The University of Nebraska and Boston College today accepted invitations to play in the 2024 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, December 28, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (ET) on ABC. This year marks the 14th edition of the game and the 10th consecutive Pinstripe Bowl to feature competitors from the Big Ten and ACC. In addition, the matchup will be the first-ever meeting between Nebraska and Boston College. Both programs are led by former NFL Head Coaches in Matt Rhule (Nebraska) and Bill O’Brien (Boston College).
Nebraska will make its 54th all-time bowl appearance (26-27) and first under second-year Head Coach Matt Rhule. The Cornhuskers will be making their first appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl, making them the 10th different team from the Big Ten (in 10 games of the bowl’s partnership with the conference) to play in the game. Additionally, this will mark Nebraska’s first appearance at the current Yankee Stadium and just their second game in the Bronx, having defeated the University of Miami, 36-34, at the original Stadium in the 1962 Gotham Bowl, which marked the program’s first bowl game victory.
The 2024 Pinstripe Bowl marks the Cornhuskers’ first bowl game selection since the 2016 Music City Bowl, snapping a seven-year drought, the program’s longest stretch without a bowl game berth since a seven-year span from 1955-61. From 2008-16, Nebraska appeared in nine consecutive bowl games, the program’s second-longest streak, trailing only their NCAA-record 35 straight seasons with a bowl game berth from 1969-2003.
This season, the Cornhuskers appeared in the AP Top 25 during Week 3 (No. 23) and Week 4 (No. 22), marking their first time being ranked since Week 2 of the 2019 campaign. Nebraska (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten), clinched bowl eligibility with their 44-25 win over Wisconsin on November 23.
Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola established himself as the leader of Nebraska’s offense, throwing for 2,595 yards and 12 touchdowns. Among Big Ten quarterbacks, Raiola ranks third in passing attempts (380) and completions (253), in addition to ranking seventh in completion percentage (66.6%). In his first season with Nebraska after transferring from Oregon, sophomore running back Dante Dowdell paced the Cornhuskers’ ground game, recording team highs in rushing yards (614) and rushing touchdowns (12, tied for fourth in Big Ten), with three of those scores coming in the victory over Wisconsin on November 23.
On the defensive side, senior defensive lineman Ty Robinson earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors after recording team highs in sacks (6.0, tied for ninth in Big Ten) and tackles for loss (11.0, tied for ninth in Big Ten). Junior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. has played a large role in Nebraska’s secondary, tallying a team-high four interceptions (tied for second in Big Ten) while splitting time between safety (seven starts) and cornerback (four starts). Additionally, the Cornhuskers’ defense has recorded 11 interceptions this season, with three being returned for touchdowns.
“The University of Nebraska is proud to accept a bid to the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen. “Nebraska’s first-ever bowl victory occurred at the original Yankee Stadium in 1962, and we are excited to return to the postseason this year at one of America’s iconic sports venues. This bowl game will be a great opportunity for our players, staff and our fans.”
“Our team is looking forward to the opportunity to spend the bowl season in New York City and play in the Pinstripe Bowl,” stated Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule. “This is a great connection between two iconic brands in Nebraska football and Yankee Stadium, and it will be a memorable experience for our players. I have great respect for the Boston College program and the success Coach O’Brien has had in his first season.”
Boston College has been selected to its 31st bowl game and will make its 29th all-time bowl appearance (15-13, along with one no-contest due to weather in 2018 and one cancelation due to COVID-19 in 2021). It is also the team’s first bowl game under Head Coach Bill O’Brien, who led the team to a 7-5 record in his inaugural season with BC. The Eagles will be making their third Pinstripe Bowl appearance (also 2014 vs. Penn State and 2017 vs. Iowa), becoming the first ACC team and the third program to play in the Pinstripe Bowl three times, joining Syracuse University (which made its first two BBMPB appearances as a member of the Big East) and Rutgers University.
The 2024 Pinstripe Bowl marks Boston College’s second straight bowl selection and their 21st (19th appearance) in the last 26 seasons (since 1999). The Eagles commenced the 2024 season with a 28-13 win vs. then-No. 10 Florida State, marking their first win against an AP Top 10 opponent since 2014 (37-31 win vs. No. 9 Southern California). This season, Boston College appeared in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2018, reaching the No. 24 spot in the Week 3 poll. The Eagles (7-5, 4-4 ACC) clinched bowl eligibility after defeating North Carolina, 41-21, on November 23.
Led by their run-heavy offense (503 attempts, first in ACC), the Eagles tallied 176.3 rushing yards per game (seventh in ACC) and 22 rushing touchdowns (eighth in ACC). Senior running back Kye Robichaux has been one of the premier backs in the ACC, ranking eighth in the conference in rushing touchdowns (10).
On the defensive side, Boston College has recorded 16 interceptions, the second-most in the ACC and tied for the ninth-most in the FBS. The unit has also forced 11 fumbles (tied for sixth in ACC). Their rush defense has surrendered just 113.6 yards per game (fourth in ACC). Senior defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku currently leads the entire FBS with 16.5 sacks, tied for the most in a single season in Boston College history. Ezeiruaku also collected First Team All-ACC honors and was named the ACC “Defensive Player of the Year.” Redshirt freshman defensive back Carter Davis leads the Eagles secondary with three interceptions (tied for sixth in ACC).
“We are thrilled to be invited to play in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium,” said Boston College’s William V. Campbell Director of Athletics, Blake James. “Bowl Season is a special reward for our program − especially our coaches and student-athletes who have worked tirelessly throughout the regular season. I am also excited for the opportunity for Boston College to play in New York City in front of our many fans, friends, and alumni in the metropolitan area. We look forward to being part of this first-class event.”
“I am excited for our team to be heading to New York for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” stated Boston College’s Gregory P. Barber '69 and Family Head Coach Bill O’Brien. “Boston College is well-represented in New York City and the tri-state area, so to have the opportunity to play in the Northeast, where so many of our fans and alumni call home, is an honor. We look forward to the challenge of competing against the storied Nebraska program.”
“We are honored to host Nebraska and Boston College student-athletes, staff and families at the 2024 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Mark Holtzman, Executive Director of the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. “The holiday season in New York City will provide an unforgettable atmosphere for the week of bowl-related activities, and Yankee Stadium will serve as a majestic stage for these two fantastic universities to showcase their teams in ‘New York’s Bowl Game.’ We are thrilled to welcome Nebraska and its incredible fan base for their long-awaited return to Bowl Season, and their first visit to the current Yankee Stadium. The bowl committee is also excited to welcome back Boston College, which not only has more than 80,000 alumni within 180 miles of Yankee Stadium, but has provided college football fans on the East Coast countless highlights over the decades.“
“We congratulate Nebraska and Boston College on their successful seasons, culminating in an epic battle at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl,” said Peter Ballantyne, CEO of Bad Boy Mowers. “Yankee Stadium is where legends are born, and we can’t wait to see which players and team rise to the occasion, putting their power, performance and attitude on display for all to see.”