BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th Champions League goal as Barcelona beat Brest 3-0 to climb provisionally second in the Champions League group standings on Tuesday. The veteran striker slotted home from the spot in the 10th minute to fire the Catalans ahead and reach his milestone, adding a second late on after Dani Olmo’s goal to inflict the French side’s first defeat. After dropping points in their last two outings in La Liga, coach Hansi Flick had urged his players to “eliminate” mistakes in their game and Barca produced a solid display. They got off the mark quickly when Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot clumsily clattered into the back of Lewandowski after the forward controlled Pedri’s cross on his chest. The striker dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty clinically to open the scoring after 10 minutes and bring up his century. It made Lewandowski only the third player to reach that milestone in the competition, behind former Barcelona great Lionel Messi, on 129, and former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, with 140. Under Flick, the forward’s form has improved significantly this season, reaching 22 goals in 19 appearances between La Liga and the Champions League. The 36-year-old has made 125 Champions League appearances with Barcelona and before that German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. “I am very happy, many years ago I did not think I could score more than 100 goals in the Champions League,” Lewandowski told Movistar. “For me the most important thing is that we try to win every game, if I can score, then that’s the perfect solution. “I don’t know how many games we have left before the end of the year but we have to win them all and rest over Christmas.” Barcelona were still without teenage star Lamine Yamal, recovering from an ankle problem, but Raphinha was busy on the right and the Catalans dominated proceedings. They did not create many clear chances though until Fermin Lopez forced a fine save from Bizot with a diving header. The Dutch goalkeeper made amends for his earlier mistake by denying the Spaniard with his leg. Lopez again came close early in the second half when Lewandowski put him in with a neat flick but Bizot was alert to save his low effort. Playmaker Olmo had an effort scrambled off the line by Brendan Chardonnet as Barcelona sought to put the game to bed. The former RB Leipzig midfielder eventually grabbed the second in the 66th minute when he received Gerard Martin’s pass in the box, showing some nifty footwork to dodge Chardonnet and beat Bizot at the near post. Brest thumped RB Salzburg 4-0 and had dropped just two points from their first four matches despite sitting in mid-table in Ligue 1, but were brought down to earth at the Olympic Stadium. Mathias Pereira Lage drilled home to momentarily delight nearly 3,000 traveling supporters but their joy was curtailed when the linesman raised his flag for offside. Barca substitute Pablo Torre should have netted Barcelona’s third when he intercepted a pass with just the goalkeeper to beat, but fired wide. Instead the job fell to Lewandowski and he rolled home his 101st Champions League goal with aplomb, beyond Bizot’s outstretched arm. Brest fall a few places down the table but their strong start to the campaign means they are well placed to secure at least a play-off spot, while Barcelona are aiming to reach the last 16 directly. Flick’s side travel to last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund next, before visiting Benfica and hosting Atalanta.

For now, all eyes are on the European Union as it pursues the truth behind the alleged secret advertising deal between Google and Meta. The tech world awaits the findings of the investigation with bated breath, knowing that the outcome could shape the future of online advertising and competition in the digital age.

As the residents of Nevada recover from the recent earthquake, the community comes together in solidarity to support one another and rebuild any damage that may have occurred. With resilience and determination, the people of Nevada will overcome this natural disaster and emerge stronger than before.Appeals court agrees to end Trump’s classified documents case

RB Salzburg Midfielder: Paris Has Strong Power, We Will Make Every Effort to Create an UpsetUS homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.

Country Garden, one of China's largest property developers, has recently come under fire for a series of issues related to its management practices and project quality. The company was recently criticized and warned by authorities for a variety of reasons, prompting a swift response from Country Garden's leadership.The 2025 New Year’s Eve numerals are displayed in Times Square on Dec. 18, 2024, in New York. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson NEW YORK — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year,” Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what’s good, what’s bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there’s shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it’s time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it’s important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year.” McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma’s Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you’ll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don’t ‘flamingo’ or bury your head in the sand “You can’t manage what you can’t see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025,” said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that’s one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers’ credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams. A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, executive vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution,” said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. “Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said.

But defeating the Pao Wyrm is no easy task. Its resilience is unmatched, its endurance unyielding. Only the most skilled and determined hunters will emerge victorious against this apex predator of the Crimson Forest. Those who do will be hailed as legends, their names whispered in awe and reverence by all who seek to challenge the might of the Pao Wyrm.

