Opposing Big Ten quarterback calls Ohio State toughest place he's played

USA Today

4 days ago

As big as Ohio Stadium is, it can sometimes get a bad rap for how quiet it can be when things aren't going Ohio State's way. And while there is definitely some truth to it that Athletic Director Ross Bjork is working on, there are times when the Horseshoe can be about as loud as any venue in the country.
If you don't believe me, maybe listen to opposing players, say like Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola. But first, a quick recap of Railoa and how he made it to Nebraska. He was originally verbally committed to Ohio State, then flipped to Georgia and even enrolled in a high school in the state before flipping again and committing to the Cornhuskers. He has family ties there, so it's no surprise that heading to Nebraska eventually won out. Still, there is some familiarity there between Ryan Day, Raiola, and Ohio State.
Back to the big 'ole Horseshoe and how loud it can be, Raiola was asked about the toughest of the six or seven Big Ten stadiums he's played in so far, and he answered without hesitation.
"Ohio State -- not even close. You and me wouldn't even be able to talk (speaking from right next to the interviewer)," Raiola said ... "We couldn't talk like this (again pointing directly right next to the question) -- I'd have to be screaming at you."
That wasn't the end of the praise from Raiola. He went on to praise the environment even further when talking at Big Ten football media days. Nebraska even had the Buckeyes on the ropes, but couldn't pull it out, with Ohio State coming back to win 21-17 in Columbus in a game that was much closer than anyone thought.
'I was on the opposite sideline than I really had planned on,' Raiola told reporters. 'It was a great environment -- everything I expected. From the hype to how loud they were, to how hard Ohio State was gonna play, we knew exactly what we were getting into, and I'm proud of our team for that and how we fought. So we just got to get used to playing in more games like that.'
Ohio State and Nebraska aren't scheduled to play this fall, so Raiola will have to wait to play against the team he was originally committed to in order to make good on showing he can lead his team past the same type of game and environment. He will lead his team against Michigan in Lincoln and on the road against Penn State, so there will be opportunities.
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