2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers Additional Information

[BB73]

2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers Additional Information​

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Bo Pelini

Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Carl Pelini - Defensive Coordinator
Tim Beck - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Ron Brown - Running Backs
Barney Cotton - Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
Ross Els - Linebackers
Rich Fisher - Wide Receivers
John Garrison - Assistant Offensive Line/Tight Ends
John Papuchis - Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
Corey Raymond - Secondary
Jeff Jamrog - Assistant Athletic Director for Football
James Dobson - Head Strength Coach
T.J. Hollowell - Graduate Assistant Coach
Vince Marrow - Graduate Assistant Coach
Support Staff
​

Recruiting

2012 Verbal Commitments

Scout.com - #61 overall class - 3-4*, 3-3*, 1-2* - 3.29* average
Rivals.com - unranked class (#8 in Big Ten) - 2-4*, 4-3*, 1-2* - 3.14* average

Tommy Armstrong QB 6-1.5 205 Cibolo, TX - 3*/3*
Sam Cotton TE 6-4 235 Lincoln, NE - 2*/3*
Deion Jones LB 6-2 210 New Orleans, LA - 3*/2*
Greg McMullen DE 6-5 260 Akron, OH - 4*/4*
Michael Rose LB 6-0 230 Kansas City, MO - 3*/3*
Paul Thurston OT 6-5 260 Arvada, CO - 4*/4*
Jordan Westerkamp WR 6-1 190 Lombard, IL - 4*/3*

2011 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #26 overall class - 1-5*, 8-4*, 8-3*, 3-2* - 3.35* average
Rivals.com - #15 overall class - 0-5*, 11-4*, 7-3*, 2-2* - 3.45* average

Ameer Abdullah RB 5-9 180 Homewood, AL - 3*/3*
Taariq Allen WR 6-3 180 Weston, MA - 2*/3*
Mauro Bondi K 6-1 190 Boca Raton, FL - 2*/2*
Joe Carter DE 6-5 255 Rancho Cucamonga, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO
Daniel Davie S 6-0 185 Beatrice, NE - 3*/3*
Aaron Green RB 5-11 185 San Antonio, TX - 5*/4*
Charles Jackson CB 5-10 175 Klein, TX - 4*/4*
Ryan Klachko OG 6-4 280 Springfield, IL - 4*/4*
Tyler Moore OT 6-6 305 Clearwater, FL - 4*/4*
Todd Peat DT 6-3 270 Tempe, AZ - 4*/4*
Max Pirman LB 6-5 218 Orrville, OH - 3*/3*
Givens Price OG 6-4 260 Houston, TX - 3*/3*
Ryan Reeves C 6-3 285 Crete, NE - 4*/4*
David Santos LB 6-0 205 Klein, TX - 3*/4*
Daimion Stafford S 6-0 210 Rancho Cucamonga, CA - 4*/4* - JUCO
Bubba Starling QB 6-5 190 Gardner, KS - 4*/4*
Zach Sterup OT 6-9 265 Hastings, NE - 3*/4*
David Sutton TE 6-3 235 Lincoln, NE - 2*/2*
Jamal Turner QB 6-1 170 Arlington, TX - 4*/4*
Kevin Williams DT 6-2 270 Holland, OH - 3*/3*

2010 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #29 overall class - 6-4*, 12-3*, 3-2*, 1-N/R - 3.09* average
Rivals.com - #22 overall class - 8-4*, 10-3*, 3-2*, 1-N/R - 3.18* average

