NEW YORK CITY — In just his second season, head coach Matt Rhule has done something that has become foreign to thousands of Nebraska fans: Win a bowl game.
Yankee Stadium rang with “Go Big Red” chants as freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola kneeled out the Huskers 20-15 Pinstripe Bowl victory. The Eagles clawed back from down three scores to make the game interesting, however, Nebraska held on.
Here are four takeaways from the victory:
Blackshirts take over in the Bronx
They say defense wins championships, but they don’t tell you it also wins Pinstripe Bowls.
This victory could not have happened without the all-around effort from the Huskers’ defense. The Blackshirts only allowed two Boston College touchdown drives, with one of them beginning on Nebraska’s two-yard line.
Familiar faces wreaked havoc on the Eagles all afternoon. Seniors defensive lineman Ty Robinson and linebacker John Bullock left a mark on their last game wearing the red N on their helmets. Both recorded a sack and Bullock forced a fumble while Boston College was driving down the field. These two have been stalwart leaders during Rhule’s whole tenure and can go out on top.
The front seven as a whole gave the Eagles a tough time. They limited Boston College to a measly 1.8 yards per carry and recorded three sacks. Even when the Huskers didn’t get to the quarterback, they still hurried junior quarterback Grayson James.
The Blackshirts also did not allow the Eagles to convert a single fourth down on their four attempts. Nebraska has come up short during the big moments many times this season. However, today it rose to the occasion.
Offense keeps Boston College on its toes
It wasn’t the greatest game for the Huskers’ offense, however, its balanced attack was integral to them moving the ball.
Nebraska had 10 different receivers catch a pass and were constantly switching personnel to strain Boston College’s defense. Whether it was tight end Heinrich Haarberg in his first game at the position or defensive back Isaac Gifford on a fake punt, the Huskers threw many different looks the Eagles’ way.
Nebraska also schemed a lot of plays out of the backfield. The running back duo of senior Rahmir Johnson, who was the game’s MVP, and sophomore Emmett Johnson handled the rock 30 total times. Both of them had at least 10 carries out of the backfield but also were important in the passing game as Emmett Johnson had five catches, with one of them being a touchdown.
Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen stretched Boston College’s offense all over the field. He drew up many plays to the outside, forcing the Eagles into uncomfortable one-on-one situations where the Huskers’ receivers thrived.
Although the season was filled with tons of offensive miscues, Nebraska went out on a good note.
The future is bright in Lincoln
With many players lost to the transfer portal, the Huskers had a lot of spots to fill today. Although, Nebraska had a solid amount of production to replace, a handful of freshmen stepped up and showed fans the future of this team.
Linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. was arguably the best player on the field today. The freshman finished with two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Shavers has shown flashes this season, but with open spots to fill, he stepped up and showed he can be a cornerstone of the team’s future.
Other freshmen who have sparingly seen the field this season such as defensive backs Donovan Jones and Caleb Benning also saw significant snaps. Both finished with three tackles and Jones added a tackle for loss. Rhule has consistently displayed confidence in the guys on the sideline and today he put his money where his mouth is.
Raiola and freshman receiver Jacorey Barney Jr. have also been playmakers all year and continued to make a difference today. Although they may not have had their best performances of the season, both still showed that they are future leaders of the program.
In just Rhule’s second season, the players he has brought to Lincoln have become part of the heart and soul of this squad and will only keep getting better.
The program is moving forward.
Nebraska’s last bowl win was in the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl. The Foster Farms Bowl doesn’t exist anymore.
After a nearly decade-long bowl drought, a win was exactly what the program needed. For years, the Huskers’ main goal was just to make it to a bowl game. Now that the feat has been completed, the program can look on to greater heights.
Not only did Nebraska get a win it can ride into next season, but the younger players set the tone for the future of the program. The Huskers have a lot of underclassmen contributors who will use this experience as a building block and more underclassmen on the sideline who witnessed the victory.
Nebraska is a program with the money, coaching and history to attract top talent, however, the missing piece has also been the most important: Winning. Now that the Huskers have shown that the program is trending in the right direction and they are capable of winning important games, the pieces are in play.
sports@dailynebraskan.com
