Dylan Raiola sees improvement in his protections, turnovers

Being a true freshman starting quarterback is difficult for most because so much is involved in the process. Even for guys like Dylan Railoa, there is a lot to learn from the moment foot is stepped on campus. Nebraska has given him the opportunity to improve and from a self-evaluation standpoint, Raiola is already seeing results.

“I think I’ve grown a lot in protections with my uncle,” Raiola said. “He works with all the quarterbacks but getting a little extra with him on protections.”

A family affair in this one, Raiola’s uncle, Donovan, is the Nebraska offensive line coach. Checking into the right plays and making sure the offensive line is set can be one of the biggest learning curves for any quarterback. Sometimes, it’s the difference between a busted play and a chunk one.

Raiola likes the progress being made there, something coaches inside the building will be happy to hear. Working alongside a family member certainly has to help the process. Both are familiar with each other and can speak a language that maybe somebody else would not understand.

Elsewhere, the preparation to eliminate turnovers has been a major point of emphasis for Nebraska this offseason. Quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas has been harping his guys on protecting the ball.

Nebraska feels that if it can eliminate turnovers, it will have a chance to win a lot of football games in 2024.

“I also think Coach Thomas has made a big — turnovers. We’re trying to eliminate all the turnovers and make every routine play that we can have, make it routine. If we can do that, put ourselves in a position to win every football game this year, that’s what people came here to do at Nebraska.”

To say turning the ball over last season was a problem would be an understatement. Nebraska was -17 in turnover margin, good enough for dead last in the Big Ten and No. 129 in the FBS. Sixteen interceptions were thrown by quarterbacks while 15 fumbles were lost. No matter how good of a team you put on the field, those kinds of numbers are going to lose a lot of football games.

Raiola was not a part of the issues, still being a senior at Buford High School. But the message has been program-wide to cut down on the turnovers. Early returns through spring practice and fall camp have Raiola confident in his own abilities to make it happen.