Tag: Huskers

Nebraska QB TJ Lateef to make first start at UCLA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The loss of starting quarterback Dylan Raiola looms over Nebraska’s closing stretch to the 2025 campaign, which takes the Cornhuskers to Pasadena, Calif., for a matchup with UCLA on Saturday.

Raiola sustained a broken fibula in Nebraska’s 21-17 loss to Southern California last Saturday. The sophomore appeared to twist his leg under the pressure of a blindside hit in the third quarter against the Trojans, which sent freshman TJ Lateef in to finish the game.

“Making sure we put together a plan that he’s comfortable with everything we do,” Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule said was the team’s main point of emphasis in preparing Lateef for his first career start.

Last week’s appearance was the first for Lateef in a high-pressure situation at Nebraska (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten). He played in early-season routs of Akron and Houston Christian, completing 11 of 12 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a score.

Against USC, Lateef finished 5-of-7 passing but totaled only 7 yards as the Cornhuskers sputtered late in a defensive battle.

Saturday’s trip to UCLA (3-5, 3-2) begins the final three-game stretch for a Nebraska team seeking its first nine-win regular season since 2016.

In their Big Ten debut campaign a season ago, the Bruins won 27-20 in Lincoln and held Nebraska to 322 yards of total offense in a game where Raiola was taken out of commission in the second half.

This year’s UCLA roster is dramatically different and has already undergone significant midseason changes.

Since the Sept. 14 firing of DeShaun Foster, UCLA is 3-2 with conference wins over Penn State, Michigan State and Maryland. A Bruins offense that scored just 14.3 points per game through the first four outings of 2025 put up 33.3 during UCLA’s three-game winning streak.

Nico Iamaleava played his best football over that stretch, throwing six of his 10 touchdowns this season and rushing for three scores in the win over Penn State.

The Bruins came down to earth their last time out, losing a 56-6 blowout to No. 2-ranked Indiana on Oct. 26. Interim coach Tim Skipper used UCLA’s bye week to regroup, and has entered into this week preparing for Nebraska’s change at quarterback.

“That definitely is going to change some things,” Skipper said. “We’ll study those reps, and also high school stuff, too, just to get a good feel for him. I know we’re going to get some unscouted looks, unscouted plays. I’m sure there (are) things he does well they’re going to want to (call).”

–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

Sep 6, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Quinn Clark (18) hurdles Akron Zips defensive back Terence Thomas (15) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Dylan Raiola lights it up as Nebraska dominate Akron

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Dylan Raiola passed for 364 yards and four touchdowns in three quarters of play and Emmett Johnson ran for 140 yards and two scores and caught a TD pass as Nebraska romped past hapless Akron 68-0 on Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

Raiola hit on 24 of his 31 passes and was not intercepted as Nebraska (2-0) scored early and often and racked up a 728-175 edge in total offense.

It was the fifth time in program history that the Cornhuskers amassed over 700 yards in the game. Nebraska’s 68 points are its most since scoring 73 against Idaho State on Sept. 22, 2012 — and the score could have been even worse as the Zips fell to 0-2.

The Cornhuskers struck on the game’s opening drive, with Johnson ripping off a 47-yard TD run 2:29 into the game. Johnson was heading for the end zone for another score later in the first quarter when he was stripped of the ball at the 2 yard line by Akron’s Justin Anderson, denying Nebraska the touchdown.

Nebraska’s defense gang tackled Akron’s Jordan Gant in the end zone for a safety with 4:44 to play in the quarter. After a free kick the Cornhuskers drove to the Akron 1 before Heinrich Haarberg was stopped short of the goal line in a spirited stand by the Zips defense.

Kyle Cunanan added to the Cornhuskers’ lead with a 35-yard field goal a minute into the second quarter. Raiola then hit Johnson for a 4-yard scoring pass expanding the lead to 19-0 with 8:17 to play before halftime.

Raiola added two more TD passes before the bands hit the field. First, he threw 37 yards to Quinn Clark for a score and then hooked up with Luke Lindenmeyer for a 10-yard TD with 46 seconds remaining to allow Nebraska to carry a 33-0 lead to the break.

