WATCH: Matt Rhule discusses Dylan Raiola season-ending injury and TJ Lateef as new QB1, previews UCLA
Matt Rhule has led Nebraska football to a 6-3 record.
After starting the season with a 3-0 mark – via a 20-17 season-opening win over Cincinnati, a 68-0 domination of MAC opponent Akron and a 59-7 blowout over FCS team Houston Christian – they weren’t able to get the job done against Michigan in a disappointing 30-27 loss at home. The Huskers bounced back with nice wins over Michigan State and Maryland, but they came out flat and disappointing as a newly minted Top-25 team in a national spotlight game at Minnesota.
The Huskers (6-3 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) rebounded again after the Minnesota game with a 28-21 win over Northwestern at home two weeks ago. That victory set up a Saturday primetime showdown vs. No. 23 USC under the bright lights of the blackout game at Memorial Stadium.
Once again, for the third time this year, Nebraska failed in a national spotlight game (Michigan, Minnesota, USC) in a 21-17 loss to the Trojans (6-2, 4-1).
Next up is a trip to Los Angeles to face UCLA (3-5, 3-2) in the Rose Bowl.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Central Time, and the game will be available to watch live on FOX.
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>> Dylan Raiola out for the season with injury
>> The Checkdown: USC’s counter runs, Nebraska run blockers’ best day?
The trip to face the Bruins, of course, is almost a secondary storyline this week.
On Saturday night, Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola left the game in the third quarter with a leg injury.
On Sunday afternoon, Rhule and the Huskers confirmed that Raiola suffered a season-ending lower leg injury. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Raiola suffered a broken fibula.
During his regular Game Week press conference on Monday morning, Rhule met with the media for roughly a half-hour to preview the Huskers’ matchup at UCLA and the game’s significance to Nebraska’s own goals, and he also went on a deeper dive into the USC loss and what he and the Huskers learned from the defeat. But a good portion of the press conference, of course, was devoted to Raiola’s injury, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and the offense’s plan moving forward, and more on new QB1 and true freshman TJ Lateef.
Watch and listen to Rhule’s comments via the video below.
Monday’s press conference video is also available to watch for free on the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel.
More Content From Inside Nebraska:
>> Instant Takeaways: Nebraska falls to No. 23 USC
>> Grading Nebraska’s offense, defense in 21-17 loss to No. 23 USC
>> Rhule Rundown following loss to No. 23 USC: ‘Obviously this is a very bitter pill for us to swallow’