The chance in entrance of Boston Faculty 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 Faculty might 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 mentioned. “Can we play an amazing, legendary program? (We’re) all very excited concerning the alternative to go up in opposition to 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 in addition control the longer term 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, broad receiver Reed Harris and security Carter Davis obtain important time as true or redshirt freshmen for O’Brien’s staff.
“There’s loads of guys that might be taking part in on this recreation that may hopefully be taking part in for us subsequent yr,” 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 need to test your self out somewhat 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 shedding streak that adopted a 5-1 begin. 5 of Nebraska’s six losses have been by eight or fewer factors, together with setbacks in opposition to ranked Massive 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 tricky schedule this yr, had an opportunity to play in opposition to loads 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 because the common season concluded.
“I by no means formally entered and by no means actually was procuring round,” Raiola mentioned. “I am taking part in quarterback at Nebraska.”
The sport has added significance to Rhule attributable to 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 house for a very long time,” Rhule mentioned. “This can be a particular, particular type of full-circle second for us.”
–Area Degree Media