The Nebraska Cornhuskers are entering their second season with quarterback Dylan Raiola at the helm.
In 2024, Raiola guided the Cornhuskers to a 7-6 record, including the program’s first bowl-game victory since 2015.
Raiola concluded his freshman year in Lincoln with 2,819 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, maintaining a 67.1% completion rate. Now, with a year of college experience behind him, the former five-star recruit is aiming to make a significant leap as a leader within the Nebraska locker room.
During a press conference earlier this week, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule discussed the steps Raiola needs to take to establish himself as a leader in Lincoln.
“Before he can make it his team, I think he has to make it his offense. Before he makes it his offense, I think he has to make it his receiving corps,” Rhule said. “I went to the Supernova game last night, and he’s over there with Heinrich [Haarberg], and they’re sitting court-side, which is great, as long as you’re in the building this morning, throwing, which I know they were.
“That’s what I mean by gratitude. Like, ‘I’m grateful to be here, so because I’m grateful, it’s not that I say thank you. It’s that I work my tail off each and every day because I’m trying to get better.’”
Raiola wrapped up his freshman season with a solid performance, completing 22 of 30 pass attempts for 224 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Cornhuskers’ Pinstripe Bowl win against Boston College.
Nebraska will kickoff its 2025 campaign with a season-opening matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Aug. 28.
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