EBRASKA FOOTBALL. Nebraska Sports Information (402) Wednesday, Oct. 15 3:30 p.m...practice (Final player interviews) Thursday, Oct.

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1 EBRASKA FOOTBALL Date of Release: Monday, Oct. 13, 2003 Nebraska Sports Information (402) Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Nebraska Football Notables 4 Five national championships (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997) 4 43 conference championships 4 Three Heisman trophies, eight Outland trophies, four Lombardi awards All-Americans 4 Nation-leading 76 academic All-Americans 4 NCAA-record 260 consecutive sellouts in Memorial Stadium (counting Texas A&M) 4 41 consecutive winning regular seasons 4 34 consecutive bowl appearances NCAA record 4 41 all-time bowl appearances fourth in NCAA home record in last 16 seasons This Week in Husker Football Monday, Oct :50 a.m... Coach Solich on Big 12 Teleconference Noon... Extra Point Club Luncheon (Ron Brown) 3:30 p.m... Practice Tuesday, Oct. 14 Weekly Press Conference 11 a.m...nu Volleyball Coach John Cook 11:10 a.m... Women s Basketball Coach Connie Yori 11:15 a.m... Lunch 11:40 a.m... Nebraska Coordinators Noon...Head Coach Frank Solich 12:30-1:30 p.m... Player Interviews 3:30 p.m... Practice Wednesday, Oct. 15 3:30 p.m...practice (Final player interviews) Thursday, Oct. 16 3:30 p.m... Practice Friday, Oct. 17 Nebraska Walk-Thru....3:30 p.m. Texas A&M Walk-Thru... TBA Saturday, Oct. 18 Texas A&M at Nebraska... 11:40 a.m. (FSN) Game 7 No. 18/14 Nebraska (5-1, 1-1) vs. Texas A&M (3-3, 1-1) Date: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003 Time: 11:40 a.m.(cdt) Site: Lincoln, Neb. Stadium: Memorial Stadium Field: Tom Osborne Field Surface: FieldTurf (1999) Capacity: 73,918 (260th Consecutive Sellout) Nebraska Radio: (Jim Rose Play-by-Play; Adrian Fiala Analyst; Gary Sharp Sideline; Randy Lee-Booth, Pregame); 57-station Pinnacle Sports Network Internet: Live Radio on TV: Fox Sports Net, National (Bill Land-Play-by-Play; Dave Lapham-Color; Jim Knox-Sideline) Special Event: 2003 Nebraska Homecoming Huskers Look to Get Back on Track Against Texas A&M Nebraska was one of six unbeaten teams to fall last Saturday, suffering its first loss of the season on the road at Missouri in a key Big 12 North Division game. The loss dropped Nebraska to 5-1 overall on the season and 1-1 in Big 12 Conference play. The Huskers also took a hit in the national polls this week, falling out of the top 10 in both polls to 14th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and 18th in the Associated Press poll. The loss came after Nebraska took a advantage into the fourth quarter, but Missouri countered with 27 fourth-quarter points to end the Huskers 24-game winning streak in the series between the schools. Despite the loss, NU is still in good shape in a jumbled North Division race, sitting in a four-way tie for first at 1-1 in league play. The Huskers will have an opportunity to re-establish their momentum with a pair of home games, beginning with this Saturday s contest against Texas A&M at Memorial Stadium. The game will mark the 11th all-time meeting between the two schools and the seventh all-time meeting between the two schools in Lincoln. Game time is set for 11:40 a.m. (CDT) on Saturday, with the game televised nationally by Fox Sports Net. Texas A&M enters Lincoln with a 3-3 record after a rout of Baylor on Saturday in College Station. The Aggies opened the year with two home victories, before suffering three straight losses before the win over Baylor. Saturday s game will also mark Homecoming 2003 on the NU campus. The Huskers have a remarkable run of success on Homecoming weekend, winning 34 straight Homecoming contests since a 1968 loss to Kansas State. Nebraska Suffers First Setback on the Road at Missouri Missouri ended 24 years of frustration, taking advantage of five Nebraska turnovers and erasing a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure a victory over the Huskers on Saturday night in Columbia. The Tigers scored 27 fourth-quarter points, including three scoring runs by Brad Smith, to overcome a deficit. Trailing by three, Missouri converted the Huskers fourth turnover of the game, a fumble by Jammal Lord, into the game winning score. The Tigers executed a fake field goal on Santino Ricco s 15-yard touchdown pass to Victor Sesay with 11:41 remaining. Ricco, the backup quarterback, lofted a pass to Sesay in the back of the end zone to put MU ahead for good at In all, the Tigers converted Nebraska s season-high five miscues into 21 points. Smith accounted for more than 300 yards of total