In a devastating turn of events, Nebraska Cornhuskers’ star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola was forced to exit Saturday’s game against the UCLA Bruins due to a back injury. The highly touted true freshman, who leads the FBS in passing yards, went down late in the fourth quarter following a hit at the end of a scramble.
According to Raiola, he “got hit in the wrong spot” and plans to undergo further evaluation and screening in the coming days. The young quarterback attempted to fight through the pain and re-enter the game, but his back “kind of locked up,” forcing him to the sidelines for the remainder of the contest.
Raiola’s Impressive Freshman Campaign
Raiola, a five-star recruit and the No. 11 player in the 2024 ESPN 300, has been nothing short of sensational in his debut season. Through nine games, the true freshman has amassed 1,921 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, showcasing his immense potential and giving Cornhuskers fans hope for the future.
However, the 27-20 loss to UCLA dealt a significant blow to Nebraska’s bowl aspirations. The Cornhuskers, who entered the game with a 5-3 record, were looking to secure bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. Instead, they suffered their third consecutive Big Ten loss, dropping to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
Backup QB Heinrich Haarberg Steps In
With Raiola sidelined, backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg took the reins in the fourth quarter. Haarberg managed to lead the Cornhuskers on a touchdown drive to cut the deficit to seven, but his attempt at a game-tying drive in the final minute fell short when his pass bounced off receiver Jacory Barney Jr.’s knee and into the arms of a UCLA defender for a game-sealing interception.
I thought I could fight through it. I went out there and I guess it kind of locked up on me.
Dylan Raiola on his back injury
Uncertainty Looms for Nebraska
As the Cornhuskers lick their wounds following the disappointing loss, all eyes will be on Raiola’s health status. The severity of his back injury remains unclear, and his availability for Nebraska’s upcoming games is now in question. Losing the star freshman for any extended period would be a massive setback for a program looking to turn the corner under second-year head coach Matt Rhule.
Nebraska’s bowl hopes now hang in the balance, with the team needing to secure at least one more win in their final three games to become bowl eligible. The Cornhuskers will need to rally around Haarberg or potentially another quarterback if Raiola is forced to miss time.
A Season at a Crossroads
The loss to UCLA and Raiola’s injury have placed Nebraska’s once-promising season at a crossroads. The Cornhuskers’ remaining schedule features a home game against Minnesota and road contests against Michigan and Iowa. Emerging victorious in at least one of these matchups will be crucial for the program to avoid missing a bowl game for the seventh consecutive year.
As the college football world awaits further updates on Dylan Raiola’s condition, the Nebraska faithful will be holding their collective breath. The true freshman’s sensational play has been a beacon of hope in an otherwise challenging season, and his health will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining the Cornhuskers’ fate moving forward.
