NEW YORK — In a thrilling matchup, Dylan Raiola led Nebraska to a hard-fought 20-15 victory over Boston College, marking the Cornhuskers’ first bowl triumph since 2015. Raiola completed 23 of 31 passes, accumulating 228 yards and throwing one touchdown, while Nebraska established an 18-point lead by the end of the third quarter.
Nebraska got off to a strong start, building a 13-2 lead in the first half with scoring runs from Rahmir Johnson and Kwinten Ives. The game turned pivotal when Raiola connected with Emmett Johnson on a fourth-down pass for a 13-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 20-2 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. The win brought Nebraska’s season record to 7-6, making it a noteworthy achievement for the team following their first winning season since 2016 and their first bowl win since the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl.
“This victory means a lot, and it’s a relief for the players to finally say, ‘We’ve achieved this,'” expressed Nebraska coach Matt Rhule. He highlighted the momentum the team would carry into the offseason. Throughout the game, Raiola showcased his development by connecting with ten different receivers, including Jahmal Banks, who recorded four catches for 79 yards.
In the second quarter, Rahmir Johnson scored on a 4-yard run, and shortly after, Ives contributed a 2-yard rush to extend the Cornhuskers’ lead. Nebraska’s defense played a crucial role in setting up the team’s next score, with John Bullock sacking Boston College’s quarterback Grayson James and forcing a fumble that Elijah Jeudy recovered at midfield. This led to Raiola’s touchdown pass to Emmett Johnson.
Despite a formidable effort, Boston College, which fell to 0-3 in Pinstripe Bowl games, struggled to convert opportunities. James threw for 296 yards, completing 25 of 40 passes. The Eagles managed to breach midfield during five of their first seven possessions but were hindered by two turnovers and a failure to convert on four crucial fourth downs, including two close to the goal line. They finally found the end zone late in the fourth quarter when Turbo Richard scored on a 1-yard run, although their two-point conversion attempt fell short. Jordan McDonald later added a 2-yard score after a blocked punt gave the Eagles favorable field position.
Boston College’s coach, Bill O’Brien, noted the team’s productive efforts but lamented their inability to finish drives with points, stating, “We had opportunities, but not scoring is a problem because you need points to win.” In the first half, the Eagles managed to score two points when Ashton McShane blocked an extra point attempt by Nebraska and returned it.
In takeaway moments, Rahmir Johnson was recognized as the MVP of the game in what was an emotionally charged end to his season, having lost his mother in November. He ran for 60 yards, while Nebraska accumulated a total of 127 rushing yards and 363 yards in the game overall. Johnson commented, “Even in tough times, I wanted to play for my teammates. That’s who I am.” For Boston College, the absence of ACC sacks leader Donovan Ezeiruaku due to injury was felt, as the Eagles exhausted their timeouts late in the game when trailing by just five points.
Looking ahead, Nebraska is set to kick off their 2025 season against Cincinnati on August 30, while Boston College will face Fordham the same day, welcoming Alabama transfer Dylan Longeran to their quarterback lineup.
