Tag: cornhuskers

Reports: Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola hitting transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is set to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple media reports Monday.

Raiola, who has two more seasons of eligibility, plans to enter the portal when it opens on Jan. 2. ESPN reported Monday that the former five-star recruit is in search of a program that will let him tap into his potential while also helping him develop for the next stage of his career.

Rumors of a Raiola departure from Nebraska started swirling in late November when his younger brother, three-star quarterback Dayton, decommitted from Nebraska’s 2026 class. His uncle, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, was fired by Nebraska on Dec. 6.

This is the second straight season transfer portal questions have come up around Dylan Raiola. He and his camp informally explored his transfer options at the end of the 2024 season before ultimately remaining with the Cornhuskers.

Raiola has not played since suffering a broken fibula in the Cornhuskers’ 21-17 loss to Southern California on Nov. 1. The injury ended his season but is not expected to prevent him from being ready to play at the start of next season.

Raiola is Nebraska’s highest-paid player — having made about $3.5 million this season, per CBS Sports — so any potential move would likely not be about money but rather about the current sophomore putting himself in the best position for the NFL draft.

In his second season with the Cornhuskers, Raiola completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He’s notched 4,819 yards, 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions with a 69.1 completion percentage in 22 games (all starts) over two seasons in Nebraska.

The father of Dylan and Dayton is former NFL offensive lineman Dominic Raiola, an All-American and Nebraska Football Hall of Fame inductee.

–Field Level Media

Mark Gronowski accounts for 3 TDs as Iowa handles Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mark Gronowski ran for two touchdowns and threw for another and Iowa continued its dominance of Nebraska in a 40-16 win on Friday afternoon in a Big Ten game in Lincoln, Neb.

The Hawkeyes (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) won for the 10th time in 11 meetings with their largest margin of victory in the series since 2017.

Gronowski, a sixth-year senior, extended his NCAA Division I record with his 57th win as a starting quarterback. He threw for 166 yards and a TD and ran for 64 with two scores, giving him 15 rushing TDs this season.

Kamari Moulton added 93 yards and two TDs for the Hawkeyes, who won for the seventh straight time at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska (7-5, 4-5) lost for the third time in four games despite a career-high 217 rushing yards from Emmett Johnson. But 177 of that came in the first half as the Cornhuskers gained just 69 yards in the second half.

Up 24-16 at halftime, Iowa forced a fumble on a punt that resulted in a safety. Gronowski’s second rushing TD, a 6-yard run, put the Hawkeyes up 33-16 with 4:47 left in the third.
Moulton’s 1-yard run made it 40-16 with 13:40 to go.

A 70-yard run by Johnson set up his 1-yard score on the following play for a 7-0 Nebraska lead. Iowa responded with a 41-yard field goal by Drew Stevens and then took a 10-7 lead on a 35-yard TD catch by DJ Vonnahme.

Nebraska tied on a 31-yard field goal by Kyle Cunanan late in the first, and after the Cornhuskers recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff Cunanan hit from 29 for a 13-10 lead early in the second.

Iowa retook the lead on a 3-yard TD run by Moulton with 8:15 left in the first half. Cunanan hit his third field goal, from 35 yards out, to cut it to a 1-point game with 2:39 to go before halftime, only to see Gronowski score on a 1-yard run with 37 seconds remaining.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) is helped off the field after being injured against the Southern California Trojans during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Report: Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola (leg) out for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska will be without starting quarterback Dylan Raiola for the remainder of the season after he suffered a broken right fibula Saturday against Southern California, ESPN reported Sunday.

Facing pressure from linebacker Eric Gentry in the third quarter, Raiola stepped out of the blitzing Trojan’s reach only to be taken down on the blind side by defensive end Anthony Lucas and lose a fumble. The sophomore Raiola appeared to twist his leg and was taken out after completing 10 of 15 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in a 21-17 home loss.

True freshman TJ Lateef replaced Raiola and went 5-of-7 passing for just 7 yards. He also rushed for 18 yards on six carries.

In his second season with the Cornhuskers (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten), Raiola completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Nebraska, which has lost 29 straight games to AP Top 25 opponents after Saturday’s defeat, visits UCLA next Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) runs against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Elijah Jeudy (16) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

No. 23 Southern California scores last to avoid upset at Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Behind King Miller’s 129 rushing yards and fourth-quarter touchdown, No. 23 Southern California overcame a sluggish offensive start to rally past Nebraska 21-17 on Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb.

