Running Raiola: Husker QB shows bursts of speed against Buckeyes
It was always known that five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola had the arm, but he had yet to show flashes of speed, using his legs - that is until this past Saturday against Ohio State.
By News Channel NebraskaLINCOLN, Neb. - It was always known that five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola had the arm, but he had yet to show flashes of speed, using his legs - that is until this past Saturday against Ohio State.
Raiola ran the ball a season high nine times for 31 yards, including a season long 38 yard scramble. Raiola says he always had that in him, but just hadn’t had the chance to show it.
“I always knew I had that in me… The opportunity just presented itself and I made a play.”
Many had wondered why Raiola hadn’t tried to run the ball more in prior games, but the freshman quarterback showed no signs of hsynig away from the ground game against the Buckeyes.
“I think I sometimes underestimate myself when running and doing that kind of stuff,” Raiola said. “I honestly didn’t expect to get out in the open and be that wide oen. It was good for people to see.”
With Raiola showing a further ability to run the football, Offensive Coordinator Marcus Satterfield says it potentially opens more up for the offense.
“When they think you can’t run, they don’t need to have a spy,” Satterfield said. “They can’t just play man coverage and get underneath certain routes, so him showing he can tuck it and run shows they have to account for him now.”
UCLA is allowing 3.4 yards per attempt and less than a yard per attempt to quarterbacks.
The Bruins and Huskers kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on BTN.