Nebraska QB Raiola out for season with broken fibula

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s highly touted freshman quarterback, Dylan Raiola, has reportedly suffered a broken fibula and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, a devastating blow to the Cornhuskers’ aspirations and their star signal-caller’s debut year. The injury occurred during the third quarter of Nebraska’s recent 34-17 loss to USC at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 26th.

Raiola, a former five-star prospect whose commitment was seen as a watershed moment for the Nebraska program, went down after a scramble and was immediately tended to by medical staff before being carted off the field. Head Coach Matt Rhule confirmed the severity of the injury in a post-game press conference, stating, “It’s a tough one for Dylan and for our team. He’s a fighter, and he was playing his heart out. We’ll support him through his recovery, and we know he’ll come back stronger.”

The injury prematurely ends what has been a highly anticipated freshman campaign for Raiola. Expectations were immense for the consensus top-ranked quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, whose family ties to Nebraska football run deep through his father, Dominic Raiola, a former NFL center and All-American offensive lineman for the Huskers, and his uncle, Donovan Raiola, the team’s current offensive line coach.

Before his injury, Raiola had been showcasing flashes of the talent that made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. While statistics were not immediately available for the game against USC, he had been a dynamic presence, leading the Huskers to a 4-4 record on the season, positioning them for a potential bowl bid. His poise and arm strength had been key factors in several crucial victories.

With Raiola sidelined, Nebraska will now turn to its backup quarterback, likely Heinrich Haarberg or Chubba Purdy, for the remainder of the schedule. The team faces a challenging stretch, including upcoming games against formidable Big Ten opponents. The loss of Raiola not only impacts the team’s immediate on-field performance but also forces a significant adjustment in offensive strategy.

A broken fibula typically requires several months of recovery and rehabilitation, ruling Raiola out for any further action this calendar year. The focus will now shift to his long-term recovery and preparation for the 2025 season, where he is still expected to be the cornerstone of Nebraska’s future. His absence is a stark reminder of the physical demands of college football and the unpredictability of injuries in the sport.