Huskers to Play Host to Eight Home Games in 2002

Lincoln -- For the second consecutive season and just the fifth time in the history of Husker football, Nebraska's 2002 football schedule features eight home games. Nebraska also played eight home games in 1903, 1904 and 1905. For the first time in Husker history, Nebraska has 13 regular-season games on the schedule. In 2002 and 2003, the NCAA is allowing all collegiate football teams to play in a 12th regular-season game, because there are 14 available Saturdays between the last Saturday in August and the last Saturday in November.

The Huskers have completed four of the 15 allowed spring practices in preparation for the 2002 season. Nebraska finished 2001 with an 11-2 record under fourth-year head coach Frank Solich and returns 13 starters from a team that played Miami in the national championship Rose Bowl.

The Huskers kick off the 2002 season hosting the Black Coaches Association (BCA) Football Classic. Arizona State and Nebraska will kick off the preseason game on ESPN at 6:45 p.m. The Huskers have a perfect 6-0 preseason record, winning four Kickoff Classics, the 1998 Eddie Robinson Classic over Louisiana Tech and the 2001 Pigskin Classic against Texas Christian.

The Aug. 31 Troy State and Sept. 7 Utah State games are slated for evening kickoffs, providing they do not get changed because of television. The night game should ensure a cooler kickoff time to accommodate Husker fans. Nebraska also plays host to McNeese State on Oct. 5, a Division I-AA team added in March of 2002, Missouri on Oct. 12 and Kansas on Nov. 9 for Homecoming. Nebraska's home schedule is highlighted by a Nov. 2 contest with Texas, the last team to beat Nebraska in Lincoln and Colorado on Nov. 29. Both Texas (Holiday) and Colorado (Fiesta) participated in bowl games in 2001.

Nebraska has arguably one of the toughest road schedules of any Division I team this season. Nebraska hits the road first at Penn State on Sept. 14, then travels to Iowa State on Oct. 5 to open the Big 12 Conference season. ISU finished 7-5 last year, and played in the Independence Bowl. The Huskers travel to Oklahoma State on Oct. 19, playing in Stillwater for the first time since 1995. The OSU-NU game was moved to Kansas City in 1998 and the two teams did not meet in 1996 and 1997 or in 2000 and 2001 because of the Big 12 league format. The last two road games are against two more 2001 bowl participants, at Texas A&M (Galleryfurniture.com Bowl) on Oct. 26 and at Kansas State (Insight.com Bowl) on Nov. 16.

Three games have already been picked for national television audiences, including Arizona State on Aug. 24 at 6:45 p.m. (ESPN), Penn State at 7 p.m. Central (8 p.m. Eastern, ABC) and Colorado at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 (ABC). The Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship on Dec. 7 will also be broadcast by ABC from Houston, Texas. Nebraska is slated to open its season with three night games for the first time in Husker history.

Special events have also been determined for the 2002 season, with the Nebraska Hall of Fame members being honored on Aug. 31 (Troy State); Alumni Band on Sept. 7 (Utah State); Special Olympics on Oct. 5 (McNeese State); Red Cross Day on Oct. 12 (Missouri); Homecoming and a Salute to Veterans on Nov. 9 (Kansas); and Toys for Tots and Senior Day on Nov. 29 (Colorado).

Season ticket prices for the eight-game package in 2002 are $350, an increase of $10 from last year's season ticket ($340 for eight home games). Texas and Colorado are $55 each; Arizona State, Missouri and Kansas sell for $45 each; while Troy State, Utah State and McNeese State are each $35 tickets. The average cost per home game is $43.75, $1.25 more than last season, an increase of less than 3 percent. Faculty/Staff season tickets cost $280, while full-time UNL students may purchase season tickets (while supplies last) for $175 each.

Director of Athletics Bill Byrne said the increase, while slight, will help make up the difference in tuition and fees which go into effect in August 2002. Tuition for all UNL college students will increase 10 percent beginning in August, which directly affects the Nebraska athletic department budget because the department pays tuition and fees for approximately 275 scholarships for student-athletes annually.

"We continue to take a close look at our athletic budget to make sure it remains totally self-supporting," Byrne said. The athletic department does not receive student fees or tax support, and we must make sure that our revenue will meet the needs of our expenses. The slight increase in our ticket prices will go a long way toward meeting the tuition increase. We are pleased to be able to bring our fans eight home games again this season. We feel we have an excellent home schedule with several games having Big 12 and national championship significance."

The Huskers are again sold out, continuing an NCAA-record sellout streak that hit 247 at the end of last season. The Utah State game on Sept. 7, 2002 will be Memorial Stadium's 250th consecutive sellout.

John Anderson, Director of Ticket Operations, said season ticket renewal invoices will be mailed Friday, April 5 with a May 3 deadline. Fans are also encouraged to renew their season tickets on-line, by going to the official University of Nebraska athletic department website, huskers.com. Fans renewing on-line have the chance of winning one of three prizes, including two season football tickets, airfare and game tickets for two to the Penn State game on Sept. 14, 2002, and a wireless telephone with National Freedom calling plan provided by Alltel. All ticket holders renewing on-line will receive a coupon for 20 percent off a single regular-priced item from Huskers Authentic, Nebraska's official team store.

2002 Nebraska Schedule (all times Central and subject to change)

Date

Opponent

Site

Time

TV

Special Events

Cost

Aug. 24

Arizona State (BCA)

Lincoln

6:45 p.m.

ESPN

$45

Aug. 31

Troy State

Lincoln

6 p.m.

TBA

Hall of Fame

$35

Sept. 7

Utah State

Lincoln

6 p.m.

TBA

Alumni Band

$35

Sept. 14

at Penn State

University Park, Pa.

7 p.m.

ABC

TBA

$42

Sept. 28

at Iowa State#

Ames, Iowa

TBA

TBA

$45

Oct. 5

McNeese State

Lincoln

TBA

TBA

Special Olympics

$35

Oct. 12

Missouri#

Lincoln

TBA

TBA

Red Cross

$45

Oct. 19

at Oklahoma State#

Stillwater, Okla.

TBA

TBA

$50

Oct. 26

at Texas A&M#

College Station, Texas

TBA

TBA

$45

Nov. 2

Texas#

Lincoln

TBA

TBA

$55

Nov. 9

Kansas#

Lincoln

TBA

TBA

Homecoming/
Veterans Salute

$45

Nov. 16

at Kansas State#

Manhattan, Kan.

TBA

TBA

$45

Nov. 29

Colorado#

Lincoln

2:30 p.m.

ABC

Toys for Tots/
Senior Day

$55

Dec. 7

Big 12 Championship

Houston, Texas

7 p.m.

ABC

TBA

# Big 12 Conference Games

Note: All times are subject to change. Beginning in October, Nebraska's non-televised home games will kick off at 12:30 p.m., Troy State (Aug. 31) and Utah State (Sept. 7), are scheduled for 6 p.m. kickoffs, but remain subject to change if chosen for television broadcast.