SEPT. 1
SOUTHERN MISS
SEPT. 8
at UCLA
SEPT. 15
ARKANSAS STATE
SEPT. 22
IDAHO STATE
SEPT. 29
WISCONSIN (HOMECOMING)
OCT. 6
at OHIO STATE
OCT. 20
at NORTHWESTERN
OCT. 27
MICHIGAN
NOV. 3
at MICHIGAN STATE
NOV. 10
PENN STATE
NOV. 17
MINNESOTA
NOV. 23
at IOWA HOME GAMES IN BOLD
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Quick Facts, Schedule...................................................... 1 Spring Roster/Returning Letterwinners and Starters.....2-4 Nebraska Coaching Staff............................................. 6-12 Spring Notes/Position Outlook................................. 13-19 Returning Letterwinner Biographies......................... 20-37 2012 Newcomers................................................... ...38-41 2011 Honors, Recap, Statistics.................................. 42-62 2011 Nebraska Seniors............................................. 63-69 Series Results vs. 2012 Opponents............................ 70-72
HUSKER FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Head Coach............................. Bo Pelini (Ohio State, 1990) Record..............................................39-16, fifth season Assistant Coaches Barney Cotton.............Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line Tim Beck......................Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks John Papuchis.................................... Defensive Coordinator Ron Brown......................................................Running Backs Ross Els..............................................................Linebackers/ .........Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator Rich Fisher.................................................... Wide Receivers John Garrison................ Assistant Offensive Line/Tight Ends Terry Joseph......................................................... Secondary Rick Kaczenski.................................................Defensive Line Jeff Jamrog . ...................Assistant A.D./Football Operations Vince Marrow..........................Offensive Graduate Assistant T.J. Hollowell........................... Defensive Graduate Assistant James Dobson....................... Head Football Strength Coach
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Lincoln, Neb., 68588-0123 Population: 258,379 Founded: 1869 Enrollment: 24,610 Football Stadium/Field: Memorial Stadium (1923)/ Tom Osborne Field (1998) Capacity: 81,091 Surface: FieldTurf Nickname: Cornhuskers or Huskers Colors: Scarlet and Cream Conference: Big Ten Chancellor: Harvey S. Perlman, J.D. Institutional Rep.: Josephine Potuto, J.D. Athletic Director: Tom Osborne Assistant A.D./Media Relations (Football Contact): Keith Mann Media Relations Director of Operations: Jeff Griesch Associate MRD: Shamus McKnight Assistant MRDs: Matt Smith, Jeremy Foote, Hilary Winter Media Relations Admin. Assistant: Vicki Capazo Athletic Department Photographer: Scott Bruhn Design Specialist: Annie Wood Media Relations Intern: Scott Pulverenti Student Assistants: Derek Brandt, Brett Crevier, BreAnna Haessler, Makayla Hipke, Claire Porter, Connor Stange
ADMINISTRATION
President: J.B. Milliken Board of Regents Timothy Clare, LIncoln Howard Hawks, Omaha Chuck Hassebrook, Lyons Bob Whitehouse, Papillion Jim McClurg, Ph.D., Lincoln Kent Schroeder, J.D., Kearney Bob Phares, North Platte Randolph Ferlic, M.D., Omaha Student Regents Lane Carr, UN-Lincoln Jordan Gonzales, UN-Kearney Elizabeth O’Connor, UN-Omaha Faisal Ahmed, UN-Medical Center
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Date Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 23 Dec. 1
Opponent Southern Miss at UCLA Arkansas State Idaho State Wisconsin# (HC) at Ohio State# at Northwestern# Michigan# at Michigan State# Penn State# Minnesota# at Iowa# Big Ten Championship
Site Lincoln, Neb. Los Angeles, Calif. Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Columbus, Ohio Evanston, Ill. Lincoln, Neb. East Lansing, Mich. Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Iowa City, Iowa Indianapolis, Ind.
Stadium Memorial Stadium Rose Bowl Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium Ohio Stadium Ryan Field Memorial Stadium Spartan Stadium Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium Kinnick Stadium Lucas Oil Stadium
For more information on Nebraska’s series history against 2012 opponents, see pages 70-72 #-Big Ten Conference game.
2011 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS (9-4, 5-3 in BIG TEN)
Date Opponent (Rank) Sept. 3 Chattanooga Sept. 10 Fresno State Sept. 17 Washington Sept. 24 at Wyoming Oct. 1 at Wisconsin (7) Oct. 8 Ohio State Oct. 22 at Minnesota Oct. 29 Michigan State (9) Nov. 5 Northwestern Nov. 12 at Penn State (12) Nov. 19 at Michigan (20) Nov. 25 Iowa Capital One Bowl (Orlando, Fla.) Jan. 2 South Carolina (10)
Series NU leads, 2-1 NU leads, 6-4 NU leads, 1-0 first meeting Series tied, 3-3 OSU, 2-1 NU, 3-2 UM, 4-2-1 NU, 6-0 Series tied, 7-7 UM, 29-21-2 NU, 27-12-3 2nd Annual
Television BTN BTN ABC Versus ABC ABC ABC ESPN BTN ESPN ESPN ABC
Result W, 40-7 W, 42-29 W, 51-38 W, 38-14 L, 48-17 W, 34-27 W, 41-14 W, 24-3 L, 28-25 W, 17-14 L, 45-17 W, 20-7
Attendance 84,883 85,501 85,110 32,617 81,834 85,426 49,187 85,641 85,115 107,903 113,718 85,595
ESPN
L, 30-13
61,351
HUSKERS BRIEFLY IN 2011
2011 BIG TEN STANDINGS
Overall Record: 9-4 Big Ten Record: 5-3 Home: 6-1; Away: 3-2; Neutral: 0-1 Total Attendance: 1,043,031 Average Attendance: 80,233 Home Attendance: 596,871 Average Home Attendance: 85,267
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
General
Offense (National Rank) Yards Rushing/Game: 217.2 (15) Yards Rushing/Att.: 4.6 Passing Yards/Game: 162.7 (104) Passing Yards/Att./Comp.: 2,115/293/164 Total Net Yards/Game: 379.9 (66) Total Net Yards/Att.: 5.5 Points/Game: 29.2 (50) Turnover Margin/Game: -.08 (67) Defense (National Rank)
Legends Division Team Michigan State Michigan Nebraska Iowa Northwestern Minnesota
Leaders Division 1. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Team Wisconsin Penn State Purdue Ohio State Illinois Indiana
Big Ten 7-1 6-2 5-3 4-4 3-5 2-6
Overall 11-3 11-2 9-4 7-6 6-7 3-9
Big Ten 6-2 6-2 4-4 3-5 2-6 0-8
Overall 11-3 9-4 7-6 6-7 7-6 1-11
Big Ten Championship Game Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39 (Indianapolis)
Yards Rushing/Game: 158.5 (64) Passing Yards/Game: 192.2 (18) Total Net Yards/Game: 350.7 (37) Total Net Yards/Attempt: 5.2 Points/Game: 23.4 (42) Pass Efficiency Defense: 120.4 (34)
Nebraska's 2012 Non-Conference Opponents Team Overall Bowl Southern Miss 12-2 Hawaii UCLA 6-8 Kraft Hunger Arkansas State 10-3 GoDaddy.com Idaho State 2-9
Spring Football Guide Credits
Mission Statement
The 2012 Nebraska Football Spring Guide and Game Program was written by Media Relations Director Keith Mann with assistance from members of the Media Relations Staff, including Shamus McKnight, Matt Smith and Scott Pulverenti. Cover design by Design Specialist Annie Wood. Photgraphy by Scott Bruhn. The book was printed by the University of Nebraska Printing Services. Cost is $5.
The mission of the University of Nebraska Athletic Department is to serve our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans by: Displaying INTEGRITY in every decision and action; Building and maintaining TRUST with others; Giving RESPECT to each person we encounter; Pursuing unity of purpose through TEAMWORK; Maintaining LOYALTY to student-athletes, co-workers, fans and the University of Nebraska.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
NEBRASKA 2012 SPRING FOOTBALL ROSTER Numerical Roster
No. 1 * 2 *** 2 * 3 ** 3 * 4 5 * 5 * 6 * 6 *** 7 7 * 8 * 9 ** 9 10 * 10 * 11 * 12 12 *** 13 13 *** 14 15 * 16 * 16 17 ** 18 ** 19 19 * 21 * 22 *** 22 24 24 25 25 *** 26 26 29 30 30 31 *** 31 * 32 34 *** 35 36 37 * 38 *** 39 *** 40 40 41 * 41 42 ** 43 * 44 45 **
2
Name.................................Pos. Harvey Jackson.......................S Antonio Bell......................... CB Aaron Green......................... IB Taylor Martinez...................QB Daimion Stafford....................S Mohammed Seisay.................CB Braylon Heard...................... CB Josh Mitchell........................ CB Corey Cooper..........................S Tim Marlowe......................WR Taariq Allen.......................... WR Joseph Carter....................... DE Ameer Abdullah.................... IB Jason Ankrah....................... DE Tyson Broekemeier............... QB Jamal Turner.......................WR Dijon Washington...................S Andrew Green..................... CB Ron Kellogg III........................ QB Courtney Osborne..................S Daniel Davie...........................CB P.J. Smith................................S Bronson Marsh...................... QB Brion Carnes........................QB Stanley Jean-Baptiste.......... CB Yusef Wade............................CB Ciante Evans........................ CB Quincy Enunwa...................WR Mike Marrow.......................... FB Wil Richards............................S Steven Osborne..................WR Rex Burkhead........................ IB Derek Slaughter..................... LB Murat Kuzu.............................RB Austin Williams..................... DB Joey Felici...............................CB Kyler Reed.............................TE Anthony Ridder......................CB Tyler Wullenwaber............... WR Seth Jameson.........................CB Derek Foster...........................CB Richard Wynne Jr................. WR Jase Dean............................. CB C.J. Zimmerer........................FB Greg Milliken..........................CB Cameron Meredith.............. DE Andrew Holt...........................CB Eddie Ridder........................... TE Mauro Bondi........................ PK Graham Stoddard.................FB Justin Blatchford.....................S Max Pirman............................ LB Zach Taylor..............................IB Jake Long..............................TE David Santos........................... LB Sean Fisher...........................LB Trevor Roach.........................LB Micah Kreikemeier................. LB Alonzo Whaley......................LB
Alphabetical Roster
Lettermen in Bold; *-Indicates Letters Earned; Class indicates 2012 fall eligibility) No. 8 * 7 70 9 ** 70 47 82 2 *** 80 * 39 *** 37 * 9 22 *** 46 15 * 7 * 51 77 * 51 *** 6 * 81 *** 68 * 67 13 31 *** 87 18 ** 17 ** 88 * 25 42 ** 30 95 2 * 11 * 99 * 54 5 * 35 85 * 1 * 72 * 29 16 * 12 52 44 53 24 75 41 * 61 * 96 *** 92 *** 49 6 *** 19 14 46 *** 3 ** 89 34 ***
Name Abdullah, Ameer Allen, Taariq Anderson, Kenny Ankrah, Jason Ash, Nick Ashburn, Walker Barry, Robert Bell, Antonio Bell, Kenny Blatchford, Justin Bondi, Mauro Broekemeier, Tyson Burkhead, Rex Burtch, Sam Carnes, Brion Carter, Joseph Chapek, Brandon Choi, Seung Hoon Compton, Will Cooper, Corey Cotton, Ben Cotton, Jake Criss, Scott Davie, Daniel Dean, Jase Dixon, Taylor Enunwa, Quincy Evans, Ciante Evans, Tyler Felici, Joey Fisher, Sean Foster, Derek Gangwish, Jack Green, Aaron Green, Andrew Guy, Jay Hayes, Aaron Heard, Braylon Holt, Andrew Hyland, KC Jackson, Harvey Jackson, Justin Jameson, Seth Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Kellogg III, Ron Klachko, Ryan Kreikemeier, Micah Kucera, Adam Kuzu, Murat Long, Chris Long, Jake Long, Spencer Maher, Brett Mangieri, P.J. Manninger, Matt Marlowe, Tim Marrow, Mike Marsh, Bronson Martin, Eric Martinez, Taylor McDermott, Conor Meredith, Cameron
Pos. IB WR DT DE OL DE TE CB WR S PK QB IB WR QB DE OL OL LB S TE OL OL CB CB WR WR CB WR CB LB CB LB IB CB DT OL CB CB WR S OL CB CB QB OL LB OL RB OL TE OL P/PK LS LB WR FB QB DE QB TE DE
Ht. 5-9 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-8 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-6 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-1 5-9 6-6 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-6 5-11 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-4 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-4
Wt. 185 200 260 265 285 255 245 200 185 200 200 185 210 190 200 265 310 295 230 210 255 295 280 185 200 195 215 185 200 175 235 190 230 190 195 290 265 185 200 215 210 280 200 215 210 300 220 300 195 280 245 305 185 240 220 175 250 200 255 200 255 265
Yr. So. RFr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. RFr. Sr. RFr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Jr. RFr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. RFr. Sr. So. RFr. So. Jr. So. Fr. So. So. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. RFr. Sr. RFr. RFr. RFr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. RFr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.
Hometown (High School/College) Homewood, Ala. Weston, Mass. (The Rivers School) Omaha, Neb. (Millard West) Gaithersburg, Md. (Quince Orchard) Keller, Texas Kenner, La. Battle Creek, Neb. Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland) Boulder, Colo. (Fairview) Ponca, Neb. Boca Raton, Fla. (West Boca Raton) Aurora, Neb. Plano, Texas (Plano Senior High) Elmwood, Neb. (Elmwood-Murdock) Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee) Jackson, S.C. (Silver Bluff/Chaffey College) Wahoo, Neb. (Bishop Neumann) Lincoln, Neb. (Christian) Bonne Terre, Mo. (North County) Maywood, Ill. (Proviso East) Ames, Iowa Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast) Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep/Wyoming) Beatrice, Neb. Bridgeport, Neb. Wauneta, Neb. (Wauneta-Palisade) Moreno Valley, Calif. (Rancho Verde) Arlington, Texas (Juan Seguin) Waverly, Neb. Omaha, Neb. (Millard South) Omaha, Neb. (Millard North) Elm Creek, Neb. Wood River, Neb. San Antonio, Texas (James Madison) San Antonio, Texas (James Madison) Houston, Texas (Eisenhower) Elkhorn, Neb. Youngstown, Ohio (Cardinal Mooney) Lee’s Summit, Mo. (West) Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X) Fresno, Texas (Hightower) Roca, Neb. (Norris) Southlake, Texas (Southlake Carroll) Miami, Fla. (Westlake Prep/Fort Scott CC) Omaha, Neb. (Westside) Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart-Griffin) West Point, Neb. (Central Catholic) Litchfield, Neb. Plano, Texas (Plano Senior High) Blair, Neb. Elkhorn, Neb. Elkhorn, Neb. Kearney, Neb. Peoria, Ill. (Dunlap) Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep) Youngstown, Ohio (Cardinal Mooney) Holland, Ohio (Central Catholic/Eastern Michigan) Omaha, Neb. (Millard South) Moreno Valley, Calif. (Rancho Verde) Corona, Calif. (Centennial) Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep) Huntington Beach, Calif. (Mater Dei)
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL 32 5 * 52 73 * 74 69 48 12 *** 21 * 57 56 62 ** 40 66 76 ** 53 ** 25 *** 65 19 * 26 36 43 * 63 ** 97 * 97 59 41 4 71 ** 22 13 *** 3 * 59 55 *** 57 38 *** 98 40 79 ** 10 * 61 91 16 10 * 45 ** 24 92 26 30 31 *
Milliken, Greg Mitchell, Josh Moore, J.C. Moore, Tyler Moudy, Mike Nickens, Brodrick Okuyemi, Tobi Osborne, Courtney Osborne, Steven Peat Jr., Todd Pelini, Mark Pensick, Cole Pirman, Max Price, Givens Qvale, Brent Randle, Thaddeus Reed, Kyler Reeves, Ryne Richards, Wil Ridder, Anthony Ridder, Eddie Roach, Trevor Rodriguez, Andrew Rome, Chase Rotherham, Joseph Sailors, Will Santos, David Seisay, Mohammed Sirles, Jeremiah Slaughter, Derek Smith, P.J. Stafford, Daimion Starkebaum, Colby Steinkuhler, Baker Sterup, Zach Stoddard, Graham Sutton, David Taylor, Zach Thompson, Brandon Turner, Jamal Uher, Jeff Vestal, Donovan Wade, Yusef Washington, Dijon Whaley, Alonzo Williams, Austin Williams, Kevin Wullenwaber, Tyler Wynne Jr., Richard Zimmerer, C.J.
CB CB DL OL OL OL DT S WR DT OL OL LB OL OL DT TE OL S CB TE LB OL DT LS OL LB CB OL LB S S LB DT OL FB TE IB OL WR DT DE CB S LB DB DT WR WR FB
husker coaching staff
6-1 5-11 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-4 6-7 6-1 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-6 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-6 5-11 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-8 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-6 6-1 6-1 6-5 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-1 5-9 6-0
200 165 270 300 305 305 275 200 210 305 285 275 215 285 315 300 230 295 195 195 230 235 325 285 220 270 220 200 310 200 210 205 220 290 295 235 240 210 300 185 280 260 185 185 230 200 270 195 175 230
Fr. So. So. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. RFr. So. Jr. RFr. RFr. Sr. Jr. Sr. RFr. Jr. RFr. RFr. So. Jr. So. RFr. RFr. RFr. Jr. Jr. RFr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. RFr. Sr. RFr. So. Sr. So. So. So. So. Jr. Sr. So. RFr. So. RFr. Jr.
Wahoo, Neb. Corona, Calif. (Eleanor Roosevelt) Fremont, Neb. Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside) Castle Rock, Colo. (Douglas County) Alliance, Neb. Maple Grove, Minn. (Wayzata) Garland, Texas (South Garland) Garland, Texas (South Garland) Tempe, Ariz. (Corona Del Sol) Youngstown, Ohio (Cardinal Mooney) Lincoln, Neb. (Northeast) Orrville, Ohio Houston, Texas (Alief Taylor) Williston, N.D. Galena Park, Texas (North Shore) Shawnee, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas) Crete, Neb. Lee’s Summit, Mo. (West) West Point, Neb. (Central Catholic) Omaha, Neb. (Mount Michael Benedictine) Elkhorn, Neb. Aurora, Neb. Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge) Green Bay, Wis. (Notre Dame de la Baie Academy) Lincoln, Neb. (Northeast) Spring, Texas (Klein Collins) Springfield, Va. (Eastern Arizona CC/Memphis) Lakewood, Colo. (Bear Creek) Pelham, Ala. River Ridge, La. (John Curtis) Norco, Calif. (Norco/Chaffey College) Sterling, Colo. Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest) Hastings, Neb. (Hastings St. Cecilia) Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest) Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast) Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast) The Woodlands, Texas Arlington, Texas (Sam Houston) Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep) Arlington, Texas (Bowie) Lincoln, Neb. (North Star) Lawndale, Calif. (Leuzinger) Madisonville, Texas Omaha, Neb. (Burke) Holland, Ohio (Springfield) Utica, Neb. (Centennial) Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep) Omaha, Neb. (Gross)
Head Coach: Bo Pelini, 39-16, fifth season at Nebraska Defensive Coordinator: John Papuchis; Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Tim Beck; Running Backs: Ron Brown; Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line: Barney Cotton; Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator: Ross Els; Wide Receivers: Rich Fisher; Assistant Offensive Line/Tight Ends: John Garrison; Defensive Line: Rick Kaczenski; Secondary: Terry Joseph; Head Football Strength Coach: James Dobson; Assistant A.D./Football: Jeff Jamrog; Offensive Graduate Assistant: Vince Marrow; Defensive Graduate Assistant: T.J. Hollowell; Head Football Trainer: Mark Mayer; Equipment Manager: Jay Terry.
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46 46 *** 47 48 49 51 51 *** 52 52 53 53 ** 54 55 *** 56 57 57 59 59 61 * 61 62 ** 63 ** 65 66 67 68 * 69 70 70 71 * 72 * 73 * 74 75 76 ** 77 * 79 ** 80 * 81 *** 82 85 * 87 88 * 89 91 92 *** 92 95 96 ** 97 * 97 98 99 *
Sam Burtch........................... WR Eric Martin........................... DE Walker Ashburn.....................DE Tobi Okuyemi.........................DT Matt Manninger.................... LB Brandon Chapek.....................OL Will Compton........................LB Ryan Klachko..........................OL J.C. Moore...............................D: Adam Kucera..........................OL Thaddeus Randle................. DT Aaron Hayes...........................OL Baker Steinkuhler................ DT Mark Pelini.............................OL Todd Peat Jr............................DT Zach Sterup............................OL Will Sailors..............................OL Colby Starkebaum.................. LB Spencer Long....................... OL Jeff Uher.................................DT Cole Pensick......................... OL Andrew Rodriguez............... OL Ryne Reeves...........................OL Givens Price............................OL Scott Criss...............................OL Jake Cotton.......................... OL Brodrick Nickens....................OL Kenny Anderson.....................DT Nick Ash..................................OL Jeremiah Sirles..................... OL Justin Jackson...................... OL Tyler Moore......................... OL Mike Moudy...........................OL Chris Long...............................OL Brent Qvale.......................... OL Seung Hoon Choi................. OL Brandon Thompson............. OL Kenny Bell...........................WR Ben Cotton............................TE Robert Barry........................... TE KC Hyland...........................WR Taylor Dixon......................... WR Tyler Evans..........................WR Conor McDermott.................. TE Donovan Vestal......................DE P.J. Mangieri.........................LS Kevin Williams........................DT Jack Gangwish........................ LB Brett Maher......................P/PK Chase Rome......................... DT Joseph Rotherham................. LS David Sutton........................... TE Jay Guy................................ DT
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
HUSKER EXPERIENCE RETURNING/LOST EXPERIENCE RETURNING/LOST
Total Starters Returning: 17 (8 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialists) Total Starters Lost: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense) Offensive Starters Returning (No. of 2011 starts): 8–WR Kenny Bell (11); WR Quincy Enunwa (7); OG Seung Hoon Choi (6); OG Spencer Long (13); OG Andrew Rodriguez (7); TE Ben Cotton (11); QB Taylor Martinez (13); IB Rex Burkhead (13) Other Offensive Players with 2011 Starting Experience (No. of starts): WR Tim Marlowe (1); OT Tyler Moore (4); TE Jake Long (2); TE Kyler Reed (4) Offensive Starters Lost: 5–WR Brandon Kinnie (7); C Mike Caputo (13); OT Yoshi Hardrick (13); OT Marcel Jones (9); FB Tyler Legate (6) Other Offensive Players with 2011 Starts Lost: WR Khiry Cooper (1) Defensive Starters Returning (No. of 2011 starts): 7–DE Jason Ankrah (9); DE Cameron Meredith (13); DT Baker Steinkuhler (13); LB Will Compton (11); DB Ciante Evans (7); CB Andrew Green (10); S Daimion Stafford (12) Other Defensive Players with 2011 Starting Experience (No. of starts): DE Eric Martin (2); DT Chase Rome (2); LB Sean Fisher (4); LB Alonzo Whaley (1); DB Justin Blatchford (1); S Corey Cooper (1); CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (1); CB Josh Mitchell (1); S Courtney Osborne (1); S P.J. Smith (1) Defensive Starters Lost: 4-DT Jared Crick (5); LB Lavonte David (13); S Austin Cassidy (13); CB Alfonzo Dennard (10) Other Defensive Players with 2011 Starts Lost: DT Terrence Moore (7); DE Josh Williams (2); DB Lance Thorell (3) Starting Kickers Returning: PK Brett Maher (13); P Brett Maher (13) Starting Kickers Lost: none Specialists Returning: KOR/PR Ameer Abdullah; KOR/PR Tim Marlowe; KOR Kenny Bell; PR Rex Burkhead; LS P.J. Mangieri Starting Specialists Lost: Holder Austin Cassidy Total Lettermen Returning: 57 (27 offense, 27 defense, 3 specialists) Total Lettermen Lost: 27 (14 offense, 11 defense, 2 specialists) *Starter designated by 5 or more starts in 2011
IB:
FB: TE:
DEFENSE
(27 Lettermen Returning/7 Starters) DL:
LB:
DB:
LETTERMEN RETURNING (57)/LOST (27) Starters in Bold (Number of 2011 starts)
OFFENSE
(27 Lettermen Returning/8 Starters) WR:
OL:
TE: QB: FB: IB:
Kenny Bell* (11) Quincy Enunwa** (7) Tyler Evans* KC Hyland* Tim Marlowe* (1) Steven Osborne* Jamal Turner* Seung Hoon Choi* (6) Jake Cotton* Justin Jackson* Spencer Long* (13) Tyler Moore* (4) Cole Pensick** Brent Qvale** Andrew Rodriguez** (7) Jeremiah Sirles** Brandon Thompson** Ben Cotton*** (11) Jake Long* (2) Kyler Reed*** (4) Brion Carnes* Taylor Martinez** (13) C.J. Zimmerer* Ameer Abullah* Rex Burkhead*** (13) Aaron Green* Braylon Heard*
(12 Lettermen Lost/5 Starters) WR: OL:
4
Khiry Cooper*** (1) Brandon Kinnie*** (7) Mike Caputo**** (13) Yoshi Hardrick** (13) Marcel Jones**** (9) Luke Lingenfelter* Brian Thorson*
Curenski Gilleylen**** Austin Jones*** Collins Okafor* Tyler Legate*** (6) Jay Martin** Kevin Thomsen** Lester Ward*
Jason Ankrah** (9) Joseph Carter* Jay Guy* Eric Martin*** (2) Cameron Meredith*** (13) Thad Randle** Chase Rome* (2) Baker Steinkuhler*** (13) Will Compton*** (11) Sean Fisher** (4) Trevor Roach* Graham Stoddard*** Alonzo Whaley** (1) Antonio Bell*** Justin Blatchford*** (1) Corey Cooper* (1) Jase Dean*** Ciante Evans** (7) Andrew Green* (10) Harvey Jackson* Stanley Jean-Baptiste* (1) Josh Mitchell* (1) Courtney Osborne*** (1) Wil Richards* P.J. Smith*** (1) Daimion Stafford** (12) Dijon Washington*
(11 Lettermen Lost/4 Starters) DL: LB: DB:
Jared Crick**** (5) Terrence Moore**** (7) Josh Williams** (2) Lavonte David** (13) Jim Ebke** Mathew May**** Anthony Blue** Austin Cassidy*** (13) Alfonzo Dennard**** (10) Marcus Mendoza** Lance Thorell**** (3)
KICKERS/SPECIALISTS
(3 Lettermen Returning/2 Starters) PK:
Mauro Bondi* Brett Maher*** (13) P: Brett Maher*** (13) LS: P.J. Mangieri*** (13) Holder: none
(3 Lettermen Lost) PK: P: KO: LS: Holder:
none Jon Damkroger* none Sam Meginnis* Austin Cassidy*** (13)
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
head coach bo pelini nebraska record: 39-16, Fifth Season at Nebraska
“It is about the process.” Any Nebraska fan or casual observer of the Cornhusker football program has heard Head Coach Bo Pelini use that phrase to describe his guiding philosophy for his team to be a success. One other fact is very clear: as the disciplined, nononsense head coach begins his fifth season at Nebraska, Pelini’s process is working. The results speak for themselves. Pelini has won at least nine games in THE PELINI FILE each of his first four seasons on the Husker Born: Dec. 13, 1967 sideline. Pelini has also captured at least Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio a share of the conference divisional title Wife: Mary Pat in three of his first four seasons, after Children: Patrick, Kate and Caralyn inheriting a Nebraska team that finished High School: Cardinal Mooney, 1986 5-7 in the season before his arrival. College: Ohio State, 1990 With four straight nine-win seasons to open his head coaching career, Pelini Coaching Experience joins Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne and Nebraska, 2008-present Frank Solich as the only Husker coaches Head Coach to accomplish that feat. Pelini has also put himself in an elite group of BCS LSU, 2005-07 Conference coaches. defensive coordinator In NCAA history, Pelini is only the sixth first-time head coach to win nine games in Oklahoma, 2004 each of his first four seasons among the co-defensive coordinator, defensive 66 schools that currently reside within backs a BCS Conference, plus Notre Dame. Including coaches with previous head Nebraska, 2003 coaching experience, Pelini is only the defensive coordinator, 15th coach at a BCS school to win nine interim head coach for Alamo Bowl games in each of his first four seasons, and the first since Urban Meyer at Florida Green Bay Packers, 2000-02 from 2005 to 2008. linebackers Pelini’s 38 wins over the past four seasons are the most among any of the New England Patriots, 1997-99 18 head coaches who were hired prior to linebackers the 2008 season. His 38 wins in four full seasons have also tied Devaney for the San Francisco 49ers, 1994-96 second-most victories among all head assistant secondary coaches in Nebraska history, one more Cardinal Mooney High School, 1993 than Osborne. In 2011, Pelini faced the challenge of quarterbacks preparing Nebraska for its first season in the Big Ten. Pelini was up to the task, Iowa, 1991 leading the Huskers to a 9-4 record in the graduate assistant regular season. Nebraska faced one of the nation’s most challenging schedules, Playing Experience highlighted by facing 11 new opponents. 1987-90, Ohio State, free safety Four of Nebraska’s eight conference foes were ranked at game time, including a 24-3 victory over No. 9 Michigan State on Oct. 29, that gave Nebraska a win over a top-10 opponent for the second straight year. A win at No. 12 Penn State in November represented the highest-ranked team NU had defeated on the road in 14 seasons. In addition to the ranked teams, seven of the Huskers’ eight Big Ten opponents played in a bowl game, and nine of Nebraska’s 11 FBS opponents reached the postseason. Individually, several Huskers flourished under Pelini’s coaching in 2011. Lavonte David was chosen as a first-team All-American, the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, and he also became just the fourth Husker to be named a finalist for the Butkus Award. David, who became only the fifth Blackshirt to post back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, was also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Lott Trophy. Despite playing only two seasons at Nebraska, David ranks fourth in school history in career tackles. Fellow Blackshirt Alfonzo Dennard battled through injuries to earn the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award. David and Dennard’s honors come on the heels of a Husker being named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Brett Maher was also named the Big Ten Punter and Place-kicker of the Year, becoming the first player to win both awards. Maher also became the first player to earn first-team All-Big Ten recognition as the punter and place-kicker in the same season since 2001. Pelini’s leadership helped NU overcome the challenge of playing in a new conference in 2011, while featuring a first-time offensive coordinator and four new assistant coaches. The Huskers also dealt with their share of injuries, among them playing without Dennard for the beginning of the season and losing 2010 All-American Jared Crick for the year in October. Nebraska finished with a 10-4 record in 2010, giving the Huskers consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since 2000 and 2001.
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During the Huskers’ 2010 run, Pelini also guided NU to wins over Nebraska Under Bo Pelini ranked teams in back-to-back Overall......................................................... 39-16 weeks knocking off Oklahoma vs. AP Ranked Teams....................................... 7-10 State and Missouri in October to vs. AP Top 10 Teams.......................................... 2-7 take control of the Big 12 North. vs. Unranked Teams........................................ 32-6 The victories marked the first time vs. Big Ten Teams............................................... 6-3 NU had defeated top-20 teams in Home............................................................... 23-6 consecutive games since 1999. The Road................................................................ 13-6 win at No. 17 Oklahoma State was, Neutral.............................................................. 3-4 at the time, the highest ranked team In August........................................................... 1-0 NU had defeated on the road since In September................................................... 13-2 1997, while the victory over No. 7 In October....................................................... 10-6 In November................................................... 12-4 Missouri in Lincoln was the highest In December...................................................... 2-3 ranked team NU had defeated in In January.......................................................... 1-1 nine seasons. When Rushing for 200 or more yards............. 24-2 Pelini’s expertise has always When Rushing for 300 or more yards............... 9-0 been defense, and the 2010 When Passing for 200 or more yards.............. 14-7 Blackshirts again reflected his When Passing for 300 or more yards................ 7-1 defensive acumen. The Huskers When NU player rushes for 100 yards............ 26-2 ranked 11th nationally in total When NU has two 100-yard rushers........................4-0 defense, after finishing seventh in When NU player has 100 yards receiving.......... 9-1 that category in 2009. Nebraska also When Opponent has 100 Yd. Rusher................ 9-6 finished in the top in pass efficiency When Scoring 35 or More Points.................... 21-0 defense, passing yards allowed and When Holding Opponent to 10 Pts. or less..... 16-2 scoring defense. When forcing three or more turnovers........... 12-2 In 2009, Pelini guided Nebraska When Nebraska scores first............................. 31-5 to a 10-4 record and the Big 12 North When Nebraska leads at halftime................... 32-2 championship. The Huskers posted When Nebraska trails at halftime.................... 6-13 their first 10-win season in six years When Nebraska is tied at halftime.................... 3-1 and were ranked No. 14 in both final Games decided by 11 points or more............. 28-7 national polls, NU’s highest ranking Games decided by 10 or less............................. 9-7 at the end of the season since 2001. Games decided by 7 or less............................... 4-7 Nebraska fell just one point and Games decided by 3 or less............................... 2-6 one second short of its first Big 12 Overtime games................................................ 1-1 title in a decade, dropping a 13-12 decision to second-ranked Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. Nebraska capped the year with a dominant 33-0 shutout of Arizona in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, giving Pelini the third of three straight bowl wins to open his head coaching career. Nebraska’s path to the conference title game was not an easy one. After a pair of disappointing October losses, Nebraska stood 4-3 overall and just 1-2 in Big 12 play. However, for a second straight year, Pelini did not waver, using his steady process to get his team back on track as Nebraska played its best football to close the season. The Huskers reeled off five straight wins to end the regular season, including three road victories, and captured the division title by two games. The resurgence under Pelini has been due in large part to remarkable defensive improvement – Pelini’s area of expertise before taking over as head coach. Just two seasons removed from ranking near the bottom of several Big 12 and national defensive categories, the Blackshirts ascended to a position as one of the nation’s most dominant defenses in 2009. Nebraska led the nation in scoring defense in 2009, allowing just 10.4 points per game, while pitching a pair of shutouts. The 10.4 points per game marked the lowest average allowed by Nebraska since the Blackshirts also led the nation by allowing 9.5 points per game in 1984. The 2009 season also marked the first time NU posted two shutouts since 2003 when Pelini served as defensive coordinator, and the 2009 Huskers held eight of 14 opponents to 10 or fewer points. The Blackshirts also topped the pass efficiency defense and red zone defense lists and ranked in the top 10 nationally in sacks, rushing defense and total defense. The 272.0 yards per game allowed ranked as NU’s best since 1999. Under Pelini’s guidance, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was one of the most decorated defensive players in college football history. The first defensive lineman to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 15 seasons, Suh finished fourth in the voting. He was also the first defensive player to be named the Associated Press Player of the Year, and was a unanimous All-American. Suh’s hardware included the Outland, Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik awards. The award-winning season for Suh came just two year after LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey won three major national awards and was an All-American while Pelini served as LSU’s defensive coordinator. Suh and Dorsey are the only players in the past 15 seasons to sweep the Nagurski and Bednarik awards. Pelini guided the Huskers to a 9-4 record in 2008, capped by victories in the final four and six of the season’s final seven contests. The late-season surge allowed Nebraska to earn a share of the Big 12 North crown, and the Huskers picked up their ninth win with a 26-21 comeback victory over Clemson in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. The win was a fitting conclusion for a team that developed a toughness that was a direct extension of its head coach.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL Pelini’s nine wins were the most nationally among first-time head coaches in 2008. Nebraska won its final four games of 2008 to carry the longest winning streak into a season since 2000. The 6-1 run to close the year tied for the best by an NU team since 1997, and Nebraska won its final four games for just the second time since 1997. The success under Pelini in 2008 was attributed to both sides of the football. The Husker offense continued to rank among the nation’s best, finishing in the nation’s top 20 in passing offense, scoring offense and total offense. The biggest gains were made on defense, where Pelini implemented his proven defensive system. Nebraska improved its total defensive average by 126.9 yards per game and finished second in the Big 12 in total defense. The run defense allowed 116.5 yards per game, nearly cutting its average from 2007 in half and finishing in the top 25 nationally in that category. The Blackshirts also posted 35 sacks, nearly tripling the total of the previous season. Pelini’s successful first season came as a result of his ability to quickly implement his attitude and leadership into the program. Nebraska Athletic Director and Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne named Pelini the 28th head coach in school history on Dec. 2, 2007. Pelini wasted no time instilling a disciplined approach on and off the field, while also embracing the traditions of the Cornhusker program. Pelini built a coaching staff with close ties to the Nebraska football family. The Nebraska staff includes three former Husker players. Pelini immediately showed the discipline to handle multiple tasks following his hiring. While quickly taking charge of all aspects of the Nebraska program, Pelini was also committed to finishing what he had started at LSU. Pelini returned to Baton Rouge in mid-December of 2007 and successfully orchestrated the defensive game plan for the BCS Championship Game against Ohio State. The 38-24 win was keyed by a defense that forced three turnovers and had five sacks. Following the championship victory, Pelini turned his full focus to Nebraska. His first order of business in Lincoln was to pull together the Huskers’ 2008 recruiting class. Pelini successfully organized and led a recruiting charge that allowed Nebraska to sign a talented and balanced recruiting class that February. Pelini also understands the importance of the storied Nebraska walk-on program, and has integrated it as a key part of the Huskers’ recruiting plan. The Cornhusker staff has welcomed more than 100 walk-ons to the program in Pelini’s first five classes, and will continue to make the walk-on program a focus in future years. Pelini has also reached out to two groups that form the backbone of the tradition-rich Nebraska program-its former players and its passionate fan base. Former Cornhuskers have rallied behind Pelini’s blue-collar approach. In turn the head coach has opened his door to those who helped build the program. Pelini has made a strong effort to connect with former players and those past Cornhuskers have become a fixture in the football offices and at practices. Pelini has made regular public appearances around the state, reaching out to the nation’s most loyal fans. The widespread support for Pelini has been evident at every stop and his simple, humble approach is a perfect fit with Nebraskans. The support for Pelini has been evident since his arrival, beginning with 80,000 fans at the Red-White Spring Game in April of 2008 to loyal followings on the road, at bowl games in Jacksonville and San Diego and the 2009 and 2010 Big 12 Championship Games in Arlington, Texas. That continued in 2011 as Husker fans followed the Big Red through its first tour of the Big Ten Conference. While devoting time to former players, fans and attracting talented future Huskers, Pelini’s No. 1 professional priority has been, and always will be, the current players in his program. Players have responded to his straight-forward message and process: Work hard, do the right thing and success will follow. That hard work and discipline does not end on the field. Pelini’s players have excelled in the classroom since he took over the program. Among Nebraska’s 21-player 2011 senior class, 20 student-athletes will graduate by May of 2012, including 13 who earned their degree by the Capital One Bolw last January. Thirteen of Pelini’s players have earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, with six players earning Academic All-America honors. Safety Austin Cassidy was a two-time first-
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team selection in 2010 and 2011, while junior I-back Rex Burkhead joined Cassidy on the first-team in 2011. Junior linebacker Sean Fisher was a second-team honoree in 2011, joining 2008 second-team selections Todd Peterson and Tyler Wortman. Pelini has also seen 65 of his players earned first-team academic all-conference honors during the past four years. The success Pelini has enjoyed in his first four seasons comes as no surprise. Prior to being named head coach, Pelini enjoyed five seasons as college football’s most successful defensive coordinator. But the success story started much earlier during Pelini’s youth. The youngest of eight children, Pelini grew up in the hard-nosed town of Youngstown, Ohio. Pelini’s parents instilled the discipline at a young age that has guided Bo to success both in and out of athletics. Pelini’s passion for athletics began in Youngstown. After a standout prep career at Cardinal Mooney High School, Pelini went on to Ohio State. A hard-hitting safety, he was known for his passionate and relentless play. Teammates recognized his leadership and elected Pelini a team captain as a senior. The tradition of being part of winning programs did not end after Pelini’s playing career. His coaching career has featured success at every stop along the way. A Super Bowl ring and a national championship are part of the 44-year-old’s impressive resume. That coaching resume included a one-year stop as defensive coordinator at Nebraska. During the 2003 season, Pelini quickly learned the traditions of Nebraska football and its passionate fan base. In turn, Husker fans recognized the discipline and passion instilled by Pelini in the Blackshirt defense. His first stop in Lincoln marked Pelini’s first full-time college coaching job. During that 2003 season, Pelini engineered a dominant Blackshirt defense. The energized, relentless unit finished among the Big 12 and nation’s best in nearly every defensive category. Nebraska finished the year ranked first nationally in pass efficiency defense, second in scoring defense and 11th in total defense. The Huskers set a school and Big 12 record with 32 interceptions and tied an NU record with 47 takeaways, helping Nebraska lead the nation in turnover margin. Pelini began his second tour of duty at Nebraska in 2008 with a victory on his resume. His first tenure in Lincoln was capped by serving as the interim head coach for Nebraska’s dominant 17-3 win over Michigan State in the 2003 Alamo Bowl. In the win, the defense held MSU to just 174 total yards and a first-quarter field goal. More defensive dominance followed in Pelini’s stops at Oklahoma and LSU. Pelini served as the co-defensive coordinator on Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma staff in 2004, helping the Sooners win a Big 12 title and reach the national championship game against USC. Oklahoma finished the season ranked sixth nationally in rush defense, 11th in scoring defense and 13th in total defense. In three seasons as the defensive coordinator at LSU from 2005 to 2007, Pelini’s dominant defenses helped the Tigers compile a 34-6 record, including the 2007 BCS national championship and the Southeastern Conference championship. The BCS title game in January of 2008 marked the third time in four years that Pelini was a part of a team that played in a BCS game. The play of Pelini’s defenses was a key part of LSU’s success. The Tigers ranked third in the nation in total defense in 2007, surrendering an average of 288.8 yards per game. LSU also ranked in the top 25 nationally in pass efficiency defense (3rd), passing yards allowed per game (9th), rush defense (14th) and scoring defense (17th). Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the nation’s most decorated defender in 2007, earning the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, while safety Craig Steltz earned All-America honors. Pelini’s defenses have a history of swarming to the football. LSU forced 36 turnovers in 2007, the third-most takeaways in the country. The Tigers’ 2007 defensive success was the standard for Pelini at LSU, as each of his three LSU defenses ranked No. 3 nationally in total defense. Pelini’s 2006 unit allowed just 242.8 yards per game, the fewest by a Tiger team since 1976. A pair of Tigers earned first-team All-America honors, including Dorsey and safety LaRon Landry, who went on to become the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. In 2005, LSU allowed just 266.9 yards per game, and ranked in the top 10 nationally in all four major defensive categories, including third in total defense, scoring defense and pass efficiency defense. Kyle Williams and Claude Wroten were both first-team All-America picks. Overall, the nine college teams Pelini has been a part of have compiled an impressive 9326 record, winning at least nine games every season. His defenses have posted 10 shutouts and held the opposition to seven points or less 38 times. Before joining the Huskers in 2003, Pelini had nine years of NFL experience, one season at a Division I university, and one year in the high school ranks. Pelini broke into the NFL in 1994 as assistant secondary coach for the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers, Pelini coached in the Super Bowl, helping San Francisco to a 49-26 win over San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX. Pelini held that position for three years before moving to the Patriots. He spent three years as New England’s linebackers coach under coach Pete Carroll, helping the Patriots to a 27-21 record and two playoff appearances. After three years with the Patriots, Pelini moved to the Packers, coaching linebackers for three seasons. In three years in Green Bay with head coach Mike Sherman, the Packers posted a 33-15 record and advanced twice to the playoffs. In 2002, the Packer defense ranked fourth in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 188.4 yards per game. Pelini got his start in coaching in 1991, serving as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa under Hayden Fry. From there he moved into the high school ranks, serving as quarterbacks coach at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio in 1993 before taking the leap to the 49ers. A standout free safety at Ohio State from 1987 to 1990, Pelini earned four letters for the Buckeyes. He was coached by Earle Bruce in 1987 and John Cooper his final three seasons. Pelini helped the Buckeyes to a 15-8 record over his final two seasons as a starter, and he was a three-time selection to the Academic All-Big Ten team. As a senior co-captain Pelini received the “Bo Rein Award,” given annually to the Buckeyes’ most inspirational player. After earning his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Ohio State in 1990, Pelini completed his master’s degree in sports administration at Ohio University in 1992. Pelini and his wife, Mary Pat, have three children, Patrick, 13, and two daughters, Kate, 11 and Caralyn, 9.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Tim beck
defensive coordinator offensive
quarterbacks
Fifth season
Tim Beck enters his fifth season at Nebraska and his second season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2012. Beck spent his first three seasons on staff tutoring the Nebraska running backs. Beck produced impressive results in his first year as an offensive coordinator. Nebraska averaged nearly 30 points per game, and the Huskers scored at least two touchdowns in every game in 2011, a feat NU has accomplished only twice in the past 10 seasons. Nebraska’s rushing attack flourished under Beck’s direction, averaging 217.2 yards per game to rank 15th nationally. Nebraska averaged 200 yards rushing for only the second time in the past eight seasons. Individually, All-Big Ten back Rex Burkhead tied a school record by scoring a touchdown in 10 consecutive games to open the season. His 17 touchdowns were seventh in NU history and are the most by a Husker since Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch scored 19 touchdowns in 2001. Burkhead also finished 19th nationally in rushing (104.4 ypg) and has posted the highest rushing total by a Husker I-back since 2001. His 1,357 rushing yards were the seventh-most in school history and the most by a Husker I-back since 1997. Taylor Martinez added 874 yards on the ground, the ninth-highest total by a quarterback in school history. The Huskers also boasted an efficient passing attack under Beck. Martinez completed 56 percent of his passes and threw for 2,089 yards, the sixth-highest total in school history. Beck has put Martinez in a position to succeed through the air, as the sophomore threw only two interception in the season’s final 30 quarters, a span that totaled 168 pass attempts. Martinez had one streak of 125 straight passes without an interception. Martinez also already posted the top total offense season (2,963) by a Husker sophomore and the third-best overall mark in school history. Beck helped the Huskers’ 2010 rushing attack rank first in the Big 12 and ninth nationally at 247.6 yards per game. Nebraska topped the 200-yard mark 10 times, rushed for 300 yards four times and 400 yards once. The Huskers ranked seventh nationally with an average of 5.47 yards per carry, and Nebraska also posted its first 2,500-yard rushing season since 2003 and scored 30 rushing touchdowns for the first time since 2001. Two-time All-Big 12 selection Roy Helu Jr. ran for a career-high 1,245 yards before being selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Helu Jr. was the first Husker to post back-toback 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Calvin Jones in 1992 and 1993. He also set the all-time Nebraska rushing record with 307 yards against Missouri. Behind Helu Jr., Burkhead earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 accolades and rushed for 951 yards in 2010. In 2009, Nebraska averaged 147.1 rushing yards per game, and outrushed 11 of 14 opponents, including the final six foes of the season. Helu Jr. rushed for 1,147 yards, and ranked fourth in the Big 12 in rushing to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors. In his first season, Beck coached a prolific running game that averaged 169.8 yards per game, including three running backs who topped 450 rushing yards. Under Beck, Nebraska’s running game continued to improve throughout 2008. Nebraska had five games with more than 200 rushing yards in conference play, including a season-high 355 yards against Kansas State. Beck came to Nebraska with excellent knowledge of the conference after a three-year stint on the staff at Kansas. Beck was the Jayhawks’ receivers coach each of his three seasons in Lawrence, and was promoted to pass game coordinator in February of 2007. In 2007, Kansas featured one of the nation’s most potent offenses, helping the Jayhawks to a 12-1 record, an Orange Bowl win and a No. 7 final national ranking. In 2006, five Jayhawk receivers caught at least 24 passes, led by Fields who snared a team-high 45 receptions. In 2005, Beck’s receiving corps helped Kansas to a 7-5 record and a victory in the Fort Worth Bowl. Before joining the Jayhawks, Beck was one of the most respected high school coaches in Texas, serving three seasons at Summit High in Mansfield. He was the 2003 District Coach of the Year, and a year later, Summit High advanced to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs with a 9-4 record. The Jaguars finished the season with the top-ranked defense in the DallasFort Worth metroplex area under Beck’s leadership. Beck was the head coach at R.L. Turner High in Carrollton, Texas, from 1999 to 2001, leading the school to back-to-back playoff appearances and consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 25 years. Beck was named the district coach of the year in 2000. Prior to coaching in the Texas high school ranks, Beck worked at Missouri State for three seasons from 1996 to 1998, including one season as the offensive coordinator. In 1998, the MSU offense racked up 4,542 total yards-the fourth-best single-season mark in school history. Beck was hired at Missouri State after leading Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., to the 1995 4A state championship - the first state championship in the school’s 30-year history. Beck was named the regional coach of the year in 1994, and in his final two seasons at the school, Saguaro compiled a 23-4 record, compared to a 5-43 mark in the previous five seasons. The 46-year-old Beck first gained experience in the Big 12 Conference as a graduate assistant at Kansas State in 1991 and 1992 under Head Coach Bill Snyder. Previously, Beck coached the outside linebackers and punters at Illinois State in 1990, and worked in 1988 and 1989 as an assistant coach at Miramar High School. Beck is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High. Beck was a standout in football, basketball and baseball at Cardinal Mooney. Beck played at Central Florida and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1988 before adding a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from KSU in 1992. He and his wife, Tamara, have a son, Jordan, and a daughter, Haylie Marie.
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John Papuchis defensive coordinator
Fifth season
John Papuchis enters his fifth season on Bo Pelini’s Nebraska staff in 2012, and his first year as the Huskers’ defensive coordinator. Papuchis was promoted to his current role in December before Nebraska’s Capital One Bowl matchup with South Carolina. In his first four years on staff, Papuchis tutored the defensive line and served as special teams coordinator, and also filled the role of recruiting coordinator in 2011. NU’s defensive line had to overcome numerous injuries in 2011, but the unit persevered, combining for 226 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss. Two defensive linemen - Cameron Meredith and Terrence Moore - also intercepted passes in 2011, while Meredith earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors along with Baker Steinkuhler. Meredith was second on the team with 5.0 sacks and ranked third with six TFLs, nearly doubling his career sack total entering the year. In his third season at Nebraska in 2010, Papuchis was one of four finalists for the FootballScoop Special Teams Coordinator of the Year Award, and continued to play a key role in a dominant defensive line. Both of Nebraska’s starting defensive ends earned All-Big 12 accolades in 2010, with senior Pierre Allen claiming first-team honors and sophomore Cameron Meredith garnering secondteam accolades. Each player ranked in the top six on the team in tackles while combining for 129 stops, 19 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Defensive tackle Jared Crick was a first-team All-Big 12 pick for the second straight season. In 2009, his defensive ends combined for 127 tackles, including 33 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. With 16 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, Barry Turner was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 selection in 2009, while Allen racked up five sacks and 12 tackles for loss. In his first year in Lincoln, Papuchis saw starting defensive ends Zach Potter and Allen combine for 26 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2008, with Potter earning honorable-mention All-Big 12 accolades. The defensive ends helped a Nebraska defense that finished second in the Big 12 in total defense. Nebraska has also owned one of the nation’s top special teams units the past three seasons under Papuchis. In 2009, the Huskers’ kickoff and punt return units both ranked in the top 30 nationally, while All-Big 12 punter and place-kicker Alex Henery had an NU record 24 field goals, while also placing a Big 12-leading 30 punts inside the opponent 20-yard line. The Huskers also ranked in the top 15 nationally in kickoff return defense and third in touchbacks. Henery ended his career as Nebraska’s all-time leading scorer and was the most accurate kicker in NCAA history, establishing eight NCAA records. Henery was selected as a first-team All-American in 2010, and finished his career hitting 68-of-76 field goal attempts. Along with Henery, Papuchis had another weapon to utilize on special teams in Adi Kunalic. One of the nation’s elite kickoff specialists for three years, Kunalic ranked among the national leaders in touchbacks each season, posting 86 career touchbacks. The special teams unit also had a banner year under Papuchis in 2008, headlined by Henery’s school-record 57-yard game-winning field goal against Colorado. Henery finished the year 18-of-21 on field goals and missed just one extra point. Henery was a second-team All-Big 12 pick. The Huskers also ranked in the top 25 nationally in punt returns, and returned both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the same season for the first time since 1998. Papuchis joined the Nebraska coaching staff after spending the previous four seasons on the football staff at LSU. Papuchis worked closely with Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini during their time together in Baton Rouge. Papuchis served as a defensive intern for the Tigers, assisting in every aspect of the defensive gameplan and scouting reports. The efforts of Papuchis helped the Tigers rank among the nation’s top defenses throughout his time with LSU. The Tigers ranked third nationally in total defense each season from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, the Tiger defense helped LSU to SEC and national titles, capped by a 38-24 victory over Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game. The Tigers had a pair of consensus All-Americans in defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and safety Craig Steltz. Dorsey was one of the nation’s most decorated players, collecting the 2007 Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award and Nagurski Trophy. In 2006, the LSU defense surrendered just 242.8 yards per game, the fewest by a Tiger defense since 1976. LSU led the SEC in six defensive categories and ranked in the top five nationally in four major categories. LSU finished in the top 10 nationally in all four major defensive categories in 2005, and allowed less than 270 total yards per contest. Papuchis also coached the Tiger punters. In 2007, punter Patrick Fisher led the SEC in punting with a 44.5-yard average and earned first-team All-SEC honors. Papuchis first joined Nick Saban’s LSU staff prior to the 2004 season, helping the team earn a berth in the Capital One Bowl. Papuchis had a three-year stint as a graduate assistant at Kansas from 2001 to 2003. In 2001, he worked with the Jayhawk secondary and then assisted with the linebackers. In his final season in Lawrence, Papuchis helped the Jayhawks earn a berth in the Tangerine Bowl. Papuchis graduated from Virginia Tech in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Kansas in 2003. Papuchis is a native of Gaithersburg, Md. He and his wife, Billie, have a three-year-old daughter, Addyson, a two-year-old son, John, and an infant daughter, Sophia.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Ron Brown
Barney Cotton
Ross Els
22nd season
offensive line
Second season
running backs
Veteran college assistant Ron Brown rejoined the Nebraska coaching staff in 2008 and enters his fifth season on Bo Pelini’s staff
in 2012. Brown completed his first season as the running backs coach in 2011, after coaching the tight ends the previous three years. Overall, Brown enters his 22nd season as a Husker assistant in 2012 after serving on the NU staff for 17 seasons from 1987 to 2003. In 2011, Brown helped Nebraska rank 15th nationally in rushing and was a nominee for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach. All-Big Ten back Rex Burkhead led the Huskers’ prolific rushing attack, ranking 19th in the nation with 104.2 rushing yards per game. Burkhead posted seven 100-yard rushing games, and finished with 1,357 rushing yards for the seventhbest rushing total in school history. Burkhead reached 1,000 yards rushing in only 10 games, becoming the first Husker I-back to accomplish that feat since 2001. Burkhead has also had a knack for finding the end zone, scoring 17 touchdowns, including 15 on the ground, and finished in a tie for 40th nationally in scoring. Burkhead set a school record by scoring a touchdown in each of the first 10 games this season and tied the overall Nebraska record by scoring a touchdown in 10 consecutive games. Working with the tight ends in 2010, Brown’s unit was a valuable asset in both the passing and running games. In the passing game, Kyler Reed emerged as a playmaker, catching 22 passes for 395 yards and a Nebraska tight end record eight touchdown grabs. Brown’s tight ends were also major players in NU’s rushing attack, which led the Big 12 and ranked ninth nationally in rushing. In 2009, Brown’s tight end unit combined for 46 catches, 442 yards and six touchdowns. Five different tight ends caught a pass, while tight ends grabbed six of Nebraska’s 18 touchdown catches on the year. Mike McNeill enjoyed his second straight strong season under Brown’s tutelage in 2009. McNeill tied for the team lead with four touchdown catches, while earning secondteam All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press. In his first season back in the collegiate game, Brown assisted with an NU offense that finished 12th nationally in total offense. McNeill set a Nebraska tight end season record with 32 receptions, including six touchdown grabs. Brown served as receivers coach for his entire first tenure with the Huskers and also tutored the tight ends. During his first stint, the blocking of Brown’s receivers played a key role in nine NU NCAA rushing titles. Brown’s receivers and tight ends also led the Big 12 in touchdown receptions three times from 1996 to 2003. Brown spent his four years away from the Huskers serving as the Nebraska State Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, while also working as a color analyst for several media outlets. Twenty-seven of Brown’s former pupils have gone on to professional careers. Brown has coached 40 academic all-conference players and three CoSIDA Academic AllAmericans at Nebraska, including Burkhead in 2011. Brown originally came to Lincoln after four years of coaching at Brown University from 1983 to 1986. Brown’s first season was as Brown’s head freshman coach, while his last three seasons were spent as the defensive backfield coach. Brown was a two-time first-team All-Ivy League performer as a defensive back. He was selected to Brown University’s All-Century team and the school’s Sports Hall of Fame. Brown received his bachelor’s degree from Brown in 1979, then earned his master’s degree in health administration from Columbia University in 1982.
HUSKERS.COM
Associate Head coach
Sixth Season
Barney Cotton is in his fifth season as the Nebraska offensive line coach on Bo Pelini’s coaching staff. The Omaha native is in his sixth season overall as a Nebraska assistant, having previously served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2003, a position Cotton has tutored for 23 years. Cotton also serves as Nebraska’s associate head coach, assisting Head Coach Bo Pelini with a number of administrative issues. With his line paving the way, the 2011 Husker rushing attack ranked 15th nationally, averaging 217.2 yards per game. With the 2011 rushing average, the Huskers averaged more than 200 yards rushing in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2002 and 2003. Cotton has a knack for quickly developing players. Tyler Moore has earned four starts in 2011, becoming only the fourth true freshman to earn a start on the NU offensive line. Moore is the only true freshman offensive lineman to start a season opener for the Huskers. Overall, first- or second-year players combined for 38 starts on the offensive line in 2011. Cotton has also developed three current or former walk-ons who have combined for 32 starts. Two of those former walk-ons are Mike Caputo and Spencer Long, both of whom earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2011, along with honorable-mention selection Marcel Jones. The line paved the way for All-Big Ten I-back Rex Burkhead to post the 32nd 1,000-yard rushing season in school history. Burkhead finished with 1,357 yards to post the highest rushing total by a Husker I-back since 1997. In 2010, NU rushed for 3,466 yards, the program’s highest total since 2002, and ranked ninth nationally in rushing yards per game (247.6 ypg). Ricky Henry became the first Husker offensive lineman to earn firstteam All-Big 12 honors since Toniu Fonoti in 2001, while Caputo and Keith Williams garnered honorable-mention accolades. Roy Helu Jr. ran for 1,245 yards behind the line and set the Nebraska single-game rushing record with 307 yards against Missouri. Under Cotton’s leadership in 2009, three Husker linemen (Henry, Williams and Jacob Hickman) earned All-Big 12 accolades from the Associated Press. The line helped pave the way for Helu to earn All-Big 12 honors while rushing for 1,147 yards. In 2008, NU finished among the top 20 nationally in total offense, scoring offense and passing offense. Matt Slauson was a second-team All-Big 12 pick, while Hickman and Lydon Murtha were honorable-mention selections. In his first stint at Nebraska in 2003, Cotton’s offensive unit helped NU to a 10-3 record and a victory over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl. Nebraska ranked among the top 10 nationally in rushing offense and four Husker offensive linemen earned all-conference accolades. Following his one-year stint with the Huskers, Cotton served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Iowa State from 2004 to 2006. Previously, Cotton spent six seasons as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at New Mexico State, when the Aggie offense ranked in the top 25 nationally in rushing in each of his six seasons and in total offense three times. Cotton was the head coach at Hastings College in 1995 and 1996, earning conference coach-of-the-year honors in 1995. From 1989 to 1994, he was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Cloud State (Minn.). Cotton played for Nebraska from 1975 to 1978. He earned second-team All-Big Eight honors as a guard in 1978 on Osborne’s Big Eight championship team. Cotton was a third-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1979 and went on to play four seasons in the NFL before a knee injury forced his retirement. Cotton earned a bachelor’s degree from NU in 1983.
Linebackers/Special Teams
Ross Els enters his second season on the Nebraska coaching staff in 2012 as the Huskers linebackers coach, and in his second year he has added the duties of special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator. Els joined the Nebraska program in 2011 after six seasons on Frank Solich’s Ohio staff. Els has 11 seasons of experience as an assistant coach at the Division I level and more than two decades of overall collegiate coaching experience. Under Els’ direction in 2011, Lavonte David was named the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and and a first-team AllAmerican, while Will Compton was an honorable-mention all-conference selection. David and Compton were Nebraska’s top two tacklers, combining for 215 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. David led the team with 133 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. David posted six games with at least 10 tackles and was only the fourth Husker to record 100 tackles in consecutive seasons. David ranks third in the Big Ten in tackles per game and 18th nationally. Under Els’ instruction, David was recognized as one of the nation’s best linebackers. He was one of six finalists for the Butkus Award, Nebraska’s first finalist for the award since 1994 and only the fourth Husker to be a Butkus finalist. David was also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Lott Trophy, in addition to being named the Lott Trophy national player of the week twice in 2011. Compton enjoyed a breakout year in Els’ first season on staff. Compton entered 2011 with 55 career tackles and two career TFLs through 23 games, and in 2011 he easily eclipsed his career totals, posting 82 tackles and seven TFLs. Compton excelled during Big Ten play, averaging nearly seven tackles per game. Els came to Nebraska after spending six seasons on Coach Frank Solich’s Ohio staff. Els boasts 11 seasons of experience as an assistant coach at the Division I level and more than two decades of overall collegiate coaching experience. At Ohio, Els served as assistant head coach for one season and coached linebackers for six seasons. In his final four seasons, he also served as special teams coordinator. In 2010, the Ohio defense ranked 20th nationally and second in the Mid-American Conference in rushing defense. Els’ special teams were also a key part of Ohio’s 8-5 season that culminated with a trip to the New Orleans Bowl. The Bobcats were first in the MAC in net punting, third in punt returns and fifth in kickoff returns. In 2009, he tutored linebacker Noah Keller, who led the MAC with 155 tackles and earned honorable-mention All-America honors. He also coached punt returner LaVon Brazil to second-team All-America honors, while freshman place-kicker Matt Weller earned freshman All-America accolades after kicking a school-record 21 field goals. Els helped Ohio to three bowl appearances and two MAC East division championships during his stay in Athens, Ohio. He also coached four All-MAC linebackers. Els joined the Ohio staff following four seasons on Tony Samuel’s coaching staff at New Mexico State. In his final two seasons he was the defensive coordinator for the Aggies. While in Las Cruces, Els worked with current NU offensive line coach Barney Cotton. Els had succeeded Cotton as the head coach at Hastings College, where he compiled a 32-9 record from 1997 to 2000, including NAIA playoff appearances in 1998 and 1999. His 1999 team reached the national quarterfinals, and both his 1998 and 1999 teams posted perfect 10-0 regular seasons. Els had spent two seasons as an assistant under Cotton in 1995 and 1996, and also served in assistant roles at Northern Iowa (1989 and 1994) and UNO (1990-93). He is a 1988 graduate of Nebraska-Omaha, where he played safety. Els is a Lincoln Northeast High School graduate.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
rich fisher
John Garrison
Terry joseph
Second season
SECOND season
first season
wide receivers
Rich Fisher enters his second year as Nebraska’s receivers coach in 2012, and his 10th season of coaching at the Division I college level. Fisher joined the Nebraska staff following two highly successful seasons in the prep ranks. In his first season in 2011, Fisher’s receivers contributed to Nebraska’s success in the passing game and also offered solid perimeter blocking for the Husker running game. Fisher inherited a talented but young stable of receivers. Under his direction, the group hauled in 107 passes for 1,434 yards, while averaging 13.4 yards per reception. The unit was highlighted by underclassmen who combined for 69 catches, 1,004 yards and a 14.6 yard-per-catch average. Leading the list of young receivers succeeding under Fisher’s tutelage was redshirt freshman Kenny Bell. Bell led Nebraska with 32 catches and 461 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. Bell became only the second freshman in school history to lead Nebraska in both receptions and receiving yards, joining Nate Swift who accomplished the feat as a redshirt freshman in 2005. Sophomore Quincy Enunwa had 21 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns, after recording only one reception as a freshman. Senior Brandon Kinnie had 22 catches in 2011 and finished just outside the top 10 on the Nebraska career receptions list. Junior Tim Marlowe had 12 grabs, after not recording a catch in his freshman and sophomore seasons. Fisher has also helped true freshman Jamal Turner make the transition from high school quarterback to college wide receiver. Turner had 15 catches for 243 yards and averaged 16.2 yards per catch. Fisher came to Nebraska after two highly successful seasons in the prep ranks. He spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons as the head coach at Rivers School in Weston, Mass., where he compiled a 12-5 record. In 2010, Fisher coached Rivers School to a perfect 8-0 regular season, the school’s first undefeated regular season since 1915 and its only ISL championship. The team also played in the Norm Walker Bowl at Gillette Stadium, the first-ever bowl game for Rivers School. The successful season came in large part because of an explosive offense, as Rivers averaged more than 40 points per game. A pair of Rivers School standouts, Taariq Allen and Ben Patrick, earned All-Scholastic honors from the Boston Herald. A standout receiver, Allen is a freshman receiver at Nebraska who redshirted this season. Fisher’s collegiate coaching experience includes stops at Idaho, Colorado and Oklahoma State, most recently spending five seasons on the Vandals’ staff from 1999 to 2003. Fisher tutored the wide receivers during his first two seasons in Moscow, then handled the inside and outside linebackers during his final three seasons. Prior to his five seasons at Idaho, Fisher spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Colorado, his alma mater. Fisher also spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State in 1995 and 1996. In 10 seasons as a coach at the collegiate level, Fisher has worked with five players who went on to play in the NFL. Fisher also spent several years in private business, including owning and operating New England Gridiron Football Camps from 2004 to 2009. Fisher was a three-year letterwinner at Colorado during the Buffs’ highly successful run in the late 1980s and early 1990s. An outside linebacker, Fisher lettered in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and was part of CU’s 1990 national championship team. Originally from Sugarland, Texas, Fisher graduated from Colorado with a degree in communications in 1993.
