LINCOLN, NE — Nebraska’s hopes for a breakout season took a brutal hit Saturday as star quarterback Dylan Raiola suffered a broken fibula in the third quarter of a 21-17 loss to USC, sidelining the former five-star recruit for the remainder of the year. The injury not only derails Raiola’s promising freshman campaign but extends Nebraska’s staggering losing streak against AP-ranked opponents to 29 games — a drought dating back to 2016.
Raiola, who had thrown for 1,909 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, was sacked midway through the third quarter, fumbling the ball and failing to return. Head coach Matt Rhule revealed postgame that Raiola wanted to re-enter but couldn’t run. “I love you too much to ask you to play when you’re hurt like this,” Rhule told reporters.
The quarterback’s absence was immediately felt. True freshman TJ Lateef stepped in, managing just seven passing yards and 18 rushing yards, as Nebraska’s offense stalled. The Cornhuskers, now 6-3, have dropped back-to-back games to ranked teams — Michigan and USC — despite Raiola’s earlier heroics, including a 308-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Wolverines.
Raiola addressed fans on Instagram before the official announcement, writing, “Just a small bump in the road to a beautiful journey back to playing the game that I love.”
With Raiola out and Nebraska’s AP-ranked curse deepening, questions loom over the program’s ability to finish strong and break a narrative that’s haunted them for nearly a decade.