Instant Takes: Nebraska 20, Boston College 15

Nebraska capped off their 2024 season with their first bowl game victory since 2015. The Huskers defeated Boston College (7-6, 4-4) 20-15 in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

The Huskers finished the season 7-6 and 3-6 in the Big Ten. They have a winning season for the first time since Mike Reilly led NU to a 9-4 season in 2016.

Nebraska and Boston College competed in front of 30,062 on a cold and rainy Saturday, Dec. 28 in New York City.

Here are instant takes from Nebraska’s bowl game victory:

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Huskers’ dominant rush defense, mediocre pass defense

Nebraska’s rush defense has been consistently really good all season long. They’ve had several lights-out games. The Blackshirts held their regular-season opponents to 105.8 rushing yards per game.

In their final 2024 game, Boston College rushed for 47 yards on 28 attempts. The Eagles averaged 1.8 yards per carry, with quarterback Grayson James leading the way with 22 yards.

Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher and the front seven were fantastic against the run vs. Boston College. But Nebraska’s pass defense has lots to strive for.

The Huskers were strong on first down. But the Eagles recorded 296 passing yards with five passes over 20 yards and seven total passing plays over 10 yards. Boston College recorded 177 yards after carry, breaking many tackles.

Nebraska was great when it mattered most – in the red zone and third and fourth down. The Eagles went 2-for-5 in the red zone. They converted 6-of-13 on third down and 0-for-4 on fourth down. Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien is very aggressive on fourth down.

The Huskers’ new defensive coordinator, John Butler, should be happy with NU’s final performance of 2024 but eager to improve in 2025.

Shavers has a very bright future

Nebraska freshman linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. has a very bright future as a Husker.

Shavers recorded a career-high five tackles against the Eagles. He added a forced fumble, two tackles for loss and a sack for a loss of eight yards.

The Miami, Fl. Native played in all 13 games and started twice as a true freshman. He ends his first season with 19+ tackles, 0.5+ tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.

Shavers was awarded a Blackshirt after the regular season. He earned it.

With starters Mikai Gbayor transferring to Missouri and John Bullock graduating, Shavers is poised for a massive role in 2025.

Good foundation for 2025

Nebraska football ended the 2024 season on a high note. They went to their first bowl game since 2016 and won the Huskers’ first bowl game since 2015. The Huskers have many improvements to make, but they had their best season in 10 years. Nebraska should not be satisfied but should be motivated by their 2024 season.

The Huskers’ coaching staff looks different, with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and Butler headlining the group. Nebraska added WR coach Daikiel Shorts Jr., OLB coach Phil Simpson and associate head coach Phil Snow. The Huskers are also adding a defensive backs coach and a defensive line coach.

While the Nebraska team on Saturday looked very different from the team in August, they have a good foundation to build on for 2025.

Over 20 players entered the transfer portal, but NU has added several immediate impact transfers and a strong freshmen class. Their young players gained valuable experience against Boston College.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola has some work to do but had a strong freshman season. He provided consistency and reliability to Nebraska’s QB group. Raiola broke Nebraska’s freshman single-season passing record, which was set by Adrian Martinez in 2018. The 6-foot-3 QB set the record with 2,823 passing yards.

Raiola went 23-of-31 against Boston College. WR Jahmal Banks had a team-high 79 reception yards on four catches in his last game as a Husker. Emmett Johnson recorded 68 rushing yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Rahmir Johnson recorded a touchdown and 60 rushing yards in his final game at Nebraska.

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