Walker Ashburn DE 6-3 245 River Ridge, LA - 3*/3*
Kenny Bell RB 6-2 175 Boulder, CO - 3*/3*
Brion Carnes QB 6-1 185 Bradenton, FL - 3*/4*
Corey Cooper S 6-2 200 Maywood, IL - 4*/4*
Jake Cotton DE 6-7 247 Lincoln, NE - 2*/2*
Lavonte David LB 6-0 205 Ft. Scott, KS - 3*/4* - JUCO
Quincy Enunwa WR 6-1 200 Moreno Valley, CA - 2*/3*
Ciante Evans CB 6-0 175 Arlington, TX - 3*/3*
Tyler Evans S 6-2 180 Waverly, NE - 3*/2*
Jay Guy DT 6-0 307 Houston, TX - 3*/3*
Jermarcus Hardrick OT 6-7 315 Ft. Scott, KS - 4*/4* - JUCO
[strike]Chase Harper TE 6-6 245 Corsicana, TX - 3*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
Braylon Heard RB 5-10 180 Youngstown, OH - 3*/4*
Harvey Jackson S 6-2.5 200 Sugar Land, TX - 4*/3*
Stanley Jean-Baptiste WR 6-3 215 Ft. Scott, KS - N-R/N-R - JUCO
Bronson Marsh QB 6-0 190 Omaha, NE - 2*/2*
Joshua Mitchell CB 5-10 160 Corona, CA - 3*/3*
Mike Moudy OT 6-7 290 Castle Rock, CO - 4*/3*
Tobi Okuyemi DE 6-3 250 Plymouth, MN - 3*/3*
Andrew Rodriguez OT 6-6 300 Aurora, NE - 4*/4*
Chase Rome DE 6-3 285 Columbia, MO - 4*/4*
Donovan Vestel DE 6-5 230 Arlington, TX - 3*/3*


2009 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #33 overall class - 2-4*, 17-3*, 2-2* - 3.00* average
Rivals.com - #28 overall class - 5-4*, 16-3*, 0-2* - 3.24* average

Jason Ankrah DE 6-4 250 Gaithersburg, MD - 4*/4*
Nick Ash OG 6-4 265 Keller, TX - 3*/3*
Rex Burkhead WR 5-11 205 Plano, TX - 3*/4*
[strike]DeAndre Byrd CB 5-10 170 Tallahassee, FL - 2*/3*[/strike]
Jesse Coffey OT 6-7 260 Denton, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Dejon Gomes CB 6-1 190 San Francisco, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
Andrew Green CB 6-1 175 San Antonio, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Cody Green QB 6-4 220 Dayton, TX - 4*/4*[/strike]
JT Kerr TE 6-3 223 San Diego, CA - 3*/3*
Brandon Kinnie WR 6-3 218 Ft. Scott, KS - 3*/3* - JUCO
Eric Martin LB 6-1 232 Moreno Valley, CA - 3*/3*
Taylor Martinez QB 6-0 180 Corona, CA - 3*/3*
Lazarri Middletown CB 6-1 190 Long Beach, CA - 3*/3*
Cole Pensick C 6-2 250 Lincoln, NE - 3*/3*
Brent Qvale OT 6-7 300 Williston, ND - 2*/3*
Thaddeus Randle DT 6-1 265 Galena Park, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Dontrayevous Robinson RB 6-1 200 Euless, TX - 3*/3*[/strike]
Jeremiah Sirles OT 6-8 300 Lakewood, CO - 3*/3*
Dijon Washington S 6-1 180 Lawndale, CA - 3*/4*
[strike]Chris Williams LB 6-1 225 Abilene, TX - 3*/4*[/strike]
CJ Zimmerer FB 6-2.5 215 Omaha, NE - 3*/3*

2008 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #21 overall class - 1-5*, 2-4*, 17-3*, 8-2* - 2.86* average
Rivals.com - #30 overall class - 1-5*, 2-4*, 20-3*, 5-2* - 2.96* average

