Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola channels Patrick Mahomes with end-of-half Hail Mary vs. Michigan

Dan Treacy

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Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola channels Patrick Mahomes with end-of-half Hail Mary vs. Michigan image

Saturday's matchup between Nebraska and Michigan was billed as a potential breakthrough game for that Matt Rhule era in Lincoln, and Rhule made a statement with his aggressiveness in the first half.

After the Cornhuskers' offense wasted a pair of scoring opportunities in the first quarter, they had one second to get some of those points back and didn't relent. Rather than take a knee and go to halftime trailing 17-10, Rhule opted to take a shot at the end zone from close to midfield and try to even the game.

Against all odds, Raiola connected with Jacory Barney Jr. from 52 yards out, showcasing the arm that made him a five-star recruit.

Here's a look at Raiola's game-changing Hail Mary touchdown pass against Michigan.

MORE: Evaluating future NFL Draft outlook for Bryce Underwood, Dylan Raiola

Dylan Raiola Hail Mary video

The clock read one second after Nebraska's offense seemed to stall in the final minute of the first half, but Raiola took his time, surveyed the field and let it fly after Rhule decided to run one final play.

Raiola might not have been targeting any particular receiver, but it was Barney who not only came down with the ball, but quickly made a move to ensure the ball actually crossed the goal line. 

Nebraska had regathered momentum before Justice Haynes sprinted down the field for a 75-yard touchdown with just under two minutes left in the half. Michigan looked like it would go back to the locker room with all of the energy that came with that play, but Raiola and Barney instead breathed life into their team and their fans in Lincoln with the big play the crowd had been waiting to see.

Some fans saw the ever-present Mahomes similarities between Raiola and Patrick Mahomes in the play: 

Raiola entered halftime with 210 yards through the air, along with two touchdowns and one interception.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.