Huskers Hope to Get Back on Track in Austin

Two of college football’s most storied programs will face off Saturday when Nebraska travels to Austin to face the nationally ranked Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium. The meeting marks just the fifth in college football history between teams with 800 all-time wins. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. with ABC carrying the contest on a regional basis.

 

The Huskers enter the contest with a 4-4 overall mark and a 1-3 record in Big 12 Conference action, following a 36-14 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday in Lincoln. The setback was Nebraska’s third straight, marking the Huskers’ longest losing streak since a three-game slide midway through the 2005 season.

 

Nebraska will attempt to end a three-game Texas winning streak in the series dating back to a Nebraska win in the 1999 Big 12 Championship Game. Nebraska will also be looking for its first regular-season victory over the ?Horns since the two schools have been members of the Big 12 Conference, as Texas holds a 5-0 edge in regular-season games since 1998, including last year’s 22-20 win in Lincoln.

 

The game in Austin also begins the first of two straight against ranked teams. Texas enters Saturday’s game ranked 16th in the USA Today Coaches Poll and 17th by the Associated Press. Nebraska will follow this week’s game with a Nov. 3 contest at No. 10/12 Kansas. Nebraska closes the regular season with games against KansasState and Colorado. Both of those teams have been ranked at one point this season.

 

Texas enters the contest with 6-2 overall record and a 2-2 mark in Big 12 Conference play. The Longhorns are coming off a 31-10 victory over Baylor on Saturday in Waco, and sit one game behind South Division co-leaders Oklahoma, Texas A&M and OklahomaState.

 

 

Scouting the Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns enter the contest with a 6-2 overall record and 2-2 mark in the Big 12 following two straight road wins (IowaState, 56-3; Baylor, 31-10) after losing back-to-back games to KansasState and Oklahoma to open Big 12 play. Nebraska and Texas have engaged in some historic battles in recent years as four of the past six contests have been decided by single digits, including a 22-20 Texas win in Lincoln last October. The Horns went on to a 10-3 record and finished the season ranked in the top 15 for the seventh consecutive year.

 

After opening the 2007 season 4-0, Texas dropped its first two Big 12 match-ups to KansasState and Oklahoma. Since the 28-21 Sooner win in the Red River Shootout Oct. 6, the Horns have locked down on defense by giving up just 13 total points in the past two games to even their Big 12 record at 2-2. The UT defense ranks 16th in the nation by giving up 306 yards per game in 2007 and just 260 per contest the past two weeks. They returned six starters on the defensive side, including three honorable mention All-Big 12 selections in junior linebacker Rashad Bobino, senior linebacker Scott Derry and junior defensive tackle Frank Okam.

 

Only three teams have scored more than 14 points against Texas through eight games. The Huskers will look to stay away from senior safety Marcus Griffin, who leads the ?Horns with three interceptions and is second on the team in total tackles with 56. As a unit, the Texas defense has picked off 11 passes in 2007.

 

The Longhorns are ranked 28th nationally in scoring at 34.63 points per game in 2007. Sophomore quarterback Colt McCoy has maintained steady play by throwing for 2,169 yards (271.1 per game) this season which ranks 20th in the nation, one spot ahead of Nebraska senior Sam Keller (2,124 yards). McCoy’s is one of the best young quarterbacks in the nation after being voted the 2006 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year when he threw for 2,570 yards and broke Texas’ single season record for touchdown passes with 29. He is backed up by one the Big 12’s top rushers in junior Jamaal Charles. Charles is averging 90.25 yards per game, second most in the conference, while also running for eight touchdowns.

 

The Longhorns have a strong wide receiver corps led by senior Nate Jones and junior Quan Cosby, both who have caught more than 40 passes in 2007. Jones leads UT with 69.0 yards receiving per game on 49 receptions and four touchdowns, while Cosby has 41 catches and three touchdowns at 44.9 receiving yards per game. Four Longhorns have at least three touchdown catches on the season.

 

 

Texas Head Coach Mack Brown

Mack Brown is in his 10th year as Texas head coach and is aiming for his 100th win as the Longhorns’ leader when UT meets Nebraska. Under Brown, Texas has been one of the elite teams in college football, achieving at least a nine-win season every year since 1998, including the 2005 national championship. Brown is the NCAA’s winningest coach in the last 11 seasons with a 119-27 mark that included his final two seasons as North Carolina’s head coach when he went a combined 20-3 and led the Tar Heels to fourth in the coaches poll at the end of the 1997 season.