Johnson scored his second rushing TD, this one from six yards away, four minutes into the third quarter. Raiola hit Dane Kay with a 12-yard touchdown pass about five minutes later and Kwinten Ives added to the total with a 28-yard run.

The Cornhuskers piled it on in the fourth with a 1-yard TD rush by Mekhi Nelson and an 8-yard run for a score from backup quarterback TJ Lateef.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Iowa comes back for last-second victory over Nebraska

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Drew Stevens kicked a 53-yard field goal as time expired and Iowa rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Nebraska 13-10 on Friday night in a Big Ten game in Iowa City.

It was the second consecutive year the Hawkeyes (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) won the annual rivalry game on a last-second kick, both by the same score. The latest victory ensured Iowa a ninth consecutive eight-win season, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was strip-sacked by Iowa’s Max Llewellyn at the Cornhuskers 36-yard line with 20 seconds remaining. Three plays later, Stevens tucked the kick just inside the upright.

The second-coldest game in Kinnick Stadium history — it was 20 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff — saw less than 500 yards of offense, with Iowa managing just 164. The Hawkeyes made up for it with a pair of takeaways which led to six points.

Iowa trailed 10-0 at halftime, punting on all six full drives and managing only 20 yards on 20 plays with one first down. The Hawkeyes got 29 yards on their first drive of the second half, a march that included another punt but also a recovery of a muff at the Nebraska 4-yard line. Stevens made a 20-yard field goal with 4:30 left in the third quarter.

Kaleb Johnson scored on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Stratton on the first play of the fourth quarter, his 23rd score of the season, to tie it at 10. Iowa had only 65 yards prior to that play.

Nebraska (6-6, 3-6) scored on its opening possession, getting a 31-yard field goal from John Hohl. That was the only scoring in the game until the Cornhuskers’ Dante Dowdell scored on a 1-yard run with 38 seconds left before halftime.

Both schools will learn which bowl game they are in and their opponent on Dec. 8. Nebraska will make its first bowl appearance since 2016, while Iowa is bowl-eligible for the 12th straight season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Kain Medrano (20) celebrates during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

UCLA has uphill climb in bid to ‘keep building’ vs. Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UCLA is carrying some momentum for the first time in its inaugural Big Ten Conference season.

The Bruins will look to ride that steam into Saturday afternoon’s game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.

UCLA (2-5, 1-4) posted a season high in points and notched its first-ever league win as a Big Ten member with a 35-32 victory at Rutgers on Oct. 19. The victory, highlighted by Ethan Garbers completing 32 of 38 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns, sent the Bruins into their bye week on a high note.

“We’ve got to keep building on each week,” offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio said. “We’re starting to gain confidence (along the offensive line), and I think it became a personal matter of … we’re tired of letting (the quarterback) get hit.”

UCLA has allowed 20 sacks this season. Keeping the defense away from the quarterback is still a work-in-progress for the Bruins, who yielded three sacks to Rutgers.

Nebraska (5-3, 2-3), which has 23 sacks for the season, will look to leverage its pass-rush and get back on the winning track amid a two-game losing streak.

Since running to a 5-1 start, the Cornhuskers absorbed an ugly 56-7 loss at then-No. 16 Indiana on Oct. 19. They regrouped to give preseason Big Ten favorite Ohio State a tough game last week before dropping a 21-17 decision to the No. 4 Buckeyes.

Last Saturday’s loss was closer to Nebraska’s style, however. The Cornhuskers have thrived when setting the tone defensively, limiting opponents to an average of 7.4 points per game in their wins.

Teams have averaged 36 points a game in Nebraska’s three losses, with Ohio State’s 21 falling on the low end.

“The standard was set even higher on Saturday (vs. Ohio State),” Huskers defensive lineman Ty Robinson said at Tuesday’s press conference. “What’s great is that everyone now gets to see that standard, and everyone knows what it practices during the week in practice.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) drops to throw against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Luke Altmyer, No. 24 Illinois pull out OT win over No. 22 Nebraska

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Luke Altmyer’s fourth touchdown pass of the night, a 4-yarder to Pat Bryant in overtime, led No. 13 Illinois to a 31-24 win over No. 22 Nebraska on Friday in Lincoln, Neb.

