Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has not looked like a true freshman through the first three games of his college career this season. Helping lead Nebraska to an undefeated start and a No. 22 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll ahead of their Friday night matchup against No. 24 Illinois to open up Big Ten play.

Aside from having a ton of talent and and pro potential, Raiola has displayed a veteran presence early in his college career. Playing an efficient brand of football as he’s seemingly made all the right plays for the Cornhuskers. Which head coach Matt Rhule discussed following the team’s most recent win over Northern Iowa.

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“I think when people have asked me what makes him special, I say that he’s not a 7-on-7 quarterback. He likes the game part of it,” Rhule said.

“Even the short yardage play, that’s what J.J. McCarthy was doing at Michigan last year. Handing off the dive, they come out tight, pull it every once in a while and he pulled it. He just knows when to make the right play.”

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Rhule is referring to a 15-yard run that Raiola ripped off to start the second quarter on a smart read in Saturday’s game. Showing the ability to even make the right decision with his legs the same way he has with his arm through the first three weeks of the season.

Raiola has completed an impressive 73.8% of his passes through the first three starts of his college career, also racking up 670 yards and throwing five touchdown passes. But he did throw his first career interception on Saturday. A deep pass attempt to Jaylen Lloyd that Fletcher Marshall intercepted after making an impressive play fighting for the ball in one-on-one coverage.

“That’s the right throw, that’s 100% the right throw,” Rhule said. “It’s quarters, the safety triggers, you try to throw the out route to Thomas [Fidone]. He triggers it, you throw the post, that’s one-on-one. “The thing with Dylan is you’re gonna play NFL football. He’s gonna throw the ball to a spot and he’s expecting his guy to make a play on the ball.”

“And I thought Jaylen made the play on the ball, so I’m not in any way throwing Jalen under the bus. Looks like their kid made a play. But if we don’t put those things on tape, that we’ll throw the post versus quarters, it’s gonna be a long year,” Rhule explained.

Raiola’s lone interception of the season was far from an inadequate mental error, already showing the ability to improve Nebraska’s passing attack that ranked second to last in the Big Ten last season. As the freshman phenom will also be looked upon by fans to potentially lead the program to national prominence and success they haven’t achieved in many years.

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