Antonio Bell WR 6-2 180 Daytona Beach, FL - 3*/2*
Will Compton LB 6-2 230 Bonne Terre, MO - 4*/4*
Khiry Cooper WR 6-2 180 Shreveport, LA - 3*/3*
Ben Cotton TE 6-6 230 Ames, IA - 3*/3*
Alfonzo Dennard, CB 5-10 190 Rochelle, GA - 3*/3*
Sean Fisher LB 6-6 225 Omaha, NE - 3*/3*
[strike]David Grant OT 6-6 295 Kileen, TX - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Ricky Henry OG 6-4 305 Wahpeton, ND - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Tyson Hetzer TE 6-6 245 Glendora, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
Micah Kreikemeier LB 6-3 210 West Point, NE - 2*/2*
[strike]John Levorson S 6-3 190 Crete, NE - 2*/3*[/strike]
Tim Marlowe WR 5-10 160 Youngstown, OH - 2*/2*
Cameron Meredith DE 6-4 225 Santa Ana, CA - 3*/3*
Collins Okafor RB 6-1 195 Omaha, NE - 3*/3*
Courtney Osborne WR 6-3 175 Garland, TX - 2*/3*
Steven Osborne WR 6-4 185 Garland, TX - 2*/3*
Kyler Reed LB 6-3 220 Overland Park, KS - 3*/3*
[strike]Justin Rogers RB 5-11 180 Birmingham, AL - 3*/3*[/strike]
PJ Smith S 6-3 205 River Ridge, LA - 3*/3*
Kody Spano QB 6-2 205 Stephenville, TX - 3*/3*
Baker Steinkuhler OG 6-6 290 Lincoln, NE - 5*/5*
Brandon Thompson OT 6-6 295 The Woodlands, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Quintin Toailoa DT 6-4 300 Redlands, CA - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Mason Wald S 6-0 190 Birmingham, Al - 2*/2*[/strike]
Lester Ward RB 6-3 215 Brenham, TX - 2*/2*
Alonzo Whaley LB 6-1 225 Madisonville, TX - 2*/3*
[strike]David Whitmore CB 6-2 185 Port Arthur, TX - 3*/4*[/strike]
Josh Williams DE 6-4.5 225 Denton, TX - 4*/3*

2007 Recruiting Class

Scout.com - #21 overall class - 8-4*, 17-3*, 2-2* - 3.22* average
Rivals.com - #13 overall class - 10-4*, 16-3*, 1-2* - 3.33* average

[strike]Prince Amukamara RB 6-1 180 Glendale, AZ - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Larry Asante LB 6-2 205 Coffeyville, KS - 4*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Shukree Barfield DT 6-4 310 Garden City, KS - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
Anthony Blue CB 5-10 175 Cedar Hill, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Jaivorio Burkes OT 6-5 315 Phoenix, AZ - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Quentin Castille 6-1 235 La Porte, TX - 3*/4*[/strike]
Jared Crick DE 6-6 260 Cozad, NE - 3*/3*
[strike]Demetrious Davis DT 6-2 285 St. Joseph, MO - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Kevin Dixon DT 6-3 295 Garden City, KS - 3*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
Curenski Gilleylen WR 6-0 210 Leander, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Erig Hagg WR 6-1 195 Glendale, AZ - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Roy Helu RB 6-0 220 Danville, CA - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Ryan Hill TE 6-3 230 Arvada, CO - 3*/3*[/strike]
Marcel Jones OT 6-7 300 Phoenix, AZ - 3*/3*
[strike]Adi Kunalic K 6-0 175 Ft. Worth, TX - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Blake Lawrence LB 6-2 200 Shawnee Mission, KS - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Zac Lee QB 6-2 205 San Francisco, CA - 4*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
Marcus Mendoza RB 5-10 175 Houston, TX - 4*/3*
Terrance Moore DT 6-3 275 New Orleans, LA - 3*/3*
[strike]Armando Murillo CB 6-0 195 Thatcher, AZ - 4*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Niles Paul WR 6-1 210 Omaha, NE - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Austin Stafford LB 6-2 205 Hayward, CA - 4*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Shawn Sullivan CB 5-10 190 Brenham, TX - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Joseph Townsend DT 6-3 285 Los Altos Hills, CA - 4*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Latravis Washington S 6-3 210 Bradenton, FL - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Patrick Witt QB 6-4 215 Wylie, TX - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]William Yancey DE 6-4 230 Glendale, AZ - 3*/4*[/strike]

Name Pos Ht Wt Hometown Scout/Rivals Rating
Unranked players given 2* for averaging purposes
Bold indicates starter
[strike]No longer on team [/strike]​

Behind the Numbers

Guest Starring Carnac the Magnificent

Envelope #1

• Kentucky
• Connecticut
• Mississippi State

*Opens Envelope*

Name ALL of the teams from BCS conference that have punted more times than Ohio State has this year.
​

Envelope #2

• Central Michigan
• Florida Atlantic
• Colorado State

*Opens Envelope*

Name ALL of the teams that have gained fewer yards than Ohio State has against the Buckeyes' last 4 opponents.
​

Envelope #3

• New Hampshire
• Bethune Cookman
• Youngstown State

*Opens Envelope*

Name just three of the teams that have gained more yards than Ohio State has against the Buckeyes' last 4 opponents.
​

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Enough of Carnac. If his television appearances are any indication, you can bet it doesn't get better after the first 3 envelopes.

