Shatel: Dylan Raiola could be the key to knocking down Nebraska's mental block

After a night game that darkened the mood, and a week where doubt rolled in like gray clouds, I saw the sun.

Or was it the son? Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiolas performance shined through the loss to Illinois.

It was a ray of hope, a shot of optimism that things dont have to be the same old, same old.

Raiola aced his first three games, like so many pop quizzes.

But the Big Ten opener, against a Big Ten defense and coach, would be a telling test for the young quarterback.

And then Illini coach Bret Bielema threw a curveball.

Bielema unabashedly loaded up to stop NUs run game and put everything on Raiolas arm.

It was a psychological chess move, with the coach saying he was aware of Raiolas talent but was still going to make him prove it.

Could he handle the pressure? Oh yeah.

It was a performance that had me wondering: could the freshman single-handedly change this season? Raiola was 24 of 35 for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception an incredible play on a 50-50 ball.

He didnt flinch.

He made play after play, sometimes fitting in passes where only his receiver could get them.

The only thing he didnt do was win, and he came within one completion of doing that.

Yes, Illinois played zone throughout the game before switching to man in the overtime and going after Raiola.

Still, it was an eye-opening performance, full of poise and gusto.

And for Husker fans seeing the long game, it took the edge off a loss that stung.

Raiola is just getting out of the blocks, on the cusp of a career whose potential tickles the imagination.

How high can he fly? What might he be doing later this season? Especially in the huddle and at practice.

Thats the part that has me intrigued.

Now, Raiola cant tackle or defend.

He cant kick.

He cant block.

And theres a list of things hes still learning as a college football quarterback.

But I wonder if a freshman can lead the Huskers out of the desert.

Can he break down the mental door standing in the way of the next level? Its still there.

NU coach Matt Rhule saw it against Illinois.

The team that played so loose and aggressively and with purpose, especially against Colorado, had a different reaction when the Illini popped them in the mouth first.

They started thinking.

They stopped playing.

They started feeling the pressure and the moment.

It wasnt the sole reason for the loss, but Rhule pointed to it as a major factor.

I have to find a way to get our team to when the game gets tight, to not get tight, Rhule said.

Enjoy the battle and enjoy the competition.

Sometimes, a coach cant do that.

Sometimes, its a player who gets that done.

Its rare.

But Ive seen it.

So have some of you.

Comparisons arent fair to young players.

Theyre finding their own way.

Dylan Raiola is the first Dylan Raiola.

And this current situation is unique to any of the last 60 years of Nebraska football.

Ive seen a handful of players who changed Nebraska football.

The way the team played.

The way it thought about itself.

The one that comes to mind was a highly-recruited quarterback who arrived in 1992, at a time when Nebraska couldnt win a bowl game and was in a fog in big games.

Tommie Frazier changed that, with his play in big games and also his fearless, confident, no-nonsense approach.

Here in 2024, we are a long, long way from those days.

Frazier is the greatest Nebraska quarterback in my book.

He was the key that unlocked the door for so many great teams.

Raiola, the most heralded NU quarterback since Frazier, has a much different task.

What is similar is that there is a door that needs to be busted down.

I see some swashbuckler in Raiola.

Hes confident, fearless and aggressive.

Hes not afraid to make a mistake because he thinks hell figure out a way to win the game.

Thats the sort of mentality the Huskers seem to need to get past this hurdle that popped up again last week.

Remember, Raiola hasnt been part of the last several years here.

He doesnt know what he doesnt know, and thats a good thing.

Can a freshman impact a team that way? Yes.

But hes got to earn the teams respect first.

NUs older players speak highly of their quarterback.

His play on the field, so far, has to have gotten their attention.

In Rhules press conference messages which are often used to speak to the team he has mentioned that the team needs to reach Raiolas level of intensity and passion.

He seems to be pushing the idea of Raiola as leader.

And did it again earlier this week.

It just felt really tight out there in the second half, Rhule said of the Illinois game.

Dylan doesnt feel tight.

Hes out there saying, Lets go play.

This will be something worth following.

The quarterback.

And the story.

Tailgate takes: Big Ten coaches won't follow Illinois' lead: I dont expect to see other Big Ten coaches follow Bielemas lead in loading up to stop NUs run game to see what Raiola can do.

That would be crazy.

I expect there to be more room for NU to run this week and they have the Big Ten back Dante Downhill Dowdell to do it.

Purdue will come out swinging: Expect Purdue to come out swinging after two big losses, but the 11 a.m.

kick cant hurt Nebraska.

How many fans will show up? Better question: How about some NU tackling and special teams show up? Checking in on the SEC: Georgia vs.

Alabama feels big on several levels.

The Dawgs seem vulnerable, Bamas new coach wants to make an impression and a Georgia loss symbolically throws the SEC wide open with Texas and Tennessee ready to take over.

Great stuff.

Toms Pick: Nebraska 27, Purdue 21.

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