Huskers Look to Respond at Home Against Texas A&M

Nebraska hopes to rebound from back-to-back losses on Saturday when the Huskers take on Texas A&M at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. with no television coverage of the game planned. The game will be played in front of the 288th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.

 

The Huskers enter the contest with a 4-3 overall mark and a 1-2 record in Big 12 Conference action, following a 45-14 home setback against Oklahoma State on Saturday. The loss was the Huskers’ first against OklahomaState in Lincoln since 1960 and just the second time the Cowboys have been victorious in Lincoln in series history. Nebraska will be looking to avoid its first three-game slide since losing three straight games midway through the 2005 campaign.

 

Texas A&M will also be entering Saturday’s game coming off a tough conference loss. The Aggies lost to Texas Tech, 35-7 in Lubbock on Saturday afternoon, dropping A&M to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 Conference play. Despite the loss, the Aggies remain in the thick of the Big 12 South race, as they are tied for the divisional lead with Texas Tech, Oklahoma and OklahomaState as they head to Lincoln.

 

Texas A&M has dropped its only two road games of the season, also losing at Miami, in addition to the loss at Texas Tech. The Aggies will also be looking to buck a trend of struggles at Memorial Stadium in Saturday’s game, as A&M is just 1-6 against the Huskers in Lincoln, with the only win a 27-0 victory in 1955. Nebraska holds a 10-2 overall lead in the series, including a 5-1 edge since the two schools have been members of the Big 12 Conference. The Huskers have won four straight against the Aggies overall, including last year’s 28-27 victory at College Station, which clinched the Big 12 North Division title for Nebraska.

 

 

Scouting the Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M comes to Lincoln with a 5-2 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the Big 12 after winning a pair of home conference games before dropping a 35-7 contest at Texas Tech last Saturday. At 2-1, the Aggies are looking to gain an edge on the Big 12 South as they are one of four teams tied for first with five games remaining.

 

Nebraska and Texas A&M meet after a memorable 2006 battle in College Station when the Huskers overcame a six-point deficit in the final minutes to clinch the Big 12 North championship with a 28-27 win. The victory was also Nebraska’s second in a row at Kyle Field and fourth straight in the series.

 

After a 28-point road loss at Texas Tech last Saturday, the Aggies are still looking for their first win away from home in 2007. Junior running back Javorski Lane gave A&M an early 7-0 lead on its first drive of the game in Lubbock, before the Red Raiders tallied 35 unanswered points. Lane was held to just 48 yards by the Texas Tech defense, but remains the powerhouse behind the Aggie offense as the 268-pounder has scored 12 touchdowns in 2007 to rank eighth nationally in scoring and third in the conference. The 2006 first-team All-Big 12 selection is averaging 63.6 yards per game this year after he tied a 79-year school record by scoring 19 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore.

 

Lane’s power has helped the 2007 Aggies achieve the seventh-best rushing game in the nation with 246 yards per contest. Junior Stephen McGee is the Big 12’s rushing leader among quarterbacks and seventh overall in the conference with 77.7 yards per game on the ground, while Mike Goodson has contributed 61.9 yards per game in 2007, highlighted by a 113-yard performance against Louisiana-Monroe. Goodson led the Big 12 last season by averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

 

Through the air, McGee has connected on 97-of-175 passing for an average of 148.4 yards per game in 2007. Junior tight end Martellus Bennett leads the Aggies in receptions with 24 (39.4 yards per game), while senior wide receiver Kerry Franks is the A&M leader is receiving yards per game at 48.6 yards.

 

The Aggie defense has been opportunistic this year, forcing 15 turnovers to rank second in the Big 12. Along with Texas A&M’s steady defense, the ground-based offense has allowed the Aggies to build the best turnover ratio in the Big 12, as A&M is currently +1.0 per game in turnover ratio, 17th in the nation.

 

The Aggies have recovered five fumbles this season, including one against Texas Tech. Senior Chris Harrington is among the league leaders in fumbles forced with two, while junior Alton Dixon is tied for fourth in the conference with two fumble recoveries. Texas A&M has two senior linebackers with over 50 tackles this season in Mark Dodge (66) and Misi Tupe (53).

 

 

Texas A&M Head Coach Dennis Franchione

Fifth-year head coach Dennis Franchione holds a 30-25 all-time record at Texas A&M and a 185-98-2 mark in 25 seasons of collegiate head coaching. Some of Franchione’s greatest coaching success came at his alma mater, Pittsburg (Kan.) State, from 1985-1989 as he led the Gorillas to five straight conference championships and took PSU to at least the national quarterfinals every season. It was Franchione’s second head coaching job after he served two seasons (1981-82) at Southwestern (Kan.) College. He went on to serve stints at Southwest Texas State (1990-91), New Mexico (1992-97), TCU (1998-00) and Alabama (2001-02) before taking the A&M job in 2003. As the leader of TCU, Franchione coached 2007 NFL Offensive MVP LaDainian Tomlinson for three seasons. Franchione has led the Aggies to two bowl games (Cotton, 2004; Holiday, 2006) in four seasons, including a 9-4 record in 2006, the best season during his A&M tenure. Entering 2007, Franchione was among the winningest active Division I-A coaches as he ranked sixth in all-time wins with 180.

 

 

Nebraska-Texas A&M Series...13th Meeting

Nebraska leads the all-time series against Texas A&M, 10-2. The Aggies are 1-6 at Memorial Stadium and have not won in Lincoln since a 27-0 victory in 1955. Since then, Nebraska has won five straight at home over A&M and nine of the last 10 games in the series. The Aggies have not had good luck in their last two trips to Lincoln as they have been outscored by a combined total of 85-12 (48-12 in 2003, 37-0 in 1999).

 

 

Nebraska-Texas A&M Notes

► Saturday will mark only the second time in the past nine meetings since 1971 that neither Texas A&M or Nebraska has been ranked. The only other match-up between unranked Aggie and Husker teams came in 2002 in College Station when Nebraska had its largest comeback in school history, overcoming a 17-point second-half deficit to rally for a 38-31 win.

