Nebraska football endured a tough overtime loss against Illinois, but their season is still very much alive. This game exposed some weaknesses in Nebraska’s early strategies and offered important lessons for the team to learn from.
If the Cornhuskers reflect on this game and analyze the film, this defeat could ultimately prove to be a constructive experience. With that in mind, let’s examine who bears the most responsibility for Nebraska’s heartbreaking loss.
The offensive line allowed Dylan Raiola to be pressured
Nebraska’s offensive line struggled significantly, particularly in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter and overtime. There’s plenty to discuss regarding Raiola’s ability to deliver under pressure, but we’ll dive into that shortly.
In fairness to Raiola, he faced relentless pressure on nearly every critical play, right from the snap. Illinois’ defense made it clear their priority was to disrupt his timing and make the quarterback uncomfortable, and they executed that plan effectively. Although Illinois occasionally brought extra pressure, the offensive line consistently failed to provide adequate protection.
In overtime especially, the Illini pass rush tore through Nebraska’s line with ease, causing instant chaos. The game-ending play perfectly illustrated Nebraska’s offensive line issues. Regardless of how Raiola played, he had no real opportunity on that final snap.
Illinois sent a rusher straight up the middle, and Nebraska’s line was unable to respond, allowing Raiola to be sacked before he could even attempt a play.
Dylan Raiola wasn’t good enough, either
Raiola is undoubtedly a talented player, and he had several standout moments throughout the game. It feels somewhat unfair to place the burden of this tough loss on a true freshman. However, when you’re touted as a future number one draft pick and potential superstar, those expectations naturally come with the territory. While there were times Raiola carried the team, there were also too many instances where he struggled or missed key opportunities that could have shifted momentum in Nebraska’s favor.
Raiola missed open receivers on multiple occasions, including one play where he overthrew a wide-open target, a throw that could have easily resulted in a touchdown. If Nebraska hopes to compete for a championship, Raiola will need to perform at a higher level.
This game served as a reminder that despite the hype and raw talent, Raiola is still a true freshman adjusting to the challenges of being a starting quarterback in the Big Ten. He will face his fair share of learning experiences this season. Raiola doesn’t need to be perfect right now, but continued improvement is crucial so that Nebraska can reach its full potential as they face tougher competition down the road.
Everyone who committed penalties is to blame
The Cornhuskers committed far too many penalties in this game, and those mistakes proved costly. Penalties stifled the team’s offensive momentum and extended Illinois’ drives, allowing the Illini to capitalize and score points.
Nebraska must address these issues quickly, or when they face the nation’s top teams, those matchups could be over before they even start. Cleaning up the penalties is crucial if they want to remain competitive in tougher games ahead.
Matt Rhule failed the backup kicker, who came up short in key moments
It may seem unconventional to lump the head coach and the kicking game together, but it’s also not entirely fair to place the blame for the kicking struggles solely on the kickers. Tristan Alvaro, the starting kicker, is reliable but was unavailable due to injury. With backup kicker John Hohl taking over, he was put in a challenging position and ended up missing a critical kick inside 40 yards, a miss that ultimately sent the game into overtime.
While there’s no excuse for Hohl’s miss, the coaching staff also bears some responsibility. Coaches need to understand their players’ abilities and limitations. Rhule should have recognized the situation and avoided placing Hohl in a position where he was more likely to fail.
What this game means for Nebraska going forward
The tough reality for Nebraska football fans is that the team may be a bit ahead of schedule in its development. It’s unlikely that Nebraska will win the national championship this season, and while they might make the College Football Playoff, an early exit seems probable.
This may be a bitter pill to swallow for Husker fans, but there’s a silver lining. Next year, the team will be in a prime position to compete for a national title with a more seasoned Raiola at quarterback, alongside top recruits eager to play with a potential first overall draft pick. The future looks bright.
