Huskers, Buffs to Battle for Bowl Eligibility

After a dominant 73-31 win over Kansas State, Nebraska will close the regular season with a post-Thanksgiving game against Colorado in Boulder. The meeting will mark the 12th consecutive season the Big 12 North rivals have met on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Game time at CU’s Folsom Field is set for 10 a.m. MT (11 a.m. CT), with the game televised to a national audience by ABC.

 

The Huskers and Buffs both enter the game with the same goal?achieving bowl eligibility. Both teams stand at 5-6 entering the regular-season finale and need a victory to reach the required six-win minimum for bowl eligibility. Nebraska’s victory over Kansas State in Lincoln ended a five-game losing skid for the Huskers, and put NU in position to make its 38th bowl trip in the past 39 seasons, and the school’s 45th overall postseason appearance.

 

The resurgence against KansasState was due in large part to an offensive explosion, including the most points by a Husker team since 1997 and the most yards by Nebraska since 1995. The Husker offense has clicked the past three weeks, averaging better than 540 yards in games against Texas, Kansas and KansasState.

 

Colorado will also put its bowl hopes on the line in the matchup with Nebraska. The 5-6 Buffs are 3-4 in Big 12 action and have dropped four of their past five games after opening the season with a 4-2 record, including an upset of Oklahoma in Boulder. Nebraska will be attempting to pick up its third straight victory in the series and continue a run of success in Boulder. The Huskers have won the past two meetings at Folsom Field and six of the last seven games at Colorado.

 

 

Scouting the Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado aims to become bowl eligible for the third time in the past four years when the 5-6 Buffs take on Nebraska in the 66th all-time meeting between the teams on Friday, Nov. 23.

 

The Huskers and Buffaloes have engaged in a long list of battles as one of the Big 12’s premier rivalries since the conference was formed in 1996. The annual day after Thanksgiving battle has become a tradition, and Nebraska will try for its third straight win over Colorado in 2007.

 

The Buffs hope to prevent such a streak behind the leadership of redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins. The first-year signal-caller won the starting job in the fall and has completed 222-of-395 pass attempts (56.2 percent) this season to account for 2,452 yards. Hawkins holds a 17:15 touchdown-to-interception ratio and has been sacked 14 times. In Colorado’s 27-24 upset over then-No. 3 Oklahoma, Hawkins had two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as part of a 220-yard day to lead the Buffs back from a 24-7 third-quarter deficit. It was one of six times this season that Hawkins has thrown for two scores in a game, including his first career start when he was 18-of-31 for 202 yards in the Buffs’ 31-28 overtime win over rival ColoradoState. Hawkins’ season-best passing performance was a 306-yard effort in Colorado’s 16-6 loss to FloridaState.

 

Hawkins has a wide array of receivers to connect with, as six Buffs have caught more than 20 passes in 2007. Freshman wide receiver Scotty McKnight leads CU with 40 catches for 454 yards (41.3 per game), while senior tight end Tyson DeVree owns the team lead in receiving touchdowns with five. Four Buffs have multiple touchdowns, including McKnight (3), senior wide receiver Dusty Sprague (2) and sophomore tight end Riar Geer (2).

 

Running back Hugh Charles has gained 820 yards on the ground this season with an average of 82.0 yards per game. The senior has reached the end zone five times. Charles owns rushing performances of 61 (2006) and 78 (2005) yards against the Huskers in his career, including a 45-yard run on CU’s first play from scrimmage in 2005 that led to the Buffs’ only points in Nebraska’s 30-3 win. Charles’ long run this season stands at 37 yards.

 

One of Colorado’s biggest strengths is pass defense, where senior cornerback Terrence Wheatley’s five interceptions leave him tied for the Big 12 Conference lead. Wheatley picked off three passes in Colorado’s 31-26 road victory at Texas Tech to tie the school record and returned another one 35 yards for a touchdown at ArizonaState. Senior linebacker Jordon Dizon also had a large defensive presence against the Red Raiders, returning an interception 42 yards to give Colorado a 24-6 third-quarter lead. The Buffs are ranked 51st nationally in total defense, giving up 369.4 yards per game. Dizon is the leading tackler for CU with 144 total stops, more than 60 tackles ahead of junior defensive back Daniel Dykes (79).

 

 

Colorado Head Coach Dan Hawkins

Head Coach Dan Hawkins (UC-Davis, 1984) is 7-16 in two years as Colorado’s head coach, and aims to help the Buffs become bowl eligible for the time in his tenure.

