Matt Rhule and Nebraska are receiving heat from the college football world after facing a brutal 20-27 home loss to UCLA on Saturday. On top of that, Rhule also lost his true freshman, Dylan Raiola, late in the game because of an injury. Raiola was hit on his back toward the end of the 6-yard line in the fourth quarter. “Got hit in the wrong spot,” Raiola said after the game. Now college football analysts are putting it on Rhule for the freshman’s thin confidence.

On the latest episode of ‘Husker247’, analysts Mike Schaefer and Derrick Pearson discussed what went wrong for Matt Rhule’s team in the game against UCLA. “I think he [Dylan] is hurt I think there are things in the beat up that are happening that his athletic arrogance has gone away and that’s in the head in the eye and then in the feet that comfortable movement the things that he did naturally in the early weeks because he was the best athlete out there and he could make things happen he could out talent a bad play call he could out talent a strong coverage he could do those things.”

Schaefer highlighted Raiola’s original form when the season started and how he was known for the role he played at Nebraska, but as of now, he’s losing that spark. Moving forward, he explained the reason behind Raiola’s mistakes after a few weeks in the 2024 season.

“But now people have tape on him and they know that listen, I need to beat this kid up a bit early and that’s what’s happening. I think that’s a big part of it. I think he’s working with the things in his head. It’s important for a young quarterback to have positive information and a solution to situations and circumstances in his head. So no matter what it is called, are you teaching him plays, or are you teaching him how to play?” 

Schaefer lashed out at Rhule as he failed to teach young Raiola certain things about the game that he needed to learn. For a few weeks, Dylan Raiola’s performance has been sub-par. The game against the Bruins was marked as the fourth game this season he had less than 200 yards. For this game, he went 14 of 27 passes for 177 yards along with a touchdown and an interception. After this, his fans are worried about him as Raiola is not in his original form. With that, let’s learn UCLA’s game plan to slow down the QB.

The plan that worked out for Foster’s boys to beat Dylan Raiola

UCLA boys knew the only way to win this game was to limit Nebraska’s freshman Dylan Raiola, and they exactly followed that. To make that happen, the Bruins didn’t let him find consistency and made it difficult for Raiola to combat. After the game, head coach DeShaun Foster revealed it publicly.

He explained their game plan to break Dylan Raiola’a’s rhythm a bit. He praised Raiola’s ability to make plays with his arms and how he extends plays with his legs. Foster added that Nebraska also had a good O-line, but their focus remained to not let him stay in a rhythm and get comfortable.

The situation has become more tense now as Matt Rhule’s team has suffered a third consecutive loss this season. Now as they head into the final stretch of the season, Raiola’s injury can be a major setback for Nebraska. With that, Nebraska now holds five wins and four losses. Their playoff hopes have vanished, but they can secure a bowl game for which the team needs one more victory.