Raiola’s late touchdown pass lifts Oregon past Nebraska, 17-14

Dylan Raiola came off the bench and threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson with 28 seconds left, lifting Oregon to a 17-14 win over Nebraska on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.

Raiola followed the touchdown with a two-point pass to Hudson Lewis, giving the Ducks a three-point lead. Nebraska moved into Oregon territory on its last possession, but time expired after a short completion to Nyziah Hunter at the Oregon 40.

The finish changed a difficult night for Oregon's offense. With Dante Moore unavailable, the Ducks had started Brock Thomas at quarterback. Raiola replaced him to begin the fourth quarter with Oregon trailing 14-6 and led the possessions that produced its final 11 points.

Two fourth downs keep Oregon alive

Oregon began the winning drive at its own 18 with 5:31 remaining and needed two fourth-down conversions to finish it.

On fourth-and-three at the Nebraska 33, Raiola completed a four-yard pass to Jalen Lott. Later, with fourth-and-one at the Nebraska 6, Jordon Davison gained two yards to give Oregon another set of downs.

Raiola's next pass toward Dakorien Moore was incomplete. He then found Johnson for the touchdown that completed the 82-yard possession. The Ducks converted all three of their fourth-down attempts during the game despite finishing just three of 17 on third down.

Raiola completed 11 of 18 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown against his former program. Thomas finished nine of 20 for 54 yards with one interception. The modest passing totals reflected how much work both defenses had done before Oregon's late finish.

Nebraska's lead lasts until the closing seconds

The teams were scoreless until Anthony Colandrea found Kwazi Gilmer for a 17-yard touchdown with four seconds left in the first half.

Gage Hurych's two 36-yard field goals brought Oregon within 7-6 in the third quarter. Nebraska then used Dwayne McDougle III's interception of Thomas to start a 52-yard touchdown drive. Colandrea finished it with a six-yard scoring run with seven seconds remaining in the quarter, restoring an eight-point lead.

Raiola's first drive ended with Hurych's 37-yard field goal, cutting the margin to 14-9 with 7:18 left. Oregon's defense forced a punt, leaving the offense the final opportunity it needed.

Colandrea completed 18 of 33 passes for 164 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Gilmer caught six passes for 74 yards. Both teams finished with 242 yards of offense, but Oregon's last drive supplied its only touchdown and the difference on the scoreboard.

Pregame video archive

The video below is Oregon's October 14 coaches show, recorded before the Nebraska game.

Earlier preview

The backup competition follows two sharply different performances against UCLA. Raiola completed six of 19 passes and threw two interceptions in the Ducks’ 17–15 loss. Thomas replaced him in the fourth quarter and threw for 156 yards and a touchdown, helping Oregon get back into the game.

Raiola had previously thrown for 289 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Moore against USC. That earlier performance and the UCLA finish explain why a familiar name alone does not settle Saturday’s assignment. Lanning acknowledged the emotional element for Raiola, who spent his first two college seasons at Nebraska, while keeping the choice open.

The availability questions extend beyond quarterback. Oregon receiver Evan Stewart is questionable, while Jeremiah McClellan is listed out. The initial report also lists Nebraska defensive lineman Riley Van Poppel as doubtful.

Nebraska visits Autzen Stadium on October 17 at 8 p.m. Pacific, or 11 p.m. Eastern, on FOX. The useful next update is the Ducks’ actual quarterback decision and any change to the availability report.

Sources

• Big Ten: October 14 initial availability report
• ESPN: Moore status and quarterback competition
• KETV: Initial Oregon–Nebraska availability report
• Oregon: Nebraska game information

Sources

Big Ten official initial UCLA–Oregon availability report · ESPN: Moore status and quarterback competition · KETV: Initial Oregon–Nebraska availability report · Nebraska game information