 

Hawkins owns a 97-30-1 overall record in 12 years as a head coach, including the last seven at the Division I level. Entering this season, the Fall River Mills, Calif., native ranked as the 11th winningest active Division I coach (.738), a percentage that is eighth best among active coaches with at least 100 games of experience.

 

Hawkins moved to CU following a highly successful five-year stint as head coach at BoiseState. He guided BSU to three seasons with at least 11 wins , three Western Athletic Conference titles and a 31-game WAC winning streak from 2001 to 2005. He previously served as the Broncos’ assistant head coach for three years under former Head Coach Dirk

Koetter, who then left for ArizonaState. Prior to BoiseState, Hawkins guided NAIA Willamette from 1993 to 1997, including a trip to the NAIA title game in his final season. He also has held assistant coaching posts at SonomaState, College of the Siskiyous (Calif.) and UC-Davis.

 

 

Nebraska-Colorado Series...66th Meeting

Nebraska and Colorado will add the 66th chapter to their rivaly this Friday in Boulder. The Huskers own a 46-17-2 advantage in the all-time series and have won two straight games at Colorado dating back to 2003. In the last contest at Folsom Field, the Huskers defeated the Buffs, 30-3, to improve their all-time record on the Flatirons to 22-9-2. Nebraska won last year’s game in Lincoln, 37-14, to conclude a 9-3 regular season.

 

 

Nebraska-Colorado Notes

►Nebraska’s 27-point margin of victory in 2005 was its largest in the series since a 45-point win in 1992.

 

►The Huskers have won six of the past seven meetings in Boulder.

 

►CU was 10-9-1 in the first 20 games (1898-1961), while Nebraska was 23-1-0 from 1962 to 1985.

 

►Colorado’s win at Boulder in 1986 snapped NU’s 18-game series win streak, and its 12-game win streak at Boulder since 1960.

 

►NU coaches Ted Gilmore (2003-04) and Shawn Watson (1999-2005) each previously coached at Colorado.

 

►Nebraska starting quarterback Joe Ganz threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Barry Turner on a fake field goal in the Huskers’ 37-14 win over Colorado in 2006.

 

►There was a nine-year streak from 1988 to 1996 in which both teams entered ranked in the top 20.

 

►This year’s match-up marks only the third time since 1981 that neither team is ranked in the top 25.

 

►The 1992 game marked the first college game with both teams ranked the same in the AP poll (tie 8th).

 

►The 1998 game was the first time in modern history Nebraska has won a game without scoring an offensive touchdown.

 

►Colorado’s 6-0 win in 1904 ended Nebraska’s then-school record 24-game win streak.

 

►The Huskers have eight players from the state of Colorado - redshirt freshman defensive end Pierre Allen (Denver), redshirt freshman fullback Aaron Gillaspie (Littleton), freshman tight end Ryan Hill (Arvada), redshirt freshman defensive tackle Seth Jensen (Fort Morgan), junior fullback Thomas Lawson (Parker), junior long snapper Robbie McEwen (Chatfield), junior offensive lineman Matt Slauson (Colorado Springs) and redshirt freshman safety Adam Watson (Niwot).

 

           

Record-Setting Effort by Ganz Leads Nebraska to Easy Win over KansasState

Joe Ganz produced one of the best individual offensive performances in school history to lead a high-powered Nebraska offense to more than 700 total yards in a 73-31 victory over KansasState in the 2007 home finale. Playing in front of a Senior Day crowd of 84,665 fans, Ganz shattered both Nebraska’s single-game total offense (528 yards) and single-game passing records (510 yards), while adding a school record for the most touchdown passes thrown in a game with seven.

 

The junior quarterback from Palos Heights, Ill., completed 30-of-40 passes and did not throw an interception in his second career start. Along with his 510 yards passing and seven scores through the air, Ganz added 18 yards on six carries on the ground.

 

Nebraska amassed 702 yards of total offense, the first time since 1995 that the Huskers crossed the 700-yard plateau. NU also produced its first 70-point scoring total since hanging 77 on IowaState in 1997.

 

Although Ganz departed in the fourth quarter, Nebraska continued to roll, scoring on its 11th consecutive possession on Marlon Lucky’s second touchdown run of the day with just over four minutes left in the game. Lucky finished the day with 16 carries for 103 yards, while adding six receptions for 78 yards, including the 100th reception of his career.

