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Nick Saban: Nebraska Football’s Dylan Raiola ‘Didn’t Play Like a Freshman’

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Nick Saban: Nebraska Football’s Dylan Raiola ‘Didn’t Play Like a Freshman’


Add Nick Saban to the list of featured football celebrities who continue to be impressed by the Nebraska football starting quarterback.

The retired Alabama coach was a featured guest on Friday’s “Pat McAfee Show”, speaking with the former National Football League punter about several topics leading into Week Two of the college football slate. Among those points, the multiple national championship-winning coach gave high praise to the Huskers’ Dylan Raiola.

“The Nebraska quarterback showed confidence in the game. He didn’t play like a freshman,” Saban said, referring to Raiola’s performance against UTEP. “I think that is really, really amazing.”

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban fist bumps quarterback Jalen Hurts

Dec 1, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban fist bumps quarterback Jalen Hurts during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. / Jason Getz-Imagn Images

Saban’s quarterback pedigree from his Alabama tenure is stout, including 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Saban never started a true freshman quarterback while in Tuscaloosa, but Tagovailoa was the backup to current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for the 2017 season. In 2018, three future NFL starting signal-callers played for the Crimson Tide: Hurts, Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.

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“Quarterback is a position that carries tremendous responsibility; calling the plays, giving the signals, reading the defense. Do I run it? Do I pass it? Do I run an RPO (run-pass option)? There are so many things in decision making that these guys have to make,” Saban said.

McAfee added that he will have a feature on Saturday’s “College Gameday” program on Dylan Raiola’s confidence, and what his attitude means for the Nebraska program. Saban agreed with the McAfee about Raiola’s belief in himself.

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) warms up before a game against the UTEP Miners

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) warms up before a game against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

“He’s walking into a big stage and he’s got confidence in himself. I think that is a good thing,” Saban said.

Raiola continues to impress with his season-opening performance, throwing for two touchdowns against UTEP. He has received praise from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Pat McAfee, and much of social media since his first start.

Nebraska’s biggest stage of its early-season slate is set for Saturday as the Cornhuskers welcome the Colorado Buffaloes to Memorial Stadium.

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MORE: Predicting the College Football Playoffs: Thinking Through Some (Mostly) Unintended Consequences

MORE: The Sunday Morning Quarterback Crew is Unanimously Predicting a Husker Victory vs. Colorado

MORE: Dylan Raiola is the First of Many Patrick Mahomes Clones

MORE: Go Big Redcast – Colorado Week

MORE: Colorado vs. Nebraska Football: Dave Feit’s Four Keys to the Game

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, following HuskerMax on X, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.





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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

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“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

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“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

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Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

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Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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