Nebraska’s freshman QB Dylan Raiola has quickly forged a strong bond with head coach Matt Rhule, with their shared playoff dreams and mutual respect on full display. Raiola, with his fiery play style and natural athleticism, has even earned comparisons to none other than Patrick Mahomes. While Coach Rhule continues to sing his praises, calling Raiola “great,” there’s no ignoring that the rookie’s recent performance against Rutgers left plenty of room for improvement.
But what really stole the show wasn’t the game—it was the laugh-out-loud story Raiola shared afterward. Last week, he accidentally woke Rhule from a nap in his office, causing a minor “head bump” incident that sparked laughs across the team. A clip of Raiola recounting the scene, titled “Dylan Raiola explains how he woke up Coach Rhule in his office🤣 #GBR,” has already gone viral, showcasing the duo’s easygoing rapport. But behind the camaraderie, Rhule sees real potential in Raiola, though he hinted at areas that need refining, particularly his decision-making under pressure.
In recent games, Raiola’s competitive spirit has sometimes led to costly mistakes. Against Illinois, he threw to Illinois cornerback Torrie Cox Jr. instead of his intended wide receiver. A similar mishap against Rutgers landed the ball straight into the hands of defensive back Flip Dixon. Despite these hiccups, Raiola’s stats tell another story: nine touchdowns, 1,358 passing yards, and just three interceptions across six games. Rhule sees him as the glue of the offense, saying, “I think Dylan’s the guy the guys on offense look to,” expressing confidence that his game will only improve as the season unfolds.
The real test awaits in Week 8 against undefeated Indiana, where Raiola’s leadership could make or break Nebraska’s playoff aspirations. So, will Raiola deliver on his “Mini Mahomes” potential, or are we getting ahead of ourselves? Nebraska fans are holding their breath.