 

Wide receiver Maurice Purify enjoyed the biggest day among the Husker seniors with six receptions for 108 yards, while fellow senior wide receiver Frantz Hardy had three receptions that each went for a touchdown. Overall, nine different NU receivers hauled in receptions on the day, including junior Todd Peterson, who pulled in four catches for a career-high 85 yards with two scores. Junior Nate Swift joined Lucky on a select Husker receiving list with his 100th career reception.

 

The Huskers fell behind 7-0 on KSU’s second drive of the game, before senior cornerback Cortney Grixby ignited the Husker faithful with a scintillating 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to tie the score midway through the opening quarter. Grixby’s return was Nebraska’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since the 1998 season opener. It also appeared to inspire the Husker offense and defense on an emotional Senior Day in Lincoln. After Brooks Rossman hit a 31-yard field with 4:34 left in the first quarter to give KSU a 10-7 lead, the NU Blackshirts slammed the door on the Wildcats for the rest of the half.

 

Ganz and the Nebraska offense took full advantage by ripping off 45 unanswered points. NU’s offensive eruption began with Lucky scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ganz with 32 seconds left in the first quarter to give NU its first lead at 14-10. Less than two minutes later, Ganz extended NU’s lead to 21-10 by hooking up with Hardy on a 36-yard scoring strike with 13:09 remaining in the half.  Alex Henery pushed the Husker lead to two touchdowns with a 27-yard field goal with 6:39 left, before Lucky struck again with a five-yard scoring run to push NU’s lead to 31-10 with 2:05 before halftime.

 

But the Huskers were just getting started. After the Blackshirts held the Wildcats on fourth down in NU territory, Ganz blistered the KSU secondary with back-to-back connections to Peterson, including a 23-yard touchdown with eight seconds left to put Nebraska up 38-10 at the half.

 

Nebraska kept rolling after receiving the opening kickoff of the second half, marching 80 yards capped by Ganz’s eight-yard touchdown pass to Hardy just three minutes into the half.  The duo hooked up for a third time on a 39-yard scoring strike with 6:16 left in the quarter to push NU’s lead to 52-10. At that point, Ganz tied Nebraska’s single-game record with his fifth touchdown pass of the day, while Hardy tied a record of his own with his third touchdown catch of the afternoon.

 

 

Noting Game 11...Nebraska 73, KansasState 31

►Nebraska’s victory marked the Huskers’ third straight win over KansasState and the 19th in the past 20 meetings between the two schools at Memorial Stadium.

 

►The win gave Nebraska a 4-3 home record in 2007, marking the 39th consecutive season the Huskers have finished with a winning home record.

 

►Nebraska’s 73 points marked its most ever against KansasState, bettering the 62 points against the Wildcats in 1984. The 73 points were the most by a Nebraska team since the Huskers scored 77 against IowaState in 1997.

 

►Joe Ganz passed for 510 yards and seven touchdowns. His passing total set a school record, bettering the 438 yards by Sam Keller earlier this season against BallState. It marked the ninth 300-yard passing day in school history (4 in 2007) and the fourth 400-yard passing day in school history (3 in 2007). Ganz threw for 405 yards on Nov. 3 at Kansas, marking the first time in school history a player has posted back-to-back 400-yard passing efforts.

 

►The seven touchdown passes set a Nebraska school record, bettering the mark of five held by Eric Crouch (2000 vs. Iowa), Steve Taylor (1987 vs. Oklahoma) and Joe Dailey (2004 vs. Baylor).

 

►Ganz totaled 528 yards of total offense, breaking the previous school record for total offense of 433 yards by Zac Taylor in 2005 against IowaState.

 

►Ganz had 12 pass plays of more than 20 yards and has had 18 completions of 20 or more yards in the past two games. At one point early in the third quarter, eight of Ganz’s 15 completions had covered 20 or more yards and 14 of the 15 completions had covered 10 or more yards.

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►Nebraska’s 702 yards of total offense were the most in Bill Callahan’s four seasons as head coach, bettering a 625-yard effort in this year’s season opener against Nevada. The Huskers also topped the 700-mark for the first time since totaling 776 against IowaState in 1995.

 

►Senior wide receiver Frantz Hardy had three touchdowns, a 36-yarder in the second quarter and TDs of 8 and 39 yards in the third quarter. The three touchdowns tied a school record and marked the second straight week NU had a player with three touchdown catches (Maurice Purify at Kansas). Four of Hardy’s seven career touchdowns have covered at least 36 yards. Four of Hardy’s 14 receptions this season have covered 24 yards or more, including two receptions of more than 50 yards.

