2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

The 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bo Pelini and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Big 12 North Division co-champion Gator Bowl champion
Gator Bowl, W 26–21 vs. Clemson
Conference	Big 12 Conference
	North Division
2008 record	9–4 (5–3 Big 12)
Head coach	Bo Pelini (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Shawn Watson (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Carl Pelini (1st season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 81,067)

2008 Big 12 Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Northern Division
No. 19 Missouri xy		5	–	3					10	–	4
Nebraska x		5	–	3					9	–	4
Kansas		4	–	4					8	–	5
Colorado		2	–	6					5	–	7
Kansas State		2	–	6					5	–	7
Iowa State		0	–	8					2	–	10
Southern Division
No. 5 Oklahoma xy$		7	–	1					12	–	2
No. 4 Texas x%		7	–	1					12	–	1
No. 12 Texas Tech x		7	–	1					11	–	2
No. 16 Oklahoma State		5	–	3					9	–	4
Baylor		2	–	6					4	–	8
Texas A&M		2	–	6					4	–	8
Championship: Oklahoma 62, Missouri 21
$ – BCS representative as conference champion % – BCS at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

Before the season

Pelini returned to Nebraska as Head Coach after a previous one-year stint as Defensive Coordinator for Nebraska in 2003.[1] At the conclusion of the 2003 season, Pelini was appointed as Interim Head Coach,[2] following the firing of Frank Solich, for Nebraska's appearance in the Alamo Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans, a contest in which Nebraska triumphed 17–3,[3] leaving Nebraska with a final AP Poll ranking of 19 and Coaches Poll ranking of 18. Despite this performance and significant fan support, Pelini was passed over as Solich's permanent replacement in favor of Bill Callahan. During Pelini's absence from Nebraska, he served as Co-Defensive Coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2004, and Defensive Coordinator for the LSU Tigers for 2005–2007[4] prior to his return to Nebraska following the dismissal of Callahan.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	6:00 pm	Western Michigan*	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska	FSN PPV	W 47–24	84,485
September 6	11:30 am	San José State*	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska	FSN PPV	W 35–12	84,146
September 13	6:00 pm	New Mexico State*	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska	FSN PPV	W 38–7	84,821
September 27	7:00 pm	Virginia Tech*	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska	ABC	L 30–35	85,831
October 4	8:00 pm	No. 4 Missouri	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska	ESPN	L 17–52	85,372
October 11	2:00 pm	at No. 7 Texas Tech	Jones AT&T Stadium Lubbock, Texas	FSN	L 31–37 ^OT	53,449
October 18	11:30 am	at Iowa State	Jack Trice Stadium Ames, Iowa	Versus	W 35–7	48,794
October 25	11:30 am	Baylor	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska	Versus	W 32–20	85,104
November 1	7:00 pm	at No. 4 Oklahoma	Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, Oklahoma	ESPN	L 28–62	85,212
November 8	1:30 pm	Kansas	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska	FSN PPV	W 45–35	85,486
November 15	2:35 pm	at Kansas State	Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, Kansas	FSN PPV	W 56–28	48,444
November 28	2:30 pm	Colorado	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska (rivalry)	ABC	W 40–31	85,319
January 1	12:00 pm	vs. Clemson	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Jacksonville, Florida (Gator Bowl)	CBS	W 26–21	67,282
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

[5]