10
asst. Off. Line/Tight Ends
Former Husker standout John Garrison is in his second season as a full-tiem assistant on the Nebraska coaching staff as an assistant coach, and serves as assistant offensive line and tight ends coach. Garrison has been a member of the Nebraska staff for five seasons overall, working as a football intern with the Husker offense from 2008 to 2010, while also working in conjunction with the strength and conditioning staff. In his first full-time season in 2011, Garrison and veteran offensive line coach Barney Cotton developed an offensive line that paved the way for a Husker rushing attack that ranked 15th nationally, averaging 217.2 yards per game. In addition to his overall work with the line, Garrison played a key role in the development of several underclassmen and walk-ons. Tyler Moore earned four starts in 2011, becoming only the fourth true freshman to earn a start on the NU offensive line. Moore is the only true freshman offensive lineman to start a season opener for the Huskers. Garrison was also able to coach Moore on the mental challenges that come with early playing time, as Garrison himself is one of only 10 true freshmen offensive linemen to play in a game in school history. Including Moore, first- or second-year players combined for 37 starts on the offensive line in 2011. In addition to the youth, Garrison has helped three current or former walk-ons combine for 32 starts. Two of those former walk-ons are Mike Caputo and Spencer Long, both of whom earned second-team All-Big Ten honors. Marcel Jones was also an honorable-mention All-Big Ten pick. The line helped All-Big Ten back Rex Burkhead to post the 32nd 1,000-yard rushing season in school history. Burkhead also posted the highest rushing total by a Husker I-back since 1997. Garrison also oversees Nebraska’s tight ends, who combined for 29 catches for 446 yards and one touchdown this season, in addition to helping out in the run game. Garrison spent the previous three seasons as a football intern with the offensive line in conjunction with the strength and conditioning staff. In four total seasons working with the Husker offensive line, nine linemen have earned all-conference honors. In 2010, Ricky Henry became the first Husker to take home first-team all-conference accolades since 2001, as Nebraska led the Big 12 and ranked ninth nationally with nearly 250 rushing yards per game. The offensive line has helped pave the way for an all-conference back in each of Garrison’s four seasons working with the unit. In 2010, senior Roy Helu Jr., became the first running back to surpass 1,000 yards in back-toback seasons since 1992 and 1993, while Burkhead has topped the 1,000-yard mark this season. Garrison joined the Nebraska staff in March of 2008 after spending four years at Blue Springs (Mo.) High School as an assistant coach and special education teacher. Garrison served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Garrison also conducted and managed the weight room activities for multiple sports at Blue Springs. Garrison was a four-year letterman for Frank Solich at Nebraska from 1999 to 2002, and earned honorablemention All-Big 12 accolades as a junior and senior. Garrison was Nebraska’s starting long snapper as a true freshman in 1999, helping the Huskers to a 12-1 record and Big 12 title. He was a backup center and guard, and handled long snapping duties in 2000. In 2001, Garrison was the starting center and led Nebraska to an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game, while quarterback Eric Crouch won the Heisman Trophy. In his senior season, Garrison was elected by his teammates as one of three co-captains. Garrison graduated from Nebraska with a degree in secondary education in 2003.
secondary
Terry Joseph is one of two new assistants on the Nebraska defensive staff, joining the Husker program in March. Joseph came to Nebraska following two seasons as the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator on the Tennessee staff under Head Coach Derek Dooley. The 38-year-old Joseph helped the Tennessee defense rank among the nation’s top pass defenses each of the past two seasons. Joseph takes over a Nebraska defensive backfield that returns nine players who started at least one game in 2011, including safety Daimion Stafford, and cornerbacks Andrew Green and Ciante Evans, who each started at least seven games in 2011. In 2011, the Vols finished 12th nationally in passing yards allowed, with an average of just 177.8 yards per game. Joseph oversaw a young defensive backfield, including true freshman Brian Randolph, who earned SEC all-freshman honors in 2011. In Joseph’s first season in Knoxville in 2010, Joseph helped the Vols rank in the top 20 in the nation with 18 interceptions, and the group played a key role in a lateseason run that earned Tennessee a trip to the Music City Bowl. Safety Janzen Jackson and cornerback Prentiss Waggner each earned All-SEC second-team honors. Waggner returned three interceptions for touchdowns to set a school record. Joseph joined the Tennessee staff after working under Dooley for three seasons at Louisiana Tech from 2007 to 2009, where he also served as the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator. Joseph played a key role in a defensive turnaround at Louisiana Tech. The highlight of Joseph’s stint at Louisiana Tech came in 2008, when the Bulldogs finished second in the Western Athletic Conference and earned its first bowl trip in seven seasons. Tech completed an 8-5 season with a 17-10 victory over Northern Illinois in the Independence Bowl. Joseph also coordinated Tech’s recruiting efforts, and the 2009 class was ranked second in the WAC. Joseph was ranked as one of the top five recruiters in a non-BCS conference by Rivals.com. Joseph worked alongside Pelini as a defensive graduate assistant at LSU in 2006. During his one season in Baton Rouge, he helped the Tiger defense rank third nationally in total defense, and LSU finished the year with a Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame. Joseph began his coaching career in the Louisiana prep ranks, working as an assistant at two New Orleans area schools. Joseph worked at Archbishop Shaw from 1999 through 2002, and at Destrehan High School from 2003 to 2005. Joseph earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State in 1996. He was a baseball standout at the school, and is one of only 12 players in Southland Conference history to earn first-team all-conference honors three straight seasons. Joseph was the conference player of the year in 1995, when he was coached by former Nebraska baseball coach Dave Van Horn. A two-time Academic All-American with the Demons, Joseph owned 10 school records when he completed his collegiate baseball career. Joseph was a 13th-round draft choice of the Chicago Cubs and played four seasons in the minor leagues with the Cubs and San Diego Padres. Joseph and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of two daughters, Taylor and Lynleigh. Joseph is the cousin of former Nebraska quarterback Mickey Joseph, who was a four-year letterman for the Huskers from 1988 to 1991.
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Rick Kaczenski defensive Line
jeff jamrog
assistant a.d. for football
First season
Fifth season
Rick Kaczenski joined the Nebraska coaching staff in December of 2011 and is in his first year as the Huskers’ defensive line coach. The 36-year old Kaczenski was part of Nebraska’s staff for the 2012 Capital One Bowl contest. Kaczenski joins the defensive staff after building an impressive resume on Kirk Ferentz’s staff at Iowa. The play of Kaczenski’s defensive lines played a key role in Iowa’s success the past five seasons. Kaczenski was a member of the full-time coaching staff from 2007 to 2011, and the Hawkeyes reached a bowl game each of his final four years. In 2010, Iowa ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense (101.5 ypg) and seventh in scoring defense (17.0 ppg). A year earlier, the Hawkeye defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in four defensive statistical categories, including pass efficiency defense, total defense, scoring defense and passing yards allowed. The play of the front line played a big part in the defensive success as Iowa posted an 11-2 overall record and a victory over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. The 2008 Iowa defense also ranked high across the board. Iowa limited opponents to just 94.0 rushing yards per game to rank ninth in the country. Iowa also ranked fifth in scoring defense, fifth in pass efficiency defense and 12th in scoring defense en route to a 9-4 record and Outback Bowl berth. In his first season as a full-time assistant in 2007, Iowa ranked third in the Big Ten and 13th nationally in scoring defense, while also leading the conference in turnover margin. Under Kaczenski, Iowa produced outstanding individual performers on the defensive line. End Adrian Clayborn became the 21st player at Iowa to earn consensus AllAmerica honors in 2010. He was named as the national Defensive Performer of the Year by College Football Performance Awards in 2009. Clayborn was named first team all-Big Ten in both 2009 and 2010. Clayborn was the 20th pick in the first round by Tampa Bay in the 2011 NFL Draft, and was one of three Hawkeye defensive linemen selected in 2011. Defensive lineman Christian Ballard was taken in the fourth round by Minnesota, while Tennessee picked Karl Klug in the fifth round. Defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul led Iowa’s defense in 2008. King was named Defensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten while earning first-, second- and thirdteam All-America honors. Kroul earned second team all-Big Ten honors after setting an Iowa record with 50 consecutive starts. Both King (Tennessee) and Kroul (N.Y. Jets) signed free agent contracts following the 2009 NFL draft and have remained in the NFL the last two seasons. In 2007, King was named first team all-Big Ten and senior defensive end Bryan Mattison earned second-team recognition. Overall, seven of Kaczenski’s defensive linemen have been drafted or signed an NFL free agent contract over the past four seasons. Before taking over as defensive line coach, Kaczenski served two seasons as a graduate assistant at Iowa in 200506, working specifically with the offensive line. Kaczenski joined the Iowa staff after serving as the offensive line and tight ends coach at Elon University in 2004. He served in the same capacity at East Tennessee State in 2003 and was the offensive line coach at South Carolina State in 2002. Kaczenski was on the staff at South Carolina from 1999 to 2001 under Head Coach Lou Holtz. He was a graduate assistant with the Gamecocks, working in recruiting, while assisting with the offensive line and wide receivers. Kaczenski began his coaching career in 1998 as an assistant coach at Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep, his high school alma mater. Kaczenski played collegiately at Notre Dame from 1994 to 1997, where he was a three-year starter at center from 1995 to 1997. While with the Irish, Kaczenski helped Notre Dame to four bowl appearances, including a trip to the 1995 Fiesta Bowl and the 1996 Orange Bowl. Kaczenski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Notre Dame in 1997 and he is a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School in Erie, Pa.
Former Nebraska player and assistant coach Jeff Jamrog is in his fifth year as the Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations for the Husker program in 2011. Jamrog plays a key role in the administrative aspects of the football program and serves as a liaison with other parts of the athletic department. He works closely with Coach Bo Pelini and Athletic Director Tom Osborne on all football operations and assists with NU’s recruiting efforts. Jamrog also coordinates the travel, budget and staffing for the football office, spearheading football scheduling, oversees the compliance, strength training, equipment and academic support units regarding football issues and also supervises football support staffs. A former walk-on himself, Jamrog has also played a lead role in the resurgence of Nebraska’s walk-on program. Walk-ons Spencer Long and Seung Hoon Choi combined for 18 starts on the offensive line in 2011, while punter/place-kicker Brett Maher was named the Big Ten’s top punter and place-kicker. Overall, 11 members of Nebraska’s 21-player 2011 senior class began their careers as walk-ons, including three players who started every game and five players with at least four starts in 2011. Jamrog returned to NU after spending four seasons as the head coach at Minnesota State-Mankato. He guided the Mavericks to a 17-27 overall record, including a 6-5 mark in 2004, the school’s first winning season since 1994. The increase of six wins from 2003 to 2004 tied for the fifth-largest single-season jump in NCAA Division II history. His four-year run at Minnesota State came after a brief stint as the defensive coordinator at Western Illinois University in the spring of 2004. Prior to that appointment, Jamrog spent the previous four seasons as the defensive line coach on Frank Solich’s staff at Nebraska. In his final season, Jamrog also coached the defensive ends and was named special teams coordinator. During Jamrog’s time with the Huskers, NU played for the national championship in the 2002 Rose Bowl. Before his first tenure on the Nebraska coaching staff, Jamrog spent three years as defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at New Mexico State. He helped Head Coach Tony Samuel turn around a program that had just two winning seasons in the previous 31 years. Jamrog served as the defensive coordinator at Nebraska-Omaha from 1994 to 1996, and helped the Mavs to the 1996 North Central Conference title – the first outright title in school history. UNO earned a No. 4 national ranking, and improved by seven wins over 1995, the second-largest turnaround in Division II history. Jamrog was the inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at the University of South Dakota from 1990 to 1993. He began his coaching career at Nebraska in 1988 and 1989 as a graduate assistant. Originally a walk-on for the Huskers, Jamrog played for the freshman team in 1983, redshirted in 1984, then lettered for three years as a defensive end. As a senior, Jamrog started and had 66 tackles, eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Jamrog was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1987 and was an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient. He was also the winner of the 1987 Guy Chamberlin Trophy. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nebraska in 1987 and his master’s in business administration in 1990. Jamrog and his wife, Connie, have three children: Elizabeth, Brett and Jared.
HUSKERS.COM
james dobson
head football strength coach Fifth season
James Dobson joined the Nebraska football staff in January 2008 as Head Football Strength Coach. He oversees all aspects of the Husker strength and conditioning program for football, which includes winter conditioning, summer workouts and in-season training. In Dobson’s first four seasons directing Nebraska’s strength and conditioning efforts, the Huskers have had impressive gains both on and off the field. Outstanding conditioning has been a key factor in NU ranking among the nation’s top fourth-quarter squads in Dobson’s tenure. In 2008, Nebraska outscored its opponents 155-52 in the fourth quarter. Nebraska’s point total and scoring differential in the fourth quarter were both second best in the nation. The Huskers again dominated the fourth quarter in 2009. Nebraska outscored its opponents 9632 in the fourth quarter. The 32 points allowed in the fourth quarter tied for the best in the nation, while the 64-point differential was fourth. Overall in the second half, Nebraska outscored its opponents 154-55, as the 55 second-half points were the fewest allowed by any team in the nation. Prior to Nebraska, Dobson was part of the Iowa Hawkeye football program, which won 38 games from 2002 to 2005, including Big Ten titles in 2002 and 2004. With the Hawkeye program, Dobson worked under Chris Doyle, who is regarded as one of the nation’s top strength coaches. Dobson has had a history of working with some of the nation’s best players. Top pupils Dobson has worked with include Ndamukong Suh and Prince Amukamara at Nebraska along with Bob Sanders, Dallas Clark, Robert Gallery and Chad Greenway at Iowa. Suh was a Heisman finalist and the most decorated defensive lineman in nearly two decades while earning national player-of-the-year honors for the Cornhuskers in 2009. The impact of Dobson and the NU strength and conditioning program on Suh is evident. Following the completion of his career, Suh showed his appreciation by donating $2 million to enhance the Nebraska strength and conditioning facility. Sanders earned All-America honors at Iowa in 2003, and was the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Indianapolis Colts. Clark began his Hawkeye career as a walk-on linebacker, but moved to tight end and went on to earn All-America honors in 2002, before being a firstround draft pick. Gallery came to Iowa as a 240-pound tight end, and through the strength program, he left as a 320-pound offensive tackle, won the 2003 Outland Trophy and was the second overall selection in the 2004 draft. Greenway earned All-America honors in 2005, and was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. In addition to his experience at Iowa, Dobson worked for two years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Southern Methodist. A native of Mt. Horeb, Wis., Dobson attended the University of Wisconsin, where he worked as a student assistant with the football team for three seasons. He earned his B.S. degree in kinesiology from Wisconsin in 1996, and his master’s of science and administration degree from Central Michigan in 2004. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Nebraska football support staff
T.J. Hollowell
Graduate Assistant Coach–Defense
Tate Guillotte
Vince Marrow
Dir. of High School Relations & Player Development
Joni Duff
Megan Cunningham
Assistant Video Coordinator
Assistant to the Defense
Jake Mandelko
Latravis Washington
Football Office
Jerry Weber Head Athletic Trainer
Austen Everson
Graduate Assistant Coach–Offense
Recruiting Intern
Tyler Clarke
Assistant Strength Coach
Assistant to Coach Pelini
Travis Borchardt
Football Operations Intern
Willie Jones
Assistant Strength Coach
2012 BIG RED Football Camps June 1-3
Husker Youth Camp (grades 3-8)
June 4-6 June 7-9
High School Camps I and II (entering grades 9-12)
June 10-11 Big Red Kicking Academy (entering grades 9-12) June 10-12 Elite Quarterback Academy (entering grades 9-12) For more information and to register on-line visit HUSKERS.COM
Aaryn Kearney Recruiting Staff Assistant
Teri Riggins
Wince Morris
Director of Player Personnel
Curt Baldus
Assistant to the Offense
Football Intern
Drew Soukup
Dr. Lonnie Albers
Football Operations Intern
Chad Wade
Assistant Strength Coach
Associate A.D for Athletic Medicine
Brandon Rigoni
Assistant Strength Coach
Jake Wesch
Mike Nobler
Joe Ganz
Brenden Stai
Mark Mayer
Patrick Spieldenner
Assistant Director of Football Operations
Football Intern
Head Football Trainer
Jay Terry
Head Equipment Manager
Football Video Coordinator
Football Intern
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Chris McQuillan
Assistant Equipment Manager
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
2012 NEBRASKA SPRING FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK PELINI WELCOMES BACK EXPERIENCED SQUAD IN HIS FIFTH SEASON AT NEBRASKA
Nebraska will field one of the more experienced teams in Bo Pelini’s five-year tenure as head coach in 2012. Pelini has put together four consecutive nine-win seasons in his first four years on the Husker sideline and the pieces appear to be in place to keep that streak intact this fall. The Huskers return a total of 16 players to the starting lineup, including All-Big Ten specialist Brett Maher, who handles the starting role at both kicker and punter. Offensively, Nebraska returns eight starters, including a two-year starter at quarterback in Taylor Martinez, an All-Big Ten running back in Rex Burkhead and its leading receiver in sophomore Kenny Bell. NU also returns five offensive linemen with significant starting experience. On the defensive side of the football, the Huskers welcome back seven starters. Nebraska boasts four fifth-year seniors in its front seven who all have two years of significant starting experience and should provide leadership on and off the field. Defensive tackle Baker Steinkuhler, defensive end Cameron Meredith and linebackers Will Compton and Sean Fisher were all in Pelini’s first Nebraska recruiting class and should form the nucleus of the 2012 Blackshirts. Nebraska’s annual Red-White Spring Game on April 14 will conclude the 15-session spring practice. After spring ball, Nebraska players will work out in Lincoln through final exams which conclude on Friday, May 4. Following a short break in May, the Huskers will re-convence in Lincoln in June for their summer workout sessions, leading to the opening of fall camp in early August. Nebraska opens the 2012 season at home against Southern Mississippi on Saturday, Sept. 1.
NU FANS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HUSKERS IN BOTH SPRING AND FALL
This year’s Red-White Spring Game figures to feature another large crowd at Memorial Stadium. In recent years, Nebraska fans have turned out in large numbers for the RedWhite Spring Game, another example of the loyalty of the Husker fan base. During each of the past eight years, Nebraska has drawn at least 54,000 fans for the spring game, highlighted by a sellout crowd of 80,149 in 2008. Crowds of 77,670, 77,936 and 66,784 have followed in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The demand for spring game tickets led Nebraska to once again sell all tickets for the 2012 game on a reserved basis at $10 per ticket. As of March 27, more than 42,000 tickets had been sold for the contest, making another large crowd likely. Overall Nebraska has drawn 472,291 fans for its past seven spring games at Memorial Stadium, an average of nearly 67,400 fans per game. By comparison, only five schools nationally drew at least 50,000 fans for their spring game in 2011.
Red-White Game Attendance Figures Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Attendance 61,417 63,416 57,415 54,288 80,149 77,670 77,936 66,784
MEMORIAL STADIUM CONSTRUCTION CONTINUING
Fans in attendance at the Red-White Spring game will quickly notice the construction progress on Memorial Stadium’s east side. Ongoing construction will make the balcony of the East Stadium unavailable for the spring game, but the remainder of the stadium will be open for business. Only light construction occurred during the 2011 season, but crews resumed work in full force following Nebraska’s regular-season finale against Iowa last November. With a mild winter, construction crews have made great progress. By kickoff this fall, all of the structural steel and pre-cast exterior skin will be in place along with the new stadium light towers. Access to the East Stadium will be through the new entrances and fans will pass through the new concourse to get to their seats. When fully completed for the 2013 season, the East Stadium expansion the addition will push Nebraska’s average attendance beyond 90,000. While adding more than 5,000 seats, including a combination of club seats, suites and general public
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seating, the addition will preserve the rich tradition and orginial architecture of Memorial Stadium. The East Stadium addition will also include dedicated restrooms and concessions areas. A new grand lobby, expanded concourse, and additional firstaid areas will also be added. No current East Stadium seats will be removed and no season ticket holders will be required to relocate their seats as part of this project. The addition will also include dedicated areas on the ground floor for research, both for Athletics and UNL Research.
TWO ASSISTANTS IN FIRST SEASON ON STAFF
Nebraska has two new members of its coaching staff this season with both on the defensive side of the football. Rick Kaczenski joined the Nebraska staff as the defensive line coach in December and was part of the Huskers’ bowl preparation in Orlando. Terry Joseph is the newest addition to the coaching staff, taking over as the Huskers’ secondary coach in early March, just prior to the start of spring ball. Kaczenski joined the Huskers after five seasons as the defensive line coach at Iowa. During his time with the Hawkeyes, Iowa was consistently among the Big Ten’s top defenses and Kaczenski helped Iowa to a bowl appearance each of the past three seasons. Seven of his defensive linemen were drafted or signed pro contracts over the past four years. Joseph joined the Huskers after two seasons as the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator on Derek Dooley’s staff at Tennessee. Joseph helped the Vols rank 12th nationally in pass defense in 2011. He previously worked for three seasons on Dooley’s staff at Louisiana Tech from 2007 to 2009, and was a defensive graduate assistant at LSU in 2006, when Pelini was the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. Nebraska’s returning defensive assistants–John Papuchis and Ross Els– also have new roles in 2012. Papuchis was named defensive coordinator prior to the Capital One Bowl and takes over for Carl Pelini, who served in that role that past four seasons. Papuchis served as defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator last season. Els is in his second season on the NU staff and will continue in his role as linebackers coach, while adding the recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator duties. Nebraska’s offensive staff, led by second-year coordinator Tim Beck, was unchanged from the 2011 season.
NU RECRUITING CLASS SPANS FROM COAST TO COAST
Nebraska completed its fifth recruiting class under Pelini on Feb. 1, and attracted talented players from all parts of the country to Lincoln. The Huskers’ 17 scholarship signees in 2012 came to the Nebraska program from 13 states, and included a pair of junior-college prospects. 4Nebraska signed two players each from Texas, California, Illinois and Ohio in the 2012 class, with single players from nine states. 4The Huskers have continued to make Texas recruiting a priority. Pelini’s first five recruiting classes at Nebraska have included 29 signees from Texas. 4Pelini and his staff have had success in his homestate of Ohio. Including the two signees in 2012, NU has added six signees from the state in Pelini’s five-year tenure. 4Linebacker Zaire Anderson joined the Nebraska program from Riverside CC in California. Originally from Philadelphia, Anderson is the first Pennsylvania native to sign at Nebraska since 1999. 4Nebraska’s two signees from California marked the 14th straight year the Huskers have added at least one scholarship player from California. 4Cornerback Mohammed Seisay was the one player to join Nebraska at semester. Seisay starred at Eastern Arizona Junior College last season after spending the previous two seasons at Memphis. In addition to the talented class of scholarship signees, Nebraska added 19 walk-on prospects to the program. The group of walk-ons includes 17 in-state players and a pair of out-of-state standouts. Nebraska has continued to make the walk-on program a major priority under Pelini’s direction with Husker program adding 100 walk-ons in his five seasons.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
HUSKERS SEEK FIFTH STRAIGHT NINE-WIN SEASON
Nebraska posted a 9-4 record in 2012, giving the Huskers nine or more victories in each of Bo Pelini’s first four seasons as head coach. The streak of four straight nine-win seasons puts Nebraska in an elite class nationally. 4The four straight years of nine wins marks the first time NU has accomplished that since its NCAA record streak of 33 straight nine-win seasons from 1969 to 2001. 4Nebraska is one of eight schools that has won at least nine games each of the past four seasons. The others in that group include Alabama, Boise State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, TCU, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. 4Nebraska has 46 nine-win seasons in school history, including 39 since 1969.
Pelini in Rare Coaching Company
Head Coach Bo Pelini has guided Nebraska to nine or more victories in each of his first four years with Nebraska. That accomplishment is very impressive, not only when compared to other Nebraska coaches, but also when looking at the history of college football. 4Among schools currently in a First-Time BCS Conference Head Coaches BCS-AQ conference, Pelini has With 9 Wins in First Four Seasons become just the 15th head Coach School Years Nebraska 1973-76 coach in college football history Tom Osborne Oklahoma 1973-76 to win at least nine games in Barry Switzer Nebraska 1998-2001 their first four seasons on the Frank Solich Miami 2001-04 job at that school. The group Larry Coker Louisville 2003-06 includes four Nebraska coaches Bobby Petrino Nebraska 2008-11 (Devaney, Osborne, Solich, Bo Pelini Pelini). 4When looking only at coaches in their first head coaching job at a BCS Conference school, Pelini is one of only six to win nine games in each of their first four years on the job, joining Osborne, Solich, Barry Switzer (Oklahoma), Larry Coker (Miami) and Bobby Petrino (Louisville). 4Pelini, Solich and Texas’ Mack Brown were the only coaches in Big 12 history (1996) to win nine or more games in each of their first three seasons. 4Pelini was among a group of 18 FBS head coaches who were hired for their jobs beginning with the 2008 season. Pelini leads that group of 18 head coaches in victories over the past four years with 38 wins, three more than Kevin Sumlin, who has since left his job to take over at Texas A&M. In fact, Pelini is one of only seven coaches in the group of 18 still in the job they were hired for prior to the 2008 season. Most Wins Among 2008 Coaching Hire Class 38 Bo Pelini, Nebraska* Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech 34 Bobby Petrino, Arkansas 34 Ken Niumatalolo, Navy* 32 Art Briles, Baylor 25 June Jones, SMU 24 David Cutcliffe, Duke 15 *first-time head coach Note: The other 11 coaches in the 2008 hiring class are no longer with the school they were hired at in 2008.
Burkhead and Martinez Give NU One of Nation’s Top RETURNING Rushing Tandems
Nebraska’s rushing attack has been among the nation’s best each of the past two seasons and figures to again be a potent attack in 2012. Leading the way on the ground for Nebraska are senior I-back Rex Burkhead and junior quarterback Taylor Martinez who should again rank among the nation’s top rushing tandems. Burkhead finished the 2011 season 19th nationally in rushing, averaging NU Career Rushing Yards Yards 104.4 yards per game. Burkhead’s Rk. Player, Years 4,780 1,357 rushing yards were the seventh 1. Mike Rozier, 1981-83 3,880 most in a season in NU history, the 2. Ahman Green, 1995-97 Eric Crouch, 1998-2001 3. 3,434 most by a Husker since 2002 and the 4. Roy Helu Jr., 2007-10 3,404 most by a Nebraska running back since 3,153 5. Calvin Jones, 1991-93 1997. Burkhead will enter his senior 6. Ken Clark, 1987-89 3,037 season with 2,654 career rushing yards, 7. I.M. Hipp, 1977-79 2,913 good for 12th in school history. He is 8. Lawrence Phillips, 1993-95 2,777 poised to make a run at the No. 2 spot 9. Dahrran Diedrick, 1999-2002 2,745 on that chart in his senior season. 2,743 10. Cory Ross, 2002-05 Martinez enters his junior season 11. Derek Brown, 1990-92 2,699 in a position to challenge nearly every 12. Rex Burkhead, 2009-present 2,654 Nebraska career record for rushing by a quarterback. The Corona, Calif., NU Season Rushing Yards native rushed for 874 yards and nine Rk. Player, Year Yards 2,148 touchdowns, while averaging 4.6 yards 1. Mike Rozier, 1983 1,877 per carry in 2011. He posted three 2. Ahman Green, 1997 1,722 100-yard rushing games, and had at 3. Lawrence Phillips, 1994 1,689 least 50 rushing yards eight times as a 4. Mike Rozier, 1982 1,497 sophomore. Martinez enters his junior 5. Ken Clark, 1988 1,412 season with 1,839 rushing yards to rank 6. Jammal Lord, 2002 1,357 7. Rex Burkhead, 2011 fifth among Nebraska quarterbacks. 1,342 Together, Burkhead and Martinez 8. Bobby Reynolds, 1950 1,313 racked up 2,231 rushing yards in 2011. 9. Derek Brown, 1991 1,301 That figure ranked as the second-best 10. I.M. Hipp, 1977 QB-RB rushing total last season, and the twosome is the top returning QB-RB rushing tandem in the nation, just ahead of Michigan’s Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussaint.
FBS Top Returning Quarterback-Running Back Rushing Combos 1. 2. 3. 4.
Nebraska, 2,231 yards (Rex Burkhead, RB, 1,357; Taylor Martinez, QB, 874) Michigan, 2,217 yards (Denard Robinson, QB, 1,176; Fitzgerald Toussaint, RB, 1,041) Missouri, 2,149 yards (Henry Josey, RB, 1,168; James Franklin, QB, 981) Kansas State, 2,111 yards (Collin Klein, QB, 1,141; John Hubert, RB, 970)
2012 husker roster filled with grad students
Nebraska returns a pair of Academic All-Americans to its 2012 team in first-team selection Rex Burkhead and second-team choice Sean Fisher. Coach Pelini’s Husker teams have continued Nebraska’s long tradition of academic honors and outstanding work in the classroom. In the summer of 2011, Nebraska’s team cumulative grade-point average surpassed 3.0 for the first time since that statistic had been tracked since the 1980s. Four members of Nebraska’s 30-man senior class earned their degrees last December and began grad classes in January. That group includes defensive end Kenny Anderson, linebacker Will Compton, tight end Ben Cotton and defensive tackle Baker Steinkuhler. Another four 2012 Husker seniors are on track to earn their degree at the conclusion of the spring semester and play this fall as graduate students.
Senior I-back Rex Burkhead earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2011, and ranks among the nation’s top returning rushers after racking up 1,357 yards last season.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
MARTINEZ CONTINUING TO PLACE NAME IN NEBRASKA RECORD BOOKS
In addition to teaming with Rex Burkhead to form one of the nation’s best running tandems, quarterback Taylor Martinez has also been a threat NU Career QB Rushing Yards Yards in the passing game over the past Rk. Player, Years 3,434 two seasons. Martinez has been 1. Eric Crouch, 1998-2001 2,573 working this spring on improving 2. Jammal Lord, 2000-03 3. Steve Taylor, 1985-88 2,125 his throwing mechanics and 4. Tommie Frazier, 1992-95 1,955 consistency. 5. Taylor Martinez, 2010-present 1,839 Martinez will enter 2012 in position to make a significant NU Career Passing Yards Yards move in the Nebraska career Rk. Player, Years 5,850 passing charts. A year ago, 1. Zac Taylor, 2005-06 5,125 Martinez passed for 2,089 yards 2. Joe Ganz, 2006-08 3. Dave Humm, 1972-74 5,035 which was the sixth-best single- 4. Jerry Tagge, 1969-71 4,704 season passing effort in school 5. Eric Crouch, 1998-2001 4,481 history and the best ever by a 6. Taylor Martinez, 2010-present 3,720 Nebraska sophomore. Martinez 7. Tommie Frazier, 1992-95 3,521 also owns the Husker freshman 8. Turner Gill, 1980-83 3,317 3,224 passing mark with 1,631 yards 9. Vince Ferragamo, 1975-76 10. Jammal Lord, 2000-03 2,848 through the air in 2010. Through two seasons, Martinez NU Season Passing Yards has thrown for 3,720 yards in his Rk. Player, Year Yards Nebraska career to rank sixth on 1. Joe Ganz, 2008 3,568 the Huskers’ career list. He is less 2. Zac Taylor, 2006 3,197 than 1,500 yards from reaching 3. Zac Taylor, 2005 2,653 second on the career passing list 4. Sam Keller, 2007 2,422 2,143 and could threaten the career 5. Zac Lee, 2009 6. Taylor Martinez, 2011 2,089 passing record by season’s end. With his dual-threat ability, Martinez also continues to make NU Career Total Offense yards Rk. Player, Years Yards an ascension on Nebraska’s total 1. Eric Crouch, 1998-2001 7,915 offense lists. His 2,963 yards of 2. Zac Taylor, 2005-06 5,777 total offense last season ranked 3. Taylor Martinez, 2010-present 5,559 third in school history and 4. Tommie Frazier, 1992-95 5,476 through two seasons, Martinez 5. Joe Ganz, 2005-08 5,466 has 5,559 yards of total offense to NU Season Total Offense yards rank third in school history. Yards Martinez has started 25 of Rk. Player, Year 1. Joe Ganz, 2008 3,826 Nebraska’s 27 games over the 2. Zac Taylor, 2006 3,165 past two seasons, including all 3. Taylor Martinez, 2011 2,963 13 games in 2011. If he were 4. Jammal Lord, 2002 2,774 to continue in his starting role 5. Eric Crouch, 2001 2,625 in 2012, he would be NU’s first 6. Zac Taylor, 2005 2,612 2,596 three-year starter since Eric 7. Taylor Martinez, 2010 Crouch from 1999 to 2001, and the first quarterback to start three straight openers since Tommie Frazier from 1993 to 1995.
maher provides Huskers with Nation’s Best Kicker/Punter Combination
Brett Maher had the unenviable task of replacing Alex Henery as Nebraska’s starting place-kicker and punter in 2011. Henery had made his mark on the NU program becoming NU’s all-time leading scorer and the most accurate field goal kicker in NCAA history, while earning All-America honors in 2010. Maher, a Kearney, Neb. native, was more than up to the challenge in his first season as a starter. Maher was named both the Big Ten Kicker of the Year and the Big Ten Punter of the Year. This fall, Maher should again be a strong contender for conference awards, while being a leading candidate for both the Groza Award and the Ray Guy Award. In addition to handling place-kicking and punting chores, Maher also kicks off. Maher connected on four field goals in his first start against Chattanooga in 2011, and built on that effort. He made 19-of-23 field goals, including 16-of-17 from inside 50 yards. His 19 field goals tied for second in school history, behind only Henery’s 24 field goals in 2009. Maher also made 43-of-44 PAT attempts and his 7.7 points per game ranked third in the Big Ten. He was equally efficient in the punting department, averaging 44.5 yards per punt, the sixth-highest single-season average in school history. His average topped the Big Ten and ranked 10th nationally. Maher boomed 20 punts of at least 50 yards and has pinned the opposition inside their own 20 on 24 of his punts.
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Taylor Martinez established Nebraska records for most passing yards and most total offense yards by a sophomore in 2011.
Nebraska Schedule to be among nation’s most challenging slates in 2012
Nebraska enters its second Big Ten season in 2012, and will once again face one of the nation’s more challenging schedules. Overall, Nebraska will face 10 teams that participated in a bowl game in 2011. Leading the way are BCS bowl participants Wisconsin (Rose) and Michigan (Sugar), which will both visit Licnoln. The non-conference schedule features three games against bowl teams, who will all have new head coaches in 2012. NU opens on Sept. 1 against Conference USA champ Southern Miss, followed by a Sept. 8 trip to UCLA. Arkansas State comes to Lincoln on Sept. 15 and the Huskers complete non-conference play against Idaho State on Sept. 22. The Big Ten schedule opens at home against Wisconsin on Sept. 29, and the home schedule also includes Michigan, Penn State and MInnesota. Overall, NU’s seven-game home schedule includes five teams that won at least nine games last season. On the road, Nebraska faces four 2011 bowl teams, including Ohio State, Northwestern, Michigan State and Iowa. Six of Nebraska’s 11 scheduled opponents won at least nine games in 2011. 4 Each of Nebraska’s first three opponents will feature new head coaches in 2012, including Southern Miss, UCLA and Arkansas State. 4 Michigan will be making only its second trip to Lincoln and its first ever to Memorial Stadium. The only previous meeting between the two schools in Lincoln occurred in the 1911 season. 4 Nebraska will open Big Ten play against Leaders Division opponent Wisconsin for the second straight year. The Badgers’ visit to Lincoln will mark the first trip by UW to Memorial Stadium since 1973. 4 Penn State will make its seventh visit to Memorial Stadium, but its first as a Big Ten opponent. PSU last came to Lincoln in 2003. 4 The Huskers’ visit to Columbus on Oct. 6, will mark the first matchup between the two schools at Ohio Stadium since Nebraska played there in 1955 and 1956. 4 The Huskers travel to Northwestern for the first time since before World War II (1931). 4 Nebraska and Iowa will meet in the second Heroes Game on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Season-Opening Win Streak
Nebraska will face a major challenge to its season-opening win streak in 2012. Southern Mississippi will be the Huskers’ foe in the season opener on Sept. 1 in Lincoln. The Golden Eagles posted a 12-2 record last season and are the best opponent Nebraska has faced in its season opener since defeating 24th-ranked Oklahoma State, 17-7, in the 2003 season opener. The Huskers will head into the game against Southern Miss with victories in each of its last 26 season openers. The streak leads the nation, bettering Florida’s 22 straight season-opening wins. The Huskers have won each of their last 25 season openers by 10 or more points, including a 40-7 win over Chattanooga in 2011. NU has scored 40 or more points in the opener 19 of the past 26 seasons. In the win streak, NU has limited opponents to 14 points or less 18 times.
NCAA RECORD SELLOUT STREAK
One of the most remarkable streaks in collegiate sports is expected to reach its 50th anniversary during the 2012 season. Nebraska has sold out every game at Memorial Stadium since November 3, 1962, and the streak now stands at 318 games. With seven home games in 2012, the streak is likely to reach 325 by season’s end. Nebraska celebrated the 300th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 26, 2009 against Louisiana-Lafayette, with a stadium record crowd of 86,304. Notre Dame is second in all-time consecutive sellouts with 227, 91 fewer than Nebraska.
NU OWNS DOMINANT EDGE AT MEMORIAL STADIUM
Nebraska has rewarded the loyalty of its fans with incredible success at Memorial Stadium through the years. 4Nebraska has won at least six home games in 21 of the past 26 seasons. Nebraska is 141-20 at home in the last 23 seasons (since 1989). Nebraska finished 6-1 at home in 2011, marking its second straight 6-1 home season. 4During Nebraska’s run of success at home in the past 26 years, NU has had three home winning streaks of 20 or more games, and overall has posted 40 unbeaten and untied home seasons. 4The Huskers are 510-139-20 (.777, 669 games, 122 years) in Lincoln, and 385116-13 (.762, 514 games, 89 years) in Memorial Stadium (since 1923). Nebraska has had 43 straight winning home seasons. 4Nebraska posted its 500th all-time home win against Idaho on Sept. 11, 2010. The 500th home victory put Nebraska in elite company. Only three other schools in college football history (Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee) reached the 500-win plateau at home before Nebraska.
800-Win Club
Nebraska is one of eight programs with 800 all-time victories, and NU’s 846 all-time victories ranks fourth nationally. 1. Michigan 2. Texas 3. Notre Dame 4. Nebraska 5. Ohio State 6. Penn State 7. Oklahoma 8. Alabama
895 858 853 846 837 827 821 814
Nebraska is heading into its 123rd season of college football, and owns an 846-34940 all-time record in 1,235 games (.702). 4Since the first season of Nebraska football in 1890, Husker teams have won 11 or more games 12 times, including seven times since 1993. 4Nebraska has won 12 or more games seven times, including three seasons with 13 wins (1971, 1994, 1997). 4NU (702), Michigan (705), Alabama (728) and Notre Dame (736) were the only schools to win 700 games in the 1900s.
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Nebraska has an impressive home schedule at Memorial Stadium in 2012, including five teams who won at least nine games.
Nation’s Best Since ‘70
Nebraska ranks as the nation’s winningest program since the start of the 1970s, when Bob Devaney guided NU to back-to-back national titles in 1970 and 1971. During the past four decades, the Huskers have compiled a 412-108-5 record for a .790 winning percentage in 525 games. NU’s 412 wins in that time period are 26 more than any other school. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Nebraska Oklahoma Ohio State Michigan Penn State
412 386 385 378 375
4Nebraska has 39 nine-win seasons and 23 10-win seasons since 1970. Under Bo Pelini in 2009 and 2010, Nebraska posted back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since 2000 and 2001. NU has posted four straight nine-win seasons for the first time since an NCAA record 33 straight from 1969 to 2001. 4Nebraska was the first team in college football history to win 100 or more games in consecutive decades, ranking first in the 1980s (103-20) and second in the 1990s (108-16-1). NU narrowly missed 100 wins in the 1970s (98). Nebraska posted 84 wins in the recently completed decade.
Nebraska fourth in all-time bowl appearances
Nebraska played in its 48th all-time bowl game with its appearance in the Capital One Bowl following the 2011 season. The Huskers have played in the postseason in 41 of the past 43 seasons, including an NCAA-record 35 straight bowl games from 1969 to 2003. Nebraska is 2-2 in bowl games under Bo Pelini and owns a 24-24 all-time bowl record. The Huskers’ 48 all-time bowl appearances overall tie for fourth, trailing only Alabama (59), Texas (50) and Tennessee (49), and tying with USC (48). Nebraska’s 24 bowl victories rank eighth nationally. Nebraska played the first of its 48 bowls in the Rose Bowl, when No. 7 Nebraska lost to No. 2 Stanford, 21-13, following the 1940 season. Nebraska’s 35 consecutive bowls began with a 45-6 win over Georgia in the 1969 Sun Bowl, and ended following its appearance in the 2003 Alamo Bowl. The Huskers have been successful in recent years, winning 10 of their last 16 bowl games since the 1994 season.
All-Time Bowl Appearances
1. 2. 3. 4.
Alabama Texas Tennessee Nebraska USC
58 50 49 48 48
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
POSITION-BY-POSITION LOOK AT THE 2012 HUSKERS OVERVIEW
Nebraska returns 17 starters from the Huskers’ 9-4 squad in 2011, including eight on offense, seven on defense and Brett Maher, who holds down both the kicking and punting jobs. The Huskers have numerous other players on both sides of the ball who have gained starting experience or significant action in the past. Offensively, Nebraska must replace three starters on the offensive line, a veteran receiver and fullback, but return tested veterans at quarterback and I-back form a good foundation. Defensively, the Huskers must replace three honors winners, one at each level of the defense, but the unit is filled with players in their fourth and fifth year in the Nebraska defensive system. In addition to Maher, Nebraska returns several other key special teams performers who have the ability to again make that an area of strength for the 2012 Huskers.
THE HUSKER OFFENSE OFFENSIVE LINE
Letterwinners Returning: Player Notable Walk-on emerged to start six games as a junior Seung Hoon Choi*, Sr., G Jake Cotton*, So., G Ready to return after injury midway through 2011 Justin Jackson*, Sr., C Former DT strong contender for starting role at C Spencer Long*, Jr., G Walk-on earned All-Big Ten honors in 2011 Tyler Moore*, So., T Became first true frosh OL ever to start opener Cole Pensick**, Jr., C Has served as No. 2 center past two seasons Brent Qvale**, Jr., G/T Versatility to play both guard and tackle Andrew Rodriguez**, Jr., G/T Part-time starter at G has seen work at T in spring Jeremiah Sirles**, Jr., T 2010 starter is a frontrunner for a tackle job in 2012 Brandon Thompson**, Sr., G Texas native has added depth throughout career Nebraska faces the task of replacing three veteran starters on the offensive line. Mike Caputo held down the center position each of the past two seasons and was the anchor of a line that paved the way for outstanding rushing offenses in both 2010 and 2011. Marcel Jones and Yoshi Hardrick formed bookends at the tackle spots last season and must be replaced this fall. Despite the losses, Nebraska returns five players with extensive starting experience and several others with the ability to contribute at multiple positions. Junior Spencer Long emerged in 2011 and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors while starting every game at right guard. Senior Seung Hoon Choi and junior Andrew Rodriguez split the starting duties at the left guard spot and both return to battle for the starting nod at the position in 2012. The 6-6, 325-pound Rodriguez also has spent time at tackle this spring and could compete at that position. A pair of tackles have starting experience in junior Jeremiah Sirles and sophomore Tyler Moore. Sirles started all 14 games at left tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2010, then served as the top backup at both tackle spots last season. Moore became the first true freshman offensive linemen ever to start a season opener at Nebraska last fall, and went on to start the season’s first four games. Sirles and Moore both possess the skills to give Nebraska a talented pair of tackles. The center spot figures to be a highly contested battle well into fall camp. Junior Cole Pensick is the most experienced player at the spot after backing up Caputo the past two seasons. This spring he has been pushed by senior Justin Jackson who has spent the majority of his career on the defensive line, but has moved to offense. Sophomore Mark Pelini also figures to continue to push for playing time as well. In addition to three guards with extensive starting experience last season, Nebraska returns other options at the spot. Senior Brandon Thompson has battled injuries the past two seasons, but could provide depth at guard. Sophomore Jake Cotton suffered a knee injury midway through last fall and is out this spring, but should be at full strength for fall camp and will push for time. Junior Brent Qvale has the ability to play both guard and tackle and also figures to push for playing time in 2012. Redshirt freshman Ryne Reeves was originally in the mix for time at center, but has also seen time at guard this spring and appears to have a bright future in front of him. Juniors Nick Ash, Brodrick Nickens and Brandon Chapek, sophomore Mike Moudy and redshirt freshmen Ryan Klachko, Givens Price and Zach Sterup are also among the group of players who could add depth this fall.
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QUARTERBACKS
Letterwinners Returning: Player Notable Brion Carnes*, Soph. Served as Martinez’s backup in 2011 Has started 25 of NU’s 27 games past two seasons Taylor Martinez**, Jr. Junior Taylor Martinez has had a lock on the starting job each of the past two what returns seasons and is expected to head into fall for the 2012 huskers... camp with a strong edge at the spot. Offense Over the past two seasons, Martinez has Category.................... Pct. of 2011 Total produced two of the best dual-threat Rushing Yards................................ 96.5% seasons ever by a Nebraska quarterback. Passing Yards.................................. 100% With two seasons remaining, Martinez Receiving Yards............................. 84.0% is in position to challenge for Nebraska Total Offense Yards....................... 98.0% records for career passing yards and career All-Purpose Yards.......................... 91.7% total offense. He is also on pace to push Scoring........................................... 93.7% for the Husker record for career rushing Defense yards for a quarterback. Martinez’s focus in the offseason Category.................... Pct. of 2011 Total has been improving his footwork and Tackles........................................... 62.1% mechanics. NU coaches believe Martinez Tackles for Loss............................. 65.6% Sacks.............................................. 64.3% could be poised for a big junior year. Sophomore Brion Carnes saw limited Interceptions................................. 40.0% action as Martinez’s backup last season Pass Breakups................................ 65.1% Fumble Recoveries........................ 50.0% and is again the favorite for the No. 2 Fumbles Forced............................. 57.1% job heading into fall camp. Junior Ron Kellogg III has added depth for the Huskers SPecial Teams the past two seasons and hopes to see Category.................... Pct. of 2011 Total action this fall. Redshirt freshmen Tyson Field Goals...................................... 100% Broekemeier and Bronson Marsh are Extra Points.................................... 100% two of the most decorated prep players Punt Return Yards.......................... 100% in Nebraska history and are expected to Kickoff Return Yards...................... 99.6% Punting Yards................................. 100% add depth this season. Texas product Tommy Armstrong will join the quarterback mix this fall and hopes to make a push for playing time.
RUNNING BACKS
Letterwinners Returning: Player Notable Ameer Abdullah*, So., IB Made impact as both IB and returner as true frosh Rex Burkhead***, Sr., IB Poised to crack the top three on career rush list Aaron Green*, So., IB Saw significant action as a true freshman in 2011 Graham Stoddard***, Sr., FB Lincoln native made move from LB at start of spring C.J. Zimmerer*, Jr., FB One of leading contenders to take over fullback job Nebraska welcomes back ample talent in the backfield for 2012, led by All-America candidate Rex Burkhead at I-back. The senior earned first-team All-Big Ten honors last season when he rushed for 1,357 yards and scored 17 touchdowns, while posting the second-most carries in school history. Burkhead’s season was the most productive by a Nebraska I-back in 14 seasons. Burkhead will continue to be the workhorse in the Nebraska rushing attack, but coaches have talked about needing to spread out carries a little more in 2012. The two leading beneficiaries of that approach would figure to be sophomore I-backs Ameer Abdullah and Aaron Green. Both players made contributions in their true freshman seasons in 2011 and appear to be poised to take the next step this fall. The fullback battle is wide open this spring and likely into the fall, as the Huskers must replace three-year starter Tyler Legate. Junior C.J. Zimmerer has the most experience at the position, but his playing time has primarily come on special teams. Senior Graham Stoddard has made the switch from linebacker to fullback and could contend for the job, while transfer Mike Marrow provides a physical presence in the running game at 250 pounds. Freshman Imani Cross will join the running back picture this summer, while sophomore Zach Taylor should continue to provide depth.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Letterwinners Returning: Player Notable Second-most receptions and yards ever by NU frosh Kenny Bell*, So., WR Ben Cotton***, Sr., TE Physical blocker and big receiving target for NU Quincy Enunwa**, Jr., WR Most physical of receivers had 21 catches in 2011 Tyler Evans*, So., WR Poised to push for playing time in 2012 KC Hyland*, Sr., WR Lincoln native hoping to push for time in senior year Jake Long*, Jr., TE Saw extensive time as NU’s third tight end in 2011 Tim Marlowe***, Sr., WR Impact as receiver and returner throughout career Steven Osborne*, Sr., WR Hopeful of pushing for playing time in senior year Kyler Reed***, Sr., TE Big-play threat in passing game for past three years Jamal Turner*, So., WR Flashed glimpses of big-play potential in 2011 Nebraska returns the bulk of its receiving and tight end corps for the 2012 campaign, and the battle for playing time figures to be very competitive. Brandon Kinnie and Khiry Cooper are gone from the receiving corps, while Kevin Thomsen saw reserve action at tight end in 2011. The tight end group features a pair of fifth-year seniors who form one of the nation’s top tandems at that position. Ben Cotton became a solid receiving threat in 2011, while continuing to provide a physical blocking presence on the perimeter. Kyler Reed has been a big-play threat in the passing game for the past three seasons and figures to again pose matchup problems for opposing defenses. Both Cotton and Reed have battled minor injuries throughout their career, but are hopeful for healthy senior seasons. Junior Jake Long earned two starts and saw significant action at tight end last season and figures to again give NU a strong third option at the spot. Redshirt freshman David Sutton has made good strides in the NU weight program since his arrival and could push for action this fall. The receiving corps features four players who saw a lot of action last season. Sophomore Kenny Bell led Nebraska in receiving with 32 catches for 461 yards, the second-best totals by a Husker freshman. Bell made 11 starts last season and figures to be a go-to-player in the passing game again this fall. Junior Quincy Enunwa played sparingly as a true freshman in 2010, then developed into one of the Huskers’ most consistent receivers last season. Enunwa is the Huskers’ best perimeter blocker and has good receiving skills, hauling in 21 catches last season. Senior Tim Marlowe has been a contributor each of the past three seasons as both a returner and receiver, and will again be a regular in the rotation this fall. Sophomore Jamal Turner averaged better than 16 yards per catch as a true freshman, and the Texas native figures to have a much larger role in 2012. Sophomore Tyler Evans was limited by injury last season but could move into the picture for time this fall. Redshirt freshman Taariq Allen impressed in his practice work last year and is poised to make a move in the fall, and sophomore Tyler Wullenwaber is one of the team’s fastest players and ready to make a push for action. Seniors Steven Osborne, KC Hyland and Taylor Dixon are hopeful of finishing their careers by pushing for playing time. Freshman Jordan Westerkamp will join the mix in the fall after breaking several Illinois prep records during his high school career.
THE HUSKER DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE
Letterwinners Returning: Player Notable Jason Ankrah**, Jr., DE Started nine games as a sophomore in 2011 Joseph Carter*, Sr., DE Made impact as reserve end in first year in program Jay Guy*, So., DT Saw action late in the season at tackle Eric Martin***, Sr., DE Special teams standout saw extensive play at DE Cameron Meredith***, Sr., DE Started all 27 games over the past two seasons Thad Randle, Jr., DT Healthy after missing second half of year with injury Chase Rome*, So., DT Emerged as play-maker in redshirt freshman season Baker Steinkuhler***, Sr., DT Two-year starter poised for big senior season First-year defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski welcomes back a number of players at both end and tackle with extensive playing experience. The group, however, was hampered significantly by injuries last fall and that has continued to impact the front four during spring practice. However, with everyone in line to be healthy for the fall the prospects of a strong defensive line look bright. Nebraska must replace a pair of outstanding tackles in Jared Crick and Terrence Moore. Crick put together one of the most productive careers for a Nebraska defender, while Moore was a four-year contributor at the spot.
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Leading the way on the interior is senior Baker Steinkuhler who has been a fixture in the starting lineup the past two seasons. Steinkuhler has the tools to push for conference and national honors in his senior campaign. Both junior Thad Randle and sophomore Chase Rome saw extensive playing time last fall and figure to be the leading contenders to start alongside Steinkuhler. Randle’s 2011 season was cut short by injury, while Rome is out this spring with an injury, but both should be fully healthy for the fall. Sophomore Jay Guy also earned time last season and should be in the mix again this fall. Redshirt freshmen Kevin Williams and Todd Peat Jr. are both recovering from injuries, but when healthy are expected to push for action. Sophomore Tobi Okuyemi has the versatility to play inside and outside and could push for time, while walk-on senior Kenny Anderson and walk-on sophomores J.C. Moore and Jeff Uher have moved inside to add depth. At the end spot, Nebraska returns four players who had extensive playing time in 2012. Leading the way is fifth-year senior Cameron Meredith, who has started all 27 games the past two years. Meredith is a versatile performer who has played a standup linebacker-type role, and also took snaps inside last season in passing situations. Fellow senior Eric Martin made the full-time move to defensive end last season and showed the same tenacity that has made him a dynamic special teams player throughout his career. Junior Jason Ankrah held down the starting job opposite Meredith for the majority of last season and figures to be ready to take his game to the next level this fall. Senior Joseph Carter saw playing time in passing situations last fall and could see an expanded role in 2012. Sophomores Walker Ashburn and Donovan Vestal should push to see their first action this fall. The defensive line will see an infusion of talent this fall. Defensive ends Greg McMullen and Avery Moss, and tackles Aaron Curry and Vincent Valentine all join the program will impressive prep credentials.
LINEBACKERS
Letterwinners Returning: Player Notable Will Compton***, Sr. Fifth-year senior has 23 career starts at Nebraska Sean Fisher**, Sr. Academic All-American has made 10 career starts Trevor Roach*, So. Saw playing time in a reserve role as redshirt frosh Alonzo Whaley**, Sr. Emerged late in 2011 and poised for big senior year Nebraska must replace an All-America performer in Lavonte David who moved into the top five on NU’s career tackle list in just two seasons. The Huskers do have the luxury of three fifth-year seniors in the linebacking corps who all have an excellent grasp of the defensive system. Will Compton has been a mainstay at the middle linebacker spot throughout his career and has made 23 starts. Compton appears to be set for a big senior season on the field, while also be a leader for the Blackshirts in the locker room. Fellow senior Sean Fisher has seen extensive action in both 2009 and 2011, while sitting out the 2010 season with an injury. In addition to being a versatile player at linebacker, Fisher continues to maintain a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. The third senior in the mix is Alonzo Whaley, who saw most of his action in 2011 on special teams until late in the season when he began to see significant action at linebacker. Whaley has had a strong offseason and appears ready to make an impact in 2012. Sophomore Trevor Roach was impressive in some early-season action as a backup to Compton and figures to be in the mix for playing time again this fall. Redshirt freshmen David Santos and Max Pirman both made strong impressions for their work on the scout team last fall and figure to push for action in 2012. Senior Micah Kreikemeier has had an injury-plagued Nebraska career, but hopes to get action this season. In the fall, a talented class of four linebackers will join the program. The group includes junior college standout Zaire Anderson and high school products Jared Afalava, Thomas Brown and Michael Rose. Nebraska coaches believe the group could have an immediate impact on the linebacker position.
SECONDARY
Letterwinners Returning: Player Notable Antonio Bell***, Sr., CB Primarily played on special teams throughout career Justin Blatchford***, Sr., S Has made impact on special teams and in nickel role Corey Cooper*, So., S Brief move to corner before moving back to safety Jase Dean***, Sr., CB Key special teams player throughout career Ciante Evans**, Jr., CB Started at both cornerback and nickel last season Braylon Heard*, So., CB Moved from I-back during offseason Andrew Green*, Jr., CB Emerged as a starter at one corner in 2011 Harvey Jackson*, So., S Poised for action at safety after special teams work
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL Stanley Jean-Baptiste*, Jr., CB Josh Mitchell*, So., CB Courtney Osborne***, Sr., S Wil Richards*, Jr., S P.J. Smith***, Sr., S Daimion Stafford*, Sr., S Dijon Washington*, Jr., S
Immediate impact after switching from receiver Reserve corner saw extensive special teams action Fifth-year senior was limited by injuries in 2011 Key special teams player throughout 2011 season Should contend for starting safety role as senior NU’s third-leading tackler in first year in program Appeared in every game on special teams in 2011
The Nebraska secondary must replace two full-time starters and a third player who made a significant impact throughout his career. Alfonzo Dennard was an All-Big Ten corner, while Austin Cassidy started two years at safety and Lance Thorell made a significant impact in a nickel and dime role. However, Nebraska returns numerous options at both safety and cornerback for first-year secondary coach Terry Joseph. The safety spot features extensive talent and experience led by four seniors. Daimion Stafford made a big impact in his first year in the program in 2011, finishing with 80 tackles and 10 pass breakups. He is poised to push for all-conference honors in his senior year at one safety spot. Both P.J. Smith and Courtney Osborne have been in starting roles at different points in their NU career and are among the leading contenders for the starting spot opposite Stafford. Smith began the 2010 season as a starter, before Osborne took over that role. Both saw action last season, although Osborne was limited in the second half of the year by injury. Blatchford is likely to step into a role similar to Thorell. The walk-on has been a special teams regular and fifth or sixth defensive back over the past two seasons and is likely to find the field again in 2012. Sophomores Corey Cooper and Harvey Jackson both got a taste of action in 2011, and figure to push for a more expanded role this fall, while Dijon Washington and Wil Richards have played on special teams but hope to move into the safety competition this fall. Like the safety spot, Nebraska has several experienced options at cornerback, and the competition for playing time figures to be intense well into fall camp. Andrew Green emerged in 2011 and locked down one starting cornerback spot. He is a frontrunner to reclaim one of the starting jobs, but the competition at the other spot is wide open. Junior Ciante Evans has the most playing time among the other corners, earning seven starts last season. While he may compete for a corner job, Evans could also be NU’s primary nickel back. Senior Antonio Bell has made his biggest impact on special teams, but has good size and speed and will compete at cornerback. Junior Stanley Jean-Baptiste moved to cornerback at the start of the Big Ten season last fall and gives
Nebraska its tallest option at corner. Senior Jase Dean and sophomore Josh Mitchell have all made their biggest impact on special teams but could push for action. Two newcomers to the cornerback race are sophomore Braylon Heard and junior Mohammed Seisay. Heard saw action at I-back as a true freshman last season, but has moved to defense and brings great athleticism to the secondary. Seisay was a junior college standout last season, who also has FBS experience at Memphis in 2009 and 2010, and he will push for immediate playing time. Redshirt freshman Daniel Davie will also hope to get into the mix for playing time.
THE HUSKER SPECIAL TEAMS SPECIALISTS
Letterwinners Returning: Player Mauro Bondi*, So., PK/P Brett Maher***, Sr., PK/P P.J. Mangieri***, Sr., LS
Notable Ability to handle punting, place-kicking and kickoffs First-team All-Big Ten as kicker and punter in 2011 Has handled snapping chores three straight years
Ross Els will take on the role of special teams coordinator this season, and welcomes back an experienced group of players. Senior Brett Maher gave Nebraska the nation’s best kicker-punter combo player for the third straight year in 2011. Maher connected on 19-of-23 field goals and was a standout punter, earning first-team AllBig Ten honors in both areas. He figures to be a strong contender for conference and national awards this season. Maher also handles the Huskers’ kickoff duties. Maher is backed by sophomore Mauro Bondi, who also has the ability to handle any of the three kicking areas. NU also has the luxury of returning long snapper P.J. Mangieri, who has been in that role the past three seasons and helped Maher and Alex Henery to record-breaking efforts. The return game is in solid hands with every player who contributed in that area back in 2012. Ameer Abdullah is the headliner in the return game, after ranking among the nation’s most explosive kickoff return threats in 2012, and also serving as a primary punt returner. Senior Tim Marlowe and sophomore Kenny Bell also saw kickoff return action, while Rex Burkhead often was deep on punt returns. Sophomore Jamal Turner could also be a factor in this area, and the coaching staff will continue to evaluate possible return options into fall camp. Nebraska must find a new holder to replace Austin Cassidy, who handled that duty a year ago.
NU SPRING GAME RESULTS
NEBRASKA SPRING GAME RECORDS
1950–Varsity 13, Alumni 13 1951–Varsity 27, Alumni 25 1952–Varsity 7, Alumni 6 1953–Varsity 16, Alumni 6 1954–White 25, Red 14 1955–Red 14, White 7 1956–Alumni 14, Varsity 0 1957–Varsity 22, Alumni 20 1958–Varsity 14, Alumni 6 1959–Varsity 22, Alumni 0 1960–Varsity 14, Alumni 0 1961–Varsity 35, Alumni 20 1962–Red 33, White 21 1963–Red 21, White 15 1964–White 25, Red 15 1965–Red 33, White 27 1966–White 28, Red 10 1967–Red 16, White 14 1968–White 26, Red 24 1969–White 10, Red 8 1970–Red 23, White 3 1971–Red 64, White 21 1972–White 21, Red 19 1973–Red 35, White 25 1974–Red 41, White 40 1975–White 20, Red 6 1976–White 29, Red 26 1977–Red 23, White 21 1978–White 14, Red 13 1979–Red 27, White 13 1980–Red 38, White 19
Most first downs--33, Red 1973 Most first downs, both teams--53, Red 33, White 20, 1973 Most passes attempted--49, Red, 2004 Most passes attempted, both teams--76; Red 45, White, 31, 2005 Most passes completed--29, Red, 2004 Best completion percentage--.800, Red (8-10), 1963 Most yards passing--366, White, 2005 Most yards passing, both teams--606, Red 240, White 366, 2005 Most yards rushing--407, Red, 1987 Most fumbles--11, White, 1965 Most fumbles, both teams--18, Red 7, White 11, 1965 Most points--70, Red, 1986 Most points, both teams--85, Red 64, White 21, 1971 Fewest points, both teams--13, Red 13, White 0, 2003; Varsity 7, Alumni 6, 1952
PREVIOUS SCORES
HUSKERS.COM
1981–White 22, Red 21 1982–Red 24, White 9 1983–Red 37, White 14 1984–Red 35, White 13 1985–Red 26, White 21 1986–Red 70, White 14 1987–Red 33, White 28 1988–Red 37, White 14 1989–White 40, Red 28 1990–Red 44, White 34 1991–Red 43, White 21 1992–Red 33, White 21 1993–Red 29, White 8 1994–Red 43, White 19 1995–White 40, Red 34 1996–Red 20, White 17 1997–Red 34, White 28 1998–White 24, Red 21 1999–Red 27, White 12 2000-Red 21, White 21 2001-Red 16, White 7 2002-Red 17, White 7 2003-Red 13, White 0 2004-Red 35, White 6 2005-White 42, Red 14 2006-Red 35, White 7 2007–Red 38, White 0 2008–Red 24, White 14 2009–Red 31, White 17 2010–Red, 21, White 16 2011–Red 32, White 29 Red leads series 36-14-1 Varsity lead series 8-1-1
TEAM RECORDS
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Most TD passes--4, Joe Dailey, Red, 2004 Most TD pass receptions--3, Riley Washington, White, 1995 Longest TD run from scrimmage--91, Bobby Newcombe, White, 1998 Longest punt return for TD--91 yards, Joe Blahak, Red, 1971 Longest kickoff return for TD--100 yards, Mike Demps, Red, 1999; Titus Brothers, White, 2006 Longest TD pass--80 yards, Jerry Dunlap to Jamie Worden, White, 1987; Tommie Frazier to Reggie Baul, Red, 1995 Longest interception return for TD--91 yards, Wonder Monds, White, 1973 Longest fumble return for TD--94 yards, Greg McGraw, Red, 1999 Most points--18, Tony Davis, Red, 1973; Steve Taylor, Red, 1986; Terry Rodgers, White, 1987; Riley Washington, White, 1995 Most PATs--7, Dale Klein, Red, 1986 Most yards passing--357, Zac Taylor, White, 2005 Best completion percentage--1.000, Dennis Claridge, Red (7-7), 1963 Most pass receptions--8, Dave Shamblin, White, 1973 Most yards receiving--184, Reggie Baul, Red, 1995 Most yards rushing--207, Keith Jones, Red, 1987
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Returning starters–offense Kenny
Bell
» Honorable-Mention Freshman All-American (CollegeFootballNews.com) » Big Ten All-Freshman Team (Yahoo.com, ESPN.com) » Longest Touchdown Run by a Freshman in School History (80 yards at Minnesota) Wide receiver Kenny Bell emerged as a go-to-receiver for Nebraska as a redshirt freshman in 2011, and the 6-1, 180-pound Bell is poised to play an even bigger role as a sophomore. Bell is part of a receiving corps that returns four players that saw extensive action during the 2011 season, and he expects to use spring ball to continue to build his role in the NU offense. Bell was it his best in the second half of the year, and finished as the Huskers leader in receptions (32), receiving yards (461) and touchdown receptions (3). Bell started each of the final 11 games of the 2011 season, while appearing in every game. Bell has outstanding speed which could also be utilized in the Huskers’ return game. He returned six kickoffs in 2011, and also chipped in 100 rushing yards on three carries.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Bell had a strong surge in the second half of the season that allowed him to become just the second freshman ever to lead Nebraska in receptions and receiving yards. Bell joined Nate Swift who accomplished that feat in 2005 and went on to become Nebraska’s all-time leader in receptions. Bell’s receptions and receiving yardage totals were the second-best totals ever for a Nebraska freshman. Bell averaged 14.4 yards per catch and has big-play ability with eight catches of at least 20 yards. Bell made 27 of his 32 catches after the start of Big Ten play, and had at least four catches in four of the final seven games. Bell capped his regular season with five catches for a Nebraska season-best 93 yards in the win over Iowa. Bell opened the year with five catches in non-league play, but he made the most of those opportunities. His first career catch against Fresno State went for 42 yards, and he had two catches for 59 yards against Washington, including a 50-yarder on the Huskers’ first offensive play, setting up a touchdown one play later. Bell caught his first career touchdown at Wyoming. Bell started every game in conference play, and became NU’s top receiver. He helped NU overcome a 21-point deficit against Ohio State with three catches. A week later, he totaled a career-high 107 all-purpose yards at Minnesota. He caught four passes for 25 yards and ran a reverse 82 yards for a second-quarter touchdown. It was the longest run from scrimmage for a Husker since 2004 and the longest TD run by a freshman in school history. Bell had a career-high five catches for 58 yards, including a 14-yard fourth quarter touchdown against Northwestern, then led Nebraska with four catches for 42 yards in a win at Penn State. Bell then matched his career high with his five-catch effort against Iowa, including three receptions that covered at least 19 yards. Bell closed his freshman year with three catches for 53 yards in the Capital One Bowl. He opened the scoring against South Carolina with a 30-yard first quarter touchdown catch.