 

►Senior wide receiver Maurice Purify caught six passes for 108 yards, marking the first time in his career he has had back-to-back 100-yard receiving days. Purify upped his season receiving yardage total to 678, putting him in fourth place on the season receiving yardage list and giving Purify two of the top seven single-season yardage totals in Nebraska history.

 

►Nebraska senior cornerback Cortney Grixby returned a first-quarter kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, giving Nebraska its first kickoff return for a touchdown since Joe Walker returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in the 1998 season opener against Louisiana Tech (8-29-1998).

 

►Grixby’s kickoff return for a touchdown marked Nebraska’s 14th unconvential score against KansasState in the past 13 games between the two schools. Nebraska has scored 74 points via non-offensive touchdowns since 1995 against KansasState. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the first in that stretch for Nebraska against KansasState. NU has scored points by fake field goal, fumble return, interception return, punt return and blocked punt against KSU in the past 13 seasons.

 

►Junior wide receiver Todd Peterson caught four passes for a career-high 85 yards, bettering his 82 yards at Texas A&M in 2006.

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►Senior cornerback Andre Jones returned a second-quarter punt 43 yards, marking a season-long punt return for the Huskers.

 

►Nebraska’s 24 points in the second quarter were the most by the Huskers in a quarter since scoring 24 in the second quarter of a 2004 win over Baylor in Lincoln. The Huskers’ 38 first-half points were the most by Nebraska since scoring 42 points in the first half of the 2004 season opener against Western Illinois.

 

 

Huskers, CU Continue Post-Thanksgiving Tradition

Nebraska will play on the Friday after Thanksgiving for the 18th straight year. The Huskers have met Colorado for post-Turkey Day festivities each of the last 12 years (since the formation of the Big 12). Before 1996, Nebraska and Oklahoma met for six consecutive years on the day after Thanksgiving.

 

Since 1990, Nebraska has a 14-4 mark on post-Thanksgiving Friday, losing only to Oklahoma in 1990 and Colorado in 2001, 2002 and 2004. The Huskers are 4-1 in that same stretch in Boulder on the Friday after Thanksgiving, losing only in 2001. Before 1990, Nebraska and Oklahoma also met on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1982 and squared off on Thanksgiving Day five times between 1965 and 1972.

 

 

Nebraska Looks to Continue Success in Boulder

Nebraska owns a comfortable 46-17-2 all-time edge in the series between the two schools, including a 20-8-2 advantage in games played at Folsom Field. Nebraska has enjoyed good success in recent years against the Buffs in Boulder, winning six of the past seven meetings at Folsom Field, most recently a 30-3 win in 2005.

 

The Huskers’ success in Boulder has been due in large part to outstanding offensive production. The Huskers have topped 30 points in each of the past four meetings in Boulder. Overall, Nebraska has scored 30 points or more in six of the past eight meetings between the two schools. The winning team in the series has scored at least 26 points in each of the past eight matchups.

 

 

Husker Offense Looks to Continue Surge Against Solid Buff Defense

The Nebraska offense has been at its best in the past three weeks against Texas, Kansas and KansasState. The Huskers have averaged 45.7 points and 544.3 yards per game in those contests, including 73 points and 702 yards a week ago against KansasState. The Huskers’ recent run of offensive success will be tested by a Colorado defense that ranks fifth in the Big 12 against the run and in total defense.

 

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, at the time, their most since 2001 and the 35 first downs in the game (matched vs. KansasState) were the most by the Huskers since recording 37 in a 1995 victory over IowaState. Since the opener Nebraska has relied mostly on its passing game to move the football. 

 

Nebraska has twice unleashed the best two-week aerial assault in school history. Against USC and Ball State, Nebraska passed for a combined 827 yards, including 389 against the Trojans and a then-school-record 438 yards in a 41-40 victory over BallState. In the past two weeks Nebraska has bettered that passing total with 924 combined passing yards against Kansas and Kansas State, including a school-record 519 yards passing against the Wildcats.

 

NU enters the Colorado game ranked 16th nationally in total offense at 455.4 yards per game, and 11th in passing at 309.3 yards per game. The Huskers’ 455.4 yard-per game average would be their best in a season since 2000. The Huskers have topped 400 yards of total offense in seven of 11 games this season, including each of the last four contests.

 

Nebraska featured one of the nation’s most diverse offensive attacks in 2006, when Nebraska was one of only three teams to rank in the top 25 nationally in all four major offensive statistical categories (Louisville, Oregon). 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 2005, when the Husker offense clicked late in the year.