On the other hand, the statistical breakdown of the Ohio State - Nebraska match-up could be portrayed in a much more optimistic light than that offered above by the late, great Johnny Carson. Would you believe, thou forlorn Buckeye fan, that Ohio State is actually statistically superior to Nebraska when the numbers are taken at face value? It's true.

Of the 17 statistics that the NCAA posts on each team's statistics page on their web-site, Ohio State has an average rank of 7.5 spots higher. The categories with the biggest disparity between the teams tell the story; Nebraska ranks 68 spots ahead of the Buckeyes in scoring offense, but lags by 62 spots in scoring defense. The Cornhuskers also trail by 63 places in the Turnover Margin rankings. All told, it is a down year for both teams; mostly offensively for Ohio State and mostly defensively for the team formerly known as the Bugeaters.

What is most interesting, and the most telling, is not the differences between the teams however; it is the similarity in how they got here. Both teams have regressed this year; one of them more than the other. This is illustrated best by comparing the first 5 weeks of the 2011 season to the first 5 weeks of last season (2010) for both teams.

In both years (2010 and 2011), both teams played an over-matched opponent in week one and scored in the 40s, holding the other team to 0-10 points. That is where the similarity between 2010 and 2011 ends for both teams.

In 2010, both teams improved from week 1 to week 5. Ohio State maintained their statistical dominance after week 1 in spite of playing better competition on average. While improving in 10 categories and going backwards in 7 (mostly special teams) categories; the Buckeyes mainly stayed even through week 5, changing only 0.1 places in the rankings on average. Similarly, the Cornhuskers improved in 11 categories from week 1 to week 5 last year, and moved up 1.8 spots on average for the 17 major categories.

It is truly remarkable that both teams were able to improve statistically while the competition level increased last year. This is not always the case, and is certainly not the case this year.

As mentioned above, the teams have not improved this year and have arguably regressed. Nebraska has improved in only 5 categories from week 1 to week 5 this year, while going backwards in 12 categories. All told, the Cornhuskers averaged a slide of 18.5 spots in the statistical rankings from where they were after week one. This includes a free-fall of 105 spots from #8 to #113 in Tackles for Loss. While some regression in statistics could be explained by playing tougher competition; the truth is most teams in or near the Top 25 played cupcakes in Week 1. Even if that weren't the case, falling 18.5 spots is not common (as evidenced by last year) and it's not a good thing.

For the Buckeyes, the news is even worse. Ohio State has improved in just 2 categories (Punt Returns and Turnover Margin) and has gone backwards in the 15 other major criteria. This includes plummeting from 12th to 108th in Total Offense and from 1st to 104th in Sacks Allowed. All told, the Scarlet & Grey lost an average of 36.9 spots in the rankings; nearly doubling the 'Huskers drop.

This then, is the real difference between the teams - not so much the difference in the direction they're going, but rather the difference in how fast they're getting there.

While it is tempting to gloss over the Cornhuskers statistical superiority on offense by observing that the Buckeyes have played better defenses (on average), such sugar-coating would be sadly transparent. It is even more tempting to highlight the Silver Bullets' numerical advantage over the Black Shirts; but this would be ignoring the fact that ALL of Nebraska's FBS opponents rank at least 34 places higher than the Buckeyes in Scoring Offense and at least 36 places higher in Total Offense. All of this misses the real issue anyway.

The real story of these teams isn't how disappointing the quarterback play of both is or how out-of-character the Black Shirts are or how unbelievably impotent the Ohio State offense is. The real story is that Nebraska has slid backwards a little, while the Buckeyes have utterly collapsed.