offense and four touchdowns against the nation s top-ranked defense, as he scored on runs of 39, 1 and 9 yards, while catching a 47-yard touchdown pass from Darius Outlaw. The loss overshadowed strong offensive performances by Lord and I-back David Horne. Lord completed 12- of-18 passes for 146 yards, while rushing for 111 yards. He threw and rushed for a score. Horne came off the bench 2003 Nebraska Football Schedule/Results Day... Date... Opponent... Time/Result TV... Series... Last Meeting (Site)/Notes Sat.... Aug Oklahoma State#... W, ABC... NU NU s 18th straight season-opening win/defense holds OSU to 183 total yards Sat.... Sept Utah State... W, FSN... NU NU improves to 8-0 all-time in series; Williams 3 sacks, 2 fumbles caused Sat.... Sept Penn State... W, ABC... PSU Davis rushes for career-high 179 yards; NU defense shuts out Lions in 2nd half Thurs... Sept at Southern Miss...W, ESPN... NU Huskers force five turnovers for second time in 03; Lord two 40-yard plus TD passes Sat.... Oct Troy State... W, NU Blackshirts pitch first shutout since Oct. 2000; NU perfect in non-conference play Sat... Oct at Missouri#...L, TBS... NU, Five turnovers costly in loss; Horne (119), Lord (111) both top 100 on ground Sat.... Oct Texas A&M# (HC)... 11:40 a.m.... FSN... NU, NU, 38-31, 2002 (College Station)/17-point comeback in 2002 tied NU s largest Sat.... Oct Iowa State#... TBA... NU, ISU, 36-14, 2002 (Ames)/NU 48-plus points in last five meetings in Lincoln Sat... Nov. 1...at Texas#...TBA... UT UT, 27-24, 2002 (Lincoln)/Two meetings in Austin decided by total of five points Sat... Nov. 8...at Kansas# (HC)...TBA... NU NU, 45-7, 2002 (Lincoln)/24 of last 27 Nebraska wins by 28 points or more Sat.... Nov Kansas State#... TBA... NU KSU, 49-13, 2002 (Manhattan)/NU winners of 17 straight vs. KSU in Lincoln Fri... Nov at Colorado#...11 a.m... ABC... NU CU, 28-13, 2002 (Lincoln)/Five of last seven in Boulder decided by six points or less Sat...Dec Big 12 Champ. Game...7 p.m...abc... Nebraska has appeared in three of first seven games, most recently 1999 vs. Texas All times Central and subject to change; # Big 12 Conference games

2 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Release Date: Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, Page Polls Associated Press (Oct. 13) No. Team (1st) Record Points 1. Oklahoma (61) 6-0 1, Miami (3) 6-0 1, Virginia Tech 6-0 1, Georgia 5-1 1, USC 5-1 1, Washington State 5-1 1, Florida State 5-1 1, Ohio State 5-1 1, Iowa 5-1 1, LSU Arkansas Northern Illinois Purdue Wisconsin Michigan State TCU Michigan Nebraska Auburn Texas* Tennessee Oregon State Oklahoma State* Missouri* Minnesota ESPN/USA Today/Coaches (Oct. 13) No. Team (1st) Record Points 1. Oklahoma (58) 6-0 1, Miami (5) 6-0 1, Virginia Tech 6-0 1, USC 5-1 1, Georgia 5-1 1, Washington State 5-1 1, Florida State 5-1 1, Ohio State 5-1 1, Iowa LSU Arkansas Wisconsin TCU Nebraska Purdue Northern Illinois Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Texas* Oregon State Tennessee Texas Tech Oklahoma State* Auburn *-Denotes 2003 NU opponent Huskers in the 2003 Polls Date A C B Results Pre. RV RV NA RV NA def. OSU, NA def. Utah State, NA def. Penn State, NA idle NA def. Southern Miss, NA def. Troy State, NA lost to Missouri, NA a=associated Press; C-Coaches; B-BCS to rush for a season-high 119 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. The Blackshirts made their mark on Missouri s opening possession, as sophomore Josh Bullocks intercepted a Smith pass and returned it 16 yards to the 42-yard line. NU converted the miscue quickly, as Lord found Mark LeFlore on a screen pass for a 55-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Tigers got a golden opportunity of their own later in the quarter, as Josh Davis fumbled a punt, and the Tigers recovered at the 6-yard line. The turnover was costly, as Zack Abron scored on a touchdown run two plays later. Nebraska thwarted another Tiger threat after a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, as Demorrio Williams snuffed out the drive with his first career interception. Missouri did jump ahead later in the second quarter, as the the Tigers marched 95 yards on nine plays to take a 14-7 lead. The Tigers opened the playbook with a 47-yard throwback pass from Outlaw to Smith for the touchdown. The Huskers showed their two-minute offense before halftime, marching 37 yards in eight plays in the final 40 second to set up a David Dyches 30-yard field goal, putting NU within at the half. The Huskers dominated the third quarter, marching 62 yards on 14 plays on their first drive of the second half with Horne capping the