 

 

NU Offense Finds 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 11 games, Nebraska has an 89 percent (40-of-45) Red Zone conversion rate. The Huskers have scored 32 touchdowns and connected on eight 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 fourth in the Big 12 in Red Zone efficiency.

 

 

Big Plays a Staple of NU Offensive Attack

The Nebraska offense has shown the ability to produce big plays throughout the 2007 season. Nebraska produced 30 plays from scrimmage that covered at least 20 yards in the first five games, including nine such plays against BallState. NU also had nine long plays against Nevada, four against WakeForest, three vs. USC and five against IowaState.

 

Nebraska’s offensive explosiveness slowed against Missouri, Texas A&M and OklahomaState, producing just seven plays of 20 yards or more (1 run, 6 pass).  Nebraska got back on track with six plays of 20 yards or more against Texas, including five through the air. NU then added seven long plays at Kansas, and exploded against KansasState. Quarterback Joe Ganz had 12 completions of 20 yards or more and the running game added three plays of 20 yards or more for 15 long plays, the most by the Huskers in more than a decade.

 

Nebraska has produced 10 of its longest 16 plays from scrimmage in the past three weeks.

 

The Husker offense of the past two seasons has been much more explosive than in 2004 and 2005. Last season, NU had 63 plays of 20 yards or more through 11 games and finished the year with 74 long plays in 14 games.

 

 

Lucky Producing Record-Setting Receiving Numbers for NU Offense

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 shattered Nebraska receiving records, not only for running backs, but also regardless of position.

 

►Lucky made six catches against KansasState, pushing his season total to 67 receptions. That total is a Nebraska record, bettering the 55 catches by Johnny Rodgers in 1972. Lucky has shattered the previous running back season record of 43 receptions set by Cory Ross in 2005.

 

►The 67 receptions by Lucky are the most by any running back in the nation. In fact, Lucky ranks 34th nationally and sixth in the Big 12 Conference in receptions per game at 6.1 per game. Lucky is the only running back in the country ranked in the top 60 in receptions per game.

 

►Lucky has 590 receiving yards this season, a Nebraska running back record, passing Jeff Kinney’s 433 yards on 41 catches in 1969. Lucky’s 976 career receiving yards are also a position record, bettering Kinney’s 864 yards from 1969 to 1971. Lucky needs 24 yards to become the 16th, 1,000-yard receiver in school history and the only player in school history to have both 1,000 career rushing and receiving yards.

 

►Lucky has recorded the top two games in terms of receptions by a Nebraska running back. 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 at least three receptions in 14 of the past 17 games dating back to last season and has had four or more catches in nine of the past 10 games.

 

►Lucky has 101 career receptions, tied for third on the Husker career list with teammate Nate Swift and trailing only Rodgers’ NU record of 143 career catches, and teammate Terrence Nunn (132). 

 

 

Ground Game Also Keyed by Lucky

Marlon Lucky had a career rushing 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’s four touchdowns were the most by a Husker since David Horne had four rushing scores at Texas A&M on Oct. 26, 2002.

 

►Lucky became the 56th Husker to rush for 1,000 career yards against Nevada. He now has 1,807 yards to rank 27th on the NU career list.

 

►Lucky has 950 rushing yards in 2007 and needs 50 yards to record the 28th, 1,000-yard rushing season in school history.

 

►Lucky produced his fifth 100-yard rushing day of the season with 103 yards on 16 carries against KansasState. Lucky now has eight career 100-yard rushing days, including three in 2006.

 

►Lucky has 1,559 all-purpose yards in 2007. He averages 141.7 all-purpose yards per game to rank sixth in the Big 12 and 34th nationally. His 1,559 all-purpose yards are the most by a Husker since  Ahman Green racked up 1,982 all-purpose yards in 1997.

 

►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.

 

 

Purify Making Mark in Record Books in Two Seasons

Senior wide receiver Maurice Purify has made his way into the Nebraska record books in just two seasons with the Huskers. Purify has posted his best two week stretch as a Husker with back-to-back 100-yard receiving days against Kansas and KansasState.

 

Against Kansas on Nov. 3, Purify tied his career best with seven catches for a career-high 158 yards, the fifth-highest receiving total in school history. The 6-4, 220-pounder also caught three touchdown passes against the Jayhawks, tying a school record and becoming the first NU player to nab three touchdowns in a game since 2000.

