Nebraska holds on in dramatic ending to Pinstripe Bowl vs. Boston College

NEW YORK – Local products Rahmir Johnson and Kwinten Ives rushed for touchdowns. Nebraska’s defense stopped Boston College four times on fourth down. And the Huskers, in their return to the college football postseason after an eight-year drought, won 20-15 in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday.

The victory at Yankee Stadium secured second-year coach Matt Rhule a successful season and Nebraska’s first finish over .500 since 2016. At 7-6, the Huskers earned their 27th bowl victory and first since 2015.

Here are the first insights after the season finale, which was played on wet grass in foggy weather in front of 30,062 spectators:

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Special teams silliness

Yes, Nebraska managed a fake punt in the second half – a feel-good moment for senior punter Brian Buschini and senior safety Isaac Gifford, who combined to gain an 8-yard gain on a drive on fourth down and fifth place to extend. Later after that possession, Buschini failed to convert a field goal attempt near the goal line.

This is all window dressing. The problem with special teams is basic execution. Things fell apart again for Nebraska on Saturday. A Buschini punt with the Huskers leading 20-8 with four minutes to play was blocked. It led to a rushing Boston College touchdown that turned a comfortable Nebraska lead into a close game.

After taking an 18-point lead with less than seven minutes to play, the Huskers needed an 11-yard fourth-and-1 run from Johnson to secure the win.

Earlier, after Nebraska scored its second touchdown, the snap hold mechanic failed on the extra point. John Hohl’s kick was blocked by Boston College and returned for two points.

Something like this has to stop. It cost Nebraska victories in Rhule’s first two seasons and made victories – like this one in the Pinstripe Bowl – more difficult.

The Huskers added a long snapper this month, replacing the outgoing Buschini in the portal. Whatever approach is required, it is paramount for Nebraska to make the necessary adjustments to ensure clean special teams operations.

Risky Raiola

Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 228 yards and a touchdown on 23-for-31 passing. He displayed a bit of a gunslinger mentality. Things are looking good for the strong signal caller and will likely be encouraged by new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen – within reason, of course.

Dylan Raiola is 4 for 7 early. He attempts some deep throws that we didn’t see much in the regular season. Only one has scored so far, but Dana Holgorsen’s offense can probably expect more of the same.

If you think there is an advantage you can take advantage of, then go for it.

– Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) December 28, 2024

In many ways, the Pinstripe Bowl served as a warmup for 2025. Raiola got several new toys on offense this month. Of note, the Huskers added wide receivers Dane Key from Kentucky and Nyziah Hunter from Cal. They also add four-star pass catcher Cortez Mills out of high school and return players like Jacory Barney, Jaylen Lloyd, Janiran Bonner and a solid group of tight ends.

Raiola will have weapons. With his experience and talent, it’s time for him to take some risks in 2025. It happened on Saturday. Although he didn’t benefit from pass interference calls – those will come – he trusted his receivers to make plays.

They didn’t always make it through wet and cool conditions. Jahmal Banks fell on a Raiola throw that was intercepted to end the Huskers’ opening drive. Sunny days ahead for Holgorsen, Raiola and the Nebraska offense.

There was a feeling on Saturday that the QB was just getting up to speed.

A look at Butler’s new defense

What did we learn about John Butler’s defensive style on Saturday? Probably not much. Butler had less than a month to navigate a defensive coordinator change after Tony White left for Florida State and D-line coach Terrance Knighton went with him. Butler had to coach the secondary and help Rhule hire three coaches on the defensive side. All of that took a backseat for a time in December as Nebraska coaches invested energy into recruiting through the transfer portal.

So Butler’s defense looked like White’s defense against Boston College. Expect some new elements to be added in the spring, including likely a more traditional four-man front. Will the Huskers regain some of the aggressiveness they showed in 2023? Or does Butler come from an NFL mold that remains more conservative? That seemed to be the direction Rhule took Butler this season as he added his touches to White’s system.

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Youth movement

Rhule spoke early in the bowl prep period about making December the first month of 2025. Young players received more work in practice before the Huskers traveled to New York on December 23rd. And they competed against Boston College.

Young players particularly showed up in the top six or seven on defense, where Nebraska was heavily affected by departures via the transfer portal. True freshman Vincent Shavers destroyed several Boston College drives in the first half. He contributed a sack in the first quarter and a big third-down stop inside the 10-yard line on the Eagles’ final drive of the second quarter.

Shavers earned a Blackshirt practice jersey this month. He played an inspired style of football on Saturday. Expect him to take on a leadership role next season as the defense around him gets younger.

Fellow students Keona Davis, Willis McGahee IV and Donovan Jones also played important roles at Yankee Stadium. Davis, who briefly entered the portal and returned to Nebraska, flashed his high-end prowess on the sideline.

Jones held his own as a cornerback. The Omaha North graduate redshirted this season and played the maximum number of four games allowed to maintain eligibility for a season. Participation in a bowl game does not count against a redshirt.

For these freshmen and others, this month was invaluable.

(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images)