2010 (Redshirt)
Bell redshirted in his first season and earned Scout Team MVP honors.
Year 2010 2011 Totals
G/S
13/11 13/11
No.
Yds. Redshirt 32 461 32 461
Y/R
Y/G
Long
TDs
14.4 14.4
35.5 35.5
50 vs. Washington 50 vs. Washington
3 3
*longest touchdown run by a freshman in school history
» Receptions–5 twice (Northwestern, Iowa, 2011) » Yards–93 vs. Iowa (2011) » Touchdowns–1 three times (Wyoming, Northwestern, South Carolina, 2011)
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#22
Senior l I-Back l 5-11 l 210 | Three Letters Plano, Texas l Plano Senior HS » Honorable-Mention All-American (Sports Illustrated, 2011) » Doak Walker Semifinalist (1 of 10, 2011) » First-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, ESPN, Phil Steele, 2011) » Second-Team All-Big Ten (Yahoo.com, 2011) » Rivals.com Big Ten Player of the Week (vs. Ohio State and vs. Michigan State, 2011) » School Record Holder for Single-Game Carries (38 vs. Iowa, 2011) » Tied School Record For Most Consecutive Games with a Touchdown (10, 2011) » First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-American (2011) » Academic All-District VII (2011) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Nebraska Team MVP (2011) » Nebraska Team Captain (2011) » Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches, 2010) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2010) » Nebraska Lifter of the Year (2010, 2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll (Fall, 2009, Fall 2010, Spring 2011) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2010, 2011) » Finalist, Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award (2012) Nebraska I-back Rex Burkhead has established himself as one of the nation’s top running backs on the field heading into his senior season in 2012. At the same time, the Plano, Texas native has distinguished himself as one of the top student-athletes in the country, both in the classroom and through his community outreach efforts. Burkhead put together one of the top rushing seasons in Nebraska history in 2011. The 5-11, 210-pound Burkhead earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after carrying a heavy workload for the Nebraska rushing attack in 2011. In addition to his all-conference honors on the field, Burkhead earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors as a junior. Burkhead amassed 1,357 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns as a junior. His 104.4 rushing yards per game ranked third in the Big Ten and 19th nationally. Burkhead reached the end zone in each of the season’s first 10 games and 11 of 13 contests overall, while his 7.9 points per game placed him second in the conference. Burkhead finished his junior season with seven 100-yard rushing games, including five in Big Ten Conference play. One of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, Burkhead’s 1,357 rushing yards were the seventh most in a season in NU history, the most by a Husker since 2002 and the most by a Nebraska running back since 1997. Burkhead will enter his senior season with 2,654 career rushing yards, good for 12th in school history. He is poised to make a run at the No. 2 spot on that chart in his senior season. Burkhead carried the ball at least 20 times in eight games in 2011, including six of eight Big Ten games. In the regular-season finale against Iowa, Burkhead had a Nebraska record 38 rushing attempts for 160 yards. He also racked up 35 carries in a win over Michigan State and had a career-high 170 rushing yards at Wyoming. Burkhead’s 284 carries in 2011 were just two shy of the season record of 286 by Lawrence Phillips in 1994. Burkhead also showed his receiving ability with 21 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
2011 (Junior)
Rushing: 3 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD, 33.3 average, long of 82 yards at Minnesota (TD)* Kickoff Returns: 6 returns, 152 yards, 0 TD, 25.3 average, long of 33 at Michigan
Single-Game Highs
burkhead
#80
Sophomore l Wide Receiver l 6-1 l 180 l One Letter Boulder, Colo. (Fairview)
Bell’s Career Statistics
rex
Burkhead was in the starting lineup for every game during his junior season and was a workhorse for an offense that finished in the top 20 nationally in rushing. Burkhead opened the year with 75 yards on just 11 carries against Tennessee-Chattanooga, including a career-long 52-yard run. Burkhead tallied 55 yards on 15 carries against Fresno State and had a pair of touchdown runs. He posted his first 100-yard game of the season against Washington, rolling up 120 yards on 22 carries, including 84 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. Both scores were one-yard runs nine seconds apart in the third quarter on consecutive Husker offensive plays. Burkhead rushed for a career-high 170 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries at Wyoming. He put the Huskers on the scoreboard with a 45-yard TD run in the first quarter and added a 16-yard score in the third quarter. Burkhead opened Big Ten play with 96 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries at No. 7 Wisconsin. A week later, he played a key role in a comeback win over Ohio State, with 26 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown. He had 96 rushing yards in the fourth quarter, including a 17-yard scoring run with 5:10 left to give NU its first lead. He also set career bests in receptions (5) and receiving yards (59), including a 30-yard touchdown catch to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Burkhead posted his fourth 100-yard game in five weeks at Minnesota with 117 yards and a score on 23 carries. In that game, he became the 26th Husker to reach 2,000 career rushing yards. He was a workhorse against No. 9 Michigan State, rushing for 130 yards and two scores on a then-career-high 35 carries. In addition to a pair of one-yard TD runs, Burkhead hauled in a 27-yard TD reception to extend the Huskers’ lead to 24-3. He was limited to 69 rushing yards on 22 carries against Northwestern, but matched his career high with five catches for 34 yards. Against a strong Penn State defense, Burkhead
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL carried 25 times for 121 yards and a touchdown, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season. He was held without a touchdown for the first time in 2011 at Michigan, when he ran 10 times for 36 yards. Against Iowa, Burkhead had a school-record 38 carries for 160 yards and one touchddown and posted his seventh 100-yard rushing game of 2011. His 38 carries broke Cory Ross’ previous record of 37 carries at the 2003 Alamo Bowl. Burkhead carried the ball nine times during the Huskers’ touchdown drive to close the first half. Nebraska ran the ball 13 times during the 15-play 80-yard drive that gave NU a 10-0 lead. Burkhead closed his junior year with 23 carries for 89 yards against South Carolina, and also tied his career best with five catches for 35 yards.
2010 (Sophomore)
Burkhead played in all 14 games with two starts, and earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors. He finished with 951 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Burkhead posted 100-yard rushing games against Washington and Colorado. In addition to sharing running back chores with senior Roy Helu Jr., Burkhead also excelled in a Wildcat role late in the season with Taylor Martinez slowed by injury. Burkhead threw for three touchdown passes late in the season, two against Colorado and one against Oklahoma.
2010 (Sophomore)
Choi added depth at guard and played in the season opener against Western Kentucky.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Choi was a reserve on the line, but did not see game action.
2008 (Redshirt)
A walk-on, Choi redshirted in his first season in the program.
Choi’s Career Stats
» Games Played–12 (1 in 2010; 11 in 2011) » Games Started–6 (6 in 2011)
ben
cotton
Senior l Tight End l 6-6 l 255 | Three Letters Ames, Iowa l Ames HS
2010 (Fresehman)
Burkhead was one of six true freshmen to see action, and he was NU’s second-leading rusher with 346 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He posted his numbers in nine games after missing five Big 12 games with a broken foot. He posted his first career 100-yard rushing game at Colorado and had 89 yards on 17 carries in the Holiday Bowl win over Arizona.
Burkhead’s Career Stats Year G/S 2009 9/0 2010 14/2 2011 13/13 Totals 36/15
Att. Gain Loss Net 81 360 14 346 172 990 39 951 284 1,406 49 1,357 537 2,756 102 2,654
Y/A Y/G 4.3 38.4 5.5 67.9 4.8 104.4 4.9 73.7
Long 34 vs. Arizona 33 at Texas A&M 52 vs. Chattanooga 52 vs. Chattanooga
TDs 3 7 15 25
Receiving: Career- 49 rec., 415 yds, 3 TDs, long of 31 vs. Idaho (2010) 13 rec., 90 yds, 1 TD (2009); 15 rec., 148 yds, 0 TD (2010); 21 rec., 177 yds, 2 TD (2011) Passing: Career- 3-for-6, 35 yds, 3 TDs, long of 26 vs. Colorado (2010) 3-for-4, 35 yds, 3 TDs (2010); 0-for-2, 0 yds, 0 TDs (2011) Punt Returns: Career- 5 ret., 92 yards, 0 TD, 18.4 average, long of 26 vs. Colorado (2010) 4 ret., 73 yards, 0 TD (2009); 5 ret., 26 yards, 0 TD (2010); 1 ret., 19 yards, 0 TD (2010)
Single-Game Highs
» Rushes–38 at Iowa (2011)* » Rushing Yards–170 at Wyoming (2011) » Rushing Touchdowns–2 four times (most recently vs. Michigan State, 2011) » Receptions–5 three times (vs. Ohio State, Northwestern, S. Carolina, all in 2011) » Receiving Yards–59 yards vs. Ohio State (2011) » Receiving Touchdowns–1 three times (most recently vs. Michigan State, 2011) » Total Touchdowns–3 vs. Michigan State (2011) » Passing Yards–30 vs. Colorado (2010) » Passing Touchdowns–2 vs. Colorado (2010) » Total Offense–178 yards vs. Ohio State (2011) *school record
seung hoon
choi
#77
Senior l Offensive Line l 6-2 l 290 | One Letter Lincoln, Neb. l Lincoln Christian HS Senior Seung Hoon Choi was one of the breakout players for Nebraska in the 2011 season. The 6-2, 290-pound Choi had played in just one game before 2011, but the offensive guard played a key role in 2011. He played in 11 games, including five starting assignments. Choi was one of three former walk-ons to man the middle of the Nebraska offensive line for a good portion of the second half of the season. Choi is one of five players with extensive starting experience returning to the offensive line and this spring, he will look to secure his role in the Nebraska offense. A native of South Korea, Choi came to Nebraska in the eighth grade and first played football as a sophomore in high school.
2011 (Junior)
Choi and sophomore Andrew Rodriguez split the starting role at left guard with Choi taking over full-time when Rodriguez missed the final four games with a foot injury. Choi’s play helped Nebraska average 217.2 rushing yards per game, while rushing for more than 200 yards seven times, including more than 300 yards against Washington, Wyoming and Minnesota. Choi made his starts against Washington, Wyoming, Penn State, Michigan, Iowa and South Carolina, joining Spencer Long and Mike Caputo as walk-ons on the starting line. The play of the line paved the way for I-back Rex Burkhead to rush for 1,357 yards, the most by an NU I-back since 1997.
HUSKERS.COM
#81
» Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, 2011) » CoSIDA Academic All-District VII (2011) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009, 2010) » All-Big 12 Freshman Team (ESPN.com, Sporting News) » Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2010, 2011) Tight end Ben Cotton has been a regular in the Nebraska offense for each of the past three seasons, and he is expected to a team leader on that side of the ball in 2012. The 6-6, 255-pound Cotton started 11 of 13 games at tight end in 2011, missing only the final two games of the regular season when he was sidelined by an injury. Cotton was one of the Huskers’ offensive leaders throughout the 2011 season, providing a big, reliable target in the passing game and a physical blocking presence to assist a strong Nebraska running attack. Cotton averaged better than 13 yards on his 14 catches in 2011, and had at least one reception in 10 of 11 games he played. Cotton was recognized for his effort with honorable-mention All-Big Ten accolades from both the league’s coaches and media. Cotton was also one of a nation-leading five Huskers to earn first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. He earned his undergraduate degree in business administration in December, completing his degree work in just seven semesters.
2011 (Junior)
Cotton and fellow junior tight end Kyler Reed gave Nebraska one of the Big Ten’s best tight end groups. Cotton finished with 14 catches for 189 yards, and had four catches of at least 20 yards. He had a 27-yard grab in the second quarter against Chattanooga, and a week later set up a touchdown against Fresno State with a 20-yard catch to the Bulldog 1. Cotton’s career-long 28-yard catch at Wisconsin set up a second-quarter touchdown. He added two catches each against Minnesota and Michigan State before tying his career high with three catches for a career-high 36 yards against Northwestern. Cotton had a 17-yard catch before being injured at Penn State. The shoulder injury caused him to miss the next two games, but he returned to start against South Carolina, and had one catch for 22 yards.
2010 (Sophomore)
Cotton earned 13 starts in 14 games, and finished the year with three receptions for 34 yards. He had single receptions against Idaho, Kansas State and Missouri, including a seasonlong 22-yard grab against the Tigers. Cotton’s blocking also helped Nebraska average 247.6 rushing yards per game to lead the Big 12 and rank in the top 10 nationally.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Cotton played in every game and made his only start at Baylor. He had five receptions for 43 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown catch at Colorado, when he had three catches for 33 yards. He also had single receptions against Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State. Cotton also scored a touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette by recovering a Roy Helu Jr. fumble in the end zone. Cotton also served on Nebraska’s kickoff return unit.
2008 (Redshirt)
Cotton redshirted in his first season at Nebraska.
Cotton’s Career Stats Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S
No.
14/1 14/13 11/11 39/25
5 3 14 22
Yds.
Y/R Redshirt 43 8.6 34 11.3 189 13.5 266 12.1
Y/G
Long
TDs
3.4 2.6 17.2 6.8
24 at Colorado 22 vs. Missouri 28 at Wisconsin 28 at Wisconsin
1 0 0 1
Single-Game Highs
» Receptions–3 twice (at Colorado, 2009; vs. Northwestern, 2011) » Yards–36 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Touchdowns–1 twice (Fumble rec. vs. ULL, 2009; TD catch at Colorado, 2009)
21
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
quincy
enunwa
#18
Junior l Wide Receiver l 6-2 l 210 | Two Letters Moreno Valley, Calif. l Rancho Verde HS
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Long was a reserve guard, but did not play in 2010.
Quincy Enunwa is a key part of a talented returning corps of receivers for the 2012 Nebraska offense. The 6-2, 210-pound Enunwa became a reliable receiving target during his sophomore season, while also emerging as the Huskers’ most physical perimeter blocker, helping key the Nebraska running attack. Enunwa finished thrd on the team with 21 receptions and averaged 14.0 yards on those catches. Enunwa caught crucial second-half touchdowns against Fresno State and Ohio State and had at least two receptions six times in 2011, including each of the final four games of the regular season.
2011 (Sophomore)
Enunwa was one of six receivers who saw the majority of the playing time in 2011, and he played in every game and made seven starts. Enunwa finished with 21 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career-high four catches for a career-best 58 yards in the opener against Chattanooga, including a 31-yard catch in the first quarter. Enunwa made two big plays in a 42-29 win over Fresno State. He caught a 16-yard TD pass in the third quarter to give NU a 21-20 lead. Earlier in the game, Enunwa caused a fumble following a Taylor Martinez interception, and Nebraska recovered to prevent a Bulldog scoring opportunity. Enunwa had a 30-yard catch at Wyoming and a 29-yarder at Wisconsin, both of which set up Husker touchdowns. Enunwa made his fourth catch of at least 25 yards against Ohio State, grabbing a career-long 36-yard catch for a third-quarter touchdown to pull NU within 27-20. Nebraska rallied for a 34-27 win after trailing by 21 points in the second half. Enunwa added multi-catch games in each of the final four regular season games, including three each against both Michigan and Iowa. He had a 19-yard catch in the fourth quarter against the Hawkeyes to set up the game-sealing touchdown.
2010 (Freshman)
Enunwa was one of just three true freshmen to see action in 2010. He played in 10 games as a reserve receiver and had one catch against Western Kentucky.
Enunwa’s Career Stats Year 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 10/0 13/7 23/7
No. 1 21 22
Yds. 10 293 303
Y/R 10.0 14.0 13.8
Y/G 1.0 24.4 13.2
Long 10 vs. Western Kentucky 36 vs. Ohio State 36 vs. Ohio State
TDs 0 2 2
Single-Game Highs
» Receptions–4 vs. Chattanooga (2011) » Yards–58 vs. Chattanooga (2011) » Touchdowns–1 twice (vs. Fresno State, vs. Iowa State, both in 2011)
spencer
long
#61
Junior l Offensive Line l 6-4 l 305 | One Letter Elkhorn, Neb. l Elkhorn HS » Second-Team All-Big Ten (Media, Phil Steele, 2011) » Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches) » Academic All-District VII (2011) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection Spencer Long was one of Nebraska’s breakout players in the 2011 season, starting every game at offensive guard. A walk-on from Elkhorn High School, Long had not played in a game entering his sophomore season, but impressive efforts during spring ball and fall camp earned him a spot in the lineup. This season, the 6-4, 305-pound Long will be counted on to provide leadership on the offensive line. Despite his relative obscurity entering the season, Long earned postseason honors for his work in 2011. Long was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the media and an honorablemention all-league choice by the coaches. He was also one of Nebraska’s top academic performers. Long was one of five Nebraska players to earn first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, and he also earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
2011 (Sophomore)
Long was one of three offensive linemen to start every game and his play helped Nebraska rank 15th nationally in rushing offense at 217.2 yards per game. The Huskers topped 200 rushing yards seven times in 2011. The Huskers topped 300 yards on the ground in three games - Washington, Wyoming and a season-high 346 yards at Minnesota. The
22
offensive line also played a key role in wearing down the Ohio State defense in a schoolrecord comeback win. The Huskers rushed for 232 yards and had 423 yards of total offense against the Buckeyes, including 195 second-half rushing yards. The work of Long and the offensive line allowed junior I-back Rex Burkhead to post 1,357 yards on the ground.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
He redshirted in his first year in 2009.
Long’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–13 (13 in 2011) » Games Started–13 (13 in 2011)
taylor
martinez
#3
Junior l Quarterback l 6-1 l 200 | Two Letters Corona, Calif. l Centennial HS » AT&T National Player of the Week (vs. Ohio State, 2011) » Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Ohio State, 2011) » School Record Holder Total Offense By a Sophomore (2,963 yards, 2011) » First-Team Freshman All-American (Rivals.com, 2010) » Second-Team Freshman All-American (CollegeFootballNews.com, 2010) » Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (Coaches, Rivals.com, 2010) » Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year (AP, Dallas Morning News, Kansas City Star, San Antonio News-Express, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2010) » Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches, AP, 2010) » Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Semifinalist (2010) » Maxwell Award Semifinalist (2010) » Walter Camp National Player of the Week (at Oklahoma State, 2010) » Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week (WKU, UW, KSU, OSU, 2010) » Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week (at KSU, at OSU, 2010) » School Record Single-Game Rushing Yards by a Quarterback (241 at KSU, 2010) Taylor Martinez has been one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks each of the past two seasons, and heads into his junior year in a position to continue to make his mark in the Nebraska record books. The Corona, Calif., native has started 25 games the past two seasons and moves into his second year in coordinator Tim Beck’s offensive system. Martinez has produced the top total offense seasons in school history for both a freshman and a sophomore and sits in third place on the career total offense list with 5,559 yards. The 6-1, 200-pound Martinez has put himself in a position to possibly move to the top of that list by the end of his junior season. Martinez continued to flash his game-breaking rushing ability during the 2011 season, running for 874 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He posted three 100-yard rushing games, and had at least 50 rushing yards eight times as a sophomore. Martinez enters his junior season with 1,839 rushing yards to rank fifth among Nebraska quarterbacks. Through the air, Martinez continued to become a more efficient passer in 2011. He connected on better than 56 percent of his throws for 2,089 yards and 13 touchowns, and he also had a streak of 125 straight passes without an interception spanning the final four games of the regular season. Martinez has thrown for 3,720 yards in his NU career, which is good for sixth place on the career passing list.
2011 (Sophomore)
Martinez was in the starting lineup for all 13 games at quarterback and guided the Nebraska offense that ranked 15th nationally in rushing. He accounted for 2,963 yards of total offense which ranks as the third-highest total in school history, and his 227.9 yards of total offense per game ranked sixth in the Big Ten. In the passing game, Martinez threw for 2,089 yards for the sixth-highest single-season passing total in Nebraska history. His 874 rushing yards were the ninth-best single season in school history and his 67.2 rushing yards per game was ninth in the Big Ten and 10th nationally among quarterbacks. Martinez shined in the opener against Chattanooga, accounting for 251 yards of total offense, including 135 rushing yards and rushing scores of 7, 43 and 47 yards. The game marked the fifth time in his career Martinez ran for at least three touchdowns. Martinez accounted for 385 yards of total offense against Fresno State, the second-highest total of his career and eighth on the NU single-game chart. His 219 passing yards was the secondbest total of his career and he ran 15 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns. The game marked just the second 200+ passing, 100+ rushing effort in school history, with Martinez accounting for both of those efforts. Martinez guided the offense to 51 points, 464 total yards and 309 rushing yards against Washington. He carried 17 times for 83 yards and a touchdown, while passing for for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Martinez closed non-conference play by passing for 157 yards at Wyoming.
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL Martinez had a career-high 20 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown at Wisconsin, and also threw for 176 yards, but did throw a career-high three interceptions. He rebounded with one of the best efforts of his career in a 34-27 comeback win over Ohio State. Martinez completed 16-of-22 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed 17 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. All three of the touchdowns he accounted for came in the second half as Nebraska rallied from a three-touchdown deficit for the win. Martinez earned Big Ten Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors for his effort in leading the NU offense. Martinzed accounted for 214 yards of total offense in an easy victory at Minnesota, then guided an efficient Nebraska attack in a 24-3 victory over ninth-ranked Michigan State in Lincoln. Martinez enjoyed his best passing game of the season in a losing effort against Northwestern. He completed 28-of-37 passes for a season-high 289 yards and two touchdowns, tying or setting season bests in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. Martinez completed 12 consecutive passes at one point, three off the school record, and he also rushed 12 times for 53 yards. Martinez guided the Huskers to a win at 12th-ranked Penn State by accounting for 199 yards of total offense against one of the nation’s top defenses. He led Nebraska in rushing at Michigan with 49 yards, then guided NU to a victory over Iowa in the regular-season finale in Lincln. Despite injuring an ankle early in the contest, Martinez threw for 163 yards and a touchdown to lead NU to a 20-7 win. In the Capital One Bowl against South Carolina, Martinez threw for his 13th touchdown of the season in the first quarter, and rushed for 37 yards in the loss.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Martinez burst onto the college football scene with his impressive showing as a redshirt freshman. Martinez started 12 games and was an explosive threat before being slowed by an injury for the final five games of the season. Martinez fell just short of becoming the third freshman quarterback in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards. Martinez finished the year with 965 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, while topping 100 yards on the ground five times. His play was a key to Nebraska ranking ninth nationally in rushing at nearly 250 yards per game. In the passing game, Martinez completed nearly 60 percent of his pass attempts for 1,631 yards and 10 touchdowns. Overall, he accounted for 2,596 yards of total offense, the best mark ever for a Nebraska freshman. He was chosen as Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, and was an honorable-mention all-conference selection. Martinez was also a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell awards.
andrew
rodriguez
Junior l Offensive Line l 6-6 l 325 | Two Letters Aurora, Neb. l Aurora HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioners Academic Honor Roll (Fall 2010, Spring 2011) Junior Andrew Rodriguez is eager to get back on the field this spring after his 2011 season was cut short by a foot injury. The 6-6, 325-pound Rodriguez started seven games at left guard as a sophomore, but missed five games, including the season’s final four contests. When he was healthy, Rodriguez helped Nebraska rank among the top rushing offenses in the Big Ten. He is one of three returnees at guard with extensive starting experience, joining senior Seung Hoon Choi and junior Spencer Long.
2011 (Sophomore)
Rodriguez started the first two contests and five straight games at mid-season, before an injury sidelined him in early November. Rodriguez helped Nebraska rush for 217.2 yards per game, including 200 or more yards on the ground seven times. The unit helped Nebraska junior I-back Rex Burkhead rush for 1,357 yards and score 17 touchdowns to earn All-Big Ten honors. Rodriguez was part of two 300-yard rushing outings for the offense, including 333 yards at Wyoming and a season-high 346 yards at Minnesota.
2010 (Freshman)
Rodriguez joined select company of Nebraska offensive linemen to see action as a true freshman. He played in five games as a reserve guard and helped NU rank in the top 10 in rushing offense.
Rodriguez’s Career Stats
» Games Played–13 (5 in 2010; 8 in 2011) » Games Started–7 (7 in 2011)
Returning starters–Defense jason
ankrah
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Martinez redshirted in his first year and worked on the scout team, primarily at receiver.
Martinez’s Career Stats Passing
Year G/GS Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yds. Y/G 2009 Redshirt 2010 13/12 116-196-7 59.2 1,631 125.5 2011 13/13 162-288-8 56.2 2,089 160.7 Totals 26/25 278-484-15 57.4 3,720 143.1
Rushing
Year G/S 2009 2010 13/12 2011 13/13 Totals 26/25
TD
Eff.R.
79 61 79
10 13 23
138.78 126.52 131.48
Att. Gain Loss
Y/A
Y/G
Long
162 1,195 188 1,040 350 2,235
6.0 4.6 5.3
74.2 67.2 70.7
80 twice 12 57 vs. Fresno State 9 80 twice 21
Single-Game Highs
Net Redshirt 230 965 166 874 396 1,839
LP
» Pass Attempts–37 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Pass Completions–28 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Passing Yards–323 at Oklahoma State (2010) » Passing Touchdowns–5 at Oklahoma State (2010) » Rushes–20 at Wisconsin (2011) » Rushing Yards–241 at Kansas State (2010)* » Total Offense Yards–435 at Oklahoma State (2010) *Nebraska quarterback record
TDs
#9
Junior l Defensive End l 6-4 l 265 | Two Letters Gaithersburg, Md. l Quince Orchard HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010) Defensive end Jason Ankrah was a key member of the Nebraska defensive front during the 2011 campaign, and he will be counted on at defensive end again during his junior season. Ankrah is one of four defensive ends who saw significant action last fall who return to the Nebraska defensive front for the 2012 campaign. The 6-4, 265-pound has the physical tools to be effective as both a run stopper and pass rusher from his defensive end spot. The Maryland native started nine games last season.
2011 (Sophomore)
Ankrah played in 12 games with nine starts, including seven of the season’s first eight games. He recorded 17 tackles, highlighted by a career-high five stops in NU’s 20-7 win over Iowa in the regular-season finale. Ankrah also had a tackle for loss against the Hawkeyes, giving him three TFLs in 2011, including a two-yard sack in the opener against Chattanooga. Ankrah had three tackles at Minnesota and had three other games with a pair of tackles.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Ankrah appeared in 10 games as a reserve defensive end in 2010 and had two tackles.
2009 (Redshirt)
He redshirted in 2009 and was one of Nebraska’s top scout team performers.
Ankrah’s Career Stats Year 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 10/0 12/9 22/9
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 1 1 2 0-0 6 11 17 3-4 7 12 19 3-4
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
0.0-0 1.0-2 1.0-2
0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
1 0 1
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–5 vs. Iowa (2011) » Solo Tackles–1 seven times (most recently vs. Iowa, 2011) » Tackles for Loss–1 three times (vs. Chattanooga, vs. Minnesota, vs. Iowa, all in 2011) » Sacks–1.0 vs. Chattanooga (2011)
HUSKERS.COM
23
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
will
compton
ciante
#51
Senior l Linebacker l 6-2 l 230 | Three Letters Bonne Terre, Mo. l North County HS
Junior l Defensive Back l 5-11 l 185 | Two Letters Arlington, Texas l Juan Seguin HS
» Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, 2011) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Second-Team National All-Freshman Team (Phil Steele, 2009) » All-Big 12 Freshman Team (ESPN.com, Sporting News, 2009) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2008, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011)
Ciante Evans has been a valuable contributor to the Nebraska secondary each of the past two seasons. After seeing action as a true freshman in 2010, Evans was a regular in the secondary last fall, first as a starter at cornerback, then in a nickel role later in the season. The 5-11, 185-pound Evans is one of five players in the Nebraska secondary with extensive starting experience, and he has the versatility to line up in various spots in 2012.
2011 (Sophomore)
Linebacker Will Compton will be counted on to play a key leadership role for the Nebraska defense in the 2012 season. One of Nebraska’s most experienced defenders, Compton mans the MIKE linebacker spot for the Blackshirts and plays a key role in assisting in defensive alignment and adjustment. He will likely also be one of the veteran leaders for Nebraska throughout offseason workouts and in the locker room this fall. The 6-2, 230-pounder has seen extensive action over the past three seasons, and played the best football of his career in second half of the 2011 season. Compton finished second on the team in tackles, trailing only All-America linebacker Lavonte David. His play earned Compton honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors by both the conference coaches and media. Compton earned his undergraduate degree in business administration in December of 2011, and began graduate classes in January.
2011 (Junior)
Compton played in all 13 games with 11 starts. He finished with 77 tackles, including 39 unassisted stops. He also had seven tackles for loss, including a sack against South Carolina in the bowl game. Compton had three games with at least 10 tackles, and recorded six or more stops in five Big Ten Conference contests. Compton had a career-high 15 tackles against Fresno State, including six solo stops. The 15 tackles more than double his previous career high of seven. Compton had four tackles and a hurry in NU’s win over Washington, and made five tackles at Wisconsin. He played a key role in the Huskers’ win over Ohio State with 10 tackles, including four solo stops. Compton had a tackle for loss in a 41-14 win at Minnesota, then had seven tackles, including five solos stops, a TFL and two quarterback hurries as the Blackshirts shut down No. 9 Michigan State. He made five tackles and recovered a fumble against Northwestern, then played one of the best games of his career in a win at No. 12 Penn State. Compton talled a game-high 13 tackles in the 17-14 win, including a tackle for loss. Compton had six tackles at Michigan and seven stops against Iowa, including a tackle for loss in both games. He closed the year with five tackles and shared an eight-yard sack against South Carolina.
2010 (Sophomore)
Compton missed the first five games of 2010 with an injury, but returned to play in the final nine games, including four starts. He made 15 tackles, including one sack against Kansas. He had a season-high seven tackles against Colorado, and had three each at Oklahoma State and against Washington in the Holiday Bowl.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Compton played in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman with eight starts, helping Nebraska field one of the nation’s top defenses. Compton had five games with at least five tackles and finished with 40 total tackles, including 17 solo stops. He added a tackle for loss, shared a sack and had a pair of pass breakups. He made a season-high seven tackles at Virginia Tech.
2008 (Redshirt)
Compton redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2008.
Compton’s Career Stats Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 14/8 9/4 13/11 36/23
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 17 23 40 1-2 8 7 15 1-2 39 43 82 7-18 64 73 137 9-22
Single-Game Highs
#17
evans
Evans played in all 13 games with seven starts and finished with 33 overall tackles, including 17 solo stops. Evans had five or more tackles three times, and added three pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Evans had a season-high six tackles against both Fresno State and Washington, and had a breakup against the Bulldogs. Evans had four tackles, including three solo stops at No. 7 Wisconsin, then had single tackles against both Ohio State and Minnesota, while adding a PBU against the Gophers. Evans made two tackles against Michigan State, then had five stops in a loss to Northwestern. He had one tackle each in the final three regular-season games, including a TFL against Iowa, then had three solo tackles in the Capital One Bowl.
2010 (Freshman)
Evans was one of three true freshmen to play in 2010, appearing in eight games with a start at Iowa State. He was the top backup at corner to all-conference players Prince Amukamara and Alfonzo Dennard. Evans had nine tackles, including a season-high four against Missouri when Dennard went out with an injury. He added two pass breakups against the Tigers.
Evans’ Career Stats Year 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 8/1 13/7 21/8
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL 6 3 9 0-0 17 16 33 1-3 23 19 42 1-3
Sacks 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 0-0 0 2 0 0 0-0 0 3 0 0 0-0 0 5 0 0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–6 twice (vs. Fresno State, vs. Washington, both in 2011) » Solo Tackles–3 twice (vs. Fresno State, at Wisconsin, both in 2011) » Pass Breakups–2 vs. Missouri (2009)
andrew
green
#11
Junior l Cornerback l 6-0 l 195 | One Letter San Antonio, Texas l James Madison HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010) Junior Andrew Green emerged as a key member of the Nebraska secondary in the 2011, starting 10 of 13 games. Green is one of five players returning to the Husker defensive backfield in 2012 who have extensive starting experience. Green originally found a starting role at the start of the 2011 season while Alfonzo Dennard was sidelined by an injury. Green later regained a spot as one of Nebraska’s top two corners over the final six games of the season. Green’s younger brother, Aaron, will be a sophomore running back for the Huskers in 2012.
2011 (Sophomore)
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
0.5-2 1.0-2 0.5-8 2.0-12
0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1
0 0 0 0
2 0 0 2
0 0 0 0
2 0 3 5
» Tackles–13 at Penn State (2011) » Solo Tackles–6 twice (vs. Fresno State, at Penn State, both in 2011) » Tackles for Loss–1 nine times (most recently vs. South Carolina, 2012 Capital One Bowl) » Pass Breakups–1 twice (vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009; vs. Kansas State, 2009)
Green finished with 48 tackles, including 29 solo stops. His eight pass breakups were second on the team, and he grabbed his first career interception against Iowa. Green added a pair of tackles for loss, and his play helped Nebraska hold Big Ten opponents to a 51 percent pass completion percentage, the best mark for a conference defense. In his first career start against Chattanooga, Green had four tackles and a breakup. Against Fresno State he had three tackles and a breakup, before making seven tackles and adding a breakup against Washington. Green totaled four tackles over the next three games, before posting five tackles at Minnesota. Green returned to the starting lineup against Michigan State and helped NU hold the ninth-ranked Spartans to 86 passing yards. Green had two tackles for loss among his seven stops in the game. Green had a career-high 10 tackles and two breakups in a 17-14 win at No. 12 Penn State. He also broke up two passes at Michigan, before finishing the regular season with a pick and six tackles in a 20-7 win over Iowa.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Green was a reserve corner in 2010 and appeared against Idaho.
24
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL 2009 (Redshirt)
2008 (Freshman)
He sat out the 2009 season as a redshirt and worked on the NU scout team.
Green’s Career Stats Year 2009 2010 2011 Totals
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 0 0 0 0 29 19 48 2-3 29 19 48 2-3
G/S 1/0 13/10 14/10
Meredith played against New Mexico State, but suffered a shoulder injury and was awarded a medical hardship.
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0
0 8 8
0 1 1
0 0 0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–10 at Penn State (2011) » Solo Tackles–9 at Penn State (2011) » Tackles for Loss–2 vs. Michigan State (2011) » Pass Breakups–2 at Michigan (2011) » Interceptions–1 vs. Iowa (2011)
cameron
meredith
Meredith’s Career Stats Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 1/0 14/0 14/14 13/13 42/27
0-1 0-0 1-0 1-1
0 0 0 0
1 1 0 2
0 0 1 1
2 10 9 21
» Tackles–10 at Iowa State (2010) » Solo Tackles–8 at Iowa State (2010) » Tackles for Loss–2 five times (most recently vs. Chattanooga, 2011) » Sacks–2.0 vs. Chattanooga (2011)
daimion
#34
» Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Media, 2011) » Second-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches, 2010) Defensive end Cameron Meredith has been a fixture on Nebraska’s starting defensive line each of the past two years, making 27 straight starts at defensive end. The 6-4, 265-pound Meredith has proven to be both an effective pass rusher and strong run stopper, and in 2012, he will be one of the leaders of the Nebraska Blackshirt defense. Meredith has shown great versatility during his Husker career, working in a traditional defensive end role in a 4-3 alignment, but also in a stand-up position when NU has utilized a 3-4 look. He also took snaps at defensive tackle late in the year when NU’s depth was thinned by injuries. Meredith finished last season second on the team in sacks and as the team leader in quarterback hurries with nine. He was honored as an honorable-mention All-Big Ten performer in 2011, and will look for bigger honros this fall.
2011 (Junior)
Meredith started every game and had 58 total tackles, including 27 solo stops and five sacks for 34 yards in losses. His tackle total was tops among defensive linemen. Meredith made at least five tackles seven times in 2011. Meredith opened the year with a standout game against Chattanooga. He registered his first career interception to set up a Husker touchdown, and also had a career-high two sacks. He had five tackles and a pair of hurries in a win over Fresno State, and added four tackles, a sack and a hurry against Washington. Meredith closed non-league play with five tackles at Wyoming. The California native posted his first five-tackle game in Big Ten play in a comeback win over Ohio State. In an impressive defensive showing against No. 9 Michigan State, Meredith had five tackles and a sack. He added six tackles and a pair of hurries against Northwestern. Meredith made a big play at Penn State, notching his fifth sack of the year, and forcing a fumble on the play that set up a touchdown to give NU a 17-0 third-quarter lead. Meredith had a season-high nine tackles, including one for a loss, in the loss at Michigan. He closed the year with five solo tackles against South Carolina.
2010 (Sophomore)
Meredith started all 14 games at defensive end, helping Nebraska field one of the nation’s top defenses. He finished with 64 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and was second on the team with 10 quarterback hurries. Meredith had at least five tackles seven times in 2010 and was a second-team All-Big 12 pick by the league’s coaches. Meredith had a career-high 10 tackles at Iowa State, including nine solo stops and two tackles for loss. He also had seven tackles, and a pair of tackles for loss against Kansas State and five tackles and two tackles for loss, including a half-sack, at Texas A&M. He added six tackles in the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma. Meredith played in every game for one of the nation’s top defenses. He finished with 21 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also added a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. Meredith had a season-high five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack against Louisiana-Lafayette. He also recovered a fumble against Florida Atlantic.
HUSKERS.COM
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
Single-Game Highs
stafford
Senior l Defensive End l 6-4 l 265 | Three Letters Huntington Beach, Calif. l Mater Dei HS
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Sacks Medical Hardship 13 8 21 5-18 1.5-12 34 30 64 8-12 1.5-5 27 31 58 6-36 5.0-34 74 69 143 19-66 8.0-51
#3
Senior l Safety l 6-1 l 205 | One Letter Norco, Calif. l Norco HS l Chaffey (Calif.) College » Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Media, 2010) Safety Daimion Stafford made a quick transition to Division I football in 2011, and found his way into the starting lineup for each of the final 12 games of the season. The 6-1, 205-pound Stafford provides a hard-hitting aggressive presence in the secondary, and he is one of five players in the defensive backfield with extensive starting experience heading into the 2012 season. Stafford finished third on the team in tackles last season, and led the Huskers in pass breakups. His play helped Nebraska allow opponents a league-best 51 percent completion rate in conference games. Stafford was recognized for his efforts, being chosen an honorablemention All-Big Ten choice by the conference media. Stafford came to Nebraska in the summer of 2011 after starring at Chaffey (Calif.) College, where he had nine interception and more than 140 tackles in his two seasons at the school.
2011 (Junior)
Stafford racked up 80 tackles to rank third on the team and tops among defensive backs. Stafford had 46 solo stops and a team-high 10 pass breakups, along with three tackles for loss and a half sack. Stafford recorded at least five tackles in 11 of 13 games, including a season-high 11 tackles in his first career start against Fresno State. Stafford made his presence known in the opener with six tackles, including five solo stops, a tackle for loss and forced a fumble on Chattanooga’s Chris Awuah with a jarring hit in the third quarter. His play earned Stafford the start the following week against Fresno State and he responded with his 11-tackle effort. He led Nebraska with nine tackles, including six solo stops against Washington, and added three tackles and two breakups at Wyoming. Stafford led NU with nine tackles at Wisconsin, then rsponded with six tackles and a pass breakup in a 34-27 comeback win over Ohio State. Stafford played a key role in Nebraska’s 24-3 win over No. 9 Michigan State, totaling five tackles and a season-high three pass breakups. He had five tackles each against Northwestern and Penn State, then had seven stops, including two tackles for loss, at Michigan. He had five tackles each against Iowa and South Carolina to close the season and also had a breakup in each of those games.
Stafford’s Career Stats Year 2011
G/S 13/12
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL 46 34 80 3-10
Sacks 0.5-7
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 1-0 0 10 0 1
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–11 vs. Fresno State (2011) » Solo Tackles–6 twice (vs. Washington, at Wisconsin, both in 2011) » Tackles for Loss–2 at Michigan (2011) » Sacks–0.5 at Michigan (2011) » Pass Breakups–3 vs. Michigan State (2011)
25
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
baker
steinkuhler
#55
Returning Starter-Kickers brett
maher
Senior l Defensive Tackle l 6-6 l 290 | Three Letters Lincoln, Neb. l Southwest HS » Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, 2011) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches, 2010) » Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 Freshman Team (ESPN.com, 2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011)
Senior l Punter/Place-Kicker l 6-0 l 185 | Three Letters Kearney, Neb. l Kearney HS
Defensive tackle Baker Steinkuhler continued to emerge during the 2011 season, and was the mainstay in the middle of a defensive line that was severely hampered by injury. The Lincoln native is primed to have a big senior season and will be counted on to be one of the team leaders of the Blackshirt defensive unit in 2012. Steinkuhler started all 13 games at a defensive tackle spot in 2011, but saw three different players start alongside him, as senior preseason All-American Jared Crick was limited to just five games because of injury. Steinkuhler totaled 40 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two sacks. He also added a pair of breakups at the line of scrimmage. Steinkuhler was honored for his play, being chosen honorable-mention All-Big Ten by both the league’s coaches and media. Steinkuhler was also one of 27 Huskers to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors. He earned his undergraduate degree in business administration in December, and was one of five Nebraska juniors to complete their degree work in seven semesters. Steinkuhler began graduate classes in January, and will play the 2012 season as a graduate student.
2011 (Junior)
Steinkuhler was a rarity on a banged-up Nebraska defense, appearing in the starting lineup in every game. He had five games with at least four tackles, including a career-high nine tackles and two TFLs against Northwestern. Steinkuhler posted six tackles and a hurry in Nebraska’s victory over Fresno State, and tallied four stops in the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin. Steinkuhler played a key role against Michigan State with a pair of tackles and a sack as the Huskers held the No. 9 Spartans to just 187 total yards in a 24-3 win. A week later, he added his second sack of the year as part of his nine-tackle effort against Northwestern. Steinkuhler added four tackles each against Michigan and South Carolina, and had one tackle for loss in each of those games.
2010 (Sophomore)
Steinkuhler started 13 games in 2010 and made 46 tackles to help Nebraska rank in the top 12 nationally in scoring defense, pass defense and total defense. He added 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and four hurries. Steinkuhler had at least five tackles in five games. Steinkuhler opened the year with a sack in his first career start against Western Kentucky, and had a career-high 1.5 sacks against Idaho. He added a sack at Washington a week later giving him at least one sack in each of the first three games. Steinkuhler had a season-high eight tackles against Texas, and added seven against Kansas. Steinkuhler was an honorablemention All-Big 12 selection for his efforts.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Steinkuhler played in 13 of 14 games in 2009. He had 17 total tackles, including one tackle for loss, and had a season-high five tackles against Florida Atlantic and four against Louisiana-Lafayette. He also had a pair of pass breakups
2008 (Redshirt)
Steinkuhler redshirted and settled in at defensive line after being recruited with the possibility of playing on either line.
Steinkuhler’s Career Stats Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 13/0 13/13 13/13 39/26
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 6 11 17 1-2 15 31 46 4-30 19 21 40 5-19 40 63 103 10-51
Single-Game Highs
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
0.0-0 3.5-30 2.0-11 5.5-41
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0 0
» Tackles–9 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Solo Tackles–7 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Tackles for Loss–2 three times (most recently vs. Northwestern, 2011) » Sacks–1.5 vs. Idaho (2010) » Pass Breakups–1 six times (most recently vs. Northwestern, 2011)
26
#96
2 2 2 6
0 0 0 0
0 4 4 8
» First-Team All-America Kicker (Yahoo.com, 2011) » Honorable-Mention All-America Kicker (Sports Illustrated, 2011) » Touchdown Club of Columbus Vlade Award Winner (Nation’s Most Accurate Kicker, 2011) » Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year (2011) » Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year (2011) » First-Team All-Big Ten Punter (Coaches, Media, Yahoo.com, Phil Steele, 2011) » First-Team All-Big Ten Kicker (Coaches, Media, ESPN, Yahoo.com, Phil Steele, 2011) » Lou Groza Award Semifinalist (1 of 20, 2011) » Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (vs. Chattanooga, Ohio State, Penn State, 2011) » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2009) A year ago, Brett Maher faced one of the most difficult jobs on the Nebraska roster. The walk-on from Kearney was asked to replace Alex Henery, a four-year starter at placekicker and two-year starter at punter, who finished his career as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history. Now entering his senior season in 2012, Maher faces another daunting challenge–matching his own award-winning 2011 campaign. In 2011, Maher became the first Big Ten specialist to be named the all-conference placekicker and punter in the same year since 2001. He also won both the Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year and the Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year. Maher picked up Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week three times in 2011, and was one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza National Place-Kicker Award. This fall, Maher should again be a strong contender for several conference awards, while being a leading candidate for both the Groza Award and the Ray Guy Award. In addition to handling place-kicking and punting chores, Maher also kicks off for Nebraska. Maher connected on four field goals in his first start against Chattanooga and built on that effort. He made 19-of-23 field goals, including 16-of-17 from inside 50 yards. His 19 field goals tied for second in school history, behind only Henery’s 24 field goals in 2009. Maher also made 43-of-44 PAT attempts and his 7.7 points per game ranked third in the Big Ten. He was equally efficient in the punting department, averaging 44.5 yards per punt, the sixth-highest single-season average in school history. His average topped the Big Ten and ranked 10th nationally. Maher has boomed 20 punts of at least 50 yards and has pinned the opposition inside their own 20 on 24 of his punts this season.
2011 (Junior)
Maher had field goals of 50 and 48 yards against Chattanooga as part of his 4-of-4 effort, and also averaged 52.0 yards per punt. The effort earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. Against Fresno State, Maher became the first Husker punter since 2005 to average 50-plus yards per punt in consecutive games, averaging 50.8 yards per punt on five kicks. He added three field goals against Washington and closed non-league play with a 53.0-yard punting average at Wyoming, and also had six touchbacks in seven kickoffs. After hitting 1-of-2 field goals at Wisconsin, Maher earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week against Ohio State, as he went 2-for-2 on field goals, including a 50-yarder, while also placing two punts inside the 20. Maher earned the Big Ten award for a third time at Penn State, when he placed a career-high five of his eight punts inside the 20-yard line while averaging 45.0 per punt. He also made a 41-yard field goal. Maher a career-long 51yard field goal at Michigan, and also booted a career-best 69-yard punt. Maher made two field goals in the regular season finale with Iowa and also pinned the Hawkeyes inside the 20 on four punts. Maher suffered his first missed PAT of the season and first missed field goal inside 50 yards against South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl.
2010 (Sophomore)
Maher backed up Henery at punter and was also NU’s regular holder, helping Henery to an 18-of-19 field goal season in 2010.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Maher handled holding duties, helping Henery connect on a school-record 24 field goals.
2008 (Redshirt)
Maher redshirted in his first season in 2008.
Maher’s Career Statistics Place-Kicking Year G/S 2008 2009 14/0 2010 13/0 2011 13/13 Totals 40/13
PAT
FG Redshirt 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 43-44 19-23 43-44 19-22
Pct.
TP PPG 0-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ Lg
.000 0 .000 0 .826 100 .826 100
0.0 0.0 7.7 2.5
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
0-0 0-0 7-7 7-7
0-0 0-0 5-6 5-6
0-0 0-0 -0-0 0-0 -4-4 3-6 51 4-4 3-6 51
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL Maher’s Career Statistics, cont. Punting Year G/S 2008 2009 14/0 2010 13/0 2011 13/13 Totals 40/13
No.
Yds. Avg. Long Redshirt 0 0 0.0 -0 0 0.0 -59 2,626 44.5 69 59 2,626 44.5 69
TB
FC
I20
Blk.
0 0 3 3
0 0 9 9
0 0 25 25
0 0 1 1
brion
carnes
Sophomore l Quarterback l 6-1 l 200| One Letter Bradenton, Fla. l Manatee HS » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) » Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award (2011)
Single-Game Highs
» Field Goals–4 vs. Chattanooga (2011) » Long Field Goal–51 yards at Michigan (2011) » PATs Made–6 twice (vs. Fresno State, vs. Washington, both in 2011) » Punts–8 at Penn State (2011) » Long Punt–69 yards at Michigan (2011)
Brion Carnes served as Nebraska’s No. 2 quarterback behind Taylor Martinez in 2011, and gained his first collegiate playing time. This spring, the 6-1, 200-pound Carnes hopes to continue to refine his skils and put himself in position to push for playing time as a sophomore.
Other Offensive Returning Letterwinners ameer
abdullah
#8
» First-Team All-Big Ten (Kickoff Returner, Yahoo.com, 2011) » Second-Team All-Big Ten (Kickoff Returner, Phil Steele, 2011) » Big Ten All-Freshman Team (Kickoff Returner and Punt Returner, Yahoo.com, 2011) » Big Ten All-Freshman Team (Punt Returner and Running Back, ESPN.com, 2011) » Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (vs. Fresno State, 2011) » Big Ten Freshman of the Week (vs. Fresno State, 2011) » School Record Holder for Single-Game Kickoff Returns Yards (211 vs. Fresno State, 2011) Ameer Abdullah burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2011, and provided an explosive threat in the return game and in the backfield. Abdullah was one of three true freshman to backup All-Big Ten back Rex Burkhead, and he also became one of the nation’s top kickoff return threats. The 5-9, 185-pound Abdullah is expected to make an even bigger impact in those area in 2012. Abdullah finished ninth nationally in kickoff return average and recorded seven returns that covered at least 35 yards. He also had a 100-yard kickoff return against Fresno State and set the NU record with 211 return yards in that game.
2011 (Freshman)
Abdullah was one of six true freshman to see action in 2011, appearing in every game. He averaged 29.3 yards on 26 kickoff returns, while also serving as NU’s lead punt returner and averaging 7.1 yards on 15 returns. In the running game, Abdullah was typically the first player to spell Burkhead, and he finished with 150 yards on 42 carries, including touchdown runs against Penn State, Michigan and South Carolina. Abdullah burst out of the gate in non-conference action, highlighted by his 228 return yards against Fresno State. His 211 kickoff return yards broke the previous school record by 25 yards and his 100-yard TD return gave NU a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter. He had a 66-yard kickoff return to set up a touchdown against Washington, then had his best rushing game at Wyoming, with three carries for 36 yards, including a 24-yard run. Abdullah provided a major spark on special teams at Wisconsin, returning seven kickoffs for 187 yards, for the second-highest total in school history. Five of his returns were for 25 yards or more. He totaled 133 all-purpose yards against Ohio State, including 11 yards on kickoff returns. Abdullah saw extensive action at running back at Minnesota, carrying seven times for 30 yards. Abdullah scored Nebraska’s first touchdown at Penn State on a two-yard run with 44 seconds remaining in the first half. He added a three-yard touchdown run at Michigan and then carried a career-high 12 times for 35 yards against Iowa. He added his third rushing TD of the season from a yard out against South Carolina.
Abdullah’s Career Stats
Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs 2011 13/0 42 172 22 150 3.6 11.5 24 at Wyoming 3 Receiving: 1 catch for 11 yards at Wyoming Kickoff Returns: 26 returns, 763 yards, 1 TD, 29.3 average, long of 100 vs. Fresno State (TD) Punt Returns: 15 returns, 106 yards, 0 TD, 7.1 average, long of 28 vs. Chattanooga » Touchdowns–1 four times (Fresno State, at Penn State, at Michigan, South Carolina) » Punt Returns–4 vs. Chattanooga » Punt Return Yards–67 vs. Chattanooga » All-Purpose Yards–231 vs. Fresno State
HUSKERS.COM
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Carnes played in Nebraska wins against Chattanooga, Wyoming and Minnesota. Carnes had two rushing attempts against Chattanooga and completed both of his passes for a total of 26 yards, one each against Chattanooga (19 yards) and Minnesota (7 yards.)
2010 (Redshirt)
Carnes redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2010.
Sophomore l I-Back l 5-9 l 185 | One Letter Homewood, Ala. l Homewood HS
Single-Game Highs
#15
Carnes’ Career Statistics
» Games Played–3 in 2011 » Passing–2-2, 26 yards, long-19 vs. Chattanooga » Rushing–2-(-6) vs. Chattanooga
Jake
Cotton
#68
Sophomore l Offensive Line l 6-6 l 295 | One Letter Lincoln, Neb. l Southeast HS Sophomore offensive lineman Jake Cotton continues to work toward returning to the field after suffering a season-ending knee injury during the 2011 season. The 6-6, 295-pound Cotton should be full speed for summer conditioning and fall camp and will give Nebraska a versatile lineman capable of playing both guard and tackle.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Cotton played in Nebraska’s wins over Chattanooga, Washington and Wyoming, helping the Huskers rack up more than 300 rushing yards against both Washington and Wyoming. He suffered a knee injury before the Ohio State game and was lost for the season. Cotton moved from defense to the offensive line during spring practice.
2010 (Redshirt)
Cotton redshirted in his first season in 2010 and worked on the defensive line.
Cotton’s Career Statistics » Games Played–3 in 2011
Tyler
Evans
#88
Sophomore l Wide Receiver l 6-1 l 200 | One Letter Waverly, Neb. l Waverly HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) Sophomore Tyler Evans will look to get back on the field this spring after missing most of the 2011 season because of injury. The 6-1, 200-pound Evans should add depth at the receiver spot for the Huskers while also having the opportunity to compete for time on special teams. Evans is a standout in the classroom, and he was one of 27 Huskers named Academic All-Big Ten in 2011.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Evans appeared in Nebraska first two games against Chattanooga and Fresno State, but did not have any statistics. He was sidelined for the majority of the season by injury.
2010 (Redshirt)
Evans redshirted in his first season in the program.
Evans’ Career Statistics
» Games Played–2 in 2011
27
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
aaron
green
KC
#2
Sophomore l I-Back l 5-11 l 190 | One Letter San Antonio, Texas l James Madison HS
Senior l Wide Receiver l 6-6 l 215 Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X)
Sophomore I-back Aaron Green was one of three talented true freshmen to make an impact at the position for Nebraska in 2011. The 5-11, 190-pound Green and joined Ameer Abdullah and Braylon Heard in backing up All-Big Ten honoree Rex Burkhead in 2011. Green was often utilized as one of three backs when NU lined up in its diamond formation throughout the second half of the year. Green and Abdullah will continue to battle for additional playing time at I-back this spring, while Heard has made the move to the defensive backfield. The stable of running backs should help Nebraska again field one of the nation’s top rushing attacks. Green showed excellent speed and vision in 2011, and found the end zone three times, twice on the ground and once as a receiver. Green’s older brother, Andrew is a junior cornerback for the Huskers.
» Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2008, 2010)
2011 (Freshman)
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Green played in 12 games and finished as the Huskers’ fifth-leading rusher with 24 carries for 105 yards. Green had five carries for a season-high 36 yards against Washington, including a six-yard TD run. In that game he also had a 25-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Green rushed for 19 yards at Wyoming, then had a season-high six carries for 20 yards and a four-yard touchdown run at Minnesota.
Green’s Career Stats Year 2011
G/S 12/0
Att. Gain Loss 24 105 0
Senior KC Hyland enters 2012 looking to battle for playing time at the receiver position. The 6-6, 215-pound Hyland is a walk-on who has made steady progress throughout his Nebraska career, and provided valuable depth throughout his time on the roster. Hyland has played in just two career games, but could push for action as a senior.
2011 (Junior)
Hyland was a reserve receiver, but did not appear in a game.
2010 (Sophomore)
Hyland played in two games as a reserve receiver, but did not have a catch. Hyland provided depth at receiver, but did not see game action.
2008 (Redshirt)
Hyland redshirted in his first season in the program.
Hyland’s Career Statistics » Games Played–2 in 2010
Net 105
Y/A 4.4
Y/G 9.5
Long 12 at Wyoming
justin
TDs 2
jackson
Receiving: 1 catch, 25 yards, 1 TD, long of 25 yards vs. Washington (TD)
Single-Game Highs
braylon
» Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011)
#5
heard
Sophomore l Defensive Back l 5-11 l 185 | One Letter Youngstown, Ohio l Cardinal Mooney HS Sophomore Braylon Heard is counted among Nebraska’s returning offensive letterwinners, but the Ohio native is working in the defensive backfield this spring. The 5-11, 185-pound Heard is an excellent athlete with great speed and explosiveness that should translate well to the cornerback position. Heard had a productive first season in the Nebraska program in 2011. The 5-11, 185-pound Heard finished as Nebraska’s fourth-leading rusher while battling a leg injury at mid-season. He was one of three true freshmen to provide valuable backup to All-Big Ten running back Rex Burkhead. Heard played in seven games and finished with 114 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. He rushed for more than 30 yards three times, with the first of those efforts coming against Washington when he had five carries for 34 yards. He added nine carries for 33 yards and a one-yard touchdown at Wyoming. An injury kept him out of the next two games, but he had a season-high 42 yards on seven carries at Minnesota. G/S 7/0
Att. Gain Loss 25 122 8
Net 114
Y/A 4.6
Y/G 16.3
Long TDs 25 vs. Washington 1
Receiving: 1 catch, 1 yard, 0 TD, long of 1 yard vs. Chattanooga
Single-Game Highs
Justin Jackson has been a versatile performer for Nebraska throughout his career. After adding depth on the defensive line early in his career, Jackson moved to the offensive line last spring and worked as a reserve until midway through the season. However, injuries depleted the defensive front, forcing Jackson to move back for the latter part of the season. This spring, Jackson has moved back to the offense where he is one of four players battling for the job of replacing two-year starter Mike Caputo at center.
2011 (Junior)
Jackson moved back to defense in late October, and played against Northwestern and Iowa. He had an assisted tackle against the Wildcats, and saw significant snaps against Iowa.
2010 (Sophomore)
Jackson played in one game as a reserve defensive tackle in 2010.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Jackson appeared in two games and had a tackle against Florida Atlantic.
2008 (Redshirt)
2011 (Freshman)
Year 2011
#72
Senior l Offensive Line l 6-3 l 280 | One Letter Roca, Neb. l Norris HS
» Rushes–6 at Minnesota » Rushing Yards–36 vs. Washington (2011) » Rushing Touchdowns–1 twice (vs. Washington, at Minnesota, both in 2011)
Heard’s Career Stats
#85
hyland
» Rushes–9 at Wyoming (2011) » Rushing Yards–42 at Minnesota (2011) » Rushing Touchdowns–1 at Wyoming (2011)
Jackson redshirted in his first season in 2008.
Jackson’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–5 (2 in 2011, 1 in 2010, 2 in 2009) » Tackles–1 UT, 1 AT, 2 TT
jake
long
#41
Sophomore l Tight End l 6-4 l 240 Elkhorn, Neb. l Elkhorn HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010, 2011) Junior Jake Long is part of an experienced group of tight ends returning for the Huskers in 2012. Long adds a third veteran behind seniors Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed who have each been big parts of the NU offense for the past three seasons. After seeing limited action in 2010, Long’s role grew dramatically in 2011, as he played in every game and made two starts, primarly working in the Huskers’ power sets. His role figures only to increase during his junior season. Long and his twin brother, Spencer, are both standouts in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2011.
28
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
tyler
2011 (Sophomore)
moore
Long played in all 13 games and made starts against Minnesota and Northwestern. Long did not have a reception, but his blocking helped junior running back Rex Burkhead rush for 1,357 yards and earn All-Big Ten honors. Long’s role increased dramatically in the final three regular-season games with Cotton sidelined by injury.
Sophomore l Offensive Line l 6-6 l 300 | One Letter Clearwater, Fla. l Countryside HS
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Long played in three games as a redshirt freshman and had a 17-yard catch against Colorado.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Long redshirted in his first season in the program in 2009.
Career Statistics
» Games Played–16 (3 in 2010, 13 in 2011) » Games Started–2 in 2011 » Receptions–1-17 vs. Colorado, 2010
Tim
marlowe
#6
Senior l Wide Receiver l 5-10 l 175 | Three Letters Youngstown, Ohio l Cardinal Mooney HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010) » Nebraska Offensive Scout Team MVP (2008) Tim Marlowe has been a key member of the Nebraska receiving corps and a reliable kick returner each of the past three seasons. As a senior in 2012, the 5-10, 175-pound Marlowe is likely to play a key role in a deep group of NU receivers and again factor into the Huskers’ special teams efforts. Marlowe was one of six receivers to see extensive action in 2011, and five of those players return this fall. The Youngstown, Ohio, native has good speed and elusiveness and also a great knowledge of the Husker offense.
» All-Big Ten Freshman Team (ESPN.com) » First True Freshman Offensive Lineman to Start Season Opener in School History » Most Starts By a True Freshman Offensive Lineman in School History (4) Offensive tackle Tyler Moore made history in 2011, becoming the first Nebraska true freshman ever to start on the offensive line in a season opener. The 6-6, 300-pound Moore started the first four games at right tackle, registering the most starts ever for a Husker true freshman offensive lineman. This spring, Moore is one of Nebraska’s two most experienced tackles along with junior Jeremiah Sirles. That tandem appears to be the leaders to take over the starting tackle jobs on a young, but talented offensive line.
2011 (Freshman)
Moore joined the program in January of 2011 and started the first four contests, and played in nine games overall. With Moore in the starting lineup, Nebraska racked up better than 200 rushing yards in all four games, including 300-plus yard rushing outputs against Washington and Wyoming. Moore became just the 10th true freshman offensive lineman to see action for Nebraska since 1973 when freshmen regained eligibility.
Moore’s Career Statistics » Games Played–9 in 2011 » Games Started–4 in 2011
steven
osborne
2010 (Sophomore)
Marlowe played in all 14 games and returned 13 kickoffs for an average of 21.9 yards, while averaging 5.3 yards on three punt returns. He also ran the ball twice for 14 yards, including a 13-yarder against Western Kentucky. He did not have a reception in 2010.
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) Senior Steven Osborne has added depth in the NU receiving crops throughout his career, and will look to push for action in 2012. The 6-4, 210-pound Osborne has also seen action on special teams and could contribute in that role again this fall. He played in six games in 2011, and is part of a deep Husker receiving unit. Osborne and his brother, Courtney, are one of two sets of twins on the Nebraska roster.
2011 (Junior)
Osborne saw action as a reserve receiver and also on the punt return team. He appeared in six games, but did not have a reception.
2010 (Sophomore)
Osborne added depth at wideout in 2010, but did not play in a game.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Marlowe played in every game in 2009 as a kick returner and reserve receiver. He averaged 23.7 yards on 12 kickoff returns with a season-long 40-yarder at Kansas.
Osborne played against Louisiana-Lafayette and Colorado in 2009.
2008 (Redshirt)
Osborne redshirted in his first season in the program in 2008.
2008 (Redshirt)
Marlowe redshirted in his first season and was the Scout Team Offensive MVP.
Marlowe’s Career Statistics Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
#21
Senior l Wide Receiver l 6-4 l 210 | One Letter Garland, Texas l South Garland HS
2011 (Junior)
Marlowe played in all 13 games, with a start at Michigan, and finished the year with 12 receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. He was also a running threat with seven carries for 77 yards, and he averaged 19.5 yards on 10 kickoff returns. Marlowe nabbed a career-high four catches for 44 yards and his first career touchdown against Northwestern, while making three catches for 24 yards at Michigan. He added single receptions in five other games. On the ground, Marlowe had a 39-yard run to the Michigan State 1 that set up a field goal to give NU a 10-0 lead. Marlowe also had a 23-yard run at Michigan and averaged nearly 11 yards per carry. He also had a season-long 28-yard kickoff return against Michigan.
#73
G/S
No.
14/0 14/0 13/1 41/1
0 0 12 12
Yds.
Y/R Redshirt 0 0.0 0 0.0 113 9.4 113 9.4
Career Statistics
» Games Played–8 (2 in 2009, 6 in 2011) Y/G
Long
TDs
0.0 0.0 9.4 2.8
-- -- 15 vs. Northwestern 15 vs. Northwestern
0 0 1 1
Kickoff Returns–35-764-0, 21.8 average; 12-280-0, 23.7 average, long-40 at KU in 2009; 13-285-0, 21.9 average, long-42 vs. W. Kentucky in 2010; 10-195-0, 19.5 average, long28 vs. Michigan Punt Returns–5-29-0, 5.8 average; 3-16-0, 5.3 average, long-17 vs. Oklahoma, 2010; 2-130, 6.5 average, long-11 vs. Marlowe Rushing–9-91-0, 10.1 average; 2-14-0, long-13 vs. Western Kentucky, 2010; 7-77-0, long39 vs. Michigan State, 2011.
Single-Game Highs
» Receptions–4 vs. Northwestern » Yards–44 vs. Northwestern » Touchdowns–1 vs. Northwestern
HUSKERS.COM
29
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
cole
pensick
kyler
Senior l Tight End l 6-3 l 230 | Three Letters Shawnee, Kan. l St. Thomas Aquinas HS
Junior l Center l 6-2 l 275 | Two Letters Lincoln, Neb. l Northeast HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009) Sophomore Cole Pensick has served as senior Mike Caputo’s backup at center each of the past two seasons. The 6-2, 275-pound Pensick saw action in four games in 2011, and the Lincoln Northeast graduate will be a leading contender for the starting role at center for the 2012 campaign.
2011 (Sophomore)
Pensick played in wins over Chattanooga, Wyoming, Minnesota and Michigan State, and helped Nebraska rush for more than 300 yards against both Wyoming and Minnesota.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Pensick moved to center from defense in the spring and went on to play in five games as the backup center.
2009 (Redshirt)
Pensick redshirted in 2009 and worked as a defensive tackle on the scout team.
Pensick’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–9 (5 in 2010, 4 in 2011)
brent
qvale
#76
Junior l Offensive Line l 6-7 l 315 | Two Letter Williston, N.D. l Williston HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010, 2011) A versatile offensive lineman, junior Brent Qvale has the ability to contribute at both tackle and guard in 2012. Qvale has spent the past two seasons as a reserve at offensive guard, helping Nebraska rank among the nation’s top rushing teams both years. This spring, Qvale is spending the majority of his time at tackle, where he will compete for a starting spot at a position that lost both starters to graduation. The 6-7, 315-pound Qvale has the physical tools to make an impact on a young, but talented Nebraska offensive line. He is also an academic standout and was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2011.
2011 (Sophomore)
Qvale played in every game except Penn State when he was sidelined by injury. In addition to action at guard, Qvale was a regular on NU’s PAT and field-goal units.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Qvale played in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman, backing up Keith Williams and Ricky Henry at guard, while participating on the kicking teams.