 

Brown is a 1974 graduate of FloridaStateUniversity and was head coach at North Carolina from 1988 to 1997, leading the Tar Heels to bowl appearances in each of his last six seasons. Brown also held assistant coaching positions at Oklahoma (1984), LSU (1982), IowaState (1979-81), Memphis (1978) and Southern Mississippi (1975-77).

 

 

Nebraska-Texas Series...12th Meeting

Winners of six of the last seven meetings, Texas leads the all-time series against Nebraska, 7-4. The Huskers are 1-2 in Austin, with the lone win coming in 1960 when NU upset No. 4 Texas, 14-13. Nebraska last beat Texas in the 1999 Big 12 Championship game, 22-6.

 

 

Nebraska-Texas Notes

► In 11 meetings between Nebraska and Texas, the higher ranked team has won only four times. An unranked team has won three times.

 

► Saturday will mark only the third time in series history and first in Austin that neither Nebraska or Texas is ranked in the top 15.

 

► In the last meeting in Austin in 2003, Texas handed Nebraska its second loss of the 2003 season after the Huskers began the year 7-1. Then-sophomore quarterback Vince Young ran for 163 yards and a touchdown in the contest.

 

► Nebraska has not beat Texas since the 1999 Big 12 Championship game. Earlier that season, the Longhorns defeated the Huskers in Austin, 24-20, handing NU its only loss in a 12-1 season that included a Fiesta Bowl victory over Tennessee and a final No. 2 national ranking in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

 

► The Huskers and Horns have met in three neutral contests. The first was a 19-3 Nebraska win in the 1974 Cotton Bowl, Tom Osborne’s first bowl victory.

 

► Texas native Terrence Nunn caught tied a season-high by catching five passes for 84 yards in the 2006 match-up against the Longhorns.

 

► 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).

 

► Nebraska running backs coach Randy Jordan played for Mack Brown at North Carolina from 1989 to 1992. Jordan had 1,134 yards and nine touchdowns during his career, including 618 yards and seven touchdowns in 1991.

 

 

Texas A&M Rushing Attack Proves Too Much for Huskers to Handle

Texas A&M’s powerful rushing attack proved to be the difference, as the Aggies controlled the football throughout a 36-14 victory over Nebraska in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska forged a first-quarter lead in the contest and trailed just 16-14 at halftime, but the Aggies used two long scoring drives in the third quarter to take full control of the contest.

 

The Aggies’ Jorvorskie Lane capped three second-half Aggie scoring drives with short touchdown runs, as he finished the day with 15 carries for 130 yards and four scores. Lane wasn’t the only Aggie to put up big numbers on the ground. A&M quarterback Stephen McGee carried a career-high 35 times for 167 yards.

 

As a team, the Aggies rushed for 359 yards, while adding 100 yards through the air to finish the day with 459 yards of total offense. The Huskers also amassed more than 400 yards of total offense, led by Sam Keller’s 275 passing yards. NU added 130 yards on the ground, including 60 yards and a touchdown on nine carries from freshman I-back Quentin Castille. Junior I-back Marlon Lucky broke his own Nebraska running back record by hauling in 13 receptions for 125 yards.

 

Although the total offense numbers were similar, Nebraska was victimized by three fumbles, while Texas A&M did not commit a turnover on the afternoon. A&M struck first, as McGee capped the Aggies’ first drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Earvin Taylor with 9:17 left in the opening quarter. The Huskers blocked the PAT attempt to keep the margin at 6-0.

 

The Huskers marched 80 yards on their second drive of the day, capped by Castille’s three-yard touchdown run with 6:32 left in the first quarter. Alex Henery’s extra point gave NU a 7-6 lead.

 

After an Aggie field goal put A&M ahead 9-7, a key turnover changed the momentum. The Aggies scored in just two plays after Nebraska fumbled a punt at their own 28-yard line. Down 16-7 early in the second frame, Nebraska responded later in the quarter, as Keller hit Maurice Purify with a 10-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine-play, 79-yard drive to pull the Huskers within 16-14 with 2:26 left in the half, and give NU momentum heading to the locker room.

 

But in the second half, it was all Aggies. Lane capped a nine-play, 80-yard opening drive with a two-yard scoring run to put A&M up 23-14 with 11:05 left in the third. After the Aggie defense held the Huskers on their opening possession, Lane capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a four-yard run to put A&M up 30-14 with 4:29 left in the quarter. Lane then closed the scoring late in the fourth quarter with his second one-yard touchdown run of the day, putting the exclamation point on a 14-play, 76-yard drive that chewed up 7:09 on the clock.

