Dylan Raiola's 'freshman moment' will only make him and Nebraska football better

Every fan in Nebraska football nation held their breath as tight end Luke Lindenmeier sprinted across the middle wide open. Nebraska's quarterback Dylan Raiola saw him--albeit a second late--streaking toward the goal.

The ball floated in the air for what felt like an eternity. Lindenmeier dove. The ball fell harmlessly to the ground. Lindenmeir lay face down in the end zone. Raiola grabbed his facemask. Fourth down.

That was the shot and it didn't hit. You know how the game ended.

Through almost four full games, Raiola had been unflappable. He's made very few mistakes. Even both of his two interceptions were ripped from the receivers' hands as they fell to the ground. Nebraska fans and media alike have wondered when Raiola would crack. After all, even 5-star true freshmen aren't perfect.

This was that moment. But if I'm honest--and I always am--it wasn't the worst possible "freshman moment" for Raiola. It wasn't a pick-6. It wasn't a bonehead play. It wasn't a sack when he should have thrown it away. He overthrow his tight end by three feet.

It's a throw that will haunt him for a while. Throw it on a line--there were 10 men in the box expecting a run and there wasn't a linebacker in the passing lane--and it's an easy touchdown.

It wasn't why Nebraska lost the game. That came in overtime as Illinois ran through Nebraska like a sieve. But it is what could have put the game out of reach. Of course, there would have still been three minutes on the clock and Illinois had shown it was more than capable of scoring quickly.

Yet, after the missed field goal that followed on the next play, Illinois' drive stalled and they were forced to punt.

That wasn't the only "freshman moment," of course. Earlier in the fourth quarter, the Huskers had a possession where Raiola got a tad careless with the ball and fumbled on two consecutive plays. If there's a knock against him, it's that he can look a bit casual at times. But that can be expected with someone who is so insanely talented that he throws and moves effortlessly.

Then there was overtime. Illinois brought the wood four plays in a row and there wasn't much Raiola could do. Nebraska's line was tired and had already lost their starting left tackle by then. It was the end and it was inevitable.

Dylan Raiola shows leadership by taking blame for the loss

Nebraska's defense was on its heels all night long, constantly in guessing mode as they gave up 383 yards to the Fighting Illini. But in the postgame press conference, Raiola said he put the loss on his shoulders after he was asked about that third down throw. Should a true freshman ever be put in a position to say that? Probably not. But he's special. We know that. Head coach Matt Rhule knows that.

In a way, Raiola did what great leaders do: they take the blame even if it's not their fault. Pretty incredible for someone playing their fourth collegiate football game.

The irony is that Raiola is the main reason Nebraska was still in the game and had a chance to win. With last year's offense, the Huskers would have been run off the field. Raiola missed that one throw, and it hurts. But as a tedious student of the game and a passionate leader, that one incompletion will drive him to improve his game and his team.

Nebraska footbal is in good hands with Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola

Landry and Staubach. Walsh and Montana. Levy and Kelly. Payton and Brees. Bellichick and Brady. Reid and Mahomes.

Successful football teams have great coaches and great quarterbacks. I'm not saying Rhule is a Bill Walsh or that Raiola is Patrick Mahomes (despite the obvious optics).

What I'm saying is that you have to feel good about the direction of Nebraska football because the two most important pieces--head coach and quarterback--are set. Rhule has shown he can turn around and build programs. Raiola has shown he's more than capable of being an elite major college football quarterback. Can Rhule get all the other pieces in place, if not this year then next or the following?

One loss doesn't define a season. The Huskers aren't spiraling out of control. Illinois made a few more plays and won the game. We knew this Nebraska football team would lose games. In fact, I predicted they would drop this game to Illinois before the season started.

Everything this team wants to accomplish is still out there for them. Are there issues to fix on this team? Oh yeah. But for the first time in a long time at with Nebraska football, thanks to a true freshman named Raiola, the quarterback position is not one of them.