 

► Nebraska's offense has been at full force against Texas A&M in recent match ups, averaging 37.6 points per game against the Aggies in six contests since 1997.

 

► Dennis Franchione is looking for his first win over the Huskers as he is 0-2 against the Big Red, suffering losses of 48-12 in 2003 and 28-27 in 2006.

 

► Texas A&M’s rushing attack of quarterback Stephen McGee and running back Javorski Lane each scored fourth-quarter touchdowns against Nebraska last year to give the Aggies a 27-21 lead.

 

► All time, Texas A&M has averaged just 7.6 points per game in its seven games in Lincoln.

 

► With a win this Saturday, Nebraska would match its longest win streak against Texas A&M of five that it also held from 1969-1997. Only a 28-21 upset of No. 2 Nebraska in 1998 has prevented the Huskers from having a current 10-game winning streak against the Aggies.

 

► Nebraska has 11 players on the 2007 roster from the state of Texas:Anthony Blue (Cedar Hill), Quentin Castille (La Porte), Gilleylen Curenski (Leander), Cody Glenn (Rusk), Will Henry (El Paso), Adi Kunalic (Fort Worth), Marcus Mendoza (Houston), Terrence Nunn (Houston), J.B. Phillips (Colleyville), Shawn Sullivan (Brenham), Patrick Witt (Wylie).

 

► NU Associate A.D. for Football Operations Tim Cassidy spent 15 years

with the Aggies as recruiting coordinator, Assistant A.D. for Recruiting and Associate A.D. for Football. Former NU athletic director Bill Byrne is in his fifth year as Texas A&M’s Director of Athletics.

 

 

Oklahoma State Controls Huskers on Homecoming in Lincoln

Oklahoma State jumped to a 17-0 lead after one quarter and never looked back in a 45-14 victory over Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The loss marked just the Huskers’ second in their past 39 Homecoming games in Lincoln, while OSU posted its second-ever victory at Memorial Stadium and the first since 1960.

 

After jumping to the comfortable lead after one quarter, OSU extended its advantage to 38-0 by halftime, marking the most points Nebraska has allowed in the first half of a home game. The Huskers continued to battle in the second half, posting a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, but the outcome was never in doubt. Nebraska slipped to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12 with the setback.

 

Freshman running back Quentin Castille provided the bright spot for the Husker offense, churning out 102 yards on 20 carries for his first career game over the century mark. Fellow freshman Roy Helu added 55 yards on 14 totes, also career bests, while junior Marlon Lucky carried 13 times for 66 yards, as NU finished with 206 rushing yards.

 

Oklahoma State opened the game by scoring on its first six possessions, including five touchdowns. OSU had 357 yards in the first half, on its way to 551 total yards?317 on the ground and 234 through the air. Dantrell Savage finished the game with 212 yards rushing on 25 carries. Quarterback Zac Robinson finished the day with 33 yards rushing and 234 yards passing, as he completed 12-of-19 attempts without an interception. Adarius Bowman was Robinson’s top target, hauling in six receptions for 100 yards.

 

Nebraska had one serious scoring threat in the first half, but the Huskers were stopped on a 4th-and-2 at the OSU 10, while trailing 17-0. Nebraska’s first score of the day came on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Sam Keller to tight end J.B. Phillips on the first play of the fourth quarter. After OSU scored in the fourth quarter, Nebraska closed the scoring with a one-yard TD pass from Keller to Thomas Lawson late in the contest. 

 

 

Noting Game Seven...OklahomaState 45, Nebraska 14

► OklahomaState’s win was just its second all-time in Lincoln, and the victory broke a 20-game Husker winning streak over the Cowboys at Memorial Stadium.

 

► Nebraska’s loss was just its second in the past 39 Homecoming contests. The Huskers’ other Homecoming setback came in a 34-31 loss to Texas Tech in 2005.

 

► OklahomaState’s 31-point victory marked its largest ever against Nebraska, bettering the 41-29 victory last season in Stillwater. The Cowboys’ 45 points were their most ever against the Huskers, bettering the 42 points in a 63-42 loss to NU in 1988 in Lincoln.

 

► OSU’s 38 points in the first half were four points shy of the Nebraska opponent record for most points in a first half (Colorado, 42, 2001). The 38 points are the most allowed by Nebraska in the first half of a home game.

 

► Freshman running back Quentin Castille rushed 20 times for 102 yards, giving him Nebraska bests in both categories while marking his first career 100-yard rushing game. It also marked the fourth 100-yard game for a Nebraska running back this season, adding to the three previous 100-yard games by Marlon Lucky.

 

► Freshman running back Roy Helu rushed 14 times for 55 yards, both career bests for Helu.

 

► Nebraska’s 206 rushing yards were its most since rushing for 413 yards in the season opener against Nevada. The Huskers’ 129 passing yards were a season low.

 

► Senior tight end J.B. Phillips hauled in a 13-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, giving him three career touchdown catches. Phillips’ reception was his second of the 2007 season.

 

► Junior fullback Thomas Lawson caught a one-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, giving Lawson three career touchdown catches. His three career touchdowns receptions have come in the last two home games (2 vs. IowaState, 1 vs. OklahomaState).

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► Senior wide receiver Terrence Nunn caught four passes to give him 122 career receptions, 21 from Johnny Rodgers' school record of 143 career receptions. It marked the 17th time in his career that Nunn has recorded four or more receptions in a game.

 

► Nebraska failed to top 20 points at Memorial Stadium for the first time in 16 home games, dating back to a 7-6 victory over Pittsburgh during the 2005 campaign.

 

► Senior defensive end Andy Poulosky, senior safety Bryan Wilson and junior defensive tackle Shukree Barfield all made their first career starts.