 

A week later, Purify was a key part of Nebraska’s record-setting passing day against KansasState. He caught six passes for a team-high 108 yards, helping Nebraska pass for 519 yards.

 

Among Purify’s notable accomplishments as a Husker are...

►Purify moved into the top 10 on both the career receptions and career receiving yardage list against Kansas. He now has 80 career receptions to rank seventh on the NU career receptions list. His 1,308 receiving yards are fifth in school history. Purify’s two-year receiving total is the best since Johnny Rodgers compiled 1,814 receiving yards in 1971 and 1972.

 

►His 46 receptions this season are fourth on the NU single-season receptions list, trailing only Rodgers’ 1971 and 1972 totals and teammate Marlon Lucky’s school-record 67 catches this season.

 

►Purify has caught a team-high six touchdowns in 2007. He led the team with seven TD catches in 2006, and his 13 career touchdown receptions are fifth all-time at Nebraska.

 

►Purify has a team-high 678 receiving yards this season, fourth on the single-season list. He owns two of the top seven single-season receiving yardage totals in NU history, as his 630 yards last season are No. 7 on the season charts.

 

►Purify has caught five or more passes six times in 2007, including each of the past three weeks.

 

 

Nunn Near the Top of Receiving Record Charts

Nebraska's switch to a balanced offensive attack three seasons ago has allowed Husker passers Zac Taylor, Sam Keller and Joe Ganz to re-write NU passing records. 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.

 

The most experienced member of the receiving corps is senior Terrence Nunn. 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, in 2005 and 2006. Nunn's career receptions total of 132 ranks second only to Rodgers on the Husker chart, 11 catches behind the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner. In addition to his receptions total, Nunn ranks second in school history in yardage at 1,674 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 18 career games with four or more catches, including three this season.

 

 

Swift Also on Record-Setting Receiving Pace

Junior Nate Swift is not far behind Nunn and Purify in terms of production. Swift and Nunn joined the Nebraska program together in the fall of 2004, but Swift redshirted his first season in Lincoln. Swift is in close pursuit of Nunn in terms of both career receptions and receiving yards.

 

The Hutchinson, Minn., native had his most productive game in two seasons on Oct. 27 at Texas, catching six passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a two-point conversion catch and his 100-yard day was the fourth of his career, but first since 2005. Swift’s four 100-yard receiving days rank third on the NU career list.

 

Swift has 34 receptions for 488 yards and three touchdowns this season. Against KansasState, Swift and I-back Marlon Lucky became the third and fourth Huskers to reach the century mark in career receptions. Both players enter the Colorado game with 101 career catches. Swift also ranks third on the Nebraska career receiving yardage list with 1,503 yards, trailing Nunn and NU record holder Johnny Rodgers. 

 

Swift set a Nebraska freshman record with 45 receptions in 2005, the fourth-best receptions total in school history regardless of class. His 641 receiving yards that season rank sixth on the season chart.

 

The two touchdown catches at Texas gave Swift 12 career touchdown receptions, good for a tie for seventh on the NU career list. He is just three touchdown catches from moving into a tie for second on the Husker career touchdown receptions list.

 

 

Ganz Impressive in Starting Assignment

Nebraska junior quarterback Joe Ganz took the reins of the Husker offense at Kansas, following the season-ending shoulder injury to senior Sam Keller. Ganz has made the most of his first starting opportunity, throwing for 915 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for another in his first two career starts.

 

In his starting debut, Ganz completed 25-of-50 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns against the Jayhawks, while opening the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The 405 passing yards were the most ever by a Nebraska quarterback in a starting debut and at the time the third-highest single-game total in school history, trailing only Keller’s 438 yards against Ball State this season and Zac Taylor’s 431-yard effort against Iowa State in 2005. Ganz’s 416 yards of total offense also ranked as the third-best single-game total in school history.

 

The numbers against Kansas paled in comparison to Ganz’s output against KansasState on Nov. 10 in Lincoln. The 6-1, 200-pounder operated the Nebraska offense to near-perfection, completing 30-of-40 passes for 510 yards and seven touchdowns, setting NU records for passing yards and touchdowns. He accounted for 528 yards of total offense, also shattering the previous Husker record in that category. Ganz had 12 completions of more than 20 yards against the Wildcats.

 

Ganz’s 11 touchdown passes give him 12 this season and 15 career touchdown passes on just 107 career passing attempts (14.0 percent of pass attempts). Ganz came off the bench at Texas to guide Nebraska to a touchdown and a two-point conversion to cut the UT lead to 28-25 late in that contest. 

