It was a rough weekend for Matt Rhule, Dylan Raiola, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Huskers blew leads of 14-6 and 17-14 in a 21-17 loss to the USC Trojans on Saturday night, dropping their record to 6-3 overall with a 3-3 mark in the Big Ten.
In perhaps even worse news, the Huskers lost Raiola, Nebraska’s starting quarterback, for the season. During the third quarter of Saturday’s loss, Raiola got out of an initial hit but was then hit for a 10-yard loss. Raiola fumbled, fell backward, and grabbed his lower right leg. Trainers tended to his injury, and he was helped to the injury tent.
Matt Rhule Gives Update on Dylan Raiola
Raiola attempted to jog on the sideline and reportedly told Rhule that he wanted to re-enter the game. However, Rhule and the medical staff used their better judgment and left backup T.J. Lateef in the game.
“I just didn’t see the respectable thing to do would be to put a guy out there who can’t run,” Rhule said. “TJ (Lateef) has a bright, bright future and I thought maybe he might be able to make some plays. You can’t put a kid (Raiola) out there who can’t defend himself. I told him, ‘I love you too much to have you play when you’re hurt like this.’”
After the game, it was revealed that Raiola has a broken fibula and will miss the remainder of the season.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule says Dylan Raiola will have surgery to repair a broken fibula this week. He will not travel with the team to UCLA as he heals.#Huskers @KETV
— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) November 3, 2025
According to Rhule, Raiola is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the broken fibula and will not be traveling with the team to UCLA.
That’s obviously a massive blow for the Huskers. Although Raiola has not quite lived up to his billing as a Five-Star recruit, he has been the Huskers’ starter for the last two seasons and helped lead the Huskers to a 6-2 record before Saturday’s loss.
Raiola exited the game with a 14-6 lead, but the Huskers were held scoreless on each of their last four possessions.
Matt Rhule Picks TJ Lateef As Starter
Despite the offense’s struggles down the stretch, Rhule has decided to stick with Lateef, naming him the starter for the Huskers’ matchup with the UCLA Bruins Saturday night in the Rose Bowl.
Matt Rhule on true freshman QB TJ Lateef who will make his first start at UCLA:
“He’s got amazing arm talent, he can spin it. And he can run, he can move…he’s an excellent player.” #Huskers @KETV
— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) November 3, 2025
“He’s got amazing arm talent, he can spin it,” Rhule explained. “And he can run, he can move…he’s an excellent player.”
Lateef finished 5-of-7 but had just seven yards through the air. He rushed six times for 18 yards. On the season, he’s 16-of-19 for 261 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He’s also rushed for 50 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. However, before Saturday, his action came in garbage time, a 68-0 victory over Akron and a 59-7 win over Houston Christian.
