4 things we learned from Nebraska football’s Pinstripe Bowl win

Nebraska football has ended a couple of droughts this season. On Saturday, the Huskers ended a nine-year drought without a bowl win, while also stopping an eight-year run of losing seasons.

The 20-15 win over Boston College certainly wasn’t perfect. But it was cathartic. Nebraska should have won this game by 2-3 scores. However, the Huskers could have lost too.

If Rahmir Johnson doesn’t fight his way forward for that final first down, or if the defense didn’t hold Boston College without points on numerous drives inside the 35-yard line.

Yet, Nebraska also led 20-2 and still needed a late drive to salt away a win. The fact that they were able to do it was progress. Making this game and winning were progress too.

Looking back, here are four things we learned.

The Pinstripe Bowl mattered to Nebraska

Ty Robinson and Johnson — two Nebraska football veterans — who have been through it all were arguably the most valuable players on each side of the ball.

Vincent Shavers was great, but Ty Robinson set the tone. Robinson got an early sack and just was menacing around the line of scrimmage. He also played fullback. Robinson was in there on the last play — blocking — fighting for a final first down.

In Florida, Cam Ward’s team was down by three and he decided not to play. Ward didn’t play in the entire second half, which is understandable, but the difference between that and a dude like Robinson, who also has an NFL future, is interesting.

Nebraka doesn’t win this game if Robinson doesn’t play (he had five pressures). Johnson rushed for 60 yards and caught a pass for nine. He scored a touchdown, set up another with a 22-yard run, and got 11 yards when the Huskers needed one to clinch the game.

It was a long road, but Nebraska football is better for having these two around.

Ed Foley needs to go

Nebraska football tried to blow this game with a terrible effort on special teams. The Huskers had a PAT blocked and returned for a two-point conversion. However, the blocked punt was unforgivable.

Matt Rhule said that special teams needed a “complete overhaul” after the game and I’m not sure how you do that if Ed Foley is back.

I commend the man for his hard work, but he hasn’t done a good job and Rhule owes it to the program to make a change.

Dylan Raiola was good, but not great

Like most of this season, Raiola was good on Saturday but he wasn’t great. He missed some deep balls and made some weird decisions.

The first-quarter interception is the one play you’d want back. That kept the game closer than it needed to be. For a freshman, Raiola had a good year. He led the Huskers to a winning record and he improved as the season went on.

But he needs to start hitting some of those deep balls. He also needs to improve his decision-making and pocket awareness. Yet, the future is still extremely bright for Raiola and Nebraska football.

Vincent Shavers is going to be a star

Freshman linebacker Vincent Shavers was one of the best players on the field. He forced a fumble on a sack, had two tackles for loss, and just looked explosive. On one third down, Boston College thought it had a first down on a short completion but Shavers blew it up for no gain. The Nebraska defense forced a turnover on downs on the next play.

Little plays like that matter and great defenses make them. Shavers wasn’t the only young guy who played well on Saturday. Willis McGahee IV was getting consistent pressure. Keona Davis more than held his own and I liked what I saw from Donovan Jones and Caleb Benning on the back end.

Those dudes were ready to play. Amare Sanders too. All of them played meaningful snaps and didn’t look out of place. That’s a big deal moving forward. Jordan Ochoa looks promising too.

Shavers, though, looks like an All-Big Ten linebacker. Saturday was his coming out party.

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