USC (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten Conference), which came into Saturday’s matchup with the fifth-most prolific offense in FBS at 42.4 points per game, did not reach the end zone until late in the third quarter against Nebraska (6-3, 3-3).

Wearing special black uniforms, the Cornhuskers played a game reminiscent of the program’s famed Blackshirt defenses of yesteryear. Nebraska held USC quarterback Jayden Maiava to 9-of-23 passing for 135 yards without a touchdown.

Andrew Marshall came away with an interception of Maiava.

But while the Trojans’ quarterback struggled much of the way, he came through in a pivotal spot with a 43-yard completion to Jaden Richardson on a flea flicker in the fourth quarter. That big play set up the drive that culminated in Miller’s 6-yard touchdown carry, giving USC a 21-17 lead with 10:06 left in regulation.

Maiava also carried for a touchdown of 16 yards late in the third quarter. Miller tacked on a successful two-point conversion to erase what had been a 14-6 Nebraska lead.

The Cornhuskers scored touchdowns on a pair of 75-yard drives in the first half, capped on a 14-yard pass from Dylan Raiola to Dane Key and Emmett Johnson’s 10-yard rush.

The Trojans’ defense was otherwise as feisty as Nebraska’s, forcing the Cornhuskers into four punts and a missed field-goal attempt on the night.

Compounding Nebraska’s offensive woes was the third quarter departure of Raiola. Facing pressure from linebacker Eric Gentry, Raiola stepped out of the blitzing Trojan’s reach only to be taken down on the blind side by defensive end Anthony Lucas.

Raiola appeared to twist his leg and was taken out, with freshman TJ Lateef coming in. Lateef went 5-of-7 passing but finished with just 7 yards through the air.

The sophomore Raiola was 10-of-15 for 91 yards at the time of his injury.

Johnson rushed for 165 yards on 29 carries to buoy the Nebraska offense as much as possible, but on fourth-and-1 at the Cornhuskers’ 27 on the final drive, he slipped in the backfield and failed to convert.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks the sidelines during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

No. 25 Nebraska eager to earn rare win vs. Minnesota

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska will try to keep its first national ranking of the season from being a one-week outlier when it visits Minnesota for a Big Ten clash Friday night in Minneapolis.

The Cornhuskers (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) entered the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 25 after winning in dramatic fashion last week at Maryland – just the third time in seven years that Nebraska has appeared in the poll.

They accomplished the feat after winning their first road game of the season. Now comes their second road game on a short week.

“We haven’t won road games in back-to-back weeks since 2006, which is mind-boggling,” said Nebraska coach Matt Rhule.

Minnesota (4-2, 2-1) comes off a comeback victory over Purdue, its fourth win in as many tries at home. Both Big Ten wins have been by one score and the Gophers have owned a plus-4 turnover margin in those games.

“One-possession games usually come down to (taking care of) the ball,” said Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck. ” … You’ve got to be able to win close games, you have to do it.”

Nebraska sophomore Dylan Raiola ranks second in the Big Ten in touchdown passes with 16. He threw four last week — including the game-winner to Dane Key with 1:08 left — but also had three interceptions. That contributed to the Cornhuskers blowing a double-digit lead for the second straight game.

“I love what we’re doing in the fourth quarter,” Rhule said. “Need to improve the third quarter.”

Minnesota redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey bounced back from a tough game against No. 1 Ohio State by throwing for 232 yards and two TDs against Purdue. That helped offset a rushing game that netted just 30 yards on 18 carries. In three Big Ten games, the Gophers are averaging a league-worst 44.3 yards per game on the ground. Nebraska, meanwhile, ranks second-worst in the conference in defending the run.

“We haven’t been able to do it very successfully to this point,” Fleck said, noting his team has been down early in each Big Ten game. ” … We have to execute better across the board.”

Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson stands second in the Big Ten with 650 yards, including 176 last week. Minnesota just allowed a season-worst 253 rushing yards to Purdue.

Minnesota holds a 37-25-2 advantage against Nebraska, winning the last five matchups including the most recent in 2023. The Cornhuskers’ last victory in the series was in 2018 and their last in Minneapolis was in 2015.

“This Nebraska team has nothing to do with seven years ago or five years ago,” Fleck said.

Rhule, who owns a 17-14 record in his third year at Nebraska, has had his name mentioned for the opening at Penn State, his alma mater, following James Franklin’s firing on Sunday.