Illinois (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) started overtime with a 21-yard run by Kaden Feagin. Altmyer then connected with Bryant into the right corner of the end zone.

Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) began its overtime drive with a false-start penalty, and matters only grew worse for the Cornhuskers. Dylan Raiola took two sacks, completed a pass, then was sacked on fourth-and-29 to end the game.

Altmyer completed 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards. Bryant caught two touchdown passes among his five catches for 74 yards. Tanner Arkin and offensive lineman Brandon Henderson each had a red-zone TD reception, and Feagin led the Fighting Illini with 69 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Raiola wound up 23 of 35 for 284 yards with three touchdowns passes and one interception. Isaiah Neyor had four receptions for 90 yards and two scores, and Jahmal Banks hauled in seven passes for 81 yards. Dante Dowdell ran 20 times for 72 yards.

Both teams had chances to break a tie late in the fourth quarter.

The Cornhuskers’ Ceyair Wright forced a fumble while sacking Altmyer with 8:24 remaining, and teammate Mikai Gbayor recovered at the Nebraska 38. The ensuing drive ended when Nebraska kicker John Hohl missed wide right on a 39-yard field-goal attempt.

The Fighting Illini were aided by a key play in the second quarter that was first called a Cornhuskers touchdown on the field. After a review, Torrie Cox Jr. had his arm between Neyor and the ball and stripped the ball away in the end zone, keeping possession with the lone interception for either team on the night.

Nebraska senior defensive back Tommi Hill left the game in the first half because of an apparent head injury.

It was a historic game for Nebraska despite the loss, as it was the school’s NCAA-record 400th straight sellout.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska, Illinois seek change from similar slow starts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska and host Illinois, each coming off blowout losses in Big Ten Conference play, face off on a short week on Friday night in Champaign, Ill.

Illinois (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) fell 44-19 at Purdue, while Nebraska (2-3, 0-2) was crushed 45-7 at home by No. 2 Michigan. Each is trying to avoid a 0-3 start in the conference for the first time since 2020 (for Illinois) and 2018 (for Nebraska), respectively.

“Nebraska is very similar to our situation,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “But I think this week is a lot about us.”

The Fighting Illini allowed a season-low 406 yards to Purdue but gave up 31 points on five red-zone possessions. For the season Illinois has yielded 23 scores on 26 trips inside its 20-yard line, compared to 23 on 31 all of 2022.

Nebraska came up scoreless in its two red-zone possessions against Michigan and has been inside the opposing 20 on only 12 occasions this season.

The Cornhuskers will continue to go with sophomore Heinrich Haarberg at quarterback, even with Jeff Sims getting closer to 100 percent following a high ankle sprain. Haarberg is Nebraska’s leading rusher (270 yards), but had minus-2 against Michigan, so there could be a splitting of snaps.

“I feel very confident with Heinrich being the starting quarterback,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “That being said, I also have a lot of confidence in Jeff. I’m getting them both ready. I have full confidence in Heinrich. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Illinois may again be without leading rusher Reggie Love III (44 carries, 248 yards), who sat out the last game with an ankle injury.

The Illini have won the last three meetings, including a 26-9 victory at Nebraska last October, but the Cornhuskers hold a 13-6-1 lead in the series. Nebraska’s last win in Champaign came in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Jeff Sims (7) fumbles a snap against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska QB Jeff Sims (ankle) remains uncertain for NIU game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule did not commit to quarterback Jeff Sims starting for the 0-2 Cornhuskers against Northern Illinois on Saturday due to a lingering left ankle injury.

“I’m not sure what Jeff’s status will be for the game,” Rhule told reporters Thursday. “He’s progressing. … I know he feels like he’s getting better, he’s moving around so we’ll how it goes.”

Earlier in the week, Rhule declared Sims was the program’s starting quarterback despite Sims throwing four interceptions and losing two fumbles in two losses to open the 2023 season.

Sims, a Georgia Tech transfer, has completed 20 of 34 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in the two games. He has been solid on the ground, rushing for 158 yards, including a 57-yard score against Colorado.

