PARKER GABRIEL
Lincoln Journal Star
Full Scott Frost press conference after Northwestern vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, October 02, 2021. The Huskers won the game 56-7.
Dylan Raiola put on a show in an empty Memorial Stadium during a Friday Night Lights camp this summer.
He returned to a full stadium and saw a show on Saturday night.Â
The four-star Class of 2024 quarterback prospect and son of former Nebraska offensive line great Dominic Raiola saw the Huskers beat Northwestern 56-7 as one of more than 50 recruits — mostly from the 2023 and 2024 classes — and enjoyed it thoroughly.Â
"I got to see it before it filled up a little bit," said Raiola, who was out on the field with his family and NU associate athletic director for football Matt Davison a couple of hours before kickoff. "Then, when I came out and it was filled up, it brought a little goosebumps to me. And to see my dad's name up there (on the North Stadium façade), it was sweet."Â
Dad was along for the trip, too, as was Dominic's mother and the rest of the family.Â
"That was special. He got to bring his mom as well and she hasn't been back since he left, so just being able to share it with my whole family was very special to me," Dylan Raiola said.Â
Dylan's seen his recruitment take off over the past several months. He picked up offers from Georgia, Nebraska, TCU, Florida State and a host of others this summer, along with putting himself on the radar screen at schools like Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma and Notre Dame.Â
Then late last month he also picked up an offer from in-state Texas and new coach Steve Sarkisian.Â
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound sophomore from Burleson, Texas, is already considered a four-star prospect by both Rivals and 247Sports. 247Sports has him pegged early as the No. 45 overall player in the country and the No. 3 quarterback recruit for his class.Â
On Saturday, he spent time on the sideline with several other NU targets, including 2023 verbal commit Gunnar Gottula and Elkhorn South pass-rusher Maverick Noonan. He also got to catch up with an old friend in 2023 four-star defender Tausili Akana, the top-ranked outside linebacker in the country for his class and the younger brother of Nebraska volleyball player Keonilei Akana.Â
"I've known Tausili since I was little. Our sisters played volleyball together back in Hawaii," Raiola said of Akana, who was wearing a Noa Pola-Gates jersey during the game. "Just to see Polynesian faces was pretty cool.Â
"I also got to talk to (Nebraska junior quarterback Adrian Martinez) a little bit and a bunch of the other players came and introduced themselves. It was definitely a special night."Â
It didn't hurt, either, that Raiola and the other recruits were in the house for the first home night game in two years and for the highest-scoring game of the Scott Frost era, which included a four-touchdown outing from Martinez and and 664 total yards of offense from the Huskers.Â
"I knew they were going to do it," Raiola said. "I knew Coach Frost, he's making a big change down there and you can see it every game. They're getting better progressively every game. It's awesome to see that hard work paying off and I'm excited to keep watching."Â
Huskers offer OL/DL Jagusah: One of the highest-profile recruits that visited Nebraska without a scholarship offer earned one on Sunday.Â
That's four-star 2023 lineman Charles Jagusah from Rock Island, Illinois. The two-way standout has offers from much of the Big Ten, including Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and in-state Illinois along with Notre Dame, Mizzou and several others.Â
Jagusah is considered the No. 227 player nationally for the 2023 class by Rivals and is also a four-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite.Â
Photos: Nebraska rolls past Northwestern to notch first Big Ten win of season
Nebraska's Rahmir Johnson celebrates his second-quarter touchdown against Northwestern on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) gets tackled by Northwestern's Brandon Joseph (16) and Peter McIntyre (40) in the second quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) looks back at Northwestern's A.J. Hampton Jr. (11) as he takes off on a 64-yard run Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) runs for extra yardage after a first-quarter catch against Northwestern's Cameron Mitchell (2) on the first play from scrimmage on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) runs for extra yardage after a first-quarter catch against Northwestern's Coco Azema (0) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Levi Falck (88) gets pushed out of bounds by Northwestern's A.J. Hampton, Jr. (11) after a catch in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) eludes Northwestern defenders during a first-half run Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez scores a first-quarter touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Kelsey Larsen (left) and Blake Sanchez (right) carry balloons before the Nebraska-Northwestern game on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) sacks Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski in the first quarter Oct. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) helps celebrate the sack of teammate JoJo Domann (13) against Northwestern in the first quarter Oct. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) holds off Northwestern's A.J. Hampton Jr. (11) on a 64-yard run during an Oct. 2, 2021, game at Memorial Stadium. First-year running backs coach Bryan Applewhite discussed Yant and the other running backs during a radio appearance Tuesday.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez runs the ball towards the end zone before scoring a first quarter touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) throws the bones after a first-quarter tackle of Northwestern's Malik Washington (6) on Oct. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scores on a first-quarter run against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska coach Scott Frost (left) greets Husker wide receiver Oliver Martin during pregame warmups before taking on Northwestern last season at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco watches the team warming up before playing Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) arches his back to follow a booming Husker punt as he talks to defensive coordinator Erik Chinander during warmups for the Northwestern game Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco (right) watches quarterback Logan Smothers warm up before the game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers warms up prior to the game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) talks to defensive coordinator Erik Chinander as they watch warmups before taking on Northwestern last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg warms up prior to the game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) hugs Husker wide receiver Oliver Martin during pregame warmups before taking on Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
The Cornhusker Marching Band leads the parade of players and coaches as they pass Archie the mammoth and Morrill Hall during the Unity Walk before taking on Northwestern in football Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska defensive line coach Tony Tuioti (right) reaches out for the toes of Archie the mammoth as the coaches pass by Morrill Hall as part of the Unity Walk before taking on Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Tiny Tim, a long-haired dachshund owned by John Bender of Monument, Colo., is dressed up in Husker red for the football game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska football player Cam Jurgens high-fives Beverly Brush as he walks into Memorial stadium before the Huskers play Northwestern in October.