Roster and coaching staff

2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class OL 66 Cruz Barrett So TE 83 Damon Bechtold Fr WR 1 Chris Brooks Jr WR 82 Wes Cammack Jr OL 58 Mike Caputo RFr IB 19 Quentin Castille So OL 77 Seung Hoon Choi Fr OL 62 Andy Christensen Sr WR 6 Khiry Cooper Fr TE 81 Ben Cotton Fr QB 15 Beau Davis Sr WR 46 Taylor Dixon Fr QB 16 Jim Ebke So QB 12 Joe Ganz (C) Sr FB 41 Aaron Gillaspie So WR 11 Curenski Gilleylen RFr FB 30 Mike Hays RFr IB 10 Roy Helu Jr. So OL 74 Ricky Henry Jr WR 8 Will Henry So TE 47 Tyson Hetzer Jr OL 67 Jacob Hickman Jr TE 80 Ryan Hill RFr WR 18 Menelik Holt Jr OL 61 Mike Huff Sr WR 85 KC Hyland Fr OL 69 Cory Iske Fr IB 28 Austin Jones RFr OL 73 D.J. Jones So OL 78 Marcel Jones RFr FB 36 Thomas Lawson Sr QB 3 Zac Lee So FB 48 Tyler Legate RFr WR 9 Ben Lester RFr IB 5 Marlon Lucky Sr WR 21 Tim Marlowe Fr TE 88 Jay Martin RFr OL 71 Mike Masin RFr TE 44 Mike McNeill So OL 54 Max McShane Fr IB 32 Marcus Mendoza RFr OL 63 Derek Meyer Sr OL 76 Lydon Murtha Sr IB 29 Collins Okafor Fr WR 26 Steven Osborne Fr WR 24 Niles Paul So WR 17 Todd Peterson Sr TE 25 Kyler Reed Fr QB 18 Zach Ruiz Fr OL 70 Matt Slauson Sr OL 65 Mike Smith So QB 7 Kody Spano Fr WR 87 Nate Swift (C) Sr TE 89 Hunter Teafatiller Sr OL 79 Brandon Thompson Fr FB 37 Kevin Thomsen RFr OL 59 Brian Thorson Fr RB 25 Jeremy Wallace Fr IB 14 Lester Ward Fr OL 68 Keith Williams So QB 2 Patrick Witt RFr TE 49 Dreu Young So	Defense Pos. # Name Class DE 95 Pierre Allen So CB 21 Prince Amukamara So DE 70 Kenny Anderson Fr S 4 Larry Asante Jr DT 56 Shukree Barfield Sr DB 39 Justin Blatchford Fr CB 14 Anthony Blue So LB Lance Brandenburgh Sr LB 42 Joseph Camarata Fr S 8 Austin Cassidy RFr LB 51 Will Compton Fr DE 31 Nick Covey Jr DT 94 Jared Crick RFr S 2 Major Culbert Jr DB 20 Jase Dean Fr DB 15 Alfonzo Dennard Fr LB 52 Phillip Dillard Jr DE 92 Tyrone Fahie So LB 42 Sean Fisher Fr LB 49 Tanner Foxhoven Fr DE 39 Dan Glassman So LB 34 Cody Glenn Sr LB 41 Thomas Grove So CB 28 Eric Hagg So DE 80 David Harvey Jr LB 35 Matt Holt Fr DL 58 Justin Jackson Fr DE 85 Faron Klingelhoefer Fr LB 54 Colton Koehler Jr LB 44 Micah Kreikemeier Fr LB 40 Blake Lawrence So DB 16 John Levorson Fr DE 75 Luke Lingenfelter RFr LB 61 Matt Manninger Fr DT 63 Ben Martin So S 36 Mathew May RFr LB 62 Mychael McClure Fr LB 65 Colin McDermott Fr DE 66 Conor McDermott Fr LB 67 Sam Meginnis Fr DE 96 Cameron Meredith Fr DL 68 Josh Molek Fr DT 90 Terrence Moore RFr FS 43 Brent Moravec Fr CB 6 Armando Murillo Sr S 33 Matt O'Hanlon Jr DB 12 Courtney Osborne Fr DE 98 Zach Potter (C) Sr DB 11 Justin Rogers Fr DE 89 Jonathon Santin RFr DE 88 Clayton Sievers Sr LB 48 Marcus Smith Fr DB 13 P.J. Smith Fr LB 9 Austin Stafford RFr DL 55 Baker Steinkuhler Fr DT 43 Ty Steinkuhler (C) Sr LB 71 Graham Stoddard Fr DT 93 Ndamukong Suh Jr CB 18 Shawn Sullivan RFr S 3 Rickey Thenarse Jr CB 23 Lance Thorell RFr DL 50 Quentin Toailoa Fr DE 99 Barry Turner Sr DB 22 Mason Wald Fr LB 7 Latravis Washington So S 24 Adam Watson So CB 5 Anthony West So LB 45 Alonzo Whaley Fr DE 17 Josh Williams Fr LB 53 Tyler Wortman Sr DE 47 William Yancy RFr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class LS 56 Justin Baumgartner Sr P/PK 27 Jon Damkroger So PK 90 Alex Henery So PK 20 Adi Kunalic So P/PK 96 Brett Maher Fr LS 82 T.J. O'Leary Sr LS 33 David Pillen Fr P 97 Dan Titchener Sr PK 37 Jake Wesch Sr	Head coach Bo Pelini    1st season    2nd year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Ohio State Coordinators/assistant coaches Shawn Watson    2nd season as OC/QB coach    3rd year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Southern Illinois Carl Pelini    1st season as DC/DL coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Youngstown State Tim Beck    1st season as RB coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Central Florida Ron Brown    1st season as TE coach    18th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Brown Barney Cotton    1st season as AHC/OL coach    2nd year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Nebraska Mike Ekeler    1st season as LB coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Kansas State Ted Gilmore    1st season as AHC/Rec coach    4th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Wyoming John Papuchis    1st season as DE/ST coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Virginia Tech Marvin Sanders    1st season as Sec coach    2nd year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Nebraska James Dobson    1st season as S&C coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Wisconsin Curt Baldus    1st season as GA coach    2nd year at Nebraska    Alma mater: St. Cloud State Ross Watson    1st season as GA coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Mount Union Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: January 16, 2011