 

 

Huskers Hope to Make it Five Straight Over Aggies; Six in a Row in Lincoln

Nebraska owns a 10-2 edge over Texas A&M in the series between the two schools, including a 6-1 mark in games played against the Aggies at Memorial Stadium. Since the two teams have been Big 12 foes, Nebraska has dominated the two meetings in Lincoln, defeating A&M, 37-0, in 1999 and knocking off the Aggies, 48-12, in 2003.

 

Nebraska has had great success against the Aggies at Memorial Stadium. Since a 27-0 Texas A&M victory over the Huskers in 1955, Nebraska has outscored A&M 170-26 in four subsequent meetings in Lincoln.

 

Overall, Nebraska will be looking to extend its winning streak against Texas A&M to five games. In addition to the 1999 and 2003 wins in Lincoln, the Huskers have also defeated A&M in College Station in 2002 (38-31) and 2006 (28-27). Nebraska is 5-1 against Texas A&M since the formation of the Big 12 Conference, including a 54-15 victory against the Aggies in the 1997 Big 12 Championship Game.

 

 

Husker Offense Looks to Get Back on Track vs. Aggies

Nebraska featured one of the nation’s most diverse offensive attacks in 2006, and again showed the same potential early in 2007. The Huskers continue to strive for the offensive balance they exhibited a year ago, when the Huskers made great improvement on offense and were one of only three teams to rank in the top 25 nationally in all four major offensive statistical categories (Louisville, Oregon).

 

Nebraska opened the 2007 season against Nevada by rolling up its largest rushing total in five years (413 yards), the top rushing total in the country on opening weekend. The Huskers’ 625 total yards were their most since 2001 and the 35 first downs in the game were the most by the Huskers since recording 37 in a 1995 victory over IowaState.

 

Nebraska unleashed the best two-week aerial assault in school history against USC and BallState. After throwing for 389 yards in a loss to the Trojans, quarterback Sam Keller threw for a school-record 438 yards in a 41-40 victory over BallState, part of a 552-yard total offensive effort. NU enters the Texas A&M game ranked 38th nationally in total offense at 424.4 yards per game. 

 

The Huskers finished 2006 ranked 14th nationally and third in the Big 12 in total offense at 414.6 yards per game. Those numbers represented a 94.3-yard improvement over the 2005 season, when the Husker offense clicked late in the year. The 2005 Huskers finished the season 96th nationally in total offense at 320.3 yards per game.

 

The Huskers' offensive gain was largely attributed to a much-improved running attack. In 2005, Nebraska finished last in the Big 12 and 110th nationally at 96.0 rushing yards per game. A year ago, Nebraska finished 23rd nationally in rushing offense at 170.5 yards per game, an improvement of 74.5 yards per contest.

 

NU also made strong improvements in scoring offense going from 67th nationally in 2005 to 17th in 2006 at 30.6 points per contest. The Huskers also made a 31-spot jump in passing offense, improving from 54th in 2005 to 23rd in 2006.

 

 

Husker Offense Continuing to Find Success in Red Zone

Nebraska has been extremely efficient in the Red Zone the past two seasons. A year ago, the Huskers finished the season with an 86 percent efficiency rate in the Red Zone (44-of-51), including 41 touchdowns. At one point in the season, Nebraska was perfect in the Red Zone for seven straight games.

 

The 2007 Husker offense is showing the same ability to convert scoring opportunities into points. Through seven games, Nebraska has an 86 percent (24-of-28) Red Zone conversion rate. The Huskers have scored 19 touchdowns and connected on five field goals after moving inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Nebraska had failed Red Zone opportunities at the end of the game against Nevada and the end of the first half against IowaState, and also committed a turnover on the ISU 1-yard line. The Huskers’ fourth failed Red Zone chance came against OklahomaState when the Huskers lost the ball on downs in the second quarter.

 

Nebraska is sixth in the Big 12 in Red Zone efficiency. Texas A&M is also strong when moving deep into opposing territory, converting 32-of-36 opportunities (89 percent) into scores?good for fourth in the Big 12 rankings.

 

 

Nebraska Looking to Get Big Plays Back in Offensive Attack

The Nebraska offense has shown the ability to produce big plays throughout the 2007 season. In fact, through five games, the Huskers had produced 30 plays from scrimmage that have covered at least 20 yards. NU’s most explosive offensive day came against BallState when the Huskers rolled up 552 yards of total offense, partially due to nine plays of 20 yards or more.

 

NU also had nine long plays against Nevada, four against WakeForest, three vs. USC and five against IowaState. Nebraska’s offensive explosiveness has slowed the past two weeks. Nebraska did not have a scrimmage play of more than 20 yards at Missouri, and produced four plays of 20 yards or more in the loss to OklahomaState (1 run, 3 pass).

 

The Husker offense of the past two seasons has been much more explosive than in 2004 and 2005. Last season, NU had 37 plays of 20 yards or more through seven games and finished the year with 74 long plays.

 

 

Keller at Controls of Husker Offensive Attack

Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan turned the reins of the 2007 offense over to senior Sam Keller. Keller and junior Joe Ganz entered fall camp listed jointly atop the depth chart, but Keller owned a slight edge during the fall to earn the starting nod.

 

Keller is in his second year in the Nebraska program. A year ago, the 6-4, 230-pound Keller sat out as a redshirt after transferring from ArizonaState in August. Keller directed the NU scout team offense and was the Huskers’ Scout Team MVP. Prior to coming to Lincoln, Keller had a standout career at ArizonaState, throwing for 3,018 yards and 26 touchdowns, including more than 2,100 yards in eight games in 2005.

 

Keller has hit his stride at the helm of the Husker offense. He threw for 389 yards against then-top-ranked USC, then put up a school-record 438 yards against BallState on Sept. 22. Keller is the latest quarterback with the opportunity to flourish in Callahan’s West Coast Offense. A year ago, senior Zac Taylor re-wrote the Nebraska record book and was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Of course, Callahan also enjoyed successful quarterback play in the NFL, as Rich Gannon was named the 2002 NFL MVP, while guiding the Raiders to the Super Bowl in Callahan’s first season as head coach.