Nebraska’s backup options if Sims can’t take the field are Heinrich Haarberg and Chubba Purdy. Rhule said that Purdy, the younger brother of NFL quarterback Brock Purdy, has been bothered by a groin injury and isn’t 100 percent.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Casey Thompson throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Casey Thompson, Nebraska defeat Iowa to damage Hawkeyes’ title chances

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Casey Thompson completed three touchdown passes and Trey Palmer had nine catches for 165 yards as Nebraska held off Iowa 24-17 Saturday at Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa backup quarterback Alex Padilla tried to rally the Hawkeyes back from a 24-0 deficit in the second half after Spencer Petras suffered an arm injury before halftime.

In Iowa’s second-to-last possession, Padilla completed a 15-yard pass to Luke Lachey for a first down to the Iowa 33, but he threw four consecutive incompletions thereafter for a turnover on downs with 2:06 left.

After Iowa forced Nebraska to punt with 1:05 remaining, Padilla was intercepted by Chris Kolarevic on a fourth-and-8 play at Iowa’s 22.

Padilla was 16 of 33 for 141 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Thompson passed for 278 yards while completing 20 of 30 passes for Nebraska, which snapped a seven-game losing streak against Iowa.

The Hawkeyes (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) were in position to win the Big Ten West Division with a victory after putting together a four-game winning streak entering the game.

They can still win the division if Purdue loses at Indiana and Illinois loses at Northwestern on Saturday.

Nebraska (4-8, 3-6) took control at the start not having to punt through its first four possessions.

A missed field goal by Timmy Bleekrode of 32 yards in Nebraska’s first drive was followed by an 87-yard touchdown pass from Thompson to Palmer to put the Cornhuskers ahead 7-0 with 8:45 left in the first quarter.

Bleekrode converted on a 21-yard field goal and Thompson connected on an 18-yard touchdown to Palmer in the next two possessions.

The Cornhuskers increased the lead to 24-0 with 12:15 left in the third quarter on Thompson’s 14-yard pass to Marcus Washington.

Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson then capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a 44-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 24-7. Johnson had 109 yards on 16 rushes.

Nebraska’s offense was forced to punt on its next two possessions.

Iowa scored on 14-yard touchdown pass from Padilla to Lachey with 6:49 remaining to cut the lead to 24-14.

A fumble by Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson was then recovered by Iowa’s Logan Klemp at the Nebraska 27.

Drew Stevens made a 45-yard field goal with 5:41 left to cut the lead to 24-17.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) runs the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (91) looks to make the tackle during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin out to push streak to nine over Nebraska

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A pair of interim coaches will battle for one of college football’s newest rivalry trophies when Wisconsin visits Nebraska in a Big Ten Conference game on Saturday in Lincoln.

Established in 2014, the Freedom Trophy is up for grabs, and Nebraska (3-7, 2-5) will attempt to win it for the first time while snapping an eight-game losing streak to Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4).

The Cornhuskers clinched a sixth consecutive losing season, the longest stretch since finishing below .500 from 1956-61, with 34-3 loss at No. 3 Michigan last week. The ‘Huskers gained 146 yards, their fewest since netting 132 in a 2018 loss at Michigan.

Nebraska has dropped four games in a row after starting 2-1 under interim coach Mickey Joseph, scoring only 25 points in the past three games.

“I think overall the kids are playing hard under the circumstances they’re playing under,” Joseph said. “They’re not quitting.”

Wisconsin lost 24-10 at Iowa in its most recent game, dropping to 3-2 under interim coach Jim Leonhard. The loss kept the Badgers from joining what is currently a four-way tie for first place in the Big Ten’s West Division at 4-3.

“We’ve got to find a way to punch our way out of it,” Leonhard said after Wisconsin managed just 227 yards and turned the ball over three times. “You have to get comfortable in uncomfortable situations. We’ve got to learn from adversity with a loss.”

Sophomore running back Braelon Allen, who has six 100-yard rushing games this season, gave Wisconsin a 1,000-yard rusher for the sixth year in a row (not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 season). He’ll face a Nebraska defense that allows an average of 191 yards per game on the ground.

Nebraska enters another game with uncertainty surrounding the starting quarterback spot.

Chubba Purdy started his second straight game against Michigan but was pulled for Logan Smothers, while Casey Thompson — who started the first eight games — entered this week listed first on the depth chart.

–Field Level Media