The chance in entrance of Boston Faculty within the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday isn’t misplaced on first-year coach Invoice O’Brien.
When the Massachusetts native leads the Eagles (7-5) onto the hallowed New York floor, Boston Faculty shall be capturing for its first eight-win season since 2009. Dealing with an opponent as prestigious on the earth of school soccer as Nebraska (6-6) makes it much more particular.
“I believe that was the massive factor for us,” O’Brien mentioned. “Can we play an incredible, legendary program? (We’re) all very excited in regards to 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 equivalent to ACC Defensive Participant of the Yr Donovan Ezeiruaku (FBS-leading 16 1/2 sacks within the common season), working again Kye Robichaux (452 yards, six touchdowns previously 4 video games) and former walk-on linebacker Joe Marinaro out on a excessive observe, but additionally keep watch over the long run with many anticipated 2025 returnees already contributing on the depth chart.
Florida Worldwide junior switch Grayson James has emerged as Boston Faculty’s high quarterback, throwing for 5 touchdowns in 4 begins since Florida State-bound Thomas Castellanos departed this system midseason. The Eagles gained three of these video games, all in Atlantic Coast Convention play.
This season has additionally seen the likes of working again Turbo Richard, extensive receiver Reed Harris and security Carter Davis obtain important time as true or redshirt freshmen for O’Brien’s staff.
“There’s quite a lot of guys that shall be taking part in on this recreation that can hopefully be taking part in for us subsequent 12 months,” O’Brien mentioned. “If you cannot stand up to taking part in in a recreation like this, I believe for our guys, you would possibly wish to examine your self out slightly bit.”
Whereas Boston Faculty 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 had 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 mentioned. “We have labored actually exhausting to get up to now. A troublesome schedule this 12 months, had an opportunity to play towards quite a lot of nice groups.”
Nebraska has one of many nation’s high 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 charge.
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 buying round,” Raiola mentioned. “I am taking part in quarterback at Nebraska.”
The sport has added significance to Rhule on account 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 residence for a very long time,” Rhule mentioned. “This can be a particular, particular sort of full-circle second for us.”
–Subject Stage Media