2009 (Redshirt)
Nebraska coaches considered the possibility of Qvale bypasing a redshirt, but a shoulder injury forced him to the sideline early in the fall.
Qvale’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–26 (14 in 2010, 12 in 2011)
#25
reed
#62
» School Record Holder, Season Touchdown Catches by a Tight End (8, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2008) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2010) Kyler Reed has been one of Nebraska’s top threats in the passing game over the past two seasons, and he will look to be a key part of the Husker offense as a senior in 2012. Reed teams with fellow senior Ben Cotton to give Nebraska one of the nation’s top tight end tandems. The 6-3, 230-pound Reed brings excellent speed and athleticism to the tight end position, and his versatility allows Nebraska to create matchup problems for the opposition. Reed has been a consistent big-play threat over the past two seasons. He enters his senior season with averaging 16.4 yards on 43 career receptions, with nine career touchdowns and six career catches of at least 30 yards.
2011 (Junior)
Reed played in 12 games and made starts against Wyoming, Michigan, Iowa and South Carolina. He finished the year with 15 catches for 257 yards and his 17.1 yard per catch average led the team. Reed had five catches in non-conference play, including a 53-yard catch on a key scoring drive against Fresno State and a 44-yarder at Wyoming. Reed had a season-high three catches against Ohio State, before missing the Minnesota game with an injury. Reed added two catches against Northwestern and tied his season-high with three catches for 40 yards at Penn State, including a 24-yard catch to set up a touchdown. He added a single catches against Michigan and Iowa, with his first touchdown catch of 2011 coming on a six-yard pass from Taylor Martinez against the Hawkeyes.
2010 (Sophomore)
Reed played in all 14 games with 10 starts in 2010, and was one of the nation’s top pass catching tight ends. Reed’s 22 receptions were third on the team and he set a Nebraska tight end record with eight touchdown catches. His eight touchdowns were also the fourth-most for any player in Nebraska history. Reed averaged an impressive 18.0 yards per catch and had six catches of at least 20 yards, including four touchdowns of 33 or more yards. Reed caught at least three passes four times in the final six games, and had multiple catches in seven of the final eight games. Reed had a 33-yard TD catch against South Dakota State, then his 79-yard touchdown at Kansas State was the longest Nebraska pass play since 2003. He added a 41-yard touchdown at Oklahoma State and a 40-yard touchdown catch against Missouri, helping NU to defeat both ranked opponets. Reed had a career-high four catches against Colorado, and posted the only two-touchdown game of his career. He added touchdowns against both Oklahoma and Washington in the postseason.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Reed played in 11 games, including a start against Florida Atlantic and had six receptions for 54 yards. He had a season-long 22-yard catch at Baylor, and made four catches in Big 12 play.
2008 (Redshirt)
Reed redshirted in 2008.
Reed’s Career Statistics Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S
No.
11/1 14/10 12/4 37/15
6 22 15 43
Yds.
Y/R Redshirt 54 9.0 395 18.0 257 17.1 706 16.4
Y/G
Long
TDs
4.9 28.2 21.4 19.1
22 at Baylor 79 at Kansas State 53 vs. Fresno State 79 at Kansas State
0 8 1 9
Rushing: 1 carry for five yards at Penn State in 2011
Single-Game Highs
» Receptions–4 vs. Colorado (2010) » Yards–79 at Kansas State (2010) » Touchdowns–2 vs. Colorado (2010)
30
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
jeremiah
sirles
jamal
Junior l Offensive Line l 6-6 l 310 | Two Letters Lakewood, Colo. l Bear Creek HS
Sophomore l Wide Receiver l 6-1 l 185 | One Letter Arlington, Texas l Sam Houston HS
» Second-Team Freshman All-American (College FootballNews.com, 2010) » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010) Offensive tackle Jeremiah Sirles is one of five players on the Nebraska offensive line with extensive starting experience entering 2012. The 6-6, 310-pound Sirles started every game at left tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2010, then played a valuable role as a third tackle last fall. His play has helped Nebraska rank among the nation’s top rushing teams each of the past two seasons. This spring Sirles is working to regain a starting tackle spot after the graduation of 2011 seniors Yoshi Hardrick and Marcel Jones.
2011 (Sophomore)
Sirles missed spring ball after offseason shoulder surgery, but returned in time to play in all 13 games as an alternate at left tackle. His play helped Nebraska’s offense post seven 200-yard rushing games. Sirles saw his most extensive action of the year against Northwestern. Sirles also contributed as a blocker on Nebraska’s PAT and field-goal units.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Sirles earned second-team freshman All-America honors while starting all 14 games at left tackle in 2010. His play helped Nebraska rank as one of the top 10 rushing offenses in the country and produce three players with at least 950 rushing yards. Sirles was one of only three freshmen to draw a starting assignment for Nebraska in 2010.
Sophomore Jamal Turner showed a glimpse of his play-making potential for the Huskers offense in 2011. The 6-1, 185-pound Turner was one of six receivers who saw extensive playing time last fall, and four of those players returns in 2012 to make the group a strength for the Huskers. One of six true freshmen to see action last fall, Turner also showed the ability to make an impact in the return game and could be counted on in that area in 2012. Turner joined the Nebraska program in January of 2011 as a highly recruited quarterback, but made the switch to receiver after three practices in spring football.
2011 (Freshman)
Turner played in 12 games and was fifth on the team with 15 receptions for 243 yards. Turner’s average of 16.2 yards per reception was second only to Kyler Reed. Turner had at least one reception in each of the first five games. He caught three passes for 63 yards, including a season-long 43-yard catch against Fresno State. Turner had a season-high five receptions for 84 yards at Wisconsin, including two catches of at least 25 yards. Turner had two receptions each against Washington, Wyoming and Minnesota. He added one kickoff return for 17 yards against Washington.
Turner’s Career Statistics Year 2011
G/S 12/0
Sirles redshirted in his first year in the program in 2009.
Long 43 vs. Fresno State
zimmerer
#79
Senior Brandon Thompson has battled injuries throughout his Nebraska career to make contributions as a reserve offensive lineman and special teams contributor. This spring, Thompson is hopeful of establishing himself as a competitor for playing time at offensive guard in 2012. The 6-6, 300-pound Thompson is one of four players with playing experience returning to the guard spot this fall.
2011 (Junior)
Thompson played in eight games as a reserve guard, but did miss four games late in the season because of injury. Thompson backed up Spencer Long, Seung Hoon Choi and Andrew Rodriguez at guard. Thompson also served on Nebraska’s PAT and field-goal units as a blocker, and helped Brett Maher to an All-Big Ten season in 2011.
2010 (Sophomore)
Thompson played in nine games, seeing action as a reserve guard and on the Huskers’ kicking unit. Thompson appeared in three games as a backup guard as a redshirt freshman. Thompson redshirted in his first season in 2008.
Y/G 20.2
c.j.
Senior l Offensive Line l 6-6 l 300 | Two Letters The Woodlands, Texas l The Woodlands HS
2008 (Redshirt)
Y/R 16.2
TDs 0
Single-Game Highs
» Games Played–26 (14 in 2010; 12 in 2011) » Games Started–14 (14 in 2010)
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Yds. 243
Rushing: 2-(-3), long-4 vs. Chattanooga Kickoff Returns: 1-17-0 vs. Washington
Sirles’ Career Statistics
thompson
No. 15
» Receptions–5 at Wisconsin » Yards–84 at Wisconsin
2009 (Redshirt)
brandon
#10
turner
#71
#31
Junior l Fullback l 6-0 l 230 | One Letter Omaha, Neb. l Gross HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010, 2011) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) Junior fullback C.J. Zimmerer has been a regular contributor on special teams the past two seasons, but will look to expand his role in 2012. This spring, the 6-0, 230-pound Zimmerer is one of the top candidates to take over the starting fullback spot which has been occupied by Tyler Legate the past three seasons. Zimmerer has been a standout in the classroom throughout his time at Nebraska. The Omaha native was one of 27 Huskers named to the Academic All-Big Ten team last year.
2011 (Sophomore)
Zimmerer saw limited action in the backfield, but was a regular on NU’s kickoff return team and as a blocker on the PAT and field goal unit. He played in 11 games overall.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Zimmerer was a backup at fullback in 2010, and he appeared in victories over Western Kentucky, Kansas State and Colorado.
2009 (Redshirt)
Zimmerer redshirted in 2009 and worked on the scout team.
Zimmerer’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–14 (3 in 2010; 11 in 2011)
Thompson’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–20 (3 in 2009, 9 in 2010, 8 in 2011)
HUSKERS.COM
31
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
other returning defensive letterwinners Antonio
bell
joseph
carter
#2
Senior l Defensive Back l 6-2 l 200 | Three Letters Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland) Cornerback Antonio Bell enters his senior year with hopes of earning playing time in a secondary that returns a number of players with extensive experience. The 6-2, 200-pound Bell has seen snaps as a reserve cornerback and brings good size, speed and athleticism to the position. Bell could also be counted on as a key member of several special teams units.
#7
Senior l Defensive End l 6-5 l 265 | One Letter Jackson, S.C. l Silver Bluff HS l Chaffey (Calif.) College Joseph Carter made an impact in his first season in the Nebraska program in 2011, serving as part of the Huskers’ regular rotation at defensive end. The 6-5, 265-pound Carter earned most of his playing time on passing downs last season, but hopes to expand his role during his senior season. Carter is among a group of four returning defensive ends who have seen significant playing experience. Carter joined the Nebraska program before last season after starring at Chaffey Community College in California, where he was a teammate of NU senior safety Daimion Stafford.
2011 (Junior)
2011 (Junior)
Carter played in 10 games and finished the year with a total of nine tackles, including a season-high three stops at Wyoming. He also had two tackles in the win over Washington.
2010 (Sophomore)
Carter’s Career Statistics
Bell played in a special teams role against Chattanooga and South Carolina.
Bell switched from receiver to defense in the spring and played in eight games as a reserve corner and on punt coverage unit. Bell helped Nebraska rank 35th nationally in net punting.
2009 (Freshman)
Bell joined the program in January of 2009 after originally signing in 2008, and was one of six true freshmen to play in 2009. He appeared in six games and had a catch for three yards against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Year 2011
G/S 10/0
corey
cooper
justin
blatchford
#39
Senior l Defensive Back l 6-1 l 200 | Three Letters Ponca, Neb. l Ponca HS
Justin Blatchford has been a key member of the Nebraska defense and special teams over the past three seasons. In 2011, Blatchford earned a Blackshirt while serving in a nickel and dime role in the secondary. As a senior, he is expected to contend for playing time in a similar role and he could also factor into the race at the safety spots. The 6-1, 200-pound walk-on is also likely to be a leader on the NU special teams in 2012. Blatchford has been an academic all-conference selection each of the past three seasons.
2011 (Junior)
Blatchford appeared in all 13 games, with his first career start against Washington. He finished with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, and three assists, and seven special teams tackles. Blatchford had a season-high three tackles against Chattanooga and Fresno State. He added a pass breakup against Michigan State and a hurry against Chattanooga.
Sophomore l Safety l 6-1 l 210 | One Letter Maywood, Ill. l Proviso East HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011)
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Cooper played in 11 games, including a start at cornerback in NU’s win over Wyoming. He finished with nine tackles, including eight solo stops. Cooper had three unassisted tackles at Wyoming and also had two tackles against both Chattanooga and Washington.
2010 (Redshirt)
Cooper redshirted in his first year at Nebraska in 2010.
Cooper’s Career Statistics Year 2010 2011
G/S 11/1
Blatchford played in 12 games and had five tackles, including a season-high three tackles at Kansas State.
0-0
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 0-0
jase
dean
He played in 12 games in 2009, primarily on special teams and had three solo tackles. His biggest play came at Baylor when he returned a blocked punt 25 yards for a touchdown.
2008 (Redshirt)
0
0
0
0
#31
Senior l Cornerback l 6-0 l 200 Bridgeport, Neb. l Bridgeport HS
Blatchford redshirted in 2008.
Blatchford’s Career Statistics
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
» Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011)
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Senior Jase Dean has provided depth in the Nebraska secondary throughout his Nebraska career, while also being a regular member of the special teams units. The 6-0, 200-pound walk-on figures to continue in that role in 2012, and the Bridgeport, Neb., native has the ability to play either safety or cornerback.
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 1
» Tackles–3 , three times (vs. Chattanooga, vs. Fresno State, 2011; at Kansas State, 2010) » Solo Tackles–2 twice (vs. Chattanooga, vs. Fresno State, both in 2011)
32
Sacks
» Tackles–3, at Wyoming, 2011 » Solo Tackles–3, at Wyoming, 2011
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Single-Game Highs
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 8 1 9 0-0
Single-Game Highs
2010 (Sophomore)
12/0 12/0 13/1 37/1
#6
Corey Cooper heads into his sophomore season with hopes of earning increased playing time at safety in 2012. The 6-1, 210-pound Cooper provided depth in the Nebraska secondary in 2011, while also being a key special teams performer. Cooper began the year at safety, briefly moved to cornerback and earned a start at that position, before moving back to his natural spot at safety. Cooper also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2011.
» Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2010) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2008, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010)
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 3 0 3 0-0 2 3 5 0-0 8 3 11 0-0 13 6 19 0-0
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 0-0 0 0 0 0
» Tackles–3 , at Wyoming, 2011 » Solo Tackles–1, twice vs. Penn State, South Carolina, 2011
» Games Played–16 (6 in 2009; 8 in 2010; 2 in 2011) » Receiving–1-3-0 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette in 2009
G/S
Sacks 0-0
Single-Game Highs
Bell’s Career Statistics
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL 2 7 9 0-0
2011 (Junior)
Dean played on special teams in four of the season’s final five games, but did not have a tackle.
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
jay
2010 (Sophomore)
guy
Dean played in 12 games in 2010, primarily on punt and kickoff coverage teams. He had five tackles, including four solo stops.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Dean played in the first five games before suffering a knee injury. He made four tackles, including a career-high three tackles against Florida Atlantic. He also forced a fumble against Louisiana-Lafayette.
2008 (Redshirt)
Dean redshirted in his first season at Nebraska.
Dean’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–21 (5 in 2009; 12 in 2010; 4 in 2011) » Tackles–7 UT, 2 AT, 9 TT; 3 UT, 1 AT in 2009; 4 UT, 1 AT, 5 TT in 2010
sean
fisher
#42
» Second-Team CoSIDA Academic All-American (2011) » Academic All-District VII (2011) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Third-Team National All-Freshman Team (2009, Phil Steele) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2008, 2009, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010, 2011) » Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award (2011) Linebacker Sean Fisher enters his senior season with the expectations of again being a key contributor to the Nebraska defense, while continuing to be one of the nation’s top student-athletes. Fisher is one of three returning senior linebackers with extensive playing experience, joining Will Compton and Alonzo Whaley. The 6-6, 235-pound Fisher is spending the spring at the Buck linebacker spot where he is a leading contender for a starting job. Fisher continues to excel in the classroom, carrying a 4.0 grade-point average through seven semesters. He was a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America pick in 2011 and earned academic all-conference honors for the second time in his career. He is expected to graduate in May and begin work on a master’s degree during his senior season.
2011 (Junior)
Fisher played in 10 games, with starting assignments against Chattanooga, Fresno State, Wisconsin and Penn State. He finished the season with 24 total tackles, including three tackles for loss. Fisher had a season-high six tackles and a tackle for loss in the opener against Chattanooga and made at least three tackles four times on the season. He also had five tackles against Fresno State and four against Washington. Fisher added tackles for loss against Washington and Ohio State.
2010 (Sophomore)
Fisher missed the entire 2010 season after suffering a leg injury in fall camp.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Fisher played in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman, including six starts at linebacker. He finished the year with 35 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and three hurries. He made a career-high nine tackles against Iowa State in 2009 and had four games with at least five tackles. Fisher had six tackles, a tackle for loss and a hurry at Virginia Tech. He also had six tackles and a 21-yard fumble return against Louisiana-Lafayette. In addition to his careerhigh tackle total against ISU, Fisher also returned a blocked field goal 34 yards.
2008 (Medical Redshirt)
Fisher appeared in the season opener in 2008, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, and he received a medical redshirt. Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 1/0 14/6 10/4 25/10
(----------Tackles---------) Fum. QB UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU INT Hry. Medical Hardship 10 25 35 2-5 1.0-3 0-1 0 0 0 3 Redshirt (Injured - Did Not Play) 7 17 24 3-8 0.0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 17 42 59 5-13 1.0-3 0-1 0 0 0 4
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–9 vs. Iowa State (2009) » Solo Tackles–2 five times (most recently at Penn State, 2011) » Tackles for Loss–1 five times (most recently vs. Ohio State, 2011) » Sacks–1.0 at Baylor (2009)
HUSKERS.COM
Sophomore l Defensive Tackle l 6-1 l 290 | One Letter Houston, Texas l Eisenhower HS Sophomore Jay Guy saw limited action in the second half of the 2011 season, and is expected to push for additional playing time at defensive tackle this fall. The 6-1, 290-pound Guy has seen extensive reps throughout spring practice with several other players sidelined by injury, and the increased practice time should speed Guy’s development. Guy has made significant strides in the weight room since his arrival at Nebraska in January of 2010.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Senior l Linebacker l 6-6 l 235 | Two Letters Omaha, Neb. l Millard North HS
Fisher’s Career Statistics
#99
Guy did not appear in the first six games, but saw action against Minnesota, Michigan State and Iowa after injuries struck the NU defensive front. Guy did not make a tackle, but took key snaps in those contests.
2010 (Redshirt)
Guy redshirted in his first year at Nebraska in 2010.
Guy’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–3 in 2011
harvey
jackson
#1
Sophomore l Safety l 6-2 l 210 | One Letter Fresno, Texas l Hightower HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011) Sophomore Harvey Jackson is part of a talented group of young players in the Nebraska secondary who are looking to increase their role on the defense in 2012. Jackson saw limited action at safety during his redshirt freshman season, but will look to make a push for playing time during spring ball. The 6-2, 210-pound Jackson did see significant action on special teams in 2011, and figures to play a prominent role in that area again this fall. He was an Academic All-Big Ten selection last year.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Jackson played in 12 games and made eight tackles, including six solo stops. He had a season-high four tackles at Minnesota, and made four tackles on special teams, including two against Michigan State.
2010 (Redshirt)
Jackson redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2010.
Jackson’s Career Statistics Year 2010 2011
G/S 12/0
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 6 2 8 0-0
Sacks 0-0
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 0-0
0
0
0
0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–4, at Minnesota, 2011 » Solo Tackles–3, at Minnesota, 2011
stanley
jean-baptiste #16
Junior l Cornerback l 6-3 l 215 | One Letter Miami, Fla. l Central HS l Fort Scott (Kan.) CC » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010) Stanley Jean-Baptiste made a mid-season position switch from receiver to cornerback in 2011, and quickly made contributions at the spot. Jean-Baptiste’s play after his switch earned him one start, and he continued to add depth throughout the second half of the season. The 6-3, 215-pound Baptiste gives Nebraska a big, physical option at cornerback and as he continues to develop at the spot this spring, he is expected to contend for a starting job in the secondary. Jean-Baptiste came to Nebraska from Fort Scott (Kan.) CC, where he redshirted in 2009.
2011 (Sophomore)
Baptiste played in nine games, with a start at cornerback against Minnesota. He began the year at receiver and had a a seven-yard reception against Chattanooga. He made the
33
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Josh
switch to cornerback before the Big Ten season, and played a key role in NU’s school-record comeback against Ohio State. Baptiste came on in the second half against the Buckeyes and made three tackles, and had an interception that set up NU’s go-ahead touchdown. He started the next game at Minnesota and had three tackles. He finished the year with nine tackles, including three on special teams, with two of those at Penn State.
mitchell
Sophomore l Cornerback l 5-11 l 165 | One Letter Corona, Calif. l Eleanor Roosevelt HS
2010 (Redshirt)
Baptiste redshirted in 2010 and worked as a scout team receiver.
Jean-Baptiste’s Career Statistics
Year 2010 2011
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 5 4 9 0-0
G/S 9/1
Sacks
» Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010)
Fum. C-R BK
0-0
0-0
0
QB PBU INT Hry. 1
1-0
0
Receiving: 1-7 vs. Chattanooga
Mitchell played in eight games and started at corner against Washington. He had five tackles, all against Washington, including two solo stops. He added one pass breakup.
» Tackles–3, at Minnesota, 2011 » Solo Tackles–3, at Minnesota, 2011 » Interceptions–1, vs. Ohio State, 2011
2010 (Redshirt)
eric
martin
#46
Senior l Defensive End l 6-2 l 255 | Three Letters Moreno Valley, Calif. l Rancho Verde HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010) Senior Eric Martin has provided Nebraska with a high-energy performer on defense and special teams throughout his Husker career. The spring, Martin is working toward earning an expanded role at defensive end, a position that he transitioned to during his junior season. The 6-2, 255-pound Martin is one of four returning defensive ends with significant playing experience who figure to make the spot a strength of the 2012 defense. Martin has been a leader on special teams since the first game of his freshman season and will likely continue in that role this fall. Martin began his career as a linebacker before moving to end late in the 2010 season. He briefly moved back to linebacker midway through 2011, but settled back in at defensive end.
2011 (Junior)
Martin played in 12 games with starts against Ohio State and Northwestern. His play increased greatly in the second half of the season, and the only game he missed was the regular-season finale against Iowa when he was sidelined by an ankle injury. Martin had 23 tackles, including 10 solo stops, with 18 of his 23 tackles coming in the second half of the year. He had 2.5 sacks for 21 yards, including two for 14 yards in NU’s 24-3 win over Michigan State, and shared a sack in the Capital One Bowl. Martin also had a four-yard tackle for loss at Minnesota and contributed four quarterback hurries on the year. Martin had a season-high four tackles at Minnesota and at Penn State, and he also made three stops in three other games. Martin is one of Nebraska’s most physical presences on coverage units and seven of his tackles came on special teams.
2010 (Sophomore)
Martin made 26 tackles in 13 games, including 11 solo, while playing both defensive end and linebacker. He had a team-leading 13 special teams tackles, all on kickoff coverage. He started two games early in the year at linebacker and had a career-high six tackles at Washington and added five against South Dakota State. He had three special teams stops at Oklahoma State.
2009 (Freshman)
One of six true freshman to see action in 2009, Martin made an immediate impact on special teams. He played in all 14 games and finished with 15 tackles, including 10 on special teams. He had a season-high four tackles against Florida Atlantic in his debut and made three unassisted tackles on kickoff coverage against Arizona. Martin also blocked two punts, including one at Baylor that was returned for a touchdown. He was the first Husker to block two punts in a season since 2002. Year 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 14/0 13/2 12/2 39/4
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL 8 7 15 0-0 11 15 26 0-0 10 13 23 4-25 29 35 64 4-25
Sophomore Josh Mitchell earned playing time at cornerback in 2011, and is one of several players working this spring to earn an expanded role in the secondary. The 5-11, 165-pound Mitchell makes up for his lack of size with great speed and toughness. In addition to his defensive work, Mitchell also saw action on special teams last fall and could again factor in those units.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Single-Game Highs
Career Statistics
#5
Sacks 0.0-0 0.0-0 2.5-21 2.5-21
Fum. C-R BK 0-0 2 0-0 0 0-1 0 0-1 2
QB PBU INT Hry. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4
Mitchell redshirted during his first season in the NU program.
Mitchell’s Career Statistics
Year 2010 2011
G/S 8/1
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 2 3 5 0-0
Sacks 0-0
Fum. C-R BK 0-0
0
QB PBU INT Hry. 1
0
0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–5, vs. Washington, 2011 » Solo Tackles–2, vs. Washington, 2011
courtney
osborne
#12
Senior l Safety l 6-3 l 200 | Three Letters Garland, Texas l South Garland HS » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010, 2011) » Scout Team Defensive Co-MVP (2008) Senior Courtney Osborne suffered through an injury-plagued 2011 season, but is back to full health this spring and ready to contend for significant playing time in the Nebraska secondary. The 6-3, 200-pound Osborne is one of the Huskers’ most experienced safeties after earning a starting role in the second half of the 2010 season when he showed his play-making ability. He has also been a top special teams performer for Nebraska, and could make a contribution in that area again in 2012.
2011 (Junior)
Osborne played in five of the first seven games with a start against Chattanooga. He was sidelined by injury over the final six games. Osborne had six tackles for the season, including three on special teams. He had three tackles at Wisconsin and a pair of specialteams tackles against Ohio State.
2010 (Sophomore)
Osborne played on coverage units early in the year, then moved to the top of the depth chart at safety for the second half of 2010. He made four starts and finished with 41 total tackles, including five tackles for loss and an 11-yard sack against Missouri. Osborne had his first career interception against Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, returning the pick to the Sooner 12-yard line to set up a touchdown. Osborne made 36 of his tackles in the final seven games, including four games with at least six tackles, with nine at Texas A&M and seven at Iowa State.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Osborne played in six games, with five of those appearances coming in the second half of the year. He had an unassisted tackle against Louisiana-Lafayette.
2008 (Redshirt)
Osborne redshirted in 2008, and earned co-MVP honors on the defensive scout team.
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–6 at Washington (2010) » Solo Tackles–3 at Washington (2010) » Blocked Punts–1 twice (at Baylor, vs. Texas both in 2009)
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL Osborne’s Career Statistics Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 1 0 1 0-0 21 20 41 5-17 2 4 6 0-0 24 24 48 5-17
G/S 6/0 14/4 5/1 25/5
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
0.0-0 1.0-11 0-0 1.0-11
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–9 at Texas A&M (2010) » Solo Tackles–5 at Iowa State (2010) » Tackles for Loss–2 at Iowa State (2010) » Sacks–1.0 vs. Missouri (2010)
thad
#53
randle
Junior l Defensive Tackle l 6-1 l 300 | Two Letters Galena Park, Texas l North Shore HS
wil
Junior l Safety l 5-11 l 195 | One Letter Lee’s Summit, Mo. l Lee’s Summit West HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011) Junior Wil Richards has provided depth in the Nebraska secondary each of the past two seasons, while playing a significant role on the Huskers’ special teams units. The efforts of the 5-11, 195-pound Richards helped NU’s specialty teams rank among the Big Ten’s best in 2011. The Kansas City area native was also one of 27 Huskers named to the Academic All-Big Ten team last fall.
2011 (Sophomore)
Richards played in 10 games, primarily seeing special teams action. He finished with five tackles (four solo), all on special teams. All of his tackles came in the final five games, including two at Penn State.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
» Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2010) Junior Thad Randle is poised to play a bigger role on the Nebraska defensive line in the 2012 season. The powerful 6-1, 300-pound Randle became a regular in the Nebraska defensive tackle rotation in 2011, but suffered a knee injury in late October and was lost for the remainder of the season. Randle should be back near full strength by the end of spring practice and will be poised to contend for a starting role this fall.
2011 (Sophomore)
Richards appeared in two games on special teams in 2010, but did not have a tackle.
2009 (Redshirt)
A walk-on, Richards redshirted in 2009.
Richards’ Career Statistics
» Games Played–12 (2 in 2010; 10 in 2011) » Tackles–4 UT, AT, 5 TT all in 2011
Randle played in six of the first seven games, and had eight tackles, including a threeyard sack at Wyoming. Randle had a career-high five tackles against the Cowboys and made three tackles at Minnesota.
trevor
roach
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
Randle played in 12 games as a reserve tackle behind Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler. Randle’s role grew late in the season and he finished the year with seven tackles and a quarterback hurry. He had three tackles in Nebraska’s win over Idaho, in addition to stops against Washington, Kansas State, Missouri and in the Holiday Bowl rematch with Washington.
2009 (Redshirt)
Randle redshirted in 2009 and worked on the NU scout team.
Randle’s Career Statistics Year 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 12/0 6/0 18/0
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 3 4 7 0-0 4 4 8 1-3 7 8 15 1-3
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–5 at Wyoming, 2011 » Solo Tackles–3 at Wyoming, 2011 » Sacks–1-3, at Wyoming, 2011
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
0-0 1.0-3 1.0-3
0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0
0 0 0
#19
richards
0 0 0
1 0 1
#43
Sophomore l Linebacker l 6-2 l 235 | One Letter Elkhorn, Neb. l Elkhorn HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011) Sophomore Trevor Roach had a strong start to his Nebraska career, seeing action as a reserve linebacker in the 2011 season. Roach was a backup to starting MIKE linebacker Will Compton and filled in well when Compton was sidelined by injury in the season opener. The 6-2, 235-pound Roach will work this spring to move into the regular rotation at linebacker this fall. A walk-on, Roach was one of 27 Huskers named to the Academic All-Big Ten team in 2011.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Roach played in five games at linebacker, and totaled seven tackles and two tackles for loss, all coming in the opener against Chattanooga. Roach also saw action against Washington, Wisconsin, Ohio State and South Carolina. He was slowed by injury during the second half of the season.
2010 (Redshirt)
Roach redshirted and worked on the scout team in his first season in 2010.
Roach’s Career Statistics Year 2010 2011
G/S 5/0
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 2 5 7 2-3
Sacks 0-0
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 0-0
0
0
0
1
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–7, vs. Chattanooga, 2011 » Solo Tackles–2, vs. Chattanooga, 2011
HUSKERS.COM
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
chase
rome
#97
Sophomore l Defensive Tackle l 6-3 l 285 | One Letter Columbia, Mo. l Rock Bridge HS
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Smith played in all 14 games in 2009, and made 15 tackles, including eight solo stops. He was one of the Huskers’ top special teams performers, racking up 10 tackles on coverage units. He had a season-high four tackles against Oklahoma in Lincoln, and made at least one tackle in each of the final six games. He had a breakup in the Holiday Bowl shutout of Arizona.
2008 (Redshirt)
Sophomore defensive tackle Chase Rome is one of three returning defensive tackles with extensive playing experience, joining senior Baker Steinkuhler and junior Thad Randle. The group is part of a deep defensive line that could be a strength for the 2012 defense. Rome began the 2011 season expecting to add depth on a veteran defensive line, but by midseason the 6-3, 285-pound Rome played a significant role after injuries hit the position hard. Rome himself battled injuries late in the year, but his play solidified the defensive unit down the stretch.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Rome played in 10 games, with starts against Michigan State and Minnesota. He missed the Northwestern game with an injury, but returned for the final four games. Rome finished the year with 13 tackles, including a one-yard sack in the fourth quarter against Ohio State. Rome had a season-high three tackles against South Carolina and added two tackles each against Wisconsin and Michigan. He added a quarterback hurry and a breakup.
2010 (Redshirt)
Smith redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2008.
Smith’s Career Statistics Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 14/0 14/3 11/1 39/4
Year 2010 2011
G/S 10/2
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 4 9 13 1-1
Sacks 1-1
0
1
0
0 0 0 0
1 1 0 2
0 3 1 4
0 0 0 0
#38
Senior l Fullback l 6-2 l 235 | Three Letters Lincoln, Neb. l Southwest HS » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2009)
#13
Senior l Safety l 6-2 l 210 | Three Letters River Ridge, La. l John Curtis HS Senior P.J. Smith enters the 2012 season as one of Nebraska’s most experienced defensive players. Smith has played a key role in the secondary each of the past two seasons, while being a core special teams player throughout his career. This spring, the 6-2, 210-pound Smith is hoping to put himself in position to contend for a starting safety spot in the 2012 season. Smith has shown the versatility to play either safety spot during his NU career and in 2011, he was second for Nebraska in special teams tackles.
2011 (Junior)
Smith played in 11 games and made a start at Wyoming. He finished the year with 33 tackles (21 solo), including 10 special teams tackles. Smith had an interception in Nebraska’s victory and Wyoming and forced a fumble at Wisconsin. Smith had five tackles in the opener against Chattanooga, and also recorded five tackles against Fresno State, all on special teams. Smith made a season-high seven tackles at Wyoming, then had six solo stops at Wisconsin. He had five total tackles, including four solo stops, at Minnesota, marking his fourth game with at least five tackles.
2010 (Sophomore)
0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0
stoddard
1
» Tackles–3, vs. South Carolina, 2012 Capital One Bowl » Solo Tackles–2, vs. South Carolina, 2012 Capital One Bowl
smith
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
graham
Single-Game Highs
p.j.
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
» Tackles–11 vs. Texas (2010) » Solo Tackles–5 at Oklahoma State (2010) » Pass Breakups–1 twice (vs. Arizona, 2009; at Oklahoma State, 2010) » Interceptions–1 four times (last at Wyoming, 2010)
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 0-0
Sacks
Single-Game Highs
Rome joined the NU program at mid-year in 2010, and redshirted in his first season.
Rome’s Career Statistics
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 8 7 15 0-0 17 21 38 0-0 21 12 33 0-0 46 40 86 0-0
Smith played in all 14 games in 2010 and made three starts in the first half of the season. He had three interceptions, one each in non-conference wins over Western Kentucky, Idaho and South Dakota State, and returned the interceptions a total of 46 yards. Smith finished with 38 tackles, including 17 solo stops, and he had three games with at least five tackles. Smith made a career-high 11 tackles against Texas, with five stops against Idaho and six at Oklahoma State.
Senior Graham Stoddard has earned letters each of the past three seasons for his work as a reserve linebacker and special teams standout. While he is listed among Nebraska’s defensive returning lettermen, the 6-2, 235-pound Stoddard has made the switch this spring to fullback, where he will look to make a push to replace three-year starter Tyler Legate. Stoddard was Nebraska’s leading special teams tackler in 2011, helping Nebraska rank among the Big Ten’s best special teams units. The Lincoln Southwest grad has played in every game over the past three season and made 33 of his 35 career tackles on special teams.
2011 (Junior)
Stoddard played in all 13 games and finished the year with 13 tackles, including a teamhigh 12 special teams stops. His play helped Nebraska rank second in the Big Ten in kickoff coverage and net punting. Stoddard had a season-high three tackles against Fresno State and registered two each against Washington, Michigan State and Penn State.
2010 (Sophomore)
Stoddard played in all 14 games in 2010, and his 12 tackles all came on special teams. He had eight stops on kickoff coverage and four on punt returns. Stoddard had a season-high three tackles in the season opener against Western Kentucky.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman)
Stoddard made 10 tackles, including nine on special teams in 2009. He had a season-high three tackles against Florida Atlantic.
2008 (Redshirt)
Stoddard redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2008.
Stoddard’s Career Stats Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 14/0 14/0 13/0 41/0
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 7 3 10 0-0 4 8 12 0-0 4 9 13 0-0 15 20 35 0-0
Sacks
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry.
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–3 three times (most recently vs. Fresno State, 2011)
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
dijon
washington
#10
returning specialist letterwinners
Junior l Cornerback l 6-0 l 185 | One Letter Lawndale, Calif. l Leuzinger HS
mauro
bondi
» Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010) Junior Dijon Washington appeared in every game for Nebraska on special teams in 2011, helping the Huskers boast one of the Big Ten’s best coverage units. The 6-0, 185-pound Washington also added depth at cornerback for the Huskers, and this spring the California native is looking to position himself for an expanded role at cornerback in a deep and talented Husker secondary.
2011 (Sophomore)
Washington finished with five tackles, with four of those coming on NU’s punt and kickoff coverage squads. Washington had a season-high two tackles in the opener against Chattanooga, including one while seeing action in the secondary. He added stops on coverage teams against Washington, Minnesota and Northwestern.
2010 (Redshirt Freshman)
#37
Sophomore l Place-Kicker l 6-0 l 200 | One Letter Boca Raton, Fla. l West Boca Raton HS Place-kicker Mauro Bondi was one of six true freshmen to see action for Nebraska during the 2011 season. Bondi served as the top backup to All-Big Ten performer Brett Maher on both place-kicking and kickoff chores, and he is also in line to back up Maher at punter. Bondi gives Nebraska an outstanding option behind Maher, who enters his senior season in 2012. Bondi came to Nebraska from Boca Raton, Fla., where he was one of the nation’s top prep kickers.
2011 (Freshman)
Bondi appeared in four games in 2011. He handled four kickoffs on the year, two against Chattanooga and one each against Washington and Minnesota. He also connected on his only PAT attempt at Minnesota.
Washington saw action at Washington as a redshirt freshman in 2010.
2009 (Redshirt)
Bondi’s Career Statistics
Washington redshirted and worked on the scout team in his first year in 2009.
» Games Played–4 in 2011 » Kicking–1-1 PAT (Minnesota)
Washington’s Career Statistics
» Games Played–14 (1 in 2010; 13 in 2011) » Tackles–4 UT, AT, 5 TT all in 2011
p.j.
alonzo
whaley
mangieri
#45
Senior l Linebacker l 6-1 l 230 | Two Letters Madisonville, Texas l Madisonville HS
#92
Senior l Long Snapper l 6-4 l 240 | Three Letters Peoria, Ill. l Dunlap HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009)
» Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009) » Nebraska Defensive Scout Team co-MVP (2008) Senior Alonzo Whaley emerged at the end of the 2011 season as a regular contributor at linebacker and his role is expected to only increase in 2012. Whaley and fellow seniors Will Compton and Sean Fisher headline the returnees at linebacker, and the 6-1, 230-pound Whaley is hopeful of earning the starting WIll linebacker job this fall. All three senior linebackers are expected to be among the leaders of the defensive unit. Whaley made his biggest mark for the majority of the 2011 season on special teams, before seeing significant action at linebacker in the final three games.
Long snapper P.J. Mangieri has played a key role in Nebraska fielding one of the nation’s top special teams units each of the past three seasons. Mangieri played in all 41 games the past three years handling all of Nebraska’s snapping duties. His efforts have helped Husker kickers Alex Henery and Brett Maher rank among the nation’s top performers as both place-kickers and punters. Originally a walk-on, Mangieri was placed on scholarship before the start of the 2011 season. During Mangieri’s three years in the role, Nebraska kickers have made 59-of-68 field goals and 135-of-136 PAT attempts. The Huskers also had a string of 31 consecutive games without a missed field goal from inside 50 yards.
2011 (Junior)
2011 (Junior)
Whaley played in all 13 games and made his second career start against Iowa. He finished with 11 tackles, including six solo stops, with three of his stops coming on coverage units. Whaley had single tackles in five of the first 10 games, then made three stops at Michigan, including two tackles for loss totaling four yards. He added two tackles against the Hawkeyes and had one stop against South Carolina.
Mangieri helped Brett Maher to All-Big Ten seasons as both a kicker and punter. Maher made 19-of-23 field goals, including 7-10 from beyond 40 yards, and he also connected on 43-of-44 PAT attempts. Mangieri’s snapping also helped Nebraska rank 27th nationally in net punting, and he contributed two tackles on punt coverage.
2010 (Sophomore)
Mangieri helped Alex Henery earn All-America honors in 2010, as NU hit 18-of-19 field goals and all 54 PAT attempts. NU also ranked 35th nationally in net punting, and Mangieri added a tackle on punt coverage.
Whaley played in nine games with a start in the season opener against Western Kentucky. He had nine tackles, including a career-high five tackles against the Hilltoppers. He added a tackle for loss against South Dakota State.
2009 (Redshirt Freshman) 2008 (Redshirt)
Career Statistics
Whaley redshirted in 2008, and was named co-defensive Scout Team MVP.
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 9/1 13/1 22/2
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt Did Not Play 6 3 9 1-1 6 5 11 2-4 12 8 20 3-5
Sacks 0-0 0-0 0-0
2009 (Freshman)
One of six true freshmen to play in 2009, Mangieri started all 14 games, as Henery hit a school-record 24 field goals and averaged 41.4 yards per punt.
Whaley was a reserve in 2009, but did not see game action.
Whaley’s Career Statistics
2010 (Sophomore)
» Games Played–41 (14 in 2009, 14 in 2010, 13 in 2011) » Tackles–2 UT, 1 AT, 3 TT (1 AT in 2010; 1 UT, 1 AT in 2011)
Fum. QB C-R BK PBU INT Hry. 0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–5 vs. Western Kentucky, 2010 » Solo Tackles–4 vs. Western Kentucky, 2010 » Tackles for Loss–2-4 at Michigan, 2011
HUSKERS.COM
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
2012 Nebraska Football Recruiting Class Name Jared Afalava LeRoy Alexander Zaire Anderson Tommy Armstrong Thomas Brown Sam Cotton Imani Cross Aaron Curry Greg McMullen Alonzo Moore Avery Moss Michael Rose Mohammed Seisay*
Pos. Ht. LB 6-3 DB 6-2 LB 6-1 QB 6-2 LB 6-2 TE 6-4 RB 6-1 DT 6-3 DE 6-5 DB 6-2 DE 6-4 LB 6-0 DB 6-2 Paul Thurston OL 6-5 Vincent Valentine DT 6-3 Jordan Westerkamp WR 6-2 Corey Whitaker OL 6-5 *-enrolled at Nebraska in January
Wt. 215 190 220 210 210 240 220 275 255 170 245 230 200 275 300 195 270
Hometown (High School/Junior College) South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS) Toledo, Ohio (Whitmer HS) Philadelphia, Pa. (Frankford HS/Riverside CC) Cibolo, Texas (Steele HS) Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS) Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast HS) Gainesville, Ga. (North Hall HS) Keller, Texas (Fossil Ridge HS) Akron, Ohio (Hoban HS) Winnfield, La. (Winnfield Senior HS) Tempe, Ariz. (Corona Del Sol HS) Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst HS) Springfield, Va. West Springfield HS/Eastern Arizona JC) Arvada, Colo. (Arvada West HS) Edwardsville, Ill. (Edwardsville HS) Lombard, Ill. (Montini Catholic HS) Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrietta HS)
The Class Breakdown:
Total: 17; Freshmen: 15; Junior College Transfers: 2 By State: California (2): Brown (Gardena); Whitaker (Murrieta); Illinois (2): Valentine (Edwardsville); Westerkamp (Lombard); Ohio (2): Alexander (Toledo); McMullen (Akron): Texas (2): Armstrong (Cibolo), Curry (Keller); Nebraska (1): Cotton (Lincoln); Arizona (1): Moss (Tempe); Colorado (1): Thurston (Arvada); Georgia (1): Cross (Gainesville); Louisiana (1): Moore (Winnfield); Missouri (1): Rose (Kansas City); Pennsylvania (1): Anderson (Philadelphia); Utah (1): Afalava (South Jordan); Virginia (1): Seisay (Springfield). By Position (First Position Listed): Offense (6): QB-Armstrong; RB-Cross; WR-Westerkamp; TE-Cotton; OL-Thurston, Whitaker Defense (11): DL-Curry, McMullen, Moss, Valentine LB-Afalava, Anderson, Brown, Rose; DB-Alexander, Moore, Seisay
Walk-Ons
Nebraska has secured commitments from 19 prospects who plan to join the program as walk-ons for the 2012 season. Per NCAA rules, Nebraska is able to announce 18 of those individuals as of March 25. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Jared Blum DE/TE 6-4 230 Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS) Cole Chvatal WR 5-11 175 Wahoo, Neb. (Bishop Neumann HS) Carson Collins FB 5-10 220 Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS) Ross Dzuris DE/TE 6-3 225 Plattsmouth, Neb. (Plattsmouth HS) Sam Foltz ATH 6-2 190 Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island HS) Trey Foster TE 6-2 230 Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast HS) Ryker Fyfe QB 6-3 195 Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island HS) Taylor Hoffman LB 6-0 200 Oakland, Neb. (Oakland-Craig HS) Andy Janovich FB 6-1 215 Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS) Garret Johns OL 6-1 275 Aurora, Neb. (Aurora HS) Spencer Lindsay PK 5-10 195 Kearney, Neb. (Kearney HS) Mitch McCann LB 6-1 225 Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS) Graham Nabity RB 6-1 205 Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn HS) Jordan Nelson RB 5-8 175 Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS) Robby Painter OL 6-6 270 Centennial, Colo. (Grandview HS) Brandon Reilly WR 6-2 180 Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest HS) Brad Simpson LB 6-0 195 Omaha, Neb. (Ralston HS) Dylan Utter OL 6-2 300 Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista HS)
38
Jared Afalava
6-3, 215, LB, South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS)
Jared Afalava (pronounced Off-uh-lava) is one of four players in the 2012 class who are expected to begin their career at linebacker. The 6-3, 215-pound Afalava has been a standout on the Bingham High defense for the past three seasons, helping the school to a pair of state championships in Utah Class 5A. Bingham recorded more than 180 career tackles, including 87 tackles in his senior season in 2011. He also had two sacks, three interceptions, two fumbles caused and a fumble recovery for Coach Dave Peck’s team. Overall, Afalava had five games with 10 or more tackles in 2011, helping Bingham to a 9-3 record and trip to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Afalava was a first-team Class 5A all-state pick by both the Salt Lake City Tribune and the Deseret News. Afalava played in the Semper Fi Marines All-America Bowl following his senior season. Afalava was also a standout during his junior year, totaling 87 tackles and five interceptions to help Bingham to a 13-0 record and its second straight state championship. As a junior, Alfalava was a first-team all-state pick by the Deseret News and a second-teamer according to the Salt Lake City Tribune. He also played a key role in a state title as a sophomore, compiling more than 20 tackles. Afalava is ranked among the nation’s top 50 linebackers by Rivals.com, 247 Sports and Scout.com. He is regarded as one of the top five prospects in Utah by both Rivals.com and 247 Sports, and 247 ranks him among the nation’s top 250 overall prospects. Afalava chose Nebraska after also visiting Washington, and he also had offers from Oregon, UCLA, Utah, Colorado, Oregon State and BYU among others. Afalava is the son of Kesi and Kay Afalava, and he was born on Oct. 30, 1993.
LeRoy Alexander
6-2, 190, DB, Toledo, Ohio (Whitmer HS)
Versatile athlete LeRoy Alexander joined the 2012 class in late January and has the ability to play either side of the ball. The 6-2, 190-pound Alexander starred at Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio, as a senior, helping Coach Joe Palka’s team to a 13-1 record. Whitmer advanced to the Divsion I (largest class) state semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius. Alexander was a valuable member of the secondary, racking up 43 tackles, seven pass breakups and a pair of interceptions. He was also an explosive threat on offense, with 60 rushes for 665 yards and eight touchdowns, and he also had a receiving touchdown. Alexander played at Springfield High in Holland, Ohio, as a sophomore and junior before transferring for his senior season. Alexander helped Springfield to a 9-3 record in 2010. Alexander was coached by current NU graduate assistant Vince Marrow at Springfield in 2009. Alexander also had a scholarship offer from Toledo, and was drawing strong interest from Michigan State before deciding on Nebraska. Alexander was ranked as the No. 60 “athlete” prospect in the country according to Rivals.com. A talented two-sport standout, Alexander was an honorable-mention all-state pick in basketball for Springfield High School in 2011, and has helped Whitmer to a 23-2 record and top 10 ranking in Ohio in 2012. Alexander and fellow Ohio product Greg McMullen (Akron) give Nebraska six signees from Ohio in Bo Pelini’s five recruiting classes as head coach, including four in the past two seasons. Alexander was born on Jan. 20, 1994, and he is the son of LeRoy and Theresa Alexander.
Zaire Anderson
6-1, 220, LB, Philadelphia, Pa. (Frankford HS/Riverside CC)
Zaire Anderson is one of two prospects in the 2012 class to join the Husker program from the junior college ranks, and the 6-1, 220-pound Anderson is one of four linebackers in the class. Anderson will join the program with two seasons of remaining eligibility after starring at Riverside (Calif.) City College in 2010 and 2011. Anderson helped Coach Tom Craft’s team to a 21-1 record over the past two years, including a perfect 11-0 record in 2011. Anderson was a playmaker at linebacker, finishing 2011 with 95 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. In his final game at Riverside, Anderson registered 12 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and forced two fumbles in a 31-14 bowl victory over Saddleback Junior College. For his play in 2011, Anderson was named a JC Gridwire All-American and the National Division East Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Anderson quickly became an impact player for Riverside in 2010, finishing the year with 92 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks to earn second-team all-conference honors. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Anderson starred at Frankford High School where he was a first-team All-Philadelphia Public selection in his senior season. He is the first Pennsylvania native to sign with Nebraska since 1999. Anderson is regarded as the top junior college linebacker prospect and No. 13 overall JUCO player by Rivals.com, while JC Gridiron.com named him as one of its “Dirty Dozen” Outside Linebackers. Anderson only visited Nebraska but had numerous scholarship offers, including Texas Tech, Mississippi State and Kentucky. Anderson is the son of Walter Anderson and Kim Hawkins, and he was born on Aug. 18, 1992.
Tommy Armstrong
6-2, 210, QB, Cibolo, Texas (Cibolo Steele HS)
Tommy Armstrong is the only scholarship quarterback in Nebraska’s 2012 recruiting class and is considered one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks. The 6-2, 210-pound Armstrong led Cibolo Steele High School to the Class 5A state championship game each of his final two seasons. Armstrong led Steele to 15 straight victories in 2011, before a loss in the state championship game. Armstrong produced huge numbers both as a runner and a passer as a senior. He finished with 1,281 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, while passing for 1,945 yards and 29 touchdowns against just two interceptions, completing nearly 59 percent of his passes. Armstrong showed his all-around ability during Steele’s run to the state title game. In the quarterfinals, he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown. A week later in a semifinal victory, Armstrong had 139 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while passing for another score. In 2011, Armstrong was named to the San Antonio Express News All-Area team as an all-purpose player and he was the District 25-5A
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL Offensive MVP. Armstrong also earned first-team all-district honors as a junior, when he led Cibolo Steele to a 14-2 record and a Class 5A Division II state championship. In 2010, Armstrong ran for more than 500 yards and eight touchdowns, while completing better than 51 percent of his passes for 1,343 yards and 19 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Armstrong is regarded as the No. 5 quarterback in the country and 18th-best overall prospect in the state of Texas by Scout.com, while Rivals.com ranks him among the top 50 players in Texas and one of the nation’s top 10 dual-threat signal callers. Armstrong played in the Offense-Defense Bowl in Arlington, Texas, following his senior season. Armstrong is one of two Texans in the Huskers’ 2012 class and gives NU at least one Lone Star State representative in its signing class for the 12th straight year. He only visited Nebraska, but had offers from coast to coast, including Georgia Tech, Oregon, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, TCU and UCLA. Armstrong is the son of Tommy Armstong, Sr., and he was born on Nov. 8, 1993.
Thomas Brown
6-2, 210, LB, Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)
California prospect Thomas Brown is one of four impressive linebacker prospects in the the 2012 recruiting class. A native of Gardena, Calif., Brown is also one of two Californians in the Husker class, marking the 14th straight year NU has signed at least one player from the Golden State. Brown was a standout at Junipero Serra High School as a senior, with 77 tackles, including 32 solo stops, and he also had 2.5 sacks and a pair of pass deflections. His play helped Coach Scott Altenberg’s Serra High team to an 11-2 record and a Central Coast Section Division I title. The section championship was the first for the school since 1990. The 6-2, 210-pound Brown played his junior season at St. Anthony High School, and racked up 96 tackles and five sacks for St. Anthony during the 2010 campaign. Brown is regarded among the top 75 prospects in California by both 247 Sports and Rivals.com. 247 ranks him as the 17th-best inside linebacker prospect in the country, while Rivals.com and Scout.com also list him among the top 50 inside linebacker prospects. Brown also visited Arizona State, and also had scholarship offers from Colorado, Utah and SMU among others. Brown is the son of Thomas Brown and Lashanda Parks, and he was born on June 23, 1994.
Sam Cotton
6-4, 240, TE, Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southeast HS)
Lincoln Southeast product Sam Cotton will join the program as the lone tight end in the 2012 signing class. He is also NU’s only in-state scholarship signee in 2012. The 6-4, 240-pound Cotton will continue a family tradition with the Huskers. His father, Barney, is Nebraska’s offensive line coach and played for the Huskers from 1976 to 1978. Sam’s older brothers, Ben and Jake, are both members of the Husker team. Ben will be a senior tight end in 2012, while Jake will be a sophomore offensive lineman for the Huskers. Sam played a key role in helping Southeast earn a Class A state title in 2011. The Knights finished with a 12-1 record, including a 21-9 victory over Omaha Burke in the state title game, when Cotton caught a 34-yard touchdown pass. As a senior, Cotton had 23 receptions, including seven touchdown grabs. He also played defensive line for Coach Ryan Gottula’s team, and made 42 tackles, including 7.5 sacks. His efforts as a senior earned Cotton first-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald as a defensive lineman and he was an honorary captain of that team. The Lincoln Journal Star also named him as a co-captain of its Super State team, but listed him as a first-team selection at tight end. Cotton also played a key role on both sides of the football during his junior season, when his play helped Southeast to a 10-2 record and a trip to the Class A semifinals. He was an honorable-mention all-state pick by both major newspapers during his junior season. Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247 Sports all rank Cotton among the top four players in the state of Nebraska, and among the top 50 tight ends in the country. Cotton committed to Nebraska in June of 2011, and did not take any other visits. Sam Cotton is the son of Barney and Christine Cotton, and he was born on Jan. 27, 1994.
all-district performer at the 5A level for his play. As a junior, Curry had 68 total tackles, including four sacks. Curry was ranked among the top 50 defensive tackles in the country by Scout.com and Rivals.com. In addition to Nebraska, Curry also visited Iowa, Missouri and Boise State and had dozens of other scholarship offers. He was born on June 12, 1994, and is the son of Aaron Sr. and Peggy Curry. Aaron Curry Sr. played college basketball at Oklahoma.
Greg McMullen
6-5, 255, DE, Akron, Ohio (Hoban HS)
Defensive end prospect Greg McMullen was one of the most dominant defenders in Ohio throughout his prep career at Akron’s Hoban High School. McMullen and fellow Ohio product LeRoy Alexander (Toledo) give NU six signees from Ohio in Bo Pelini’s five recruiting classes, including four in the past two seasons. The 6-5, 255-pound McMullen racked up more than 40 sacks during his career, and was a regular in the lineup since his freshman season. McMullen capped his career with 78 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss as a senior. His play for Coach Ralph Orsini earned McMullen North Coast Blue Division Player-of-the-Year honors. He was also a first-team Division III All-Ohio selection for the second straight year. McMullen was equally as impressive as a junior, earning All-Ohio honors with 87 tackles, 8.5 sacks and an impressive 31 quarterback pressures. He also lined up at tight end and had four receptions for 70 yards. McMullen earned second-team All-Ohio honors as a sophomore when he racked up 11.5 sacks from his end position. McMullen first broke onto the scene at Hoban as a freshman, when he had 12 sacks and earned honorable-mention All-Ohio accolades. McMullen is ranked among the top 200 players overall nationally by both Rivals.com and 247 Sports, and is also among the top 12 overall prospects in Ohio by both services. McMullen is also listed among the top dozen defensive end prospects nationally by both of those services. McMullen appeared in the SemperFi Marines All-America Bowl following his senior season. McMullen only visited Nebraska, but he was highly recruited including scholarship offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Cincinnati and North Carolina State, among others. McMullen is the son of Lashaun Brown, and he was born on Oct. 13, 1993.
Alonzo Moore
6-2, 170, DB, Winnfield, La. (Winnfield Senior HS)
Alonzo Moore is an explosive athlete who could play a number of positions when he begins his college career. The 6-2, 170-pounder saw action at quarterback, running back and receiver for Winnfield (La.) High School, helping his team to a 14-1 record and a trip to the Class 2A state championship game in 2011. Moore rushed for 1,473 yards and 22 touchdowns on 156 carries, while throwing for another 442 yards and a touchdown. Moore was a first-team all-state pick and was chosen as the Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year. Moore totaled 26 touchdowns as a senior, including three on returns. As a junior, Moore earned all-district honors and honorable-mention all-state honors, while primarily playing receiver. He caught 49 passes for 1,246 yards and 17 touchdowns for Coach Andy Pyles’ team, while also rushing 53 times for 591 yards and nine scores. His play helped Winnfield to an 8-5 record and a trip to the state quarterfinals. Moore spent the majority of his time at quarterback in his first two years on varsity, and as a sophomore in 2009, he accounted for more than 2,100 total yards to help Winnfield to an 8-4 record. Moore is ranked among the top 50 receivers in the nation by 247 Sports, while Rivals.com lists him as the No. 22 “athlete”. Both services rank Moore among the top 20 overall prospects in Louisiana. Moore is also an outstanding basketball player, and averaged better than 20 points per game during his junior season. Moore also visited Mississippi State and Louisiana Tech, in addition to offers from Minnesota, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Ole Miss. He is the son of Janice Moore, and was born on Nov. 10, 1992.
Avery Moss
6-4, 245, DE, Tempe, Ariz. (Corona Del Sol HS)
Powerful running back Imani Cross joined the 2012 class in the final week before Signing Day. The Gainesville, Ga., native checks in at 6-1 and 220 pounds, giving NU a physical presence in the backfield. Cross is Nebraska’s first signee from the state of Georgia since Alfonzo Dennard in 2008. Cross piled up 1,698 rushing yards as a senior at North Hall High School, including 24 rushing touchdowns. He averaged nearly nine yards per carry, and also excelled on defense for Coach Robert Christmas, making 88 tackles from his linebacker position. Cross’ play earned him second-team Class AAA all-state honors in Georgia. As a junior, Cross rushed for 600 yards and nine touchdowns, despite being limited to five games because of an injury. As a sophomore, he helped North Hall to a 9-3 record and playoff berth by rushing for 1,417 yards and 17 touchdowns. Cross is ranked among the top 35 running backs in the country by Rivals.com, 247 Sports and Scout.com, while both Rivals and 247 rank him among the top 50 overall prospects in Georgia. Cross also visited Kentucky and East Carolina, and had numerous other offers including Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia Tech. Cross was born on Sept. 23, 1993, and he is the son of Tim and Sharon Cross. Cross’ brother, Izaan, will be a senior defensive end at Georgia Tech in 2012, and has 28 career starts.
Arizona native Avery Moss is one of two talented defensive end prospects in the 2012 signing class, joining Ohio product Greg McMullen. The 6-4, 245-pound Moss had a highly productive prep career at Corona Del Sol High in Tempe, Ariz. Moss used his size and speed to torment opposing passers throughout his career. As a senior, Moss had 59 tackles, including 26 solo stops, five sacks and a pair of pass breakups. His play for Coach Tom Joseph earned Moss second-team Division I all-state honors from the Arizona Republic. Moss earned all-region honors as a junior despite playing in only five games because of a broken hand. During his limited time, Moss made 12 tackles and had 2.5 sacks. Moss played in the Semper Fi Marines All-America Bowl in early January, and made his pledge to Nebraska at that time. Moss is ranked among the top 15 players in Arizona by Scout.com, 247 Sports and Rivals.com. He also ranks among the top 50 defensive ends in the country by both 247 and Rivals. Moss also visited Arizona State and Purdue and had scholarship offers from Arizona, Washington, Stanford and San Diego State among others. In addition to his success on the gridiron, Moss is a standout on the basketball court, helping Corona Del Sol to a 32-1 record and Division I state title. Moss earned second-team all-state honors as a senior despite missing nine games, and scored 18 points, along with 21 points and four blocks in teh state title game. He has received recruiting interest in basketball from several schools including Denver, Pepperdine, San Diego and UCSB. Moss was born on Sept. 16, 1994 and his father is Shalamar Moss.
Aaron Curry
Michael Rose
Aaron Curry joins the NU program as part of a strong group of defensive linemen in the class. The 6-3, 275-pound Curry is one of four players expected to begin their career on the defensive front, including two on the interior. Curry is one of two Texans in the Huskers’ class, giving NU at least one signee from Texas for the 12th straight year. As a senior, Curry had 59 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble for Fossil Ridge High. His play helped Coach Tony Baccarini’s team to a 6-5 record and a trip to the state playoffs. Curry was chosen an
Kansas City product Michael Rose is part of an impressive group of linebackers in NU’s 2012 class. The 6-0, 230-pound Rose is one of four standouts expected to begin their Husker career in the linebacking corps. Rose was a playmaker for Coach Tony Severino at Rockhurst (Mo.) High School, helping his team to a 10-2 record and a trip to the Class 6 quarterfinals in 2011. Rose made 104 tackles as a senior, including three sacks, while adding a pair of interceptions, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Rose was named a first-team
Imani Cross
6-1, 220, RB, Gainesville, Ga. (North Hall HS)
6-3, 275, DT, Keller, Texas (Fossil Ridge HS)
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6-0, 230, LB, Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst HS)
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL Class 6 all-state pick by the Missouri Coaches Association and an all-Metro selection by the Kansas City Star. Injuries limited Rose to just six games as a junior, but he made a big impact when he was on the field, averaging nearly three tackles for loss per game. Rose first played a key role as a sophomore, when he had a team-high 95 tackles, two sacks, an interception and a pair of fumble recoveries. Rose plyaed in the Under Armour All-America Bowl in Florida and was one of the defensive standouts in the game. Rose was the first player to commit to NU’s 2012 class, making his intentions known before his junior season, and he did not take any other visits. He did have dozens of offers including Iowa, Ohio State, Missouri, USC, Kansas and Indiana to name a few. Rose is ranked among the top five players in the state of Missouri by both Rivals.com and 247 Sports, and 247 and ESPNU list him among the top 150 overall prospects in the country. Rose is listed among the top 15 inside linebackers in the country by Rivals, Scout and 247 Sports. Rose was also on the preseason watch list for the high school version of the Butkus Award. Rose was born on Aug. 30, 1993, and he is the son of Michael Rose Sr.
Mohammed Seisay
6-2, 200, DB, Springfield, Va. (West Springfield HS/ Fork Union Military Academy/Memphis/Eastern Arizona JC)
Mohammed Seisay is one of two junior college prospects in NU’s 2012 class. Seisay (pronounced See-say) joins the Huskers after spending the 2011 season at Eastern Arizona Junior College, and he also has prior Division I experience with two seasons at Memphis. Seisay, who has two years of eligibility remaining, enrolled in January and is taking part in spring football. Seisay had an impressive 2011 season for Coach Bob O’Mera at Eastern Arizona, with 22 tackles and six interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns. Seisay is regarded as one of the top 10 junior college players in the country by Rivals.com and among the top three defensive backs, while 247 Sports ranked him among the top 20 junior college prospects. Before transferring to Eastern Arizona, Seisay spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons at Memphis. After redshirting in 2009, Seisay started all 12 games at cornerback in 2010 and earned Conference USA All-Freshman honors. He finished the season with 39 tackles, including 23 solo stops, two interceptions and three pass breakups. Seisay had a season-high six tackles in three games (East Carolina, Tennessee, UAB). Seisay spent 2008 at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, where he played for Coach John Shuman, and helped the team to a 6-4 record. Seisay totaled 45 tackles and eight pass breakups for Fork Union, and also returned a blocked PAT 95 yards. Seisay played for Coach Bill Renner at West Springfield (Va.) High, and helped the 2007 team to a 10-3 record and trip to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. Seisay had 35 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and forced fumbled and was named first-team all-district. He also starred in 2006, including a school-record three interceptions against Hayfield High. Seisay was a first-team all-district pick in both 2006 and 2007 at West Springfield. Seisay chose NU after also visiting Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, and he had a number of other offers including Florida State and Oklahoma. Seisay was born on May 22, 1990, and he is the son of Ibrahim Seisay and Fatima Seisay.
Paul Thurston
6-5, 275, OL, Arvada, Colo. (Arvada West HS)
Colorado product Paul Thurston is one of two offensive linemen in the 2012 class. Thurston also continues a strong link to the state of Colorado for NU, as the Huskers have signed at least one Colorado native in five of the past seven years. The 6-5, 275-pound Thurston was a dominant blocker for Arvada West High each of the past three seasons. As a senior, Thurston was a Class 5A (largest class) first-team all-state selection by the Denver Post. During his junior year for Coach Casey Coons, Thurston helped Arvada West to a 6-5 record and a trip to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Thurston was a a first-team all-conference selection as a junior, when he also played some on the defensive line. Thurston was also a member of the varsity team as a sophomore, when Arvada West posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals. Thurston is regarded as one of the top five players in Colorado by both Rivals.com and 247 sports. He is also listed among the top 150 overall prospects in the country by both Rivals and Scout.com, and is generally regarded among the top 20 offensive tackles nationally. Thurston commited to Nebraska in the summer before his senior year, and did not take any other visits. He did receive numerous offers including Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Stanford, Colorado, Northwestern, Kansas State and UCLA to name a few. Thurston is the son of Greg and Janet Thurston, and he was born on June 25, 1993.
Vincent Valentine
6-3, 300, DT, Edwardsville, Ill. (Edwardsville HS)
Vincent Valentine is one of four defensive linemen in NU’s class, and one of two players projected to start their careers on the interior. Valentine and fellow Illinois product Jordan Westerkamp give NU two signees from that state for the first time since 2004. The 6-3, 300-pound Valentine was a second-team all-state, all-class pick in Illinois by the Chicago Tribune as a senior. Valentine had 35 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and three sacks for Edwardsville, helping Coach Matt Martin’s team to a 5-5 record and trip to the Illinois state playoffs. Valentine was also chosen as a first-team Class 7A all-state performer by the Illinois High School Coaches Association, and earned first-team All-Southwest Conference honors for the second straight season. As a junior, Valentine made 33 tackles, while adding two sacks, forcing two fumbles and recovering a fumble. Valentine was also a starter as a sophomore when he racked up 29 tackles, two sacks and had a fumble recovery. Valentine is ranked among the nation’s top 50 defensive tackles by both Rivals.com and 247 Sports, and both services rank him among the top 15 overall prospects in the state of Illinois. Valentine chose Nebraska over Florida and Illinois, and had dozens of other offers including Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin in the Big Ten. Valentine was born on Feb. 23, 1994, and he is the son of Vincent Sr. and Angreha Valentine.
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Jordan Westerkamp
6-2, 195, WR, Lombard, Ill. (Montini Catholic HS)
Jordan Westerkamp is a record-setting receiver who joins Nebraska after posting amazing statistics during his prep career at Montini Catholic High School in Illinois. The 6-2, 195-pound Westerkamp is the state’s all-time leader in receptions (235), receiving yards (4,618) and receiving touchdowns (68). Westerkamp helped lead Coach Chris Andriano’s team to state titles each of the past three seasons, capped by a memorable performance in his final prep game. In the Class 5A state title game against Joliet Catholic, Westerkamp had 12 catches for 353 yards and five touchdowns, leading his team to a 70-45 victory. The championship-game effort capped a senior year that saw him catch 91 passes for 1,659 yards and 29 touchdowns. Westerkamp received numerous honors, highlighted by being chosen a first-team USA Today All-American. He was also the Illinois Player of the Year by both the Chicago Tribune and ESPN Chicago, the Suburban Christian Conference Player of the Year and an all-state and all-metro selection. As a junior, Westerkamp caught 89 passes for 1,631 yards and 23 touchdowns, helping Montini to a 12-2 record and a Class 5A state title, including seven catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the championship game. His play as a junior earned Westerkamp first-team 5A all-state honors from the Illinois Coaches Association. As a sophomore, Westerkamp burst onto the scene with 51 receptions for 1,156 yards and 16 touchdowns, including a 99-yard touchdown. He had a touchdown catch in the Class 5A state title game, helping Montini cap off a 10-4 season and the first of three straight titles. Following his senior season, Westerkamp participated in the Semper Fi Marines All-America Bowl in Arizona. He is listed among the top 10 players in Illinois by both Rivals.com and 247 Sports, and is regarded as one of the top 50 receivers in the country, while Scout.com lists him among the nation’s top 250 overall prospects. Westerkamp chose Nebraska over Notre Dame and had dozens of other scholarship offers, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and West Virginia. Jordan is the son of Robert and Kimberly Westerkamp, and he was born on June 23, 1994. His father also starred at Montini Catholic and collegiately at Illinois.
