Dylan Raiola’s time as a Husker came to an abrupt and unfortunate end. With Nebraska sitting at 6–3, Raiola was driving for a potential go-ahead score against USC early in the third quarter when he suffered a season-ending broken fibula. The injury altered the Huskers’ trajectory: they lost that game and won just one more the rest of the season. Raiola later entered the transfer portal and committed to Oregon.
Matt Rhule and Nebraska’s staff then turned to the portal to find a new starting quarterback. While Colandrea was not their first choice — they pivoted to him after Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey flipped his commitment to Kentucky — the move still brings a proven winner to Lincoln. Colandrea earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2025, adding mobility that Raiola lacked and plenty of starting experience.
The natural question is how the two quarterbacks compare statistically. With the clear caveat that Colandrea played in a less competitive Mountain West Conference, here is a side-by-side look at their 2025 seasons:
Passing Stats (2025 Season)
- Dylan Raiola (Nebraska, 9 starts): 181-of-250 (72.4% — Nebraska single-season record) for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. 8.0 yards per attempt, 158.6 passer rating.
- Anthony Colandrea (UNLV, 14 starts): 275-of-417 (65.9%) for 3,459 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. 8.3 yards per attempt, 149.5 passer rating.
Rushing Stats (2025 Season)
- Dylan Raiola: 46 carries for -87 yards (-1.9 avg.), 0 touchdowns. Raiola operated primarily as a pocket passer and took numerous sacks.
- Anthony Colandrea: 127 carries for 649 yards (5.1 avg.) and 10 touchdowns. He is a legitimate dual-threat who creates explosive plays with his legs.
Team Records
- Raiola: Led Nebraska to a 6–3 record in his nine starts before the injury. The Huskers remained competitive in the Big Ten but faded without him.
- Colandrea: Guided UNLV to a 9–4 record, a strong Mountain West campaign, and a bowl game while earning conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Key Takeaways
Raiola stood out as a highly efficient pocket passer with elite accuracy and ball security. In only nine games, he set a school completion percentage record and posted an impressive 18:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His mobility limitations and consistent deep-ball threat were evident.
Colandrea, by contrast, delivered significantly higher volume and big-play ability, both through the air and on the ground. While his completion percentage and efficiency trailed Raiola’s, he proved capable of carrying an offense over a full 14-game season.
For Nebraska in 2026, the transition marks a clear stylistic shift — from a high-efficiency, low-turnover pocket passer to a more dynamic, mobile quarterback who can extend plays and add a rushing dimension. Whether Colandrea can translate his production to the tougher Big Ten will be one of the most-watched storylines of the upcoming season.