drive with a five-yard TD run to give NU a advantage. The Huskers extended the lead to two possessions later, going 67 yards on five plays, as Lord, who accounted to 57 yards on the drive, raced the final 35 yards for the score. NU saw its lead cut to with 14:53 remaining on a 39-yard touchdown run by Brad Smith, a play that sparked the Tigers to 27 fourth-quarter points on a defense that had allowed seven second-half points all season. Recapping Game Six...Missouri 41, Nebraska 24 4 Nebraska saw its 24-game winning streak against Missouri snapped with the loss. The win streak was the thirdlongest by a Division I-A team over another, trailing only NU s 34-game win streak against Kansas and Notre Dame s streak over Navy. 4Nebraska senior Josh Davis set the Big 12 career kickoff return record with 97 yards on three kickoff returns. Davis now has 1,887 yards on kickoff returns in his career, surpassing the old record of 1,798 yards, set by Colorado s Ben Kelly from 1997 to Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord accounted for 257 yards of total offense in the game and reached a pair of milestones. Lord passed the 2,000-yard career rushing mark, becoming the 22nd Husker and third NU quarterback to reach that plateau. He also cracked 4,000 yards of total offense in his career, the ninth Nebraska player to account for 4,000 yards or more. 4 Lord s 146 yards passing were a season-high and marked the third consecutive game he has thrown for 100 yards or more. Lord added 111 yards rushing, marking the third game in his career in which he has topped 100 yards in both rushing and passing. Lord also tied the most accurate day of his career, hitting on 12-of-18 passes to match his effort against McNeese State last season. 4 Husker sophomore free safety Josh Bullocks picked off a pass for NU-Missouri Stat Wrap Team Stats NU MU First Downs Rushes-Yards Passes Passing Yards Total Offense Sacks/Yds 1/5 2/24 Turnovers 5 2 NU Rushing Leaders David Horne 26 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD Jammal Lord 19 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD NU Passing Leader Jammal Lord , 146 yards, 1 TD NU Receiving Leader Mark LeFlore 6 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD NU Defensive Leaders Barrett Ruud 12 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 hurries Demorrio Williams 10 tackles, 1 sack, INT Le Kevin Smith 10 tackles, TFL, hurry Josh Bullocks 6 tackles, 1 PBU, INT the third straight game and now has six interceptions in six games this season. Bullocks is just one interception away from tying the NU single-season record. 4 Lord connected with wide receiver Mark LeFlore on a 55-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, marking the eighth straight year Nebraska has had a scrimmage play or return of 50 yards or more against Missouri. 4 LeFlore caught a career-high six passes in the game for 76 yards, also a career-best. The 55-yard touchdown was the first TD catch of LeFlore s career and second score overall, along with a TD run on a reverse last season. 4 Sophomore I-back David Horne rushed for a season-high 119 yards on a career-high 26 carries in the game. The effort was the fourth 100-yard day of Horne s career and his first of the 2003 season. 4 Nebraska committed a season-high five turnovers in the loss, including four fumbles. However, the Husker defense did intercept a pair of Missouri passes to give the Blackshirt defense 21 turnovers gained in six games this season. NU s 21 turnovers gained matches the season total in 14 games last season. 4 Tight end Matt Herian had two receptions for 31 yards in the game and has now caught at least one pass in nine straight games. Herian had a 21-yard catch from Lord, marking his sixth reception of 20 yards or longer this season. 4 Ross Pilkington extended his streak of games with at least one catch to seven with two receptions for 35 yards. 4 Linebacker Demorrio Williams made 10 tackles in the game, marking the third straight game in which he has recorded double figures in tackles. Williams also nabbed his first career interception and ran his season sack total to 6.5, with a five-yard sack of Brad Smith. 4 Sophomore defensive tackle Le Kevin Smith recorded a career-high 10 tackles in the loss. 4 The game marked the 15th time under Frank Solich that Nebraska has had two or more players rush for 100 yards in the same game, but the first time the Huskers have lost in one of those games. 4 Missouri quarterback Brad Smith rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns, marking the eighth straight game Nebraska has lost when allowing a 100-yard rusher.