 

The 6-4, 230-pound Keller opened his NU career with 191 passing yards against Nevada, then threw for 258 yards and a touchdown in the Huskers’ 20-17 win at WakeForest. The 389-yard effort against the Trojans was the fifth-highest passing total in school history, and his 36 completions against USC tied Taylor’s school record.

 

In addition to the records Keller has already set, he is on pace to threaten several other NU records. Among Keller’s notable accomplishments through the first seven games are...

 

► Keller has thrown for 1,849 yards, already the seventh-best single-season passing effort in school history. Keller is well over halfway to Zac Taylor’s season passing record of 3,197 yards set last season.

 

► Keller has completed 63.4 percent of his pass attempts, a completion rate that would establish a new Nebraska season record.

 

► Keller has 156 pass completions in seven games, 81 completions shy of the NU season record of 237 set by Zac Taylor in 2005.

 

► Keller ranks 29th nationally in total offense at 257.1 yards per game.

 

The Danville, Calif., native now has 4,867 career passing yards, including his career at ArizonaState.

 

 

Huskers Lucky to Have Marlon

Nebraska junior I-back Marlon Lucky had a career day in the opener against Nevada, carrying a career-high 30 times for 233 yards and three rushing touchdowns against the Wolf Pack. Lucky’s big day against Nevada earned him National Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, the second time in his career he has earned that honor.

 

In the process of running wild through the Wolf Pack defense, Lucky ran his way into the Husker record books.

 

► His 233 rushing yards shattered his previous career high of 156 yards on 10 carries last season against Troy. The 30 carries were five more than his previous career high of 25 against Auburn in the Cotton Bowl.

 

► Lucky became the 15th Husker player to rush for more than 200 yards in a game (33 games overall). Lucky’s 233 yards marked the 12th-best rushing day in school history, and was just one yard from the single-game top 10.

 

► The last time a Husker topped 200 rushing yards was quarterback Jammal Lord who ran for 234 yards against Texas on Nov. 2, 2002. Lucky’s 233-yard day was the first 200-yard effort by a Nebraska I-back since Dan Alexander rushed for 240 yards in the 2000 Alamo Bowl against Northwestern. The 233 rushing yards were also the most ever by a Husker in a season opener.

 

► Lucky became the 56th Husker to rush for 1,000 career yards against Nevada. He now has 1,555 yards to rank 31st on the NU career list.

 

► Lucky’s 266 all-purpose yards were the most by a Husker since 1991, when Calvin Jones had a school-record 298 yards against Kansas. The 266 yards tied for the fifth-best total in school history.

 

► His four touchdowns were the most by a Husker since David Horne had four rushing scores at Texas A&M on Oct. 26, 2002.

 

Since unleashing his career-high running day in week one, Lucky has proven himself as an all-purpose back in Nebraska’s three subsequent contests. Lucky ran for 90 hard-fought yards against WakeForest, then totaled 183 all-purpose yards against BallState. In the 41-40 victory over the Cardinals, Lucky ran for 102 yards for his fourth career 100-yard rushing day. He also caught a Nebraska running back record 11 passes.

 

Lucky added his third 100-yard rushing day of the season with 107 yards on 16 carries against Iowa State, including a 41-yard third-quarter touchdown run, his seventh career rushing TD of at least 20 yards.

 

Lucky leads the team with 36 receptions, and is making a quick ascension up the Nebraska receptions record book. His 36 catches this season are just outside of the single-season top 10 and he needs eight receptions to establish a new Nebraska running back receptions record. Lucky has at least three receptions in 10 of the past 13 games dating back to last season and has had four or more catches in five of the past six games. Lucky has 70 career receptions to rank ninth in school history and third among running backs. Lucky needs 13 receptions to establish a new Husker record for career receptions by a running back (Jeff Kinney, 82, 1969-71).

 

The junior stacks up well statistically on the Big 12 level. Lucky leads the Big 12 and ranks 32nd nationally in rushing (99.7 ypg), and is sixth in the conference and 43rd nationally in all-purpose running (137.3 ypg).

 

 

Freshman I-Backs Providing Complement to Lucky

While Marlon Lucky has handled the bulk of Nebraska’s rushing chores, he has received plenty of assistance in recent weeks from true freshmen I-backs Quentin Castille and Roy Helu.

 

Against OklahomaState, Castille and Helu both established new highs for carries and rushing yards, helping the Huskers top 200 yards on the ground for the first time since the season opener.

 

► The 6-2, 235-pound Castille carried 20 times for 102 yards against the Cowboys, giving the Huskers their fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season (3 by Lucky). Castille has produced 224 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 50 carries.

 

► Helu has not seen as much action as Castille, but figures into the offensive plans for the remainder of the year. The Danville, Calif., native has rushed for 94 yards on 24 carries, while also catching two passes. Against OSU, Helu rushed 14 times for 55 yards and caught a 21-yard screen pass.

 

 

Nunn Closing Fast on Receiving Records

Nebraska's switch to a balanced offensive attack three seasons ago has allowed Husker passers and receivers to re-write the Nebraska record book. Quarterbacks Zac Taylor and Sam Keller have been the beneficiaries of the Husker offense, holding nearly every NU passing record between them.  Husker receivers have also put their names in a prominent position in the record book. The entire corps of wideouts returned for 2007, along with three of four tight ends who saw extensive action last season.

 

Leading the way is senior Terrence Nunn, who has his sights on the Nebraska career receptions record. The Houston native has been a steady performer in the Nebraska offense since starting the season opener as a true freshman in 2004. Nunn has joined Johnny Rodgers as the only Huskers to record two 40-reception seasons in a career after Nunn posted 43 and 42 catches, respectively, the past two seasons. Nunn's career receptions total of 122 ranks second only to Rodgers on the Husker charts, 21 catches behind the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner. In addition to his receptions total, Nunn ranks second in school history in yardage at 1,553 yards.

