Matt Rhule explains why Dylan Raiola got the job as starting quarterback for Nebraska

Starter Dylan Raiola learned he would take the first snap against UTEP as he left the practice field earlier this week, Husker coach Matt Rhule said Friday. NU had just released a social media graphic announcing the news.

Sophomore quarterback Heinrich Haarberg received the news first from Rhule, followed by Danny Kaelin. Rhule believes both NUs can be starters and help the team win. Kaelin, in particular, had a strong week of practice.

But Raiola “brings all the pieces into play” with his “outstanding arm strength” and his mastery of the offense and the running and passing options it contains.

“He understands all the checks in the run game, he understands the whole RPO game, he understands situational football and I think he's really improved his footwork in the pocket,” Rhule said. “That's been one of the big things.”

Raiola, who has modeled his game after Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes, can throw on the run, with one foot and at different arm angles. Many young quarterbacks, Rhule said, can and want to do that.

Nebraska also wants Raiola to throw “on the platform,” meaning that the back foot provides the thrust of the pass and the front foot – in this case, Raiola's left foot – points toward the target for maximum accuracy.

“I showed Dylan about 60 reps of Tom Brady — and he's on the platform,” Rhule said. “So Dylan has worked so hard on his pocket presence, and once he got over that hurdle, I saw how close the other guys were getting. I think (Dylan) is the start, but Danny will keep working and Heinrich will keep working.”

Rhule said he doesn't plan on “wasting” Kaelin's year unless the Bellevue West graduate is pushed to be a starter.

“If we suddenly have a couple of injuries and he's the starting quarterback, we're going to win with Danny Kaelin,” Rhule said. “There's no sugarcoating it. But we're not going to use him to give the ball away and mess up the game.”