Raiola, the nation's top-ranked quarterback recruit in the 2023 class, struggled early on. He completed just 12 of 25 passes for 162 yards and two interceptions. The Cornhuskers' offense sputtered throughout the game, managing only two field goals in the first half.

Despite his struggles, Raiola showed glimpses of his potential in the second half. He threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Trey Palmer to tie the game in the fourth quarter and converted a key third-and-long with a 15-yard run.

In overtime, Raiola connected with Palmer again for a 15-yard gain, moving the ball into Northwestern territory. However, his pass on the next play was intercepted by Northwestern's Cameron Mitchell, who returned it for a touchdown.

"Dylan's a young player, and he's going to have his ups and downs," said Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule. "We knew there would be some growing pains, but we believe in his talent and his work ethic."

"Raiola's a great player," said Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald. "He made some mistakes today, but I have no doubt that he'll learn from them and be a force in this league."

Raiola's performance will be a learning experience for the freshman quarterback. The Cornhuskers have a challenging schedule ahead, including games against Oklahoma, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Raiola will need to develop and improve quickly to help Nebraska compete in the Big Ten.

Read also: Trump's Hollywood Envoys: Stallone, Gibson, And Voight To Tackle Tinseltown's Troubles