Corey Whitaker
6-5, 270, OL, Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta HS)
Corey Whitaker is a talented offensive line prospect who joined NU’s list of commitments in the final week of January. Whitaker is one of two offensive linemen in the 2012 class, and one of two California natives in the class, marking the 14th straight year Nebraska has signed at least one player from California. The 6-5, 270-pounder starred at Vista Murrieta High School the past two seasons. His play helped fuel a prolific offense that led Coach Coley Candaele’s team to the finals of the CIF Southern Section Inland playoffs each of the past two seasons. In 2011, Vista Murrieta finished with a 10-4 record, however all four losses were by forfeit, and it capped its season with a 35-28 victory over Corona Centennial in the playoff finals. Whitaker’s play helped the offense average 235.9 rushing yards and 37.0 points per game. As a junior, Whitaker paved the way for an offense that averaged 38.8 points per game and better than 200 rushing yards per game en route to a 12-2 record and a berth in the finals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Whitaker was a two-time first-team all-league, All-CIF and All-Valley selection, and was named to the 2011 All-Inland team by SouthernCaliforniaPreps. com. Whitaker is regarded as one of the nation’s top 100 offensive line prospects by 247 Sports. Whitaker also drew heavy interest from Oregon, visited Nevada and San Jose State, and had offers from Fresno State and San Diego State among others. Whitaker was born on Feb. 14, 1994, and he is the son of Corey Whitaker and Tammy Reisdorph.
Walk-On Student-Athletes
Jared Blum–6-4, 230, DE/TE, Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS)
Jared Blum is one of two walk-ons from Gretna High School in 2012. Blum was a second-team All-Nebraska pick by the Omaha World-Herald and a second-team Super State pick by the Lincoln Journal Star on defense as a senior. Blum recorded 44 tackles to go along with 12 sacks and helped his team reach the semifinals of the Class B state playoffs. Blum was also a threat on offense, catching 18 passes for 380 yards and six touchdowns as a tight end. Along with being a football standout, Blum starred on the Dragons’ basketball team where was named second-team Super State by the Lincoln Journal Star as a junior, after averaging 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Blum had football scholarship offers from South Dakota State, Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest Missouri State. Blum was born on Nov. 14, 1993, and he is the son of Dave and Kristi Blum.
Cole Chvatal–5-11, 175, WR, Wahoo, Neb. (Bishop Neumann HS)
A member of the Class C-1 all-state football team by the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star, Cole Chvatal will walk-on at Nebraska as a wide receiver. Chvatal led Bishop Neumann High School to the No. 1 seed in the Class C-1 state football playoffs, where it advanced to the second round. He starred on the offensive side of the football, rushing for 21 touchdowns on 1,165 yards and over 9.5 yards a carry. Chvatal also caught 25 passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns. Chvatal recorded 106 tackles on defense. Chvatal was born on April 27, 1993, and is the son of Dave and Colleen Chvatal.
Carson Collins–5-10, 220, FB, Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS)
Carson Collins is one of three walk-ons from Omaha Burke in 2012. Collins joins the Husker program after helping the Bulldogs reach the Class A state championship game as a senior, which marked their first appearance in the title game since 1984. Collins rushed for 1,325 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior, while averaging just under eight yards per carry. A member of the Lincoln Journal Star Super State second team and Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska second team, Collins rushed for 159 yards and three touchdowns in Burke’s semifinal game against Omaha Central. Collins chose to walk-on at Nebraska over several FCS and Division II opportunities. He was born on June 27, 1994, and is the son of Amy Collins.
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Ross Dzuris–6-3, 225, DE/TE, Plattsmouth, Neb. (Plattsmouth HS)
Ross Dzuris has been a force on the defensive line for Plattsmouth High School leading the Blue Devils to consecutive playoff berths during his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Dzuris earned second-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald and was part of the Lincoln Journal Star Class B all-state football team after collecting 103 total tackles, including 45 solo stops. During his junior season, Dzuris finished with 52 tackles and four sacks. For his efforts, he was named a first-team all-state selection by HuskerLandPreps. com and was a first-team all-area selection from the Omaha World-Herald. Dzuris is also a standout on the Plattsmouth basketball, where he earned honorable-mention all-state honors, and competed in track and field. He chose to walk on at Nebraska over scholarship offers from North Dakota and South Dakota. Dzuris was born on Oct. 13, 1993, and he is the son of Bob and Leesa Dzuris.
Sam Foltz–6-2, 190, ATH, Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island HS)
A do-it-all athlete from Grand Island High School, Sam Foltz helped lead the Islanders to a 9-2 record and a trip to the Class A quarterfinals as a senior. A teammate of fellow walk-on commit Ryker Fyfe, Foltz was one of the most versatile athletes in the state, starring on both sides of the football. A first-team All-Nebraska pick as a defensive back as a senior, Foltz led Grand Island in tackles with 84, including 61 solo stops, and four interceptions. During his junior season, Foltz had 60 total tackles and five interceptions. On offense, Foltz teamed up with Fyfe to make up one of the most dangerous passing duos in the state, catching 39 passes for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns as senior. Foltz was also a valuable asset on special teams where he was member of the Lincoln Journal Star Super State team as a punter during his senior campaign. Foltz chose to walk-on at Nebraska over scholarship offers from South Dakota State, Northwest Missouri State, Nebraska-Kearney and South Dakota. Foltz was born on Jan. 21, 1994, and is the son of Gerald and Jill Foltz.
Trey Foster–6-2, 230, TE, Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast HS)
Trey Foster earned first-team All-Nebraska accolades from both the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star as a defensive lineman as a senior, but will join the Husker program as a tight end. Foster, who helped Lincoln Southeast to the Class A state championship, had seven receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns as a senior. From his defensive end position, Foster recorded 59 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. Foster was part of a defense that allowed a total of 34 points in four playoff games. Foster turned down a scholarship offer to Southeast Missouri State for the opportunity to walk-on at Nebraska. Foster was born on May 13, 1994, and he is the son of Jesse and Charlesette Foster.
Ryker Fyfe–6-3, 195, QB, Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island HS)
Fyfe guided one of the most potent offenses in the state of Nebraska as a senior, leading Grand Island to just under 400 yards of offense and 40 points per game. The signal-caller was a first-team Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska pick, and was the quarterback and honorary captain of the Lincoln Journal Star’s Super State team. A dual-threat quarterback, Fyfe threw for 1,921 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 746 yards and 14 scores, while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. A teammate of fellow walk-on wide receiver Sam Foltz, Fyfe completed 59 percent of his passes as a senior and averaged 16.0 yards per completion. As a junior, Fyfe finished with 1,492 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. A member of the Islander baseball and basketball teams, Fyfe chose to walk-on at Nebraska over a scholarship offer from Nebraska-Kearney. He is the son of Montie and Kim Fyfe, and Ryker was born on Nov. 20, 1993.
Taylor Hoffman–6-0, 200, LB, Oakland, Neb. (Oakland-Craig HS)
Taylor Hoffman will be the first player from Oakland-Craig High School to join the NU program since the early 1980s. A consensus Class C-2 all-state pick by the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star, Hoffman will walk-on as a linebacker where he recorded 88 tackles, including 55 solo stops in 2011. Hoffman also contributed on offense at fullback, rushing for 717 yards and 14 touchdowns, while he averaged over eight yards per carry. Hoffman helped Oakland-Craig reach the quarterfinals of the C-2 state playoffs and a 10-1 overall record. A state qualifier in wrestling, Hoffman chose to walk-on at Nebraska over offers from South Dakota State and Wyoming. He is the son of Ken and Mary Hoffman, and was born on July 3, 1993.
Andy Janovich–6-1, 215, FB, Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS)
Andy Janovich was named first-team All-Nebraska by the Omaha World-Herald as a linebacker and was a part of the Lincoln Journal Star’s second-team Super State squad after leading Gretna to the Class B Nebraska semifinals as a senior. Janovich, who is coming in as a fullback, rushed for 799 yards and 18 touchdowns as senior, while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. On the defensive side of the ball, Janovich led Gretna in tackles with 112 and finished with eight tackles for loss. Gretna’s defense was the No. 1-ranked defense in Class B, only allowing 179 yards per game. Janovich also stars on the wrestling mat, where he was the 2012 Class B 220-pound champion with a 46-0 record, a year after winning the 189-pound title with a 53-0 record. Janovich chose to walk-on at Nebraska over a scholarship offer from Nebraska-Kearney. He is the son of Ron and Brenda Janovich.
Garret Johns–6-1, 275, OL, Aurora, Neb. (Aurora HS)
A multi-sport athlete at Aurora High School, Garret Johns will walk on at Nebraska after a successful prep career. Johns was named to the All-Nebraska second team by the Omaha World-Herald and the Super Sate second team by the Lincoln Journal Star after leading the Huskies to the Class B state playoffs and a 8-3 overall record from his offensive line position. Johns was also a standout on the wrestling team where he won the Class B heavyweight state championship as a junior and senior, posting a combined 82-0 record. Johns chose to walkon at Nebraska over scholarship offers from South Dakota State, Northwest Missouri State and Fort Hays. Johns was born on Nov. 10, 1993, and is the son of Joe and Rosemary Johns.
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Spencer Lindsay–5-10, 195, PK, Kearney, Neb. (Kearney HS)
Spencer Lindsay was one of the top kickers in Nebraska, earning honorable mention all-state honors from both the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World-Herald as a senior. Lindsay connected on all 33 PAT attempts and 6-of-9 on field goals with a long of 44 yards. Lindsay booted nearly 75 percent of his kickoffs for touchbacks and averaged 33.7 yards per punt. As a junior, Lindsay was 11-for-13 on field goals. He also shinned at wide receiver his senior season for the Bearcats, catching 17 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Mitch McCann–6-1, 225, LB, Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS)
Mitch McCann will join the Huskers as a walk-on after helping the Burke Bulldogs become one of the toughest defenses in the state of Nebraska, holding offenses to 18 points and under 130 yards per game. A three-year starter at middle linebacker for Burke, McCann totaled 128 tackles during his senior season to go along with two sacks and two fumble recoveries. McCann helped Burke reach the Class A state championship in 2011, where he tallied a game-high 9.5 tackles. A first-team Super State linebacker by the Lincoln Journal Star and honorable mention All-Nebraska pick by the Omaha World-Herald, McCann chose to walk-on at NU over a scholarship offer from South Dakota State. McCann is the son of Pete and Stephanie McCann, and he was born on Dec. 23, 1993.
Graham Nabity–6-1, 205, RB, Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn HS)
Graham Nabity led the Elkhorn Antlers to the Nebraska Class B state championship as a senior, rushing for 1,532 yards on 239 carries and a Class-B leading 24 touchdowns. Nabity was a second-team All-Nebraska pick by both the Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star, and was named the honorary captain of Class B all-state team. As a junior, Nabity rushed for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns, while helping his team reach the state championship where it fell to Crete. Nabity chose to walk-on at Nebraska over a scholarship offer from South Dakota State. Nabity was born on May 12, 1993, and he is the son of David Nabity.
Jordan Nelson–5-8, 175, RB, Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS)
Jordan Nelson starred in his first full healthy season at Burke High School, where he helped the Bulldogs reach the Class A state championship as a senior. Nelson set the school singleseason rushing record with 1,791 yards and tacked on 13 touchdowns, earning him a spot on the Lincoln Journal Star Super State team. Nelson also caught 25 passes for 700 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 28.0 yards per reception. Nelson is joined by two of his Burke teammates, running back Carson Collins and linebacker Mitch McCann, as walk-ons. The All-Nebraska running back and honorary captain of the World-Herald all-metro team chose to walk on over scholarship offers from several Division II programs. Nelson is the son of Ray and Tammy Nelson.
Robby Painter–6-6, 270, OL, Centennial, Colo. (Grandview HS)
Robby Painter joins NU as a walk-on from Grandview High School, one of the top 5A prep programs in Colorado. The 6-6, 270-pound Painter helped Grandview reach the semifinals of the Class 5A state playoffs in both 2010 and 2011. In 2011, Painter was a team captain and his play helped Grandview to an 11-2 record, with an offense that averaged nearly 200 rushing yards per game. Painter also made 12 tackles and had a sack on defense. In 2010, Painter helped Grandview to a 9-5 record and trip to the semifinals. Painter was committed to a scholarship at Eastern Washington, and also had offers from UNLV, Northern Colorado and Colorado School of the Mines. He was born on Oct. 8, 1993, and is the son of John and Jan Painter.
Brandon Reilly–6-2, 180, WR, Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest HS)
A standout on both sides of the ball for Lincoln Southwest, Brandon Reilly will walk-on at Nebraska as a wide receiver. Reilly earned honorable mention all-state honors as a receiver according to the Omaha World-Herald. Reilly caught 18 passes for 339 yards, and was also a threat on special teams, amassing over 650 kickoff and punt return yards as a senior, including three returns for touchdowns. Reilly showed big-play ability as a senior, with eight of his nine touchdowns covering 50 yards or more. On defense, Reilly totaled 59 tackles and three interceptions, to earn a spot on the first-team Lincoln Journal Star Super-State team as a defensive back. Also a member of the Southwest basketball team, Reilly chose to walk-on at Nebraska after receiving interest from Nebraska-Kearney, Southeast Missouri State and South Dakota. Reilly was born on Sept. 24, 1993, and is the son of Paul Reilly and Julie Matthes.
Brad Simpson–6-0, 195, LB, Omaha, Neb. (Ralston HS)
Brad Simpson shined on both sides of the football for Ralston High, where he led the Rams to the second round of the Class B Nebraska state playoffs and an 8-3 overall record. Recruited as a linebacker, Simpson tallied 98 tackles, including 65 solo stops, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. For his efforts, he was named to the Class B all-state team by the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World-Herald as a senior. Simpson also led the Ralston offense at quarterback, finishing with 802 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, while throwing for 881 yards and seven scores. On special teams, Simpson averaged more than 34 yards a punt and had a long of 57 yards. Simpson chose to walk-on at NU over scholarship offers from both Central Missouri and Nebraska-Kearney. Simpson is the son of Dan and Carrie Simpson.
Dylan Utter–6-2, 300, OL, Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-La Vista HS)
Dylan Utter joins Nebraska as a walk-on after helping Papillion-La Vista High School reach the semifinals of the Class A state championships as a senior. Utter was a mainstay on both sides of the line of scrimmage, totaling 40 tackles and two sacks to earn him a spot on the Lincoln Journal Star Super-State second team as a senior. On offense, Utter helped the Monarchs average more than 38 points and 258 passing yards per game. As a junior, Utter recorded 47 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and three sacks on defense. Also a member of the Omaha WorldHerald’s All-Nebraska second team, Utter walked-on after receiving scholarship offers from North Dakota and Army. Utter was born on Feb. 19, 1994, and he is the son of Dinah Fiest.
41
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
2011 Nebraska Schedule and Results Date
Opponent
Sept. 3, 2011 Chattanooga Sept. 10, 2011 Fresno State Sept. 17, 2011 Washington Sept. 24, 2011 at Wyoming Oct. 1, 2011 at No. 7 Wisconsin* Oct. 8, 2011 Ohio State* Oct. 22, 2011 at Minnesota* Oct. 29, 2011 No. 9 Michigan State * Nov. 5, 2011 Northwestern * Nov. 12, 2011 at No. 12 Penn State * Nov. 19, 2011 at No. 20 Michigan * Nov. 25, 2011 Iowa * Jan. 2, 2012 South Carolina #
Result
Score
W W W W L W W W L W L W L
40-7 42-29 51-38 38-14 17-48 34-27 41-14 24-3 25-28 17-14 17-45 20-7 13-30
Record
1-0 2-0 3-0 4-0 4-1 5-1 6-1 7-1 7-2 8-2 8-3 9-3 9-4
Conference
Time
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-1 2-1 3-1 3-2 4-2 4-3 5-3 5-3
3:06 3:36 3:32 3:07 3:22 3:14 2:59 3:14 3:15 3:27 3:30 3:06 3:03
Attend
84,883 85,501 85,110 32,617 81,834 85,426 49,187 85,641 85,115 107,903 113,718 85,595 61,351
* Big Ten conference game; # Capital One Bowl
Team Statistics
SCORING 379 Points Per Game 29.2 FIRST DOWNS 265 Rushing 143 Passing 100 Penalty 22 RUSHING YARDAGE 2,824 Yards gained rushing 3,130 Yards lost rushing 306 Rushing Attempts 611 Average Per Rush 4.6 Average Per Game 217.2 TDs Rushing 31 PASSING YARDAGE 2,115 Comp-Att-Int 164-293-8 Average Per Pass 7.2 Average Per Catch 12.9 Average Per Game 162.7 TDs Passing 13 TOTAL OFFENSE 4,939 Total Plays 904 Average Per Play 5.5 Average Per Game 379.9 KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 45-1,146 PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 18-139 INT RETURNS: #-Yards 10-85 KICK RETURN AVERAGE 25.5 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 7.7 INT RETURN AVERAGE 8.5 FUMBLES-LOST 32-11 PENALTIES-Yards 86-688 Average Per Game 52.9 PUNTS-Yards 59-2,626 Average Per Punt 44.5 Net punt average 38.3 TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 28:30 3RD-DOWN Conversions 82/194 3rd-Down Pct 42% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 9/16 4th-Down Pct 56% SACKS BY-Yards 21-136 MISC YARDS 7 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 46 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 19-23 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-1 RED-ZONE SCORES (45-52) 87% RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS (33-52) 63% PAT-ATTEMPTS (44-45) 98% ATTENDANCE 596,871 Games/Avg Per Game 7/85,267 Neutral Site Games
TEAM STATISTICS
NU
304 23.4 245 120 101 24 2,060 2,304 244 515 4.0 158.5 23 2,499 192-361-10 6.9 13.0 192.2 16 4,559 876 5.2 350.7 56-1,346 26-309 8-68 24.0 11.9 8.5 16-8 77-757 58.2 71-2,833 39.9 36.0 31:30 78/194 40% 13/22 59% 21-99 0 40 8-15 0-3 (32-39) 82% (27-39) 69% (38-39) 97% 384,809 5/76,962 1/61,351
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1st
2nd
Nebraska Opponents
42
84 64
OPP
97 67
3rd 110 66
4th ot 88 107
- -
Total 379 304
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
2011 Nebraska Individual Statistics RUSHING Burkhead, Rex Martinez, Taylor Abdullah, Ameer Heard, Braylon Green, Aaron Bell, Kenny Marlowe, Tim Legate, Tyler Jones, Austin David, Lavonte Cooper, Khiry Turner, Jamal Reed, Kyler Carnes, Brion TEAM Total Opponents PASSING Martinez, Taylor Burkhead, Rex Carnes, Brion TEAM Total Opponents
GP/GS 13/13 13/13 13/0 7/0 12/0 13/11 13/1 13/6 6/0 13/13 9/1 12/0 12/4 3/0 10/0 13 13
G/s 13/13 13/13 3/0 13/0 13 13
RECEIVING Bell, Kenny Kinnie, Brandon Enunwa, Quincy Burkhead, Rex Reed, Kyler Turner, Jamal Cotton, Ben Marlowe, Tim Cooper, Khiry Legate, Tyler Green, Aaron Abdullah, Ameer Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Heard, Braylon Total Opponents
Att 284 188 42 25 24 3 7 8 5 1 1 2 2 2 17 611 515
Effic 126.52 0.00 209.20 0.00 125.79 120.42
G/GS 13/11 13/7 13/7 13/13 12/4 12/0 11/11 13/1 9/1 13/6 12/0 13/0 9/1 7/0 13 13
Gain 1406 1040 172 122 105 100 77 54 38 6 1 4 5 0 0 3,130 2,304
Net 1357 874 150 114 105 100 77 54 38 6 1 -3 -3 -6 -40 2,834 2,060
Avg 4.8 4.6 3.6 4.6 4.4 33.3 11.0 6.8 7.6 6.0 1.0 -1.5 -1.5 -3.0 -2.4 4.6 4.0
TD 15 9 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 23
Long 52 57 24 25 12 82 39 36 22 6 1 4 5 0 0 82 63
Avg/G 104.4 67.2 11.5 16.3 8.8 7.7 5.9 4.5 6.3 0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -2.0 -4.0 217.2 158.5
Cmp-Att-Int Pct 162-288-8 56.2 0-2-0 0.0 2-2-0 100.0 0-1-0 0.0 164-293-8 56.0 192-361-10 53.2
Yds 2089 0 26 0 2115 2499
TD 13 0 0 0 13 16
Lng 61 0 19 0 61 81
Avg/G 160.7 0.0 8.7 0.0 162.7 192.2
Long 50 61 36 30 53 43 28 15 17 10 25 11 7 1 61 81
Avg/G 35.5 19.8 22.5 13.6 21.4 20.2 17.2 8.7 6.7 1.8 2.1 0.8 0.8 0.1 162.7 192.2
No. 32 22 21 21 15 15 14 12 4 4 1 1 1 1 164 192
Loss 49 166 22 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 8 6 40 306 244
Yds 461 257 293 177 257 243 189 113 60 21 25 11 7 1 2115 2499
Avg 14.4 11.7 14.0 8.4 17.1 16.2 13.5 9.4 15.0 5.2 25.0 11.0 7.0 1.0 12.9 13.0
TD 3 1 2 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 13 16
PUNT RETURNS Abdullah, Ameer Marlowe, Tim Burkhead, Rex Total Opponents
No. 15 2 1 18 26
Yds 107 13 19 139 309
Avg 7.1 6.5 19.0 7.7 11.9
TD 0 0 0 0 1
Long 28 11 19 28 67
INTERCEPTIONS Cassidy, Austin David, Lavonte Green, Andrew Smith, P.J. Thorell, Lance Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Meredith, Cameron Moore, Terrence Total Opponents
No. 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 8
Yds 50 -2 0 0 26 0 1 10 85 68
Avg 25.0 -1.0 0.0 0.0 26.0 0.0 1.0 10.0 8.5 8.5
TD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Long 50 0 0 0 26 0 1 10 50 25
KICK RETURNS Abdullah, Ameer Marlowe, Tim Bell, Kenny Turner, Jamal Legate, Tyler Whaley, Alonzo Total Opponents
No. 26 10 6 1 1 1 42 54
Yds 763 195 152 17 5 14 1,088 1,273
Avg 29.3 19.5 25.3 17.0 5.0 14.0 25.9 23.6
TD 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Long 100 28 33 17 5 14 100 64
FUMBLE RETURNS Cassidy, Austin Total Opponents
No. 1 1 1
Yds 11 11 3
Avg 11.0 11.0 3.0
TD 1 1 0
Long 11 11 3
FIELD GOALS Maher, Brett
FGM-FGA Pct 19-23 82.6
01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 0-0 7-7 5-6 4-4 3-6
Lg 51
Blk 0
Nebraska OPPONENTS FG SEQUENCE Chattanooga (50),(48),(34),(21) 37 Fresno State - (22),(36),(37) Washington (44),(35),(29) (40) Wyoming 50,(20) 32 Wisconsin 50,(32) Ohio State (50),(34) (41),(35) Minnesota (22),(25),51 Michigan State (20) 52,(28) Northwestern (36) 45 Penn State (41) 47 Michigan (51) (42),42 Iowa (40),(21) South Carolina 35 20 Numbers in (parentheses) indicate field goal was made. PUNTING Maher, Brett Total Opponents
No. 59 59 71
Yds 2,626 2,626 2,833
Avg 44.5 44.5 39.9
Long 69 69 59
TB 3 3 7
FC I20 9 25 9 25 23 16
Blkd 1 1 0
KICKOFFS Maher, Brett Bondi, Mauro Total Opponents
No. 72 4 76 56
Yds 4,851 267 5,118 3,530
Avg 67.4 66.8 67.3 63.0
TB 20 0 20 6
OB 0 0 0 2
Retn
Net
YdLn
1,346 1,146
44.4 40.4
25 29
Taylor Martinez
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43
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL SCORING TD FGs Burkhead, Rex 17 0-0 Maher, Brett 0 19-23 Martinez, Taylor 9 0-0 Abdullah, Ameer 4 0-0 Bell, Kenny 4 0-0 Green, Aaron 3 0-0 Legate, Tyler 2 0-0 Enunwa, Quincy 2 0-0 Heard, Braylon 1 0-0 Kinnie, Brandon 1 0-0 Reed, Kyler 1 0-0 Marlowe, Tim 1 0-0 Cassidy, Austin 1 0-0 Bondi, Mauro 0 0-0 Total 46 19-23 Opponents 40 8-15 TOTAL OFFENSE Martinez, Taylor Burkhead, Rex Abdullah, Ameer Heard, Braylon Green, Aaron Bell, Kenny Marlowe, Tim Legate, Tyler Jones, Austin Carnes, Brion David, Lavonte Cooper, Khiry Reed, Kyler Turner, Jamal TEAM Total Opponents
Brett Maher
44
|------ PATs ------| Kick Rush 0-0 0-0 43-44 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 44-45 1-1 38-39 0-0
G Plays 13 476 13 286 13 42 7 25 12 24 13 3 13 7 12 8 6 5 3 4 13 1 9 1 12 2 12 2 10 18 13 904 13 876
Rcv Pass 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0-1
Rush Pass 874 2,089 1,357 0 150 0 114 0 105 0 100 0 77 0 54 0 38 0 -6 26 6 0 1 0 -3 0 -3 0 -40 0 2,824 2,115 2,060 2,499
Total 2,963 1,357 150 114 105 100 77 54 38 20 6 1 -3 -3 -40 4,939 4,559
DXP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Avg/G 227.9 104.4 11.5 16.3 8.8 7.7 5.9 4.5 6.3 6.7 0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -4.0 379.9 350.7
Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
pts 102 100 56 24 24 18 12 12 6 6 6 6 6 1 379 304
ALL PURPOSE Burkhead, Rex Abdullah, Ameer Martinez, Taylor Bell, Kenny Marlowe, Tim Enunwa, Quincy Kinnie, Brandon Turner, Jamal Reed, Kyler Cotton, Ben Green, Aaron Heard, Braylon Legate, Tyler Cooper, Khiry Cassidy, Austin Jones, Austin Thorell, Lance Whaley, Alonzo Moore, Terrence Jean-Baptiste, Stanley David, Lavonte Meredith, Cameron Carnes, Brion TEAM Total Opponents
G 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 12 11 12 7 12 9 13 6 13 13 13 9 13 13 3 10 13 13
Rush 1,357 150 874 100 77 0 0 -3 -3 0 105 114 54 1 0 38 0 0 0 0 6 0 -6 -40 2,824 2,060
Rec PR 177 19 11 107 0 0 461 0 113 13 293 0 257 0 243 0 257 0 189 0 25 0 1 0 21 0 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,115 139 2,499 309
KOR IR 0 0 763 0 0 0 152 0 195 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 26 14 0 0 10 0 0 0 -2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1,146 85 1,346 68
Tot 1,553 1,031 874 713 398 293 257 257 254 189 130 115 80 61 50 38 26 14 10 7 4 1 -6 -40 6,309 6,282
Avg/G 119.5 79.3 67.2 54.8 30.6 22.5 19.8 21.4 21.2 17.2 10.8 16.4 6.7 6.8 3.8 6.3 2.0 1.1 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.1 -2.0 -4.0 485.3 483.2
Rex Burkhead
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Defensive Statistics LEADERS
David, Lavonte Compton, Will Stafford, Daimion Cassidy, Austin Meredith, Cameron Green, Andrew Steinkuhler, Baker Thorell, Lance Smith, P.J. Evans, Ciante Dennard, Alfonzo Fisher, Sean Martin, Eric Crick, Jared Moore, Terrence Ankrah, Jason Williams, Josh Stoddard, Graham Rome, Chase Whaley, Alonzo Blatchford, Justin Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Cooper, Corey Ebke, Jim Carter, Joseph Randle, Thaddeus Jackson, Harvey May, Mathew Roach, Trevor Osborne, Courtney Washington, Dijon Richards, Wil Mitchell, Josh Burkhead, Rex Hardrick, Jermarcus Mangieri, P.J. Maher, Brett Bondi, Mauro Mendoza, Marcus Abdullah, Ameer Bell, Antonio Bell, Kenny Marlowe, Tim Cotton, Ben Enunwa, Quincy Jackson, Justin Cotton, Jake Total Opponents Special Teams Tackles Stoddard, Graham Smith, P.J. Ebke, Jim Blatchford, Justin Green, Andrew Martin, Eric Cooper, Corey May, Mathew Richards, Wil Whaley, Alonzo Jackson, Harvey Washington, Dijon Stafford, Daimion Osborne, Courtney David, Lavonte Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Cassidy, Austin Mangieri, P.J. Thorell, Lance Cotton, Ben Bell, Kenny Maher, Brett Bondi, Mauro Marlowe, Tim
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GP-GS
13-13 13-11 13-12 13-13 13-13 13-10 13-13 13-3 11-1 13-7 10-10 10-4 12-2 5-5 13-7 12-9 13-2 13-0 10-2 13-1 13-1 9-1 11-1 13-0 10-0 6-0 12-0 12-0 5-0 5-1 13-0 10-0 8-1 13-13 13-13 13-0 13-0 4-0 7-0 13-0 2-0 13-11 13-1 11-11 13-7 2-0 3-0 13-0 13-0 S-A/Tot 3-9/12 3-7/10 3-5/8 4-3/7 0-7/7 3-4/7 5-1/6 3-2/5 4-1/5 2-3/5 3-1/4 3-1/4 0-3/3 0-3/3 2-1/3 1-2/3 1-2/3 1-1/2 0-2/2 1-0/1 0-1/1 1-0/1 0-1/1 0-1/1
|-------Tackles-------| Solo Ast Total TFL-Yds
65 39 46 30 27 29 19 24 21 17 26 7 10 7 6 6 5 4 4 6 8 5 8 4 2 4 6 5 2 2 4 4 2 3 2 1 1 . 1 1 1 . . 1 1 . 1 467 490
UTC -- 0-1/1 0-1/1 1-1/2 0-1/1 -- 2-0/2 -- -- -- -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
68 43 34 40 31 19 21 14 12 16 5 17 13 15 14 11 10 9 9 5 3 4 1 5 7 4 2 3 5 4 1 1 3 . . 1 . 1 . . . 1 1 . . 1 . 454 523
FRes 1-2/3 2-3/5 -- 0-1/1 -- -- -- -- -- 0-1/1 -- -- 0-3/3 -- 0-1/1 -- 0-1/1 -- -- 1-0/1 0-0/1 -- -- --
133 82 80 70 58 48 40 38 33 33 31 24 23 22 20 17 15 13 13 11 11 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 7 6 5 5 5 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 921 1013
WASH 0-2/2 -- 0-1/1 -- 0-1/1 1-1/2 2-0/2 -- -- 0-1/1 -- 0-1/1 -- -- -- -- -- 0-1/1 -- 0-0/1 0-0/1 1-0/1 -- --
13-64 7-18 3-10 . 6-36 2-3 5-19 1-2 . 1-3 . 3-8 4-25 3-7 2-3 3-4 1-3 . 1-1 2-4 . . . . . 1-3 . . 2-3 . . . . . . . . . 1-1 . . . . . . . . 61-217 88-250
WYO -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
WiS 1-0/1 -- 0-1/1 -- -- 0-1/1 -- 1-1/2 -- -- -- -- -- 0-1/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
|-Sacks-| |---Pass Def---| No-Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH 5.5-46 0.5-8 0.5-7 . 5.0-34 . 2.0-11 . . . . . 2.5-21 1.0-1 1.0-2 1.0-2 . . 1.0-1 . . . . . . 1.0-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-136 21-99 OSU 0-1/1 0-2/2 0-1/1 -- 0-1/1 -- -- 0-1/1 -- -- 1-0/1 -- -- 0-2/2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Minn -- 0-1/1 -- 0-1/1 0-3/3 1-1/2 0-1/1 1-0/1 -- -- 1-0/1 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0-1/1 --
2--2 . . 2-50 1-1 1-0 . 1-26 1-0 . . . . . 1-10 . . . . . . 1-0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85 8-68
MSU 0-2/2 -- -- -- 0-1/1 0-1/1 -- -- 1-0/1 -- 1-1/2 -- -- -- 1-0/1 -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 0-1/1
2 . 10 4 . 8 2 2 . 3 6 . . 1 . . . 1 1 . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 42
NW PSU -- 0-2/2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- 1-0/1 1-1/2 -- 0-1/1 -- -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0-2/2 -- -- -- 1-0/1 -- 0-2/2 -- -- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- --
3 3 1 1 9 . 4 . . . . 1 4 1 4 . 2 . 1 . 1 . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 7
|-Fumbles-| Rcv-Yds FF 2-0 1-0 . 1-11 . . . . . . . . 1-0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0 . . . . . 1-0 . . . . . . . 1-0 . . . . . 8-11 11-3
Mich Iowa 1-0/1 -- -- -- 2-0/2 1-1/2 -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1-0/1 -- 1-0/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1-0/1 -- 1-0/1 -- -- 0-1/1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
3 . 1 . 1 . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . 7 19
Blkd Kick Saf . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .
Bowl ---2-0/2 --1-0/1 --1-0/1 ---------------
45
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Individual Game By Game
RUSHING Burkhead, Rex Martinez, Taylor Abdullah, Ameer Heard, Braylon Green, Aaron Bell, Kenny Marlowe, Tim Legate, Tyler Jones, Austin David, Lavonte Cooper, Khiry Turner, Jamal Reed, Kyler Carnes, Brion TEAM
No-Yds/TD 284-1357/15 188-874/9 42-150/3 25-114/1 24-105/2 3-100/1 7-77/0 8-54/0 5-38/0 1-6/0 1-1/0 2--3/0 1-5/0 2--6/0 17--40/0
UTC Fres WASH 11-75/1 15-55/2 22-120/2 19-135/3 15-166/2 17-83/1 4-1/0 2-3/0 1-4/0 3-12/0 DNP 5-34/0 2-7/0 DNP 5-36/1 - - - - - - 1-1/0 - 2-37/0 - DNP - - - - DNP - - 1-4/0 - - - - - 2--6/0 DNP DNP - 3--5/0 3--5/0
WYO 15-170/2 12-37/1 3-36/0 9-33/1 3-19/0 - - 1-4/0 4-38/0 - - - - - 2--4/0
WIS 18-96/1 20-61/1 2-5/0 DNP - - - 1-4/0 DNP - 1-1/0 - - DNP 1--8/0
OSU 26-119/1 17-102/1 2-16/0 DNP 1-7/0 - 1-2/0 - DNP - - 1--7/0 - DNP 3--7/0
MINN 23-117/1 10-52/0 7-30/0 7-42/0 6-20/1 1-82/1 - 1-3/0 1-0/0 - - - DNP - -
MSU 35-130/2 12-23/0 - 1--7/0 4-8/0 1-4/0 1-39/0 1-0/0 DNP - - DNP - DNP 3--7/0
NW PSU 22-69/1 26-121/1 12-53/0 18-56/0 1-0/0 2-2/1 - - - - - - - 1-4/0 - - DNP - - - - - - - - 1-5/0 DNP DNP - -
MICH IOWA 10-36/0 38-160/1 16-49/0 4-20/0 2-19/1 12-35/0 DNP DNP 1-5/0 2-3/0 - - 1-23/0 2-3/0 - 1-5/0 - DNP 1-6/0 - DNP DNP - - - - DNP DNP - 2--4/0
BOWL 23-89/0 16-37/0 4--1/1 1-14/0 1-6/0 1--8/0 -
Receiving Bell, Kenny Enunwa, Quincy Kinnie, Brandon Reed, Kyler Turner, Jamal Cotton, Ben Burkhead, Rex Marlowe, Tim Cooper, Khiry Green, Aaron Legate, Tyler Abdullah, Ameer Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Heard, Braylon
No-Yds/TD 32-461/3 21-293/2 22-257/1 15-257/1 15-243/0 14-189/0 21-177/2 12-113/1 4-60/0 1-25/1 4-21/2 1-11/0 1-7/0 1-1/0
UTC - 4-58/0 2-7/0 1-13/0 1-19/0 1-27/0 - 1-3/0 DNP - - - 1-7/0 1-1/0
WYO 2-20/1 1-30/0 3-31/0 1-44/0 2-23/0 - 1--4/0 - - - 1-2/0 1-11/0 DNP -
WIS 1-9/0 1-29/0 2-17/0 - 5-84/0 1-28/0 1-9/0 - - - - - DNP DNP
OSU 3-33/0 1-36/1 2-14/0 3-28/0 - 1-4/0 5-59/1 - 1-17/0 - - - - DNP
MINN 4-25/0 1-7/0 2-58/0 DNP 2-20/0 2-25/0 - 1-8/0 1-16/0 - 1-10/1 - - -
MsU 1-19/0 - 2-23/0 - DNP 2-5/0 1-27/1 1-6/0 - - - - - -
NW PSU 5-58/1 4-42/0 2-34/0 2-14/0 6-42/0 - 2-31/0 3-40/0 - - 3-36/0 1-14/0 5-34/0 1-1/0 4-44/1 1-15/0 1-10/0 1-17/0 - - - - - - - - - -
MICH IOWA 1-8/0 5-93/0 3-21/0 3-41/0 1-54/1 2-11/0 1-15/0 1-6/1 - - DNP DNP - 1-12/0 3-24/0 - DNP DNP - - - - - - - - DNP DNP
Bowl 3-53/1 ----1-22/0 5-35/0 ---1-6/0 ----
PASSING #3 Martinez, Taylor Chattanooga Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina TOTALS
Att 22 21 21 21 22 22 22 13 37 26 23 22 16 288
Comp Int Pct 11 0 50.0 10 2 47.6 10 0 47.6 12 0 57.1 11 3 50.0 16 1 72.7 13 0 59.1 7 1 53.8 28 0 75.7 13 0 50.0 9 0 39.1 12 0 54.5 10 1 62.5 162 8 56.2
Yards 116 219 155 157 176 191 162 80 289 143 122 163 116 2089
TD 0 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 13
Long 31 53 50 44 29 36 61 27 25 24 54 28 30 61
Sack 1 1 2 1 2 2 0 1 1 1 3 0 6 21
Yds 5 4 9 3 7 8 0 5 10 3 4 0 41 99
Effic 94.3 131.9 141.0 135.7 89.9 166.6 135.9 115.5 159.1 96.2 98.0 131.8 131.5 126.5
#15 Carnes, Brion Chattanooga Minnesota TOTALS
Att 1 1 2
Comp Int Pct 1 0 100.0 1 0 100.0 2 0 100.0
Yards 19 7 26
TD 0 0 0
Long 19 7 19
Sack 0 0 0
Yds 0 0 0
Effic 259.6 158.8 209.2
#22 Burkhead, Rex Chattanooga Penn State TOTALS
Att 1 1 2
Comp Int Pct 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0
Yards 0 0 0
TD 0 0 0
Long 0 0 0
Sack 0 0 0
Yds 0 0 0
Effic 0.0 0.0 0.0
PUNT RETURNS Abdullah, Ameer Burkhead, Rex Marlowe, Tim
No-Yds/TD 15-107 1-19 2-13
UTC 4-67 - -
Fres 1-17 - -
WASH 2-8 1-19 -
WYO 1-4 - -
WIS - - 1-11
OSU 2-6 - -
MINN - - -
MsU 1--4 - -
NW PSU 1-0 - - - - -
MICH IOWA 1-11 1--1 - - - 1-2
Bowl 1--1 ---
KICK RETURNS Abdullah, Ameer Marlowe, Tim Bell, Kenny Turner, Jamal Whaley, Alonzo Legate, Tyler
No-Yds/TD 26-763 10-195 6-152 1-17 1-14 1-5
UTC - - - - - -
Fres 5-211 - - - - -
WASH 3-129 1-8 - 1-17 - -
WYO - 1-24 - - - -
WIS 7-187 - - - - 1-5
OSU 5-111 - - - - -
MINN - 2-33 - - - -
MsU 1-28 - - DNP - -
NW PSU - 1-15 1-19 1-23 4-96 1-23 - - - - - -
MICH IOWA 2-38 - 4-88 - 1-33 - - - - - - -
Bowl 2-44 1-14
46
Fres 1-42/0 1-16/1 - 2-61/0 3-63/0 1-20/0 1-4/0 1-13/0 - DNP - - DNP DNP
WASH 2-59/0 2-7/0 - 1-19/0 2-34/0 1-8/0 - - - 1-25/1 1-3/1 - DNP -
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Defense Game By Game
TOTAL TACKLES David, Lavonte Compton, Will Stafford, Daimion Cassidy, Austin Meredith, Cameron Green, Andrew Steinkuhler, Baker Thorell, Lance Smith, P.J. Evans, Ciante Dennard, Alfonzo Fisher, Sean Martin, Eric Crick, Jared Moore, Terrence Ankrah, Jason Williams, Josh Stoddard, Graham Rome, Chase Whaley, Alonzo Blatchford, Justin Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Ebke, Jim Carter, Joseph Randle, Thaddeus Cooper, Corey Jackson, Harvey May, Mathew Roach, Trevor Osborne, Courtney Richards, Wil Washington, Dijon Mitchell, Josh Burkhead, Rex Mangieri, P.J. Hardrick, Jemarcus Maher, Brett Bell, Kenny Marlowe, Tim Mendoza, Marcus Jackson, Justin Cotton, Jake Cotton, Ben Enunwa, Quincy Bondi, Mauro Abdullah, Ameer Bell, Antonio
UA-A 65-68 39-43 46-34 30-40 27-31 29-19 19-21 24-14 21-12 17-16 26-5 7-17 10-13 7-15 6-14 6-11 5-10 4-9 4-9 6-5 8-3 5-4 4-5 2-7 4-4 7-1 6-2 5-3 2-5 2-4 4-1 4-1 2-3 3-0 1-1 2-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0
TOT 133 82 80 70 58 48 40 38 33 33 31 24 23 22 20 17 15 13 13 11 11 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 7 6 5 5 5 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
UTC 3-6 1-0 5-1 1-3 2-1 3-1 0-1 2-0 3-2 1-0 DNP 2-4 0-1 1-4 0-1 1-1 - 0-1 DNP 1-0 2-1 - 0-1 0-1 - 2-0 1-0 0-1 2-5 1-0 - 2-0 - - - - - - - 1-0 DNP 1-0 - - - - -
Fres 5-10 6-9 5-6 0-4 1-4 2-1 1-5 1-0 2-3 3-3 DNP 0-5 - 0-3 - 1-1 0-2 1-2 DNP 0-1 2-1 DNP - DNP - - - - DNP DNP - - - - - - - - - DNP DNP DNP 1-0 1-0 DNP - -
WASH 1-7 0-4 6-3 0-6 1-3 4-3 0-2 - DNP 1-5 DNP 1-3 1-1 2-4 - - 0-1 1-1 0-1 0-1 - DNP 0-1 0-2 - 2-0 DNP - - DNP - 0-1 2-3 - 0-1 - 1-0 0-1 - - DNP - - - - - -
WYO 2-4 1-1 3-0 4-2 2-3 1-0 1-2 2-1 4-3 0-1 4-0 0-1 - DNP 0-1 0-1 0-1 - - - - DNP - 0-3 3-2 3-0 - 1-0 DNP - DNP - DNP - - - - - - - DNP - - - DNP - -
WIS 6-1 2-3 6-3 2-3 3-1 1-1 1-3 1-0 6-0 3-1 2-0 0-1 0-1 3-2 1-0 0-1 1-1 1-0 1-1 - - DNP 0-1 0-1 - DNP - 1-1 - 1-2 DNP - DNP 2-0 - 1-0 - - - - DNP DNP - - DNP - -
OSU 6-7 4-6 3-3 1-4 0-5 0-1 1-2 1-0 0-3 0-1 1-2 1-1 0-1 1-2 - - - 0-1 1-0 0-1 - 1-2 0-1 DNP DNP DNP 1-0 0-1 - 0-2 - - - 1-0 - - - - - DNP DNP DNP - - DNP - -
MINN 2-4 2-0 2-2 3-3 2-0 1-4 1-0 3-0 4-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 3-1 DNP - 1-2 1-0 - 0-1 - 0-1 3-0 - - 1-2 0-1 3-1 3-0 DNP - - 1-0 - - - - - - - DNP DNP DNP - - 0-1 - -
MsU 6-7 5-2 1-4 2-1 2-3 2-5 1-1 0-4 - 2-0 2-0 DNP 2-1 DNP 0-1 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-1 - - - - - DNP - 1-1 - DNP DNP 1-0 - DNP - - 1-0 - - 0-1 DNP DNP DNP - - DNP - -
NW PSU 1-10 6-3 1-4 6-7 3-2 1-4 3-5 5-4 2-4 2-2 - 9-1 7-2 0-1 9-6 1-2 - DNP 1-4 0-1 2-2 4-0 0-1 2-1 1-2 1-3 DNP DNP 1-6 1-5 1-0 - 0-1 0-1 - 0-2 DNP 0-1 - 0-1 1-0 - - 0-2 - - - 1-0 DNP DNP - - - - - - DNP DNP DNP DNP 1-0 1-1 1-0 - DNP - - - - 1-0 - - - - - - - - DNP - 0-1 DNP DNP DNP - - - - DNP DNP - - - -
MICH IOWA 14-3 5-3 5-1 2-5 5-2 1-4 5-1 3-3 5-4 0-1 2-0 4-2 2-2 - 2-1 - 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 4-0 2-1 - DNP 2-1 DNP DNP DNP 2-0 - DNP 1-4 1-0 1-1 1-0 - 0-2 0-1 2-1 2-0 - 1-0 1-0 - 3-0 1-1 DNP - DNP DNP - - - - - DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP - 1-0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DNP - DNP - DNP DNP DNP DNP - - DNP DNP - - - -
Bowl 8-3 4-1 5-0 1-1 5-0 4-0 2-0 3-0 4-0 DNP 0-1 DNP 1-0 0-1 2-1 1-0 2-0 1-0 DNP 1-0 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 1-0 1-0
Lavonte David
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47
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Defense Game By Game
TACKLES FOR LOSS David, Lavonte Compton, Will Meredith, Cameron Steinkuhler, Baker Martin, Eric Stafford, Daimion Crick, Jared Ankrah, Jason Fisher, Sean Green, Andrew Roach, Trevor Whaley, Alonzo Moore, Terrence Randle, Thaddeus Mendoza, Marcus Williams, Josh Rome, Chase Evans, Ciante Thorell, Lance
UA-A 11-2 5-2 5-1 5-0 3-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 3-0 2-0 2-0 1-1 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0
Tot 13 7 6 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
UTC 1-1 - 2-22 - - 1-1 2-6 1-2 1-4 - 2-3 - - - 1-1 - DNP - -
Fres - - - - - - - - - - DNP - - - DNP - DNP - -
WASH - - 1-2 - - - 1-1 - 1-2 - - - - - - - - - -
WYO 1-2 - - - - - DNP - - - DNP - - 1-3 - - - - 1-2
WIS 3-16 1-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OSU 1-3 - - - - - - - 1-2 - - - - DNP DNP - 1-1 - -
MINN 1-8 1-2 - - 1-4 - DNP 1-1 - - DNP - - - DNP - - - -
MsU - 1-3 1-3 1-4 2-14 - DNP - DNP 2-3 DNP - - DNP DNP - - - -
NW PSU - - - 1-1 - 1-7 2-10 - - - - - DNP DNP - - - - - - DNP DNP - - - 1-1 DNP DNP DNP - - - DNP - - - - -
MICH IOWA 3-9 1-11 1-2 1-1 1-2 - 1-4 - - DNP 2-9 - DNP DNP DNP 1-1 - DNP - - DNP DNP 2-4 - - - DNP DNP DNP - 1-3 - - - - 1-3 - -
Bowl 2-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 DNP DNP 1-0 DNP -
SACKS David, Lavonte Meredith, Cameron Martin, Eric Steinkuhler, Baker Rome, Chase Ankrah, Jason Randle, Thaddeus Moore, Terrence Crick, Jared Compton, Will Stafford, Daimion
UA-A 5-1 5-0 2-1 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1
Tot 5.5 5.0 2.5 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5
UTC - 2.0-22 - - DNP 1.0-2 - - - - -
Fres - - - - DNP - - - - - -
WASH - 1.0-2 - - - - - - 1.0-1 - -
WYO - - - - - - 1.0-3 - DNP - -
WIS 2.0-15 - - - - - - - - - -
OSU - - - - 1.0-1 - DNP - - - -
MINN - - - - - - - - DNP - -
MsU - 1.0-3 2.0-14 1.0-4 - - DNP - DNP - -
NW PSU - - - 1.0-7 - - 1.0-7 - DNP - - - DNP DNP - - DNP DNP - - - -
MICH IOWA 0.5-6 1.0-11 - - - DNP - - - - DNP - DNP DNP - - DNP DNP - - 0.5-7 -
Bowl 2.0-14 0.5-7 DNP 1-2 DNP 0.5-8 -
INT RETURNS David, Lavonte Cassidy, Austin Meredith, Cameron Green, Andrew Smith, P.J. Moore, Terrence Jean-Baptiste, Stanley Thorell, Lance
No-Yds 2--2 2-50 1-1 1-0 1-0 1-10 1-0 1-26
UTC - - 1-1 - - - - -
Fres - - - - - - DNP -
WASH 1-0 1-0 - - DNP - DNP -
WYO - - - - 1-0 - DNP -
WIS - - - - - - DNP -
OSU - - - - - - 1-0 -
MINN - - - - - - - -
MsU - - - - - - - 1-26
NW PSU 1--2 - 1-50 - - - - - - DNP - - - - - -
MICH IOWA - - - - - - - 1-0 - - 1-10 - - - - -
Bowl -
FUMBLEs Recovered David, Lavonte Burkhead, Rex Martin, Eric May, Mathew Cassidy, Austin Compton, Will Bell, Kenny
No-Yds 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
UTC - - - - - - -
Fres - 1 - - - - -
WASH - - - 1 - - -
WYO - - - - - - -
WIS - - - - - - 1
OSU 1 - - - - - -
MINN - - - - 1 - -
MsU - - - - - - -
NW PSU - - - - - 1 - - - - 1 - - -
MICH IOWA - 1 - - - DNP - DNP - - - - - -
Bowl -
FORCED FUMBLES David, Lavonte Stafford, Daimion Meredith, Cameron Smith, P.J. Enunwa, Quincy
No 3 1 1 1 1
UTC - 1 - - -
Fres - - - - 1
WASH - - - DNP -
WYO - - - - -
WIS - - - 1 -
OSU 1 - - - -
MINN - - - - -
MsU - - - - -
NW PSU - - - - - 1 - DNP - -
MICH IOWA - 1 - - - - - - - -
Bowl 1 -
fUMBLE rETURNS Cassidy, Austin
No-yDS 1-11
UTC -
Fres -
WASH -
WYO -
WIS -
OSU -
MINN 1-11
MsU -
NW PSU - -
MICH IOWA - -
Bowl -
48
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Nebraska Team Game By Game Date Opponent Sept. 3, 2011 CHATTANOOGA Sept. 10, 2011 FRESNO STATE Sept. 17, 2011 WASHINGTON Sept. 24, 2011 at Wyoming Oct. 1, 2011 at Wisconsin Oct. 8, 2011 OHIO STATE Oct. 22, 2011 at Minnesota Oct. 29, 2011 MICHIGAN STATE Nov. 5, 2011 NORTHWESTERN Nov. 12, 2011 at Penn State Nov. 19, 2011 at Michigan Nov. 25, 2011 IOWA Jan. 2, 2012 vs. South Carolina Totals Opponent
|---RUSHING---| No. Yds TD Lg 43 229 4 52 35 219 4 57 55 309 4 36 49 333 4 45 43 159 2 12 51 232 2 22 56 346 3 82 58 190 2 39 35 122 1 19 48 188 2 17 31 138 1 23 61 222 1 14 46 137 1 36 611 2824 31 82 515 2060 23 63
|--RECEIVING--| No. Yds TD Lg 12 135 0 31 10 219 1 53 10 155 2 50 12 157 1 44 11 176 0 29 16 191 2 36 14 169 1 61 7 80 1 27 28 289 2 25 13 143 0 24 9 122 1 54 12 163 1 28 10 116 1 30 164 2115 13 61 192 2499 16 81
Date Opponent Sept. 3, 2011 CHATTANOOGA Sept. 10, 2011 FRESNO STATE Sept. 17, 2011 WASHINGTON Sept. 24, 2011 at Wyoming Oct. 1, 2011 at Wisconsin Oct. 8, 2011 OHIO STATE Oct. 22, 2011 at Minnesota Oct. 29, 2011 MICHIGAN STATE Nov. 5, 2011 NORTHWESTERN Nov. 12, 2011 at Penn State Nov. 19, 2011 at Michigan Nov. 25, 2011 IOWA Jan. 2, 2012 vs. South Carolina Totals Opponent
|---------TACKLES---------| Solo Ast Total TFL-Yds 38 36 74 11-40 32 60 92 0-0 23 54 77 3-5 31 26 57 3-7 45 28 73 4-17 23 46 69 3-6 39 24 63 4-15 30 36 66 7-27 35 50 85 2-10 41 42 83 3-9 58 18 76 11-33 26 26 52 4-16 46 8 54 6-32 467 454 921 61-217 490 523 1013 88-250
|-SACKS-| No-Yds 3.0-24 0.0-0 2.0-3 1.0-3 2.0-15 1.0-1 0.0-0 4.0-21 1.0-7 1.0-7 1.0-13 1.0-11 4.0-31 21.0-136 21.0-99
Date Opponent Sept. 3, 2011 CHATTANOOGA Sept. 10, 2011 FRESNO STATE Sept. 17, 2011 WASHINGTON Sept. 24, 2011 at Wyoming Oct. 1, 2011 at Wisconsin Oct. 8, 2011 OHIO STATE Oct. 22, 2011 at Minnesota Oct. 29, 2011 MICHIGAN STATE Nov. 5, 2011 NORTHWESTERN Nov. 12, 2011 at Penn State Nov. 19, 2011 at Michigan Nov. 25, 2011 IOWA Jan. 2, 2012 vs. South Carolina Totals Opponent
|---------------------PUNTING---------------------| No Yds Avg Long Blkd TB FC 50+ I20 4 208 52.0 55 0 0 1 4 2 5 254 50.8 57 0 0 0 2 2 4 163 40.8 48 0 0 0 0 1 3 159 53.0 61 0 0 0 2 1 3 127 42.3 47 0 0 1 0 1 4 177 44.2 53 0 0 1 2 2 2 49 24.5 28 0 0 0 0 1 4 173 43.2 60 0 0 1 1 1 4 190 47.5 53 0 2 0 2 2 8 360 45.0 61 0 0 1 2 5 6 276 46.0 69 1 0 0 2 2 7 293 41.9 62 0 1 3 3 4 5 197 39.4 46 0 0 1 0 1 59 2626 44.5 69 1 3 9 20 25 71 2833 39.9 59 0 7 23 12 16
|-FUMBLE-| Pass FF FR-Yds Int-Yds QBH Brk 1 0-0 1-1 5 2 1 1-0 0-0 4 5 0 1-0 2-0 4 3 0 0-0 1-0 0 2 1 1-0 0-0 3 2 1 1-0 1-0 4 3 0 1-11 0-0 0 3 0 0-0 1-26 4 7 0 1-0 2-48 3 1 1 1-0 0-0 0 5 0 0-0 1-10 0 3 1 1-0 1-0 1 5 1 0-0 0-0 1 2 7 8-11 10-85 29 43 19 11-3 8-68 7 42
Opponent Team Game By Game Date Opponent Sept. 3, 2011 CHATTANOOGA Sept. 10, 2011 FRESNO STATE Sept. 17, 2011 WASHINGTON Sept. 24, 2011 at Wyoming Oct. 1, 2011 at Wisconsin Oct. 8, 2011 OHIO STATE Oct. 22, 2011 at Minnesota Oct. 29, 2011 MICHIGAN STATE Nov. 5, 2011 NORTHWESTERN Nov. 12, 2011 at Penn State Nov. 19, 2011 at Michigan Nov. 25, 2011 IOWA Jan. 2, 2012 vs. South Carolina Opponent totals Nebraska
|---RUSHING---| No. Yds TD Lg 31 60 0 14 40 190 1 21 31 146 1 25 31 137 0 21 50 231 5 21 41 243 2 63 39 132 2 30 30 101 0 13 54 207 3 17 43 166 2 15 61 238 4 31 24 88 1 15 40 121 2 25 515 2060 23 63 611 2824 31 82
|--RECEIVING--| No. Yds TD Lg 22 170 1 25 20 254 1 55 21 274 4 52 18 168 2 48 14 255 2 46 6 108 1 32 9 122 0 53 11 86 0 20 16 261 1 81 17 209 0 40 11 180 2 46 16 182 0 26 11 230 2 78 192 2499 16 81 164 2115 13 61
Date Opponent Sept. 3, 2011 CHATTANOOGA Sept. 10, 2011 FRESNO STATE Sept. 17, 2011 WASHINGTON Sept. 24, 2011 at Wyoming Oct. 1, 2011 at Wisconsin Oct. 8, 2011 OHIO STATE Oct. 22, 2011 at Minnesota Oct. 29, 2011 MICHIGAN STATE Nov. 5, 2011 NORTHWESTERN Nov. 12, 2011 at Penn State Nov. 19, 2011 at Michigan Nov. 25, 2011 IOWA Jan. 2, 2012 vs. South Carolina Opponent totals Nebraska
|---------TACKLES---------| Solo Ast Total TFL-Yds 29 46 75 12-26 24 32 56 4-10 37 38 75 4-10 35 36 71 3-8 37 45 82 6-17 47 36 83 7-23 44 44 88 3-8 34 54 88 8-19 40 54 94 11-27 41 38 79 4-12 35 18 53 7-18 34 72 106 5-10 53 10 63 14-62 490 523 1013 88-250 467 454 921 61-217
|-SACKS-| No-Yds 1.0-5 1.0-4 2.0-9 1.0-3 2.0-7 2.0-8 0.0-0 1.0-5 1.0-10 1.0-3 3.0-4 0.0-0 6.0-41 21.0-99 21.0-136
Date Opponent Sept. 3, 2011 CHATTANOOGA Sept. 10, 2011 FRESNO STATE Sept. 17, 2011 WASHINGTON Sept. 24, 2011 at Wyoming Oct. 1, 2011 at Wisconsin Oct. 8, 2011 OHIO STATE Oct. 22, 2011 at Minnesota Oct. 29, 2011 MICHIGAN STATE Nov. 5, 2011 NORTHWESTERN Nov. 12, 2011 at Penn State Nov. 19, 2011 at Michigan Nov. 25, 2011 IOWA Jan. 2, 2012 vs. South Carolina Opponent totals Nebraska
|---------------------PUNTING---------------------| No Yds Avg Long Blkd TB FC 50+ I20 9 377 41.9 52 0 0 1 3 3 7 253 36.1 43 0 1 3 0 4 5 203 40.6 52 0 0 0 1 0 6 264 44.0 59 0 1 2 2 1 2 83 41.5 42 0 0 1 0 1 6 260 43.3 55 0 0 2 1 2 6 199 33.2 40 0 0 2 0 1 5 182 36.4 40 0 1 1 0 1 2 84 42.0 48 0 0 1 0 0 7 296 42.3 55 0 2 4 3 0 4 147 36.8 50 0 0 2 1 0 7 288 41.1 56 0 1 4 1 3 5 197 39.4 49 0 1 0 0 0 71 2833 39.9 59 0 7 23 12 16 59 2626 44.5 69 1 3 9 20 25
HUSKERS.COM
|-------PASSING-------| CMP-ATT-Int Yds TD Lg 12-25-0 135 0 31 10-21-2 219 1 53 10-21-0 155 2 50 12-21-0 157 1 44 11-22-3 176 0 29 16-22-1 191 2 36 14-23-0 169 1 61 7-13-1 80 1 27 28-37-0 289 2 25 13-27-0 143 0 24 9-23-0 122 1 54 12-22-0 163 1 28 10-16-1 116 1 30 164-293-8 2115 13 61 192-361-10 2499 16 81
|--KICK RET--| No Yds TD Lg 0 0 0 0 5 211 1 100 5 154 0 66 1 24 0 24 8 192 0 38 5 111 0 35 2 33 0 23 1 28 0 28 5 115 0 28 3 61 0 23 7 159 0 33 0 0 0 0 3 58 0 27 42 1088 1 100 56 1346 0 64 |-Kicks------XPTS-| Att-Mad Run 4-4 0 6-6 0 6-6 0 5-5 0 2-2 0 4-4 0 5-5 0 3-3 0 2-2 1 2-2 0 2-2 0 2-2 0 1-2 0 44-45 1 39-38 0
Rcv 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
|--FIELD GOALS--| Att-Made Lg Blkd 4-4 50 0 0-0 0 0 3-3 44 0 2-1 20 0 2-1 32 0 2-2 50 0 3-2 25 0 1-1 20 0 1-1 36 0 1-1 41 0 1-1 51 0 2-2 40 0 1-0 0 0 23-19 51 0 15-8 42 1
|------KICKOFFS------| No Yds Avg 9 607 67.4 7 487 69.6 9 589 65.4 7 489 69.9 4 267 66.8 7 479 68.4 8 519 64.9 5 336 67.2 4 264 66.0 4 276 69.0 4 268 67.0 5 327 65.4 3 210 70.0 76 5118 67.3 56 3530 63.0
TB 3 1 2 6 0 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 20 6
|-------PASSING-------| CMP-ATT-Int Yds TD Lg 22-36-1 170 1 25 20-41-0 254 1 55 21-37-2 274 4 52 18-34-1 168 2 48 14-20-0 255 2 46 6-18-1 108 1 32 9-18-0 122 0 53 11-27-1 86 0 20 16-24-2 261 1 81 17-35-0 209 0 40 11-19-1 180 2 46 16-35-1 182 0 26 11-17-2 230 2 78 192-361-10 2499 16 81 164-293-8 2115 13 61
|--KICK RET--| No Yds TD Lg 6 115 0 30 6 149 0 33 7 187 0 64 1 20 0 20 4 76 0 22 5 116 0 29 8 195 0 48 4 119 0 62 3 83 0 41 3 61 0 26 3 70 0 32 4 82 0 23 2 73 0 45 56 1346 0 64 42 1088 1 100
|-FUMBLE-| Pass FF FR-Yds Int-Yds QBH Brk 1 2-3 0-0 2 6 3 0-0 2-13 0 4 0 1-0 0-0 1 4 3 1-0 0-0 0 3 2 0-0 3-20 2 3 0 0-0 1-7 0 1 0 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0-0 1-25 1 1 2 2-0 0-0 1 2 1 1-0 0-0 0 4 3 3-0 0-0 0 6 1 0-0 0-0 0 4 1 1-0 1-3 0 2 19 11-3 8-68 7 42 7 8-11 10-85 29 43 |--FIELD GOALS--| Att-Made Lg Blkd 1-0 0 1 3-3 37 0 1-1 40 0 1-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 2-2 41 0 0-0 0 0 2-1 28 0 1-0 0 0 1-0 0 0 2-1 42 0 0-0 0 0 1-0 0 0 15-8 42 1 23-19 51 0
Blkd Kick 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
|--PUNT RET--| All No Yds TD Lg Purp 4 67 0 28 364 1 17 0 17 438 3 27 0 19 464 1 4 0 4 490 1 11 0 11 335 2 6 0 4 423 0 0 0 0 515 1 -4 0 0 270 1 0 0 0 411 0 0 0 0 331 1 11 0 11 260 2 1 0 2 385 1 -1 0 0 270 17 140 0 28 4686 27 318 1 67 4588
Blkd Kick 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 2
Saf Pts 0 40 0 42 0 51 0 38 0 17 0 34 0 41 0 24 0 25 0 17 0 17 0 20 0 13 0 379 0 304
OB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
|--PUNT RET--| All No Yds TD Lg Purp 2 6 0 8 230 5 110 1 67 444 3 34 0 16 420 1 9 0 9 305 1 21 0 21 486 0 0 0 0 351 0 0 0 0 254 3 31 0 15 187 0 0 0 0 468 3 37 0 17 375 5 33 0 17 418 2 18 0 13 270 2 19 0 13 380 27 318 1 67 4588 17 140 0 28 4686
|-Kicks------XPTS-| Att-Mad Run 1-1 0 2-2 0 5-5 0 2-2 0 7-6 0 3-3 0 2-2 0 0-0 0 4-4 0 2-2 0 6-6 0 1-1 0 4-4 0 39-38 0 44-45 1
Rcv 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
|------KICKOFFS------| No Yds Avg 1 63 63.0 7 469 67.0 6 355 59.2 3 167 55.7 8 477 59.6 5 330 66.0 3 196 65.3 2 140 70.0 5 323 64.6 3 193 64.3 8 537 67.1 1 70 70.0 4 210 52.5 56 3530 63.0 76 5118 67.3
TB 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 6 20
Saf Pts 0 7 0 29 0 38 0 14 0 48 0 27 0 14 0 3 0 28 0 14 0 45 0 7 0 30 0 304 0 379
OB 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
49
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Team Comparison Opponent CHATTANOOGA FRESNO STATE WASHINGTON Wyoming Wisconsin OHIO STATE Minnesota MICHIGAN STATE NORTHWESTERN Penn State Michigan IOWA vs. South Carolina Totals
Score 40-7 42-29 51-38 38-14 17-48 34-27 41-14 24-3 25-28 17-14 17-45 20-7 13-30 379-304
1st Dns (Run/Pass/Pen.) 18/13 (8/5, 7/7, 3/1) 16/24 (7/13, 7/11, 2/0) 22/20 (16/8, 6/10, 0/2) 24/18 (15/5, 7/11, 2/2) 20/27 (12/13, 8/11, 0/3) 25/16 (13/9, 9/5, 3/2) 27/11 (20/7, 7/4, 0/0) 18/12 (8/7, 5/3, 5/2) 21/25 (6/15, 14/9, 1/1) 21/21 (10/10, 10/9, 1/2) 11/24 (7/14, 4/6, 0/4) 25/18 (13/7, 9/7, 3/4) 17/16 (8/7, 7/8, 2/1) 265/245 (143/120, 100/101, 22/24)
Rushing Passing Pass Yds 43-229/31-60 12-25-0/22-36-1 135/170 35-219/40-190 10-21-2/20-41-0 219/254 55-309/31-146 10-21-0/21-37-2 155/274 49-333/31-137 12-21-0/18-34-1 157/168 43-159/50-231 11-22-3/14-20-0 176/255 51-232/41-243 16-22-1/6-18-1 191/108 56-346/39-132 14-23-0/9-18-0 169/122 58-190/30-101 7-13-1/11-27-1 80/86 35-122/54-207 28-37-0/16-24-2 289/261 48-188/43-166 13-27-0/17-35-0 143/209 31-138/61-238 9-23-0/11-19-1 122/180 61-222/24-88 12-22-0/16-35-1 163/182 46-137/40-121 10-16-1/11-17-0 116/230 611-2824/515-2060 164-293-8/192-361-10 2115/2499
Total Offense 68-364/67-230 56-438/81-444 76-464/68-420 70-490/65-305 65-335/70-486 73-423/59-351 79-515/57-254 71-270/57-187 72-411/78-468 75-331/78-375 54-260/80-418 83-385/59-270 62-253/57-351 904-4939/876-4559
Ret Yds 68/121 228/272 181/221 28/20 203/117 117/123 33/195 50/175 163/83 61/98 180/103 1/100 57/95 1370/1723
T/O 2/1 2/1 1/3 1/1 3/1 1/2 0/1 1/1 2/3 1/1 3/1 0/2 2/0 19/18
Note: Game totals are displayed in the format TEAM/OPPONENT for each category
Opponent CHATTANOOGA FRESNO STATE WASHINGTON Wyoming Wisconsin OHIO STATE Minnesota MICHIGAN STATE NORTHWESTERN Penn State Michigan IOWA vs. South Carolina Totals
3rd Down 9-18/6-18 4-12/9-20 3-12/7-14 7-13/7-17 5-12/8-12 7-15/5-13 8-17/7-15 7-15/3-14 10-17/7-12 6-16/5-16 3-13/8-18 10-21/2-12 3-13/4-13 82-194/78-194
4th Down 1-1/0-1 1-2/1-1 0-1/0-1 0-0/1-2 1-1/1-1 0-1/0-0 3-3/1-2 0-0/1-3 1-2/2-2 0-1/1-3 0-2/1-1 1-1/1-2 1-1/3-3 9-16/13-22
Time Poss 27:39/32:21 22:48/37:12 30:29/29:31 28:32/31:28 24:45/35:15 30:43/29:17 31:52/28:08 31:25/28:35 25:54/34:06 29:03/30:57 18:47/41:13 37:47/22:13 30:49/29:11 369:85/409:27
Margin -4:42 -14:24 0:58 -2:56 -10:30 1:26 3:44 2:50 -8:12 -1:54 -22:13 15:34 0:49 -39:51
Yds/Rush 5.3/1.9 6.3/4.8 5.6/4.7 6.8/4.4 3.7/4.6 4.5/5.9 6.2/3.4 3.3/3.4 3.5/3.8 3.9/3.9 4.5/3.9 3.6/3.7 3.0/3.0 4.6/4.0
Yds/Pass 5.4/4.7 10.4/6.2 7.4/7.4 7.5/4.9 8.0/12.8 8.7/6.0 7.3/6.8 6.2/3.2 7.8/10.9 5.3/6.0 5.3/9.5 7.4/5.2 7.2/13.5 7.2/6.9
Yds/Play Punting Penalties 5.4/3.4 4-52.0/9-41.9 3-33/8-76 7.8/5.5 5-50.8/7-36.1 3-25/5-50 6.1/6.2 4-40.8/5-40.6 7-60/9-90 7.0/4.7 3-53.0/6-44.0 5-48/7-68 5.2/6.9 3-42.3/2-41.5 9-80/4-39 5.8/5.9 4-44.2/6-43.3 6-50/9-75 6.5/4.5 2-24.5/6-33.2 5-43/5-55 3.8/3.3 4-43.2/5-36.4 9-58/9-90 5.7/6.0 4-47.5/2-42.0 6-41/2-20 4.4/4.8 8-45.0/7-42.3 6-45/3-32 4.8/5.2 6-46.0/4-36.8 8-73/5-45 4.6/4.6 7-41.9/7-41.1 9-74/5-50 4.1/6.2 5-39.4/5-39.4 10-58/6-66 5.5/5.2 59-44.5/71-39.9 86-688/77-757
