Nebraska Football's Dylan Raiola is 'Expected to Be Healthy' for USC Game

The Huskers are expected to have starting quarterback Dylan Raiola return to action after their bye week. The freshman left the UCLA contest with an injured back and did not return Saturday.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola fires a 40-yard pass to wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. during the second quarter against UCLA. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska football fans can breathe a sigh of relief as early indications Monday have quarterback Dylan Raiola available to play after the Huskers' bye week.

During Nebraska's 27-20 loss Saturday to UCLA at Memorial Stadium, Raiola left the game with an injury to his back on the second-to-last offensive possession for the Huskers. He attempted to return but did not participate in another snap as Heinrich Haarberg finished the contest for the Big Red.

Raiola did appear in postgame interviews, saying his back "kind of locked up on me." He added that he felt that Haarberg gave Nebraska the best change to win once the game was down to one possession.

Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hands the ball off to running back Dante Dowdell (23) against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

"From that point, try to come back, but we trust Heinrich (Haarberg) in those situations, and I thought it was best for the team. I could possibly hurt them if I went back out there, Heinrich did a really good job," Raiola said.

Luckily for Nebraska, the extent of Raiola's injury seems to have only affected him for the final snaps against UCLA. According to a post on X from ESPN College Football insider Pete Thamel, Raiola is "expected to be healthy" for the Huskers' next contest at USC on Nov. 16.

Sources: Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola is expected to be healthy to return for Nebraska’s next game, which is at USC on Nov. 16. The scans on Raiola’s back issue came back clear after he left the UCLA game in the fourth quarter on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/geUixq6wLy

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 4, 2024

During Matt Rhule's bye-week press conference Monday morning, the coach said Raiola suffered a "contusion to his back and spine" that caused some spasming. Rhule added that Raiola's status would be questionable if Nebraska played this week but is expected to be day-to-day in two weeks for the road contest against Southern California.

Nebraska's Dylan Raiola suffered a contusion to his back and his spine with some spasming, Matt Rhule said.

He'd be questionable if NU played this week. Ahead of the game against USC in two weeks, he's day to day.

— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) November 4, 2024

Nebraska has not had one quarterback start and play all 12 regular-season games since the 2017 season with Tanner Lee in Mike Riley's final year as head coach. Raiola has already surpassed last season's total quarterback passing numbers, including passing yards, touchdowns, and completions.

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) looks to hand off during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Ohio State won 21-17. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Raiola had injury scares in previous contests this season, including a noticeable limp during the road test at Indiana on Oct. 19 followed by a reaction after a hit to his throwing shoulder during the Ohio State game on Oct. 26. The Huskers could turn to Haarberg, who was the starter in all five of Nebraska's wins last season.

Haarberg is ahead of freshman signal-caller Daniel Kaelin and NAIA transfer Jalyn Gramstead on the roster.

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