Defense FS Matt O'Hanlon ⋅ ⋅ NICKEL INSDIE OUTSIDE Eric Hagg Tyler Wortman Blake Lawrence ⋅ Colton Koehler Mathew Ma ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ SS Larry Asante Rickey Thenarse Major Culbert ⋅ CB Anthony West Lance Thorell Prince Amukamara ⋅ DE DT DT DE Pierre Allen Ndamukong Suh Ty Steinkuhler Zach Pottor Shukree Barfield Terrence Moore Jared Crick Clayton Sievers ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ CB Armadno Murillo Alfonzo Dennard ⋅ Offense WR Nate Swift Menelik Holt ⋅ LT LG C RG RT Mike Smith Keith Williams Jacob Hickman Matt Slauson Lydon Murtha Jaivorio Burkes Mike Huff Mike Caputo ⋅ Marcel Jones ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ TE Mike McNeil Dreu Young ⋅ WR Todd Peterson Niles Paul ⋅ QB Joe Ganz Patrick Witt ⋅ RB Marlon Lucky Roy Helu Quentin Castille ⋅ FB Thomas Lawson Hunter Teafatiller ⋅ Special Teams PK Alex Henry P Dan Titchener KR Niles Paul PR Nate Swift LS ?

Game summaries

Western Michigan

Western Michigan at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Western Michigan 0 10 7 7 24 • Nebraska 14 20 10 3 47 Date: August 30 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 6:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 84,485 TV announcers (FSN PPV): Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Rich Baldinger (Color) & Stacy Paetz (Sideline)

Nebraska opened the season with expectations below average after finishing 5–7 in 2007. However, there was a buzz in the air as first year head coach Bo Pelini returned to Lincoln to improve a maligned defense and to re-energize the program. Nebraska played very well as the defense seemed much improved from 2007. LB Cody Glenn was the bright spot on defense and seemed to be in on almost every play. The offense continued to be as productive as usual with Joe Ganz at quarterback, en route to a 47–24 win.

San José State

San José State at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total San Jose State 6 3 0 3 12 • Nebraska 14 0 0 21 35 Date: September 6 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 11:30 a.m. CST Game attendance: 84,146 TV announcers (FSN PPV): Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Dave Lapham (Color) & Joel Goldberg (Sideline)

The Husker spirit groups on the field.

