The Nebraska Cornhuskers finished 93rd in the nation in 2024 in total yards per game on offense. Heading into 2025, head coach Matt Rhule hopes the addition of the dynamic veteran offensive mind, Dana Holgorsen, will unlock the potential of sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola and improve their offense as a whole.
Why Matt Rhule Calls Dana Holgorsen a ‘Genius’
Holgorsen learned the Air Raid offense under Mike Leach, and that background gives Rhule confidence in his ability to elevate Nebraska’s 63rd-ranked passing attack.
Much is riding on the connection between Raiola and his new offensive coordinator. Their partnership could become one of the most compelling storylines in college football this season.
Matt Rhule’s strong praise for Dana Holgorsen is partly due to his reputation as an innovative offensive mind, particularly in developing quarterbacks. “I think he’s a genius,” Rhule said about Holgorsen’s football acumen.
“He’s a perfect fit for me because I can be kind of conservative, and he is obviously not,” Rhule went on to say.
Last season, Nebraska had a 50.88% passing play percentage, which was significantly lower than Houston’s 54.79% in 2023, Holgorsen’s most recent head coaching position.
How Holgorsen’s Offensive Philosophy Benefits Dylan Raiola
Holgorsen is known for his pass-centric, up-tempo offenses that spread the field, creating opportunities for quarterbacks to make quick and accurate throws, which should suit his sophomore QB.
For Raiola, he’s looking for this partnership to aid him in building on a solid freshman season at Nebraska. He finished the season with a 67.1% completion RATE, 2,819 passing yards, and a 129.9 rating. The most significant areas he’ll look to improve are his 6.9 yards per attempt and his 13:11 touchdown-to-interception rate.
Beyond the offensive philosophy, Rhule cited Holgorsen’s work ethic and attention to detail as essential skills that he brings to the program. These attributes are significant reasons why he’s a strong player developer, which we’ll see play out with Raiola this fall.
The college football world knows all about Raiola’s potential, but this year, Nebraska will be focused on turning that potential into results on the field. Rhule offered some insight into Holgorsen’s mindset, saying, “He values execution over potential.”
Nebraska remains focused on establishing itself in the ultra-competitive Big Ten conference in 2025, following its first winning season in nearly a decade last year.
This season, the addition of Holgorsen, who has a head coaching record of 92 wins and 69 losses, as the full-time offensive coordinator is intended to help the team take the next step. How the partnership between him and Raiola plays out on the field will be critical to Nebraska’s success.