3 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Release Date: Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, Page Big 12 Standings North Division Records Team Overall Big 12 Next Game Missouri at Oklahoma 10/18 Nebraska Texas A&M 10/18 Kansas Baylor 10/18 Colorado at Kansas State 10/18 Kansas St Colorado 10/18 Iowa State Texas 10/18 South Division Oklahoma Missouri 10/18 Texas Tech at Oklahoma St. 10/18 Okla. St Texas Tech 10/18 Texas at Iowa State 10/18 Baylor at Kansas 10/18 Texas A&M at Nebraska 10/ Nebraska Non-Conference Opponents Team Record Next Game Utah State 1-5 at North Texas 10/18 Penn State 2-5 at Iowa 10/25 Southern Miss 3-3 South Florida 10/25 Troy State 3-3 Florida International 10/18 Last Week s Results Colorado def. Kansas, (OT) Oklahoma State def. Kansas State, Texas Tech def. Iowa State, Oklahoma def. Texas, Texas A&M def. Baylor, Wyoming def. Utah State, Purdue def. Penn State, Alabama def. Southern Miss, Texas A&M Schedule Date Opponent Time/Result 8/30 Arkansas State W, /6 Utah W, /18 at Virginia Tech L, /27 at Pittsburgh L, /4 at Texas Tech L, /11 Baylor W, /18 at Nebraska 11:40 a.m. 10/25 Oklahoma State TBA 11/1 Kansas TBA 11/8 at Oklahoma TBA 11/15 at Missouri TBA 11/28 Texas 2:30 p.m. NU-Texas A&M Series Notes 4 Nebraska has scored 37 or more points in three of the last four meetings with the Aggies. 4 Four of the 10 games in the series have resulted in shutouts, including three by Nebraska, most recently a 37-0 blanking of A&M in Lincoln in Nebraska has held the Aggies to seven points or less in five of the 10 all-time meetings. 4 The Huskers 1998 loss in College Station was Frank Solich s first as a head coach and ended NU s 40-game regular-season conference win streak. NU-A&M, Texas Connections 4Texas A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne served in the same capacity at Nebraska for 10 years until taking over in College Station this January. Aggie Senior Associate A.D. Jeff Schmahl served as the Director of HuskerVision at Nebraska until leaving for A&M this past summer. 4 Nebraska has 13 players from the state of Texas on its 2003 roster, including starting linebackers Demorrio Williams (Beckville) and T.J. Hollowell (Copperas Cove) and starting place-kicker David Dyches (Spring). Other players from Texas likely to see action include offensive guard Greg Austin (Cypress), offensive tackle Nick Povendo (Keller) and cornerback Willie Amos (Sweetwater). Scouting Texas A&M Texas A&M enters its matchup at Nebraska with a 3-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Big 12 Conference action. The Aggies opened the season with a pair of victories, defeating Arkansas State and Utah at home, but dropped their next three games, including road setbacks at Virginia Tech and Texas Tech and a home loss to Pittsburgh. A&M rebounded on Saturday with a win over Baylor in College Station, evening its conference record. The Aggies boast an explosive offense led by quarterback Reggie McNeal. A&M is averaging yards per game of total offense to rank 18th nationally, and feature one of the nation s most balanced attacks. The Aggies are 10th nationally and second in the Big 12 in rushing offense at yards per game. The A&M air attack averages yards per game to rank fifth in the conference. McNeal has completed better than 55 percent of his passes for 988 yards and seven touchdowns, against just two interceptions. He has also rushed for 237 yards and ranks 50th nationally in total offense and 19th in passing efficiency. Texas A&M rolled up 719 yards of total offense in last week s victory over Baylor, including 437 rushing yards. Redshirt freshman Courtney Lewis leads the Aggie rushing attack with 586 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging nearly seven yards per carry. Senior wideout Jamaar Taylor is A&M s leading receiver with 25 catches and four touchdowns, while averaging 18.2 yards per reception. Defensively, the Aggies have allowed yards per game, including per contest on the ground and per game through the air. A&M is coming off a strong defensive effort against Baylor, holding the Bears to just 184 yards of total offense and forcing four Baylor turnovers. Sophomore defensive back Jaxson Appel leads the Aggie defense with 69 tackles and three interceptions. Texas A&M Coach Dennis Franchione Dennis Franchione is in his first season as Texas A&M s head coach, after two seasons at Alabama. Franchione is 3-3 in his first season in College Station and owns a (.674) overall record in 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Franchione posted a 17-8 record in his two seasons at Alabama. He previously had head coaching stops at TCU ( ), New Mexico ( ), Southwest Texas State ( ), Pittsburg State ( ) and Southwestern (Kan.) College ( ). Franchione has led teams to bowl games in five of the last six seasons. This is his first meeting with Nebraska. Nebraska-Texas A&M Series...NU leads, 8-2 Nebraska has won eight of the 10 all-time meetings between the two schools, including five of the six meetings in Lincoln. The teams met six times on the gridiron before both were members of the Big 12 Conference, with five of those matchups in Lincoln and the sixth in the 1988 Kickoff Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. Since the formation of the Big 12, the schools have met four times, including scheduled regular-season matchups in 1998 and 2002 in College Station and 1999 in Lincoln. Nebraska also defeated Texas A&M, 54-15, in the 1997 Big 12 Championship Game in San