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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 outfielder Will Jesske coaches local legion team

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Nebraska outfielder Will Jesske coaches local legion team


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — After a hamstring injury during Nebraska’s baseball season, Will Jesske was advised to take it easy this summer. He is, but Jesske has found a new way to stay involved in the game.

Jesske is coaching a local legion baseball team. He is a volunteer assistant for Lincoln Hotel Group, the senior legion team for Standing Bear High School.

Jesske, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, describes himself as the “hype man” in the LHG dugout. He brings energy and enthusiasm, which players enjoy. Jesske said coaching is a way he can give back to local players while helping LHG’s coaching staff. Jesske played under Tanner Lewis and Kyle Beacom in high school. They now lead the LHG legion program.

Jesske is entering his senior season at Nebraska. He has appeared in 95 games over his career, including 33 during the Huskers’ 43-win season this spring. Jesske was injured early in the season but played through it as Nebraska hosted an NCAA regional. He hit .318 in his junior season. Jesske said he is fully healthy and credited extended rest with his recovery.

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Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman

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Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari is wanted in Lancaster County on suspicion of assaulting a pregnant woman in May.

An arrest warrant was filed for Ferrari on Thursday. He faces three felony charges which include first-degree false imprisonment and assault by strangling a pregnant woman.

According to an arrest affidavit, a woman from California contacted police in Lincoln on May 8 just after midnight. She told officers her daughter called for help and pointed them to Ferrari’s apartment.

Police arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door. A pregnant woman came out after several minutes of knocking with no answer. Officers said the woman was visibly upset.

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She told officers that Ferrari tried taking her phone away after an argument, but she wouldn’t let him take it. The arrest affidavit shows Ferrari then dragged her off a bed by her feet.

Police think Ferrari then got on top of her and strangled her, likely until she was unconscious. The woman told police that she felt as though her throat “collapsed” and that she was “breathing through a straw.”

Once regaining consciousness, police said the woman tried hiding in a closet and contacting her mother on another device. But Ferrari followed her, pushed her onto a bed and sat on her until she apologized, according to the affidavit.

She apologized in order to be released, police said. The woman then tried to leave the apartment, but police said Ferrari dragged her by the arm back inside. She found her phone and contacted her mother, yelling “help!”, prosecutors wrote.

Ferrari grabbed the phone and hung up, according to the affidavit. The woman’s mother tried calling several more times before calling police.

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Authorities transported the woman to Bryan West for treatment. Officers said she sustained injuries consistent with strangulation, including bruising around her neck and other abrasions.

Last weekend, Ferrari was arrested in Lincoln County on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and obstructing the police. He was cited after a trooper chased a Corvette in the North Platte area.

Lincoln County authorities told KOLN that Ferrari is out on bond. His current whereabouts are unclear.

Court records show that the woman has filed for a protection order against Ferrari. A hearing has been set for July 7 to give him an opportunity to show the court why one should not be issued.

AJ Ferrari appears in Lancaster County Court(KOLN)

Previously, Ferrari was booked in Lancaster County, Nebraska for an outstanding warrant in January of this year, but those charges were dismissed later that week.

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Ferrari parted ways with the Huskers in April of this year.

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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.



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Discounted tickets for Nebraska State Fair over 4th of July Weekend

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Discounted tickets for Nebraska State Fair over 4th of July Weekend


The Nebraska State Fair is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 72-hour flash sale on Season Passes.

From July 3 through July 5, fans can purchase a 2026 Season Pass for just $50—a significant discount from its regular value of $132.

The pass includes one admission per day for all 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, making it ideal for visitors who plan to attend multiple days.

Fair officials say the promotion is one of the biggest Season Pass discounts offered in years and will not be extended.

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After July 5, Season Passes will remain available at a higher discounted price.



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