 

 

Noting Game Eight...Texas A&M 36, Nebraska 14

► Texas A&M’s win marked the Aggies’ third in 13 tries against the Huskers and just their second in eight games at Memorial Stadium. The Texas A&M victory also snapped a four-game Husker win streak in the series.

 

► Nebraska dropped to 3-3 at home in 2007, marking the first time since 1968 Nebraska has suffered three home losses in the same season.

 

► Junior running back Marlon Lucky caught a Nebraska running back record 13 passes, pushing his season receptions total to 49. Lucky moved from outside of the top 10 to third on the NU season receptions chart, trailing only Johnny Rodgers’ 55 catches in 1972 and Rodgers’ 53 catches in 1971.

 

► Lucky’s 49 catches establish a new Nebraska season running back record for receptions, bettering Cory Ross’ 43 catches in 2005. Lucky now owns the top two single-game receptions totals for a running back with his 13 catches against A&M and his 11 receptions against BallState.

 

► Lucky has 83 career receptions, good for fourth place on the NU career receptions mark. His 83 career receptions are a Nebraska running back record, bettering Jeff Kinney’s previous record of 82 career receptions.

 

► Lucky’s 125 receiving yards were a career-high, bettering his 81 yards on 11 catches against BallState. He fell just six yards short of the Nebraska running back record of 131 yards, set by Cory Ross against IowaState in 2005.

 

► Senior wide receiver Maurice Purify caught his ninth career touchdown pass and with 42 receiving yards became the 15th Husker with 1,000 career receiving yards.

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► Senior quarterback Sam Keller threw for 275 yards to push his season passing total to 2,124. Keller’s passing total marks the seventh 2,000-yard passing season in school history and his yardage total is third in school history, trailing only Zac Taylor’s 2,653 yards in 2005 and Taylor’s school-record 3,197 yards last season.

 

► Senior linebacker Corey McKeon finished the day with a career-high 14 tackles, bettering his 11-tackle effort against IowaState in 2005. McKeon’s previous season high was 10 tackles against OklahomaState. McKeon also recorded an eight-yard sack in the second quarter and now has 35 career tackles for loss, leaving him just 2.5 TFL from the top 10 on the Nebraska career tackles for loss list.

 

► Freshman defensive back Anthony West recorded a nine-yard sack in the second quarter, and finished with two tackles for loss totaling 11 yards. The TFLs were the first of West’s career. West entered the game with three tackles on the season.

 

Huskers, ?Horns Share History of Success

 Nebraska and Texas are two of the nation’s most storied football programs. In terms of all-time victories, Texas ranks third in the country with 816 wins, while Nebraska sits in fourth place at 807 wins. Saturday’s meeting will be just the fifth time in college football history two teams with 800 wins have met on the gridiron, joining last year’s NU-Texas game in Lincoln and the Notre Dame-Michigan games the past three seasons.

 

The Cornhuskers and Longhorns have racked up huge numbers in the championship history of their respective programs. Between the two schools, Nebraska and Texas have combined for nine national championships, 70 conference championships and 90 bowl appearances. Since the start of Big 12 play, the schools have combined for four league titles and eight Big 12 title game appearances. Nebraska won Big 12 titles in 1997 and 1999, while Texas captured conference crowns in 1996 and 2005. Nebraska and Texas have twice met in the Big 12 Championship Game (1996, 1999).

 

 

NU Looks to Break Through Against Texas in Regular Season

Texas holds a 7-4 all-time series edge between the two schools, including a significant upper hand in the series since the formation of the Big 12 Conference. The Longhorns have won six of seven meetings between the schools since the inception of the Big 12, including a 5-0 mark in games played during the regular season. The Longhorns are 2-0 against the Huskers in Austin as members of the Big 12 Conference.

 

Nebraska’s lone victory over the Longhorns since the start of the Big 12 was a 22-6 victory in the 1999 Big 12 Championship Game in San Antonio. In addition to Texas’ five regular-season wins, Texas also defeated Nebraska, 37-27, in the inaugural Big 12 Championship Game in 1996.

 

 

Husker Offense Looks for Success Against Strong Longhorn Defense

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 game ranked 34th nationally in total offense at 422.0 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 eight games, Nebraska has an 84 percent (26-of-31) Red Zone conversion rate. The Huskers have scored 21 touchdowns and connected on five field goals after moving inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Among Nebraska’s five failed Red Zone opportunities, two have come on loss of downs, one at the end of the half, one at the end of the game and one by a turnover.

