Watch: Dylan Raiola’s near-perfect first half, plus Carter Nelson’s first TD

With every performance, Nebraska football quarterback Dylan Raiola confirms he’s the real deal.

Husker fans have been waiting for a program-changing quarterback and after waiting more than a decade since Taylor Martinez and more than two decades since this program had Eric Crouch, Nebraska football has that kind of quarterback again.

Saturday’s first half was the latest example.

There is a lot of football left to play. But Raiola has been damn near perfect. Northern Iowa has been great at playing keep away but Dylan Raiola has started by completing 13-of-16 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Raiola finds Carter Nelson for first Nebraska football TD

Raiola opened the scoring by connecting with fellow freshman Carter Nelson for a touchdown. It was the first touchdown of the career of the Ainsworth, Nebraska, native. However, it won’t be the last.

Freshman to freshman.@RaiolaDylan 🤝 @Carter83854638 pic.twitter.com/TjkxpY1yof

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) September 14, 2024

Northern Iowa used a long drive to milk the clock and settled for a field goal. Raiola led the Nebraska football offense back down the field for another touchdown drive. This time, Raiola connected with Isaiah Neyor for a score and suddenly it was 14-3 Huskers.

Another quick strike. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/KIyV2HtPOD

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) September 15, 2024

The TD pass to Neyor was a 19-yarder. On the next possession, after a stop by Nebraska football, Raiola brushed off a sack attempt and threw a pass to Jaylen Lloyd that covered 59 yards before a reverse to Jacory Barney got the freshman into the end zone.

This kid is something special. pic.twitter.com/8lNcRgBjnZ

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) September 15, 2024

Nebraska forced a turnover with just under two minutes left giving Raiola a shot in the two-minute drill. After a few quick completions to move the ball inside the 30, Dylan’s streak of 11 straight completions finally ended. Raiola threw two incompletions to end the half, but still, it was a nearly flawless half.

Matt Rhule also passed up what should have been an easy field goal opportunity as Nebraska leads 21-3 at the half.

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