Nebraska came into its second game of the year with a little more certainty. San Jose State quickly put a stop to that. The Spartans marched all over Nebraska's defense on the first drive with Kyle Reed scoring on a 12-yard run. Nebraska scored two touchdowns to recapture the lead going into the second quarter. The game turned mostly defensive with San Jose State scoring field goals in the second and fourth quarters. After San Jose State's field goal in the fourth quarter, Niles Paul returned the kickoff 85 yards for a Nebraska touchdown. The return sparked the Cornhuskers as they scored three more touchdowns sealing the game.

New Mexico State

New Mexico State at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total New Mexico State 0 0 0 7 7 • Nebraska 7 14 14 3 38 Date: September 13 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 6:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 84,821 TV announcers (FSN PPV): Ron Thulin (Play-by-play) & Matt Davison (Color)

Nebraska, entering the game 2–0, felt confident going against the New Mexico State Aggies who were playing their first game of the season. On their second drive, the Aggies went down the field with ease only to have their field goal kick blocked by Zach Potter. Nebraska's offense finally looked like it came together, scoring 35 points. The scoring included Marlon Lucky taking a toss and throwing it downfield to quarterback Joe Ganz and then Ganz running 33 yards on an option play.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • Virginia Tech 9 9 10 7 35 Nebraska 7 3 7 13 30 Date: September 27 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 7:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 85,831 TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color) & Erin Andrews (Sideline)

Nebraska, 3–0, headed into the Virginia Tech game looking for a win over a ranked team in the first year of Bo Pelini's first year. Virginia Tech got on the board first, blocking a Dan Titchner punt for a safety. The Hokies controlled the game for most of the night, until senior Nate Swift returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Cornhuskers needed a big defensive stop and seemed to have got it on a 3rd down run by Tyrod Taylor. Taylor was tackled out of bounds, but Nebraska defense tackle Ndamukong Suh appeared to have leaped on top of Taylor, prompting an official to throw a flag for a late hit. Bo Pelini, obviously upset, berated the official about the call until the official threw another flag for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Coach Pelini. The penalties put Virginia Tech near the end zone and continued the Hokies' drive, which resulted in Taylor scoring a touchdown to ice the game.

Missouri

Missouri at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • Missouri 14 17 21 0 52 Nebraska 7 3 0 7 17 Date: October 4 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 8:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 85,372 TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color) & Rob Stone (Sideline)

Missouri came into this game having not won in Lincoln since 1978. That streak was broken as the Tigers romped over Nebraska, scoring in bunches. Penalties were the biggest killers as the Cornhuskers had 14 of them for 101 yards.

Texas Tech

Nebraska at Texas Tech [box score]

1 2 3 4 OT Total Nebraska 0 7 3 21 0 31 • Texas Tech 7 10 7 7 6 37 Date: October 11 Location: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas Game start: 2:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 53,449 TV announcers (FSN): Joel Meyers (Play-by-play), Gary Reasons (Color) & Jim Knox (Sideline)

After being routed by Missouri, Nebraska was expecting more of the same against Texas Tech. Instead, they found themselves in the midst of a battle. Todd Peterson caught a touchdown pass with :29 left to tie the game at 31 forcing it into overtime. In overtime, the Red Raiders scored a touchdown but had their extra point blocked, opening the door for Nebraska to win. However, on 2nd down, Joe Ganz' pass was intercepted by cornerback Jamar Wall, ending the game. This was Nebraska's first overtime loss in school history.

Iowa State

Nebraska at Iowa State [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • Nebraska 7 14 0 14 35 Iowa State 0 0 7 0 7 Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa Game start: 11:30 a.m. CST Game attendance: 48,794 TV announcers (Versus): Ron Thulin (play-by-play), Glenn Parker (color) & Lindsay Soto (sideline)

Playing Iowa State was the trick for Nebraska to solve their three game losing streak. Nebraska roared to a 21–0 lead at halftime. Iowa State stifled Nebraska's offense for the third quarter and scored a touchdown of their own, but going into the fourth, Nebraska took back momentum, scoring twice to finish off the Cyclones.