 

Nunn did see his pursuit of one record end at Missouri. After having at least one catch in 32 straight games, Nunn was blanked against the Tigers, ending the fourth-longest streak in the nation. Nunn’s 32-game streak was six games shy of Rodgers’ record of 38 straight games. Nunn responded with four catches against OklahomaState.

 

Nunn had one of his finest games as a Husker against WakeForest, catching six passes for 83 yards in a 20-17 win. The six catches were the second-highest output of Nunn’s career. Nunn has 17 career games with four or more catches, including two this season.

 

 

Teammates Giving Nunn Company in Receiving Record Books

Junior Nate Swift is not far behind Nunn in terms of production in Coach Bill Callahan’s offense. Swift has 20 receptions this season to give him 87 career catches, fourth on the NU chart. Swift is six receptions from third on the list. Against IowaState, Swift moved into the top five on the Nebraska career receiving yardage list and he now sits in fourth place at 1,271 yards. Swift set a Nebraska freshman record with 45 receptions in 2005, the third-best receptions total in school history regardless of class. His 641 receiving yards that season ranked fifth on the season chart.

 

Senior Maurice Purify had an outstanding first season at Nebraska, catching 34 passes for a team-leading 630 yards. Purify also led the team with seven receiving touchdowns and averaged 18.5 yards per catch. Purify's 630 receiving yards marked the sixth-best season total in school history, while his seven touchdowns tied for fifth place on the season list.

 

After sitting out the first game of the 2007 season, Purify has shown why he is considered an All-Big 12 candidate this season. He has made 25 catches for a team-high 332 yards in six games. Against USC he caught a career-best seven passes that covered 80 yards. A week later, Purify set a career receiving yardage high with 122 yards on six catches against BallState. His effort was part of a school-record 438 yards passing and he snared his first touchdown of the season, an 11-yarder late in the fourth quarter to provide the winning points in a 41-40 win. Purify has 962 career receiving yards and is 38 yards from becoming the 15th Husker with 1,000 career receiving yards.

 

Senior Frantz Hardy does not possess the same volume of catches, but boasts two of the most explosive receiving games in NU history. His 152 receiving yards against Maine in his Nebraska debut in 2005 rank as the fifth-best single-game total in school history. Last season, Hardy had three catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas, the No. 4 game on the single-season receiving yards list. Hardy has nine catches to his credit in 2007, including a 60-yard reception against IowaState, the fourth catch of at least 60 yards in his Husker career.

 

Junior Todd Peterson and senior Dan Erickson also had extensive game experience entering 2007. Peterson has 10 catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns this season, while Erickson has four receptions.

 

 

Ruud Continues to Show Knack for Big Plays

Nebraska senior linebacker Bo Ruud continues to show his knack for providing big plays for the Husker defense. Against IowaState, Ruud intercepted a third-quarter Bret Meyer pass and raced 93 yards down the sideline for a touchdown that gave the Huskers a comfortable 28-10 lead. The interception return for a score marked the second straight week Ruud had found the end zone. A week earlier, Ruud intercepted a Ball State pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown to help fuel Nebraska’s come-from-behind victory.

 

The interceptions in two straight games gave Ruud five career interceptions, including three that he has returned for touchdowns (also 2005 vs. Maine). Ruud has made the most of his five interceptions, returning them a total of 208 yards and each of them at least 14 yards. The three interception returns for touchdowns are a record for a Husker linebacker.

 

The 93-yard interception return against IowaState was the longest ever by a Nebraska linebacker and the third-longest in school history. Ruud also became the first Nebraska linebacker to score two touchdowns in a season since Julius Jackson had a fumble and an interception return for a score against Southern Miss in 1999. Ruud’s two interception returns for touchdowns in a season ties a Nebraska linebacker record .

 

In addition to his interception stats, Ruud has also consistently been around ball-carriers during his career. The Lincoln native has forced six fumbles in his career, while recovering four others.

 

Ruud is in his third season as a starter for the defense. He lined up at WILL linebacker the past two seasons before moving to the SAM linebacker spot in 2007. Ruud ranks first on the team with 42 tackles, including a season-high 14 stops against IowaState and a team-high 10 stops at Missouri. His 14 tackles against IowaState were one off his career high of 15 stops at Colorado in 2005.

 

Ruud’s 42 tackles have pushed his career tackles total to 204. Against Missouri, Ruud passed his father, Tom (202), on the Nebraska all-time tackles list. Bo’s older brother, Barrett, is the Huskers' all-time leader with 432 tackles and currently leads the National Football League in tackles.

 

 

Grixby Leading Veteran Husker Secondary; Making Special Teams Impact

Nebraska senior cornerback Cortney Grixby is one of the Huskers’ most veteran players, making an impact on defense and special teams for each of the past four years. This season, the 5-9, 170-pound Omaha native has taken on a leadership role for the Blackshirt defense, while also providing a spark for NU’s return units. Grixby had a high impact game in both areas in Nebraska’s 35-17 victory over IowaState.

 

Grixby finished the day with just a single tackle, but made an impact in many other ways. He started by picking off a Bret Meyer pass in the second quarter of the contest. Then in the third quarter, Grixby had a huge assist on the game’s biggest play. With ISU deep in Nebraska territory, Grixby broke up a pass that was intercepted by linebacker Bo Ruud and returned 93 yards for a touchdown to give Nebraska a 28-10 lead. Grixby then iced the game in the fourth quarter, intercepting his second pass of the day. His 41-yard return to the ISU 3 set up the game’s final touchdown.

 

The two interceptions give Grixby four career picks, including three against IowaState. Grixby also leads the Huskers with five pass breakups and has 30 career PBU, good for sixth on the Nebraska career charts.