“I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come,” Rhule said. “Maybe it’s been a while here, but this is what happens when you win. I’ve dealt with it at Temple, when we won a lot at Baylor. … I want us to continue to take the steps needed to turn this into a beast.”

A win for Nebraska would make it bowl eligible for a second consecutive season, which last happened in 2015-16. The Cornhuskers missed the postseason seven straight years before winning the Pinstripe Bowl last year.

–Field Level Media

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) runs for a touchdown against Central Michigan defensive back Caleb Spann (15) during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

No. 21 Michigan out to cool off Nebraska in Big Ten opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While Nebraska eyes its first victory over a ranked opponent since 2016, No. 21 Michigan seeks its fifth straight win over the Cornhuskers on Saturday in Lincoln in the teams’ Big Ten opener.

The Cornhuskers (3-0) have won their games by a combined 123 points, including back-to-back 68-0 and 59-7 victories. It was the first time they scored at least 50 in consecutive games since 2007.

“This is a whole other animal,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said of Michigan.

The Wolverines (2-1) are playing their second road game, the first since a loss at then-No. 18 Oklahoma on Sept. 6. That was under head coach Sherrone Moore, who was suspended by the school for the third and fourth games of this season and the first game of 2026 for his role in the NCAA sign-stealing scandal under previous head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Associate head coach Biff Poggi served as interim coach for last week’s 63-3 win over Central Michigan and will do so for this week’s Big Ten opener. This is Poggi’s third stint with the Wolverines, having been an analyst in 2016 and associate head coach in 2021-22 before two seasons as Charlotte’s head coach.

‘”I’ve been a lot of places, I’ve coached a lot of places … but Michigan, honestly, it’s just like home,” Poggi said. “I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.”

Nebraska allowed 202 rushing yards in the season-opening win over Cincinnati, almost half of that coming from the quarterback. It could be in for another tough go defending the run against Michigan, which is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 242.7 rushing yards per game.

Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood, the Big Ten’s reigning freshman of the week, ran for 114 yards and two scores in addition to 235 passing yards and a TD against Central Michigan.

“That hadn’t really happened the first two games,” Rhule said of Underwood, who had minus-6 rushing yards in the previous two games. “That obviously adds another element to it.”

Poggi said Underwood’s mobility was on display not because of a specific change in the game plan but due to a better understanding of his skill set.

“You really start learning the most when the games are played,” Poggi said. “Coaches don’t win games, plays don’t win games, players win games. And you have to let your players play, so we’re letting them play.”

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has excelled this season, completing 76.6 percent of his passes for 829 yards and eight TDs with no interceptions. The Cornhuskers also lead the nation in pass defense, allowing just 66 yards per game.

The Wolverines have won 53 of their last 57 conference openers, last dropping their first Big Ten game in 2019. Meanwhile, Nebraska hasn’t won a conference opener since 2019.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) passes against the Akron Zips during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska looks to build momentum vs. Houston Christian

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska will try to wrap up a perfect nonconference slate for the second year in a row when it hosts Houston Christian on Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhuskers (2-0) are coming off a 68-0 home win over Akron, their most points since scoring 73 against Idaho State in 2012. Their 728 yards of total offense were the most since 2014 and the 494 yards through the air were second most in school history.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has thrown for 607 yards and six touchdowns in two games, completing 78.1 percent of his passes without an interception. As a freshman in 2024 he had 11 picks against 13 TD passes in 13 games.

But now the Cornhuskers will be facing a Houston Christian defense that has only allowed 20 points and one third-down conversion in two games.

“It will obviously be a tough challenge for us,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “They’re going to challenge you with different looks.”

The shutout against Akron was the first for the Cornhuskers since blanking Arizona in the 2009 Holiday Bowl. For the season they have allowed only 131 passing yards, second fewest in FBS.

Houston Christian (1-1) comes to town off a 20-10 loss at Eastern Kentucky. The FCS Huskies managed only 259 yards, a far cry from the week before when they crushed Arkansas Baptist 69-0 and ran for more than 400 yards.

“We’re still very youthful,” second-year coach Jason Bachtel said. “We’ve had a lot of change, a lot of guys buying into what we want to do.”

Nebraska is seeking its ninth consecutive nonconference win, its longest streak since winning 12 straight outside of conference play from 1999 to 2001.

Since forming its football program in 2013, Houston Christian is 0-13 against FBS opponents. The Huskies’ closest outcome was a 35-33 loss at Texas Tech in 2020.