Baylor

Baylor at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Baylor 14 6 0 0 20 • Nebraska 7 10 7 8 32 Date: October 25 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 11:30 a.m. CST Game attendance: 85,104 TV announcers (Versus): Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (Color) & Lewis Johnson (Sideline)

Nebraska let Baylor jump on them for a 20–17 lead going into the half. Nebraska came back from a halftime deficit for the first time since 2003, scoring 15 points in the third and fourth quarters including a safety and a 9-yard touchdown catch by Nate Swift, a catch that broke Johnny Rodgers' record for career catches.

Oklahoma

Nebraska at Oklahoma [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Nebraska 0 14 7 7 28 • Oklahoma 35 14 13 0 62 Date: November 1 Location: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma Game start: 7:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 85,212 TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick (Play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (Color) & Holly Rowe (Sideline)

Nebraska ran into an offensive explosion in Norman and in a matter of minutes was down 35–0. Three first-quarter turnovers doomed the Cornhuskers as Oklahoma capitalized on all of them. Nebraska fought through the circumstances to put up a respectable 28 points as the Cornhuskers looked to regroup.

Kansas

Kansas at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Kansas 7 7 7 14 35 • Nebraska 7 7 10 21 45 Date: November 8 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 1:30 p.m. CST Game attendance: 85,486 TV announcers (FSN PPV): Dan McLaughlin (Play-by-play), Matt Davison (Color) & Stacy Paetz (Sideline)

Nebraska vowed the start of a new season heading into this game, one that consisted of three games. Needing only one win to become bowl eligible, Nebraska played exceptional on a frigid day in Lincoln. Nebraska and Kansas went blow for blow until the fourth quarter when a 52-yard touchdown run by Roy Helu Jr. and a 2-yard touchdown catch by Ndamukong Suh opened up the game for Nebraska.

Kansas State

Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • Nebraska 14 21 0 21 56 Kansas State 7 7 7 7 28 Date: November 15 Location: Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas Game start: 2:35 p.m. CST Game attendance: 48,444 TV announcers (FSN PPV): Dan McLaughlin (Play-by-play), Rich Baldinger (Color) & Joel Goldberg (Sideline)

Nebraska felt confident heading into Manhattan against Kansas Stae as lame-duck coach Ron Prince had never beaten them, nor had former Nebraska commit, Josh Freeman. Also, Nebraska's defense got their blackshirts back for the first time this season. Nebraska made a crucial mistake early allowing a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown. Barring that play and a long touchdown pass by Freeman, Nebraska played sparkling defense in the first half. Kansas State scored only twice more one on a methodical drive by backup Carson Coffmann and a kickoff return by Brandon Banks.

Colorado

Colorado at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Colorado 14 10 7 0 31 • Nebraska 14 10 3 13 40 Date: November 28 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game start: 2:30 p.m. CST Game attendance: 85,319 TV announcers (ABC): Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Jack Arute (Sideline)

Colorado came into this game fighting for bowl eligibility at 5–6. Nebraska had already secured a spot in a bowl game, but a win would help improve where they would be headed. Colorado would have none of it, taking an early 14–0 lead. Nebraska came back taking a 24–17 edge and was looking to add on going into the half. On a fake field goal play, holder Jake Wesch was supposed to flip it over his head and kicker Alex Henery was supposed to catch it and throw it, a play that was made against Kansas. This time, Colorado's Jimmy Smith picked off the flip in mid-air and returned it 58 yards to tie the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Nebraska trailed 31–30 and had the ball deep in the Buffalo's territory when Patrick Mahnke sacked Joe Ganz for a 15-yard loss, setting up a 4th & 25. It looked like Nebraska was out of Alex Henery's field goal range with the kick being 57 yards. Bo Pelini sent his kicker out anyway after Henery told him he could do it. With 1:55 left, he kicked the 57 yarder, giving Nebraska the 33–31 lead. On Colorado's next drive, Cody Hawkins pass was deflected by Zach Potter and intercepted by Ndamukong Suh who stiff armed Hawkins and rumbled 30 yards for a touchdown, icing the game at 40–31 and sending Colorado home with no bowl. Nebraska finished the regular season 8–4 and Big 12 North Co-Division Champions with Missouri.

