It feels like just yesterday when Chris Hummer reported that QB Dylan Raiola might be entering the portal. However, head coach Matt Rhule was quick to quell those speculations. But on Monday, Lincoln felt eerily quiet as the quarterback officially entered the portal. Now, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is opening up about the moment that led to the frayed relationship.

“I believe if that wouldn’t have happened, things are different,” the OC shared, referring to Raiola’s season-ending injury.

On Nov. 1, Nebraska rallied against UCLA in what was expected to be a smooth win. However, after marking the first touchdown of the game, the QB received a brutal hit in the second quarter while being sacked. He immediately headed towards the medical tent and did not return. With a broken fibula, he put an end to his 2025 season and went into rehab. The Cornhuskers poured out their love and support for a quick recovery. But little did they know, Raiola would soon enough enter the portal.

Matt Rhule didn’t quite deliver the third-year breakthrough Nebraska fans were hoping for, but few saw star quarterback Dylan Raiola entering the transfer portal. It feels like just yesterday that the QB1 expressed his love for the program, especially with the deep family ties he has to Lincoln. But after a fractured bone, those relationships slowly began to fracture as well.

Dana Holgorsen did not shy away from expressing his regret regarding that game-changing moment. Calling him a great player, he expressed that particular moment might have been when the dominoes started to fall.

And perhaps it wasn’t a sudden development at all. After sustaining the injury, Raiola penned an emotional message saying, “God’s vision and plan is so much greater than I can imagine!” However, the following developments raised several concerns. Dylan’s brother, Dayton, a Class of 2026 QB decomitted from Nebraska. Analysts and pundits quickly began to dig deep into the reasons. It was perhaps a crowded QB room that Dayton would have arrived at. However, Nebraska’s 2025 trajectory may have also played a role.

“What if the situation is that the family really has questions about the future of Nebraska football and how close they are to the college football playoff, and about trying to maximize Dylan’s draft stock?” as analyst Greg Smith pointed out.

Nebraska finished its regular season with a 7-5 record, snuffing out its playoff hopes. It was obvious the program needed a reboot. Rhule was swift to work and parted ways with both DC Josh Butler and OL coach Dominic Raiola, (Dylan’s uncle.) 

Hummer had already reported that Dylan wanted to enter the portal in 2024, but Rhule convinced him to stay. However, this time, seemingly, Dylan was determined to go.

Will Matt Rhule pluck his next QB from the portal?

Losing QB Dylan Raiola to the portal wasn’t on Matt Rhule’s list. However, that decision has left the head coach on the lookout to find a new veteran arm for the Huskers. The transfer portal opens up on Jan. 2, 2026, and Dana Holgorsen has given a clear verdict that he will be plucking an experienced signal caller from the portal.

“You get the best available, ” the OC said on the QB specifications he will be looking for. “Is it a pocket guy, a dual threat guy, more of a runner. You look at the overall body work.”

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Presently, the Huskers have freshman TJ Lateef, Marcos Davila and incoming Trae Taylor on the roster. But what Rhule & Co. are looking for is an experienced arm.