The Nebraska Cornhuskers are off to a 1-0 start after defeating UTEP, 40-7, largely behind quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Raiola, a true freshman and former five-star recruit, could be the missing piece the Cornhuskers have needed despite his age. The quarterback looked great in his debut performance for Nebraska, and many analysts believe that Raiola only needs to look solid in order for the Cornhuskers to win. During a recent episode of the Joel Klatt Show, Klatt explained that Raiola only needs to be ‘net positive’ for the Cornhuskers to win this season.
Nebraska Cornhuskers, QB Dylan Raiola Look Great During 40-7 Win Over UTEP
With the Nebraska football team off to a 1-0 start this season, many analysts have begun to wonder just what the team needs. True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has been all the talk of the team throughout the offseason due to his resemblance on and off the field to Patrick Mahomes. Raiola insists he plays his ‘own style’ but it is hard to not notice the similarities between the two.
Despite looking like Mahomes on the field with his leaping throws and side arm angles he uses, Raiola does not need to be Mahomes to win. The Nebraska football team went 5-7 last season and lost their final four games of the season in a row. The root cause behind the collapse was the quarterback troubles the Cornhuskers faced that completely sank the offense.
Nebraska went through three different quarterbacks a year ago and threw more interceptions (16) than they did touchdown passes (10). The quarterbacks also did not surpass the 200-yard mark through the air once last season. Nebraska also lost five of their seven games by just one score, and four of those games were by just a field goal.
During the most recent episode of the Joel Klatt Show, Klatt stated that he believes Raiola does not need to be anything special for the Cornhuskers. Klatt instead believes, “Raiola only needs to be a net positive for the Cornhuskers.” If Raiola can do enough to win games, then that should be enough for the quarterback this season.
Is the Nebraska Football Team Just a Solid Quarterback Away From Winning?
In the eyes of Joel Klatt, the deeper team behind quarterback Dylan Raiola is something that is truly special. A season ago, the Cornhuskers were one of the most competitive teams in the Big Ten Conference despite losing seven games. Nebraska lost five games by one score and four of those games were lost by just a field against tough opponents.
While the defense may have allowed too much to come back from at times, the quarterback play last season was what really kept the Cornhuskers back. Nebraska did not pass for 200 or more yards once last season and recorded 16 turnovers on offense. Out of the 18 recorded last season, 16 of the turnovers were credited to quarterbacks for Nebraska.
Nebraska football was nearly a bowl-eligible team a season ago but lost their last four games straight by one score to end the season. The Cornhuskers took the Wisconsin Badgers into overtime but failed to score and lost the game 24-17, effectively ending their bowl chances. The Cornhuskers averaged 135.8 passing yards per game last season and finished the year with a 5-7 record.
As Klatt stated, the Nebraska football team really does not need Raiola to be a hero or to replicate the numbers he put up in high school. Rather, the program just needs someone who can do well enough to win games and who will limit his own mistakes. If the Nebraska football team can get that out of Raiola this season, the Cornhuskers could become a threatening team.
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