On the heels of straight heartbreaking losses, Matt Rhule had to do something to bring the Huskers back into the game. Their bowl eligibility hope is still hanging with one more win under the bag. The key weapon of Nebraska, the stormy offense with freshman sensation Dylan Raiola in the driving seat, wasn’t at their usual best in recent weeks, averaging just 15 points per game in their last three appearances. The concern intensified when Raiola left the gridiron during the week 11 game against UCLA with an acute back injury. As his status for the upcoming USC game is still up in the air, Rhule didn’t want to take any risk with the lackluster offense, and Dana Holgorsen seems to be the talisman.

The Cornhuskers (5-4, 2-4) have amassed just 18.3 points and 320 yards per game against Big Ten opponents under the sloppy stewardship of second-year offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield. To even the effect, Rhule pulled off a masterstroke. The program officially confirmed that Former Houston and West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen is working with the Nebraska staff to bring the lost spark in their offense ahead of the South California game. He might also play a specific role in supporting Dylan Raiola’s growth and enhanced contribution to the QB position. Reflecting on the Holgorsen effect, The insider media Huskers online spilled, ”Bringing in a guy like Holgorsen is effective because he has developed multiple NFL quarterbacks who may not like Elite, top-tier NFL quarterbacks, but guys that put up a ton of yards, a ton of numbers and got drafted into the NFL. ”

Following an impressive August and September with a smashing 9:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Raiola hit a breaking point. In the last four games before the injury bug, he was visibly off, scoring one touchdown and three interceptions. His pass efficiency rating was the lowest. The Huskers’ QB must be at his best potential to turn around the rest of the season in Nebraska’s favor. The 53-year-old Holgorsen can work as his much-needed booster.

‘When you’re looking at why Dylan Raiola would want to stay here, well, look at this: you could work under this guy in an offense that is proven and has been proven at multiple stops, and he’s produced multiple quarterbacks to get to the level that Dylan wants to get to so you know extreme times call for extreme measures,” reported Huskers Online.

If Holgorsen becomes the offensive coordinator, his air-raid habits could complement Raiola’s passing ability. But the most crucial question remains: Will Dylan Raiola suit up for the next game?

Dylan Raiola’s injury and return status: Revealed

Well, finally, some good news for all the Nebraska fans as reports indicated that the greatest freshman QB will show up after the Huskers’ bye week. By that time, he will get adequate rest to heal his injury. He is expected to be healthy before Nov 16.

During the bye week press conference, the coach said he was down with a contusion to his back and spine, leading to some spasming. Thankfully, it came out to be comparatively minor later on. However, weighing his status for the week, Rhule didn’t guarantee anything but said he would possibly be day-to-day in two weeks.

Now, the South California game seems to be an ideal one for the player’s return. But battling with injury remains a curse for Raiola this season. On October 19, during a road game against Indiana, a limp was visible on his shoulder that became worse after a hit on the spot during the Ohio State game on Oct 23rd.

But despite all the woes, coach Rhule is hopeful that Dylan Raiola will bounce back sooner than expected, but only if he ‘weathers the storm’. ‘You learn how to handle all the different things that you see, and you have tough moments, and you overcome them. I think this is an unbelievable, invaluable experience for Dylan. When it’s good, it’s good. And there’s been some tough moments, right?” said the veteran second-year coach, addressing Raiola’s bland output in the last game.

What’s your take on Dana Holgorsen’s addition to Nebraska’s offense and its projected effect on Dylan Raiola? Let us know in the comments.