Madeline Petrick
DISCLOSURE: This is an opinion article. Please note that unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Wingspan student news staff and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the adviser or Gretna East High School. Columns represent the opinion of the author alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the adviser, the Wingspan staff or Gretna East High School.
As the Nebraska Cornhusker football season kicked off, the team entered the start of their season with something they hadn’t had in years: momentum. With Head Coach Matt Rhule entering his third year as coach and sophomore starting quarterback Dylan Raiola, the Huskers put together a hot start, going 3-0, before losing to the Michigan Wolverines in a tight contest that ended with the Wolverines gaining the last possession. This resulted in the Huskers losing their win streak, going 3-1, as they prepare to play the Michigan State Spartans on Oct. 4 at 3 p.m.
Central to the Huskers’ strong start this season has been the performance of Raiola, whose play has drawn both praise and scrutiny. During last weekend’s game against Michigan, he had the potential to play a strong game, but was inconsistent. He threw for 308 yards and three touchdown passes, including his 52-yard hail-mary to end the first half and tie the game. Although he shows inconsistency, such as making decisions in high-pressure moments and unpredictable pocket presence, he demonstrates his ability to make big plays by becoming the first quarterback to throw for 300 yards against Michigan since Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell in 2022.
While Raiola’s performance has been a key factor of the Husker’s success this season, much of the team’s development can be attributed to Rhule, who’s brought a shift in culture change onto the field, and it’s shown. He previously coached at Baylor and Temple, and has spent the last three seasons reshaping Husker football. The Rhule-Raiola duo has offered stability at the most important position on the field. After years of struggling to find consistent quarterback play, the Huskers now have a single-caller with the talent and leadership to keep them competitive. Being a top prospect for future drafts and having the QB talent level of Raiola raises expectations for the future of the program.
In the last season alone, the combination of Rhule’s coaching style and Raiola’s strong play on offense has made waves in the Big Ten for the Huskers. A couple of years ago, the Huskers would have been dominated by a team like Michigan, but instead they held their own and went toe-to-toe the entire game with one of the Big Ten’s top teams. The game highlighted just how much Raiola has elevated Nebraska’s offense, and Rhule’s coaching has changed the program’s ability to compete in the conference. Rhule’s steady hand and Raiola’s cannon arm have Husker fans daring to dream again—so much so that Michigan’s nail-biting win last weekend felt less like a loss and more like a preview of what’s to come.
Looking ahead, the Huskers face off against Michigan State this weekend. Both teams enter the matchup at 3-1 overall, 0-1 in Big Ten play. If the Huskers’ passing game stays efficient, they might have one up against the Spartans. Raiola’s pass completion percentage of 75.6% trumps that of starting quarterback junior Aidan Chiles at 68.8%, but if MSU gets the jump early in the game, it’s anyone’s game. Overall, the Huskers are the safer pick; they have the home game advantage, a stronger passing game and a better track record in defensive areas.
The Husker Faithful should expect an eventful season, especially with the Rhule-Raiola duo. With the mix of Rhule’s leadership and Raiola’s rising star power, the program is finally making waves in the Big Ten. And with a fan base desperate to see Nebraska return to national relevance, this partnership might just be what Husker Nation has been waiting for.