Five Huskers Earn Medical Hardships

Lincoln -- Five University of Nebraska football players were granted medical hardship waiver requests for the 2001-2002 season. Kathy James, the Big 12 Conference Legislative Services Coordinator, informed the University of Nebraska football office by letter this week.

The players who will be granted one additional season of competition, include cornerback Rodney Burgess (Jr.), rover Lannie Hopkins (RFr.), nose tackle Jason Lohr (Sr.), rush end Jeff McBride (RFr.) and will linebacker Tim Miller (So.). The additional year is granted by the Big 12 Office pursuant to C.R. 6.4.1 set forth in NCAA Bylaw 14.2.4 and having met the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14.2.4.3.

Lohr started the first three games for the Huskers last season at nose tackle, before suffering a season-ending knee injury; Burgess played in one game before a shoulder injury put him on the sideline; Hopkins played in the first three games before requiring shoulder surgery and athletic pubalgia; Miller played in two games, then required surgery on his ankle; and McBride played in two games before he was sidelined by athletic pubalgia.

With the return of Lohr, who was a non-redshirt senior last season, Nebraska now has 57 returning lettermen, including 29 on offense, 25 on defense and three kickers, and loses 25 lettermen from the 2001 squad (10 offense, 15 defense).