The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 13- 10 loss to the lowa Hawkeyes on Friday night was a bitter lozenge to swallow, not just for the players and guiding staff, but for the entire fanbase, who had projected their expedients on one of the most hyped quarterback prospects in recent memory, Dylan Raiola. With the Cornhuskers adhering to a 10- 0 lead at halftime, their prospects sounded bright, but a lackluster alternate half saw Nebraska squander their advantage, eventually falling victim to a last-alternate 53- yard field thing by lowa’s kick Drew Stevens. The loss limited a disappointing season for Nebraska, which finished at 6- 6, and left suckers questioning not only head trainer Matt Rhule’s coaching strategies but also Raiola’s capability to perform under pressure.
Dylan Raiola Lost Chances a lot of Chances
Despite outgaining lowa by a massive margin-334 yards to 164-and holding a commanding 20 first downs to lowa’s five, Nebraska’s inability to seal the deal in the second half left many fans scratching their heads. Raiola, who completed 22-of-32 passes for 190 yards, was unable to carry the team to victory, especially after the Huskers went scoreless in the final two quarters. While some роint to the team’s mistakes-missed field goals, turnovers, and a critical fumbled punt return as the driving force behind the collapse-others are turning their attention to the performance of the much-touted freshman quarterback.
As the game unfolded, Raiola’s inconsistencies came into sharp focus. While he displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, his inability to deliver a “Mahomes-like” performance when it mattered most has led to intense scrutiny. Despite being one of the top recruits in the nation, the 5-star prospect seemed rattled by lowa’s late-game pressure. His performance against lowa was a microcosm of his season-there were moments of promise, but too often those moments were followed by mistakes or missed opportunities. This inconsistency is not just a disappointment; it raises the question: can Raiola be the transformative player Nebraska needs to return to prominenсе?
Some Fans are really upset about Raiola and Rhule right now
After the game, social media went wild with Nebraska fans expressing their disappointment in both the quarterback and the head coach. Fans quickly pointed out that even though Raiola has the physical skills and high expectations, he just didn’t come through in crunch time. One fan tweeted, “He’s supposed to be the next big thing, but where was he when we needed him most? This was the perfect chance for him to shine, and he didn’t.”
Others shifted their frustration to head coach Matt Rhule. In his first year at Nebraska, he’s been tasked with rebuilding a program that has struggled with consistency for years. But many fans feel that, given they outperformed Iowa in almost every statistic, Rhule and his staff dropped the ball when the game started slipping away. “We’ve got to find a way to win these close games,” Rhule said after the match, but all the missed opportunities have left fans wondering if he can really turn things around for Nebraska.
So, the big question now is: Is Raiola ready for prime time?
Raiola’s struggles go beyond just this game. While it’s clear he has a lot of raw talent, people are starting to question whether he can handle tough situations. We’ve seen him have some great moments, like reading defenses well and making solid throws under pressure, but those have often been followed by uncertainty. Over the last six games, Nebraska has lost five, and when the stakes were highest, Raiola just didn’t come through. Against Iowa, it looked like he was caught in a tough spot, trying to either force plays or stick to the simpler game plan under new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.
The truth is, Nebraska’s future really hinges on Raiola’s growth. Can he become the leader they need, or is he just a player with untapped potential that hasn’t shown up when it counts? Fans are starting to wonder if he can consistently step up in big moments, and if he can’t, how long can Nebraska afford to wait for him to develop?
As for the season finale against Iowa, it was a tough way to wrap up a season full of near-misses. Even though Nebraska dominated the first half, their defense, led by the defensive line and secondary, couldn’t hold onto that edge after halftime, letting Iowa come back and steal the win.
This collapse really brought to light the Cornhuskers’ long-standing struggle to finish games—a problem that has been hanging over them for years.
Sure, Raiola’s performance wasn’t the only reason for the loss, but it’s hard to ignore that when they really needed him to step up, he just didn’t deliver on those key plays.
The loss to Iowa marked the end of a season for Nebraska that was filled with near-misses, leaving the team with more questions than answers as they head into the offseason. The Cornhuskers started strong, but as the game went on, especially the defensive line and secondary just couldn’t hold it together. Iowa took advantage and made a comeback to steal the win. This late-game flop really brought to light Nebraska’s long-standing problem with finishing games, a struggle they’ve been dealing with for years. While it’s not fair to put all the blame on Raiola, it’s hard to ignore that the big plays they needed didn’t come from him when it counted the most.
Raiola will be the center of attention as Nebraska enters the offseason. Will he be able to step up and guide the squad to victory the next season, or will his inability to perform well under pressure continue to cloud his memories of Lincoln? In anticipation of that game-changing performance, fans are undoubtedly feeling the pressure and holding their breath.
Raiola’s future is uncertain at the moment, and it seems like Nebraska football’s future is also in jeopardy. The Cornhuskers are undoubtedly talented enough to compete, but as they discovered after a devastating defeat to Iowa, skill alone isn’t often enough to win games.
Apparently you and the “unhappy fans” didn’t see the pass that hit number 18 in the hands and was dropped. It was likely a touchdown, but at the very least would have put Nebraska in the Red Zone. Or the fact that on his last play the left tackle wiffed on a block and he was blindsided and fumbled. Did he miss a deep throw early? Yes. He is a freshman and they make mistakes. He is the best QB Nebraska has had in a number of years. PERIOD