OpenAI whistleblower death: Parents want to know what happened to Suchir Balaji after apparent suicide

As the Secretary of the Qionghai City Committee, Zhou Changqiang faces a range of challenges and opportunities. Qionghai City, located in the southern part of Hainan Province, is known for its beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage. However, like many other cities in China, Qionghai is also facing issues such as economic development, environmental protection, and social welfare.Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 14 (ANI/WAM): The Department of Energy - Abu Dhabi (DoE) has been awarded the prestigious Visionary Leadership for the Most Progressive Disruptive Policy in Water Reuse Award at the IDRA World Congress 2024 Gala Awards Dinner. The award, presented during a ceremony at the Emirates Palace Hotel, recognises the DoE's pioneering efforts in tackling global water challenges and its commitment to innovative policy-making in water reuse. The event was attended by senior leadership from the energy and water sectors along with esteemed attendees of the congress. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, the DoE's Chairman, accepted the award and remarked, "Receiving the Visionary Leadership Award is a testament to Abu Dhabi's commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions in water management. This recognition highlights the innovative projects and policies Abu Dhabi's water sector has implemented to drive impactful change in water sustainability. When we collaborate, we can achieve significant change in water sustainability, making a lasting impact on communities across the world". Also Read | Boat Capsize off Greek Island: 1 Dead, 33 Rescued After Boat Carrying Migrants Sinks off Coast of Crete. "Our partnership with IDRA has been instrumental in advancing these efforts, as it provides a platform for sharing cutting-edge solutions and driving the implementation of sustainable water management practices. Through our work with international stakeholders, we can ensure that our collective efforts secure a resilient, water-sustainable future for generations to come", he added. In addition, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative received the IDRA Presidential Award during the event, underscoring its significant contributions to addressing global water challenges. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia As Kyiv Reels From Consecutive Massive Air Attacks. The Gala Awards Dinner was a highlight of the Congress, bringing together experts and leaders in desalination, water reuse, and sustainability to celebrate advancements aligned with the Congress's mission of driving innovative solutions for water scarcity. The IDRA World Congress 2024, hosted by the Department of Energy - Abu Dhabi (DoE), concluded with an inspiring Closing Ceremony at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Held under the theme 'Addressing Water Scarcity' the Congress tackled some of the most urgent challenges facing the water sector while advancing discussions on sustainability, resilience, and innovation. More than 1200, attendees from over 50 countries participated in the IDRA World Congress 2024, making it one of the largest gatherings of water industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to date. The Congress witnessed the presentation of more than 225 research papers, and featured over 100 technical sessions, keynote addresses, thematic program panels and a dedicated Leaders Summit, all designed to share transformative insights into global water management. Highlights also included a Hackathon at Khalifa University, an XPRIZE Team Summit, the IDRA Young Leaders Summit, and plant tours. The Congress brought forward critical conversations around the integration of renewable energy into desalination, advancements in water reuse technologies, and the use of AI and digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency in the water sector. A highlight of the Congress was the exchange of insights on the water-energy nexus, which addressed pressing issues such as high residential water consumption and reliance. Fady Juez, President of IDRA, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative spirit that defined the event, "The IDRA World Congress 2024 has been an incredible platform for shaping the future of global water management. Abu Dhabi's leadership has been instrumental in advancing this agenda, and we are inspired by the progress made during this exceptional week." The Closing Ceremony also reconfirmed plans for the next IDRA World Congress, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2026, ensuring the momentum continues. