Lincoln, Nebraska — After a humiliating 24-6 loss to Minnesota that left fans stunned and players bruised, Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola didn’t mince words. The sophomore signal-caller addressed the media following a players-only meeting that took place over the weekend, revealing a locker room both “pissed off” and desperate to reclaim its identity.
“We came in and literally told every truth possible,” Raiola said of the Sunday meeting. “It was necessary. We got it done.”
The Huskers were outplayed and outmuscled in the second half against the Gophers, a performance Raiola described as unacceptable. The team allowed nine sacks, bringing the season total to 25—ranking them 133rd out of 136 FBS teams. Raiola took full responsibility for the offensive breakdowns.
“All of them—I need to do a better job of getting us in the right play, the right protection, and getting the football out,” he admitted. “I put those on me and I’ll fix it.”
But the quarterback’s frustration wasn’t limited to Xs and Os. He challenged the team’s collective pride and fight.
“We’re not just going to take punches and not swing back,” Raiola said. “That’s not who we are. That’s not what this university stands for.”
Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen echoed the sentiment, pointing to a systemic failure: “The receivers have to run faster, the O-line has to protect better, and Dylan has to be more comfortable in the pocket. When he is, he’s as good as anyone in the country. When he’s not, he’s not.”
Senior left guard Henry Lutovsky put it bluntly: “It’s like watching your little brother get hit. That’s family. We can’t let that happen again.”
Head coach Matt Rhule has reportedly shown the team film clips that were “hard to watch,” according to Raiola. But instead of finger-pointing, the team is owning the loss.
“We all took the shot,” Raiola said. “We put our bodies on the line to win a football game. You have to wear the good and the bad.”
With Northwestern looming, the Huskers are at a crossroads. Raiola believes this 2025 squad is different—more resilient, more unified.
“When the stuff hits the fan, the real comes out,” he said. “Nobody is going to pull you out of it. You’ve got to do it yourself. Simple as that.”
Saturday will reveal whether Nebraska is ready to swing back—or take another punch.