If you think these numbers were ugly and this peak behind them was even uglier; you may want to give the game on Saturday night a miss. It isn't going to be pretty.
team.​

The Lighter Side

Some weeks are easier than others to retain a sense of humor. This week, thisi s all we've got (credit to Wadc45 for the find):

​

Traditions & Opponent Perspective

Before 1900, Nebraska football teams were known by such names as the Old Gold Knights, Antelopes, Rattlesnake Boys and the Bugeaters. In its first two seasons (1890-91), Nebraska competed as the Old Gold Knights, but beginning in 1892, Nebraska adopted Scarlet and Cream as its colors and accepted the Bugeaters as its most popular nickname until the turn of the century. Named after the insect-devouring bull bats that hovered over the plains, the Bugeaters also found their prey in the Midwest, enjoying winning campaigns in every year of the 1890s until a disappointing season in 1899.

[SIZE=-1]
[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=-1]After its first losing season in a decade, it must have seemed only fitting that Nebraska move in a new direction, and Lincoln sportswriter Charles S. (Cy) Sherman, who was to gain national renown as the sports editor of the Lincoln Star and help originate The Associated Press Poll, provided the nickname that has gained fame for a century. Sherman tired of referring to the Nebraska teams with such an unglamorous term as Bugeaters. Iowa had, from time to time, been called the Cornhuskers, and the name appealed to Sherman.

[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=-1]Iowa partisans seemed to prefer Hawkeyes, so Sherman started referring to the Nebraska team as Cornhuskers, and the 1900 team was first to bear that label. Of course, the name caught on and became a Nebraska byword, eventually becoming the official nickname for the state. There is no official symbol of a Cornhusker and various cartoonists have caricatured the mystical something that typifies Nebraska football - some winning fan approval and others arousing fan ire. The cartoon character, "Herbie Husker," evolved out of Nebraska's trip to the 1974 Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Artist Dirk West of Lubbock, Texas, designed a Cornhusker cartoon for the Cotton Bowl press headquarters that caught the eye of former Husker SID Don Bryant. Later, Bryant contacted West for permission to use the cartoon, and West expressed a desire to refine his original cartoon and improve some of the character's features. As a result, West was commissioned to draw an original Cornhusker cartoon character that served as a mascot for all Husker athletic teams. "Herbie" is the registered logo of the Cornhusker Athletic Department, which controls its use. West's concept of Nebraska football is appropriate -a burly, rugged and confident fellow who is proud of both the athletic and the agricultural traditions of the University of Nebraska. The new Herbie made his debut prior to the Huskers' 2003 season opener against Oklahoma State.In 2006, Herbie was named the national mascot of the year, continuing an outstanding tradition of excellence by the Nebraska Spirit Squads and Mascots.

In recent years, the University has used the Cornhuskers' football helmet superimposed on a script "Huskers" for a football logo, and eight years ago, NU unveiled a block N logo with a script "Huskers." Both are registered trademarks of the Athletic Department. Although Nebraska has continued to make improvements and changes into the coming century, it also takes great pride in its history, so quite fittingly, "Bugeaters" has also been registered for exclusive use by the University of Nebraska.[/SIZE]

Among Nebraska's best-known traditions is that of the Blackshirts, the nickname for the Huskers' defensive unit. The nickname, originally two words (Black Shirts), dates to Bob Devaney's third season as coach and is derived from the black, pullover, contrast jerseys worn by defensive players in practice. Exactly when the jerseys were purchased is a matter of some debate, resulting from the disparity in recollections caused by the passing of time. The most likely time frame is the second week of the 1964 season, when Nebraska traveled to Minneapolis to play Minnesota. Changes in NCAA rules following the 1963 season allowed for a return to two-platoon football, but Devaney had played most of his starters on both offense and defense in the 1964 opener, a 56-0 victory against out-manned South Dakota at Memorial Stadium. On the Wednesday before the Minnesota game, however, Devaney announced the Huskers would use offensive and defensive units.