Journal Star file photo
The Cornhusker Marching Band performs in front of the Selleck Quadrangle before the Huskers arrive Saturday for a football game against Northwestern.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska football coach Scott Frost walks into Memorial Stadium before the Huskers play Northwestern on Saturday.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska player Lane McCallum makes his way to the Unity Walk on Saturday before the Huskers played Northwestern.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
The Nebraska football team walks to the stadium before playing Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
The Nebraska football team walks past Morrill Hall to the stadium before playing Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
The Nebraska football team begins the Unity Walk from the Selleck Quadrangle on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (33) is all smiles after converting a third-quarter extra-point attempt against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Marques Buford (12) coaxes an 84-yard punt by William Przystup to go a little farther against Northwestern last season at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Northwestern's Evan Hull (center) gets tackled by Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5), Luke Reimer and Pheldarius Payne in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska wide receiver Zavier Betts (15) scores on an 83-yard run in the third quarter against Northwestern last October at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska linebacker Garrett Nelson (44) creates a fumble from a sack of Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski in the third quarter as teammate Caleb Tannor (2) looks on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Marques Buford Jr. (12) coaxes the 84-yard punt by William Przystup to go a little further in the third quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska receiver Zavier Betts (15) eyes a pass as he's defended by Northwestern's A. J. Hampton in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski gets swarmed by Nebraska's Casey Rogers as Cam Taylor-Britt (5) dives into the first-quarter play Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Alante Brown (4) celebrates a tackle on a Northwestern kickoff return on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) runs the ball with Northwestern's Peter McIntyre (40) in pursuit in the third quarter on Oct. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Looking like a KISS concert, flames erupt from the end zone prior to the start of the fourth quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska running back Sevion Morrison (28) scored a touchdown against Northwestern in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska running back Sevion Morrison (28) celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown with teammate Chris Hickman against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska freshman quarterback Logan Smothers (8) is set to make his first career start Friday vs. Iowa after Adrian Martinez suffered a shoulder injury against Wisconsin.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Connor Culp (33) celebrates with his team after a successful extra point against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Broc Bando walks off the field after the Huskers defeated Northwestern 56-7 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Will Nixon (12) gets tackled by Northwestern's Bryce Jackson (22) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Sevion Morrison (28) gets tackled by several Northwestern players in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Markese Stepp (33) gets tackled by Northwestern's Chris Bergin (28) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Northwestern's Stephon Robinson, Jr. (5) gets tackled by Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) and Braxton Clark (11) in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Teddy Prochazka blocks Northwestern's Peter McIntyre (40) and Jason Gold on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
A show of lights and flames took place between the third and fourth quarters during the Northwestern game last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Zavier Betts runs for an 83-yard touchdown against Northwestern in the third quarter in October 2021 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
A jet flies over near the end of the national anthem before Nebraska plays Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez scores in the first quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska offensive lineman Nouredin Nouili (63) looks for someone to block against Northwestern on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
A member of the Cornhusker Marching Band prepares to perform the national anthem before Nebraska plays Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Recruit Dylan Raiola (center) stands on the field before Nebraska's game against Northwestern on Oct. 2, 2021 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Logan Smothers (8) runs for yardage in the third quarter against Northwestern on Oct. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Markese Stepp (30) signs a miniature football for Nebraska alumni Alec Oberndorfer after the Huskers defeated Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt cradles the ball after a Northwestern incompletion on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska offensive lineman Cam Jurgens hugs athletic director Trev Alberts after the Huskers defeated Northwestern on Oct. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska players huddle with Scott Frost on the field during a timeout in the fourth quarter during a game against Northwestern Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska players kneel before the start of a game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
A fan pushes a football off the overhang before Nebraska's game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Matt Masker throws a pass in the fourth quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Northwestern's Stephon Robinson is taken down by Nebraska at the 1-yard line in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant lies outside the end zone after being run out of bounds in by Northwestern in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
The Huskers take the field before playing Northwestern on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Nick Henrich comes up short when attempting to tackle Northwestern's Andrew Clair in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) and Garrett Nelson (44) celebrate a tackle in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Marques Buford runs off the field after the Huskers defeated Northwestern 56-7 on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska freshman QB Logan Smothers (8) handles the ball with Jaquez Yant on an option play in the third quarter Oct. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star file photo
A Nebraska cheerleader stands on the sidelines before the start of Saturday's game against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Rahmir Johnson (14) trips while running with the ball against Northwestern in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Northwestern's Stephon Robinson catches the ball for his team's only touchdown against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska kicks an extra point in the fourth quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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