LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Over 60,000 fans showed up to Memorial Stadium for the Huskers spring game—and to get their first look at this year’s quarterbacks.

All three players saw reps in the 25-21 win for Team White over Team Red. Each gave Husker Nation reason to be excited for what awaits this fall, especially five-star freshman Dylan Raiola.

Maybe it was the non-contact jerseys, but Raiola played with the demeanor of a seasoned veteran.

When he first took the field for Nebraska—for his father’s team—the 18-year-old struggled to keep his emotions in check.

“I fought back tears walking out of the tunnel,” he said. “Growing up as a kid, that’s what I knew and that’s what I watched. So being a part of it, going out of the tunnel and hearing the song, it got heavy for me.”

Once the game began, Raiola shined, completing 16 of his 22 passes for 239 yards along with two touchdowns against one interception. His 15 first-half completions went to 13 different receivers.

Heinrich Haarberg also threw a pair of touchdowns, including a high heave to freshman Jacory Barney Jr. for the 41-yard score. Danny Kaelin also completed 9 of his 16 passes and threw one pick.

“I think I left something out there for sure,” the Bellevue West alum said. “There’s a lot to learn from, but I’m proud of the way I came out there and played confident.”

It’s no secret that Matt Rhule plans to take the quarterback race into the fall. He believes it is bringing the best out of all three field generals.

“We’re going to focus on Dylan, I get that,” Rhule said of the fan/media attention. “But you can see the improvement on Heinrich. You can see Danny as a true freshman go out and complete 60 percent of his passes. I personally believe it’s going to take all of us to play well at the quarterback position in the Big Ten.”

The competition has fueled camaraderie in the quarterback room.

“We’ve been grinding together for three months and it’s been fun,” Raiola said. “We’re competing but at the end of the day we’re there for each other.”

“We’re not going to go head-to-head,” Haarberg added. “We’re going to work together but at the same time, compete.”

Raiola will spend some time in Kansas City this summer working with Patrick Mahomes and his trainer Bobby Stroupe.

“I just want to be around greatness,” he said of Mahomes. “Just trying to take it all in and elevate my game as much as I can.”

Come August, we’ll find out how much he learned.

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