 

 

Keller Posts Impressive Offensive Numbers in Husker Attack

Joe Ganz is not the only Nebraska quarterback to operate the Nebraska offense at a high level in 2007. Sam Keller posted impressive numbers before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Texas. The 6-4, 230-pound Keller is in his second year in the Nebraska program, after transferring from ArizonaState. Keller directed the NU scout team offense in 2006 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 had a strong 2007 campaign at the helm of the Husker offense. Keller finished with 2,422 passing yards, the third-most in school history, trailing only Zac Taylor’s passing totals from the past two seasons. He also set a then-single-game passing record with 438 yards against BallState on Sept. 22. His 389 yards passing against USC was the seventh-highest passing total in school history, while his 36 completions against USC tied a school record. He also established a new season completion percentage record by connecting on 63.08 percent of his pass attempts, breaking the previous NU record of 63.03 percent by Jerry Tagge in 1970.

 

Keller ranks 34th nationally in total offense at 260.4 yards per game. The Danville, Calif., native finished his college career with 5,440 career passing yards, including his career at ArizonaState. Keller is hopeful of recovering in time to play in the East-West Shrine Game in Houston in January.

 

 

Ruud Continues to Show Knack for Big Plays

Nebraska senior linebacker Bo Ruud has continued to show his knack for providing big plays in 2007. Against IowaState, Ruud intercepted a third-quarter pass and raced 93 yards for a touchdown to give the Huskers a 28-10 lead. The interception return for a score marked the second straight week Ruud 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 NU’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. Ruud is one of only seven active players in the nation with at least three career INT returns for touchdowns.

 

The 93-yard interception return against IowaState was the longest ever by an NU linebacker and the third-longest in school history. Ruud also became the first NU 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 Husker 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 seventh on the team with 46 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 returned to action against KansasState after missing the previous two games against Texas and Kansas after suffering a knee injury on the first series against Texas A&M on Oct. 20.

 

Ruud’s 46 tackles have pushed his career tackles total to 208. 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 ranks third in the the NFL in tackles.

 

 

McKeon Making Way up Nebraska Tackles List

Nebraska senior linebacker Corey McKeon is third on the Nebraska defense with 63 tackles this season. McKeon has had his top tackle games in recent weeks with 10 stops against OklahomaState, followed by a career-high 14 stops against Texas A&M on Oct. 20.

 

McKeon’s 63 tackles have pushed his career tackles total to 230, good for 15th place on the Nebraska career charts. He is 18 stops from becoming one of Nebraska’s top 10 career tacklers. McKeon also has six tackles for loss in 2007, giving the Naperville, Ill., native a total of 36 career stops behind the line of scrimmage. He needs 1.5 tackles for loss to move into the top 10 on that career list. A high school safety, McKeon has also recorded five career interceptions, including one earlier this season in Nebraska’s 20-17 win at WakeForest.

 

 

Octavien Makes Presence Felt for Husker Defense

Senior linebacker Steve Octavien has been the statistical leader of the Nebraska defense for the majority of the 2007 campaign. Octavien enters the regular-season finale at Colorado with a team-leading 80 tackles, including 49 solo stops. He also leads the Huskers with 13 tackles for loss (50 yards) and a NU-best nine quarterback hurries.

 

The 6-0, 240-pound Octavien boasts a series of impressive numbers, including...

►Octavien has made at least eight tackles in six of 11 games this season, including three double-figure tackle efforts.

 

►Has five games with two or more tackles for loss, including three TFL for 20 yards in losses against KansasState.

 

 

Adi-os

Nebraska freshman place-kicker Adi Kunalic has made a significant difference in the Husker kickoff game. Through 11 games, Kunalic has kicked off 60 times and delivered 27 touchbacks. Kunalic’s strong leg has helped Nebraska rank second nationally in touchbacks, and Kunalic has the best touchback percentage of any kicker in the country at 45 percent.

 

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. Last season Nebraska produced just 12 touchbacks in 77 total kickoffs, 15 fewer than Kunalic has provided in 11 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 freshman place-kicker Alex Henery has handled the place-kicking chores in fine fashion. Henery is a perfect 8-of-8 on field goals this season and has connected on all 40 of his extra-point attempts. Henery ranks second on the team in scoring with 64 points this season.

 

Henery is part of an impressive output by Nebraska walk-ons this season. The Huskers have totaled 350 points through 11 games, with 126 of those points (36 percent) by walk-ons or former walk-ons. In addition to Henery’s 64 points, wide receiver Todd Peterson has scored four touchdowns for 24 points, tight end Sean Hill has provided 20 points, and fullback Thomas Lawson has 18 points.