Note: Game totals are displayed in the format TEAM/OPPONENT for each category
Nebraska Red Zone Chart
Nebraska Inside Opponents Red-Zone Times Times Score In RZ Scored Pts Date Opponent
Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 *Oct. 1 *Oct. 8 *Oct. 22 *Oct. 29 *Nov. 5 *Nov. 12 *Nov. 19 *Nov. 25 Jan. 2
Chattanooga W 40-7 Fresno State W 42-29 Washington W 51-38 at Wyoming W 38-14 at Wisconsin L 17-48 Ohio State W 34-27 at Minnesota W 41-14 Michigan State W 24-3 Northwestern L 25-28 at Penn State W 17-14 at Michigan L 17-45 Iowa W 20-7 vs. South Carolina L, 13-30 Totals 45-52 (86.5%)
4 4 7 6 4 4 5 3 5 2 2 3 3 52
4 4 7 5 3 3 5 3 4 2 1 3 1 45
20 28 41 31 17 17 27 17 25 14 7 17 7 268
Opponent Inside NEBRASKA Red-Zone Times Times Date Opponent Score In RZ Scored Pts Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 *Oct. 1 *Oct. 8 *Oct. 22 *Oct. 29 *Nov. 5 *Nov. 12 *Nov. 19 *Nov. 25 Jan. 2
50
Chattanooga W 40-7 Fresno State W 42-29 Washington W 51-38 at Wyoming W 38-14 at Wisconsin L 17-48 Ohio State W 34-27 at Minnesota W 41-14 Michigan State W 24-3 Northwestern L 25-28 at Penn State W 17-14 at Michigan L 17-45 Iowa W 20-7 vs. South Carolina L, 13-30 Totals 32 of 39 (82%)
2 3 4 2 5 2 3 2 4 2 5 1 4 39
1 3 3 1 5 2 2 1 3 2 5 1 3 32
7 13 21 7 34 10 14 3 21 14 31 7 21 203
Total TDs
Rush Pass TDs TDs
FGs Made
------- Failed to score inside RZ -------FGA Downs Int Fumb Half Game
2 4 5 4 2 2 3 2 3 2 1 2 1 33
2 3 4 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 26
2 0 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 12
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Total TDs
Rush Pass TDs TDs
FGs Made
------- Failed to score inside RZ -------FGA Downs Int Fumb Half Game
1 1 3 1 5 1 2 0 3 2 4 1 3 27
0 1 1 0 5 1 2 0 3 2 3 1 2 21
0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 5
1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 7
1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 6
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Miscellaneous Numbers Long Season Plays (20 or more yards)
Chattanooga Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina Totals
Husker Long Plays Rush Pass Ret. Total 3 2 2 7 3 4 5 12 3 3 3 9 5 2 1 8 0 4 6 10 1 3 3 7 2 1 1 4 1 1 2 4 0 2 4 6 0 2 2 4 1 1 5 7 0 3 0 3 1 3 1 5 20 31 35 86
Drive SUperlatives
Most Yards (Result) Most Plays (Result) Most Time (Result)
Nebraska 91 at Minnsota (TD) 17 at Minnesota (TD) 6:06 at Minnesota (TD)
Opponent Long Plays Rush Pass Ret. 0 1 2 1 4 6 1 3 4 1 1 0 1 5 4 3 3 3 1 2 5 0 1 3 0 5 2 0 2 1 1 4 2 0 3 3 1 4 2 10 38 37
Opponent 91 at Wisconsin (TD) 16 at Minnesota (TD) 8:15 at Wisconsin (TD)
Nebraska Long Plays (86; 20 Runs; 31 Passes; 35 Returns)
Yards 100 82 66 61 57 54 53 52 50 50 47 46 45 44 43 43 42 40 39 38 38 38 38 36 36 36 35 33 31 30 30 30 30 29 29 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 27 27 27 27 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 20 20 20 20 20
Opponent Play Fresno State KOR (Abdullah) Minnesota Run (Bell) Washington KOR (Abdullah) Minnesota Pass (Martinez-Kinnie) Fresno State Run (Martinez) Michigan Pass (Martinez-Kinnie) Fresno State Pass (Martinez-Reed) Chattanooga Run (Burkhead) Northwestern IR (Cassidy) Washington Pass (Martinez-Bell) Chattanooga Run (Martinez) Fresno State Run (Martinez) Wyoming Run (Burkhead) Wyoming Pass (Martinez-Reed) Chattanooga Run (Martinez) Fresno State Pass (Martinez-Turner) Fresno State Pass (Martinez-Bell) Washington KOR (Abdullah) Michigan State Run (Marlowe) Fresno State Run (Martinez) Fresno State KOR (Abdullah) Wisconsin KOR (Abdullah) Wisconsin KOR (Abdullah) South Carolina Run (Martinez) Washington Run (Legate) Ohio State Pass (Martinez-Enunwa) Ohio State KOR (Abdullah) Michigan KOR (Bell) Chattanooga Pass (Martinez-Enunwa) South Carolina Pass (Martinez-Bell) Michigan KOR (Abdullah) Wyoming Pass (Martinez-Enunwa) Ohio State Pass (Martinez-Burkhead) Ohio State KOR (Abdullah) Wisconsin Pass (Martinez-Enunwa) Iowa Pass (Martinez-Bell) Northwestern KOR (Bell) Wisconsin Pass (Martinez-Cotton) Wyoming Run (Burkhead) Chattanooga PR (Abdullah) Washington Run (Martinez) Michigan State KOR (Abdullah) Michigan KOR (Marlowe) South Carolina PR (Abdullah) Michigan State Pass (Martinez-Burkhead) Washington Pass (Martinez-Turner) Chattanooga Pass (Martinez-Cotton) South Carolina Pass (Martinez-Bell) Michigan KOR (Marlowe) Michigan State INT (Thorell) Wisconsin KOR (Abdullah) Wisconsin Pass (Martinez-Turner) Fresno State KOR (Abdullah) Northwestern KOR (Bell) Northwestern Pass (Martinez-Enunwa) Northwestern Pass (Martinez-Reed) Wisconsin KOR (Abdullah) Wisconsin Pass (Martinez-Turner) Wisconsin KOR (Abdullah) Washington Pass (Martinez-Green) Washington Run (Heard) Fresno State KOR (Abdullah) Wyoming Run (Abdullah) Wyoming KOR (Marlowe) Penn State Pass (Martinez-Reed) Penn State Pass (Martinez-Bell) Penn State KOR (Bell) Penn State KOR (Marlowe) Fresno State KOR (Abdullah) Washington KOR (Abdullah) Ohio State KOR (Abdullah) Minnesota KOR (Marlowe) Michigan Run (Marlowe) South Carolina Pass (Martinez-Cotton) Iowa Pass (Martinez-Bell) Michigan KOR (Marlowe) Minnesota Run (Heard) Ohio State Run (Burkhead) Wyoming Run (Burkhead) Wyoming Run (Jones) Northwestern KOR (Bell) Iowa Pass (Martinez-Bell) Fresno State Pass (Martinez-Cotton) Chattanooga PR (Abdullah) Wisconsin KOR (Abdullah) Ohio State Pass (Martinez-Bell)
HUSKERS.COM
Opponent Long Plays (85; 10 Runs; 38 Passes; 37 Returns)
Total 3 11 8 2 10 9 8 4 7 3 7 6 7 85
Result Touchdown Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown Touchdown Touchdown 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 Fumble 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Fumble 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Fumble 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10
Yards 81 78 67 63 64 62 55 53 52 51 48 48 46 46 45 41 40 38 38 38 36 33 32 32 32 32 32 31 31 30 30 30 29 29 28 28 28 28 27 26 26 26 26 26 26 25 25 25 25 25 24 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 20 20 20 20 20 20
Opponent Play Northwestern Pass (Coltet-Ebert) South Carolina Pass (Shaw-Jeffery) Fresno State PR (Wylie) Ohio State Run (Hyde) Washington KOR (Smith) Michigan State KOR (Hill) Fresno State Pass (Carr-Johnson) Minnesota Pass (Gray-McKnight) Washington Pass (Price-Johnson) South Carolina Pass (Shaw-Jeffery) Wyoming Pass (Smith-Ogbonna) Minnesota KOR (Jones) Wisconsin Pass (Wilson-Toon) Michigan Pass (Robinson-Roundtree) South Carolina KOR (Ellington) Northwestern KOR (Mark) Penn State Pass (McGloin-Moye) Washington Pass (Price-Kearse) Wisconsin Pass (Wilson-Toon) Michigan Pass (Robinson-Odoms) Wisconsin Pass (Wilson-Abbrederis) Fresno State KOR (Burse) Washington KOR (Callier) Ohio State Pass (Miller-Stoneburner) Northwestern Pass (Siemian-Ebert) Northwestern Pass (Siemian-Colter) Michigan KOR (Odoms) Michigan Run (Toussaint) Penn State Pass (McGloin-Drake) Chattanooga KOR (Awuah) Washington KOR (Smith) Minnesota Run (Gray) Ohio State KOR (Hall) Ohio State Run (Miller) South Carolina KOR (Ellington) Ohio State KOR (Hall) Fresno State KOR (Burse) Wisconsin Pass (Wilson-Pedersen) Ohio State Pass (Miller-Brown) Iowa Pass (Vandenberg-McNutt) Michigan Pass (Robinson-Hemingway) Fresno State Pass (Carr-Harper) Fresno State KOR (Burse) Washington KOR (Callier) Penn State KOR (Powell) South Carolina Run (Shaw) Washington Run (Polk) Chattanooga Pass (Coleman-Awuah) Chattanooga KOR (Awuah) Michigan State INT (Adams) South Carolina Rush (Miles) Washington Pass (Price-Johnson) Ohio State Run (Miller) Minnesota Pass (Gray-McKnight) Michigan KOR (Odoms) Iowa Pass (Vandenberg-Fiedorowicz) South Carolina Pass (Shaw-Sanders) Iowa KOR (Martin-Manley) Iowa KOR (Martin-Manley) Michigan Pass (Robinson-Gallon) Minnesota KOR (Bennett) Minnesota KOR (Bennett) Minnesota KOR (Jones) Fresno State KOR (Burse) Northwestern Pass (Colter-Dunsmore) Northwestern KOR (Mark) Northwestern Pass (Persa-Colter) Wisconsin KOR (White) Fresno State KOR (Burse) Iowa Pass (Vandenberg-German) South Carolina Pass (Shaw-Anderson) Wyoming Run (Herrion) Fresno State Pass (Carr-Rouse) Wisconsin Pass (Wilson-Abbrederis) Wisconsin PR (Abbrederis) Wisconsin Run (Russell) Fresno State Run (Rouse) Ohio State Pass (Miller-Brown) Ohio State KOR (Hall) Michigan State KOR (Hill) Iowa KOR (Martin-Manley) Michigan State Pass (Cousins-Martin) Minnesota KOR (Bennett) Fresno State Pass (Carr-Evans) Wisconsin KOR (White) Wisconsin KOR (White)
Result Touchdown 1st-10 Touchdown Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown Touchdown Touchdown 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 Touchdown Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Touchdown 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Fumble 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 Fumble 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10 1st-10
Game-Opening Drives
[----- Nebraska ----- ] [----- Opponent ----- ] Opponent Pts. 1st Dwn Yds Pts. 1st Dwn Chattanooga 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 9 0 3 Fresno State Washington 7 1 53 7 4 Wyoming 0 1 24 0 0 Wisconsin 0 2 18 0 1 Ohio State 3 1 21 3 4 Minnesota 3 3 47 0 1 Michigan State 7 2 25 0 2 Northwestern 0 1 18 0 3 Penn State 0 1 11 0 0 Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 Iowa 0 2 25 0 1 South Carolina 6 2 46 0 1
Yds -7 46 80 -2 18 56 17 29 49 6 1 25 -4
Second Half-Opening Drives
[----- Nebraska ----- ] [----- Opponent ----- ] Opponent Pts. 1st Dwn Yds Pts. 1st Dwn Chattanooga 3 3 37 7 4 Fresno State 7 2 61 3 3 Washington 7 4 56 0 0 Wyoming 7 5 56 0 2 Wisconsin 0 0 0 7 2 Ohio State 0 0 8 7 2 Minnesota 0 2 26 0 0 Michigan State 7 5 80 0 2 Northwestern 0 1 24 7 2 Penn State 0 1 6 0 2 Michigan 0 1 36 7 2 Iowa 0 1 16 0 1 South Carolina 0 3 52 0 0
Yds 72 61 4 30 42 47 4 23 59 22 33 18 0
51
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Scoring Drives
Game UTC Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin OSU Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina Season Opponents
Scoring Drives 8 6 9 6 3 6 7 4 4 3 3 4 2 65 45
[---Time---] Total Avg. 17:49 2:13 10:52 1:48 18:12 2:01 14:39 2:26 10:46 3:35 12:53 2:08 21:47 3:06 16:32 4:08 8:56 2:14 9:36 3:12 3:56 1:18 19:47 4:56 3:27 1:43 169:12 2:54 167:32 3:40
[--Plays--] Total Avg. 50 6.25 26 4.33 53 5.89 39 6.50 29 9.67 35 5.83 59 8.43 39 9.75 35 8.75 29 9.67 14 4.67 47 11.75 11 5.50 466 7.17 369 7.49
Opponent Scoring Drives
5 or less 3 4 3 3 0 3 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 22 13
1 or 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 4
Nebraska Scoring Drives
[-----Drive-----] Opponent Plays Yds Time Score
Chattanooga Chattanooga Chattanooga Chattanooga Chattanooga Chattanooga Chattanooga Chattanooga Fresno State Fresno State Fresno State Frenso State Fresno State Fresno State Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Wyoming Wyoming Wyoming Wyoming Wyoming Wyoming Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Ohio State Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Michigan State Michigan State Michigan State Michigan State Northwestern Northwestern Northwestern Northwestern Penn State Penn State Penn State Michigan Michigan Michigan Iowa Iowa Iowa Iowa South Carolina South Carolina
4 7 12 10 8 7 1 1 5 6 5 3 0 7 2 7 4 10 9 1 6 9 5 1 8 4 5 10 11 9 10 10 5 9 2 7 7 4 11 10 1 6 0 14 17 7 6 14 12 5 8 12 10 9 12 8 3 4 7 10 15 12 10 3 8
63 27 40 76 40 38 3 47 80 85 61 67 0 80 53 42 34 42 56 1 31 86 43 45 80 56 47 80 80 39 74 52 21 40 23 80 72 78 47 65 82 68 0 73 91 25 38 80 89 18 50 74 74 50 80 52 65 1 31 52 80 82 80 46 60
1:45 3:23 3:53 4:35 0:46 3:12 0:04 0:11 1:51 2:49 1:50 1:00 0:00 3:22 0:34 1:47 1:13 1:49 3:43 0:04 1:24 4:51 2:37 0:09 2:50 1:21 2:12 3:51 4:16 3:14 3:36 3:56 1:52 3:43 0:31 2:37 2:51 1:19 4:09 3:36 0:15 2:06 0:00 5:35 6:06 2:49 1:21 5:28 5:44 1:38 2:53 3:15 1:10 3:53 2:49 2:54 0:45 1:29 1:41 4:40 5:58 5:08 4:01 1:04 2:37
7-0 10-0 13-0 20-0 23-0 26-7 33-7 40-6 7-7 14-14 21-20 28-20 35-26 42-29 7-0 10-7 17-14 20-17 27-17 34-17 37-17 44-17 51-31 7-0 14-0 21-7 24-7 31-7 38-14 7-0 14-7 17-41 3-3 6-17 13-27 20-27 27-27 34-27 3-0 10-0 17-0 20-0 27-0 34-0 41-7 7-0 10-0 17-3 24-3 3-7 10-14 18-21 25-28 3-0 10-0 17-0 7-10 10-10 17-31 3-0 10-0 13-0 20-0 6-0 13-9
Qtr./Time Play
1st/10:08 1st/1:52 2nd/10:11 2nd/2:07 2nd/0:10 3rd/8:30 3rd/7:28 3rd/6:08 1st/5:54 2nd/4:52 3rd/8:20 4th/12:59 4th/11:50 4th/2:02 1st/14:26 1st/7:39 2nd/12:17 2nd/0:00 3rd/10:18 3rd/10:09 3rd/7:20 4th/12:18 4th/4:42 1st/8:29 2nd/6:28 3rd/ 13:39 3rd/8:06 4th/13:55 4th/ 3:57 1st/6:02 2nd/12:45 4th/13:35 1st/ 5:15 2nd/3:43 3rd/7:23 3rd/1:44 4th/7:35 5th/5:10 1st/8:03 1st/3:27 2nd/14:38 2nd/9:49 2nd/9:34 2nd/0:33 3rd/0:39 1st/9:12 1st/1:21 3rd/9:20 3rd/0:30 2nd/2:26 3rd/3:52 4th/8:55 4th/0:18 2nd/10:55 2nd/0:44 3rd/8:51 1st/1:17 2nd/12:12 3rd/0:53 2nd/11:22 2nd/0:32 3rd/4:42 4th/11:25 1st/11:50 1st/4:27
Martinez 7-yd. run Maher 50-yd. FG Maher 48-yd. FG Martinez 43-yd. run Maher 34-yd. FG Maher 21-yd. FG Burkhead 3-yd. run Martinez 47-yd. run Martinez 1-yd. run Burkhead 1-yd. run Enunwa 16 yd. pass from Martinez Burkhead 6-yd. run Abdullah 100-yd. kickoff return Martinez 46-yd. run Legate 3-yd. pass from Martinez Maher 44-yd. FG Green 25-yd. pass from Martinez Maher 35-yd. FG Burkhead 1-yd. run Burkhead 1-yd. run Maher 29-yd. FG Green 6-yd. run Martinez 6-yd. run Burkhead 45-yd. run Martinez 8-yd .run Burkhead 16-yd. run Maher 20-yd. FG Bell 8-yd. pass from Martinez Heard 1-yd run Martinez 1-yd. run Burkhead 1-yd. run Maher 32-yd FG Maher 50-yd. FG Maher 34-yd. FG Martinez 18-yd. run Enunwa 36-yd. pass from Martinez Burkhead 30-yd. pass from Martinez Burkhead 17-yd. run Maher 22-yd. FG Legate 10-yd. pass from Martinez Bell 82-yd. run Maher 25-yd. FG Cassidy 11-yd. fumble return Burkhead 4-yd. run Green 4-yd. run Burkhead 1-yd. run Maher 20-yd. FG Burkhead 1-yd. run Burkhead 27-yd. pass from Martinez Maher 36-yd FG Marlowe 15-yd. pass from Martinez Burkhead 1-yd. run Bell 4-yd. pass from Martinez Maher 41-yd. FG Abdullah 2-yd. run Burkhead 14-yd. run Kinnie 54-yd. pass from Martinez Maher 51-yd. FG Abdullah 3-yd. run Maher 40-yd. FG Reed 6-yd. pass from Martinez Maher 21-yd. FG Burkhead 2-yd. run Bell 30-yd. pass from Martinez Abdullah 1-yd. run
[-----Drive-----] Opponent Plays Yds Chattanooga 7 72 Fresno State 0 0 Fresno State 10 67 Fresno State 11 67 Fresno State 10 61 Fresno State 4 76 Fresno State 14 52 Washington 6 80 Washington 4 23 Washington 8 44 Washington 5 32 Washington 3 53 Washington 1 52 Wyoming 7 80 Wyoming 14 80 Wisconsin 9 91 Wisconsin 6 77 Wisconsin 6 54 Wisconsin 5 63 Wisconsin 7 42 Wisconsin 14 81 Wisconsin 13 73 Ohio State 13 56 Ohio State 7 80 Ohio State 1 58 Ohio State 2 29 Ohio State 7 47 Minnesota 4 57 Minnesota 16 89 Michigan State 7 17 Northwestern 13 80 Northwestern 6 59 Northwestern 2 84 Northwestern 13 66 Penn State 9 82 9 51 Penn State Michigan 8 79 9 30 Michigan Michigan 12 74 Michigan 7 33 Michigan 8 50 Michigan 10 86 1 31 Michigan Iowa 10 80 South Carolina 11 55 South Carolina 3 17 South Carolina 5 41 13 71 South Carolina
Score 7-23 0-7 7-14 14-17 14-20 26-28 29-35 7-7 10-14 17-17 24-44 31-44 38-51 7-14 14-31 7-7 14-13 14-20 14-27 14-34 14-41 17-48 0-3 3-10 3-17 6-20 6-27 34-7 41-14 10-3 0-7 3-14 10-21 18-28 17-7 14-14 0-7 0-10 10-17 10-24 10-31 17-38 17-45 20-7 6-9 13-16 13-23 13-30
Nebraska Points Off Turnovers
Game
Chattanooga Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina Totals Opponents
TOs Gained
1 (2/0 F/L, 1 Int) 1 (2/1 F/L, 0 Int) 3 (2/1 F/L, 2 Int) 1 (0/0 F/L, 1 Int) 1 (1/1 F/L, 0 Int) 2 (2/1 F/L, 1 Int) 1 (3/1 F/L, 0 Int) 1 (0/0 F/L, 1 Int) 3 (1/1 F/L, 2 Int) 1 (1/1 F/L, 0 Int) 1 (0/0 F/L 1 Int) 2 (1/1 F/L, 1 Int) 0 (1/0 F/L, 0 Int) 18 (15/8 F/L, 10 Int) 19 (32/11 F/L, 8 Int)
Starting Field Position*
Qtr./Time Play 3rd/11:43 Anthony 13-yd. pass from Coleman 1st/7:45 Wylie 67-yd. punt return 1st/0:28 Carr 3-yd. run 2nd/0:25 Goessling 22-yd. FG 3rd/10:17 Goessling 36-yd. FG 4th/12:06 Harper 26-yd. pass from Carr 4th/5:24 Goessling 37-yd. FG 1st/11:54 Kearse 38-yd. pass from Price 2nd/13:40 Kearse 6-yd. pass from Price 2nd/9:24 Folk 40-yd. FG 4th/10:15 Polk 2-yd. run 4th/7:21 Johnson 10-yd. pass from Price 4th/4:27 Johnson 52-yd. pass from Price 2nd/3:37 Ogbonna 48-yd. pass from Smith 4th/8:13 Herron 10-yd. pass from Smith 1st/1:27 Ball 1-yd. run 2nd/9:48 Ball 1-yd. run 2nd/2:03 Abbrederis 36-yd. pass from Russell 2nd/0:32 Toon 46-yd. pass from Russell 3rd/11:21 Wilson 10-yd. run 3rd/2:36 Ball 4-yd run 4th/5:11 Ball 15-yd. run 1st/7:16 Basil 41-yd. FG 1st/1:51 Stoneburner 32-yd. pass from Miller 2nd/12:46 Hyde 63-yd. run 2nd/0:00 Basil 35-yd. FG 3rd/10:53 Hyde 1-yd. run 3rd/6:45 Gray 4-yd. run 4th/1:41 Bennett 6-yd. run 2nd/1:38 Conroy 28-yd. FG 1st/2:08 Schmidt 2-yd. run 3rd/12:13 Colter 3-yd. run 4th/12:16 Ebert 81-yd pass from Colter 4th/1:34 Colter 1-yd. run 4rd/5:07 Green 5-yd. run 4th/5:42 Green 6-yd. run 1st/8:17 Gallon 6-yd. pass from Robinson 1st/2:03 Gibbons 42-yd. FG 2nd/6:05 Robinson 14-yd. run 3rd/11:23 Robinson 1-yd. run 3rd/5:03 Toussaint 1-yd. run 4th/10:14 Odoms 38-yd. pass from Robinson 4th/7:33 Toussaint 31-yd. run. 4th/3:26 Coker 2-yd. run 1st/6:04 Shaw 1-yd. run 2nd/0:00 Jeffery 51-yd. pass from Shaw 4th/11:19 Miles 9-yd. pass from Shaw 4th/3:00 Miles 3-yd. run TDs
1 0 1 0 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 9 8
FG-FGA Pts.
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 2-2 2-4
7 0 7 0 7 14 7 7 10 7 3 0 0 69 62
NU Avg. Start
Opp. Avg. Start
(yards/drives/in 20/past 50)
(yards/drives/in 20/past 50)
Chattanooga Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina Totals
39.9 (518/13/3/4) 24.7 (371/13/4/0) 41.9 (670/16/2/5) 32.7 (392/12/1/2) 35.5 (391/11/1/1) 28.0 (364/13/4/1) 28.3 (283/10/2/0) 33.8 (372/11/2/3) 37.0 (407/11/0/3) 30.3 (394/13/0/2) 30.9 (371/12/2/1) 28.7 (344/12/3/2) 34.2 (342/10/0/1) 33.2 (5219/157/24/25)
26.6 (399/15/4/2) 28.5 (371/15/3/1) 36.6 (512/14/2/2) 20.9 (230/11/2/0) 30.0 (300/10/1/1) 27.7 (360/13/2/2) 27.6 (304/11/3/0) 33.6 (336/10/2/2) 24.5 (294/12/4/0) 23.4 (328/14/7/0) 34.8 (522/15/4/3) 18.7 (280/12/4/0) 28.9 (318/11/2/1) 27.9 (4554/163/40/14)
(NU Fumbles/Lost, INT)
2 (4/2 F/L, 0 Int) 2 (3/0 F/L, 2 Int) 1 (2/1 F/L, 0 Int) 1 (4/1 F/L, 0 Int) 3 (2/0 F/L, 3 Int) 1 (2/0 F/L, 1 Int) 0 (2/0 F/L, 0 Int) 1 (3/0 F/L, 1 Int) 2 (2/2 F/L, 0 Int) 1 (1/1 F/L, 0 Int) 3 (4/3 F/L, 0 Int) 0 (2/0 F/L, 0 Int) 2 (1/1 F/L, 1 Int) 19 (32/11 F/L, 8 Int) 18 (15/8 F/L, 10 Int) NU lead +13.2 -3.8 + 5.3 +11.8 +5.5 + 0.3 +0.7 +0.2 +12.5 + 6.9 -3.9 10.0 5.3 5.3
*does not include drives with time of 0:00 (ie, defensive and special teams touchdowns, end of half turnovers, overtime, etc.)
Penalty Numbers
Chattanooga Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina Totals (Avg/Penalty) Avg/G
52
Time 3:10 0:00 5:17 4:18 4:43 0:46 6:19 2:32 1:47 2:45 1:50 0:56 0:10 2:51 5:42 3:14 2:50 2:49 0:46 3:25 7:06 8:15 7:44 3:24 0:10 0:15 3:02 1:56 7:59 3:03 4:48 2:39 0:40 7:14 3:36 3:53 4:01 4:20 6:07 3:29 3:29 5:46 0:08 1:53 5:46 0:38 2:32 6:25
NU Pen.-Yds. 3-33 3-25 7-60 5-48 9-80 6-50 5-43 9-58 6-41 6-45 8-73 9-74 10-58 86-688 (8.0) 6.6-52.9
Opp. Pen.-Yds 8-76 5-50 9-90 7-68 4-39 9-75 5-55 9-90 2-20 3-32 4-45 5-50 6-66 76-756 (9.9) 5.8-58.2
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Individual Career/Season Superlatives Season and Career, Most Passing Yards Player Taylor Martinez Brion Carnes Rex Burkhead
2011 289 vs. Northwestern 19 vs. Chattanooga None
*-Indicates touchdown pass
Season and Career, Most Receiving Yards
Player Ameer Abdullah Stanley Jean-Baptiste Kenny Bell Rex Burkhead Khiry Cooper Ben Cotton Quincy Enunwa Aaron Green Curenski Gilleylen Braylon Heard Brandon Kinnie Tyler Legate Jake Long Tim Marlowe Marcus Mendoza Kyler Reed Jamal Turner
2011 11 at Wyoming 7 vs. Chattanooga 93 vs. Iowa 59 vs. Ohio State 17 vs. Ohio State; Penn State 36 vs. Northwestern 58 vs. Chattanooga 25 vs. Washington None 1 vs. Chattanooga 58 at Minnesota 10* at Minnesota None 44 vs. Northwestern None 61 vs. Fresno State 84 at Wisconsin
*Indicates touchdown scored
Season and Career, Most Rushing Yards Player Ameer Abdullah Kenny Bell Rex Burkhead Brion Carnes Aaron Green Braylon Heard Austin Jones Tyler Legate Tim Marlowe Taylor Martinez Marcus Mendoza Collins Okafor Kyler Reed Jamal Turner Lester Ward
2011 36 at Wyoming 82 at Minnesota 170 at Wyoming -6 vs. Chattanooga 36 vs. Washington 34 vs. Washington 38 at Wyoming 37 vs. Washington 39 vs. Michigan State 166 vs. Fresno State None None 5 vs. Penn State 4 vs. Chattanooga None
Season and Career, Longest Pass
Season and Career, Longest Catch
Career 323 at Oklahoma State, 2010 Same 30 vs. Colorado, 2010
Career same same same same 26 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 2009 same same same 92 vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009 same 105 vs. Washington, 2010 13 vs. Kansas State, 2009 17 vs. Colorado, 2010 same 32 vs. Texas Tech, 2009 79 at Kansas State, 2010 Same
Career same same same same same same same same same 241 at Kansas State, 2010 58 at Kansas State, 2009 2 vs. Western Kentucky, 2010 same same 16 at Baylor, 2009
2011 61 vs. Minnesota (Kinnie) 19 vs. Chattanooga (Turner) None
Career 79* at Kansas State (Reed) Same 26* vs. Colorado (Kinnie)
2011 11 at Wyoming (Martinez) 7 vs. Chattanooga (Martinez) 50 vs. Washington (Martinez) 30* vs. Ohio State (Martinez) 17 vs. Ohio St.; Penn St. (Martinez) 28 at Wisconsin (Martinez) 36* vs. Ohio State (Martinez) 25* vs. Washington (Martinez) None 1 vs. Chattanooga (Martinez) 61 at Minnesota (Martinez) 10* at Minnesota (Martinez) None 15* vs. NW (Martinez); Penn St. None 53 vs. Fresno State (Martinez) 43 vs. Fresno State (Martinez)
Career same same same 31 vs. Western Kentucky (Martinez) 17 3x, last vs. Penn State same same 51* vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009 (Lee) same same 13 vs. Kansas State, 2009 (Lee) 17 vs. Colorado (Lee) same 9 vs. Texas Tech, 2009 79* at Kansas State (Martinez) same
Season and Career, Longest Run
2011 24 at Wyoming 82* at Minnesota 52 vs. Chattanooga None 12 at Wyoming 25 vs. Washington 22 at Wyoming 36 vs. Washington 39 vs. Michigan State 57 vs. Fresno State None None 5 vs. Penn State 4 vs. Chattanooga None
Career same same same None same same same same same 80** vs. Wash, 2010; at Kansas St., 2010 35 vs. New Mexico State, 2008 2 vs. Western Kentucky, 2010 same same 8 vs. Arkansas State, 2009
*Indicates touchdown scored
Player
Jason Ankrah Antonio Bell Justin Blatchford Joseph Carter Austin Cassidy Will Compton Corey Cooper Jared Crick Lavonte David Jase Dean Alfonzo Dennard Jim Ebke Ciante Evans Sean Fisher Andrew Green Harvey Jackson Justin Jackson Stanley Jean-Baptiste Faron Klingelhoefer Eric Martin Jay Martin Mathew May Marcus Mendoza Cameron Meredith Josh Mitchell Terrence Moore Courtney Osborne Thaddeus Randle Chase Rome Trevor Roach P.J. Smith Daimion Stafford Baker Steinkuhler Graham Stoddard Kevin Thomsen Lance Thorell Dijon Washington Alonzo Whaley Josh Williams
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Tackles (2011)
Career
5 vs. Iowa same 1 vs. South Carolina same 3 vs. Chattanooga; vs. Fresno St. 3 at Kansas State, 2010; vs. UTC, 2011 3 at Wyoming same 9 vs. Penn State 12 at Iowa State, 2010 15 vs. Fresno State same 3 at Wyoming same 13 at Baylor, 2009 6 vs. Washington 17 at Michigan 19 vs. South Dakota State, 2010 None 3 vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009 4, five times, last vs. SC 6 vs. OU, 2009; W. Kentucky, 2010 3 at Michigan 1 4x, last vs. Ohio State, 2011 6 vs. Fresno State; Washington same 6 vs. Chattanooga 9 vs. Iowa State, 2009 same 10 vs. Penn State 4 at Minnesota same 1 vs Northwestern 1 vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009; vs NW, 2011 3 vs. Ohio State; at Minnesota same None 1 vs. ASU, vs. ULL, 2009 4 at Minnesota; vs. Penn State 6 at Washington, 2010 None 2 vs. South Dakota State, 2010 3 at Minnesota 4 at Missouri, 2009 same 1 vs. Chattanooga 9 at Michigan 10 at Iowa State, 2010 same 5 vs. Washington 7 vs. Northwestern same 3 at Wisconsin 7 at Iowa State, 2010 5 at Wyoming same 3 vs. South Carolina same same 7 vs. Chattanooga 7 at Wyoming 11 vs. Texas, 2010 11 vs. Fresno State same 9 vs. Northwestern same 3 vs. Fresno State 3; 3x, last vs. Fresno State None 1 vs. Missouri 15 vs. Northwestern same 2 vs. Chattanooga same 3 at Michigan 5 vs. Western Kentucky 2, 4 times, last vs. Iowa 3 vs. Idaho, at Iowa State
TFL (2011)
1 vs. UTC; at Minn.; vs. Iowa None None None None 1, 6 times, last vs. South Carolina None 2 vs. Chattanooga 3 at Wisconsin; at Michigan None None None 1 vs. Iowa 1 3x, last vs. Ohio State 2 vs. Michigan State None None None None 2 vs. Michigan State None None 1 vs. Chattanooga 2 vs. Chattanooga None 1 vs. Penn State; South Carolina None 1 at Wyoming 1 vs. Ohio State 2 vs. Chattanooga None 2 at Michigan 2 vs Northwestern None None 1 at Wyoming None 2 at Michigan 1 at Michigan
Career
same None same same same 1, 7 times, last vs. South Carolina same 7 at Baylor, 2009 (T-School Record) 3 at Texas A&M, 2010; at Wis, 2011 same 1 four times, 2009 same same 1 5x, last vs. Ohio State, 2011 same same same same same same same same same 2 4x, last at UTC, 2011 same 2 vs. W. Michigan, 2008 2 at Iowa State, 2010 same same same same same 2 vs. Idaho, 2010; vs NW, 2011 same 1 vs. Missouri, 2010 same same same same
Sacks (2011)
1.0 vs. Chattanooga None None None None 0.5 vs South Carolina None 1.0 vs. Washington 2.0 at Wisconsin; vs. SC None None None None None None None None None None 2.0 vs. Michigan State None None None 2.0 vs. Chattanooga None 1.0 vs. South Carolina None 1.0 at Wyoming 1.0 vs. Ohio State None None 0.5 at Michigan 1.0 vs. Michigan St; NW, SC None None None None None 0.5 vs. South Carolina
Career
same None same same same 1.0 vs. Kansas, 2010 same 5.0 at Baylor, 2009 (School Record) 2.0 vs. Kansas, 2010; 2.0 at Wis, 2011;vs. SC same same same same 1.0 at Baylor, 2009 same same same same same same same same same same same 2.0 vs. W. Michigan, 2008 1.0 vs. Missouri, 2010 same same same same same 1.5 vs. Idaho, 2010 same 1.0 vs. Missouri, 2010 same same same same
53
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Nebraska Statistical Highs and Lows Nebraska Totals
Opponent Totals
Points Scored First Downs Rushing Attempts Rushing Yards Passes Attempted Passes Completed Had Intercepted Passing Yards Total Plays Total Yards Possession Time Fumbles Fumbles Lost Turnovers Turnover Margin Penalties Yards Penalized Sacks By-Yards Lost Team Tackles for Loss-Yards Points Scored First Downs Rushing Attempts Rushing Yards Passes Attempted Passes Completed Had Intercepted Passing Yards Total Plays Total Yards Possession Time Fumbles Fumbles Lost Turnovers Turnover Margin Penalties Yards Penalized Sacks By-Yards Lost Team Tackles for Loss-Yards Lost
Highs
51 (Washington) 27 (Minnesota) 61 (Iowa) 346 (Minnesota) 37 (Northwestern) 28 (Northwestern) 3 (Wisconsin) 289 (Northwestern) 83 (Iowa) 515 (Minnesota) 37:47 (Iowa) 4 (Chattanooga; Wyoming, Michigan) 3 (Michigan) 3 (Wisconsin, Michigan) +2 (Washington, Iowa) 10 (South Carolina) 80 (Wisconsin) 4-31 (South Carolina) 11-33 (Michigan)
Highs
48 (Wisconsin) 27 (Wisconsin) 61 (Michigan) 243 (Ohio State) 41 (Fresno State) 22 (Chattanooga) 2 (Washington, Northwestern) 274 (Washington) 81 (Fresno State) 486 (Wisconsin) 41:13 (Michigan) 3 (Minnesota) 1 (Fresno St.; Wash., Wis., Ohio St., Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa) 3 (Washington) +2 (Wisconsin, Michigan, South Carolina) 9 (Washington, Ohio State, Michigan State) 90 (Washington) 6-41 (South Carolina) 14-62 (South Carolina)
Lows
13 (South Carolina) 11 (Michigan) 31 (Michigan) 122 (Northwestern) 13 (Michigan State) 9 (Michigan) 0 (Chattanooga, Washington, Wyoming, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn St., Michigan, SC) 80 (Michigan State) 54 (Michigan) 253 (South Carolina) 18:39 (Michigan) 1 (Penn State, South Carolina) 0 (Fresno State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Iowa) 0 (Minnesota, Iowa) -2 (Wisconsin, Michigan, South Carolina) 3 (Chattanooga; Fresno State) 25 (Chattanooga) 0-0 (Fresno State, Minnesota) 0-0 (Fresno State)
Lows
3 (Michigan State) 11 (Minnesota) 24 (Iowa) 60 (Chattanooga) 17 (South Carolina) 6 (Ohio State) 0 (Fresno State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Penn State) 86 (Michigan State) 57 (Minnesota, Michigan State, South Carolina) 178 (Michigan State) 22:13 (Iowa) 0 (Wyoming, Michigan State, Michigan) 0 (Chattanooga; Wyoming, Michigan State, Michiganm, South Carolina) 1 (Chattanooga; Fresno State; Wyoming, Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan) -2 (Washington, Iowa) 2 (Northwestern) 20 (Northwestern) 0-0 (Minnesota, Iowa) 2-8 (Minnesota)
Nebraska Individual Highs
Most Rushing Attempts...........................................................38; Rex Burkhead vs. Iowa (school record) Most Net Rushing Yards..........................................................170; Rex Burkhead at Wyoming Most Rushing TDs....................................................................3; Taylor Martinez vs. Chattanooga Longest TD Run.......................................................................47; Taylor Martinez vs. Chattanooga Longest Run, No TD.................................................................57; Taylor Martinez vs. Fresno State Most Pass Attempts................................................................37; Taylor Martinez vs. Northwestern Most Completed Passes..........................................................28; Taylor Martinez vs. Northwestern Most Passing Yards..................................................................289; Taylor Martinez vs. Northwestern Longest TD Pass.......................................................................54; Taylor Martinez to Brandon Kinnie at Michigan Longest Pass, No TD................................................................61; Taylor Martinez to Brandon Kinnie vs. Minnesota Most Pass Receptions..............................................................6; Brandon Kinnie vs. Northwestern Most Receiving Yards..............................................................93; Kenny Bell vs. Iowa Most TD Receptions................................................................1; 12 players Most Total Offense Attempts..................................................49; Taylor Martinez vs. Northwestern (37 pass, 12 rush) Most Total Offense Yards........................................................385; Taylor Martinez vs. Fresno State (166 rushing, 219 passing) Most All Purpose Attempts.....................................................39; Rex Burkhead vs. Iowa Most All Purpose Yards...........................................................231; Ameer Abdullah vs. Fresno State Most Touchdowns Scored.......................................................3; Taylor Martinez vs. Chattanooga; Rex Burkhead vs. Michigan State Most Field Goals Attempted...................................................4; Brett Maher vs. Chattanooga Most Field Goals Made...........................................................4; Brett Maher vs. Chattanooga Longest Field Goal Made.........................................................51; Brett Maher at Michigan Longest Field Goal Attempted.................................................51; Brett Maher vs. Minnesota; at Michigan Most Interceptions..................................................................1; 10 Players Longest Interception TD Return..............................................None Longest Interception Return, No TD.......................................50; Austin Cassidy vs. Northwestern Longest Fumble TD Return......................................................11; Austin Cassidy vs. Minnesota Longest Fumble Return, No TD...............................................None Longest Punt Return, TD.........................................................None Longest Punt Return, No TD....................................................28; Ameer Abdullah vs. Chattanooga Most Punt Return Yardage......................................................67; Ameer Abdullah vs. Chattanooga (4 returns) Longest Kickoff Return, TD......................................................100; Ameer Abdullah vs. Fresno State Longest Kickoff Return, No TD................................................66; Ameer Abdullah vs. Washington Most Kickoff Return Yardage..................................................211*; vs. Fresno State (school record) Most Punts..............................................................................8; Brett Maher vs. Penn State (45.0 avg.) Highest Punting Average.........................................................53.0; Brett Maher at Wyoming (3 punts) Longest Punt............................................................................69; Brett Maher at Michigan
54
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Nebraska Statistical Highs and Lows Nebraska Individual Highs....(Continued)
Most Total Tackles..................................................................17; Lavonte David at Michigan (14 solo, 3 asst.) Most Solo Tackles....................................................................14; Lavonte David at Michigan Most Tackles for Loss..............................................................3; Lavonte David at Wisconsin, at Michigan Most Yards Lost.......................................................................22; Cameron Meredith vs. Chattanooga (2 TFL) Most Quarterback Sacks.........................................................2.5; Cameron Meredith vs. Chattanooga (22 yards) Most Yards Lost.......................................................................22; Cameron Meredith (2.0 sacks) Most Pass Breakups................................................................3; Alfonzo Dennard and Daimion Stafford vs. Michigan State Most Blocked Field Goals........................................................1; Josh Williams vs. Chattanooga Most Blocked Punts.................................................................None Most Blocked PAT...................................................................1: Jared Crick at Wisconsin
Opponent Individual Highs
Most Yards Rushing.................................................................169; Robbie Rouse (Fresno State) Most Rushing Attempts...........................................................36; Robbie Rouse (Fresno State) Most Yards Passing..................................................................274; Keith Price (Washington) Most Passing Attempts...........................................................41; Derek Carr (Fresno State) Most Pass Completions...........................................................21; Keith Price (Washington) Most Pass Receptions..............................................................6; Rashad Evans (Fresno State); James Johnson (Washington); Jeremy Ebert (Northwestern) Most Yards Receiving..............................................................148; Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina)
Opponent Individual Longest Plays
Rush.........................................................................................63*; Carlos Hyde (Ohio State) Pass.........................................................................................81; Kain Colter to Jeremy Ebert (Northwestern) Field Goal.................................................................................42; Brendan Gibbons (Michigan) Punt Return.............................................................................67*; Devon Wylie (Fresno State) Kickoff Return..........................................................................64; Kevin Smith (Washington) Fumble Return.........................................................................None Interception Return.................................................................25; Johnny Adams (Michigan State) Punt.........................................................................................59; Austin McCoy (Wyoming)
Nebraska Starting Lineups Husker Offensive Starters Game-by-Game
Opponent
WR
WR
TE
LT
LG
C
RG
RT
QB
IB
FB PK
Chattanooga Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina
Kinnie Kinnie Bell Bell Bell Bell Bell Bell Bell Bell Bell Bell Bell
Enunwa Enunwa Enunwa Enunwa Enunwa Kinnie Kinnie Kinnie Kinnie Cooper Kinnie Enunwa Enunwa
Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Cotton Reed Reed Reed
Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick Hardrick
Rodriguez Rodriguez Choi Choi Rodriguez Rodriguez Rodriguez Rodriguez Rodriguez Choi Choi Choi Choi
Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo Caputo
Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long
Moore Moore Moore Moore Jones Jones Jones Jones Jones Jones Jones Jones Jones
Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez Martinez
Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead Burkhead
Legate Thomsen^ Legate Reed^ Legate Legate J. Long^ Thomsen^ J. Long^ Legate Marlowe# Legate Cotton^
Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher
^ - NU opened in two tight end formation # - NU opened in three wide receiver formationl; %-NU opened in a four-receiver set (three receivers and a tight end)
Husker Defensive Starters Game-by-Game
Opponent
DE
DT
DT
DE
BUCK
MIKE
WILL
LCB
FS
SS
RCB P
Chattanooga Fresno State Washington Wyoming Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Michigan State Northwestern Penn State Michigan Iowa South Carolina
Ankrah Ankrah Ankrah Ankrah Ankrah Crick Ankrah Ankrah Martin Wiliams Wiliams Ankrah Ankrah
Crick Crick Crick Moore Crick Moore Rome Rome Moore Moore Moore Moore Moore
Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler Steinkuhler
Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith Meredith
Fisher Fisher Blatchford# Stafford* Fisher Martin% Thorell* Thorell* Thorell Fisher Evans* Whaley Evans*
Compton Compton Mitchell # Compton Compton Compton Compton Compton Evans# Compton Compton Compton Compton
David David David David David David David David David David David David David
Evans Evans Evans Dennard Dennard Dennard Dennard Dennard Dennard Dennard Dennard Dennard Dennard
Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy Cassidy
Osborne Stafford Stafford Smith Stafford Stafford Stafford Stafford Stafford Stafford Stafford Stafford Stafford
An. Green An. Green An. Green C. Cooper Evans Green Baptiste Green Green Green Green Green Green
Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher Maher
* - NU opened with nickel package # - NU opened with dime packages; %-NU opened with five defensive linemen
Overall Participation Player (games):
Abdullah, Ameer (13/-); Ankrah, Jason (12/9); Bell, Antonio (2/-); Bell, Kenny (13/11); Blatchford, Justin (13/1); Bondi, Mauro (3/-); Burkhead, Rex (13/13); Caputo, Mike (13/13); Carnes, Brion (3/-); Carter, Joseph (10/-); Cassidy, Austin (13/13); Choi, Seung Hoon (11/6); Compton, Will (13/11); Cooper, Corey (11/1); Cooper, Khiry (9/1); Cotton, Ben (11/11); Cotton, Jake (3/-); Crick, Jared (5/5); David, Lavonte (13/13); Dennard, Alfonzo (10/10); Ebke, Jim (13/-); Enunwa, Quincy (13/7); Evans, Ciante (13/7); Evans, Tyler (2/-); Fisher, Sean (10/4); Gilleylen, Curenski (1/-); Green, Aaron (12/-); Green, Andrew (13/10); Guy, Jay (3/-); Hardrick, Jamarcus (13/13); Heard, Braylon (7/-); Jackson, Harvey (12/-); Jackson, Justin (2/-); Jean-Baptiste, Stanley (9/1); Jones, Austin (6/-); Jones, Marcel (12/9); Kinnie, Brandon (13/7); Legate, Tyler (13/6); Long, Jake (13/2); Long, Spencer (13/13); Maher, Brett (13/-); Mangieri, P.J. (13/-); Marlowe, Tim (13/1); Martin, Eric (12/2); Martinez, Taylor (13/13); May, Mathew (13/-); Mendoza, Marcus (7/-); Meredith, Cameron (13/13); Mitchell, Josh (8/1); Moore, Terrence (13/7); Moore, Tyler (9/4); Osborne, Courtney (5/1); Osborne, Steven (6/-); Pelini, Mark (1/-); Pensick, Cole (4/-); Qvale, Brent (12/-); Randle, Thaddeus (6/-); Reed, Kyler (12/4); Richards, Wil (10/-); Roach, Trevor (5/-); Rodriguez, Andrew (8/7); Rome, Chase (10/2); Sirles, Jeremiah (13/0); Smith, P.J. (11/1); Stafford, Daimion (13/12); Steinkuhler, Baker (13/13); Stoddard, Graham (13/-); Thompson, Brandon (8/-); Thomsen, Kevin (13/2); Thorell, Lance (13/3); Turner, Jamal (12/-); Washington, Dijon (13/-); Whaley, Alonzo (13/-); Williams, Josh (13/2); Zimmerer, C.J. (11/-).
HUSKERS.COM
55
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Game 1 Nebraska 40, Chattanooga 7 SCORE BY QUARTERS Chattanooga No. 10 Nebraska
1 0 10
2 0 13
3 7 17
4 0 0
FINAL 7 40
Lincoln (Sept. 3) --- Taylor Martinez rushed for 135 yards and three TDs, and Brett Maher enjoyed a perfect debut as Nebraska’s starting kicker, as the Huskers rolled to a 40-7 victory. Playing in front of an NCAA-record 312th consecutive sellout of 84,833 at Memorial Stadium and a Big Ten Network television audience in the Huskers’ season opener, Martinez produced the sixth 100-yard rushing game of his career. The sophomore from Corona, Calif., scored on runs of 47, 43 and seven yards in Nebraska’s new-look offense. In Nebraska’s first-ever game as a Big Ten Conference member, the Huskers rolled to 364 yards of total offense on 68 plays, including 229 rushing yards. Junior I-back Rex Burkhead added 75 yards and a score to bolster the NU ground game. Maher added a nearly flawless performance in his starting debut in replacing 2010 first-team All-American Alex Henery. The junior went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 50-yarder against the wind on his first career attempt. He added a 48-yarder on his second attempt, before connecting on tries from 34 and 21 yards. He was also a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points, while averaging 52.0 yards on four punts. While Martinez and Maher combined to put up 34 of Nebraska’s 40 points, Cameron Meredith, Jared Crick and Lavonte David led the Blackshirts against the Mocs, as UTC totaled just 230 total yards. Meredith uncorked a pair of sacks for 22 yards and intercepted a pass that was deflected at the line of scrimmage by Crick. That interception set up Burkhead’s third-quarter touchdown run, putting the Huskers ahead 33-7. Early in the fourth quarter, Meredith also scooped up a UTC field goal attempt that was blocked at the line by Josh Williams. A preseason All-America defensive tackle, Crick finished with five tackles, including two tackles for loss, while David, a senior preseason All-America linebacker, closed with a team-leading nine tackles, including a TFL. The solid team effort in all phases allowed Nebraska to extend its nation-leading win streak in season openers to 26 games.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd
10:08 01:52 10:11 02:07 00:10 11:43 08:30 07:28 06:08
NEB NEB NEB NEB NEB UTC NEB NEB NEB
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Martinez, 7 yd run (Maher kick) Maher 50 yd field goal Maher 48 yd field goal Martinez 43 yd run (Maher) Maher 34 yd field goal Anthony 13 yd pass from Coleman (Pollard kick) Maher 21 yd field goal Burkhead 3 yd run (Maher) Martinez 47 yd run (Maher)
UTC
13 31-60 170 36-22-1 67-230 1-3 2-6 6-115 0-0 9-41.9 2-0 8-76 32:21 6 of 18 0 of 1 1-2 1-5
NEB
18 43-229 135 25-12-0 68-364 0-0 5-69 0-0 1-1 4-52.0 4-2 3-33 27:39 9 of 18 1 of 1 4-4 3-24
RUSHING: Chattanooga-Marquis Green 7-37; Taharin Tyson 4-15; J.J. Jackson 5-15; Chris Awuah 10-13; Thomas Green 1-5; B.J. Coleman 3-Minus 24. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 19-135; Burkhead, Rex 11-75; Heard, Braylon 3-12; Green, Aaron 2-7; Turner, Jamal 1-4; Legate, Tyler 1-1; Abdullah, Ameer 4-1; Carnes, Brion 2-Minus 6. PASSING:Chattanooga - B.J. Coleman 19-33-1-174; Graham Nichols 3-3-0-minus-4. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 11-22-0-116; Carnes, Brion 1-1-0-19; Burkhead, Rex 0-1-0-0 RECEIVING: Chattanooga - Joel Bradford 4-47; Chris Awuah 4-43; Faysal Shafaat 4-34; Marquis Green 3-8; Jeff Veres 2-17; Marlon Anthony 1-13; J.J. Jackson 1-4; Sloan Allison 1-4; T. Robinson 1-1; Tommy Hudson 1-Minus 1. Nebraska Enunwa, Quincy 4-58; Kinnie, Brandon 2-7; Cotton, Ben 1-27; Turner, Jamal 1-19; Reed, Kyler 1-13; Jean-Baptiste, Stanley 1-7; Marlowe, Tim 1-3; Heard, Braylon 1-1. INTERCEPTIONS: Chattanooga-none. Nebraska-Meredith, Cameron 1-0 FUMBLES: Chattanooga-Chris Awuah 1-0; Marquis Green 1-0. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 2-0; Carnes, Brion 1-1; Abdullah, Ameer 1-1. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Chattanooga - Reed, Keyon 1-5. Nebraska- Meredith, Cameron 2-22, Ankrah, Jason 1-2. TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Chattanooga-Consiglio, Ryan 4-10. Nebraska-David, Levonte 3-6.
56
Game 2 Nebraska 42, Fresno State 29 SCORE BY QUARTERS Fresno State No. 10 Nebraska
1 14 7
2 3 7
3 3 7
4 9 21
FINAL 29 42
Lincoln (Sept. 10) --- Taylor Martinez threw for 219 yards and rushed for 166 more, and freshman Ameer Abdullah set a school record with 211 kick return yards, including a 100-yard fourth-quarter explosion, leading No. 10 Nebraska to a 42-29 win over Fresno State. While the Bulldogs used four scoring drives of 10 or more plays, the Huskers used four scoring drives of six or fewer plays to outlast the Bulldogs, as Martinez’s 46-yard touchdown run with 2:02 left capped a back-and-forth contest. Along with a pair of touchdown runs, Martinez added a third-quarter touchdown pass to Quincy Enunwa and finished with 385 yards of total offense - the second-best total of his career. Nebraska had eight plays of 38 yards or more on the night, as six plays accounted for 279 of Nebraska’s 438 yards of total offense. Fresno State used a big play on special teams to strike first, as returner Devon Wiley took Brett Maher’s punt back 67 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead. Martinez provided a quick answer for the Huskers, pushing NU 80 yards in just five plays capped by his one-yard touchdown run. Derek Carr than provided an answer of his own with a four-yard TD run to give Fresno State a 14-7 lead. The Huskers answered again midway through the second quarter, as Martinez opened the drive with a 38-yard run, then connected with Kenny Bell on a 42-yard pass on the next play to put NU on the Bulldogs’ doorstep before Rex Burkhead scored from one yard out to tie the game at 14. But Fresno State carried the lead to the locker room by marching 67 yards on 11 plays, capped by Kevin Goessling’s 22-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in the half. The Bulldogs built their lead to 20-14 as Goessling tacked on a 36-yard field goal on their opening drive. Martinez then gave Nebraska its first lead of the game as he hooked up with Turner on a 43-yard completion before finding Enunwa on a 16-yard touchdown strike. Burkhead’s second score of the night gave the Huskers a 28-20 lead with 12:59 left, but Fresno State scored four plays later on Carr’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Josh Harper, cutting the NU lead to 28-26, as the two-point conversion failed. Abdullah answered with a dazzling 100-yard return to put the Huskers up 35-26 with 11:50 left. Fresno State pulled to within 35-29 on Goessling’s third field goal of the night, this one from 37 yards with 5:24 left, but could get no closer. Nebraska then responded with its longest sustained drive of the night, covering 80 yards in seven plays in 3:22. Burkhead carried the ball the first six times for 34 yards on the drive, before Martinez exploded over the left side on an option play to race 46 yards for the final score.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th 4th 4th 4th
07:45 05:54 00:28 04:52 00:25 10:17 08:20 12:59 12:06 11:50 05:24 02:02
FS NEB FS NEB FS FS NEB NEB FS NEB FS NEB
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Wylie 67 yd punt return (Goessling kick) Martinez 1 yd run (Maher kick) Carr 3 yd run (Goessling kick) Burkhead 1 yd run (Maher kick) Goessling 22 yd field goal Goessling 36 yd field goal Enunwa 16 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Burkhead 6 yd run (Maher kick) Harper 26 yd pass from Carr (pass failed) Abdullah 100 yd kickoff return (Maher kick) Goessling 37 yd field goal Martinez 46 yd run (Maher kick)
FS
24 40-190 254 41-20-0 81-444 0-0 5-110 6-149 2-13 7-36.1 2-1 5-50 37:12 9 of 20 1 of 1 3-3 1-4
NEB
16 35-219 219 21-10-2 56-438 0-0 1-17 5-211 0-0 5-50.8 3-0 3-25 22:48 4 of 12 1 of 2 4-4 0-0
RUSHING: Fresno St.-Rouse, Robbie (36-169); Carr, Derek (3-16); Wylie, Devon (1-5); Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 15-166; Burkhead, Rex 15-55; Abdullah, Ameer 2-3; TEAM 3-Minus 5. PASSING: Fresno St.-Carr, Derek 20-41-0-254-1. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 10-21-2-219 RECEIVING: Fresno St.-Evans, Rashad 6-63; Wylie, Devon 4-50; Rouse, Robbie 3-28; Harper, Josh 2-33; Burse, Isaiah 2-5; Johnson, A.J. 1-55; Saunders, Jalen 1-17; Raphael, Austin 1-3. Nebraska Turner, Jamal 3-63; Reed, Kyler 2-61; Bell, Kenny 1-42; Cotton, Ben 1-20; Enunwa, Quincy 1-16; Marlowe, Tim 1-13; Burkhead, Rex 1-4. INTERCEPTIONS: Fresno St.-Smith, Derron 1-13; Jones, L.J. 1-0. Nebraska-None. FUMBLES: Fresno St.-Smith, Derron 1-1; Burse, Isaiah 1-0. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 3-0 SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Fresno St.-Akers, Matt 1-4 Nebraska-None TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Fresno St.-Davis, Terrance (4-4); Knox, Kyle (2-6). Nebraska-David, Lavonte (510); Compton, Will (6-9).
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Game 3 Nebraska 51, Washington 38 SCORE BY QUARTERS Washington No. 11 Nebraska
1 7 10
2 10 10
3 0 17
4 21 14
FINAL 38 51
Lincoln (Sept. 17)---Nebraska’s offense produced its best performance of the season and the Husker special teams made big plays again to power NU to a 51-38 win over Washington. With the victory, No. 11 Nebraska improved to 3-0 and produced 40 or more points for the third consecutive game to open the season. It marked the first time since 1995 that the Huskers have accomplished that feat to open a season. Rex Burkhead scored on a pair of one-yard runs on back-to-back plays from scrimmage in a nine-second span in the third quarter and notched his fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career. The junior finished with 120 yards on a career-high 22 carries to lead an NU rushing attack that amassed 309 yards. Quarterback Taylor Martinez, who added 83 yards and NU’s final touchdown on 17 carries, also threw for 155 yards in the game. Martinez, who completed 10-of-21 passes for the game, needed only 10 passing yards to help the Huskers roll up 31 second-half points on their way to victory. Special teams was huge again for the Huskers, just like its been through the first two games of the season. Arguably the biggest play of the game came on Mathew May’s recovery of a muffed Washington kickoff early in third quarter. UW’s Bishop Sankey dropped the ball in the end zone, then kicked it out of the end zone where it was recovered by a diving May at the UW 1. One play later, Burkhead plunged over the top for his second one-yard run in a nine-second span to turn a tie ball game with two seconds left in the first half, into a 17-point Nebraska lead less than five minutes later. The Huskers built the lead to 37-17 on a Brett Maher field goal with 7:20 left in the third quarter. Maher was perfect on three field goals and six extra points on the afternoon, while booting four punts for a 40.3-yard average. Nebraska pushed the lead to 44-17 early in the third quarter by capping its longest drive of the season on freshman Aaron Green’s six-yard touchdown run with 12:18 left in the game. Green, who finished with five carries for 36 yards, and added a 25-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, put an exclamation point on a nine-play, 86-yard drive that consumed 4:51. Trailing by 27, the Huskies continued to fight. UW quarterback Keith Price finished with 274 yards and four touchdowns on 21-of-37 passing. He also threw two interceptions, including Lavonte David’s first career pick, and Austin Cassidy’s interception on UW’s final offensive play of the game.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th 4th 4th 4th
14:26 11:54 07:39 13:40 12:17 09:24 00:00 10:18 10:09 07:20 12:18 10:15 07:21 04:42 04:27
TEAM STATISTICS
NEB WASH NEB WASH NEB WASH NEB NEB NEB NEB NEB WASH WASH NEB WASH
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Legate 3 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Kearse 38 yd pass from Price (Folk kick) Maher 44 yd field goal Kearse 6 yd pass from Price (Folk kick) Green 25 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Folk 40 yd field goal Maher 35 yd field goal Burkhead 1 yd run (Maher kick) Burkhead 1 yd run (Maher kick) Maher 29 yd field goal Green 6 yd run (Maher kick) Polk 2 yd run (Folk kick) Johnson 10 yd pass from Price (Folk kick) Martinez 6 yd run (Maher kick) Johnson 52 yd pass from Price (Folk kick)
WASH
20 31-146 274 37-21-2 68-420 0-0 3-34 7-187 0-0 5-40.6 2-1 9-90 29:31 7 of 14 0 of 1 3-4 2-9
NEB
22 55-309 155 21-10-0 76-464 0-0 3-27 5-154 2-0 4-40.8 2-1 7-60 30:29 3 of 12 0 of 1 7-7 2-3
RUSHING: Washington-Polk, Chris 22-130; Price, Keith 6-10; Callier, Jesse 3-6. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 22-120; Martinez, Taylor 17-83; Legate, Tyler 2-37; Green, Aaron 5-36; Heard, Braylon 5-34; Abdullah, Ameer 1-4; TEAM 3-Minus-5. PASSING: Washington-Price, Keith 21-37-2-274. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 10-21-0-155. RECEIVING: Washington-Johnson, James 6-108; Kearse, Jermaine 5-69; Aguilar, Devin 5-42; Williams, Kasen 2-24; Polk, Chris 2-16; Seferian-Jenkins, Austin 1-15. Nebraska-Bell, Kenny 2-59; Turner, Jamal 2-34; Enunwa, Quincy 2-7; Green, Aaron 1-25; Reed, Kyler 1-19; Cotton, Ben 1-8; Legate, Tyler 1-3. INTERCEPTIONS: Washington-None. Nebraska-David, Lavonte 1-0; Cassidy, Austin 1-0. FUMBLES: Washington-Price, Keith 1-0; Sankey, Bishop 1-1. Nebraska-Abdullah, Ameer 1-1; Martinez, Taylor 1-0. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Washington-Dennison, Cort 1-2; Fuimaono, Princeton 1-7. Nebraska-Crick, Jared 1-1; Meredith, Cameron 1-2. TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Washington-Glenn, Justin 8-7. Nebraska-Stafford, Daimion 6-3.
