Honors & Awards

  • Second-Team All-American (Phil Steele, 2011)
  • Third-Team All-American (Yahoo.com, 2011)
  • Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year (2011)
  • First-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, ESPN, Yahoo.com, Phil Steele, 2011)
  • Nebraska Defensive MVP (2011)
  • First-Team All-Big 12 (ESPN.com, Rivals.com, 2010)
  • Second-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches, AP, Phil Steele, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2010)

Career
Alfonzo Dennard proved to be one of the nation's top cornerbacks over his final two seasons in a Nebraska uniform. The 5-10, 205-pound Dennard rebounded from an early-season injury in 2011 to post a strong senior season, helping the Husker pass defense make strong improvement after his return.

A prototypical lock-down corner, Dennard played a big role in conference opponents completing a Big Ten low 51.0 percent of their passes, and the Huskers also led the Big Ten by allowing only six passing touchdowns in conference play. Dennard was honored for his role on the Nebraska defense, being named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and a first-team All-Big Ten pick by both the league's coaches and media.

Dennard was at his best against the league's top receivers. He held Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham without a reception, ending a streak of 41 straight games with a catch for the Spartan wideout. Against Iowa, Dennard held Big Ten Receiver-of-the-Year Marvin McNutt to just four catches for 29 yards, after the Iowa star entered the game averaging better than 100 yards per game.

Dennard finished the season with six pass breakups, including a career-best three in the 24-3 win over Michigan State. He also totaled 31 tackles, including 26 solo stops, with a season-high four tackles in five games. Dennard finished his Nebraska career with 21 career breakups, good for a tie for 10th place on the Nebraska career chart.

2011 (Senior / Game-by-Game)
Chattanooga: Did not play vs. UTC because of a leg injury. Fresno State: Did not play due to injury. Washington: Did not play due to injury. Wyoming: Made his 2011 season debut, making four tackles and holding Wyoming to 168 yards through the air in a 38-14 win. Wisconsin: Totaled two solo tackles in the loss to the Badgers. Ohio State: Helped hold Ohio State to 6-of-18 passing as he totaled three tackles in the win over the Buckeyes. Minnesota: Had one solo tackle, as Nebraska held Minnesota to 122 passing yards in a 41-14 win. Michigan State: Enjoyed his best game in 2011 with two tackles and a career-high three pass breakups... Held MSU to 11-of-27 passing for 86 yards, while keeping B.J. Cunningham without a catch for the first time in 42 games. Northwestern: Finished with four tackles in the loss to the Wildcats. Penn State: Played at an All-America level, totaling four solo stops and two pass breakups in the win at No. 12 Penn State. Michigan: Finished with four solo stops in the loss to the Wolverines. Iowa: Had three tackles and one pass break-up, while helping hold Iowa to 182 yards through the air on 16-of-35 passing... Held Marvin McNutt, who was named the 2011 Big Ten Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year, to just four catches for 29 yards. South Carolina: Made four solo tackles in Nebraska's Capital One Bowl matchup with Gamecocks.

2010 (Junior)
Dennard started 13 of 14 games, while missing the majority of the Missouri game and the following contest at Iowa State with a concussion. Dennard was second on the team and fifth in the Big 12 with four interceptions and also finished with seven pass breakups and made 30 tackles, including 12 solo stops. His play helped the Nebraska defense allow opposing passers to complete less than 49 percent of their pass attempts.

Dennard had a season-high six tackles and a hurry in the season opener against Western Kentucky. A week later he had his first career interception against Idaho, as the Blackshirts had six takeaways, including five interceptions. At Washington, Dennard picked off a third-quarter Jake Locker pass and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, as the NU defense limited the Huskies to a 4-of-20 passing effort.

Dennard had a pick for the third straight week against South Dakota State and also broke up a pair of passes. He had two pass breakups against Texas, as the Huskers held UT to just 62 passing yards. After missing time with an injury, Dennard returned against Kansas and had three tackles and picked off his fourth pass. Against Colorado, Dennard had four tackles and forced a fumble that led to a score in a 45-17 win. He added four tackles against Oklahoma and finished with three tackles and a breakup in the Holiday Bowl against Washington.

2009 (Sophomore)
Dennard was a key reserve early in the season before moving into the starting lineup against Missouri. He finished the season with 31 tackles, including four tackles for loss, and his eight pass breakups were third on the team.

Dennard totaled four tackles in non-conference play as the top reserve at cornerback. He made his first career start at Missouri and had four tackles, including three solo stops and a tackle for loss, and added a breakup. Against Iowa State, Dennard made five tackles, had a tackle for loss and a career-best two breakups. Dennard suffered a shoulder injury at Baylor that would hamper him for the reaminder of the regular season.

Despite the injury, Dennard had a career-best six tackles, a tackle for loss and a breakup against Oklahoma. He had five solo stops at Kansas, before sitting out the Kansas State game to rest his injury. Dennard combined for four tackles against Colorado and Texas, before closing the year with a PBU against Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.

2008 (Freshman)
Dennard was one of three true freshmen to see action, playing in 12 games, primarily on special teams. Dennard formed an explosive kickoff return combination with Niles Paul, and had eight returns for 150 yards, an average of 18.8 yards per return. He had a 29-yard return against Colorado and a season-long 31-yarder vs. Clemson in the Gator Bowl. Dennard had five tackles, including four solo stops, with a season-high two tackles against Kansas State.

Before Nebraska (Wilcox County HS)
Dennard excelled on both sides of the ball for Wilcox County High School, and was the first scholarship player from Georgia since 2001. In his senior season, Dennard played a leading role in helping Wilcox County and Coach Mark Ledford to a 13-2 record and state runner-up finish in Class A. Dennard made 53 tackles, while picking off five passes as a cornerback. Offensively, Dennard caught 39 passes for 780 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He also used his speed to help on special teams, returning two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns. Dennard received first-team Class A all-state honors from the Georgia Sportswriters Association. Dennard played in the GACA North-South All-Star game.

As a junior, Dennard caught 45 passes for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing 24 times for 240 yards and six touchdowns. On defense he made 60 tackles and had six interceptions. Dennard was also a contributor in track and basketball. He played point in basketball and used his speed in sprint events in track. He finished sixth in the state in the long jump with a leap of 21-3. Dennard chose Nebraska over North Carolina and Troy.

Personal
Alfonzo is the son of Rose Mary Dennard and was born on Sept. 9, 1989. He is a sociology major, and has assisted with Nebraska's team hospital visits and volunteered his time at the Village Manor Retirement Center.  

Dennard's Career Statistics

 

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Tackles

.

.

Fum.

.

.

.

QB

Year

G/S

UT

AT

TT

TFL

Sacks

C-R

BK

PBU

PI

Hry.

2008 12/0 4 1 5 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0
2009 13/9 21 10 31 4-10 0-0 0-1 0 8 0 0
2010 13/13 18 12 30 0-0 0-0 1-0 0 7 4 1
2011 10/10 26 5 31 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 6 0 0

Totals

48/32

69 

28 

97 

4-10

0-0

1-1

0

21 

4 

1 


Single-Game Highs
» Tackles
-6 twice (vs. Oklahoma, 2009; vs. Western Kentucky, 2010)
» Solo Tackles -5 at Kansas (2009)
» Tackles for Loss -1 four times (all in 2009)
» PBU's -3 vs. Michigan State (2011)
» Interceptions- four times (most recently vs. Kansas, 2010)Â