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)LOST IN NEW YORK ON THE SUBWAY — And what that means is, you’re on an E train because you stood on the wrong platform for C train you wanted, and there it goes, goodbye, and here you are, boarding the E train — vaguely aware of it — for the sake of doing something other than just waiting 12 minutes for the train you want. We can get into tangles that way. We can also end up in a better spot than we’d planned. During Nebraska’s 2024 season, it seemed like, more than once, NU sought more trouble than it had already caused by waiting for Matt Rhule’s initial staff to win big. Offensive gaffes cost the Huskers in 2023, while special teams blew up in Nebraska’s face in 2024. The offensive issues lingered, too; backs and receivers didn’t execute with purpose or precision. Rhule moved briskly to address the first issue by hiring, midseason, a new offensive coordinator. Dana Holgorsen was a good risk — given his Air Raid background, an odd pairing for the Big Ten — who paid off. NU went 2-2 in his four games calling plays, quarterback Dylan Raiola played more crisply, and when the Huskers absolutely needed the offense to come through, it did, triggering on-field confetti and postgame cigars. “I was fired up for our offense,” Rhule said. “It was the first time the offense took the ball and said enough is enough and went down the field.” The coach was full of rhetorical gems Saturday, and it’s credit to him that he could treat the Pinstripe Bowl win as something more than barely escaping defeat. Rhule has a gift for making three hours on a football field larger than the final score, and his tribute to Rahmir Johnson — who won MVP honors and rushed for 60 yards — gave a glimpse into why Rhule recruits transfers and high school players well. “I hope he wears his pads home on the subway and goes to his apartment, takes that MVP trophy and takes it out tonight somewhere,” Rhule said. Couldn’t have written it better. Rhule’s a football romantic in an age of social media-fueled, hard-bitten realists. He lives the journey of each season, which, at roller coaster Nebraska, can take a toll of his own. NU notched its first winning season since 2016 — what everyone wanted — and now, almost naturally, fans want to know how Rhule will rectify copious special teams debacles. He promises an “overhaul.” Sounds good. That unit needs one as Rhule and the Huskers aim to make a big jump in 2025. The plotting for that, as Rhule knows, begins now. Don’t count on the rest of the Big Ten standing still. Someone is going to be 2025’s version of 2024 Indiana. The expectation among many fans, fair or not, is that Rhule, in Year 3 of his tenure and Year 2 of Dylan Raiola’s career, will develop a team capable of 10 or 11 wins. The Leap Year is now upon us. Nebraska’s outgoing seniors, with some help from Raiola, Jacory Barney and a few others, produced a competitive 12-13 record over Rhule’s first two seasons, even if NU, with its 3-10 record in one-score games, still seems to be “Chasing 3” headed into the offseason. But Ty Robinson, Isaac Gifford, Bryce Benhart, Rahmir Johnson, John Bullock, Javin Wright, Ben Scott and Co. are gone now. So are four of the coaches off Rhule’s first staff — it could be more by the end of January. NU will need new player leadership and a renewed assistant-coach-player dynamic, all in a revenue-sharing era where it’s going to be fairly obvious — because it’s coming from the school itself — who’s getting paid more. Raiola will rightly get financial priority. So will the line of scrimmage, if you listen to what Rhule likes to emphasize. “We believe that the game is won primarily at the line of scrimmage,” Rhule said. “You have to be able to run the ball, stop the run. You have to be able to protect and affect the passer.” Rhule, now coach and de facto general manager, will be tasked with molding a tough team that’s also, despite all the changes, together. He already has Raiola in the fold and will need him as a locker room culture guy; Raiola has to take captain-level ownership of the whole team, pronto. No. 15 seems up for the task, too. Defensively, Rhule will have to meld an innovative mind — new coordinator John Butler — with old hand Phil Snow, coordinator-level defensive backs coach Addison Williams and two defensive line coaches coming from vastly different ends of the sport, as Phil Simpson spent years in the prep ranks while Terry Bradden has been coaching for the Kansas City Chiefs. These are compelling parts, particularly Butler, who folks around the program see as brilliant. Can they make a great staff? And will Rhule take more of the special teams load? Rhule wants that unit to be a playmaking group, and sometimes a big play is made, like the fake punt pass from Brian Buschini to Gifford. Sometimes the other team makes the play. I’ve long been lukewarm on criticism of special teams coaches — the HC sets the tone there. When Bo Pelini wanted to fix his punt return unit after a rough 2013 season, he took the job himself, taught the schemes, and got results. Likewise, Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz watched Nebraska punk the Hawkeyes’ punt unit in the 