Clemson

Nebraska vs Clemson [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • Nebraska 0 3 20 3 26 Clemson 0 14 7 0 21 Date: January 1 Location: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida Game start: 12:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 67,282 TV announcers (CBS): Craig Bolerjack (Play-by-play), Steve Beuerlein (Color) & Dan Fouts (Color)

The 2009 Gator Bowl in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska defeated Clemson in a come-from-behind 26–21 finish at the 2009 Gator Bowl on January 1, 2009. All 21 of Clemson's points came following Nebraska turnovers. The outcome remained in doubt until the end, as Clemson marched from their own 23 to the Nebraska 10. With 1st and goal to go and about two minutes remaining on the clock, the Blackshirts made their stand, resulting in a 16-yard sack and three Clemson incomplete passes to seal the game. The game was played only days after head coach Bo Pelini and defensive coordinator Carl Pelini returned from their father's funeral in Ohio.

Rankings

Ranking Movement

Poll	Pre	Wk 1	Wk 2	Wk 3	Wk 4	Wk 5	Wk 6	Wk 7	Wk 8	Wk 9	Wk 10	Wk 11	Wk 12	Wk 13	Wk 14	Final
AP	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
Coaches	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
Harris	Not released				NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
BCS	Not released							NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	N/A

Statistics

Team

Nebraska Opponent Total Scoring 460 365   Points per Game 35 28   Total 1st Quarter Scoring 98 113   Total 2nd Quarter Scoring 126 107   Total 3rd Quarter Scoring 81 93   Total 4th Quarter Scoring 155 52   Total Overtime Scoring 0 6 First Downs 295 228   Rushing First Downs 113 85   Passing First Downs 171 115   Penalty First Downs 11 28 Rushing Yards 2210 1540 Rushing Attempts 487 420   Yards per Rush 5 4 Rushing Touchdowns 27 24   Net Rushing Yards Gained 2512 1921   Net Rushing Yards Lost 302 381 Passing Yards 3650 3008   Passing Completions 294 220   Passing Attempts 432 383   Interceptions 11 12   Yards per Pass Attempt 8 8   Yards per Pass Completion 12 14 Passing Touchdowns 27 19 Total Yards Offense 5860 4548 Total Plays Offense 919 803   Average Offensive Yards per Play 6 6 Fumbles – Lost 32 – 18 17 – 5 Penalties – Yards 94 – 800 64 – 477

Nebraska Opponent Punts – Yards 48 – 1850 66 – 2544   Average Yards per Punt 39 39   Average Net Yards per Punt 32 32   Punts inside 20 Yard Line 14 18   Punts over 50 Yards 4 9   Punt Touchbacks 5 4   Punt Fair Catches 6 9 Kickoffs – Yards 88 – 5613 71 – 4435   Average Yards per Kickoff 64 62   Average Net Yards per Kickoff 42 42   Kickoff Touchbacks 29 10 Punt Returns – Yards – TDs 31 – 376 – 1 22 – 208 – 0   Average Net Punt Return Yards 12 9 Kickoff Returns – Yards – TDs 58 – 1245 – 1 58 – 1383 – 1   Average Net Kickoff Return Yards 21 24 Interceptions – Yards – TDs 12 – 202 – 2 11 – 249 – 3 Fumble Recoveries – Yards – TDs 2 – 14 – 0 5 – 150 – 2 Average Total Time of Possession 34:01 25:59   Average 1Q Time of Possession 08:49 06:11   Average 2Q Time of Possession 08:40 06:20   Average 3Q Time of Possession 08:35 06:25   Average 4Q Time of Possession 07:57 07:03 3rd Down Conversions – Attempts 84 – 178 57 – 169 4th Down Conversions – Attempts 5 – 13 10 – 21 Scored from Red Zone – Attempts 54 – 62 37 – 49 Sacks – Yards 35 – 272 21 – 128   Average Yards per Sack 8 6 PATs – Attempts 56 – 57 45 – 49 FGs – Attempts 18 – 21 10 – 17 Longest Rush 58 67 Longest Pass 69 68 Longest Punt 58 69 Longest Field Goal 57 48

