EUGENE, Ore. — One week after being pulled from the lineup, backup quarterback Dylan Raiola came off the sideline in the fourth quarter Saturday night to rally Oregon to a 17-14 victory over his former team, Nebraska.
Raiola delivered the game-winning score with 28 seconds remaining, connecting with tight end Jamari Johnson on a four-yard touchdown pass to cap a 20-play, 82-yard march at Autzen Stadium. The Cornhuskers gained 35 yards on their final possession before running out of time, Yahoo Sports reported.
Quarterback Carousel Leads to Fourth-Quarter Change
Oregon entered the contest shorthanded and unsettled at the quarterback position. Starter Dante Moore remained sidelined while recovering from a concussion suffered against Southern California, according to news reports. Raiola, who previously started two seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Eugene in the offseason, had been benched during a 17-15 loss to UCLA after committing three turnovers.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning opted to give Brock Thomas the starting nod against Nebraska. However, the offense sputtered through the first three quarters. The Ducks opened the game with seven consecutive punts and managed only two third-quarter field goals, ESPN reported. Boos echoed across Autzen Stadium during the first half, a reaction Lanning later acknowledged was justified.
Late in the third quarter, with Oregon trailing 7-6, Thomas threw an interception that Nebraska quickly converted into a touchdown. Facing a 14-6 deficit heading into the final period, Lanning decided to make a switch under center.
“I went over to Brock and told him we need a spark,” Lanning said, as reported by ESPN. “Dylan throughout the game was completely engaged. He was ready for his moment.”
Thomas concluded his evening 9-of-20 passing for 54 yards with one interception, according to Yahoo Sports.
Raiola Sparks Gritty Finish
Upon entering the game for the fourth quarter, Raiola immediately brought stability to the Oregon offense. He directed a 17-play, 69-yard possession that took nearly half the quarter and ended with a field goal, trimming Nebraska’s lead to 14-9 with 7:18 remaining.
After the Ducks forced a Cornhuskers punt, Raiola guided Oregon back down the field. The junior completed 11 of 18 passes for 59 yards on the night, punctuated by the go-ahead strike to Johnson in the back of the end zone.
“I knew beforehand there was going to be emotions,” Raiola said, according to ESPN. “This game was never about them. It was always about us getting back on track.”
Speaking to reporters after the contest, Raiola added through The Athletic that while Lincoln was once his home, his focus remained on delivering for his current teammates in Eugene.
Lanning characterized the hard-fought result as a “gritty, ugly win.” The Ducks had also played without wide receivers Jeremiah McClellan and Evan Stewart, forcing the coaching staff to cycle through multiple personnel groups and formations throughout the evening.
What Comes Next
The win improved Oregon to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play, keeping the team’s postseason hopes alive after tumbling out of the rankings following the previous week’s loss. Nebraska dropped to 5-2 after suffering its second consecutive defeat.
Oregon is scheduled to travel on the road to face Illinois on Oct. 24, while Nebraska enters a bye week before hosting Washington on Halloween. Lanning has not yet announced who will start under center for the Ducks moving forward as Moore works through concussion protocols.