​

"We just decided that we would be more efficient if we started platooning," Devaney told the Lincoln Star. Otherwise, he said, opponents would take advantage of the Huskers. A headline in that Friday's Lincoln Star said: "Final Decision Made." The black pullovers, which distinguished defensive players from offensive players, were purchased at a local sporting goods store by assistant coach Mike Corgan, who was in charge of procuring equipment. He was known for his frugality, always looking for bargains. His purchase of the black pullovers "was an accident of availability," defensive line coach George Kelly once said. "I told Mike the only reason they had black ones was because they didn't sell."

The story was that the sporting goods store made Corgan a good deal. The way Kelly told the story, when players were practicing with the defense, they had worn gray pullovers. Then, when the team was divided into offensive and defensive units, the black pullovers were given only to first-team defenders, as a way to motivate those on the lower units. Initially, the black pullovers were distributed each day at practice and collected afterward. A player might have a black pullover one day and a gray one the next. They had to continually be earned. Mike Kennedy, a junior in 1964, was among those sent to the defense with the change to the two-platoon system. He was among the defensive starters for the Minnesota game. "We had no idea then of the tradition that was beginning," he said. Long-time Husker Sports Information Director Don Bryant credits much of the Blackshirt mystique to Kelly, who served on Devaney's staff until 1968. Kelly and Jim Ross, who coached the defensive ends and backs, were often heard exhorting the "Black Shirts" during practices and scrimmages.

​

The nickname caught on almost immediately. By mid-season, the Lincoln and Omaha newspapers were using it. "The defensive unit got its 'Black Shirt' tag because members wore black pullover shirts in practice," the Omaha World-Herald reported in its Oct. 19, 1964 edition. A sub-head in the Lincoln papers proclaimed: "Black Shirts Drawing Praise." The accompanying story credited Kelly and Ross with applying the nickname to the defenders. The tradition continued to grow during Monte Kiffin's tenure as defensive coordinator (1973-76), earning national acclaim under Charlie McBride, defensive coordinator from 1982 to 1999.

​

Devaney never conferred the title "defensive coordinator" on an assistant. Kiffin, Kelly's successor as defensive line coach, was the first to have the title, in Tom Osborne's first season. The tradition grew because of Nebraska's defensive success. The Huskers ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense in 1964, No. 8 in 1965 and No. 1 in 1967 - which belied a 6-4 record. Over time, the distribution of the black pullovers changed. They were no longer handed out before practice and collected afterward. During Tom Osborne's Hall-of-Fame tenure as head coach, members of the top defensive units received Blackshirts at the end of pre-season practice, the week before the opening game. Typically before bowl games, McBride would award all senior defensive players the coveted practice jerseys at the bowl site, to wear during game preparations.

​

The black jerseys themselves also changed, with players' numbers and names added. Early on, the nickname was two words. That's how it appeared for the first time in a Nebraska media guide. The 1965 edition refers to the "Black Shirt Battalion." During the 1970s, both forms - "Black Shirt" and "Blackshirt" - were used in media guides, sometimes in the same section, in at least one instance in the same paragraph.The 1978 media guide uses the form "Blackshirt," the same as "redshirt," and from that point on, "Blackshirt" appears to be the acceptable spelling, one word.

​

In the early 2000s, the jerseys were hung in players' lockers before the start of the week's practice leading up to the opener. Then they were distributed in a pre-season ceremony, often with more than 11 defenders receiving them. "That's not part of our philosophy," Coach Bo Pelini said. In his first season as coach, no Blackshirts were awarded until late in the season, after an outstanding defensive effort against Kansas. "Blackshirts are earned on the field," Pelini said.

​

Even though only starters receive the jerseys, the term "Blackshirts" represents Nebraska's defense in its entirety, its spirit and the considerable weight of five decades of success. In addition to leading the nation in total defense twice - in 1984 as well as in 1967 - the Blackshirts have ranked among the nation's top 10 in all four major defensive categories five times (1967, 1984, 1994, 1996, 1999).