 

Nebraska is eighth in the Big 12 in Red Zone efficiency. Texas is also solid after moving deep into opposing territory, converting 26-of-33 opportunities (79 percent) into scores.

 

 

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 produced 30 plays from scrimmage that 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 three weeks, producing just seven plays of 20 yards or more (1 run, 6 pass). The Husker offense of the past two seasons has been much more explosive than in 2004 and 2005. Last season, NU had 46 plays of 20 yards or more through eight 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 been solid 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 eight games are...

 

► Keller has thrown for 2,124 yards, good for third on the Nebraska season passing list. Keller’s season total marks the seventh 2,000-yard passing season in school history. He is in position to threaten Zac Taylor’s season passing record of 3,197 yards set last season.

 

► Keller has completed 62.8 percent of his pass attempts, a completion rate that is just off the Nebraska season record of 63.03 percent by Jerry Tagge in 1970.

► Keller has 182 pass completions, 55 completions shy of the NU season record of 237 set by Zac Taylor in 2005.

 

► Keller ranks 32nd nationally in total offense at 258.0 yards per game.

 

The Danville, Calif., native now has 5,142 career passing yards, including his career at ArizonaState.

 

 

Lucky Producing Record-Setting Receiving Numbers for Huskers

Nebraska junior I-back Marlon Lucky has proven himself as an all-purpose back throughout the 2007 season. Beginning with his 233-yard rushing effort against Nevada in the season opener, the 6-0, 210-pounder has shown himself to be a versatile and productive performer for the Husker offense.

 

In recent weeks, Lucky has distinguished himself as a receiver in the Nebraska offense. He has already shattered several NU running back position receiving records and is on track to establish overall receiving records.

 

► Lucky has recorded the top two games in terms of receptions by a Nebraska running back in the past five games. Against BallState, Lucky collected 11 catches for 81 yards to break the previous single-game record for receptions by a back (9). That record lasted all of four weeks, as Lucky hauled in 13 catches for 125 yards against Texas A&M.

 

► The 13 and 11 reception games rank No. 2 and No. 3 on the single-game receptions chart for any player in school history. Only Dennis Richnafsky’s 14 receptions against KansasState in 1967 top Lucky’s two receiving games.

 

► Lucky has a total of 49 receptions this season, the most ever by a Nebraska running back, breaking the previous record of 43 by Cory Ross in 2005. The 49 catches rank third on the single-season list, trailing only seasons of 55 and 53 catches by Johnny Rodgers in 1972 and 1971 respectively.

 

► The 13 catches against Texas A&M moved Lucky’s career total to 83 catches, good for fifth on the Nebraska career list. His reception total is a Nebraska record for receptions by a running back, one better than Jeff Kinney’s total of 82.

 

► Lucky has at least three receptions in 11 of the past 14 games dating back to last season and has had four or more catches in six of the past seven games.

 

 

Ground Game Also Keyed by Lucky

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 previous 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 1,578 yards to rank 30th on the NU career list.

 

► Lucky’s 266 all-purpose yards against Nevada 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. Lucky averages 138.6 all-purpose yards per game to rank fifth in the Big 12 and 40th nationally.

 

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

 

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.

 

 

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 added 60 yards and a touchdown on nine carries against Texas A&M. Castille has produced 284 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 59 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 133 yards on 29 carries, while also catching three passes. Against OSU, Helu rushed 14 times for 55 yards and caught a 21-yard screen pass, and he had five rushes for 39 yards against A&M.

 

 

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 124 ranks second only to Rodgers on the Husker charts, 19 catches behind the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner. In addition to his receptions total, Nunn ranks second in school history in yardage at 1,580 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 his streak six games shy of Rodgers’ record of 38 straight games.

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.

 

 

Other Receivers Also Making Record Push

Junior Nate Swift is not far behind Nunn in terms of production. Swift has 23 receptions this season to give him 90 career catches, fourth on the NU chart, three catches from third place. Swift also recently moved into the top five on the NU career receiving yardage list and he now sits in fourth place at 1,311 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.

 

Purify ranks second on the team with 28 catches for 374 yards in seven games.  Against Texas A&M, Purify had three cathes for 42 yards, including his ninth career touchdown. He also became the 15th Husker to record 1,000 career receiving yards. Purify caught a career-best seven passes that covered 80 yards against USC. 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 his 11-yard TD late in the fourth quarter provided the winning points in a 41-40 win.