 

Grixby has also showed his versatility on special teams. Against ISU, he returned a punt 12 yards and helped swing momentum in the second quarter with a career-long 51-yard kickoff return after Iowa State had taken a 10-0 lead. Grixby’s return kickstarted the Huskers and set up a scoring drive that cut the lead to 10-7. He added a 36-yard return later in the game. Grixby has shown himself to be a steady threat on kickoff returns, averaging 24.8 yards per return on the season. His return average ranks sixth in the Big 12 Conference.

 

 

Adi-os

Nebraska freshman place-kicker Adi Kunalic has made a significant difference in the Husker kickoff game. Through seven games, Kunalic has kicked off 36 times and delivered 19 touchbacks. Kunalic’s strong leg has helped Nebraska rank second nationally in touchbacks.

 

A year ago, Nebraska had a strong kickoff return defense ranking 16th nationally in average yards allowed per kickoff return, despite being one of only seven schools to defend 60 or more kickoffs. A year ago, Nebraska produced just 12 touchbacks in 77 total kickoffs, seven fewer than Kunalic has provided in seven games this season, despite the change to kicking off from the 30-yard line. Against IowaState, Kunalic had four touchbacks including one into a 30 mph wind.

 

 

Henery, Other Walk-ons Playing Large Role for 2007 Huskers

While Adi Kunalic has paced the Husker kickoff game, redshirt fresman place-kicker Alex Henery has handled the place-kicking chores in fine fashion. Henery is a perfect 5-of-5 on field goals this season and has connected on all 22 of his extra-point attempts. Henery leads the team in scoring with 44 points this season.

 

Henery is part of an impressive output by Nebraska walk-ons this season. The Huskers have totaled 199 points through seven games, with 87 of those points (44 percent) by walk-ons or former walk-ons. In addition to Henery’s 44 points, tight end Sean Hill has provided 20 points, fullback Thomas Lawson has 18 points, and wide receiver Todd Peterson has scored two touchdowns for 12 points.

 

Peterson is one of 18 former walk-ons who have been placed on scholarship by Head Coach Bill Callahan since he took over the Nebraska program in January of 2004. Of the 18 players, 14 are native Nebraskans.

           

 

Nebraska in the Midst of Rugged 2007 Schedule

Nebraska is in the midst of a difficult 2007 schedule. Among Nebraska's 12 regular-season contests, eight will be against teams that participated in a bowl game following last season. Texas A&M is the third of four straight games against teams that played in bowl games last season. In non-conference action, Nebraska faced 2006 bowl teams Nevada (MPC Computers Bowl), WakeForest (Orange Bowl) and USC (Rose Bowl). In league play, Nebraska will take on five 2006 bowl teams including home games against OklahomaState (Independence), Texas A&M (Holiday) and KansasState (Texas). On the road, Nebraska will face a pair of bowl teams during trips to Missouri (Sun) and Texas (Alamo). The Huskers' home schedule is among the nation's best, and NU faces five 2006 bowl teams in Lincoln, one of just 13 schools to face five or more bowl teams on their home field, including just two Big 12 schools.

            Bowl Opponents at Home in 2007

            7?Stanford

            6?LSU, Michigan

            5?Nebraska, Texas, Clemson, Rutgers, PennState, UCLA, Washington, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi

 

 

NCAA-Record 288 Consecutive Home Sellouts

Nebraska boasts an incredible NCAA-record 288 consecutive sellouts at Memorial Stadium (including Texas A&M). The sellout streak dates back to Hall of Fame Coach Bob Devaney's first year in 1962 (vs. Missouri on Nov. 3). Notre Dame is second in all-time consecutive sellouts with 195, 93 fewer than Nebraska. The Huskers are 251-36 during the 287 sellouts.  The mark includes a 39-23 record against ranked teams. Nebraska is 5-0 in the five milestone sellouts during that period (50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th sellouts), including a 24-7 win over No. 2 Colorado on Oct. 29, 1994 (No. 200) and a 44-13 victory over UtahState on Sept. 7, 2002 (No. 250).

 

The fan support at Memorial Stadium has led to a dominant home advantage for the Huskers. NU has won at least six home games in 18 of the past 20 seasons and is 163-20 at home since 1981. Nine of the losses in the span have come against teams that finished in the top eight of the final AP poll. Nebraska's sellout streak will reach 289 by season's end.

 

 

Nebraska Owns Dominant Edge at Memorial Stadium

Nebraska has rewarded the loyalty of its fans with incredible success at Memorial Stadium through the years. Nebraska finished 6-1 at home in 2006, and has won at least six home games in 18 of the past 20 seasons. Nebraska is 119-13 at home in the last 18 seasons (since 1989), including a pair of losses against teams that went on to win the national championship?Colorado in 1990 and Washington in 1991.

 

During Nebraska’s run of success at home in the past 25 years, Nebraska has had three home winning streaks of 20 or more games. Nebraska had a school-record 47-game home winning streak from 1991 to 1998, a 26-game home streak from 1998 to 2002 and a 21-game win streak in the early 1980s.

 

Nebraska has not been shut out at home since a 12-0 loss to KansasState in 1968 (253 games), and has posted 40 unbeaten and untied home seasons. The Huskers are 486-132-20 (.777, 638 games, 118 years) in Lincoln, 361-109-13 (.761, 483 games, 85 years) in Memorial Stadium (since 1923).

 

 

Conference Crowns

Nebraska has a goal of returning to the Big 12 title game for the second straight season and the fifth time overall. The game will be played on Dec. 1 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Nebraska’s Big 12 titles in 1997 and 1999 both came in the Alamodome.

 

Nebraska made its first appearance in the contest since 1999 last fall. The Huskers played in three of the first four Big 12 title games. Nebraska is one of three teams to capture two or more Big 12 titles in the first 11 years of the conference, joining Oklahoma with four and Texas with two. Kansas State, Texas A&M and Colorado each captured one Big 12 crown. Oklahoma leads the way with five Big 12 title game appearances, followed by Nebraska, Colorado and Texas with four each.