 

Peterson and Hill are two of 21 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 21 players, 15 are native Nebraskans.

           

 

NCAA-Record 289 Consecutive Home Sellouts

Nebraska boasts an incredible NCAA-record 289 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 198, 91 fewer than Nebraska. The Huskers are 252-37 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 and is 164-21 at home since 1981. 

 

 

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. Nebraska is 120-14 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 (255 games), and has posted 40 unbeaten and untied home seasons. The Huskers are 487-133-20 (.777, 640 games, 118 years) in Lincoln, 362-110-13 (.760, 485 games, 85 years) in Memorial Stadium (since 1923). Nebraska complete its 39th consecutive home winning season with a victory over KansasState on Nov. 10.

 

 

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.

 

 

Phillips Named to Academic All-District Team

Senior tight end J.B. Phillips has been named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII team as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). With his selection to the all-district squad, Phillips advances to the ballot for Academic All-America honors which will be announced in early December.

 

This marks the third consecutive year that Phillips has received academic all-district honors after being a second-team pick each of the past two seasons. The Colleyville, Texas native is in his second semester of graduate school after picking up his degree last December. Phillips completed his undergraduate work in marketing with a 3.73 cumulative grade-point average and he carries a 3.89 grade-point average in his master’s degree work.

 

 

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. (2007 team will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 20). 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 2007 Exhausted Eligibility Graduation Rates

The University of Nebraska is the Big 12 leader in exhausted eligibility graduation rates for the fifth consecutive year. Nebraska boasts an impressive 94 percent rate for the second consecutive year. 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 seven 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 1991-92 through 2000-01. During that time, 415 of 443 Nebraska scholarship student-athletes who completed their eligibility earned their undergraduate degree.

 

Nebraska’s 94 percent rate is two points higher than Texas Tech, which was second in the conference at 92 percent. The national average for exhausted eligibility is 86 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 Scholarship, Finalist for Wuerffel Trophy

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 eight 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.

 

Earlier this month, Peterson was also named one of 11 finalists for the third annual Wuerffel Trophy. The award is presented to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement. Peterson is the only finalist from the Big 12 Conference and his selection marks the third straight year that NU has had a finalist for the award. Former Nebraska fullback Dane Todd was a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy each of the past two seasons. Nebraska and WashingtonState are the only two schools in the country that have had a finalist for the award since its inception in 2005.

 

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. 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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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

►Oklahoma State’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.

 

Texas A&M

►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.

 

Texas

►Texas’ three-point victory marked the fifth time in the past seven meetings between the two schools that the outcome has been decided by four points or less. Texas has won all five of those games. The ?Horns have also won all six regular-season meetings between the schools since the formation of the Big 12 Conference.

 

►Freshman offensive tackle Jaivorio Burkes played in his first career game and made his first career start. The start by Burkes marks the third straight season that Nebraska has had a true freshman offensive lineman earn a start. In 2005, Matt Slauson started the final three games of the season and a year ago Jacob Hickman earned a start in game 10 against Missouri. Burkes, Hickman and Slauson are the only true freshmen to start on the offensive line since 1972.

 

►Texas running back Jamaal Charles had 290 yards rushing against the Huskers, the most recorded by an individual against Nebraska in school history. Charles bettered a 247-yard game by Oklahoma’s Billy Sims at Oklahoma on Nov. 24, 1979.

 

Kansas

►The loss was just the second Nebraska loss in the past 39 games in the series. The Huskers had a 36-game win streak vs. KU snapped in 2005 in Lawrence.

 

►Kansas’ 76 points are the most ever against Nebraska, eclipsing the previous high of 70 at Texas Tech in 2004. The 115 combined points by the two teams were the most in a Nebraska game since World War II. Kansas’ previous high point total against Nebraska was 40 points in 2005.

 

►The 48 first-half points by Kansas were the most points ever in a first half against the Huskers (42, at Colorado, 2001). Kansas’ 27 second-quarter points were the most ever against Nebraska, bettering a 24-point outburst by Oklahoma in the second quarter in 2000. KU’s 21 points in the third quarter tied the most ever in the third quarter against Nebraska (twice previously).

 

►Maurice Purify’s three touchdown catches marked the first time a Husker had three TD catches in a game since tight end Tracey Wistrom had three touchdown receptions against Iowa in 2000.