 

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 five 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 sxith 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.

 

 

Adi-os

Nebraska freshman place-kicker Adi Kunalic has made a significant difference in the Husker kickoff game. Through  eight games, Kunalic has kicked off 39 times and delivered 22 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, 10 fewer than Kunalic has provided in eight games this season, despite the change to kicking off from the 30-yard line.

 

 

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 24 of his extra-point attempts. Henery ranks second on the team in scoring with 39 points this season.

 

Henery is part of an impressive output by Nebraska walk-ons this season. The Huskers have totaled 213 points through eight games, with 89 of those points (42 percent) by walk-ons or former walk-ons. In addition to Henery’s 39 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 completes a four-game stretch 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). 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. The fifth 2007 home bowl opponent will come to Lincoln on Nov. 10 when KansasState visits Lincoln.

            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. 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 251-37 during the 288 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 21 seasons (updated including 2007) and is 163-21 at home since 1981. Nebraska's sellout streak will reach 289 in the home finale against KansasState on Nov. 10.

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 21 seasons (updated to include 2007). Nebraska is 119-14 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 (254 games), and has posted 40 unbeaten and untied home seasons. The Huskers are 486-133-20 (.776, 639 games, 118 years) in Lincoln, 361-110-13 (.759, 484 games, 85 years) in Memorial Stadium (since 1923).

 

 

Conference Crowns

Nebraska made its first appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game since 1999 with its 2006 trip to the league title game in Kansas City. 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).



 

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.

 

 

Christensen Honored with Jake Young Memorial Scholarship

Nebraska junior offensive lineman Andy Christensen was honored as the 2007 recipient of the Jake Young Memorial Scholarship. Christensen was honored on the field before Nebraska’s game against Texas A&M.

 

A native of Bennington, Neb., Christensen started six games on the Husker offensive line last season as a sophomore. He started the first three games of 2007 at offensive guard, before suffering a season-ending knee injury against USC.

 

In addition to his on-field talents, Christensen is a standout performer in the classroom, carrying a 3.651 cumulative grade-point average while majoring in construction management. He was a 2006 first-team academic All-Big 12 pick and a CoSIDA Second-Team Academic All-District VII selection. Christensen has also been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll each of his first six semesters on campus.

 

The Jake Young Memorial Scholarship was made possible by generous donations from friends and family, Husker fans across the nation and by a generous donation from Lynn and Dana Roper. The Roper’s were Young’s Lincoln parents. The scholarship is given annually to a Cornhusker offensive lineman who has distinguished himself both on the field and in the classroom in a similar fashion as the late Husker All-American. Young was among nearly 200 people killed in Bali on Oct. 12, 2002, by a bomb attack.

 

 

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 second non-conference to win in Lincoln 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.

 

► 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

► 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.

 

Oklahoma State

► 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.

 

► 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.

 

 

Osborne Named Interim Athletic Director

Chancellor Harvey Perlman announced on Tuesday, Oct. 16, that Tom Osborne had agreed to serve as Nebraska athletic director on an interim basis. Osborne left his head coaching post at Nebraska in 1997 after 30 years coaching football. He led the Nebraska Cornhuskers to three national championships, 12 Big Eight titles and one Big 12 title. Osborne’s teams finished in the top 10 17 times. He ended his head coaching career with a record of 255-49-3.

 

Since Osborne left his post as 3rd district Congressman following a gubernatorial bid in 2006, he has been a senior lecturer in the UNL College of Business Administration, teaching leadership and business ethics.

 

Osborne agreed to serve, on an open-ended arrangement, until Perlman finds a permanent athletic director. Osborne replaced Steve Pederson who was asked to leave the post by Perlman on Monday, Oct. 15.

 

“I’ve spent the majority of my life working with the Athletic Department at the university and I want to do what I can at this point to continue in the pursuit of excellence that has been previously established,” Osborne said.

 

Osborne took over duties immediately and will also finish the semester teaching his two classes.

 

Chancellor Perlman said he is pleased that Osborne agreed to provide leadership and that the university will benefit from Osborne’s vast experience.

 

“I am very pleased that Tom Osborne has agreed to help bring some leadership and direction to our Athletic program. Tom is committed to making the entire program successful. He brings the right experience, an understanding of Nebraska, and our aspirations. I look forward to working with him.”

 

 

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.