recruited quarterback who arrived in 1992, at a time when Nebraska couldn’t win a bowl sport and was in a fog in massive video games.
Tommie Frazier modified that, along with his play in massive video games and likewise his fearless, assured, no-nonsense strategy.
Here in 2024, we're an extended, great distance from these days. Frazier is the biggest Nebraska quarterback in my guide. He was the key that unlocked the door for thus many nice groups.
Raiola, the most heralded NU quarterback since Frazier, has a a lot completely different process. What is comparable is that there's a door that wants to be busted down.
I see some swashbuckler in Raiola. He’s assured, fearless and aggressive. He’s not afraid to make a mistake as a result of he thinks he’ll determine a method to win the sport.
That’s the kind of mentality the Huskers appear to want to get previous this hurdle that popped up once more final week. Remember, Raiola hasn’t been a part of the final a number of years right here. He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, and that’s a great factor.
Can a freshman impression a crew that method? Yes. But he’s obtained to earn the crew’s respect first. NU’s older gamers communicate extremely of their quarterback. His play on the subject, to date, has to have gotten their consideration.
In Rhule’s press convention messages — which are sometimes used to communicate to the crew — he has talked about that the crew wants to attain Raiola’s degree of depth and keenness.
He appears to be pushing the concept of Raiola as chief. And did it once more earlier this week.
“It just felt really tight out there in the second half,” Rhule mentioned of the Illinois sport. “Dylan doesn’t feel tight. He’s out there saying, “Let’s go play.’ “
This will be something worth following. The quarterback. And the story.
Big Ten coaches won't follow Illinois' lead: I don’t expect to see other Big Ten coaches follow Bielema’s lead in loading up to stop NU’s run game to see what Raiola can do. That would be crazy. I expect there to be more room for NU to run this week and they have the Big Ten back — Dante “Downhill” Dowdell — to do it.
Purdue will come out swinging: Expect Purdue to come out swinging after two massive losses, however the 11 a.m. kick can’t harm Nebraska. How many followers will present up? Better query: How about some NU tackling and particular groups present up?
Checking in on the SEC: Georgia vs. Alabama feels massive on a number of ranges. The Dawgs appear weak, Bama’s new coach needs to make an impression and a Georgia loss symbolically throws the SEC extensive open with Texas and Tennessee prepared to take over. Great stuff.
Tom’s Pick: Nebraska 27, Purdue 21.
