Nebraska QB Raiola leaves with ankle injury against No. 23 USC, status unclear for game at UCLA

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was helped off the field after injuring his right ankle early in the third quarter of the Cornhuskers' 21-17 loss to No. 23 Southern California on Saturday night.

Coach Matt Rhule did not have an update on Raiola's status, but said he was confident backup TJ Lateef would be well prepared if needed to play at UCLA next Saturday.

As Raiola was being sacked for a 10-yard loss, he fumbled and fell backward. He grabbed his lower right leg while athletic trainers tended to him. He walked off with the assistance of two trainers, went to the medical tent and tried to jog on the sideline when he came out.

The Cornhuskers led 14-6 when Raiola got hurt, and he was out for the final four possessions. Rhule said Raiola told him he wanted to go back into the game, but the medical staff told the coach it was not advisable.

“I just didn’t see the respectable thing to do would be to put a guy out there who can’t run,” Rhule said. “TJ has a bright, bright future and I thought maybe he might be able to make some plays. You can't put a kid (Raiola) out there who can't defend himself. I told him, ‘I love you too much to have you play when you’re hurt like this.'"

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