 

The Huskers have won 43 football conference championships overall, including eight under Coach Bob Devaney and 13 under Coach Tom Osborne. Oklahoma has won 36 conference championships to rank second behind NU among league schools.

 

 

Huskers Among Leaders in AP National Titles

Notre Dame leads the nation by winning eight Associated Press national titles since 1936, with Oklahoma (7), Alabama (6), Miami (5), USC (5), Nebraska (4) and Minnesota (4) next in line. While the Huskers were awarded the national title by the coaches in 1997, NU finished second to Michigan in the AP poll.

 

In 1970, Nebraska was awarded the AP national title, but not the coaches (Texas was first, OhioState second and NU third) as the final poll was released before the bowl games were played. In the coaches poll (since 1950), Nebraska is tied for fourth with Miami and Texas with four titles, behind Alabama and Oklahoma with six apiece, and USC with five.

 

 

Callahan's Huskers Continue to Perform in Classroom

Nebraska has continued its tradition of excellence in the classroom under Head Coach Bill Callahan. In 2006, senior Dane Todd was selected as a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-American. Todd completed his career with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in biological sciences.

 

Todd was a first-team selection as a junior. In addition to his academic All-America honors, Todd also received the 2007 Walter Byers Award, the highest honor bestowed on a student-athlete by the NCAA.

 

The selection of Todd as a second-team academic All-American gave the Husker football program 93 all-time CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, a nation-leading total. The Husker athletic program as a whole also leads the nation with 252 academic All-America selections across all teams and all sports.

 

 

Big 12 Leader in First-Team Academic All-Conference Selections

A Big 12-leading 15 Nebraska football players were named first-team academic All-Big 12 in 2006. Overall, 22 Huskers received either first- or second-team recognition by the Big 12. Dane Todd was one of five Huskers who were named first-team academic All-Big 12 for the third time in their careers. Also named to the first team for the third time were 2006 seniors  Kurt Mann, Brandon Rigoni and Andrew Shanle, along with tight end J.B. Phillips. A 2007 senior on the field, Phillips earned his undergraduate degree in 3 1/2 years, finishing last December. He plans to complete his master’s degree in marketing by May of 2008. Phillips has already completed 18 hours toward his MBA.

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Eighteen Seniors on Track to Graduate by December

J.B. Phillips will be in good company by bowl season. A remarkable number of 23 seniors are on track to earn their undergraduate degrees by the completion of the fall semester. 

 

Among Callahan’s first three senior classes, 53 of 64 student-athletes have graduated with several others very near completion of their degrees.

 

 

Husker Freshmen off to Strong Start in the Classroom

The Husker football program had 18 incoming freshmen take courses in the 2007 summer session. Those newcomers quickly made the transition to the college classroom, completing a combined 102 credit hours with an average GPA of 3.720.

 

 

Nebraska Leads Big 12 in Exhausted Eligibility Graduation Rates

The University of Nebraska is the Big 12 leader in exhausted eligibility graduation rates for the fourth consecutive year. Nebraska boasts an impressive 94 percent rate, a percentage point higher than last year’s mark of 93 percent. The exhausted eligibility rate surveys the graduation rate of scholarship student-athletes in 10 incoming freshman classes who complete their eligibility at the University.

 

Nebraska’s exhausted eligibility rate has increased from 87 to 94 percent in the past six years and has improved 22 percentage points since the inception of the rate in 1991-92.

 

The current exhausted eligibility rate includes members of incoming classes from 1990-91 through 1999-2000. During that time, 424 of 453 Nebraska scholarship student-athletes who completed their eligibility earned their undergraduate degree.

 

Nebraska’s 94 percent rate is three points higher than Baylor, which was second in the conference at 91 percent. The national average for exhausted eligibility is 85 percent for Division I schools.

 

 

Huskers Fare Well in Graduation Success Rate Report

The Husker football program also scored well in the recent Graduation Success Rate scores that were released by the NCAA. NU ranked second in the Big 12 Conference in GSR at 83 percent, just one percentage point behind league leader Baylor. Among teams ranked in the AP Top 25 of Sept. 30, Nebraska was one of only two schools to record a GSR score of better than 80 percent (also BostonCollege).

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NU Leads in Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll

In addition to leading the league in first-team academic All-Big 12 picks, Nebraska also paced the field in Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selections.

 

During the fall 2006 semester, Nebraska placed 39 players on the Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll, including six student-athletes who had perfect 4.0 grade-point averages for the semester. During the spring, 35 Huskers were named to the honor roll, with six players recording 4.0 GPAs for the spring semester. The honor roll recognizes all student-athletes who earned a 3.0 grade-point average or better in the previous semester.

 

 

Nebraska Honored by AFCA for Grad Rate

The Husker football program was one of 34 schools from across the nation honored this spring by the American Football Coaches Association with the 2007 Academic Achievement Award.

 

The 34 schools that were honored achieved a graduation rate of 70 percent or better for the 2000-01 incoming freshman class. This year marked the seventh straight year Nebraska has received the honor and the 11th time since 1994 Nebraska has been recognized.

 

 

Peterson Receives Brook Berringer Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Nebraska junior wide receiver Todd Peterson was this year's recipient of the Brook Berringer Memorial Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship was endowed in the memory of former Nebraska quarterback Brook Berringer, who died in a plane crash on April 18, 1996. Peterson received the honor before the BallState game.

 

Criteria for the Brook Berringer Memorial Scholarship includes the following: Must be a football student-athlete; must be involved in community service along with high ideals, excellent character and integrity.

 

A native of Grand Island, Peterson embodies the description of the Berringer Scholarship criteria. He has been a contributor to the Nebraska receiving corps since his freshman season in 2005 and has made 37 career receptions, including six touchdown grabs. Off the field, Peterson is heavily involved in community outreach. He was selected to the 2007 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team, which recognizes Husker football players who take a leading role in Nebraska's community outreach activities. Peterson is also a member of the Nebraska Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

 

Peterson is majoring in nutrition, exercise and health science and carries a 3.726 cumulative grade-point average. He is a two-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection.

