LINCOLN, NE – For the first time in over a year, the shadow of Dylan Raiola didn’t loom over Memorial Stadium. Instead, a new rhythm took hold of the Nebraska offense on Saturday as UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea gave Husker fans a tantalizing glimpse of the future.
While his stat line—12-of-19 for 80 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception—might seem modest, the eye test told a much bigger story.
Colandrea moved with a «100 mph» urgency that seemed a perfect match for offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s tempo-based system. Unlike the sacked-plagued offense of 2025, Colandrea showed an elite ability to extend plays, adding 14 yards on the ground and constantly keeping the defense off-balance.
A Natural Fit for Holgorsen’s Scheme
Head coach Matt Rhule praised the veteran’s decisiveness. «The thing about Anthony… he’s going to go through his progression, and if there’s pressure, he’s going to get outside the pocket and try to make plays,» Rhule noted after the game. That mobility was on full display during a 14-play opening drive that ended with a touchdown flip to Jacory Barney.
Colandrea’s veteran presence (boasting 30 career starts) provided a stark contrast to the younger QBs in the room. While Daniel Kaelin and T.J. Lateef struggled to find a rhythm, Colandrea led the offense to 14 points, showing the poise needed to move the chains even after a «whoopsie daisy» interception in the first half.
Turning the Page
The «amicable divorce» from Raiola, who was spotted at a Huskers softball game just hours before the spring kickoff, feels officially complete. Nebraska has traded the five-star hype for the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year’s proven playmaking. As the Huskers head into the fall, the question isn’t who the savior is, but how fast Colandrea can lead this new-look offense.