Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola’s performance also shined in the loss to Illinois. It was a glimmer of hope, a hint of optimism that things no longer have to stay the same.

Raiola mastered his first three games, like so many pop quizzes. But the Big Ten’s opening game against a Big Ten defense and a Big Ten coach would be a telling test for the young quarterback.

And then Illini coach Bret Bielema threw a curveball. Bielema blatantly stepped up to stop NU’s running game and put everything on Raiola’s arm.

It was a psychological move, with the coach saying he was aware of Raiola’s talent but would still make him show it. Could he handle the pressure?

Oh yes. It was a performance that made me wonder: Could the rookie single-handedly make the transition this season?

Raiola was 24 of 35 for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception – an incredible game with 50-50 ball. He didn’t flinch. He played play after play, sometimes throwing in passes that only his receiver could reach.

The only thing he failed to do was win, and he barely managed that.

Yes, Illinois played in the zone the entire game before switching to the man in overtime and going after Raiola. Nevertheless, it was an eye-opening performance full of confidence and enthusiasm.

And for Husker fans who watched the long game, it was a relief from the painful loss.

Raiola is just getting out of the starting blocks and is on the cusp of a career whose potential captures the imagination. How high can he fly? What could he do later this season?

Especially in the huddle and during training.

That’s the part that fascinates me.

Now Raiola can neither attack nor defend. He can’t kick. He can’t block. And there’s a list of things he’s still learning as a college football quarterback.

But I wonder if a rookie can lead the Huskers out of the desert. Can he break down the mental door that stands in the way of the next level?

It’s still there. NU coach Matt Rhule saw it against Illinois. The team that played so loosely, aggressively and purposefully, especially against Colorado, reacted differently when the Illini first put it in their mouths.

They began to think. They stopped playing. They began to feel – the pressure and the moment.

That wasn’t the only reason for the loss, but Rhule pointed to it as a major factor.

“I have to find a way to get our team to – when the game is close, not close,” Rhule said. “Enjoy the fight and enjoy the competition.”

Sometimes a coach can’t do that.

Sometimes it’s a player who does it.

It’s rare. But I saw it. Some of you have that too.

Comparisons are not fair to young players. They find their own way. Dylan Raiola is the first Dylan Raiola.

And this current situation is unique in the last 60 years of Nebraska football.

I’ve seen a handful of players change the face of Nebraska football. The way the team played. The way it thought about itself.

The one that comes to mind was a highly recruited quarterback who arrived in 1992, at a time when Nebraska couldn’t win a bowl game and was in a fog when it came to big games.

Tommie Frazier changed that with his performance in big games and also his fearless, confident and no-nonsense approach.

Here in 2024 we are a long way from those days. Frazier is, in my opinion, the greatest Nebraska quarterback. He was the key that opened the door for so many great teams.

Raiola, the most heralded NU quarterback since Frazier, has a very different job. Similarly, there is a door that needs to be broken down.

I see a daredevil in Raiola. He is confident, fearless and aggressive. He is not afraid to make a mistake because he believes he will find a way to win the game.

That’s the kind of mentality the Huskers apparently need to overcome this hurdle, which popped up again last week. Remember, Raiola hasn’t been here in recent years. He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, and that’s a good thing.

Can a rookie make an impact on a team in this way? Yes. But he has to earn the team’s respect first. NU’s older players praise their quarterback. His play on the field so far must have caught their attention.

In Rhule’s press conference speeches – often used to speak to the team – he has mentioned that the team needs to match Raiola’s intensity and passion.

He seems to be pushing the idea of ​​Raiola as leader. And did it again earlier this week.

“It just felt really close in the second half,” Rhule said of the Illinois game. “Dylan doesn’t feel tense. He’s out there saying, “Let’s go play.” “

It will be worth following. The quarterback. And the story.

Big Ten coaches won’t follow Illinois’ lead: I don’t expect other Big Ten coaches to follow Bielema’s lead and reach out to stop NU’s running game and see what Raiola can do. That would be crazy. I expect there will be more room for NU this week, and they have the Big Ten back – Dante “Downhill” Dowdell – to do it.

Purdue will come out swinging: Expect Purdue to come out with momentum after two big losses, but the 11 a.m. kickoff can’t hurt Nebraska. How many fans will show up? Better question: How about a few NU tackles and special teams players show up?

Checking in with the SEC: Georgia vs. Alabama feels great on multiple levels. The Dawgs appear vulnerable, Bama’s new coach wants to make an impression, and a loss at Georgia symbolically throws the SEC wide open, leaving Texas and Tennessee poised to take over. Great stuff.

Tom’s choice: Nebraska 27, Purdue 21.