 

 

Misc. 2007 Game-by-Game Notes

Nevada

► Nebraska’s victory was its 22nd straight win in a season opener, continuing a nation-best streak in season openers.

 

► Nebraska’s 413 rushing yards marked the most by a Nebraska team since a 2001 win at Baylor and NU’s 625 yards of total offense was also its most in six seasons. Nebraska held the ball for 40:38, the most possession time by the Huskers in 15 seasons and the 35 first downs were its most since a 1995 win over IowaState.

 

► The 96 offensive plays by Nebraska against Nevada were its most since running 106 against Pacific in 1995, and the third-most by a Husker team in the past 20 years.

 

► Nebraska ran the football 70 times against Nevada, the most since NU rushed the ball 72 times against PennState in 2003. The previous high for number of rushes in Callahan’s four seasons was 51 in a 23-14 win at Baylor in 2005.

 

Wake Forest

► The crowd of 32,483 was the smallest at a Nebraska game since 30,150 fans were in attendance at Nebraska’s 1991 win at OklahomaState.

 

► The game was Nebraska’s first-ever true road game against an ACC opponent, and improved NU to 5-0 all-time in the regular season against ACC foes. Nebraska will face Virginia Tech in 2008 and 2009, including a trip to Blacksburg in 2009.

 

USC

► USC was just the eighth school to win in Lincoln since 1986, and only the second non-conference foe to do so since 1991.

 

Ball State

► The nine-point deficit overcome by Nebraska tied the fourth-largest fourth-quarter comeback in school history, and was the largest at Memorial Stadium since overcoming a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit against Colorado in 1966 (trailed 19-7 before winning 21-19). Of the five-largest comebacks in school history, two have happened under Bill Callahan (also 10-point deficit against Michigan in the 2005 Alamo Bowl). The previous time NU trailed entering the fourth quarter and won at home was against Colorado in 1998 (trailed 14-13 and won 16-14).

 

► Nebraska had two players surpass 100 receiving yards in a game for the first time in school history with Sean Hill’s 129 yards and Maurice Purify’s 122-yard effort. Last season against Kansas, Frantz Hardy had 159 yards receiving and Terrence Nunn had 98 yards.

 

► Keller’s 73-yard touchdown pass to Hill in the third quarter marked the longest reception by a Nebraska tight end since a 77-yard touchdown pass from Jammal Lord to Matt Herian against Troy in 2003.  Hill finished the day with 129 yards receiving, the third-most ever by a Nebraska tight end and the most since Johnny Mitchell set NU’s tight end record with 138 yards against Georgia Tech in the 1991 Citrus Bowl. Hill’s 100-yard day was the first by a Husker tight end since Matt Herian caught three passes for 110 yards against Troy on Oct. 4, 2003.

 

Iowa State

► Nebraska’s victory was its 32nd win in its past 33 conference openers. NU has also won its past 30 league home openers, including all 12 since the start of the Big 12 Conference.

 

► Junior fullback Thomas Lawson caught two touchdown passes, marking the first time in school history a fullback has recorded two touchdown receptions in a game. He joined Cory Ross (Oct. 1, 2005 vs. IowaState) and Ahman Green (Oct. 21, 1995 vs. Kansas State) as the only Nebraska running backs with two touchdown receptions in a single game.

 

► Senior linebacker Bo Ruud’s 93-yard return was the third-longest interception return in school history, bettered only by 95-yard returns by Bill Kosch against Texas A&M in 1971 and Willie Greenlaw against Colorado in 1955. It is the longest ever by an NU linebacker, bettering an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown by Noel Martin against Missouri in 1962.

 

► Nebraska held the football for 20:48, marking its lowest time of possession since holding the ball for just 19:33 in a 51-25 win at KansasState in 1983.

Missouri

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► Nebraska’s loss ended the Huskers’ eight-game win streak against Big 12 North opponents and was the Huskers’ third consecutive setback against Missouri in Columbia.

 

► The 35-point loss was the largest to Missouri since a 47-6 setback against the Tigers in 1947, the largest ever victory margin for Mizzou in the series.

 

► Nebraska failed to score a touchdown for the first time since a 30-3 setback at Oklahoma in 2004.

 

► Senior wide receiver Terrence Nunn was held without a catch, ending his streak of 32 straight games with at least one reception. The streak was six games shy of Johnny Rodgers’ school record of 38 straight games.

 

Former Huskers Making their Mark in the NFL

Nebraska has a long-standing tradition of placing large numbers of players in the NFL. When final 53-man rosters were determined on Sept. 1, Nebraska had 26 players on active NFL rosters, two players on injured reserve and one on a practice squad.

 

Included in the group of players on NFL rosters are four players who were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft?defensive end Adam Carriker (1st round, St. Louis), running back Brandon Jackson (2nd round, Green Bay), linebacker Stewart Bradley (3rd round, Philadelphia) and defensive end Jay Moore (4th round, San Francisco).

 

Nebraska has two starting punters and two starting place-kickers in the NFL. The combined four kickers are the most of any school in the country.  A full listing of Nebraska’s players in the NFL is included in the left margin.

 

 

1997 National Championship Team Enjoys Reunion in Lincoln

More than 90 members of Nebraska’s 1997 national championship team took part in a 10th year anniversary celebration the weekend of the OklahomaState game. Team members enjoyed a private banquet on Friday, Oct. 12, where the featured speakers were Head Coach Tom Osborne, defensive coordinator Charlie McBride and defensive tackle Jason Peter, one of four captains on the 1997 squad.

 

The players then were back on the Memorial Stadium field as a team for the first time in a decade, going through a tunnel walk just before the 2007 Huskers took the field. The 1997 Huskers were led onto the field by Osborne and five of his assistant coaches who were on hand for the weekend. Nebraska previously welcomed back the 1994 and 1995 national championship teams for 10-year celebrations in 2004 and 2005, respectively.