Sports
Oregon rallies past Nebraska on Raiola-to-Johnson touchdown in final seconds
Dylan Raiola threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson with 28 seconds left, then Oregon converted the two-point attempt to beat Nebraska 17-14 in Eugene. Raiola, who transferred to Oregon after two seasons with the Cornhuskers, entered in the fourth quarter with the Ducks trailing by eight.
EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola delivered a late win over his former team Saturday, throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson with 28 seconds remaining as the Ducks defeated Nebraska 17-14.
The Ducks added a successful two-point conversion after Johnson’s catch in the back of the end zone. Raiola had entered the game in the fourth quarter, with Oregon trailing 14-6.
Raiola spent two seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Oregon in the offseason. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 59 yards in the fourth quarter. With 33 seconds left, a separate apparent touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore was overturned on review before Raiola found Johnson for the winning score.
Oregon (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) had struggled to move the ball for much of the game. Third-string quarterback Brock Thomas started in place of injured starter Dante Moore, who remained unavailable after sustaining a concussion against USC on Sept. 26. Thomas completed 9 of 20 passes for 54 yards and an interception; Oregon had 91 total yards before Raiola took over.
Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed 18 of 33 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 33 yards and another score. His 6-yard scramble late in the third quarter extended the Huskers’ lead to 14-6.
The loss was Nebraska’s second straight after giving up a fourth-quarter lead. The Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) fell 20-17 to Indiana the previous weekend.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said his team competed but again came up short, describing the defense’s effort as strong despite facing difficult field position. Oregon coach Dan Lanning praised Thomas for accepting the decision to make a late-game change at quarterback, and said the Ducks needed to play better offensively.
Nebraska is scheduled to play at Washington on Oct. 31. Oregon visits Illinois next Saturday.