​

The Husker Legacy statue was created by Malcom, Neb., artist Fred Hoppe in 1997. The statue, weighing about two tons and encased in bronze, serves as a tribute to the tradition of Nebraska football. D[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]epicting six Husker defensive players tackling a player from Kansas State, ​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]the statue was modeled after a photograph taken by Richard Voges, a photographer for the Athletic Department, during the Nebraska-Kansas State game at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 22, 1995. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"It represents the whole attitude of Nebraska football," Hoppe said."It emphasizes the teamwork and dedication that Nebraska football symbolizes. [/FONT]The Husker Legacy statue was originally placed on the East side of Memorial Stadium near the loop off Vine Street that leads to the Stadium. It stood in place from 1997 until the spring of 2011 when it was moved to the Northwest corner of Memorial Stadium in order to accommodate East Stadium expansion. The Husker Legacy statue is now just steps away from another Fred Hoppe piece depicting the legendary element of Nebraska football, a statue of Coach Tom Osborne and quarterback Brook Berringer near the entrance of the Osborne Complex.

Here are the fight songs played by the Husker band. Clicking on the title of one will play an audio file.

Hail Varsity
Hail to the team
The stadium rings as everyone sings,
The Scarlet and Cream.
Cheers for a victory, echo our loyalty;
So, on mighty men,
The eyes of the land, upon every hand,
Are looking at you.
Fight on for victory
Hail to the Men of Nebraska U.

Dear Old Nebraska U (No Place Like Nebraska)
There is no place like Nebraska
Dear old Nebraska U.
Where the girls are the fairest,
The boys are the squarest,
Of any old school that I knew.
There is no place like Nebraska,
Where they're all true blue.
We'll all stick together,
In all kinds of weather,
For Dear old Nebraska U!

March of the Cornhusker
Rally Huskers, glory waits for you,
Rally Huskers, show what you can do
Fight! forever, Oh! you team,
For the scarlet and the cream,
Go! Gang Go!
Rally Huskers, rally one and all.
Fight on, Huskers, hear Nebraska call,
Listen to the battle cry,
Of Nebraska U. N. I.

Band Song
Hear the trumpets Playin'
Hear the crowd a sayin'
NU Band is on parade!
Hear the trombones blowin'
Hear the drums a rollin'
NU Band is on Parade!
Sound Out! Sound Out!
Sound out loud and clear
Let the team all know the Band is here.
Sons of Old Nebraska
If someone should ask ya
We're the Scarlet and the Cream! ​

At each Nebraska home game beginning in 2006, special members of the armed services were chosen as Gate Guardians. The Sentries protect the Nebraska football team's entry onto the field of Memorial Stadium for the Tunnel Walk. They stand in front of bronze gates which feature artistic renderings of former Nebraska football greats, including Bob Brown, George Sauer, George Flippin, Guy Chamberlin, Sam Francis and Bobby Reynolds.

The Tunnel Walk started in 1994, was created as a way for fans to share in the excitement of the team emerging from the locker room, something only a few could do before HuskerVision's cameras and big screens came to Memorial Stadium. The sounds of the Alan Parsons Project's "Sirius" and the roar of the 85,000 frenzied fans rock the stadium as the Huskers burst through the locker room doors and into the tunnel on their way to the Memorial Stadium FieldTurf. The players emerge through the Tunnel Walk Gates located in the northwest corner of the stadium. The gates are guarded by members of the Nebraska National Guard service units and opened by specially selected service men and women each game. From 1994 through the 2005 season, the Tunnel Walk began in the former varsity locker room in the South Stadium, and the Huskers burst onto the field from the southwest corner. With the completion of the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex in the summer of 2006, Nebraska's locker room returned to its original home in the North Stadium, causing the shift in the Huskers' entrance from the southwest corner to the northwest corner of the field. While walking down an interior hall in the Osborne Complex toward the field, the Huskers are led by Head Coach Bo Pelini, and all raise their hands to touch the lucky horseshoe that hangs above the door as the Huskers leave the North Stadium. The same horseshoe hung in the South Stadium tunnel, and before that the horseshoe hung above Nebraska's locker room entrance in the original North Stadium. As they pass under the horseshoe, the Huskers step onto specially designed red FieldTurf that takes them on a winding path to the edge of the field. Nebraska's "Big Red Carpet" is lined with screaming fans who helped the Huskers get revved up for action as they approach the gates. The entire walk to the Gates is filmed by HuskerVision and shown to the Sea of Red inside Memorial Stadium. In 2006, as the anticipation built for the team's entrance into the stadium, college football broadcasting legend Keith Jackson played a part in welcoming the Huskers onto the field. Not only is the Tunnel Walk for each season new and special, but the HuskerVision screens provide new features for the Tunnel Walk for each game during the season.​

