Bryce Underwood and Dylan Raiola were already two of the biggest names in college football at the start of this season, but Saturday's matchup between Michigan and Nebraska was a chance for each to prove they deserve the "star" label.
Raiola entered Saturday riding a red-hot start to the season, while Underwood endured a rockier first three games but still held his own as a true freshman thrust into the spotlight.
It was Underwood’s Wolverines who ultimately got the better of Raiola’s Cornhuskers in Lincoln, winning 30-27. But which quarterback delivered the stronger performance?
Here’s a look at how Raiola and Underwood fared in their first head-to-head matchup.
MORE: Dylan Raiola channels Patrick Mahomes with Hail Mary TD
Dylan Raiola vs. Bryce Underwood stats
| Dylan Raiola | Stat | Bryce Underwood |
| 73.8% (31/24) | Completion rate | 54.5% (12/22) |
| 328 | Pass yards | 105 |
| 3 | TD | 0 |
| 1 | INT | 0 |
| 7 | Rush att. | 8 |
| -49 | Rush yards | 61 |
| 0 | Rush TD | 1 |
Underwood had an up-and-down day despite the win, remaining under 100 passing yards until well into the fourth quarter and missing some throws when Michigan had a chance to extend its lead back to two possessions early in the fourth. The true freshman did show off his wheels with a 37-yard touchdown run, and he wasn't asked to do as much as Raiola with the Wolverines more often playing from ahead.
Raiola missed some opportunities early and threw a first half interception, but a Hail Mary touchdown pass pushed him over 200 yards in the first half alone. Raiola had the more impressive day from a statistical standpoint, but Nebraska struggled to take advantage of scoring opportunities and finish drives.
Raiola also came under constant pressure, taking seven sacks from Michigan's defense. That defense made a habit of putting the ball back in Underwood's hands, and Underwood protected it all day long to lead Michigan to a road win.
Nebraska did make a late push, with Raiola leading a touchdown drive in the closing minutes, but the Cornhuskers couldn't get the ball back in his hands. The performance went into the stat sheet as a positive for Raiola, but he would much rather have had the win at home.
MORE: Evaluating future NFL Draft outlook for Bryce Underwood, Dylan Raiola
Dylan Raiola highlights vs. Michigan
HAIL MARY TOUCHDOWN TO END THE HALF!!!
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 20, 2025
RAIOLA TO BARNEY.
"Just like they drew it up" pic.twitter.com/BZcx5B2WS6
Raiola escapes pressure and finds Dane Key 🎯 @HuskerFootball pic.twitter.com/e3oHQW3cOw
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 20, 2025
Dylan Raiola to Heinrich Haarberg for SIX.
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 20, 2025
It's a 3-point game with 1:34 to play. pic.twitter.com/rIaPzvyWDy
Bryce Underwood highlights vs. Nebraska
BRYCE UNDERWOOD TO THE HOUSE 💨💨💨@UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/Io5YLj6Abo
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 20, 2025
Bryce Underwood looks so good throwing on the move. Consistently throws strikes off-platform. Michigan has a future superstar in their five-star freshman. pic.twitter.com/0rbGMjFtg7
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 20, 2025