After the season

The reputation of the Blackshirts, whose trademark black jerseys quietly disappeared during the disappointing 5–7 (2–6) 2007 season, was restored with emphasis during 2008 as the coveted black jerseys were once again distributed to defensive starters on November 11[6] following a key emotional win over the Kansas Jayhawks.

The season concluded January 1, 2009 with a come-from-behind 26–21[7] Nebraska victory over the Clemson Tigers in the 2009 Gator Bowl. Nebraska finished as co-division Champions of the Big 12 North Division, with a final record of 9–4 (5–3). Head Coach Bo Pelini's overall career record improved to 10–4 (.714), 5–3 in conference, and 2–0 in bowl games. Pelini's 2008 regular season record of 9–4 was the highest among all 28 Division 1A teams with new head coaches and staffs that year.[8]

Awards

[9]

Award	Name(s)
All-American honorable mention	Ndamukong Suh
All-Big 12 1st team	Ndamukong Suh, Matt Slauson, Nate Swift
All-Big 12 2nd team	Alex Henery
All-Big 12 honorable mention	Larry Asante, Roy Helu Jr., Jacob Hickman, Lydon Murtha, Nate Swift, Zach Potter, Ty Steinkuhler
All-Bowl team	Ndamukong Suh

Draft picks, signees, or other future professional players

• Prince Amukamara, 2011 1st–round pick of the New York Giants
• Larry Asante, 2010 4th–round pick of the Cleveland Browns
• Chris Brooks, 2010 free agent signee of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Phillip Dillard, 2010 4th–round pick of the New York Giants
• Joe Ganz, 2009 free agent signee of Washington Redskins
• Cody Glenn, 2009 5th–round pick of the Washington Redskins
• Eric Hagg, 2011 7th–round pick of the Cleveland Browns
• Roy Helu, 2011 4th–round pick of the Washington Redskins
• Alex Henery, 2011 4th–round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles
• Ricky Henry, 2011 UFL 1st–round pick of the Hartford Colonials
• D.J. Jones, 2011 UFL 6th–round pick of the Omaha Nighthawks
• Marlon Lucky, 2009 free agent signee of Cincinnati Bengals
• Lydon Murtha, 2009 7th–round pick of the Miami Dolphins
• Matt O'Hanlon, 2010 free agent signee of Carolina Panthers
• Niles Paul, 2011 5th–round pick of the Washington Redskins
• Todd Peterson, 2009 free agent signee of Jacksonville Jaguars
• Zach Potter, 2009 free agent signee of New York Jets
• Matt Slauson, 2009 6th–round pick of the New York Jets
• Mike Smith, 2011 UFL 5th–round pick of the Omaha Nighthawks
• Ty Steinkuhler, 2009 free agent signee of New York Jets
• Ndamukong Suh, 2010 1st–round pick of the Detroit Lions
• Nate Swift, 2009 free agent signee of Denver Broncos
• Barry Turner, 2010 free agent signee of Detroit Lions
• Keith Williams, 2011 6th–round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers

References

1. Merrill, Elizabeth (January 13, 2003). "Huskers Show Off Staff". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on January 31, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
2. Kaipust, Rich (December 1, 2003). "Pelini Is Interim Coach; 'Ready' for Challenge". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on January 24, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
3. Nebraska vs. Michigan State 2003 - HuskerMax
4. Nebraska Football Coach Profile: Bo Pelini
5. "Football - 2008 Schedule/Results". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
6. "The Blackshirts Are Back!". Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
7. "Blackshirts help Nebraska beat Clemson". Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
8. "The Red, White, Green and Vanilla Husker Spring Game". Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
9. "2008 Husker Honors". Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.