‘We took a step': Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola encouraged by last-minute drive

LOS ANGELES — Quarterback Dylan Raiola’s final pass of the game resulted in an interception, but it’s not one of the plays the Nebraska freshman wanted back. “I was just trying to give Jahmal (Banks) a shot,” Raiola said. While the Nebraska offense’s final series, a 13-play, 56-yard drive, didn’t result in points or the Huskers extending the game into overtime, there were encouraging signs for the players who were part of it.

Despite previous struggles in that exact situation of needing a score with the game on the line, running back Emmett Johnson said the Huskers were confident in themselves. “Everybody had the mentality that we were going to go down there and score on that last drive,” Johnson said. “That just comes from practice and trusting our training; we all had confidence that we could go down there and score.



We fell just short, but you guys could see the fight that we’re putting in during the week.” Seven of the 27 completions Raiola totaled during the game came on that drive alone, a situation in which the USC defense knew that Nebraska would need to throw the ball. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen was still able to dial up plays which gave NU’s pass-catchers a chance to get open, and Raiola did his part in driving the Huskers down the field.

“I think we took a step this week in that kind of situation,” Raiola said. “Obviously, the next step’s to finish it and go win the game. I think overall we got down there, but there just wasn’t enough time for us to put the ball in the paint.

” Fourth quarter finishes are hardly rare in the Big Ten, so it’s an experience Nebraska will need to learn and grow from ahead of its final two regular season games. Raiola feels the Huskers will do just that, saying that he expects NU to “roll into these next two games” and earn its way to a bowl game. “We kinda got it going a little late, but we’ll keep building on it and we’ll be explosive next week,” Raiola said of the Nebraska offense.

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At the end of the day, we gotta make the plays earlier in the game so we don’t leave it to the end.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!.