HUSKERS.COM
Game 4 Nebraska 38, Wyoming 14 SCORE BY QUARTERS No. 9 Nebraska Wyoming
1 7 0
2 7 7
3 10 0
4 14 7
FINAL 38 14
Laramie, Wyo. (Sept. 24) -- I-back Rex Burkhead rushed for a career-high 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns to carry No. 9 Nebraska to a 38-14 victory at previously unbeaten Wyoming. Burkhead’s career-best performance marked his second straight 100-yard rushing effort and sixth of his career and included scoring runs of 45 and 16 yards. His impressive rushing total came on just 15 carries, easily topping his previous career high of 129 yards at Iowa State in 2010. As a team, the Huskers rolled up a season-high 333 rushing yards, marking their second straight 300-yard rushing effort and fourth straight game of 200-plus to open the season. Nebraska’s ground game powered an offense that finished the night with 490 yards of total offense. Nebraska added 157 yards through the air, as Taylor Martinez completed 12-of-21 passes with one touchdown. Burkhead’s big night started early, as he raced 45 yards for a touchdown on the first play of NU’s second possession of the game to put the Huskers up 7-0 with 8:29 left in the first quarter. The two teams went scoreless for more than a quarter, before Martinez gave the Huskers a 14-0 edge with an eight-yard touchdown run to cap an eight-play, 80-yard drive. The Cowboys tried to keep it interesting, as Brett Smith hit Mazi Ogbonna on a quick slant that resulted in a 48-yard touchdown pass, cutting Nebraska’s lead to 14-7 with 3:37 left in the half. The Huskers seized control of the game early in the third quarter. Tim Marlowe returned the second half kickoff to the 44, and a Wyoming personal foul put the ball at the Cowboy 41-yard line. Four plays later, Burkhead capped NU’s short drive with a 16-yard scoring run to make it 21-7 just 1:21 into the second half. After the Blackshirts picked up a stop, Maher made it 24-7 with a 20-yard field goal with 8:06 left in the quarter. While the NU defense was shutting out the Cowboys in the third quarter, the offense marched 80 yards in 10 plays capped by Kenny Bell’s first career touchdown reception, an eightyard strike from Martinez with 13:55 left to take their biggest lead of the night. Wyoming continued to fight, answering with a 14-play, 80-yard march that consumed 5:42 and was capped by Smith’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Robert Herron with 8:13 left. Nebraska’s freshman running backs continued to run the ball right at Wyoming. Ameer Abdullah, Aaron Green and Braylon Heard rotated at I-back on the drive as Heard found the end zone on a one-yard plunge to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive for the final score.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th 4th
08:29 06:28 03:37 13:39 08:06 13:55 08:13 03:57
NEB NEB WY NEB NEB NEB WY NEB
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Burkhead 45 yd run (Maher kick) Martinez 8 yd run (Maher kick) Ogbonna 48 yd pass from Smith (Sullivan kick) Burkhead 16 yd run (Maher) Maher, Brett 20 yd field goal Bell 8 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Herron 10 yd pass from Smith (Sullivan) kick Heard 1 yd run (Maher kick)
NEB
21 24 49-333 157 21-12-0 70-490 0-0 1-4 1-24 1-0 3-53.0 4-1 5-48 28:32 7 of 13 0 of 0 5-6 1-3
WYO
20 18 31-137 168 34-18-1 65-305 0-0 1-9 1-20 0-0 6-44.0 0-0 7-68 31:28 7 of 17 1 of 2 1-2 1-3
RUSHING: Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 15-170; Jones, Austin 4-38; Martinez, Taylor 12-37; Abdullah, Ameer 3-36; Heard, Braylon 9-33; Green, Aaron 3-19; Legate, Tyler 1-4; TEAM 2-minus-4. Wyoming- Alvester Alexander 14-55; Miller,Brandon 10-38; Herron, Robert 1-21; Muhammad,Ghaali 3-21; Smith, Brett 3-2. PASSING: Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 12-21-0-157. Wyoming-Smith, Brett 17-33-1-166; McCoy, Austin 1-1-0-2 RECEIVING: Nebraska-Kinnie, Brandon 3-31; Turner, Jamal 2-23; Bell, Kenny 2-20; Reed, Kyler 1-44; Enunwa, Quincy 1-30; Abdullah, Ameer 1-11; Legate, Tyler 1-2; Burkhead, Rex 1-minus-4. Wyoming-Herron, Robert 4-35; Rufran, Dominic 3-26; Doctson, Josh 3-17; Ogbonna, Mazi 2-54; McNeill, Chris 2-18; Muhammad, Ghaali 2-11; Lester, DeJay 2-7. INTERCEPTIONS: Nebraska-Smith, P.J. 1-0. Wyoming-None. FUMBLES: Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 2-0; Abdullah, Ameer 1-1; Heard, Braylon 1-0. Wyoming-None. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Nebraska-Randall, Thaddeus 1-3. Wyoming-Knapton, Gabe 1-3 TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Nebraska-Smith, P.J. 4-3 Wyoming-Biezuns, Josh 3-5
57
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Game 5 Wisconsin 48, Nebraska 17 SCORE BY QUARTERS No. 8 Nebraska No. 7 Wisconsin
1 7 7
2 7 20
3 0 14
4 3 7
Game 6 No. 14 Nebraska 34, Ohio St. 27 FINAL 17 48
Madison, Wis. (Oct. 1) -- No. 8 Nebraska led No. 7 Wisconsin 14-7 in the second quarter, but the Badgers turned three interceptions into three touchdowns en route to a 48-17 victory at Camp Randall Stadium Saturday. In a battle of top-10 teams in the Huskers’ first-ever Big Ten Conference game, the Huskers executed well during the first 20 minutes in front of 81,384 fans and an ABC primetime national television audience. Rex Burkhead led the Huskers with 96 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Taylor Martinez added 61 yards and a score on 20 carries. Martinez added 176 passing yards while completing 11-of-22 attempts, but was intercepted three times during a six-minute span that turned the tide. Jamal Turner led the Husker receivers with career highs of five receptions for 84 yards. Montee Ball led the Badger ground game with 151 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries, while Russell Wilson completed 14-of-20 passes for 255 yards and two scores through the air. Wilson added 32 yards and another score on six carries for Wisconsin, as the Badgers out-gained Nebraska 486-355. Nebraska led 14-7 after a Burkhead touchdown run with 12:45 left in the half, but Wisconsin responded with a 77-yard drive as Bell scored his second TD of the night to pull the Badgers within 14-13. The Huskers maintained that 14-13 lead until Wilson connected with Jared Abbrederis on a 36-yard touchdown strike with 2:03 left in the half. Wisconsin’s third scoring drive was set up by an interception by Mike Taylor. Trailing 20-14, Nebraska had a chance to answer and regain the lead heading into the locker room and was in Badger territory before Aaron Henry snuffed out the drive with an interception. The Badgers converted in less than a minute, as Wilson found Nick Toon on a 46-yard touchdown to put Wisconsin up 27-14 with 27 seconds left in the half. But after a 38-yard kickoff return by Ameer Abdullah set the offense up at the NU 39 to start the second half, Martinez threw his third interception on the Huskers’ opening play from scrimmage in the half. The interception by Antonio Fenelus gave the Badgers the ball back at the NU 42, and they converted seven plays later on a 10-yard run by Wilson to push Wisconsin’s lead to 34-14 with 11:21 left in the quarter. Ball added his third touchdown run of the game with 2:36 left in the third quarter to push the edge to 41-14, before Maher finally stopped Wisconsin’s 34-point run with a 32-yard field goal with 13:35 left in the game. Ball put the exclamation point on the night for Wisconsin with his fourth touchdown run, this time from 15 yards out, with 5:11 left to end the scoring.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th
06:02 01:27 12:45 09:48 02:03 00:32 11:21 02:36 13:35 05:11
NEB WIS NEB WIS WIS WIS WIS WIS NEB WIS
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Martinez 1 yd run (Maher kick) Ball 1 yd run (Welch kick) Burkhead 1 yd run (Maher kick) Ball 3 yd run (Welch kick blocked) Abbrederis 36 yd pass from Wilson (Welch kick) Toon 46 yd pass from Wilson (Welch kick) Wilson 10 yd run (Welch kick) Ball 4 yd run (Welch kick) Maher 32 yd field goal Ball 15 yd run (Welch kick)
NEB
20 43-159 176 22-11-3 65-335 0-0 1-11 8-192 0-0 3-42.3 2-0 9-80 24:45 5 of 12 1 of 1 3-4 2-15
WIS
27 50-231 255 20-14-0 70-486 0-0 1-21 4-76 3-20 2-41.5 1-1 4-39 35:15 8 of 12 1 of 1 5-5 2-7
RUSHING: Nebraska- Burkhead, Rex, 18-96; Martinez, Taylor 20-61; Abdullah, Ameer 2-5; Legate, Tyler 1-4; Cooper, Khiry 1-1; TEAM 1-minus-8. Wisconsin-Ball, Montee 30-151; Wilson, Russell 6-32; White, James 11-26; Abbrederis, Jared 2-23; TEAM 1-minus-1 PASSING: Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 11-22-3-176-0. Wisconsin-Wilson, Russell 14-20-0-255-2 RECEIVING: Nebraska-Turner, Jamal 5-84; Kinnie, Brandon 2-17; Enunwa, Quincy 1-29; Cotton, Ben 1-28; Bell, Kenny 1-9; Burkhead, Rex 1-9. Wisconsin-Abbrederis, Jared 5-95; Toon, Nick 4-94; Pedersen, Jacob 3-49; White, James 2-17 INTERCEPTIONS: Nebraska-None. Wisconsin-Henry, Aaron 1-11; Taylor, Mike 1-minus-1; Fenelus, Antonio 1-10 FUMBLES: Nebraska-Nebraska-Legate, Tyler 1-0; Martinez, Taylor 1-0. Wisconsin-Abbrederis, Jared 1-1. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Nebraska-David, Lavonte 2-15; Wisconsin-Kelly, Brendon 1-6; Allen, Beau 1-1 TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Nebraska-Stafford, Daimion 6-3. Wisconsin-Taylor, Mike 5-9
58
SCORE BY QUARTERS Ohio State No. 14 Nebraska
1 10 3
2 10 3
3 7 14
4 0 14
FINAL 27 34
Lincoln, Neb. (Oct. 16) -- A third-quarter fumble recovery by Lavonte David sparked Nebraska to its biggest comeback in school history, as the Huskers scored 28 unanswered points in a 34-27 victory in the first Big Ten home game in Memorial Stadium history. With the Huskers trailing 27-6 in the third quarter, David stripped the ball from Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller and recovered a fumble that set the Huskers up at the OSU 23-yard line. NU capitalized two plays later, as Martinez scored from 18 yards to pull Nebraska within 27-13. David, who led the Huskers with 13 tackles, played one of the hero roles for Nebraska, while Sean Fisher’s tackle of Miller late in the third quarter put the Buckeye quarterback out of the game and helped slow down Ohio State’s attack. The Huskers kept clawing back, as Martinez, who completed 16-of-22 passes for 191 yards and two scores, found Quincy Enunwa on a 36-yard scoring strike to cut the OSU lead to 27-20 with 1:44 left in the third quarter. The Blackshirts continued to stifle Joe Bauserman and the Buckeyes, and the Huskers tied the score on Burkhead’s career-long 30-yard touchdown reception from Martinez with 7:44 to play. Converted wide receiver Stanley Jean-Baptiste then made the biggest play of his Husker career in his first appearance as a cornerback, producing a leaping interception to give Nebraska a shot at the victory. Martinez and Burkhead capitalized again, as Burkhead, who finished with 119 yards on 26 carries, capped NU’s four-play, 78-yard game-winning drive with a 17-yard scoring burst down the Ohio State sideline with 5:10 left in the game. Burkhead, who carried 26 times, had 96 yards rushing in the fourth quarter along with his 30-yard touchdown catch. Martinez joined Burkhead in triple figures, as he finished with 102 yards and a score on 17 carries, as the Huskers had 195 yards on the ground in the second-half comeback. Nebraska’s largest comeback from a third-quarter deficit was 17 points, done most recently against Texas A&M in 2002.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th
07:16 05:15 01:51 12:46 02:44 00:00 10:53 07:23 01:44 07:35 05:10
OSU NEB OSU OSU NEB OSU OSU NEB NEB NEB NEB
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Basil 41 yd field goal Maher 50 yd field goal Stoneburner 32 yd pass from Miller (Basil kick) Hyde 63 yd run (Basil kick) Maher 34 yd field goal Basil 35 yd field goal Hyde 1 yd run (Basil kick) Martinez 18 yd run (Maher kick) Enunwa 36 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Burkhead 30 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Burkhead 17 yd run (Maher kick)
OSU
16 41-243 108 18-6-1 59-351 0-0 0-0 5-116 1-7 6-43.3 2-1 9-75 29:17 5 of 13 0 of 0 2-2 2-8
NEB
25 51-232 191 22-16-1 73-423 0-0 2-6 5-111 1-0 4-44.2 2-0 6-50 30:43 7 of 15 0 of 1 3-4 1-1
RUSHING: Ohio State-Hyde, Carlos 13-104; Miller, Braxton 10-91; Hall, Jordan 17-49; Bauserman, Joe 1-minus-1. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 26-119; Martinez, Taylor 17-102; Abdullah, Ameer 2-16; Green, Aaron 1-7; Marlowe, Tim 1-2; TEAM 3-minus-7; Turner, Jamal 1-minus-7 PASSING: Ohio State-Bauserman, Joe 1-10-1-13; Miller, Braxton 5-8-0-95. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 16-22-1-191 RECEIVING: Ohio State-Brown, Corey 3-61; Stoneburner, Jacob 1-32; Boren, Zach 1-11; Smith, Devin 1-4 5. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 5-59; Bell, Kenny 3-33; Reed, Kyler 3-28; Kinnie, Brandon 2-14; Enunwa, Quincy 1-36; Cooper, Khiry 1-17; Cotton, Ben 1-4. INTERCEPTIONS: Ohio State-Johnson, Orhian 1-7. Nebraska-Jean-Baptist, Stanley 1-0 FUMBLES (No.-Lost): Ohio State-Miller, Braxton 2-1. Nebraska-Turner, Jamal 1-0; Abdullah, Ameer 1-0. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Ohio State-Bennett, Michael 1-6; Hankins, Johnathan 1-2. Nebraska-Rome, Chase 1-1. TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Ohio State-Bryant, Christian 6-4. Nebraska-David, Lavonte 6-7
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Game 7 Nebraska 41, Minnesota 14
Game 8 Nebraska 24, Michigan State 3
SCORE BY QUARTERS No. 13 Nebraska Minnesota
SCORE BY QUARTERS No. 9 Michigan State No. 13 Nebraska
1 10 0
2 24 0
3 7 7
4 0 7
FINAL 41 14
Minneapolis, Minn. (Oct. 22) -- No. 13 Nebraska scored on all five of its offensive possessions in the first half and added a defensive score to jump to a 34-0 halftime lead on its way to a 41-14 victory at Minnesota. Nebraska dominated in every phase of the game, amassing a season-high 515 yards of total offense compared to just 254 for the Golden Gophers. In fact 89 of Minnesota’s 254 yards came on its final drive of the game against Husker reserves, which took 16 plays and chewed up 7:59 on the game clock. Junior I-back Rex Burkhead led the Huskers by producing his second straight 100-yard rushing effort with 117 yards and one score on 23 attempts. Burkhead’s fourth 100-yard performance of the season and eighth of his career powered a Husker ground game that rolled for a season-high 346 yards. Quarterback Taylor Martinez provided balance for the Huskers by completing 13-of-22 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown while adding 52 yards rushing on just 10 carries. Nebraska’s most explosive rushing play came from wide receiver Kenny Bell, who provided a career highlight with his 82-yard touchdown run on a reverse early in the second quarter to put the Huskers up 17-0. Bell’s run, which was the longest touchdown run by a freshman in Nebraska history, also marked NU’s longest touchdown run since Cory Ross uncorked an 86-yard scoring sprint against Missouri on Oct. 30, 2004. Bell added four receptions for 25 yards on the day. Freshman Braylon Heard added seven carries for 42 yards after missing NU’s past two contests with an injury. Fellow freshman I-back Ameer Abdullah contributed seven carries of his own for 30 yards. Freshman I-back Aaron Green pitched in six carries for 20 yards and a third-quarter touchdown. Brandon Kinnie contributed one of his best receiving days of the season with two catches for 58 yards, including a career-long 61-yard reception midway through the second quarter to set up Nebraska’s fourth offensive score of the day. Ben Cotton (25 yards) and Jamal Turner (20 yards) each pitched in a pair of receptions on the afternoon for the Huskers as well. Fullback Tyler Legate added a 10-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, which pushed Nebraska’s lead to 10-0, after Brett Maher opened the scoring for the Huskers with a 22-yard field goal with 8:03 left in the game. It was the first on two field goals on the day for Maher. Austin Cassidy provided Nebraska’s biggest defensive highlight by scooping up a second-quarter fumble by Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray and plunging into the end zone for Cassidy’s second career touchdown to give NU a 27-0 lead. Cassidy joined senior linebacker Lavonte David in leading the Blackshirt defense with six tackles apiece on the day. P.J. Smith and Andrew Green each pitched in five tackles to help the Huskers hold Minnesota to just 132 yards on the ground and just 122 through the air.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th
08:03 03:27 14:38 09:49 09:34 00:33 06:45 00:39 01:41
NEB NEB NEB NEB NEB NEB MINN NEB MINN
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost 2-0 Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Maher 22 yd field goal Legate 10 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Bell 82 yd run (Maher kick) Maher 25 yd field goal Cassidy 11 yd fumble recovery (Maher kick) Burkhead 4 yd run (Maher kick) Gray 5 yd run (Hawthorne kick) Green 4 yd run (Bondi kick) Bennett 6 yd run (Hawthorne kick)
NEB
27 56-346 169 23-14-0 79-515 1-11 0-0 2-33 0-0 2-24.5 3-1 5-43 31:52 8 of 17 3 of 3 5-5 0-0
Minn
11 39-132 122 18-9-0 57-254 0-0 0-0 8-195 0-0 6-33.2 5-55 28:08 7 of 15 1 of 2 2-3 0-0
RUSHING: Minnesota-Gray, MarQueis 17-67; Bennett, Duane 12-55; Kirkwood 8-17; Jones, Marcus 1-0; TEAM 1-minus-7. Nebraska- Burkhead, Rex 23-117; Bell, Kenny 1-82; Martinez, Taylor 10-52; Heard, Braylon 7-42; Abdullah, Ameer 7-30; Green, Aaron 6-20; Legate, Tyler 1-3; Jones, Austin 1-0. PASSING: Minnesota-Gray, MarQueis 9-18-0-122. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 13-22-0-162; Carnes, Brion 1-1-0-7 RECEIVING: Minnesota-McKnight, DaJon 2-77; Crawford-Tufts, Devin 2-17; Jones, Marcus 1-9; McGarry, Collin 1-6; Green, Brandon 1-6; Goodger, Drew 1-4; Lair, Eric 1-3; Nebraska-Bell, Kenny 4-25; Kinnie, Brandon 2-58; Cotton, Ben 2-25; Turner, Jamal 2-20; Cooper, Khiry 1-16; Legate, Tyler 1-10; Marlowe, Tim 1-8; Enunwa, Quincy 1-7 INTERCEPTIONS: Minnesota-None. Nebraska-None FUMBLES (total-lost): Minnesota-Gray, MarQueis 2-1; TEAM 1-0. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 2-0 SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Minnesota-None. Nebraska-None TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Minnesota-Cooper, Keanon 4-8. Nebraska-Cassidy, Austin 3-3; David, Lavonte 2-4
HUSKERS.COM
1 0 10
2 3 0
3 0 14
4 0 0
FINAL 3 24
Lincoln (Oct. 29)---Rex Burkhead scored three touchdowns and accounted for 157 all-purpose yards to power No. 13 Nebraska to a 24-3 pounding of No. 9 Michigan State. With the victory, Nebraska improved to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, while also notching their second win over an Associated Press top-10 team in the past two seasons under Coach Bo Pelini. Burkhead dominated the game with 130 yards and two scores on a career-high 35 carries. He added a 27-yard touchdown catch late in the third quarter that put the Huskers up 24-3. His 35 carries came up just two carries shy of Nebraska’s singlegame record. It was Burkhead’s fifth 100-yard rushing effort of the season and ninth of his career. The junior I-back from Plano, Texas, accounted for more than half of Nebraska’s 271 total yards on the day, finishing with 157 all-purpose yards and all three of NU’s touchdowns. The Huskers finished with 190 rushing yards on 58 attempts, while Taylor Martinez completed 7-of-13 passes for 80 yards, including a third-quarter scoring strike to Burkhead to seal the win. Leading 10-3 at the half, Burkhead and the Huskers put the game away in the third quarter with a dominant all-around effort. Nebraska’s two third-quarter possessions covered 169 yards on 26 plays and 11:06 of the clock with both resulting in touchdowns. In the quarter, Burkhead carried 14 times for 64 yards, while adding his only catch for 27 yards to finish with 91 yards. Burkhead and the Huskers jumped to a quick 10-0 first-quarter lead by taking advantage of a Michigan State mistake while playing strong defense. After the Spartans picked up two first downs on the ground on the game’s opening drive, Husker senior defensive back Lance Thorell stepped in front of MSU receiver B.J. Cunningham and picked off a Kirk Cousins pass at the NU 49. Thorell returned it 26 yards to the Michigan State 25. It was the first career interception for the former walk-on from Loomis, Neb. The Huskers capitalized seven plays later when Burkhead spun into the end zone from one yard out to give Nebraska a 7-0 lead with 9:01 left in the opening quarter. The Blackshirts forced three-and-outs on Michigan State’s next two possessions, before the offense pushed the Nebraska lead to 10 on Brett Maher’s 20-yard field goal with 1:21 left in the quarter. Maher’s 14th field goal of the season was set up by Tim Marlowe’s career-long 39-yard run on an end-around on second-and-10 from MSU 40. The Spartans finally put points on the board with 1:38 left in the half on Dan Conroy’s 28-yard field goal. Conroy’s kick followed Nebraska’s lone turnover of the half, when a pass from Martinez was intercepted by Johnny Adams at the MSU 47 and returned 25 yards to the NU 28.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 2nd 3rd 3rd
09:12 01:21 01:38 09:32 00:20
TEAM STATISTICS
NEB NEB MSU NEB NEB
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Burkhead 1 yd run (Maher kick) Maher 20 yd field goal Conroy 28 yd field goal Burkhead 1 yd run (Maher kick) Burkhead 27 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick)
MSU
12 30-101 86 27-11-1 57-187 0-0 3-31 4-119 1-25 5-36.4 0-0 9-90 28:35 3 of 14 1 of 3 1-2 1-5
NEB
18 58-190 80 13-7-1 71-270 0-0 1--4 1-28 1-26 4-43.2 3-0 9-58 31:25 7 of 15 0 of 0 3-3 4-21
RUSHING: Michigan State- Bell, Le’Veon 12-58; Baker, Edwin 10-38; Martin, Keshawn 2-5; Cousins, Kirk 6-0. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 35-130; Marlowe, Tim 1-39; Martinez, Taylor 12-23; Green, Aaron 4-8; Bell, Kenny 1-4; Legate, Tyler 1-0; TEAM 3-minus-7; Heard, Braylon 1-minus-7. PASSING: Michigan State-Cousins, Kirk 11-27-1-86. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 7-13-1-80 RECEIVING: Michigan State-Martin, Keshawn 5-58; Bell, Le’Veon 3-12; Linthicum, Brian 2-16; Anderson, Todd 1-0. Nebraska-Kinnie, Brandon 2-23; Cotton, Ben 2-5; Burkhead, Rex 1-27; Bell, Kenny 1-19; Marlowe, Tim 1-6. INTERCEPTIONS: Michigan State-Adams, Johnny 1-25. Nebraska-Thorell, Lance 1-26. FUMBLES: Michigan State-None. Nebraska-Abdullah, Ameer 2-0; Thorell, Lance 1-0. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Michigan State-Gholston, William 1-5. Nebraska-Martin, Eric 2-14; Steinkuhler, Baker, 1-4; Meredith, Cameron 1-3. TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Michigan State-Gholston, William 4-11. Nebraska-David, Lavonte 6-7
59
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Game 9 Northwestern 28, Nebraska 25 SCORE BY QUARTERS Northwestern No. 9 Nebraska
1 7 0
2 0 3
3 7 7
4 14 15
FINAL 28 25
Lincoln, Neb. (Nov. 5)--- Taylor Martinez completed 28of-37 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to prevent No. 9 Nebraska from being upset by visiting Northwestern, 28-25. Despite producing one of the most efficient passing days of his career, and rushing 12 times for 53 yards, Martinez and the Husker offense managed just 25 points against a stingy Wildcat defense. Martinez and the Huskers managed 411 yards of total offense, but Nebraska trailed from nearly start to finish against the Wildcats. Northwestern produced 468 yards of total offense with a balanced attack that included 261 passing yards and 207 rushing yards. Northwestern held Nebraska’s rushing game to just 122 yards on 35 carries, led by Rex Burkhead’s 69 yards on 22 carries. Kain Colter led the Wildcat running game with 17 carries for 57 yards and two scores, while Treyvon Green added 14 carries for 53 yards, and Jacob Schmidt added 13 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. Martinez played a turnover-free game for the Huskers at quarterback, but Nebraska lost two other fumbles. However, the Blackshirts forced three Northwestern turnovers on the afternoon, including Austin Cassidy’s interception in the end zone and 50-yard return to set up Nebraska’s first touchdown in the third quarter. The Wildcats led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a two-yard touchdown run by Schmidt. Nebraska cut the lead to 7-3 at the half on Brett Maher’s 36-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Huskers were unable to take advantage of several scoring opportunities in the quarter, including losing a fumble inside the Wildcat 5. The Huskers also lost a fu mble on a completed pass later in the quarter as they were approaching the red zone. Northwestern went up 14-3 early in the third quarter on Colter’s three-yard run, before Nebraska answered with Martinez’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Tim Marlowe. It was Marlowe’s first career touchdown. The Wildcats struck quickly in the fourth quarter, as Colter connected with Jeremy Ebert on an 81-yard touchdown pass. It was Northwestern’s longest play from scrimmage of the season and capped a career-best 147-yard receiving day on six catches for Ebert. Nebraska answered less than four minutes later to cut the Cat lead to 21-18 on Burkhead’s one-yard touchdown plunge and Martinez’s ensuing two-point conversion run with 8:55 left in the game. The Blackshirts needed to stop the Wildcats on the next drive, but Colter engineered a 13-play, 66-yard drive that consumed 7:14 and resulted in his one-yard touchdown run. Northwestern went up 28-18 with 1:34 left and left Nebraska in need of a miracle. Martinez and the Husker offense answered the call by covering 74 yards in 10 plays and just 1:10 capped by Martinez’s 14-yard touchdown strike to Kenny Bell with 18 seconds left. After Maher’s extra point cut the lead to 28-25, he attempted an onside kick to give Martinez and the offense one last shot at victory. But the Wildcats recovered the kick and claimed their first-ever win in Lincoln.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th 4th 4th
02:08 02:26 12:13 03:52 12:16 08:55 01:34 00:18
NU NEB NU NEB NU NEB NU NEB
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Schmidt 2 yd run (Budzien kick) Maher 36 yd field goal Colter 3 yd run (Budzien kick) Marlowe 15 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Ebert 81 yd pass from Colter (Budzien kick) Burkhead 1 yd run (Martinez rush) Colter 1 yd run (Budzien kick) Bell 14 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick)
NW
25 54-207 261 24-16-2 78-468 0-0 0-0 3-83 0-0 2-42.0 1-1 2-20 34:06 7 of 12 2 of 2 3-4 1-10
NU
21 35-122 289 37-28-0 72-411 0-0 1-0 5-115 2-48 4-47.5 2-2 6-41 25:54 10 of 17 1 of 2 4-5 1-7
RUSHING: Northwestern-Colter, Kain 17-57; Green, Treyvon 14-54; Schmidt, Jacob 13-54; Persa, Dan 5-35; Mark, Venric 2-6; Smith, Adonis 2-3; TEAM 1-minus-2. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 22-69; Martinez, Taylor 12-53; Abdullah, Ameer 1-0 PASSING: Northwestern-Persa, Dan 9-14-1-79; Colter, Kain 4-6-0-115; Siemian, Trevor 3-4-1-67 Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 28-37-0-289 RECEIVING: Northwestern-Ebert, Jeremy 6-147; Dunsmore, Drake 4-39; Colter, Kain 3-57; Brown, Charles 1-10; Green, Treyvon 1-5; Fields, Demetrius 1-3. Nebraska-Kinnie, Brandon 6-42; Bell, Kenny 5-58; Burkhead, Rex 5-34; Marlowe, Tim 4-44; Cotton, Ben 3-36; Enunwa, Quincy 2-34; Reed, Kyler 2-31; Cooper, Khiry 1-10 INTERCEPTIONS: Northwestern-None. Nebraska-Cassidy, Austin 1-50. FUMBLES (total-lost): Northwestern-Colter, Kain 1-1. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 1-1; Enunwa, Quincy 1-1. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Northwestern-Proby, Damien 1-10. Nebraska- Steinkuhler, Baker 1-7 TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Northwestern-Campbell, Ibraheim 7-6. Nebraska-Thorell, Lance 9-6
60
Game 10 Nebraska 17, Penn State 14 SCORE BY QUARTERS No. 19 Nebraska No. 12 Penn State
1 0 0
2 10 0
3 7 7
4 0 7
FINAL 17 14
University Park, Pa. (Nov. 12)--- Rex Burkhead pounded out his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season with 121 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown in Nebraska’s 17-14 win over No. 12 Penn State. The victory over Penn State marked the highest ranked team Nebraska has defeated away from home since a victory over sixthranked Tennessee in the 2000 Fiesta Bowl and the highest ranked team Nebraska has defeated in a true road game since 1997. After Penn State cut the Husker lead to 17-14, the Blackshirts came up big, stopping PSU on its final two possessions, including a 4th-and-1 at the 37 when Lavonte David stuffed Silas Redd to deny PSU a first down. Nebraska got the ball back with 1:49 on the clock and a chance to end the game. The Huskers forced Penn State to use the rest of its timeouts, but a fourth-down stop on a run by Burkhead on 4th-and-2 from the 29 gave Penn State the ball back. Following an incomplete pass on first down, the Husker secondary was flagged for defensive holding, giving PSU 1st-and-10 at its 37. Matt McGloin completed one more pass for nine yards, but the Blackshirts held. Burkhead’s running and the play of Taylor Martinez, who completed 13 of 26 passes for 143 yards while adding 56 yards on 18 carries, supplied the offense against a stout Nittany Lion defense. After just two first downs in the first quarter, the Huskers started to find a rhythm on their opening drive of the second quarter, taking a 10-0 lead into the half. Brett Maher’s 41-yard field goal got the Huskers into the scoring column. The Huskers extended their lead to 10-0 as the first half was winding down after covering 80 yards in 12 plays, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Ameer Abdullah with 44 seconds left in the half The Huskers’ eventual game-winning score came off a 14-yard option run from Martinez to Burkhead in the third quarter following the first turnover of the game. After the Huskers opened the second half with a punt, Penn State took over on its own 30 and crossed into Nebraska territory with 1st-and-10 on the NU 41. The drive ended on the next play when Cameron Meredith forced a fumble on a seven-yard sack of McGloin that was recovered by Eric Martin. The Husker offense followed with eight straight running plays from Martinez and Burkhead that covered 52 yards, including 31 yards on the final two plays of the drive. At the time it looked as if the Huskers had taken complete control with a 17-0 lead, but Penn State would answered with 14 straight points. Following the Burkhead touchdown, Penn State responded with a nine-play drive that covered 82 yards in 3:36. The biggest play of the drive came on a 40-yard pass from McGloin to Derek Moye to the NU 5. Stephfon Green scampered into the end zone two plays later from five yards out. Early in the fourth quarter Penn State capitalized on Nebraska’s only turnover of the game, marching 51 yards in nine plays to cut the NU lead to 17-14, capped by a six-yard run from Green.
SCORING SUMMARY
2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th
10:55 00:44 08:51 05:07 05:42
NEB NEB NEB PSU PSU
Maher 41 yd field goal Abdullah, 2 yd run (Maher kick) Burkhead 14 yd run (Maher kick) Green 5 yd run (Fera kick) Green 6 yd run (Fera kick)
TEAM STATISTICS PSU
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
21 48-188 143 27-13-0 75-331 0-0 0-0 3-61 0-0 8-45.0 1-1 6-45 29:03 6 of 16 0 of 1 2-2 1-7
NU
21 43-166 209 35-17-0 78-375 0-0 3-37 3-61 0-0 7-42.3 1-1 3-32 30:57 5 of 16 1 of 3 2-2 1-3
RUSHING: Penn State-Green, Stephfon 17-71; Redd, Silas 15-53; Beachum, Brandon 7-36; Kersey, Shawney 1-4; Suhey, Joe 1-3; McGloin, Matt 2-minus-1. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 26-121; Martinez, Taylor 18-56; Reed, Kyler 1-5; Marlowe, Tim 1-4; Abdullah, Ameer 2-2 PASSING: Penn State-McGloin, Matt 16-34-0-193; Drake, Curtis 1-1-0-16. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 13-26-0-143; Burkhead, Rex 0-1-0-0 RECEIVING: Penn State-Moye, Derek 4-78; Brown, Justin 3-30; Green, Stephfon 3-5; Smith, Devon 2-19; Drake, Curtis 1-31; McGloin, Matt 1-16; Szczerba, Andrew 1-14; Robinson, Allen 1-9; Haplea, Kevin 1-7. Nebraska-Bell, Kenny 4-42; Reed, Kyler 3-40; Enunwa, Quincy 2-14; Cooper, Khiry 1-17; Marlowe, Tim 1-15; Cotton, Ben 1-14; Burkhead, Rex 1-1. INTERCEPTIONS: Penn State-None. Nebraska-None FUMBLES (total-lost): Penn State-McGloin, Matt 1-1. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 1-1 SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Penn State-Crawford, Jack 1-3. Nebraska- Meredith, Cameron 1-7 TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Penn State-Stupar, Nate 6-7. Nebraska-Compton, Will 6-7
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Game 11 Michigan 45, Nebraska 17 SCORE BY QUARTERS No. 17 Nebraska No. 20 Michigan
1 7 10
2 3 7
3 7 14
4 0 14
Game 12 Nebraska 20, Iowa 7 FINAL 17 45
Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nov. 19) -- A collection of special teams miscues by Nebraska allowed No. 20 Michigan to control the ball, the clock and the second half in the No. 17 Huskers’ 45-17 loss to the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Although the Huskers surrendered 45 points on the scoreboard, the Blackshirts were handcuffed by special teams and offensive turnovers throughout the second half. After Michigan jumped to a 10-0 first-quarter lead, Nebraska responded with 10 unanswered points to pull even. Taylor Martinez connected with senior wide receiver Brandon Kinnie on a 54-yard touchdown strike to cut the margin to 10-7 before Terrence Moore’s interception set up a Brett Maher 51-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Michigan provided an answer of its own with a 12-play, 74-yard drive that consumed 6:07 on the clock and culminated with Robinson’s 14-yard touchdown run with 6:05 left in the half. The two teams went to the halftime locker room with the Wolverines up 17-10, but the Huskers were set to receive the second-half kickoff with a chance to even the score. Nebraska’s second-half special teams woes began immediately. Kenny Bell fumbled the kickoff, and Michigan converted into a one-yard run by Denard Robinson to make it 24-10. The Husker offense managed a first down on its first possession of the second half, but Michigan held on 3rd-and-6 to force a Maher punt. Maher mishandled a good snap, and had his first punt of the season blocked to set the Wolverines up with another short field at the 50. Eight plays later, Fitzgerald Toussaint rumbled in from one yard out to give Michigan a 31-10 lead with 5:03 left in the third quarter. Nebraska fought back, pulling to within 31-17 after Ameer Abdullah’s three-yard touchdown run. The Blackshirts appeared to breathe more life into the Huskers by stopping the Wolverines on 3rd-and-4 to set up a punt on 4th-and-7 at the Michigan 17. NU’s Wil Richards came free on a chance at a punt block attempt, but instead of blocking the punt was flagged for roughing the kicker. Instead of having the ball inside the Michigan 10 with a chance to pull within a score, Michigan had a fresh set of downs. Robinson and the Wolverines took advantage by completing a 10-play, 86-yard march that covered 5:39. Robinson put the exclamation point on the Michigan victory by connecting with Martavious Odoms on a 38-yard touchdown pass against double coverage. Michigan capitalized on Nebraska’s third turnover of the day for its final score.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th
08:17 02:03 01:17 12:12 06:05 11:23 05:03 00:53 10:14 07:33
MICH MICH NEB NEB MICH MICH MICH NEB MICH MICH
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Gallon 6 yd pass from Robinson (Gibbons kick) Gibbons 42 yd field goal Kinnie 54 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Maher 51 yd field goal Robinson 14 yd run (Gibbons kick) Robinson 1 yd run (Gibbons kick) Toussaint 1 yd run (Gibbons kick) Abdullah 3 yd run (Maher kick) Odoms 38 yd pass from Robinson (Gibbons kick) Toussaint 31 yd run (Gibbons kick)
NU
11 31-138 122 23-9-0 54-260 0-0 1-11 7-159 1-10 6-46.0 4-3 8-73 18:47 3 of 13 0 of 2 1-2 1-13
Mich
24 61-238 180 19-11-1 80-418 0-0 5-33 3-70 0-0 4-36.8 0-0 5-45 41:13 8 of 18 1 of 1 5-5 3-4
RUSHING: Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 16-49; Burkhead, Rex 10-36; Marlowe, Tim 1-23; Abdullah, Ameer 2-19; David, Lavonte 1-6; Green, Aaron 1-5. Michigan-Toussaint, Fitzgerald 29-138; Robinson, Denard 23-83; Hopkins, Stephen. 2-15; Dileo, Drew 1-4; Odoms, Martavious 1-1; Shaw, Michael 2-0; TEAM 3-minus-3 PASSING: Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 9-23-0-122. Michigan-Robinson, Denard 11-18-1-180; Gardner, Devin 0-1-0-0 RECEIVING: Nebraska-Marlowe, Tim 3-24; Enunwa, Quincy 3-21; Kinnie, Brandon 1-54; Reed, Kyler 1-15; Bell, Kenny 1-8. Michigan-Gallon, Jeremy 3-34; Odoms, Martavious 2-47; Hemingway, Junior 2-34; Toussaint, Fitzgerald 2-4; Roundtree, Roy 1-46; Dileo, Drew 1-15. INTERCEPTIONS: Nebraska-Moore, Terrence 1-10. Michigan-None FUMBLES (total-lost): Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 2-1; Bell, Kenny 1-1; Marlowe, Tim 1-1. Michigan-None. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Nebraska-David, Lavonte 0.5-6; Stafford, Daimion 0.5-7. Michigan-Campbell, William 1-1; Van Bergan, Ryan 1-2; Demens, Kenny 0.5-0; Ryan, Jake 0.5-1 TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Nebraska-David 14-3-17. Michigan-Kovacs, Jordan 7-0-7
HUSKERS.COM
SCORE BY QUARTERS Iowa No. 21 Nebraska
1 0 0
2 0 10
3 0 3
4 7 7
FINAL 7 20
Lincoln, Neb. (Nov. 25) -- Nebraska used a stifling defensive effort and school-record performance from I-back Rex Burkhead, as the Huskers picked up their ninth win of the season with 20-7 victory in the inaugural Heroes Game. Burkhead carried a career-high 38 times for 160 yards and a touchdown to increase his season rushing total to 1,268 yards. His 38 totes broke the school record of 37 by Cory Ross in the 2003 Alamo Bowl, as Burkhead went over 100 yards for the seventh time on the season and 11th in his career. While Burkhead punished the Iowa defense on the ground, the Blackshirts forced two turnovers and held the Hawkeyes to just 270 total yards, including 88 yards on the ground. All-America linebacker Lavonte David led the Blackshirts with eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in his final game at Memorial Stadium. With the win, Nebraska finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, its fourth consecutive nine-win season under Bo Pelini and 38th time in the last 42 years that a Husker football team has won at least nine games. After a scoreless first quarter, the Huskers struck first, driving 52 yards in 10 plays before Brett Maher’s 40-yard field goal gave the Huskers a 3-0 lead. Kenny Bell played a major role in the drive, catching two passes for 23 yards, while also drawing a defensive holding penalty to help give the drive some early momentum. Late in the first half, Nebraska went to the ground attack by sustaining an 80-yard drive for 15 plays, capped by a six-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Martinez to Kyler Reed. The catch was Reed’s first touchdown of the season. After an Iowa pass interference call, the Huskers pounded away at the Iowa defense, running on 13 of the next 14 plays, as Burkhead carried nine times for 35 yards on the drive. Facing a 4th-and-1 at the Iowa 29, Burkhead kept the drive alive with a two-yard run to move the chains. Facing a 3rd-and-3 at the Iowa 6, Martinez ran a beautiful play fake to Burkhead and found Reed uncovered in the end zone for the score to make it 10-0 with 32 seconds left in the half. The Huskers went on another long drive midway through the third quarter to set up Maher’s second field goal of the game, this one from 21 yards out to make it 13-0. Nebraska went 82 yards in 12 plays, relying on a punishing ground game along with the big play ability of Bell, who had two catches for 48 yards on the drive and a career-high 93 yards on the day. Nebraska extended the lead to 20-0 early in the fourth quarter, as Burkhead went the final two yards for his 15th rushing touchdown of the season. After six straight carries by Burkhead got the ball close to midfield, Martinez found Bell for a 22-yard catch to cross into Hawkeye territory. After Burkhead gashed the Hawkeyes for 12 yards, Martinez hooked up with Quincy Enunwa for a 19-yard strike to the Iowa 2-yard line before Burkhead cashed in on the next play. The Hawkeyes were able to escape a shutout late in the fourth quarter with an 80-yard scoring drive over 10 plays, finished off by a two-yard touchdown run by Marcus Coker.
SCORING SUMMARY
2nd 2nd 3rd 4th 4th
11:22 00:32 04:42 11:25 03:26
NEB NEB NEB NEB IOWA
Maher 40 yd field goal Reed 6 yd pass from Martinez (Maher kick) Maher 21 yd field goal Burkhead 2 yd run (Maher kick) Coker 2 yd run (Meyer kick)
TEAM STATISTICS Iowa
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
18 24-88 182 35-16-1 59-270 0-0 2-18 4-82 0-0 7-41.1 1-1 5-50 22:13 2 of 12 1 of 2 1-1 0-0
NU
25 61-222 163 22-12-0 83-385 0-0 2-1 0-0 1-0 7-41.9 2-0 9-74 37:47 10 of 21 1 of 1 3-3 1-11
RUSHING: Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 38-160; Abdullah, Ameer 12-35; Martinez, Taylor 4-20; Legate, Tyler 1-5; Marlowe, Tim 2-3; Green, Aaron 2-3; TEAM 2-minus-4. Iowa-Coker, Marcus 18-87; Vandenberg, James 4-4; McNutt, Marvin 1-0; TEAM 1-minus-3 PASSING: Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 12-22-0-163. Iowa-Vandenberg, James 16-35-1-182 RECEIVING: Nebraska-Bell, Kenny 5-93; Enunwa, Quincy 3-41; Kinnie, Brandon 2-11; Burkhead, Rex 1-12; Reed, Kyler 1-6. Iowa-Davis, Keenan 4-41; McNutt, Marvin 4-29; Fiedorowicz, C.J. 3-41; Coker, Marcus 3-39; Herman, Brad 1-22; Martin-Manley, Kevonte 1-10 INTERCEPTIONS: Nebraska-Green, Andrew 1-0. Iowa-None FUMBLES (total-lost): Nebraska-Kinnie, Brandon 1-0; TEAM 1-0. Iowa-Fiedorowicz, C.J. 1-1 SACKS (Sacks-Yds): Nebraska-David, Lavonte 1-11. Iowa-None TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): Nebraska-David, Lavonte 5-3-8. Iowa-Thomas, Nardo 4-10
61
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Game 13 Nebraska 13, South Carolina 30 SCORE BY QUARTERS No. 20 Nebraska No. 9 South Carolina
1 13 9
2 0 7
3 0 0
4 0 14
FINAL 13 30
Orlando, Fla. (Jan. 2) --- No. 20 Nebraska jumped to a 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, but No. 9 South Carolina scored the game’s final 21 points in the Huskers’ 30-13 loss in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. In a game filled with big plays and missed opportunities, Nebraska struck first when sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez hit freshman wide receiver Kenny Bell on a 30-yard touchdown strike just over three minutes into the game. However, Brett Maher’s extra-point attempt was blocked and scooped up by South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore, who raced all the way to the end zone for a two-point return. Trailing 6-2, South Carolina took its first lead of the day on quarterback Connor Shaw’s one-yard plunge to cap an 11-play, 55yard drive with 6:04 left in the first quarter and give USC a 9-6 edge. The Huskers capitalized on an illegal hands to the face penalty on their next drive to regained the lead at 13-9 with Ameer Abdullah’s 1-yard touchdown run with 3:33 left in the first quarter. After a fumble by Abdullah deep in the Gamecocks’ territory, USC converted a 78-yard pass to the NU 7 on the first play after the turnover. The Husker defense held strong and kept the Gamecocks off the scoreboard after a missed 20-yard field goal attempt (Jay Wooten). The Huskers seemed set for another scoring chance, but an intercaption by USC’s Stephon Gilmore ended NU’s scoring chance in the first half. South Carolina took a 16-13 lead into the half after Shaw connected with Alshon Jeffery for a 51-yard hail mary as time expired. Nebraska quickly drove the ball down the field on its first drive of the second half, which included a 36-yard run by Martinez. But NU failed to score after missing a 35-yard field goal. The defenses shut down the offenses the rest of the third quarter, before the South Carolina offense broke through on its opening possession of the fourth quarter. Shaw hit Ace Sanders for a key 23-yard pass on 3rd-and-18 to give the Gamecocks a first down at the NU 11. Two plays later, Shaw hit Kenny Miles for a nine-yard touchdown pass to put the Gamecocks up 23-13 with 12:25 left. Nebraska’s next offensive possession managed just one first down, before USC marched 71 yards on 13 plays in 6:25 capped by Miles’ three-yard touchdown to put the Gamecocks up 30-13. Nebraska finished the game with 253 yards of total offense, while South Carolina managed 351 yards. The Huskers outgained USC on the ground, 137-121, but Nebraska had 100 yards on the ground at halftime. Jeffery was ejected along with Nebraska’s Alfonzo Dennard late in the third quarter while going head-to-head away from the ball on pass route. Burkhead led all rushers with 89 yards on 23 carries, including 71 yards on 15 carries in the first half alone. Martinez added 16 carries for 37 yards, but was knocked back for 45 yards in losses while being sacked six times. Burkhead was also NU’s leading receiver with 35 yards on five catches, while Bell added three catches for 53 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 4th 4th
11:58 11:58 6:04 3:33 00:00 12:25 3:05
NEB USC USC NEB USC USC USC
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
Bell 30 yd pass from Martinez (PAT-blocked) Gilmore PAT return Shaw 1 yd run (Wooten kick) Abdullah 1 yd run (Maher kick) Jeffery 51 yd pass from Shaw (Wooten Kick) Miles 9 yd pass from Shaw (Wooten kick) Miles 3 yd run (Wooten kick)
USC
16 40-121 230 17-11-0 57-351 1-0 0-0 2-19 1-3 5-39.4 1-0 6-66 29:11 4 of 13 3 of 3 3-4 6-41
NU
17 46-137 116 16-10-1 62-253 0-0 1-0 1--1 0-0 5-39.4 1-1 10-58 30:49 3 of 13 1 of 1 1-3 4-31
RUSHING: South Carolina-Miles, Kenny 15-67; Shaw, Connor 19-42; Sanders, Ace 3-15; Byrd, Damiere 1-3; Team 2-minus-6. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 23-89; Martinez, Taylor 16-37; Bell, Kenny 1-14; Marlowe, Tim 1-6; Abdullah, Ameer 4-minus-1; Reed, Kyler 1-minus-8. PASSING: South Carolina-Shaw, Connor 11-17-0-230. Nebraska-Martinez, Taylor 10-16-1-116. RECEIVING: South Carolina-Jeffery, Alshon 4-148; Sanders, Ace 3-45; Miles, Kenny 2-13; Anderson, Rory 1-21; Cunningham, J. 1-3. Nebraska-Burkhead, Rex 5-35; Bell, Kenny 3-53; Cotton, Ben 1-22, Legate, Tyler 1-6. INTERCEPTIONS: South Carolina-Gilmore, Stephon 1-3. Nebraska-None. FUMBLES (total-lost): South Carolina-Sanders, Ace 1-0. Nebraska-Abdullah, Ameer 1-1. SACKS (Sacks-Yds): South Carolina-Allen, Antonio 1-5; Taylor, Devin 1-8; Clowney, J. 2-13; Robertson, T. 0.5-2; Ingram, Melvin 1.5-13. Nebraska- David, Lavonte 2-14; Compton, Will 0.5-8; Moore, Terrence 1-2; Martin, Eric 0.5-7. TACKLE LEADER (UA-A): South Carolina-Swearinger, D.J. 7-0. Nebraska-David, Lavonte 8-3.
62
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
mike
caputo
#58
Center l 6-1 l 275 | Four Letters Omaha, Neb. l Millard North HS » Second-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches, 2011) » Third-Team All-Big Ten (Phil Steele, 2011) » Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Media, 2011) » Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist (1 of 10, 2011) » Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches, AP, 2010) » Tom Novak Award Winner (2011) » Jake Young Memorial Scholarship Recipient (2010) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011)
2011 (Senior)
Center Mike Caputo was the leader of the Nebraska offensive line during his senior season in 2011, and was a fixutre in the middle of the line each of his final two seasons at Nebraska. The 6-1, 275-pound Caputo started all 27 games during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, helping the Huskers rank among the conference leaders in rushing each of those seasons. Caputo’s leadership was a key ingredient for a young Nebraska offense in 2011. Up front, Nebraska had four first-time starters alongside Caputo at the beginning of the year, and the unit also battled significant injuries throughout the latter half of the season. Originally a walk-on, Caputo was one of three walk-ons to start in the middle of the line in six games, as sophomore Spencer Long and junior Seung Hoon Choi manned the starting guard spots for much of the season. Caputo was honored for his effort, being chosen a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the league’s coaches and an honorable-mention pick by the media. He was also a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to a standout college player who began their career as a walk-on. Caputo earned his degree in communication studies in December of 2011.
2011 (Senior)
Caputo keyed an offensive line that helped Nebraska rush for more than 200 yards seven times in 2011. Nebraska racked up back-to-back 300-yard rushing games in wins over Washington and Wyoming. Caputo and the offensive line also played a key role in wearing down the Ohio State defense in a school-record comeback win. The Huskers rushed for 232 yards and had 423 yards of total offense against the Buckeyes, including 195 second-half rushing yards. The line helped NU put up a season-high 346 rushing yards at Minnesota, and also top the 200-yard rushing mark in the regular-season finale against Iowa. Caputo and the line also paved the way for junior I-back Rex Burkhead to rush for 1,357 yards in 2011.
Career
Despite being banged up for much of the season, Caputo started all 14 games and helped the Nebraska offense average 247.6 yards per game to rank ninth in the nation in 2010. Nebraska’s rushing output was its best since 2002, and the Huskers topped 200 rushing yards 10 times in 14 games. Caputo appeared in six games as a reserve center in 2009, backing up senior Jacob Hickman and helping NU to a Big 12 North title. In 2008, Caputo played in seven games as a redshirt freshman. Caputo redshirted in his first season in the program in 2007.
Career Stats
» Games Played–40 (7 in 2008; 6 in 2009; 14 in 2010; 13 in 2011) » Games Started–27 (14 in 2010; 13 in 2011)
austin
cassidy
30 unassisted tackles. He also tied for the team led with two pass interceptions, while adding four breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown at Minnesota. Cassidy had six or more tackles seven times in 2011, including five of the final six regularseason games. Cassidy recorded a season-high nine stops in a 17-14 win at Penn State and added eight tackles against Northwestern. For his efforts, Cassidy was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection by the conference media. Cassidy also continued in his role as Nebraska’s holder and assisted first-year starter Brett Maher to an All-Big Ten season. Cassidy earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors for the second straight season. He became just the 14th Nebraska player to earn first-team Academic All-America honors twice and the first to do so since defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch in 1999 and 2000. Cassidy played his senior season as a graduate after earning a psychology degree in May of 2011.
#8
Safety l 6-1 l 210 | Three Letters Lincoln, Neb. l Southwest HS » Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Media, 2011) » Campbell Trophy Semifinalist (Most Outstanding Student-Athlete, 2011) » Two-Time First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-American (2010, 2011) » Three-Time First-Team Academic All-District VII (2009, 2010, 2011) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009, 2010) » Eight-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) » Dr. Gerald Lage Award (2011)
Chattanooga: Totaled four tackles, 2011 Game by Game UT-AT-TT TFL-Yds PBU as the Huskers limited Chattanooga Opponent 1-3-4 0-0 0 to just 230 yards. Fresno State: Broke Chattanooga 0-4-4 0-0 2 up a career-high two passes, while Fresno State 0-6-6 0-0 1 also adding four tackles Washington: Washington 4-2-6 0-0 0 Made six tackles and snuffed out at Wyoming 2-3-5 0-0 0 Washington’s final scoring threat at Wisconsin Ohio State 1-4-5 0-0 0 with a diving interception with 1:32 at Minnesota 1-4-5 0-0 1 remaining. Wyoming: Notched six Michigan State 2-1-3 0-0 0 tackles, as Nebraska held the Cowboys Northwestern 3-5-8 0-0 0 to 305 yards. Wisconsin: Totaled five at Penn State 5-4-9 0-0 0 tackles, including two solo stops. Ohio at Michigan 5-1-6 0-0 0 State: Totaled five tackles and a pass Iowa 3-3-6 0-0 0 breakup, as the Huskers held Ohio State So. Carolina 1-1-2 0-0 0 to 6-of-18 passing. Minnesota: Tied for the team lead with six tackles, and also scooped up a fumble and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown to give NU a 27-0 lead. Michigan State: Recorded three tackles to key a defense that held MSU to three points and 11-of-27 passing. Northwestern: Totaled a eight tackles and intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 50 yards to set up a Husker touchdown that pulled the Huskers within 14-10 in the third quarter. Penn State: Keyed Nebraska’s win with a season-high nine tackles, including five solo stops, in a 17-14 win. Michigan: Totaled six tackles in the loss to the Wolverines. Iowa: Made six tackles, including three solo stops, as the Blackshirts held the Hawkeyes to 270 yards of offense in a 20-7 victory. South Carolina: Cassidy had a pair of tackles in Nebraska’s Capital One Bowl contest.
Career
Cassidy played in all 14 games in 2010 and started the final seven contests. He finished with 48 tackles, and contributed to a defense that finished third nationally in pass efficiency defense and fifth in yards per game. Cassidy had a career-high 12 tackles at Iowa State, when he also had an interception return for a touchdown. He added five or more tackles in four other contests. Cassidy played in all 14 games as a sophomore, primarily on special teams. He made nine tackles, including six solo stops. He played in two games as a redshirt freshman and made an unassisted tackle. Originally a walk-on, Cassidy redshirted in his first season in 2007.
Career Stats
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 2/0 14/0 14/7 13/13 43/20
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 0 1 1 0-0 6 3 9 0-0 24 24 48 0-0 30 40 70 0-0 60 68 128 0-0
Sacks
Fum. C-R BK
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0-0 0-0 1-0 0-1 1-1
0 0 0 0 0
QB PBU INT Hry. 0 1 0 4 5
0 0 1 2 3
0 0 0 0 0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–12 at Iowa State (2010) » Solo Tackles–7 at Iowa State (2010) » Pass Breakups–2 vs. Fresno State (2011) » Interceptions–1 three times (most recently vs. Northwestern, 2011) » Touchdowns–1 twice (29-yd INT return at ISU, 2010; 11-yd fum. ret. at Minn., 2011)
Safety Austin Cassidy was a leader both on and off the field for the Nebraska football program in 2011. Cassidy started all 13 games and was a veteran leader in a youthful Husker secondary that had 12 different players start at least one game in 2011. The 6-1, 210-pound Cassidy ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 70 stops, including
HUSKERS.COM
63
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
jared
crick
jon
Damkroger
#94
Defensive Tackle l 6-6 l 285 | Four Letters Cozad, Neb. l Cozad HS
Punter l 6-1 l 185 | One Letter Firth, Neb. l Norris HS | Nebraska-Omaha » Seven-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection
» Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2011) » Cletus Fischer Native Son Award Winner (2011) » AFCA Good Works Team (1 of 11, 2011) » First-Team All-American (Rivals.com, 2010) » Second-Team All-American (AP, CBSSports.com, SI.com, 2010) » Rotary Lombardi Award Semifinalist (2010) » Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist (2010) » First-Team All-Big 12 (Unanimous, 2010) » First-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches, 2009) » Second-Team All-Big 12 (Several outlets, 2009) » Walter Camp and Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week (vs. Baylor, 2009) » Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (at Baylor, 2009) » Two-Time Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2010, 2011) » Brook Berringer Memorial Scholarship Recipient (2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2010)
Jon Damkroger spent his Nebraska career as a backup on the Husker special teams, where he was a reserve punter behind All-Big Ten selection Brett Maher in 2011. A Firth, Neb., product Damkroger excelled in the classroom where he was a Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection seven times during his career. Damkroger earned his undergraduate degree in business administration in December of 2011.
Career
Damkroger did not appear in a game during his career, serving as a backup punter behind Maher and All-American Alex Henery in his three active years with the Huskers. Damkroger redshirted in 2008 after transferring from Nebraska-Omaha. With the Mavericks, Damkroger averaged 35 yards on 40 punts in 2007, and pinned opponents inside the 20 10 times.
lavonte
Jared Crick had one of the most productive careers in Nebraska football history cut short in 2011, when he suffered a season-ending injury in the sixth game of his senior campaign. The torn pectoral muscle sidelined him for the rest of the 2011 season, but Crick stayed an important part of the team by playing a leadership role from the sidelines for a young defensive line. Despite not being able to finish his senior season on the field, Crick left a lasting mark on the Hsuker football program. He made 22 tackles in 2011, including three tackles for loss and a sack, pushing his career totals to 167 career tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. Crick finished in the top 10 on Nebraska’s career sacks list and just outside of the top 10 in career tackles for loss. His overall tackle total also ranked among the top 10 among interior defensive linemen in school history. The injury prevented Crick from earning honors on the field in 2011, but he was one of 11 FBS Division players named to the Allstate Good Works Team, Crick also received Nebraska’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. He completed his degree in history in August of 2011.
2011 (Senior)
Crick played in five games and had 22 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack against Washington. He had five tackles, including two TFLs, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry in the opener against Chattanooga. He had a season-high six tackles including a sack against Washington, but was injured late in the game forcing him to miss the Wyoming contest the following week. Crick returned at Wisconsin and had five tackles and a blocked extra point. He made three tackles against Ohio State in his final career game.
Career
Crick started all 28 games in the 2009 and 2010 seasons and had 9.5 sacks in each of those years, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors as both a sophomore and junior. Crick had 70 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 2010. Crick had six games with at least five tackles and had at least one tackle for loss in nine games, including seven of the final eight contests. He had a season-high 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss against Idaho. Crick had 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 2009. His sack total was second on the team and his 15 tackles for loss were third, and he also added 16 quarterback hurries. Crick averaged 5.2 tackles per game in conference. Against Baylor in 2009, Crick had an NU record five sacks and tied the school record with seven tackles for loss. Crick played in nine games as a reserve defensive tackle in 2008 and had two tackles. He redshirted in 2007.
Career Stats
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 9/0 14/14 14/14 5/5 42/33
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Sacks Redshirt 1 1 2 0-0 0.0-0 31 42 73 15-63 9.5-57 36 34 70 17-92 9.5-87 7 15 22 3-7 1.0-1 75 92 167 35-162 20.0-145
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–13 at Baylor (2009) » Solo Tackles–6 vs. Oklahoma (2009) » Tackles for Loss–7 at Baylor (2009)* » Sacks–5.0 at Baylor (2009)* *school record
64
Fum. C-R BK 0-0 0-2 1-0 0-0 1-2
#27
0 0 0 0 0
QB PBU INT Hry. 1 4 2 1 8
0 0 0 0 0
0 16 10 1 27
david
#4
Linebacker l 6-1 l 225 | Two Letters Miami, Fla. l Northwestern HS l Fort Scott (Kan.) CC » First-Team All-American (AFCA, CBS, Yahoo.com, ESPN.com, Phil Steele, 2011; Rivals.com, CBS Sports.com, 2010) » Second-Team All-American (AP, Walter Camp, Sports Illustrated, 2011; AP, SI.com, 2010) » Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year (2011) » Butkus Award Finalist (1 of 6, 2011) » First-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, ESPN.com, Yahoo.com, Phil Steele, 2011) » Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist (1 of 16, 2011) » Lott Trophy Semifinalist (1 of 8, 2011) » Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (vs. Ohio State; vs. Michigan State, 2011) » Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (vs. Iowa, 2011) » Nebraska Team MVP (2011) » Nebraska Team Captain (2011) » Nebraska Lifter of the Year (2011) » Guy Chamberlin Award Winner (2011) » Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (Kansas City Star, 2010) » Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year (AP, Dallas Morning News, SA Express-News, 2010) » First-Team All-Big 12 (Unanimous, 2010) » Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (at Kansas State, 2010) » Nebraska Defensive MVP (2010) » School Record Holder for Most Career Tackles by a Two-Year Player (285) Linebacker Lavonte David completed one of the most impressive two-year careers in Nebraska football history with an All-American season in 2011. David had a banner season as a senior in 2011, making his mark as one of the top linebackers in the nation and one of the top defensive players in Husker history. David earned first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association and CBSSports.com and second-team accolades from the Walter Camp Foundation. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award and received Big Ten Linebacker-of-the-Year honors in 2011. The 6-1, 225-pound David led Nebraska with 133 tackles in 2011, and ranked third in the Big Ten in tackles per game. He had six games in 2011 with 10 or more tackles, including a season-high 17 tackles at Michigan. David also led Nebraska in tackles for loss (13), sacks (5.5), interceptions (2), fumbles caused (2) and fumble recoveries (2). David has a flair for the dramatic, making key plays at crucial times in games. He had a fumble caused and recovered against Ohio State that triggered the biggest comeback in Nebraska history, and he made a critical 4th-and-1 tackle to preserve a victory at Penn State. David totaled 285 career tackles to rank fourth on the Husker career tackles list. David also posted two of the top five single-season tackle totals in school history, including a school-record 152 tackles in 2010.
2011 (Senior)
Chattanooga: David totaled a team-high nine tackles, including a TFL, as Nebraska held UTC to seven points and 230 total yards. Fresno State: Reached double figures in tackles for the ninth time in his career, matching Will Compton with a game-high 15 tackles. Washington: Made eight stops and intercepted Keith Price at the NU 13-yard line after Washington drove deep into Husker territory. Wyoming: Keyed a defense that allowed 305 total yards, as he had six tackles. Wisconsin: Was one of the highlights for the Husker defense as he tied career highs in sacks (two) and tackles for loss (three) as part of a seven-tackle effort against the Badgers... Ohio State: Turned in a dominant defensive performance in the Huskers’
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL comeback win...Reached double figure tackles for the 10th time in 20 career games with a game-high 13 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss...Provided the turning point with his strip and fumble recovery of OSU quarterback Braxton Miller in the third quarter to set up a Husker score. Minnesota: Led the Huskers with six tackles, including a stop on 4th and 1 at the Nebraska 19 in the second quarter. Michigan State: Keyed a Blackshirt effort that held the Spartans to three points, totaling 13 tackles, including six solo stops. Northwestern: Reached 2011 Game by Game double figures in tackles for the fourth Opponent UT-AT-TT TFL-Yds Sack-Yds time in 2011, recording 11 tackles in the Chattanooga 3-6-9 1-1 0.0-0 loss... Picked up his second interception of Fresno State 5-10-15 0-0 0.0-0 the season, as he caught a deflected pass Washington 1-7-8 0-0 0.0-0 that led to a Husker field goal. Penn State: at Wyoming 2-4-6 1-2 0.0-0 Anchored a Husker defense that limited at Wisconsin 6-1-7 3-16 2.0-15 the Nittany Lions to 14 points, finishing Ohio State 6-7-13 1-3 0.0-0 with nine tackles... Delivered the biggest at Minnesota 2-4-6 1-8 0.0-0 play of the game, stopping Silas Redd Michigan State 6-7-13 0-0 0.0-0 on 4th-and-1 at the Nebraska 37 with Northwestern 1-10-11 0-0 0.0-0 1:49 left in the fourth quarter. Michigan: at Penn State 6-3-9 0-0 0.0-0 Reached double figures in tackles for the at Michigan 14-3-17 3-9 0.5-6 fifth time in 2011 with a season-high 17 Iowa 5-3-8 1-11 1.0-11 tackles, including three tackles for loss. So. Carolina 8-3-11 2-14 2-14 Iowa: Led the Huskers in tackles with eight, including five solo stops, while also adding one sack, two pass breakups, one QB hurry and a forced fumble and recovery. South Carolina: Capped his career with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops in the Capital One Bowl... tied his career best with two sacks, totaling 14 yards in losses.
