If we went back to August and we told Huskers fans that there would be a bowl win and a winning record, most would problaby take that final result. Improvement over last year. A little momentum for the coming fall. In general, hope.

But, the way it played out in New York City was almost too good of a story. The hometown kid — Rahmir Johnson — seals the game, scores the first touchdown and wins game MVP honors. Then, we find out he lost his mom in November? Mercy.

And, Ty Robinson is his dominant self on the defensive line as he certainly could have opted out to wait, and get ready for, the NFL Draft. Few would have blamed him. He never gave it a thought.

As the group chat said, sometimes The Mirror writes itself.

“In a day and age when guys are transferring every time they don’t get what they want — and making it all about their NFL future — we had a sixth-year senior, who had every opportunity and reason to transfer stay and win the MVP.

“And, we had a sixth-year senior, who by all logic should have opted out of the game and was told he wasn’t going to play much in the second half anchor our defensive line and risk hundreds of thousands for a six-win team.”

Not sure there is much more to write, but we’ll give it a shot.

As always, you get The Mirror each week because our friends at South Central Chiropractic in Sutton said you should. We see the Fillies warming up and riding a nice little win streak, too.

Full Control (Almost)

The scoreboard says that Nebraska won a one possession game — 20-15 — at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Man, it sure looked different for the first 52 minutes. Maybe more.

Boston College never really had much a chance or a spark until the game was basically over and the Huskers allowed a blocked punt. The stat sheet plays this out.

Nebraska ran 64 plays for 363 yards, a very nice 5.7 yards per play. The Huskers ran for four yards per carry. Just what we’d want Nebraska to be in all of the other 12 games.

In building a 20-2 lead, Nebraska’s defense was as follows: missed field goal, downs, downs, downs, punt, fumble, downs. Were there yards allowed? Sure. But, the Blackshirts held Boston College to 0-for-4 on fourth down.

The Mirror has often been chastised on Twitter for his “winner’s win” mantra to games. Close games and blowouts alike. Want to know what holding the other team to 0-for-4 on fourth down is? That’s what winners do. No debating that.

Special teams continue to be a clown show for the Big Red, with Matt Rhule promising a full overhaul in the offseason. We’ll see how serious he is here. As our friend Sam McKeown pointed out, that most coaches are ready to emphasize special teams when they take them over.

Couldn’t agree more. Let’s see what we see in Arrowhead in eight months. And enjoy the journey to get there.

The Standard

I guess we’ll make grading the standard a weekly thing here. See how it goes.

1. Win the turnover battle. Huskers lose the turnover battle 2-1 against Boston College. Which begs the great question that Sam pointed out above as well. Nebraska has lost the turnover battle in 11 of Matt Rhule’s 25 games (seven in 2023 and four in 2024). Nebraska is now 4-10 in those games. But losing that battle was a big improvement in 2024. Progress. GRADE: C+. 

2. Most physical team in football. Folks might see the 33 runs and 31 passes and think The Mirror is a bit disappointed in the physicality. But, stay with us here. Boston College’s gambling blitz stuff needed dealt with on the crappiest bowl field of the season. So, in feast or famine mode, we don’t hate how Holgerson handled it. But, where the physical comes in here is that Nebraska’s defense made Boston College give up running the football — 26 runs for 47 yards. FOOTBALL. GRADE: A-.

3. Culture of execution. In the weather like it was, who knows how to grade this thing. For the first 54 minutes, it’s an A or so. For the last six, it was probably a C- (ish). Let’s meet in the middle. GRADE: B-.

Nebraska’s season comes to a screeching halt in New York City. Fred’s boys are roasting Southern as we speak. We might have something to cheer about there for the next few months, too. More players will leave in the portal (Jaylen Lloyd, sad face) but others will come in. It’s the world we live in now, let’s just hope we get a few more Rahmir Johnson and Ty Robinson stories to enjoy along they way.

We know the fine folks at South Central Chiropractic would want you to leave with the great news that Greg Sharpe was named the 2024 Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year last night. No one better.

Off we go into 2025. Football seems fun again. Remember The Mirror, always free thanks to our sponsor. But, be careful. You might get what you pay for.