“There are still a lot of firsts to happen,” Bachtel said.

–Field Level Media

Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Nebraska, Cincinnati to square off in key opening matchup

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska and Cincinnati will meet Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in the only Power Four matchup of the day.

Coming off a season in which they played in a bowl game for the first time since 2016, the Cornhuskers enter their third season under head coach Matt Rhule — who has had success in his third seasons in his previous head coaching stints at Temple and Baylor, going 10-4 and 11-3, respectively.

Now he’s looking to replicate his success at Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers’ campus in Lincoln, Neb., is just 209 miles from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, and defensive coordinator John Butler said he feels like the crowd will favor his team Thursday night. But he had a caution for his players.

“You’re playing game No. 1, you’re playing in a pro stadium — don’t make it bigger than it is,” Butler said. “A lot of guys have played in an elite venue here at Memorial Stadium, so it’s similar, but just do what we’ve practiced to do. Don’t lose your minds. Play with energy and enthusiasm, but don’t make it bigger than it is.”

Quarterback Dylan Raiola is entering his second season at Nebraska, coming off a freshman year in which he threw for 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He finished with 2,819 yards passing.

The Bearcats’ Scott Satterfield is also entering his third season at the helm of his program. Through his first two seasons, Cincinnati’s first two in the Big 12, the team’s record is just 8-16 overall and 4-14 in the conference.

The Bearcats finished 5-7 overall last season, while Nebraska was 7-6.

Like Raiola, Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering his second season with his team. He had a strong first half of 2024, then fizzled as Cincinnati lost its last five games following a 5-2 start.

“Obviously, (those last five games) weren’t up to the standard I would like to play at,” said Sorsby, who finished last season with 2,813 yards passing. “I think the experience I got from last year in the system will be a huge benefit going into this year.”

Cincinnati is looking to start 1-0 for the third straight season.

–Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach Matt Rhule watches the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Coveted QB recruit Trae Taylor commits to Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Coveted quarterback prospect Trae Taylor is still months away from becoming eligible to actually put pen to paper, but he announced his verbal commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Thursday.

One of the top passers in the 2027 recruiting class, Taylor cannot formally sign with Nebraska until the early signing period in December 2026. However, that did not stop the 6-foot-3, 185-pound QB from pledging his allegiance to the Cornhuskers.

Taylor broke out as a sophomore at Carmel Catholic High School in Illinois last fall, throwing for 3,061 yards and 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions. The four-star prospect is the No. 35 recruit in the country, No. 3 quarterback and No. 2 player in Illinois, according to the 247Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2027.

In an interview with ESPN, Taylor said he has been recruited since sixth grade and received a scholarship offer from Maryland the following year. Taylor also said he will not visit campuses other than Nebraska, which he opted for over Illinois, LSU and Texas A&M.

“Sitting down with (Nebraska coach Glenn) Thomas and getting into the offense, seeing how he coaches (starting QB) Dylan (Raiola) and how he can prepare me for the next level — I really just can’t wait,” Taylor told ESPN. “For me, it’s kind of hard committing too early because I have to wait so long to get there.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; A sign supporting Nebraska Cornhuskers announcer Greg Sharpe hangs in the stadium before a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska play-by-play announcer dies at 61

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Greg Sharpe, the play-by-play voice for Nebraska football and baseball since 2008, died Friday at age 61.

Sharpe’s family announced his death through a statement released by the school on Saturday, 10 months after Sharpe revealed he was battling pancreatic cancer.

“While his passion and energy on the call of Husker football and baseball brought joy to so many for the past 17 seasons, it comforts us to know that his legacy will live on through these same moments that he narrated and through the relationships that he built,” his family wrote in a statement. “While the public knew him for his booming voice and infectious personality, those closest to him knew him for his loyalty and dedication to them.”

Sharpe called Nebraska’s final three football games in 2007 and became the team’s permanent announcer for Huskers Radio Network the following year, when he also took on baseball coverage.

He was in the booth for several Cornhuskers football games last fall and was honored as the Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year for the second time. The university’s athletic department renamed Sharpe’s press box workspace in his honor last month.

“Greg was more than an announcer; he was a storyteller, a champion for our student-athletes, and a constant, trusted presence for all who love this university,” Nebraska president Jeffrey P. Gold said in a release. “His impact will endure in the memories he created and the legacy he leaves behind.”

Sharpe is survived by his wife and three daughters.

–Field Level Media