Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola faced his biggest challenge yet in Saturday’s 30-27 loss to Michigan, and On3’s Ari Wasserman did not hold back in his postgame evaluation.
“We felt like Nebraska’s game against Michigan was going to be some revelatory affair in regards to whether Dylan Raiola was going to be a star this year. That’s not what happened,” Wasserman said. He noted that Raiola “played a fine game” but was overwhelmed by constant pressure as Michigan dominated both lines of scrimmage. “Raiola had someone in his face just about every time the ball hit his hands,” Wasserman added.
Despite the heavy pressure, Raiola finished with 308 passing yards and three touchdowns, making him the first quarterback to surpass 300 yards against Michigan since 2022.
Nebraska, however, was stifled on the ground, gaining only 43 rushing yards, and managed just 2 of 12 conversions on third down. The Cornhuskers also extended their losing streak to 28 games against ranked opponents.
Poggi praises Martindale after seven-sack night
Acting head coach Biff Poggi praised defensive coordinator Wink Martindale after the Wolverines sacked Raiola seven times.
“Wink Martindale, we’re going to put him in bubble wrap on the plane on the way back so nothing happens to him,” Poggi said. “Our defensive kids played so hard. They never gave up. The whole team never gave up.”
Offensively, Michigan leaned on its rushing attack. Justice Haynes ran for 149 yards on 17 carries, highlighted by a 75-yard score, while Jordan Marshall added 80 yards and a 54-yard touchdown.
Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, coming off a rough outing at Oklahoma, contributed a 37-yard rushing touchdown and showed poise late with key throws and scrambles.
Nebraska briefly tied the game at halftime on Raiola’s 52-yard Hail Mary to Jacory Barney Jr., but Michigan’s physical edge carried through.