Just a week ago, Dylan Raiola had a rough go of it against UCLA, turning the ball over three times and getting benched before the fourth quarter. His replacement, Brock Thomas, couldn’t lead Oregon to a comeback, and Raiola faced criticism after the game. But he took it on the chin and worked to fix things.
Against Nebraska, Thomas started and struggled, with Oregon punting seven times and scoring only two field goals by the third quarter. Coach Dan Lanning knew they needed a spark, and with the Ducks trailing by eight in the fourth, he turned back to Raiola. And the move paid off instantly.
Raiola came in and revived the offense. The run game picked up, and he moved the ball with his arm and legs. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 59 yards, including a field goal drive that cut the deficit to 14-9. Then, with just over five minutes left, he set up the game-winning drive, hitting Jamari Johnson with a 4-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds on the clock. Oregon won 17-14, and the crowd at Autzen Stadium erupted in cheers after booing earlier in the game.
“It was never about them; it was about us getting back on track,” Raiola said of playing his former team. Lanning called it a gritty, ugly win, but one that kept Oregon’s season alive. The Ducks came into the year ranked second nationally, but injuries and inconsistencies have made it a tough ride. Raiola’s performance showed resilience after calling his UCLA game “uncharacteristic.”
“I knew I had to compete this week,” Raiola added. “I wasn’t going to pout.” For a team that’s been through ups and downs, this victory was a reminder that they still have a shot, even if things haven’t been pretty.
