On Friday, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien held their final press conference before Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl at 11 a.m. (local time) at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

The biggest news from the Zoom press conference came from O’Brien, who announced that two of his best players would be opting out of the bowl in edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and right tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Both players were selected to the All-ACC first team after the regular season.

Ezeiruaku ranks second nationally with 16.5 sacks, while Trapilo made 36 career starts at BC and played the most snaps in the Eagles’ offense (772).

On Nebraska’s side, only receiver Isaiah Neyor opted out of the bowl game as he focuses on preparing for the NFL.

Here are the quick highlights from Rhule’s press conference:

On Friday morning, members of the Nebraska football program and university had the privilege of ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Rhule, athletic director Troy Dannen, university president Jeffrey Gold and players Jahmal Banks, Ty Robinson and Isaac Gifford were able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

“A great opportunity to be at the heart of our country’s economic system and the stock market,” Rhule said. “So I grew up here. If you told me that one day I would be on the floor of the Stock Exchange ringing the bell and then a few hours later I would be on the field at Yankee Stadium, I would never do that.” I believed it. It was really, really great.

The sooner a college football program can get its freshmen – transfers and high school recruits – involved and show them what is expected, the better.

This also applies to Nebraska, which brought in nine new faces who will fully join the team as first-time recruits in January. This group posed for a photo:

From left: OL Houston Kaahaaina-Torres, DL Jaylen George (transfer from East Tennessee State), LB Pierce Mooberry (rehab from a torn ACL from his high school season), DB Caden VerMaas (rehab from a sports hernia), DB Bryson Webber, DB Tanner Terch, QB TJ Lateef, WR Isaiah Mozee and WR Jackson Carpenter.

None of the freshmen who joined the team in New York are eligible to play in the Pinstripe Bowl, but they are allowed to practice. Rhule said those players were unable to practice until classes at UNL ended on Saturday, Dec. 21.

“Then they had to go through an adjustment period, so they didn’t get everything done on the field, but they got a lot done, and I think it was obviously a great opportunity for them to be here, to be around the team “To be at the meetings,” Rhule said. “It’s a jumpstart for her career, having the chance to get to know the guys.”

There is a lot to do in New York City and the team had a lot of fun preparing for the game at Boston College.

But winning the game has always been Rhule’s main theme and Rhule’s main message when his players experience NYC, many of them for the first time.

“That’s why we started training as soon as we landed. When we got here, the first thing we did was literally drive, put our pads on and start hitting,” Rhule said. “I think that’s been the message from day one. We gave them some free time. We did a lot of cool things and celebrated Christmas together. But at the end of the day, this is an opportunity for us to finish our season the right way against an outstanding Boston College football team.”

BC enters the game with a record of 7-5 and is on a two-game winning streak after wins against North Carolina and Pittsburgh.

“If you watch them offensively, they can run the football better than anyone,” Rhule said. “They are body-hugging, sturdy and cause alignment issues because they use tight ends, formations and edges.”

With highs of 46 degrees predicted for the region and a 90% chance of rain, the running game could be an important factor for both teams. That was already the case for both teams anyway.

“You can run it on a day where it can be wet and cold. “That’s obviously a good recipe for victory,” said Rhule. “They always win when they lose the ball, which is probably the most important factor in winning football games. And defensively they are excellent passers, they are physical and tough. Of course that’s what I think when you see this football team, think of Coach O’Brien, who he is, I think they’re a reflection of him and it’s a really good matchup for us to see where we stand.

It’s been a whirlwind for newly promoted defensive coordinator John Butler, Rhule said.

Along with a few young assistants, Butler still coaches defensive backs, his old position group before his promotion, Rhule said. He also coached the defense without a defensive coach, as Terry Bradden will not join the team until after the Kansas City Chiefs season ends. He is currently an assistant D-line coach for KC.

Since Phil Simpson rejoined the program as an outside linebackers coach, he has also taken on some of the defensive line coaching duties. Ira Savage-Lewis, an assistant, helped Simpson.

“I think for John, building a staff, dealing with the transfer portal, recruiting, constantly preparing for the game as far as the schedule, and then also the absence of some of the coaches, I think he just had to work harder.” said Rhule. “But I know he’s excited about it because he’s excited about the opportunity to be our coordinator.”

Rhule didn’t have to think long about that question: Jaylen Lloyd and a few others, including a certain true freshman.

“I think Jaylen Lloyd is a very, very talented player and this gives him even more opportunities. It obviously gave Jacory (Barney Jr.) opportunities. Jahmal Banks has been a starter for us all year, so that gives him even more opportunities,” Rhule said. “And then some of the young guys, Keelan Smith, who is really developing and getting strong.”

>> GET FULL ACCESS with an annual or monthly subscription for less than $10/month

>> NEW SUBSCRIBERS get 30 days FREE

>> pFind out about the current topics in our INSIDER’S BOARD

>> Follow us on Twitter (@NebraskaRivals)

>> Follow us on Instagram (@nebraskarivals)

>> Subscribe to the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel for FREE