2014 game and over time developed the nation’s best special teams unit. He coaches to it, as well. In 2022, Scott Frost had a special teams coordinator, Bill Busch. Who took the hit for the onside kick in Ireland? Frost did. As he should’ve. Rhule can hire and fire whoever he pleases there. The successes and failures are his. Rhule will get a bit of time to reflect on 2024, but not much. So many variables crop up during a season that nine months are spent planning for every contingency — including waiting for the wrong train, or even getting on it. Nebraska ended this season the way it began: With its promise and its flaws in a 12-round fight. By that mucky afternoon in Yankee Stadium, potential won out by a bit. In 2025, Rhule, his coaches, players and NU fans expect that potential to win by a lot. NU’s moved into its new football palace. Its quarterback has a base of knowledge and year’s worth of tape from which to learn. The defense seems to have more four-star generals — including Rhule — than any time in Husker history. If Nebraska can fix special teams — if — well... Rhule and those seniors built the bridge to 2025. Now, the Leap Year is upon us. On with the Rewind. Defensive tackle Ty Robinson: A beast in his final game, with a sack, two tackles for loss, four hurries and a couple devastating blocks on key Husker running plays. He’ll be hard to replace, even if there’s a guy who has the physical tools to do it, Missouri transfer Williams Nwaneri. Running back Rahmir Johnson: A smaller back who always ran with the heart and the style of a big one, Johnson played the game fearlessly at Nebraska. He’s a poet, too, and, one day, he should have one heck of a poem about this season, and Saturday afternoon. Linebacker Vincent Shavers: Five tackles — two for loss — and the feeling that he was literally everywhere on the field, all at once. Pencil him in as a starting middle linebacker. Who plays next to him? John Bullock and Javin Wright, both of whom had strong games, just finished their Nebraska careers. Tight ends Thomas Fidone and Luke Lindenmeyer: Key pieces of the game, with Fidone grabbing five catches in 31 snaps and Lindenmeyer playing 49 snaps. Holgorsen’s made clear that, if you’re playing tight end in this offense, you’re blocking, a lot. Even if Fidone were to go to the NFL — he could, and potentially be a third day NFL Draft pick — Nebraska is in decent shape at the position. Edge rusher MJ Sherman: Starting with the Ohio State game — and perhaps excluding the UCLA game — the Georgia transfer really cranked up his level of play on the edge. He made the fourth down stop late in the second quarter against BC and six total pressures against the Eagles, according to Pro Football Focus. Receiver Jahmal Banks: Four catches, 89 yards, good blocking, and tough grabs in miserable playing conditions. He finished the season with 44 catches for 587 yards and three touchdowns. If you’re ranking NU transfer receivers, he’s behind Trey Palmer and Samori Toure, but ahead of the others. Quarterback Dylan Raiola: College football social media has become too much of a joyless dirge. Online criticism for Raiola’s celebration around Yankee Stadium seemed off-base. Do we not want to see people happy? He’s poised for a big Year 2 if he keeps working on his footwork — cut down on the fadeaway throws — and runs a little more. Cornerback Donovan Jones: Hello, Omaha North! The former Viking played exceedingly well in NU’s defensive backfield, given he was tasked with doing it for the first time. It was stunning to see Jones, who redshirted and played three snaps against UTEP, suddenly leaping the depth chart over Blye Hill, Jeremiah Charles and more. His work in practice clearly caught Butler’s eye. Left tackle Gunnar Gottula: The future’s bright for him after a strong game against Boston College’s pass rush. Nebraska needs one or two tackles out of the portal and some good injury news on either Turner Corcoran or Teddy Prochazka. Boston College quarterback Grayson James: Earned praised from Rhule for his play against a tough Nebraska pass rush. James threw several third down darts and scrambled for a few first downs, too. Without the benefit of a run game, he kept BC competitive. Yankee Stadium — with one exception: This stadium, wedged into the hard-edged Bronx cityscape, is a stunner. First class, fortress-like design, authoritative-but-helpful stadium workers, good food (for the media and the masses). It’s an exceedingly impressive venue — that did not have turf suited for a December football game in the rain. The grass didn’t kick up in tufts, like I once saw at Notre Dame, but sat below the thinnest film of water that turned the playing surface into a Slip ‘N Slide. People watching on TV could compare what they saw in the Pinstripe Bowl with a much more lush-seeming grass at Fenway Park, and note the difference. 