**Nebraska Cornhuskers Face Adversity as Dylan Raiola Suffers Injury; True Freshman TJ Lateef Set to Take Reins**
Dylan Raiola was enjoying an excellent sophomore season as the starting quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, that momentum came to a halt Saturday night when he suffered a broken fibula after being strip-sacked early in the third quarter against USC. The Trojans came from behind to secure a 21-17 victory, a pivotal moment in the game as the Huskers were leading 14-6 at the time of Raiola’s injury.
This injury not only impacted the game’s outcome but also altered the outlook for the rest of Nebraska’s season. Up to this point, Raiola had passed for exactly 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns, boasting an impressive 70% completion rate. All signs point to a full recovery, with expectations high for his return as a junior in 2026 and a likely future in the NFL.
### Huskers’ Playoff Hopes Diminish
Going into the USC contest, Nebraska was already a bubble team at best for the College Football Playoff. Now sitting at 6-3 with three regular-season games remaining, the Cornhuskers are effectively out of the playoff picture this year. However, the season is far from over, and there’s still reason for optimism.
### True Freshman TJ Lateef to Start at Quarterback
True freshman TJ Lateef will take over as the starting quarterback moving forward. Just a year ago, Lateef was playing high school football nearby at Orange Lutheran High School near Anaheim, making this Saturday’s game against UCLA somewhat of a homecoming.
Lateef has appeared in three games this season and has shown promising flashes. He will now have the opportunity to get first-team reps during the week in practice, helping him get up to speed and ready to carry the offense where Raiola left off.
### A New Dimension for Nebraska’s Offense
One of the most exciting developments is how Lateef’s skill set could transform Nebraska’s offensive approach. Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgerson will benefit greatly from having a quarterback capable of running the ball effectively. This dual-threat ability opens up parts of Holgerson’s playbook that have been largely unused since he arrived in Lincoln almost a year ago.
Holgerson, a Mount Pleasant, Iowa native, is a seasoned assistant coach with a rich history, including head coaching stints at West Virginia and Houston. He’s worked alongside offensive innovators such as Hal Mumme, Sonny Dykes, and Mike Leach and has mentored quarterbacks like Case Keenum, Kliff Kingsbury, and Geno Smith. His offense traditionally emphasizes passing but includes significant quarterback run opportunities, a perfect fit for Lateef’s skill set.
### Adjustments Ahead for UCLA
The interim UCLA coaching staff will have to prepare for the challenges of facing Lateef and Nebraska’s revamped offense. While Big Ten football is not usually associated with wide-open offenses, UCLA is far from a typical program. They feature their own dual-threat quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, a Tennessee transfer who has experienced an up-and-down season paralleling his team’s performance.
The Bruins demonstrated their offensive explosiveness in an upset victory over Penn State but have also been vulnerable defensively, as seen in their recent 56-6 blowout loss to second-ranked Indiana on October 25th.
### Looking Ahead for Nebraska
While Dylan Raiola’s injury is a significant setback, it does not mark the end of the season for Nebraska. The Huskers boast the youngest team in the Big Ten and now have a valuable chance to develop their depth at quarterback. Building Lateef’s experience this season is crucial as Nebraska aims for a College Football Playoff appearance in 2026, where their goals remain high.
As Nebraska adjusts and adapts, fans will be watching closely to see how Lateef performs in his newfound leadership role and how Holgerson’s offense evolves with this exciting new weapon under center.
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