Antonio en route to a national championship. The Huskers and Texas A&M combined for three straight Big 12 titles from 1997 to 1999, and have a combined five appearances in the league championship tilt, including the 1997 matchup between the schools. Last season s game in College Station was a memorable matchup as Nebraska rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit for a victory over the Aggies. The comeback tied the largest in school history and was NU s largest under Coach Frank Solich. For more notes on last season s comeback victory please see page five. Nebraska controlled last year s matchup statistically, rushing for 381 yards on 73 attempts, while holding the Aggies to just 53 rushing yards. The Huskers held a 497 to 322 edge in total offense and a seven-minute advantage in time of possession. However, A&M built a 17-point third-quarter lead, thanks in part to a blocked punt for a touchdown and a fumble return for a touchdown. Nebraska s ground Last Year at Texas A&M.. NU 38, Texas A&M 31 Team Stats NU A&M First Downs Rushes-Yards Passes Passing Yards Total Offense Return Yards Time of Possession 33:50 26:10 NU Rushing Leaders Jammal Lord 30 carries, 159 yards David Horne 24 carries, 128 yards, 4 TD NU Passing Leader Jammal Lord , 116 yards NU Receiving Leader Wilson Thomas 4 receptions, 59 yards Ross Pilkington 2 receptions, 52 yards NU Defensive Leaders Pat Ricketts 11 tackles, 1 interception Demorrio Williams 9 tackles, 1 sack Philip Bland 9 tackles, 1 interception attack was led by quarterback Jammal Lord who rushed an NU quarterback record 30 times for 159 yards, while freshman I-back David Horne carried 24 times for 128 yards and four touchdowns. Nebraska-Texas A&M Statistical Comparison Nebraska (5-1, 1-1) Texas A&M (3-3, 1-1) Category Avg. Big 12 Natl. Avg. Big 12 Natl. Rushing Offense Passing Offense Total Offense Scoring Offense Rushing Defense Pass Defense Pass Efficiency Defense Total Defense Scoring Defense Net Punting Punt Returns Kickoff Returns Turnover Margin

4 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Release Date: Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, Page 4 Solich Year-by-Year Year Record.Pct Conf. Bowl Rank Holiday 19/ # Fiesta 3/ Alamo 8/ Rose 8/ Indepen. NR/NR Total Five #-Won Big 12 Championship Final national rank listed AP/Coaches Solich vs. Ranked AP Teams (11-12) NU/Opp. Date Opponent Site Rank Result /26 Washington Home 2/9 W /10 Texas A&M Away 2/18 L /24 Missouri Home 7/19 W /14 Kansas St. Away 11/2 L /30 Arizona Holiday 14/5 L /23 Texas Away 3/18 L /6 Texas A&M Home 9/21 W /13 Kansas St. Home 7/5 W /4 Texas Big 12 3/12 W /2 Tennessee Fiesta 3/6 W /9 Notre Dame Away 1/23 W 27-24OT 10/28 Oklahoma Away 1/3 L /18 Kansas St. Away 4/16 L /30 Northwestern Alamo 9/18 W /8 Notre Dame Home 4/17 W /27 Oklahoma Home 3/2 W /23 Colorado Away 2/14 L /3 Miami Rose 4/1 L /28 Iowa State Away 20/19 L /2 Texas Home --/7 L /16 Kansas State Away --/11 L /29 Colorado Home --/13 L /30 Okla. State Home --/24 W 17-7 Solich Superlatives Overall vs. AP Ranked Teams vs. AP Top 10 Teams vs. Unranked Teams vs. Big 12 Teams When Rushing for 300 Yards When Rushing for 400 Yards When Rushing for 500 Yards When Rushing for 600 Yards When NU player rushes for 100 Yards Multiple 100-yd. NU Rushers in a Game When Opp. has 100 Yd. Rusher When Scoring 35 or More Points When Hold Opp. to 10 Pts. or less When Nebraska scores first When Nebraska leads at halftime When Nebraska trails at halftime When Nebraska is tied at halftime Record in games decided by 10 or less Record in games decided by 7 or less Record in games decided by 3 or less Individual Honors Draft Picks All-Americans...9 Academic All-Americans...7 All-Conference Winners Academic All-Conference Winners Team Honors Conference Championships...1 Nine-Win Seasons Win Seasons Win Seasons Win Seasons...1 Nebraska Head Coach Frank Solich Coach Frank Solich (Nebraska, 1966) is in his sixth season at the helm of the Husker program with a school and career record (.761). Solich ranks sixth among active coaches with at least five years of service in winning percentage. Nebraska s loss at Missouri dropped Solich from fourth to sixth on the list, but he is just behind Michigan s Lloyd Carr in fourth place and Penn State s Joe Paterno who stands fifth on the list. With a victory over Oklahoma State in the season opener, Solich collected his 50th win in just his 66th game as Nebraska s head coach, the same amount as his Hall of Fame predecessor Tom Osborne ( ). Solich s 49 wins in his first five seasons as a head coach tied him for third place on the all-time Division I-A list for most wins in the first five years of a head coaching career. Solich has piled up a number of notable accomplishments during his Nebraska tenure including... 4Becoming just the third first-year Nebraska head coach to record nine wins in his first season at the helm, joining a pair of Hall of Fame Coaches Tom Osborne (9-2-1 in 1973) and Bob Devaney (9-2 in 1962). 4He posted the best record of any Husker second-year coach, as his team posted a 12-1 record in 1999, leading NU to a Big 12 championship and No. 2 (coaches poll) and No. 3 (AP poll) final national rankings. 4The Nebraska graduate has set NU records for most wins after two, three, four and five years as head coach, bettering Devaney and Osborne. The NU best for coaching wins in the first six seasons is 55 by Osborne (73 games). 