226.3: Passing yards per game for Dylan Raiola in four games under Holgorsen’s leadership. That’s nine more yards per game than he averaged for the entire season, and 12 more yards per game than he averaged under former offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield. Raiola completed 71.4% of his passes with Holgorsen, 67.2% for the whole season and 64.9% with Satterfield. The numbers, to some degree, speak for themselves. 18: Catches by the tight ends over the last four games of the season. That’s six by Thomas Fidone, five by the now-transferred Nate Boerkircher, four from Luke Lindenmeyer, two from Carter Nelson and one from Heinrich Haarberg, who has now moved to the position. The backs had 28 catches over those final four games under Holgorsen. NU’s staff feels like it’ll have more and better receiver options in 2025 — coaches are particularly excited for Kentucky transfer Dane Key — but the tight end and back numbers show Holgorsen’s interest in a high completion rate getting yards after the catch. 30: Sacks for the season, which is down two from 2024, when the Huskers appeared better at rushing from depth (Luke Reimer was still on the team) and former defensive coordinator Tony White was a tad more aggressive. We saw that aggression from new defensive coordinator John Butler Saturday, and it paid off with three sacks and John Bullock’s forced fumble, which set up NU’s last touchdown. Because of transfer portal departures, Nebraska lacked its usual edge rushing prowess, but coaches hope portal additions Dasan McCullough and Jaylen George help clear that up. 40.7: Opponents’ fourth down conversion rate. That currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 15th nationally, and NU’s fourth down defense played the largest role in wins over Rutgers (2 of 6 on fourth down) and Boston College (0 of 4). Colorado, which turned out to be Nebraska’s best win of the year, only converted 1 of 3 in the Huskers 28-10 victory back in September. 4-10: Nebraska’s record, under Rhule, when it loses the in-game battle in turnover margin. NU finished 3-7 in 2023 — with wins over Illinois, Northwestern and Purdue — and 1-3 this season, with losses to Indiana, UCLA and Iowa and the win, at season’s end, over Boston College. For the season, Nebraska finished -2 in turnover margin, its best figure since 2019, when the Huskers finished at 0. Raiola threw 12 interceptions — down four from 2023 — and, more importantly, Nebraska lost just seven fumbles, down from 15 in 2023. Under Rhule, the Huskers are 6-1 when they win the turnover battle, 2-2 when they break even and 4-10 when they lose it. After each game, I ask fans for their feedback on NU’s play. Selected and edited responses follow. Fred Wedemeyer: “Defense was outstanding, offense was pretty good other than a few mistakes, but wow, is there any other program in the country with worse special teams?” Jay Hoffman: “A cathartic Husker bowl win for a team that has been through a lot. I was in the stands and saw several fans noticeably emotional and immensely appreciative watching Johnson win the MVP. We can worry about special teams next week. Time to pop the bubbly and celebrate.” Michael Messerly: “Moving forward bowl games need to stop being played at baseball stadiums. The playing surface at Yankee stadium is atrocious.” Travis Hawkinson: “Loved what I saw from younger players. Wish we had one more year of (Jahmal) Banks. That would truly give us some great WRs. He really looked way better under Holgorsen than he did under(Marcus) Satterfield.” Cincinnati football — Nebraska’s first opponent in 2025 — is a program still making the leap from Group of Five conference power to a Big 12 team. Since joining its new league, UC Is 8-16 overall and 4-14 in league games. This includes a five-game losing streak to end the 2024 season and put coach Scott Satterfield, finishing his second year with the Bearcats, on a seat just as hot as the one Luke Fickell, Cincinnati’s former coach, sits on at Wisconsin. Defense is the issue; UC allowed 6.67 yards per play last season and 6.07 yards per play in 2024. On offense, Cincinnati returns quarterback Brendan Sorsby — previously at Indiana — after he threw 18 touchdown passes in 2024. He’s a keeper, as is tight end Joe Royer, who spent three years as a Ohio State backup before coming to Cincy and breaking Travis Kelce’s single-season tight ends reception record with 50 grabs for 521 yards and three scores. The Bearcats will open a new football practice facility this summer, and obviously didn’t want to turn down the financial opportunity afforded to them by playing in Arrowhead Stadium, where Nebraska will have 50,000 fans — at least. A satisfied Husker fan base settles in for a winter of Fred Hoiberg’s basketball team — Brice Williams is a sneaky possible Big Ten player of the year candidate — and portal watchin’ for that needed offensive lineman. NU football returns to offseason workouts in late January with genuine momentum. Get local news delivered to your inbox!