By LARRY FLEISHER

Dylan Raiola passed for 228 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska built an 18-point lead through three quarters and beat Boston College 20-15 on Saturday for its first bowl victory since 2015.

After Nebraska built a 13-2 lead in the first half with scoring drives from Rahmir Johnson and Kwinten Ives, Raiola hit Emmett Johnson with a 13-yard TD pass on fourth down with 3:02 left in the third quarter of a 20-2 lead and the Cornhuskers (7-6) held on for the win.

Raiola completed 23 of 31 passes in front of a large Nebraska crowd that celebrated the team’s first bowl victory since defeating UCLA in the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl and first winning season since 2016.

Raiola completed passes to 10 receivers, including Jahmal Banks, who finished with four receptions for 79 yards.

Rahmir Johnson and Ives scored on short TD runs in the second period, and Nebraska’s defense set up the game-winning score in the third period.

Emmett Johnson scored in the fourth and third games for a 20-2 lead. This result came after John Bullock sacked Boston College quarterback Grayson James, resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Elijah Jeudy at midfield.

James finished 25 of 40 for 296 yards as Boston College (7-6) fell 3-0 in Pinstripe Bowl games.

The Eagles got past midfield on five of their first seven drives, but committed two turnovers and failed to convert on four fourth downs, including two inside the 10-yard line. Boston College finally cashed in with 6:11 left in the fourth when Turbo Richard scored on a 1-yard run, but the two-point conversion failed. BC made it a one-score game on Jordan McDonald’s 2-yard run, one play after possession following a blocked punt.

After a scoreless opening quarter, Rahmir Johnson easily scored on a 4-yard run on the first play of the second period. After BC converted two downs in Nebraska territory, the Cornhusker’s took a 13-0 lead after Ives set up a 2-yard run off a 22-yard run by Rahmir Johnson.

The Eagles scored their only points in the first half when Ashton McShane blocked John Hohl’s extra point and returned it for two points.

souvenir

Nebraska: Showed depth at receiver, with Raiola hitting 10 players with passes, including Thomas Fidone and Emmett Johnson with five each.

Boston College: The Eagles showed their strength at receiver, with nine players catching passes. Lewis Bond and Jeremiah Franklin caught six each

NEXT

Nebraska opens its 2025 season on August 30 against Cincinnati. Boston College will face Fordham on August 30 to open its season.