4Solich was named the 1999 Big 12 Coach of the Year by his league peers and the AP after winning the league championship, and was named coach of the year by the conference coaches a second time in Solich is the only Husker coach to have won 12 games in either of his first two seasons. In fact, neither Devaney nor Osborne had an 11-win campaign in their first four years, with Devaney posting a pair of 10-win seasons and Osborne hitting 10 wins in his third season. 4Solich tied Devaney by winning his first conference title his second year, while Osborne tied for his first title in his third year at the helm. Solich has continued Nebraska's winning tradition the Husker way by identification of athletic talent regardless of position or recruiting rank; with successful recruitment nationwide of the country's best student-athletes; developing local talent and utilizing the envious Husker walk-on program; and by providing the best athletic facilities and Div. I-A Winningest Active Coaches Rank, Coach, School Years Rec..Pct 1. Bob Pruett, Marshall Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee Bobby Bowden, Florida St Lloyd Carr, Michigan Joe Paterno, Penn State Frank Solich, Nebraska support available for the student-athletes. Solich also recognizes the Husker tradition, which is most evident in his coaching staff. Including Solich, six of Nebraska s 10 full-time coaches played college ball at Nebraska. Solich is one of 19 current Division I-A football coaches who played for and now coach their alma mater. Solich was named Nebraska s 26th head coach on Dec. 10, 1997, after serving as an NU assistant for 19 years. He played fullback for Hall of Fame Coach Bob Devaney, lettering in Solich was the first Husker running back to rush for 200 yards in a game and remains the only fullback to accomplish that feat. He also lettered for the NU baseball team in After serving as a local high school football coach for 14 years, Solich took over the NU freshman program and posted a 19-1 record from 1979 to He was elevated to NU s running backs coach after four seasons, a position he held for 15 years ( ). He was promoted to assistant head coach in 1991 and head coach following the 1997 season. Solich earned his bachelor s and master s degrees from NU in 1966 and 1972, respectively. Fresh Faces on Husker Sidelines for 2003 Season Solich is surrounded by several new faces on his coaching staff for the 2003 season. Six new coaches are on the NU staff, including three assistants on each side of the ball, led by new offensive and defensive coordinators. The new Husker assistants (previous coaching stop) include... 4 Barney Cotton, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line (Offensive coordinator, New Mexico State) 4 Bo Pelini, Defensive Coordinator, (Linebackers, Green Bay Packers) 4 Tim Albin, Running Backs/Passing Game Coordinator, (Graduate Assistant, Nebraska) 4 Scott Downing, Tight Ends/Kickers & Punters/Recruiting Coordinator (Ass t. Head Coach, RBs, Purdue) 4 Marvin Sanders, Defensive Backs, (Secondary, Colorado State) 4 Jimmy Williams, Linebackers (Defensive Line, Toledo) All of the new assistants had previous Nebraska ties except for Pelini, who came to Nebraska from the NFL coaching ranks and played college football at Ohio State. The newcomers join assistants Ron Brown (17th year), Turner Gill (12th year) and Jeff Jamrog (4th year). Brown continues to coach Nebraska's wide receivers. Gill remains the Huskers' quarterbacks coach and added the title of assistant head coach. Jamrog is again coaching the Husker defensive tackles, and is also tutoring the defensive ends and serves as Nebraska's special teams coordinator. Game Day Assignments Offense Field Cotton Brown Downing Press Box Albin Gill McLaughlin (G.A.) Defense Field B. Pelini Jamrog Williams Press Box Sanders C. Pelini (G.A.)

5 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Release Date: Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, Page 5 Nebraska Sports Information Office Mailing Address South Stadium #116, P.O. Box Lincoln, NE Phone FAX sportsinfo@huskers.com Football Contacts Associate AD/Communications Sports Information Director... Chris Anderson Phone canderson@huskers.com Associate SID (Football)...Keith Mann Phone kmann@huskers.com Assistant SID... Jeff Griesch Phone jgriesch@huskers.com Weekly Football Press Conference Nebraska will hold a weekly press conference/ teleconference on Tuesdays throughout the season. The press conferences are held in the Don Bryant Media Facility Level 6 and will begin with Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook at 11 a.m., with lunch served at 11:15 a.m. Husker coordinators will be available at 11:40 a.m., followed by Head Coach Frank Solich at noon. Nebraska players will be available following Solich. Each press conference will be available via teleconference and selected conferences will be carried on satellite (via ESPN News) and quotes will be transcribed and posted by mid-afternoon on, while edited sound bites are available on NebraskaNet.com. The teleconferences are also carried live on HuskersNSide.com. Media wishing to participate in the teleconference should contact the SID office at (402) for more information. The toll-free number for the teleconference is (877) and media can acquire the weekly passcode by calling the SID office. NU, Texas A&M in Statistical Rankings Below are top 25 national statistical rankings for NU and Texas A&M and Husker and Aggie individuals. Nebraska Team Rushing Offense, 5th (243.0 ypg) Rushing Defense, 18th (95.8 ypg) Pass Defense, 8th (161.7 ypg) Pass Efficiency Defense, 