Nebraska appoints UNLV’s Colandrea as quarterback to address offensive stagnation

Nebraska has secured the services of Anthony Colandrea from UNLV to serve as its starting quarterback, a move designed to revitalise an offence that has struggled for consistency over the past two seasons. The Cornhuskers turned to the transfer portal following the departure of Dylan Raiola, who left for Oregon to serve as a backup. Colandrea, named the 2025 Mountain West offensive player of the year, brings a profile defined by mobility and scrambling ability, attributes that head coach Matt Rhule believes are essential for the team’s future success.

The decision follows a period of instability at the position for Nebraska. In two seasons with Raiola, the Huskers recorded a 6-9 record in Big Ten play, with an offence that ranked in the middle of the conference pack. Raiola, once considered the highest-ranked high school recruit in program history, was sacked 49 times in 15 games, including 27 sacks in the nine games prior to a broken leg ending his season. His 9.7 per cent sack rate was among the highest in the nation for quarterbacks with significant pass attempts, highlighting vulnerabilities in both protection and decision-making.

Colandrea offers a distinct statistical profile compared to his predecessor. During his tenure at UNLV, he threw for 23 touchdowns against nine interceptions while maintaining a sack rate of 5.7 per cent. He also averaged just under 300 passing yards per game and ranked third in the Mountain West for quarterback rushing, averaging 46.3 yards per game. Rhule and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen anticipate that Colandrea’s ability to extend plays, combined with an improved offensive line, will provide a broader range of tactical options.

The incoming quarterback has already begun integrating with the squad, establishing rapport with teammates during a training trip to Tampa, Florida, over the summer. Nyziah Hunter, Nebraska’s leading receiver from the previous season, praised Colandrea’s leadership and football intelligence. Hunter noted that Colandrea’s tendency to scramble rather than take sacks or go out of bounds creates additional opportunities for big plays, a trait Colandrea attributes to influences such as former Heisman Trophy winners Johnny Manziel and Baker Mayfield.

Despite the optimism surrounding the new signing, significant challenges remain. Colandrea has never faced a ranked opponent in his 31 career starts and will immediately encounter a difficult schedule, with three top-five opponents—Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State—on the docket for October and November. It remains to be seen whether his experience in the Mountain West will translate to winning in the competitive Big Ten Conference, where the Huskers have yet to secure a winning record in conference play since Raiola’s arrival.