Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) passes as Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) defends Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa Metropolis, Iowa. The chance in entrance of Boston School within the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday shouldn’t be misplaced on first-year coach Invoice O’Brien.
When the Massachusetts native leads the Eagles (7-5) onto the hallowed New York floor, Boston School will probably be taking pictures for its first eight-win season since 2009. Dealing with an opponent as prestigious on this planet of school soccer as Nebraska (6-6) makes it much more particular.
“I believe that was the massive factor for us,” O’Brien stated. “Can we play a terrific, legendary program? (We’re) all very excited concerning the alternative to go up towards a program like Nebraska in Yankee Stadium round Christmastime. It is a very, very cool alternative.”
The Eagles not solely look to ship seniors similar to ACC Defensive Participant of the 12 months Donovan Ezeiruaku (FBS-leading 16 1/2 sacks within the common season), working again Kye Robichaux (452 yards, six touchdowns prior to now 4 video games) and former walk-on linebacker Joe Marinaro out on a excessive observe, but in addition regulate the long run with many anticipated 2025 returnees already contributing on the depth chart.
Florida Worldwide junior switch Grayson James has emerged as Boston School’s prime quarterback, throwing for 5 touchdowns in 4 begins since Florida State-bound Thomas Castellanos departed this system midseason. The Eagles received three of these video games, all in Atlantic Coast Convention play.
This season has additionally seen the likes of working again Turbo Richard, vast receiver Reed Harris and security Carter Davis obtain important time as true or redshirt freshmen for O’Brien’s workforce.
“There’s quite a lot of guys that will probably be enjoying on this recreation that can hopefully be enjoying for us subsequent yr,” O’Brien stated. “If you cannot rise up to enjoying in a recreation like this, I believe for our guys, you may need to examine your self out a bit bit.”
Whereas Boston School seeks back-to-back bowl victories after toppling now-ACC rival SMU within the Fenway Bowl final December, Nebraska is headed to its first postseason look since 2016.
The Cornhuskers clinched the bowl berth with a Nov. 23 win over Wisconsin, ending a four-game dropping streak that adopted a 5-1 begin. 5 of Nebraska’s six losses have been by eight or fewer factors, together with setbacks towards ranked Large Ten foes Illinois and Ohio State.
“We’re unbelievably excited and grateful,” second-year Nebraska coach and native New Yorker Matt Rhule stated. “We have labored actually onerous to get up to now. A tricky schedule this yr, had an opportunity to play towards quite a lot of nice groups.”
Nebraska has one of many nation’s prime younger quarterbacks on the helm. Dylan Raiola has thrown for 12 touchdowns and ranks second amongst FBS freshmen with 2,595 passing yards and a 66.6 % completion fee.
Raiola shot down switch portal rumors and affirmed his dedication to the Huskers for the reason that common season concluded.
“I by no means formally entered and by no means actually was purchasing round,” Raiola stated. “I am enjoying quarterback at Nebraska.”
The sport has added significance to Rhule because of his New York Metropolis roots. This month, he added Dana Holgorsen as offensive coordinator and promoted John Butler to defensive coordinator.
Eight Nebraska gamers hail from New York or New Jersey, together with sophomore beginning defensive finish Cameron Lenhardt and sixth-year senior working again Rahmir Johnson.
“It has been dwelling for a very long time,” Rhule stated. “It is a particular, particular form of full-circle second for us.”
–Discipline Degree Media