Historical Data

[/FONT]University of Nebraska-Lincoln, chartered in 1869

Football 1st Season: 1890
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Constructed: 1923
Seating Capacity: 81,091
Playing Surface: Field Turf
Conference: Big Ten Conference since 2011, Big XII from 1996-2010, Big 6-7-8 from 1928-'95, Missouri Valley from 1907-'27
Colors: Scarlet and Cream
Mascots: Herbie Husker and Lil' Red
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 43 Conference Titles (see preface for breakout); 5 National Titles: 1970, '71, '94, '95, '97
Consensus All-Americans: 53
College Hall-of-Famers: 20 - 14 players and 6 coaches
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 3 (Bob (Boomer) Brown, Guy Chamberlin, William Roy (Link) Lyman)
Award Winners: 1 AFCA COY, 1 FWAA/Robinson COY, 3 Heisman, 9 Outland, 1 Maxwell, 1 Butkus, 5 Lombardi, 1 O'Brien, 1 Unitas, 1 Nagurski, 1 Bednarik, and 1 Rimimgton (named after a Husker that won 2 Outlands)
National Championships: 5 Recognized Championships (1970, '71, '94, '95, '97)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP: 46 years; Coaches: 42 years
​

Records

All Time: 841-346-40 (.702)
Note - CFB Data Warehouse lists 10 more wins that Nebraska does not claim: 8 of those were exhibitions against Lincoln High School between 1895-1905; 1 was an exhibition against Lincoln Medical College in 1904; and 1 was a win against Fort Omaha Military Balloon School in 1918. Nebraska also doesn't count a tie in an exhibition against an alumni team in 1900.
Bowl Games: 24-23-0 (.511), most recently a 7-19 loss to Washington in the 2010 Holiday Bowl
All Time vs the B1G: 79-69-10 (.532)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 0-2 (.000), last meeting a 7-34 loss in Columbus in 1956
Coach's Record: Bo Pelini, 2003 Alamo Bowl, 2007-current, 34-13-0 (.723)​

2010 Season: 10-4 (.714)
Sep 04 - W vs W. Kentucky, 49-10
Sep 11 - W vs Idaho, 38-17
Sep 18 - W at Washingotn, 56-21
Sep 25 - W vs S. Dakota St, 17-3
Oct 07 - W at Kansas St, 48-13
Oct 16 - L vs Texas, 13-20
Oct 23 - W at Oklahoma St, 51-41
Oct 30 - W vs Missouri, 31-17
Nov 06 - W at Iowa St, 31-30
Nov 13 - W vs Kansas, 20-3
Nov 20 - L vs Texas A&M, 6-9
Nov 26 - W vs Colorado, 45-17
Dec 04 - L vs Oklahoma in Texas, 20-23, Big XII CCG
Dec 30 - L vs Washington, 7-19, Holiday Bowl

2011 Schedule (all times ET)
Sep 03 - W vs Chattanooga, 40-7
Sep 10 - W vs Fresno St, 42-29
Sep 17 - W vs Washington, 51-38
Sep 24 - W at Wyoming, 38-14
Oct 01 - L at Wisconsin, 17-45
Oct 08 - vs Ohio State, 8:00 pm
Oct 15 - BYE
Oct 22 - at Minnesota, 3:30 pm
Oct 29 - Michigan St, TBA
Nov 05 - Northwestern, TBA
Nov 12 - at Penn State, TBA
Nov 19 - at Michigan, TBA
Nov 25 - Iowa, Noon​

Links

Official Sites:
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference

Team Previews and Breakdowns:
Game Notes (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes

Big Ten:
2011 Video Highlights - BigTen
2011 Schedule and Results - BigTen
2011 BigTen Overall Stats - BigTen
Big Ten Conference - CNN/Si
2011 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2011 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll

​

Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data

Link to 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers Game Preview​