A prototypical lock-down corner, Dennard played a big role in conference opponents completing a Big Ten low 51.0 percent of their passes, and the Huskers also led the Big Ten by allowing only six passing TDs in conference play. Dennard was honored for his role on the Nebraska defense, being named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and a first-team All-Big Ten pick by both the league’s coaches and media. Dennard was at his best against the league’s top receivers. He held Michigan State’s B.J. Cunningham without a reception, ending a streak of 41 straight games with a catch for the Spartan wideout. Against Iowa, Dennard held Big Ten Receiver of the Year Marvin McNutt to just four catches for 29 yards after the Iowa star entered the game averaging better than 100 yards per game. Dennard finished the season with six pass breakups, including a career-best three in the 24-3 win over Michigan State. He also totaled 31 tackles, including 26 solo stops, with a season-high four tackles in five games. Dennard finished his Nebraska career with 21 career breakups, good for a tie for 10th place on the Nebraska career chart.
2011 (Senior)
David burst onto the scene as a junior in 2010. He made a school-record 152 tackles and earned Big 12 Defensive Newcomer-of-the-Year honors. He was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 choice and earned All-America accolades from several outlets. David had eight games with double-figure tackles, including three games with 15 or more tackles. His 10.9 tackles per game topped the Big 12 and ranked 11th nationally. He was second on the team in sacks (6), tackles for loss (15) and pass breakups (10). David made 13 tackles in his debut against Western Kentucky and never looked back. He also tallied double-figure tackle totals against South Dakota State (19), Kansas State (16), Texas (10), Iowa State (10), Kansas (10), Texas A&M (14) and Oklahoma (17). His 19 tackles against SDSU were the seventh-most in school history. He had four tackles for loss against Texas A&M and two in three other games. He had a season-high two sacks against Kansas. David came to Nebraska from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, where he earned All-America honors.
Chattanooga: Did not play vs. UTC 2011 Game by Game UT-AT-TT TFL-Yds PBU because of a leg injury. Fresno State: Opponent --DNP (injured)-Did not play due to injury. Washington: Chattanooga --DNP (injured)-Did not play due to injury. Wyoming: Fresno State --DNP (injured)-Made his 2011 season debut, making Washington 4-0-4 0-0 0 four tackles and holding Wyoming to at Wyoming 2-0-2 0-0 0 168 yards through the air in a 38-14 at Wisconsin 1-2-3 0-0 0 win. Wisconsin: Totaled two solo tackles Ohio State 1-0-1 0-0 0 in the loss to the Badgers. Ohio State: at Minnesota 2-0-2 0-0 3 Helped hold Ohio State to 6-of-18 passing Michigan State 2-2-4 0-0 0 as he totaled three tackles in the win Northwestern 4-0-4 0-0 2 over the Buckeyes. Minnesota: Had one at Penn State 4-0-4 0-0 0 solo tackle, as Nebraska held Minnesota at Michigan 2-1-3 0-0 1 to 122 passing yards in a 41-14 win. Iowa 4-0-4 0-0 0 Michigan State: Enjoyed his best game South Carolina in 2011 with two tackles and a careerhigh three pass breakups... Held MSU to 11-of-27 passing for 86 yards, while keeping B.J. Cunningham without a catch for the first time in 42 games. Northwestern: Finished with four tackles in the loss to the Wildcats. Penn State: Played at an All-America level, totaling four solo stops and two pass breakups in the win at No. 12 Penn State. Michigan: Finished with four solo stops in the loss to the Wolverines. Iowa: Had three tackles and one pass break-up, while helping hold Iowa to 182 yards through the air on 16-of-35 passing... Held Marvin McNutt, who was named the 2011 Big Ten Richter-Howard Receiver-of-the Year, to just four catches for 29 yards. South Carolina: Made four solo tackles in Nebraska’s Capital One Bowl matchup with Gamecocks.
Career Stats
Career
Career
Year 2010 2011 Totals
(----------Tackles---------) Fum. UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK 84 68 152 15-60 6.0-50 0-0 0 65 68 133 13-64 5.5-46 3-2 0 149 136 285 28-124 11.5-96 3-2 0
G/S 14/14 13/13 27/27
PBU INT 10 0 2 2 12 2
QB Hry. 7 3 10
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–19 vs. South Dakota State (2010) » Solo Tackles–14 at Michigan (2011) » Tackles for Loss–4 at Texas A&M (2010) » Sacks–2.0 three times (vs. Kansas, 2010; at Michigan, 2011, vs. South Carolina, 2011) » Pass Breakups–2 four times (most recently vs. Iowa, 2011) » Interceptions–1 twice (vs. Washington, vs. Northwestern, both in 2011)
alfonzo
dennard
#15
Cornerback l 5-10 l 205 | Four Letters Rochelle, Ga. l Wilcox County HS » Second-Team All-American (Phil Steele, 2011) » Third-Team All-American (Yahoo.com, 2011) » Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year (2011) » First-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, ESPN, Yahoo.com, Phil Steele, 2011) » Nebraska Defensive MVP (2011) » First-Team All-Big 12 (ESPN.com, Rivals.com, 2010) » Second-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches, AP, Phil Steele, SA Express-News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2010)
Dennard started 13 of 14 games as a junior, missing one contest because of injury. He was second on the team and fifth in the Big 12 with four interceptions, including a return for a touchdown at Washington. He also finished with seven pass breakups and 30 tackles. His play helped Nebraska defense allow opposing passer to complete less than 49 percent of their pass attempts. Dennard had a season-high six tackles against Western Kentucky and had at least three tackles in six other games. For his play, he was a second-team All-Big 12 pick. Dennard started nine of the final 10 games of his sophomore season in 2009. He helped NU rank first nationally in pass efficiency defense and scoring defense. Dennard finished with 31 tackles, including four tackles for loss and his eight pass breakups were third on the team. He had a season-high six tackles in a 10-3 win against Oklahoma. Dennard played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2008. The majority of his action was on special teams where he averaged 18.8 yards per kickoff return. He also had five tackles as a cornerback.
Career Stats
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 12/0 13/9 13/13 10/10 48/32
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL 4 1 5 0-0 21 10 31 4-10 18 12 30 0-0 26 5 31 0-0 69 28 97 4-10
Sacks 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
Fum. C-R BK 0-0 0 0-1 0 1-0 0 0-0 0 1-1 0
QB PBU INT Hry. 0 0 0 8 0 3 7 4 1 6 0 0 21 4 4
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–6 twice (vs. Oklahoma,2009; vs. Western Kentucky, 2010) » Solo Tackles–5 at Kansas (2009) » Tackles for Loss–1 four times (all in 2009) » Pass Breakups–3 vs. MIchigan State (2011) » Interceptions–1 four times (most recently vs. Kansas, 2010)
Alfonzo Dennard proved to be one of the nation’s top cornerbacks over his final two seasons in a Nebraska uniform. The 5-10, 205-pound Dennard rebounded from an earlyseason injury in 2011 to post a strong senior season, helping the Husker pass defense made strong improvement after his return.
HUSKERS.COM
65
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
jim
ebke
jermarcus
hardrick
#32
Offensive Tackle l 6-7 l 320 | Two Letters Batesville, Miss. l South Panola HS l Fort Scott (Kan.) CC
Linebacker l 6-0 l 205 | Two Letters Lincoln, Neb. l East HS l South Dakota State » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Second-Team All-Big 12 (2010) » Five-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection » Nebraska Scout Team Defensive MVP (2009) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) Linebacker Jim Ebke was a key member of Nebraska’s special teams throughout the 2011 season, while continuing to add depth at linebacker. The Lincoln native ranked among the team leaders in special teams tackles with nine stops, including five solo tackles. Ebke’s play helped Nebraska rank among the Big Ten leaders in kickoff coverage in 2011. Ebke also was strong in the classroom. He is on track to earn his degree in secondary education in May, and he was named to the All-Big Ten Academic team as a senior.
2011 (Senior)
Ebke played in all 13 games and made nine tackles. He finished the regular season in strong fashion with three unassisted tackles at Michigan and two on Senior Day against Iowa. Ebke had single tackles in four other games.
Career
Ebke switched from defensive back to linebacker midway through the 2010 season. He played in 13 games in 2010, and had five tackles, including two solo stops. Ebke was a reserve defensive back and played in one game in 2009. Ebke worked as a scout team quarterback in 2008 after transferring from South Dakota State. Ebke redshirted in his only year at South Dakota State in 2007.
Career Stats
» Games Played–27 (1 in 2009; 13 in 2010; 13 in 2011) » Tackles–6 UT, 8 AT, 14 TT (2 UT, 3 AT, 5 TT in 2010; 4 UT, 5 AT, 9 TT in 2011)
Curenski
Gilleylen
Jermarcus “Yoshi” Hardrick emerged as a dependable starting left tackle for Nebraska in 2011, while becoming a leader for the Husker offense. The 6-7, 320-pound Hardrick started all 13 games despite battling minor injuries throughout the season. The play of Hardrick and the Nebraska offensive line allowed the Huskers to rank 15th nationally in rushing offense at 217.2 yards per game. Nebraska rolled up better than 200 rushing yards seven times in 2011, including three games with at least 300 yards on the ground.
2011 (Senior)
Hardrick was one of the stabilizing forces for an offensive line by starting all 13 games at left tackle. He and fellow senior Marcel Jones gave Nebraska an impressive pair of bookend tackles during Big Ten Conference play. Behind the play of the line, Nebraska racked up back-to-back 300-yard rushing games in wins over Washington and Wyoming, and the offensive line also played a key role in wearing down the Ohio State defense in a schoolrecord comeback win. The Huskers rushed for 232 yards and had 423 yards of total offense against the Buckeyes, including 195 second-half rushing yards. The line helped NU put up a season-high 346 rushing yards at Minnesota, and also top the 200-yard rushing mark in the season finale against Iowa. Hardrick and the line also paved the way for junior I-back Rex Burkhead to rush for 1,357 yards in 2011.
Career
Hardrick played in all 14 games as a reserve tackle in 2010. He helped Nebraska rush for at least 200 yards in 10 games, while three NU rushers gained at least 950 yards. Hardrick was also on NU’s PAT and field-goal units. Hardrick started at Fort Scott Community College in 2008 and 2009, and his play helped the team reach the JUCO national championship game in 2009. Hardrick was a first-team All-Jayhawk league pick for his play at Fort Scott.
Career Stats
» Games Played–27 (14 in 2010; 13 in 2011) » Games Started–13 (13 in 2011)
#11
austin
jones
I-Back | 6-0 l 215 | Four Letters Leander, Texas l Leander HS » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2008) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2008, 2011) Curenski Gilleylen provided depth on the Nebraska offense throughout his career in Lincoln. After spending his first three seasons as part of the Husker receiving corps, Gilleylen completed his time with the Huskers as a reserve I-back in 2011. Gilleylen appeared in one game in a reserve role. Gilleylen is on track to earn his undergraduate degree in civil engineering in May of 2012.
2011 (Senior)
Gilleylen appeared in Nebraska’s victory over Michigan State, but did not have a carry in the game.
Career
#50
Gilleylen played in seven games in 2010, but did not have a reception. He played in 11 games in 2009, including starts against Arkansas State and Missouri. Gilleylen had 17 catches for 302 yards, an average of 17.8 yards per catch. He had five catches of at least 35 yards in the season’s first four games. He had a career-high four catches for 92 yards in the 2009 opener against Florida Atlantic, inluding a 51-yard touchdown. He added two catches for 85 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette, and had three catches each against Missouri and Iowa State. Gilleylen played in 11 games as a reserve receiver and special teams player in 2008. He caught two passes for 11 yards and returned a pair of kickoffs for 48 yards. He redshirted in his first season in 2007.
#28
I-Back l 5-10 l 210 | Three Letters Aurora, Colo. l Smoky Hill HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2010) Austin Jones provided depth at I-back throughout his Nebraska career, including during his senior season when he helped provide leadership to three true freshmen at the position. Jones appeared in six games in 2011, seeing reserve duty at running back, while also assisting on special teams. Jones earned his degree in communication studies in December.
2011 (Senior)
Jones ran five times for 38 yards on the season, highlighted by four carries for 38 yards at Wyoming. He had a career-long 22-yard rush against the Cowboys.
Career
Jones played in five games in 2010, and had 14 carries for 58 yards, includuing a five-yard TD run against Western Kentucky. Jones had seven carries for 18 yards in 2009, and also had one reception for two yards. He was a backup at I-back in 2008, but did not see game action. He redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2007.
Career Stats
» Games Played–16 (5 in 2009; 5 in 2010; 6 in 2011) » Rushing–26-114-1 TD, (7-18-0 in 2009, 14-58-1 TD in 2010; 5-38-0 in 2011) » Receiving–1-2-0 in 2009
Career Stats
» Games Played–30 (11 in 2008; 11 in 2009; 7 in 2010; 1 in 2011) » Games Started–2 (2 in 2009) » Receptions–19-313-1 TD, (2-11-0 in 2008, 17-302-1 TD in 2009) » Kickoff Returns–2-48-0 in 2008; long-26
Single-Game Highs
» Receptions–4 vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009 » Yards–92 vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009 » Touchdowns–1 vs. Florida Atlantic, 2009
66
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
marcel
jones
#78
Offensive Tackle l 6-7 l 320 | Four Letters Phoenix, Ariz. l Trevor Browne HS » Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media) » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2008, 2009) » Six-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection (Coaches, Media) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2008, 2009, 2010) Offensive tackle Marcel Jones completed an outstanding Nebraska career in 2011. The 6-7, 320-pound Jones battled a number of injuries throughout his Husker career. He was once again slowed at the start of the 2011 season, but he returned to full health in time for conference play. Jones went on to start the final eight games of the season at right tackle, and he helped Nebraska rank among the nation’s top rushing teams. Jones and the Nebraska offensive line have helped pave the way for All-Big Ten running back Rex Burkhead, who rushed for 1,357 yards on the ground. Jones was honored for his work on the line, receiving honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors from both the conference media and coaches. Jones made 21 career starts in his Nebraska career and he played in 40 career games. Jones picked up his degree in construction management in December of 2011.
2011 (Senior)
Jones played in 12 games, including starts in all eight Big Ten contests and the Capital One Bowl. Jones’ play at right tackle has helped Nebraska rank 15th nationally in rushing offense at 217.2 yards per game. The Huskers rushed for at least 200 yards seven times in 2011, including 300-yard efforts on the ground against Washington, Wyoming and a seasonhigh 346 yards at Minnesota. The offensive line also played a key role in wearing down the Ohio State defense in a school-record comeback win. The Huskers rushed for 232 yards and had 423 yards of total offense against the Buckeyes, including 195 second-half rushing yards.
Career
Jones saw action in the final four games of the 2010 season after missing the first 10 games with a back injury. Jones started the first 11 games in 2009 at right tackle, but an ankle injury sidelined him for the final three contests. His play helped Roy Helu Jr. post a 1,000yard rushing season. In 2008, Jones played in all 13 games as a reserve tackle and started the opener against Western Michigan. He helped Nebraska rank in the top 20 nationally in scoring offense and total offense. Jones redshirted in his first season in Lincoln in 2007.
his catches for 23 yards on NU’s first drive of the second half, an 80-yard TD drive to make it 17-3. Northwestern: Matched his career high (Western Kentucky 2010, Kansas 2010) with six catches for 42 yards, his sixth straight game with multiple grabs... Moved into 11th place on NU’s career chart with 78 career receptions. Penn State: Did not have a catch in Nebraska’s 17-14 win. Michigan: Scored Nebraska’s first touchdown, hauling in a 54-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Martinez for Kinnie’s first score of the season. Iowa: Ended the regular season with two catches for 11 yards... South Carolina: Did not have a catch in the bowl matchup against the Gamecocks.
Career Stats
Year G/S 2009 13/2 2010 14/11 2011 13/7 Totals 40/20
Yds. 141 494 257 892
Y/R 9.4 11.2 11.7 11.0
Y/G 10.8 35.3 21.4 22.3
Long 16 vs. Texas 55 vs. Washington 61 at Minnesota 61 at Minnesota
#84
Chattanooga: Kinnie caught two passes for seven yards in Nebraska’s 40-7 win in the season opener. Fresno State: Was held without a catch for the first time since NU’s game at Kansas State on Oct. 7, 2010. Washington: His strong blocking helped Nebraska rack up 51 points and 309 yards rushing, but he did not have a catch in a 51-38 win. Wyoming: Put together his best game of the non-conference season, hauling in a team-high three passes for 31 yards in Nebraska’s 38-14 win. Wisconsin: Had two catches for 17 yards. Ohio State: Posted his third straight multi-reception day with two catches for 14 yards in the win over OSU. Minnesota: Hauled in two catches for 58 yards, including a career-long 61-yard catch and run in the second quarter that set up a Husker field goal. Michigan State: Had both of
TDs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
TDs 0 5 1 6
Single-Game Highs
» Receptions–6 three times (most recently vs. Northwestern, 2011) » Yards–105 at Washington (2010) » Touchdowns–3 at Oklahoma State (2010)* *tied school record
legate
Brandon Kinnie was a fixture in the Nebraska passing game for the past three seasons. The 6-3, 225-pound Kinnie provided the Huskers with a big, physical target in the passing game and the ability to be a factor as a perimeter blocker in the run game. He also provided leadership for a young receiving corps that featured a pair of freshmen and a sophomore playing key roles in 2011. Kinnie finished 2011 as Nebraska’s second-leading receiver with 22 catches for 257 yards and a touchdown at Michigan. Kinnie had at least two receptions in eight games as a senior, including a career-high tying six receptions against Northwestern. His 22 catches in 2011 pushed Kinnie’s career receptions total to 81, just one shy of the top 10 on the NU career receptions list. The Kansas City native was a December 2011 graduate in sociology.
HUSKERS.COM
No. 15 44 22 81
tyler
Wide Receiver l 6-3 l 225 | Three Letters Kansas City, Mo. l Grandview HS l Fort Scott (Kan.) CC
2011 (Senior)
Yards 7 0 0 31 17 14 58 23 42 0 54 11 0
Kinnie led Nebraska with 44 receptions for 494 yards in 2010. The 44 catches ranked eighth on the Nebraska single-season list. Kinnie also finished second on the team with five touchdown receptions, including three at Oklahoma State to tie the NU school record. He had at least four receptions five times during his junior season, including a season-high six catches against Western Kentucky and Kansas, and five at Texas A&M. He added a pair of touchdown catches in the regular-season finale with Colorado. Kinnie caught 15 passes for 141 yards, with 14 receptions in the final eight games in 2009. He had a season-high three catches against Iowa State and had two catches in four other games. Kinnie came to Nebraska from Fort Scott CC, where he earned first-team AllJayhawk league honors in 2008. Kinnie caught 62 passes for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns.
» Games Played–40 (13 in 2008; 11 in 2009; 4 in 2010; 12 in 2011) » Games Started–21 (1 in 2008; 11 in 2009; 9 in 2011)
kinnie
Opponent Catches Chattanooga 2 Fresno State 0 Washington 0 3 at Wyoming at Wisconsin 2 Ohio State 2 at Minnesota 2 Michigan State 2 6 Northwestern at Penn State 0 at Michigan 1 Iowa 2 South Carolina 0
Career
Career Stats
brandon
2011 Game by Game
#48
Fullback l 5-10 l 235 | Three Letters Neligh, Neb. l Neligh-Oakdale HS l South Dakota » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2010) » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009) » Nebraska Walk-On MVP (2009) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2009, 2010, 2011) » 2011 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team Tyler Legate played a significant role in the Nebraska offense at fullback in his final three seasons, and he made his greatest impact as a senior in 2011. The Neligh, Neb., native continued to be a key lead blocker for the Huskers in 2011, while providing a receiving threat out of the backfield. As a senior, Legate has also had rushing opportunities, the first time the Nebraska fullback has run the football since 2004. Legate was placed on scholarship before the start of the season, and played in all 13 games with six starts in 2011. He helped Nebraska rank in the top 15 nationally in rushing offense, while catching a pair of touchdown passes, giving him four receiving touchdowns in seven career receptions. Legate also picked up academic All-Big Ten honors for his work in the classroom, marking the third time he has been an academic all-conference selection. An education major, he is on track to graduate in May of 2012.
2011 (Senior)
Legate had eight rushes for 54 yards in 2011, after not carrying the ball coming into the year. Legate had single carries in six games, and had two totes for 37 yards against Washington. In that game, Legate had a 36-yard run, the longest by a Nebraska fullback in seven seasons. Legate also caught four passes for 21 yards, with a three-yard touchdown reception against Washington and a 10-yard TD catch at Minnesota.
67
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
mathew
Career
Legate played in 13 games with six starts in 2010 and helped Nebraska rush for 200 or more yards in 10 games. He did not have a carry, but made the most of his only reception with a one-yard TD catch at Oklahoma State. Legate played in all 14 games in 2009, including four starts, and he was named the walk-on MVP. Legate caught three passes for 27 yards, including a three-yard TD pass against Arkansas State. Legate redshirted at Nebraska in 2008 after transferring from South Dakota where he was a redshirt in the 2007 season.
Career Stats
Year G/S 2008 2009 14/4 2010 13/6 2011 13/6 Totals 40/16
Att. Gain Loss Net Redshirt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 54 0 54 8 65 0 54
Y/A
Y/G
Long
TDs
0.0 0.0 6.8 6.8
0.0 0.0 4.9 1.6
0 0 36 vs. Washington 36 vs. Washington
0 0 0 0
Receiving: Career- 8 rec., 49 yds, 4 TDs, long of 13 vs. Kansas State (2009) 3 rec., 27 yds, 1 TD (2009); 1 rec., 1 yd, 1 TD (2010); 4 rec., 21 yds, 2 TDs (2011)
Luke
Lingenfelter
#75
Offensive Line l 6-4 l 280 | One Letter Plainview, Neb. l Plainview HS
Luke Lingenfelter contributed to the Husker offensive line in a reserve role throughout his Nebraska career. Lingenfelter did not see action during his senior season, but continued to be a valuable practice performer for the Huskers. Lingenfelter excelled in the classroom, earning first-team Academic All-Big Ten honors during his senior year. He earned his undergraduate degree in biological systems engineering in December of 2011.
Career
Lingenfelter did not appear in a game in either 2010 or 2011, while providing depth on the offensive line. He switched to the line from defensive end in 2009, and went on to play in games against Florida Atlantic and Louisiana-Lafayette. Lingenfelter did not play in a game as a reserve end in 2008. A walk-on, he redshirted in 2007.
Martin
Linebacker l 6-1 l 215 | Four Letters Imperial, Neb. l Chase County HS » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009) » Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) Senior Mathew May continued to provide depth at linebacker for Nebraska in 2011, while also playing a key role on Nebraska’s outstanding special teams units. May was a strong contributor on the Huskers’ kickoff coverage unit, helping Nebraska rank among the Big Ten’s best in that category in 2011. The 6-1, 215-pound May was a core special teams player throughout his career, and played in a total of 49 games, including every game his final three seasons. May completed his degree work in business administration/marketing in December of 2011.
2011 (Senior)
May played in all 13 games and finished the season with eight tackles, including five on special teams. May made his biggest play of the year against Washington, when he recovered a fumbled kickoff at the Husky 1 in the third quarter. NU scored one play later to extend its lead to 17 points. May had a career-high three tackles at Minnesota when he saw extensive action at linebacker, and made two tackles at Wisconsin, both on special teams.
#35
May played in all 14 games in 2010 and had 10 tackles, including a season-high three at Kansas State. Five of his tackles came on special teams. May also finished with 10 tackles in 2009, while playing in every game. May made nine of his 10 stops on the Huskers’ coverage teams, and had a career-best four tackles in the Huskers’ win over Missouri. May played in eight games as a redshirt freshman, and moved from safety to linebacker late in the season. He had six tackles, including three at Kansas State, when he had a sack and a forced fumble. He also had a fumble recovery against Colorado. May redshirted in 2007.
Career Stats
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 8/0 14/0 14/0 13/0 49/0
Martin did not play in a game in 2011. Martin played in 13 games on special teams in 2010 and was among NU’s top special teams tacklers with five stops. He helped Nebraska rank atop the Big 12 in punt returns at 12.9 yards per attempt. Martin was a reserve linebacker in 2009, and played in eight games as a member of the kickoff return unit, helping NU average better than 24 yards per return. Martin switched to tight end for the 2008 season, but did not see any game action. Martin redshirted and worked on the scout team in 2007 as a linebacker and defensive end.
Career Stats
» Games Played–21 (8 in 2009; 13 in 2010) » Tackles–2 UT, 3 AT, 5 TT all in 2010
Sacks 1-8 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-8
Fum. C-R BK 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-2
0 0 0 0 0
QB PBU INT Hry. 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
» Tackles–4 at Missouri (2009)
marcus
mendoza
» Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009, 2010) » Eight-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection » Dr. Gerald Lage Award Recipient (2011) Jay Martin completed his Nebraska career in 2011, but was forced to sit out his senior year due to injuries. Prior to missing the 2011 season, Martin was a valuable special teams performer for Nebraska in both 2009 and 2010, appearing in 21 total games. Martin also achieved at a high level in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2011, and first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors in both 2009 and 2010. Martin earned his degree in business administration/finance in December of 2011.
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 5 1 6 1-8 1 9 10 0-0 5 5 10 0-0 5 3 8 0-0 16 18 34 1-8
Single-Game Highs
Tight End l 6-2 l 230 | Two Letters Waverly, Neb. l Waverly HS
Career
#36
Career
» Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Eight-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection
Jay
may
#32
Cornerback l 5-10 l 190 | Three Letters Houston, Texas l Spring Woods HS » Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2009, 2010, 2011) Marcus Mendoza completed his Nebraska career in 2011, serving as a reserve cornerback and special teams contributor. Mendoza began his career on the offensive side of the ball, and saw limited action as a reserve running back before making the switch to defense. Mendoza picked up his degree in history in December of 2011.
2011 (Senior)
Mendoza played in seven games, primarily working on special teams. His only tackle was a one-yard tackle for loss against Chattanooga.
Career
Mendoza was a reserve cornerback in 2010 and appeared in one game. As a back-up running back in 2009, Mendoza played in seven games, running four times for 10 yards, while adding seven receptions for 45 yards. He had a career-high five catches for 32 yards against Texas Tech. Mendoza played in four games as a backup I-back in 2008, and rushed 15 times for 103 yards including a 31-yard touchdown at Kansas State. He finished that game with 10 carries for 58 yards, and had a career-long 35-yard run against New Mexico State. Mendoza redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2007.
Career Stats
» Games Played–19 (4 in 2008; 7 in 2009; 1 in 2010; 7 in 2011) » Rushing–19-113-1 TD; long-35 vs. NMSU, 2008, 15-103-1 TD (2008); 4-10-0 (2009) » Receiving–9-52-0 total; 2-7-0 in 2008, 7-45-0 (2009) » Tackles–1-1 TFL vs. Chattanooga, 2011
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HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
terrence
#90
moore
Defensive Tackle l 6-3 l 290 | Four Letters New Orleans, La. l McDonogh 35 HS
» Games Played–14 (1 in 2010; 13 in 2011) » Tackles–1 UT, 7-yard sack vs. Missouri in 2010
Terrence Moore began his senior season in the regular rotation on the defensive line behind starters Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler, but Moore moved into a leading role over the second half of the year with Crick sidelined by injury. The 6-3, 290-pound Moore played in every game in 2011, and he made seven starts, including the final five games of the season. The Huskers utilized as many as five defensive tackles in the regular rotation, but were down to just Steinkuhler and Moore as healthy options at one point late in the season. Moore earned his degree in sociology in December of 2011.
2011 (Senior)
Moore finished the year with 20 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss, while adding four quarterback hurries. He also had an interception and a 10-yard return at Michigan to set up a Nebraska field goal. Moore made single tackles in four of the first eight games, then racked up 15 of his stops in a three-game stretch late in the year. Moore had a career-high seven tackles against Northwestern, then added six, including a tackle for loss, at Penn State. He had two solo tackles in addition to his interception at Michigan, and had his first sack of the year in the Capital One Bowl against South Carolina.
Career
Moore was the top reserve at tackle in 2010, and finished with 16 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. He had a season-high four tackles at Washington, and had a sack and fumble recovery against Idaho. Moore made his first career start in the Holiday Bowl and had two tackles. Moore played in four games in 2009 and had two tackles. He appeared in seven games in 2008 and had eight tackles, including three tackles and two sacks against Western Michigan. Moore sat out his first season at Nebraska in 2007 as a redshirt. Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 3 5 8 2-11 1 1 2 0-0 4 12 16 3-19 6 14 20 2-3 14 32 46 7-33
G/S 7/0 4/0 13/1 13/7 37/8
Sacks
Fum. C-R BK
2.0-11 0.0-0 1.0-13 1.0-2 4.0-26
0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-1
0 0 0 0 0
QB PBU INT Hry. 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 4 4
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–7 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Solo Tackles–2 at Michigan (2011) » Tackles for Loss–2 vs. Western Michigan (2008) » Sacks–2.0 vs. Western Michigan (2008)
kevin
thomsen
Tight End l 6-2 l 245 | Two Letters Elkhorn, Neb. l Elkhorn HS
#37
» Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Six-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2011) Senior Kevin Thomsen made the move from defensive end to tight end during fall camp in 2011 after injuries cut into the Huskers’ depth at the spot. Thomsen quickly picked up the tight end spot and the 6-2, 245-pounder became one of four players to see extensive action at position in 2011. Thomsen provided a physical blocking presence and helped Nebraska rank among the top 15 rushing offenses in the country. Thomsen was one of 27 Husker players to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors. He is on track to earn his degree in May of 2012.
2011 (Senior)
Thomsen made the most of his one appearance at defensive end, recording a sack against Missouri in 2010. Thomsen was a reserve linebacker in 2009, but did not play in a game. He was a fullback in his first two seasons, including a redshirt year in 2007.
Career Stats
» 2011 Tom Novak Award Winner » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010)
Career Stats
Career
Thomsen played in all 13 games, both at tight end and on the Huskers’ kickoff return team that ranked among the top 10 nationally. Thomsen did not have a reception, but his blocking helped Nebraska record seven 200-yard rushing games, while I-back Rex Burkhead racked up 1,357 rushing yards.
lance
thorell
#23
Defensive Back l 6-1 l 200 | Four Letters Loomis, Neb. l Loomis HS » Academic All-Big Ten (2011) » Bobby Reynolds Award (2011) » First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2008) » Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2009, 2010) » Five-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll Selection » Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2009, 2010, 2011) » Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2010) Lance Thorell completed a highly productive in 2011 as a key member of the Nebraska secondary. The 6-1, 200-pound Thorell played in 52 career games, including all 13 contest in 2011. Originally a walk-on, Thorell earned a scholarship before the start of the 2011 season, and played a key role as a nickel and dime back for the 2011 Blackshirts. He earned starts against Minnesota, Michigan State and Northwestern. Thorell’s play helped Nebraska rank among the best defenses in the Big Ten during conference play, as opposing teams completed a league-low 51 percent of their passes. Thorell finished the year with 38 total tackles, including 24 solo stops. He had two pass breakups and set the tone for Nebraska’s 24-3 win over Michigan State with a first-quarter interception and return that set up the opening score of the game. Thorell had at least three tackles in six games, including a career-high 15 tackles against Northwestern. Thorell picked up his undergraduate degree in agribusiness in December of 2011. Thorell was one of 27 Huskers named Academic All-Big Ten, marking the fourth straight season Thorell has received academic all-conference honors.
2011 (Senior)
Chattanooga: Thorell saw action in nickel and dime situations in the 40-7 win, and had a pair of solo stops. Fresno State: Made one tackle as Fresno State was held under 50 percent passing in the 42-29 win. Washington: Played, but did not have any stats. Wyoming: Saw extensive action in nickel and dime sets, totaling three tackles, including his first career TFL. Wisconsin: Had one tackle and a pass breakup. Ohio State: Totaled one tackle in the win over OSU. Minnesota: Made his first start of 2011 and had three tackles in the win over the Gophers. Michigan State: Started at peso and had a season-high four tackles in limiting MSU to 11-of-27 passing... Made one of the game’s biggest plays intercepting a Kirk Cousins pass and returning it 26 yards to set up NU’s first touchdown. Northwestern: Had a career-high 15 tackles, including nine solo stops in the loss to Northwestern. Penn State: Totaled three tackles in Nebraska’s 17-14 win. Michigan: Finished with three tackles in the loss to the Wolverines. Iowa: Played but did not record any statistics in NU’s 20-7 win. South Carolina: Made two solo stops in NU’s Capital One bowl loss to Gamecocks.
Career
Thorell appeared in all 14 games in 2010 and had seven tackles, including four solo stops. He made a season-high three tackles at Iowa State, and saw action on Nebraska’s special teams in addition to his work in the secondary. In addition to action in the secondary, Thorell assisted on special teams. In 2009, he saw action in all 14 games and had seven tackles and a breakup. Thorell made his only start of the year at Missouri. As a redshirt freshman in 2008, Thorell played in 11 games and made five starts as the Huskers’ sixth defensive back. He finished with 24 tackles, including 15 solo stops. He had a season-high eight tackles against New Mexico State, and made a season-high five solo stops at Texas Tech. Thorell redshirted in his first season with the Huskers in 2007.
Career Stats
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Totals
G/S 11/5 14/1 14/0 13/3 52/9
(----------Tackles---------) UT AT TT TFL Redshirt 15 9 24 0-0 4 3 7 0-0 4 3 7 0-0 24 14 38 1-2 47 29 76 1-2
Sacks
Fum. C-R BK
0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0 0.0-0
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
0 0 0 0 0
QB PBU INT Hry. 1 1 0 2 4
0 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0 0
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles–15 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Solo Tackles–9 vs. Northwestern (2011) » Tackles for Loss–1 at Wyoming (2011)
HUSKERS.COM
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL
Series Records vs. 2012 Opponents SOUTHERN MISS SERIES
Games: 3 Standing: Nebraska leads, 2-1 At Lincoln: Series tied, 1-1 At Memorial Stadium: Series tied, 1-1 At Hattiesburg: Nebraska leads, 1-0 Current win streak (start): Southern Miss, one game (2004) Rank Date Site NU/USM 9/18/1999 Lincoln 4/ 9/25/2003 Hattiesburg 15/ 9/11/2004 Lincoln / Series scoring Nebraska Southern Miss
Result W W L
Score 20-13 38-14 17-21
Total Average 75 25.0 48 16.0
Highest NU score: 38 in 2003 (38-14) Widest NU margin: 24 in 2003 (38-14) Highest USM score: 21 in 2004 (21-17) Widest USM margin: 4 in 2004 (21-17) Highest-scoring game: 52 in 2003 (NU 38, USM 14) Longest NU win streak: Two games, 1999, 2003 Longest USM win streak: One game, 2004-current Shutouts by (last time): none Series Notes: The 2012 season opener is the first in a threegame series with Southern Miss that also includes a trip to Hattiesburg in 2013 and the Golden Eagles returning to Lincoln in 2015. Nebraska captured two of three meetings in the previous three-game series, winning in 1999 and 2003. Southern Miss’ 2004 win in Lincoln was Nebraska’s first non-conference home setback in 13 seasons. NU has won a nation-leading 26 straight season openers.
UCLA SERIES
Games: 10 Standing: Nebraska leads, 6-4 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 4-1 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 4-1 At Los Angeles: UCLA leads, 3-2 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, two games (1993) Rank Date Site NU/UCLA Result Score 11/30/1946 Los Angeles /4 L 0-18 10/30/1948 Lincoln / L 15-27 9/9/1972 Los Angeles 1/ L 17-20 Lincoln 4/10 W 40-13 9/18/1973 9/24/1983 Lincoln 1/ W 42-10 9/22/1984 Los Angeles 1/ W 42-3 9/12/1987 Lincoln 2/3 W 42-33 9/10/1988 Los Angeles 2/5 L 28-41 Los Angeles 8/ W 14-13 9/18/1993 Lincoln 2/13 W 49-21 9/17/1994
Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 289 28.9 UCLA 199 19.9 Highest NU score: 49 in 1994 (49-21) Widest NU margin: 39 in 1984 (42-3) Highest UCLA score: 41 in 1988 (41-28) Widest UCLA margin: 18 in 1946 (18-0) Highest-scoring game: 75 in 1987 (NU 42, UCLA 33) Longest NU win streak: Four games, 1973, 1983-84, 1987 Longest UCLA win streak: Three games, 1946, 1948, 1972 Shutouts by (last time): NU none, UCLA 1 (1946) Series Notes: UCLA was Nebraska’s most frequent nonconference opponent in a 12-year span from 1983 to 1994 when the two teams met six times, three in Lincoln and three in Los Angeles. The Bruins were Nebraska’s second-most frequent non-conference opponent under Tom Osborne (1973-97), matching up with the Huskers seven times. Nebraska has entered each of the past eight meetings with UCLA ranked in the top 10, including six games ranked either first or second. UCLA has twice defeated a Nebraska team ranked in the top two in the country. Nebraska has scored at least 40 points in five of 10 all-time meetings, including each of the past four games in Memorial Stadium. In addition to the
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past three games against UCLA at the Rose Bowl (1984, 1988 and 1993), Nebraska has also played in the Rose Bowl game twice (1941 vs. Stanford, 2002 vs. Miami), losing both of those games. Nebraska has played four games against Pac-12 foes in the past three seasons (3 vs. Washington, 1 vs. Arizona).
ARKANSAS STATE SERIES
Games: 1 Standing: Nebraska leads, 1-0 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 1-0 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 1-0 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, one game (2009) Rank Date Site NU/ASU Result Score 9/12/2009 Lincoln 22/ W 38-9 Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 38 38.0 Arkansas State 9 9.0 Series Notes: The 2012 matchup will mark Nebraska’s second meeting with Arkansas State. The Huskers won 38-9 in the first meeting in 2009. Arkansas State will be Nebraska’s fifth opponent from the Sun Belt in the past four seasons. The Red Wolves are one of five teams on the Huskers’ 2012 schedule that won at least 10 games in 2011.
IDAHO STATE SERIES
Games: first meeting Series Notes: Nebraska’s matchup with the Bengals will be the first ever between the schools. The game will mark the second time in three seasons Nebraska will have faced a team from Idaho after taking on Idaho in 2010 in Lincoln.
WISCONSIN SERIES
Games: 6 Standing: Series tied, 3-3-0 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 2-0-0 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 2-0-0 At Madison: Wisconsin leads, 2-1-0 At Neutral Sites: Wisconsin leads, 1-0-0 Current win streak (start): Wisconsin, two games (1974) Rank Site NU/WIS Result Score Date 11/2/1901 Milwaukee / L 0-18 10/9/1965 Lincoln 2/ W 37-0 10/8/1966 Madison 7/ W 31-3 9/29/1973 Lincoln 2/ W 20-16 9/21/1974 Madison 4/ L 20-21 10/1/2011 Madison 8/7 L 17-48 Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 125 20.8 Wisconsin 106 17.7 Highest NU score: 37 in 1965 (37-0) Widest NU margin: 37 in 1965 (37-0) Highest WIS score: 48 in 2011 (48-17) Widest WIS margin: 31 in 2011 (48-17) Highest-scoring game: 65 in 2011 (NU 17, WIS 48) Longest NU win streak: Three games, 1965-66, 1973 Longest WIS win streak: Two games, 1974-2011 Shutouts by (last time): NU 1 (1965), WIS 1 (1901) Series Notes: Nebraska played its first-ever game as a member of the Big Ten Conference at Camp Randall Stadium against Wisconsin on Oct. 1, 2011. Following the 2012 meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska and Wisconsin will not meet in the regular season in 2013 and 2014. Nebraska has been ranked in the top 10 in each of the past five meetings with the Badgers, while UW was ranked for the first time when meeting Nebraska in 2011. The 2012 game will mark the seventh overall meeting between the two schools, the third in Lincoln and the first at Memorial Stadium since 1973. Wisconsin won the first meeting between the two teams, 18-0, on Nov. 2, 1901, and has won the most recent two meetings. In between, the Huskers reeled off three straight wins by a combined margin of 88-19. The first two meetings came under NU Hall of Fame Coach Bob Devaney, who led his 1965 Huskers to a
37-0 shutout of the Badgers. Nebraska completed a series sweep one year later with a 31-3 victory in Madison. Current Wisconsin A.D. Barry Alvarez was a linebacker on those two NU teams. The two teams met again in Lincoln in 1973, when No. 2 NU, under first-year head coach Tom Osborne, escaped with a 20-16 win. In the final meeting as non-league foes in 1974, Nebraska was edged 21-20 by the Badgers.
OHIO STATE SERIES
Games: 3 Standing: Ohio State leads, 2-1-0 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 1-0 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 1-0 At Columbus : Ohio State leads, 2-0-0 At Ohio Stadium: Ohio State leads, 2-0-0 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, one game (2011) Rank Date Site NU/OSU Result Score 9/24/1955 Columbus /6 L 20-28 9/29/1956 Columbus /8 L 7-34 10/8/2011 Lincoln 14/ W 34-27 Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 61 20.3 Ohio State 89 29.7 Highest NU score: 34 in 2011 Widest NU margin: 7 in 2011 (34-27) Highest OSU score: 34 in 1956 Widest OSU margin: 27 (34-7) in 1956 Highest-scoring game: 61 in 2011 (NU 34, OSU 27) Longest NU win streak: One game, 2011 Longest OSU win streak: Two games, 1955-56 Series Notes: Nebraska played host to Ohio State in its firstever Big Ten home game on Oct. 8, 2011. Nebraska will travel to Columbus in 2012 for the first time since 1956. Following this season, the two teams will not meet until at least 2015 in the regular season. Nebraska rallied from a 27-6 deficit for a 34-27 victory in 2011, marking the largest comeback in school history. The Buckeyes won the first two games in the series, a pair of meetings in the mid-1950s in Columbus, Ohio. In the first meeting, the No. 6 Buckeyes worked their way to a 28-20 victory over a Bill Glassford-coached Cornhusker club. In the only other meeting, Michigan grad Pete Elliott led his only Nebraska team to Ohio State in a 34-7 loss to the No. 8 Buckeyes.
MINNESOTA SERIES
Games: 52 Standing: Minnesota leads, 29-21-2 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 9-8 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 8-7 At Minneapolis: Minnesota leads, 20-12-2 At Neutral Sites: Minnesota leads, 1-0 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, 15 games (1963) Rank Date Site NU/UM Result Score 11/29/1900 Lincoln / L 12-20 10/12/1901 Minneapolis / L 0-19 10/18/1902 Minneapolis / W 6-0 10/29/1904 Minneapolis / L 12-16 11/18/1905 Minneapolis / L 0-35 11/3/1906 Minneapolis / L 0-13 10/19/1907 Minneapolis / L 5-8 10/17/1908 Minneapolis / T 0-0 10/16/1909 Omaha / L 0-14 10/15/1910 Minneapolis / L 0-27 10/21/1911 Minneapolis / L 3-21 10/19/1912 Minneapolis / L 0-13 10/18/1913 Lincoln / W 7-0 10/18/1919 Minneapolis / T 6-6 10/15/1932 Minneapolis / L 6-7 10/3/1934 Minneapolis / L 0-20 10/12/1935 Lincoln / L 7-12 10/10/1936 Minneapolis / L 0-7 10/2/1937 Lincoln / W 14-9 10/1/1938 Minneapolis / L 7-16
HUSKERS.COM
2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL 10/7/1939 Lincoln / W 6-0 10/5/1940 Minneapolis / L 7-13 11/8/1941 Minneapolis /2 L 0-9 10/17/1942 Lincoln /14 L 2-15 10/2/1943 Minneapolis / L 0-54 9/30/1944 Minneapolis / L 0-39 10/6/1945 Lincoln / L 7-61 9/28/1946 Minneapolis / L 6-33 10/4/1947 Lincoln / L 13-28 10/2/1948 Minneapolis / L 13-39 10/1/1949 Lincoln / L 6-28 10/7/1950 Minneapolis / W 32-26 10/20/1951 Minneapolis / L 20-39 11/15/1952 Lincoln / L 7-13 9/25/1954 Minneapolis / L 7-19 9/26/1959 Minneapolis / W 32-12 9/24/1960 Lincoln 12/ L 14-26 9/28/1963 Minneapolis / W 14-7 9/26/1964 Minneapolis / W 26-21 9/30/1967 Lincoln 7/ W 7-0 9/28/1968 Minneapolis 9/17 W 17-14 10/4/1969 Minneapolis / W 42-14 10/3/1970 Minneapolis 6/ W 35-10 9/18/1971 Lincoln 1/ W 35-7 3/30/1972 Lincoln 7/ W 49-0 10/6/1973 Minneapolis 2/ W 48-7 10/5/1974 Lincoln 6/ W 54-0 9/171983 Minneapolis 1/ W 84-13 Lincoln 1/ W 38-7 9/15/1984 9/23/1989 Minneapolis 3/ W 48-0 9/22/1990 Lincoln 8/ W 56-0 10/22/2011 Minneapolis 13/ W 41-14 Series scoring Total Average 851 16.4 Nebraska Minnesota 831 16.0 Highest NU score: 84 in 1983 Widest NU margin: 71 (84-13) in 1983 Highest UM score: 61 in 1945 (61-7) Widest UM margin: 54 (61-7) in 1945 Highest-scoring game: 97 in 1983 (NU 84, UM 13) Scoreless tie: 1908 Longest NU win streak: 15 games, 1963-present Longest UM win streak: 10 games, 1940-49 Shutouts by (last time): NU 9 (1990), UM 12 (1944) Series Notes: Before joining the Big Ten, Minnesota was Nebraska’s most frequent opponent from the conference. NU posted back-to-back shutouts in the final two meetings in non-league games (1989, 1990), winning by a combined margin of 104-0. Nebraska scored the first 34 points in a 41-14 win at Minnesota in 2011, giving Nebraska 145 consecutive points against the Gophers in three consecutive meetings. Although Minnesota leads the all-time series, 29-21-2, the Huskers have won 15 straight games dating back to 1963. The first 14 of those wins came under Hall of Fame coaches Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne by a combined score of 553-100. NU was 8-0 against the Gophers under Devaney (225-73) and 6-0 under Osborne (328-27). Since 1972, NU is 8-0 against Minnesota with four shutouts, winning by a combined score of 428-41. Nebraska defeated the Gophers for eight consecutive seasons from 1967 to 1974, including NU national championship seasons in 1970 (35-10 at Minneapolis) and 1971 (35-7 in Lincoln). Minnesota’s 1960 national championship team posted a 26-14 win over Bill Jennings’ Huskers in Lincoln in the Gophers’ last series victory. The Gophers also beat the Huskers on their way to AP national titles in 1936 (7-0, Minneapolis), 1940 (13-7, Minneapolis) and 1941 (9-0, Minneapolis). However, Minnesota has never played Nebraska as the nation’s No. 1 team, while the Huskers have entered the game with Minnesota as the AP No. 1 on three occasions (1971, 1983, 1984). In 1968, both teams were ranked at game time (NU 9, UM 17) for the only time in series history. Nebraska’s 84 points against Minnesota in 1983 are the most scored by the Huskers during the modern era (since WW II). The 1983 offense racked up 790 total offensive yards - the third-highest total in school history, including 595 rushing yards. In the first 37 games in the series, which dates to 1900, Minnesota posted a 29-6-2 record and shut out the Huskers 12 times. The Gophers’ last shutout came in 1941, which marked the second win in a 10-game winning streak by Minnesota. NU is 9-8 all-time against Minnesota in Lincoln, including 8-7 at Memorial Stadium.
HUSKERS.COM
MICHIGAN STATE SERIES
Games: 6 Standing: Nebraska leads, 6-0-0 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 4-0-0 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 2-0-0 At East Lansing: Nebraska leads, 1-0-0 At Neutral Sites: Nebraska leads, 1-0-0 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, six games (1914) Rank Date Site NU/MSU Result Score 10/24/1914 Lincoln / W 24-0 11/20/1920 Lincoln / W 35-7 9/9/1995 East Lansing 2/ W 50-10 9/7/1996 Lincoln 1/ W 55-14 12/29/2003 San Antonio* 22/ W 17-3 10/29/2011 Lincoln 13/9 W 24-3 *Alamo Bowl Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 205 34.2 Michigan State 37 6.2 Highest NU score: 55 in 1996 Widest NU margin: 41 in 1996 (55-14) Highest MSU score: 14 in 1996 (55-14) Highest-scoring game: 69 in 1996 (NU 55, MSU 14) Longest NU win streak: Six games, 1914-present Shutouts by (last time): NU 1 (1914), MSU none Series Notes: Michigan State is the only Big Ten opponent Nebraska holds a perfect record against. NU’s win over No. 9 Michigan State in 2011 marked the second straight year it defeated a top-10 team in Lincoln. Michigan State has scored just six combined points in the last two meetings (2003, 2011). The 2003 Alamo Bowl victory was Bo Pelini’s first win as a head coach, as he served as NU’s interim head coach in that contest. Second-ranked Nebraska posted a 50-10 victory at Michigan State in 1995, in the Huskers’ only trip to East Lansing.
NORTHWESTERN SERIES
Games: 5 Standing: Nebraska leads, 3-2-0 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 2-1-0 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 1-0-0 At Evanston: Northwestern leads, 1-0-0 At Neutral Site: Nebraska leads, 1-0-0 Current win streak (start): Northwestern, one game (2011) Rank Date Site NU/NW Result Score 11/27/1902 Lincoln / W 12-0 10/3/1931 Evanston / L 7-19 9/28/1974 Lincoln 10/ W 49-7 W 66-17 12/30/2000 San Antonio* 9/18 11/5/2011 Lincoln 9/ L 25-28 *Alamo Bowl Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 177 35.4 Northwestern 71 14.2 Highest NU score: 66 in 2000 (66-17) Widest NU margin: 49 in 2000 (66-17) Highest NW score: 28 in 2011 (28-25) Widest NW margin: 12 in 1931 (19-7) Highest-scoring game: 83 in 2000 (NU 66, NW 17) Lowest-scoring game: 12 (NU 12, NW 0, in 1902) Longest NU win streak: 2 games, 1974, 2000 Shutouts by (last time): NU 1 (1902) Series Notes: Nebraska will make only its second trip to Evanston and first since 1931 this October. Nebraska leads the all-time series 3-2, however the Wildcats won in the first Big Ten meeting, upsetting No. 9 Nebraska in Lincoln, 28-25, in 2011. The Huskers defeated Northwestern 66-17 in the 2000 Alamo Bowl. The game marked the highest point total by the Huskers in a bowl game. Nebraska’s Dan Alexander rushed for 240 yards and two touchdowns on to establish the Husker bowl game rushing record. Nebraska has been ranked in the AP top 10 in each of the last three meetings between the teams. Nebraska won the first meeting in series history, 12-0, in Lincoln on Nov. 27, 1902–the only shutout in series history. Northwestern posted a 19-7 victory in the only meeting between the two schools in Evanston on Oct. 3, 1931.
PENN STATE SERIES
Games: 14 Standing: Series tied, 7-7 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 4-2-0 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 4-2-0 At State College: Penn State leads, 5-2-0 At Neutral Sites: Nebraska leads 1-0-0 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, two games (2003) Date Site NU/PSU Result Score 11/6/1920 State College / L 0-20 10/15/1949 State College / L 7-22 10/21/1950 Lincoln / W 19-0 10/13/1951 Lincoln / L 7-15 10/18/1952 State College /19 L 0-10 9/20/1958 Lincoln / W 14-7 9/29/1979 Lincoln 6/18 W 42-17 9/27/1980 State College 3/11 W 21-7 9/26/1981 Lincoln 15/3 L 24-30 9/25/1982 State College 2/8 L 24-27 8/29/1983 E. Rutherford* 1/4 W 44-6 9/14/2002 State College 8/ L 7-40 9/13/2003 Lincoln 18/ W 18-10 11/12/2011 State College 19/12 W 17-14 *Kickoff Classic Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 244 17.4 Penn State 225 16.1 Highest NU score: 44 in 1983 (44-6) Widest NU margin: 38 in 1983 (44-6) Highest PSU score: 40 in 2002 (40-7) Widest PSU margin: 33 in 2002 (40-7) Highest scoring game: 59 in 1979 (NU 42, PSU 17) Longest NU win streak: Three games, 1958-1980 Longest PSU win streak: Two games, three times Shutouts by (last time): NU 1 (1950), PSU 2 (1952) Series Notes: Nebraska and Penn State are the two newest members of the Big Ten, but the schools had a memorable series history as non-conference foes. Nebraska defeated No. 12 Penn State in State College in 2011 to even the all-time series at 7-7. No team has won three straight games in the series, but NU has won back-to-back games entering the 2012 matchup. NU’s 17-14 win at Penn State in 2011 came in the first game in 46 seasons without Joe Paterno as the Nittany Lions’ head coach. In the previous meeting in Lincoln in 2003, NU posted an 18-10 victory. Both teams entered the game nationally ranked in five straight meetings between 1979 and 1983, with NU winning three of the five games. In 1979, No. 6 Nebraska rolled to a 42-17 win over No. 18 Penn State at Memorial Stadium. The following season, the No. 3 Huskers produced their first victory at Beaver Stadium with a 21-7 victory over the No. 18 Nittany Lions. In 1981, No. 3 PSU avenged the loss with a 30-24 victory at Memorial Stadium. The next season in Happy Valley, No. 2 Nebraska dropped a a 27-24 decision to a Nittany Lion team that went on to win the national title. In 1983, No. 1 NU opened the season with a 44-6 victory over No. 4 Penn State in Kickoff Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. Penn State won four of the first five meetings in the series, including a pair of shutouts in State College in 1920 and 1952. NU claimed its first win with a 19-0 shutout at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21, 1950. Penn State is a member of the Leaders Division, but is NU’s designated cross-over opponent and the schools meet on an annual basis.
MICHIGAN SERIES
Games: 7 Standing: Michigan leads, 4-2-1 At Lincoln: Series tied, 0-0-1 At Memorial Stadium: 0-0-0 At Ann Arbor: Michigan leads, 3-1 At Neutral Sites: Series tied, 1-1-0 Current win streak (start): Michigan, one game (2011) Rank Date Site NU/MICH Result 10/21/1905 Ann Arbor / L 11/25/1911 Lincoln / T 10/27/1917 Ann Arbor / L 9/29/1962 Ann Arbor / W 1/1/1986 Tempe* 7/5 L 12/28/2005 San Antonio** /20 W
Score 0-31 6-6 0-20 25-13 23-27 32-28
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2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL 11/19/2011 Ann Arbor 17/20 L 17-45 *Fiesta Bowl; **Alamo Bowl Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 103 14.3 170 24.3 Michigan Highest NU score: 32 in 2005 Widest NU margin: 12 (25-13) in 1962 Highest MICH score: 31 in 1905 Widest MICH margin: 31 (31-0) in 1905 Highest-scoring game: 60 in 2005 (NU 32, MICH 28) Lowest-scoring game: 12 in 1911 (NU 6, MICH 6) Longest NU win streak: one game, 1962 and 2005 Longest MICH win streak: one game, 1905, 1917, 1986 Shutouts by (last time): NU none, MICH 2 (1917) Series Notes: The 2012 game in Lincoln will only be the second game at Nebraska and first ever at Memorial Stadium. Michigan’s only other trip to Lincoln came on Nov. 25, 1911, when the teams battled to a 6-6 tie. The 2011 game was the first regular-season meeting between the two two teams since first-year Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney led the Cornhuskers to a 25-13 victory over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Sept. 29, 1962. Between 1962 and 2011, the two traditional powerhouses split a pair of bowl matchups, with No. 5 Michigan defeating No. 7 Nebraska, 27-23, on Jan. 1, 1986, in the Fiesta Bowl following the 1985 regular season. The Huskers knocked off No. 20 Michigan, 32-28, in the 2005 Alamo Bowl. Michigan is the most recent of three Big Ten schools. Michigan leads the all-time series with NU, 4-2-1, dating back to a 31-0 Wolverine win on Oct. 21, 1905, in Ann Arbor. Michigan leads the series 3-1 in Ann Arbor.
IOWA SERIES
Games: 42 Standing: Nebraska leads, 27-12-3 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 14-2-1 At Memorial Stadium: Nebraska leads, 11-1-0 At Iowa City: Nebraska leads, 8-6-0 At Neutral Sites: 4-4-2 (Omaha 3-3-2, Council Bluffs 1-1-0) Current win streak (start): Nebraska, four games (1982) Rank Date Site NU/IOWA Result Score 11/26/1891 Omaha / L 0-22 / T 10-10 11/24/1892 Omaha / W 20-18 11/30/1893 Omaha / W 36-0 11/29/1894 Omaha 11/28/1895 Omaha / W 6-0 11/26/1896 Omaha / T 0-0 / L 0-6 11/28/1896 Omaha 11/25/1897 Council Bluffs / W 6-0 5-6 11/24/1898 Council Bluffs / L 11/4/1899 Omaha / L 0-30 10/31/1903 Iowa City / W 17-6 Lincoln / W 17-6 11/5/1904 10/31/1908 Iowa City / W 11-8 10/23/1909 Lincoln / T 6-6 11/22/1913 Lincoln / W 12-0 11/21/1914 Iowa City / W 16-7 11/20/1915 Lincoln / W 52-7 11/26/1916 Iowa City / W 34-17 / W 47-0 10/13/1917 Lincoln 10/5/1918 Lincoln / L 0-12 10/4/1919 Iowa City / L 0-18 11/22/1930 Iowa City / L 7-12 11/7/1931 Lincoln / W 7-0 11/5/1932 Iowa City / W 14-13 11/25/1933 Lincoln / W 7-6 10/13/1934 Lincoln / W 14-13 11/20/1937 Lincoln 11/ W 28-0 11/19/1938 Iowa City / W 14-0 11/9/1940 Lincoln 12/ W 14-6 11/22/1941 Lincoln / W 14-13 9/26/1942 Iowa City / L 0-27 11/20/1943 Lincoln / L 13-33 11/4/1944 Iowa City / L 6-27 11/24/1945 Lincoln / W 13-6 10/12/1946 Iowa City / L 7-21 9/22/1979 Iowa City 7/ W 24-21 9/20/1980 Lincoln 6/ W 57-0 9/12/1981 Iowa City 7/ L 7-10 9/11/1982 Lincoln 3/ W 42-7 Iowa City 5/ W 42-7 9/4/1999
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9/23/2000 Lincoln 1/ W 42-13 11/25/2011 Lincoln 21/ W 20-7 Total Average Series scoring Nebraska 687 16.4 414 9.9 Iowa Highest NU score: 57 in 1980 Widest NU margin: 57 in 1980 (57-0) Highest Iowa score: 33 in 1943 (33-13) Widest Iowa margin: 30 in 1899 (30-0) Highest-scoring game: 59 in 1915 (NU 52, IOWA 7) Scoreless tie: 1896 Longest NU win streak: eight games, 1931-41 Longest Iowa win streak: three games, 1918-30 and 1942-44 Shutouts by (last time): NU 10 (1980), Iowa 7 (1942) Series Notes: Nebraska and Iowa began the Heroes Game tradition, with Nebraska winning the first matchup as Big Ten foes, 20-7, in Lincoln. The teams will again meet on the day after Thanksgiving in 2012, marking the 23rd straight year NU has played on that day. The Huskers have won four straight games in the series. No. 1 Nebraska rolled to a 42-13 win at Memorial Stadium in 2000 in the final non-conference meeting, a year after the No. 5 Huskers cruised to a 42-7 victory in Iowa City in 1999. NU has been ranked at game time in each of the past seven meetings. The Huskers are 6-1 in those contests, suffering a 10-7 defeat to the Hawkeyes on Sept. 12, 1981. Nebraska holds an 8-6 edge in Iowa City. NU is 14-2-1 all-time against Iowa in Lincoln, including 11-1 at Memorial Stadium with Iowa’s lone win (33-13) coming on Nov. 20, 1943. The first true home game in the series was played at Iowa City on Oct. 31, 1903, with Nebraska coming away with a 17-6 win. The previous 10 meetings had come on neutral fields in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area with the two teams battling to a 4-4-2 deadlock. Iowa has never been ranked at game time in the first 42 meetings with the Huskers.
OTHER BIG TEN SERIES ILLINOIS SERIES
Games: 10 Standing: Nebraska leads, 7-2-1 At Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 5-1-0 At Memorial Stadium: Series tied, 1-1-0 At Champaign: Nebraska leads, 2-1-1 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, two games (1985) Rank Date Site NU/ILL Result Score / W 6-0 10/24/1892 Lincoln 11/26/1903 Lincoln / W 16-0 / W 16-10 11/24/1904 Lincoln 11/30/1905 Lincoln / W 24-6 10/6/1923 Champaign / L 7-24 Lincoln / L 6-9 10/4/1924 10/3/1925 Champaign / W 14-0 Champaign / T 21-21 9/26/1953 9/21/1985 Lincoln 18/ W 52-25 9/20/1986 Champaign 6/ W 59-14 Series scoring Total Average Nebraska 221 22.1 Illinois 109 10.9 Highest NU score: 59 in 1986 (59-14) Widest NU margin: 45 in 1986 (59-14) Highest ILL score: 25 in 1985 (52-25) Widest ILL margin: 17 in 1923 (24-7) Highest-scoring game: 77 in 1985 (NU 52, ILL 25) Lowest-scoring game: 6 in 1892 (NU 6, ILL 0) Longest NU win streak: four games, 1892-1905 Longest ILL win streak: two games, 1923-24 Shutouts by (last time): NU 3 (1925), ILL none Series Notes: For the second straight year, Illinois and Nebraska will not play in 2012. The first scheduled meeting as Big Ten members is set for Oct. 5, 2013, in Lincoln. NU owns a 7-2-1 lead in the all-time series with the Fighting Illini, including a pair of wins in 1985 and 1986. NU won the most recent meeting, 59-14, which came in Champaign on Sept. 20, 1986. The last meeting in Lincoln resulted in a 52-25 Husker win on Sept. 21, 1985. It was only the second meeting in history between the schools at Memorial Stadium, joining a 9-6 loss to the Illini on Oct. 4, 1924. The Huskers avenged the loss with a 14-0 victory over Red Grange and the Illini on Oct. 3, 1925. It was the only time in Grange’s career that he was
held scoreless in a home game. NU’s second-ever meeting with a Big Ten school came against Illinois with a 6-0 victory on Oct. 24, 1892. NU opened the series with four straight wins in Lincoln from 1892 to 1905. Illinois has never been ranked at game time in 10 meetings with NU.
INDIANA SERIES
Games: 19 Standing: Indiana leads, 9-7-3 At Lincoln: Indiana leads, 7-5-2 At Memorial Stadium: Indiana leads, 7-5-2 At Bloomington: Series tied, 2-2-1 Current win streak (start): Nebraska, four games (1975) Rank Date Site NU/IND Result Score 10/17/1936 Lincoln / W 13-9 10/30/1937 Lincoln 11/ W 7-0 / T 0-0 10/15/1938 Lincoln 9/30/1939 Bloomington / T 7-7 10/12/1940 Lincoln / W 13-7 10/18/1941 Lincoln 15/ L 13-21 10/10/1942 Lincoln / L 0-12 Lincoln / L 13-54 10/9/1943 10/14/1944 Bloomington /19t L 0-54 10/13/1945 Bloomington /8 L 14-54 / L 7-27 10/26/1946 Lincoln 9/27/1947 Lincoln / L 0-17 9/30/1950 Lincoln / T 20-20 / L 14-19 10/20/1956 Lincoln 10/17/1959 Lincoln / L 7-23 Lincoln 6/ W 45-0 9/20/1975 9/18/1976 Bloomington 8/ W 45-13 Lincoln 11/ W 31-13 10/1/1977 Bloomington 12/ W 69-17 9/30/1978 Series scoring Total Average 318 16.7 Nebraska Indiana 367 19.3 Highest NU score: 69 in 1978 (69-17) Widest NU margin: 52 in 1978 (69-17) Highest IND score: 54 in 1943, 1944, and 1945 Widest IND margin: 54 in 1944 (54-0) Highest-scoring game: 86 in 1978 (NU 69-17) Scoreless tie: 1938 Longest NU win streak: four games, 1975-present Longest IND win streak: seven games, 1941-47 Longest IND unbeaten streak: 10 games, 1941-59 Shutouts by (last time): NU 3 (1975), IND 4 (1947) Series Notes: Indiana is in the Legends Division and the two schools are not scheduled to meet until 2015. The Huskers have won four straight games in the series, but the teams have not met since 1978. All four of those meetings came under Coach Tom Osborne and the Huskers posted a combined margin of 190-43. Those victories snapped a 10-game NU winless streak in the series that dated back to a 13-7 win over Indiana at Memorial Stadium in 1940. Fourteen of the 19 games in the series have been played in Lincoln, as the Hoosiers have made more visits to Memorial Stadium than any other Big Ten team. They have also enjoyed more success, posting a 7-5-2 record in their trips to Nebraska. In fact, from 1940 to 1959, Indiana went 7-0-1 at Memorial Stadium.
PURDUE SERIES
Games: 1 Standing: Purdue leads, 1-0-0 At West Lafayette: Purdue leads, 1-0-0 Current win streak (start): Purdue, one game (1958) Rank Site NU/PU Result Score Date 9/27/1958 West Lafayette / L 0-28 Highest PU score: 28 in 1958 (28-0) Widest PU margin: 28 in 1958 (28-0) Highest-scoring game: 28 points in 1958 (PU 28-0) Shutouts by (last time): NU none, Purdue 1 (1958) Series Notes: Nebraska’s least frequent Big Ten opponent, Purdue and Nebraska will not meet in 2012. The first scheduled meeting is set for Oct. 12, 2013, in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers shut out NU, 28-0, in the only meeting in 1958 in West Lafayette. Note: All rankings listed are from the AP Poll.
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SEPT. 1
SOUTHERN MISS
SEPT. 8
at UCLA
SEPT. 15
ARKANSAS STATE
SEPT. 22
IDAHO STATE
SEPT. 29
WISCONSIN (HOMECOMING)
OCT. 6
at OHIO STATE
OCT. 20
at NORTHWESTERN
OCT. 27
MICHIGAN
NOV. 3
at MICHIGAN STATE
NOV. 10
PENN STATE
NOV. 17
MINNESOTA
NOV. 23
at IOWA HOME GAMES IN BOLD