3rd (87.4) Total Defense, 2nd (257.5 ypg) Scoring Defense, 7th (13.2 ppg) Turnover Margin, 14th (+1.0 pg) Kickoff Returns, 15th (25.3 ypr) Fumbles Recovered, tie 8th (10) Passes Intercepted, tie 5th (11) Turnovers Gained, 2nd (21) Texas A&M Team Rushing Offense, 10th (217.3 ypg) Total Offense, 18th (441.5 ypg) Scoring Offense, 24th (33.3 ppg) Kickoff Returns, 9th (25.8 ypr) Passing Efficiency, 21st (142.1) Nebraska Individual Josh Bullocks, tie 1st, Interceptions (1.0 pg) Josh Davis, 17th, All-Purpose Yards (142.5 ypg) David Dyches, 3rd, Field Goals per Game (2.2 pg) David Dyches, 17th, Scoring (9.0 ppg) Texas A&M Individual Reggie McNeal, 19th, Passing Efficiency (146.5) Jamaar Taylor, 20th, Receiving Yards/Game (91.2 ypg) Jaxson Appel, 20th, Interceptions (0.50 pg) Terrence Murphy, 2nd, Kickoff Returns (33.6 ypr) Todd Pegram, 2nd, Field Goals (1.5 pg) Courtney Lewis, 17th, Scoring (9.0 ppg) Huskers Make Alumni Happy on Homecoming Saturday s matchup with Texas A&M will be Homecoming at Nebraska, and the Huskers have a long history of success in front of the alumni. Nebraska has won 34 straight Homecoming contests since a 12-0 loss to Kansas State in That game also marked the last time Nebraska was shut out at home. The Huskers improved to all-time on Homecoming with last season s 45-7 victory over Kansas, the Huskers most frequent Homecoming victim. The Huskers have won 15 of their last 17 Homecoming contests by 17 points or more. Nebraska Dominates in October Home Games Nebraska has been nearly unbeatable through the years at home, losing only 12 home games since Much of the Huskers success in that time period has come in the month of October. In the last 24 seasons, including 2003, Nebraska has won 50 of its 51 games at Memorial Stadium in the month of October, most recently a 30-0 shutout of Troy State on Oct. 4. Nebraska won all 39 of its home games from 1981 to 1997, and is 11-1 at home in October under Frank Solich with the only loss a setback against Texas on Oct. 31, Controlling Line of Scrimmage Sets Tone in NU-A&M Matchups The last four meetings between Nebraska and Texas A&M have been controlled by the team that has been able to run the football effectively. Last season, Nebraska churned out 381 yards on the ground in a comeback victory in College Station. The Husker defense controlled the Aggie running game, Rush. Yds. Year NU A&M Score limiting A&M to just 53 rushing yards Nebraska, Nebraska rushed for 335 yards in both 1997 and 1999 victories Texas A&M, against the Aggies, while making the Texas A&M running game Nebraska, 37-0 virtually non-existent. The Huskers held the Aggies to just two Nebraska, yards rushing in a 37-0 win in 1999, and limited A&M to just 13 Avg yards rushing in the 1997 Big 12 Championship Game. Note: Rushing Average in NU s wins Texas A&M used a rushing advantage to knock off No. 2 NU ypg; A&M 22.7 ypg Nebraska in 1998 in College Station. The Aggies pounded out 259 yards on the ground in a victory, while holding the Huskers ground game to just 141 yards. Recent NU-A&M Matchups 2002 Comeback at A&M Historic Nebraska pulled off a historic come-from-behind victory at Texas A&M last season. In the game, Nebraska rallied from a third-quarter deficit to post a victory at Kyle Field. The Huskers trailed entering the fourth quarter in the game. A few notes on Nebraska s comeback victory at A&M last season. 4The 17-point rally tied the top comeback in school history and was Nebraska s best under Head Coach Frank Solich. NU trailed 17-0 in the first quarter of its 1991 game at Kansas, but rallied to win The second-largest deficit Nebraska has overcome to win under Solich was 10 points against Missouri on Oct. 24, 1998, in Lincoln. NU trailed 13-3 in the second quarter, but rallied for a win. 4 The last time Nebraska rallied from a bigger deficit entering the fourth quarter was on Oct. 22, 1966, at Colorado. The Huskers trailed 19-7 entering the fourth quarter, but rallied for a victory vs. the Buffs. 4 Before the A&M game, NU had not won a game when trailing at any point in the fourth quarter since a victory over Colorado on Nov. 24, CU led late in the game, but NU s Josh Brown hit a game-winning field goal on the last play of the contest. The CU win marked the first time since statistics have been kept (since 1946) that the Huskers won on the last play of regulation. Scanning the Polls Nebraska found itself in an unfamiliar preseason position entering the 2003 season unranked in both major polls. The Huskers were just outside of the top 25 in both polls, marking the first time since 1969 that Nebraska entered a season unranked in the Associated Press poll. The Huskers took care of that unusual situation in just one week. NU s 17-7 victory over Oklahoma State moved the Huskers into the polls, and they continued to rise until last week s setback at Missouri. The Huskers are ranked 14th in this week s ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, down seven spots from last week and fell to 18th in the AP poll. Nebraska is one of six Big 12 teams that are ranked in at least one of the polls, joining Oklahoma (1 AP/1 Coaches), Texas (20/20), Texas Tech ( /23), Oklahoma State (23/24) and Missouri (24/ ). Meanwhile, Kansas State is receiving votes in the polls. The Huskers move back into the national polls came after an absence from the Associated Press weekly polls for 12 straight weeks. Nebraska has now been ranked in 529 of 544 AP polls since 1969 (all but one week in 1977, two weeks in 1981, the final 11 weeks of 