NUMERICAL CONSIDERATION
During a news conference before the Huskers left for New York City, offensive coordinator Dana Holgerson was asked how Donte Dowdell’s decision to enter the transfer portal would affect the running back room—Dowdell led Nebraska in scoring with 12 touchdowns.
In addition to Emmett Johnson, Holgorsen’s response included mention of redshirt freshman Kwinten Ives, who, at that point, “had nine spectacular (bowl) practices.”
Except Holgorsen didn’t refer to Ives by name. Rather, he began with Ives’ jersey number, 28. So some folks might have had to check the Husker roster to be sure.
Why bring that up? Watching the game, it will be important to keep track of the Boston College player wearing jersey No. 14, junior quarterback Grayson James, whose rise to starter is curious. Thomas Castellanos was the starter for most of the season, but was injured in the ninth game against Syracuse and replaced by James, who had one start.
James was named the starter for the next game, after which Castellanos indicated, in week 11 with three games remaining, he was transferring to Florida State—under his direction, Boston College upset the No. 10 Seminoles in the season-opener. Curious, right?
James has completed 80-of-128 passes for 901 yards and six touchdowns, with two interceptions.
Lewis Bond, No. 11, is the Eagles’ leading receiver, with 60 receptions for 590 yards and three touchdowns. Kamari Morales, No. 88, has 26 catches for 311 yards and six touchdowns.
Kyle Robichaux, No. 5, is the leading rusher with 165 carries for 725 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Eagle who wore jersey No. 6, consensus All-American Donovan Ezeiruaku, opted out, Coach Bill O’Brien said during Friday’s news conference. The defensive end, a captain, led Boston College with 80 tackles, including 16.5 sacks.
All right, enough of jersey numbers. If you’re watching on ABC television, the announcers will identify players. Kickoff at Yankee Stadium is 11 a.m. CST.
Also consider those in the Boston College secondary. The Eagles have 16 interceptions.
“The turnover thing is concerning,” said Holgorsen.
Nebraska is minus-1 in turnovers, Boston College, because of the interceptions, plus-8.
The Huskers will be adjusting to players who have entered the transfer portal, in addition to Dowdell and tight end Nate Boerkircher on offense, the defense will be without linebackers Mikai Gbayor, Princewell Umanmielen and Stefon Thompson and ends Jimari Butler and James Williams.
With defensive players in the mix up-front leaving, young players such as Riley Van Poppel and Keona Davis, who chose the portal then changed his mind, will see action.
“A lot of us are going to have to take a lot more reps,” said sophomore defensive lineman Cameron Lenhardt. “But it’s a good opportunity, you know, for people who didn’t play much earlier in the season. It’s going to be a good opportunity for us to get those reps in.”
Van Poppel, for instance, has redshirted but can now play.
In addition, Nebraska will be without defensive back Tommi Hill, offensive lineman Micah Mizzccua and wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, primarily because of injuries.
The Husker coaching staff has changed, too, including the promotion of John Butler to defensive coordinator. He had been the secondary coach and pass game coordinator.
Regardless of who’s coaching and who’s not, who’s playing and who’s not, what the Huskers were able to enjoy in New York City during the Christmas holidays, the bottom line hasn’t changed.
“We’re going there to win the game,” Matt Rhule said before the team left Lincoln. “We aren’t going there for an experience. We’re going there to win the game.”
The number of points Nebraska puts up needs to be more than what Boston College does, meaning the Huskers would finish with a winning record.
A win for Boston College would be No. 8.
The Eagles, in his time, “have never had an eight-win season,” the aforementioned Bond, a redshirt junior, said. They upset SMU in the Fenway Bowl last season to finish 7-6. Yes, Boston College played in Fenway Park last season and now will play in Yankee Stadium.
“I feel if we win this game, it will be a good stepping stone into next season,” said Husker freshman wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. “Just trying to build off (this) last season and probably make the playoffs next year, and just continue to grow from this bowl game.”
Playoffs? That might be extreme. But it can be a stepping stone—win No. 7.
Mike Babcock
