Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano has been impressed by Nebraska’s true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola this season. Raiola has lived up to expectations and played a key role in Nebraska’s recent Big Ten road win. Schiano believes the highly-rated freshman is performing with the poise of a veteran.
A former five-star recruit, Raiola switched his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska last December and was ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the 2024 class.
This season, Raiola has thrown for 1,224 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, showcasing the talent that made him a standout in Georgia high school football.
Raiola has led Nebraska to a solid 4-1 (1-1 Big Ten) start. Rutgers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) is coming off a close win over Washington last Friday.
“The control he has of their offense is impressive at any level, but for a freshman, it’s remarkable,” Schiano said during his weekly press conference. “He’s a talented athlete – big, mobile, and capable of throwing both on the move and from the pocket. There’s not much he can’t do, which is why he was so highly recruited. He has all the tools.”
Schiano also praised Nebraska’s wide receivers, emphasizing their size and strength and highlighting the importance of Rutgers’ defense improving its tackling ahead of the matchup.
Raiola has had a strong start to his college career, excelling in most games this season, though he faced challenges two weeks ago. In Nebraska’s overtime loss to ranked Illinois, Raiola completed 24 of 35 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns but also threw an interception and was sacked six times.
Rutgers hopes to replicate that defensive pressure this weekend to disrupt Raiola’s play in the pocket.
Last Friday, Rutgers’ defense held off Washington with a “bend-but-don’t-break” strategy, limiting them to 2-of-12 on third-down conversions and frustrating veteran quarterback Will Rogers.
Schiano said that facing Raiola is similar to competing against an experienced quarterback like Rogers.
“He doesn’t get rattled by disguised coverages or hits,” Schiano said. “He’s mature beyond his years, having grown up in a football family, and seems built for this.”
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