Husker notes: Officiating chaos during Nebraska's final drive, Dylan Raiola's shoulder 'stinger'

The final five minutes of Nebraska’s 21-17 loss to Ohio State took almost 30 minutes to play because of two long delays, one of which seemingly cost the Huskers a timeout. The first of those delays came between second and third down on Ohio State’s final drive, as NU took timeout just before a Buckeye lineman, already hurt, remained injured on the field for several minutes. Coach Matt Rhule said sometimes, the officials will give the timeout back to him when such a situation occurs.

Not Saturday. The second delay came during a long review for an Ohio State targeting penalty on NU’s final drive. The review consisted of two parts.



Whether Jahmal Banks had caught a pass from Raiola for 19 yards — he had — and whether OSU safety Arvell Reese had used the crown of his helmet to target Banks’ helmet. Replay officials upheld the call on the field: Targeting. Ohio Stadium fans erupted in anger, throwing bottles — both of the water and empty liquor shooter variety — onto the field.

Officials brought Nebraska off its sideline to the middle of the field, stopped action and waited for the commotion to stop. “I loved it,” defensive lineman Ty Robinson said. “I was egging on the fans.

” “I’m from Philly,” Rhule said, where fans are much ruder than the OSU faithful. The play netted NU 34 yards, but Rhule thought it could possibly be more when he thought he saw officials flag OSU coach Ryan Day for arguing the penalty. But Day was not assessed a penalty.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule told backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg to warm up. NU had reached its final offensive drive of the Ohio State game, and starter Dylan Raiola sat in the medical tent, getting checked out. Raiola said he had a nerve “stinger.

” “They just wanted to check me and make sure everything was good,” Raiola said. “But, yeah, I’m healthy.” And more capable of running than fans or media may have previously thought.

Raiola had several first-half scrambles, including one 38-yarder that set up a Husker field goal. Raiola hasn’t scrambled much this season. “I’ve always had that ability,” Raiola said.

“I don’t think I’ve never had that ability. It was kind of focus this week. They had some coverages and blitzes that we knew that, they didn’t account for me.

Just trying to make a play for our team.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!.