The Huskers bowl weekend has finally arrived, and what a wait it has been. When this article goes live tomorrow, I’ll be on a flight or on a layover in the Big Apple.
After a good night’s sleep and an Uber ride, it will be time to enter Yankee Stadium for the first time in my life, and through the press gate at that. Yes, I am a Braves fan, but history is history.
The Huskers are ending their bowl drought by returning to the location of their first bowl triumph, a 36-34 win against Miami in the 1962 Gotham Bowl. Talk about a little history.
Some argue that simply getting there is enough, but a victory will mean a lot more. For starters, a winning season would be the outcome. 7-6 may not sound like much, but it’s better than 6-7, which would result in an eighth consecutive losing season.
Better to get that out of the way now, right?
Maybe it’s crazy, but I don’t have a burning desire to visit New York City. I’ll be flying in tomorrow, checking into my hotel, ensuring that my compass is set to be at the press gate first thing, and attempting to balance enjoying the experience with watching the game and writing and tweeting.
Sunday, we’ll sleep in a little, eat breakfast, and spend the afternoon flying home.
Oh, don’t get me wrong: there will be some local pizza and bagel(s) in there somewhere.
However, this trip is all about the Huskers.
And watching as the bricks are laid for the warmer trip next season.
A ONE MINUTE REVIEW & PREDICTION
When the Huskers have the ball?
Donovan Ezeiruaku.
6’2” 247
Consensus 1st All-American Defensive End
80 Tackles. 20 1⁄2 TFL. 16 1⁄2 Sacks. 15 QB Hits.
Dana Holgorsen’s challenge is simple but complex. Establish a running game to give the defense pause in the passing game, and then keep Ezeiruaku off Dylan Raiola, possibly through a combination of rolling away, play action, and double teams. He is a force, and we cannot allow him to put our QB1 on his bicycle every drop-back.
Emmett Johnson has demonstrated that if given enough space, he can gain yards.
That being said. It seems doable.
Despite their talent, Ezeiruaku’s defense is 59th in total yards allowed and 62nd in scoring. The Huskers had enough offensive weapons and a specific offensive coordinator to score some points on Saturday.
Defensively, there have clearly been some changes in both staff and personnel since the Huskers’ last game. They still have defensive leaders/starters Robinson, Hutmacher, Bullock, Sherman, Gifford, Buford, Wright, Hartzog, and Singleton. And Lenhardt, particularly Javin Wright, who have moved into the open starting positions, are far from inexperienced.
The Eagles finished the season 3-1 after switching quarterbacks to junior Grayson James, who averaged 35 points per game. His top target is Lewis Bond, who leads all BC receivers with 60 receptions.
Kye Robichaux leads a full backfield but is not particularly dangerous at 4.4 yards per carry, which is far less frightening than some of the backs the Blackshirts have faced this season.
Prediction: Raiola is sacked a few times, but the Husker line creates holes in the BC defensive front, and Emmett runs and receives for more than 150 yards.
The Huskers get going in the red zone, and Dylan throws a long pass to Jaylen Lloyd. Defensively, there are a few breakdowns early on, but adjustments are made, and a dominant fourth quarter leads to a one-score comeback victory. Huskers 31, Eagles 27.
UPDATE
All that being said? This just in
HOW TO WATCH
Time: 11:00AM CST
Location: Yankee Stadium, New York City, NY
Surface: Natural Grass.
Wagering Info: Huskers -4 . O/U – 45 1⁄2 (Draft Kings)
Series Record: This is the first ever meeting between Nebraska and Boston College.
TV: The game can be viewed on ABC with – Play-by-Play: Mike Monaco. Analyst: Kirk Morrison. Sidelines: Dawn Davenport.
Radio: The audio can be streamed live for free at Huskers.com or the Huskers App. The crew will be: Play-by-Play: Greg Sharpe. Analysis: Damon Benning. Sidelines: Jessica Coody. Pre/Post-Game: Matt Coatney, Jessica Coody, Ben McLaughlin & Josh Banderas.
Weather: Game day will be chilly and possibly wet, with very light winds and temperatures around 46. As of Thursday evening, the chance of precipitation ranged from 70% at kickoff to 20% by the end of the game, though this could change.