2002 and this year s preseason poll). Nebraska s entered the AP top 10 at No. 10 last week before the loss at Missouri, marking NU s first visit to the top 10 since before the Penn State game last season. Nebraska has now been ranked in the AP top 10 for at least one week in each of the last 34 seasons and 40 of the last 41 years. Turnovers Key Factor in Nebraska s 2003 Season Part of Nebraska s struggles during a 7-7 campaign in 2002 were a result of finishing the season with a negative turnover margin. The Huskers forced 21 turnovers in 14 games last season, an average of 1.5 per contest. On the flip side, Nebraska committed 24 turnovers and finished the year a minus-three in turnover margin, one of just two seasons in the past 28 years Nebraska has had a negative turnover margin. This season has been far different. Nebraska has forced 21 turnovers in six games, an average of 3.5 per game, and

6 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Release Date: Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, Page 6 Husker Honors, Watch Lists Judd Davies, Sr., FB Preseason No. 6 Fullback in the Nation (TSN) Josh Davis, Sr., IB/KR Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week (9-15) David Dyches, Fr., PK Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week (9-15) Matt Herian, So., TE Preseason No. 10 Tight End in Nation (TSN) Richie Incognito, So., OT Outland Trophy Watch List Lombardi Award Watch List Preseason No. 14 OT in the Nation (TSN) Preseason No. 10 OT in the Nation (Lindy s) Kyle Larson, Sr., P Preseason No. 3 Punter in the Nation (Lindy s) Preseason No. 4 Punter in the Nation (TSN) Ray Guy Award Watch List Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week (9-28) Jammal Lord, Sr., QB Davey O Brien Quarterback Award Watch List Barrett Ruud, Jr., LB Butkus Award Watch List Josh Sewell, Sr., C Rimington Award Watch List Demorrio Williams, Sr., LB Butkus Award Watch List Lombardi Award Watch List Preseason No. 11 OLB in the Nation (TSN) Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (9-8) Big 12 Conference POW Nominees Game Offense Defense Special OSU none B. Ruud none USU none D. Williams Dyches PSU Davis Washington Dyches USM none D. Williams Larson TSU Herian D. Williams Larson MU none none none A&M ISU UT KU KSU CU Bold indicates winner NU to Make Sixth TV Appearance in 2003 Husker fans around the country have had an excellent chance to view the 2003 version of Nebraska football. The Texas A&M contest on Fox Sports Net marks NU s sixth televised game of the fall, including five on national television. The Huskers opener with Oklahoma State was televised nationally on ABC, followed by Utah State (Fox Sports Net), Southern Miss (ESPN) and Missouri (TBS). Additonally, NU s matchup against Penn State was shown to more than 50 percent of the nation on ABC. Nebraska has had good success on Fox Sports Net in recent years, posting a 22-4 all-time record on the network, with just one home loss on Fox Sports, last year s setback against Texas. Nebraska has appeared on television at least 10 times in each of Frank Solich s first five seasons as head coach and is well on its way to that total again in equal to last year s season total. The Husker offense, however, has had its own struggles with turnovers, especially in the last two weeks. After committing three turnovers in a win over Troy State, NU had a season-high five turnovers in its loss at Missouri, with the miscues leading directly to 21 Tiger points. Nebraska still maintains a +1.0 turnover margin on the year to rank third in the Big 12 Conference and 14th nationally in that category. Entering the season, Nebraska had not forced five turnovers in a game for a span of 43 games since the 1999 campaign. This season, the Blackshirt defense has forced five opponent miscues against both Oklahoma State and Southern Miss and caused four Troy State turnovers, including three consecutive secondquarter possessions. Among the individual stalwarts in the turnover department are... 4 Sophomore free safety Josh Bullocks has six interceptions in six games to tie for the national lead in interceptions per game. Last season Fabian Washington and DeJuan Groce tied for the season interception lead with four in 14 games. Bullocks six interceptions are tied for fourth on the NU single-season list and just one away from the school record of seven, held by Larry Wachholtz (1966), Dana Stephenson (1969) and Bill Kosch (1970). Bullocks is the first Husker to have six interceptions in a season since cornerback Kenny Wilhite in Junior linebacker Barrett Ruud has tied the NU season record for fumble recoveries by a linebacker with three, including a 15-yard return for a touchdown against Oklahoma State. Ruud s three recoveries tie his father, Tom (1974), for the position record. Ruud has also forced a pair of fumbles. 4 Senior Will linebacker Demorrio Williams has created headaches for opposing offenses all season, including forcing two fumbles and recovering two others. He had his first career interception at Missouri. 4 Senior nose tackle Ryon Bingham has also recovered a pair of fumbles, both of which have been converted to touchdowns by the Husker offense. 4 Sophomore cornerback Fabian Washington has picked off a pair of passes this season and six in his career and recovered a fumble against Troy State. 4 Sophomore Titus Adams gives Nebraska four players with at least two fumble recoveries this season. Blackshirts Back Among Nation s Best Defenses Nebraska s top defensive players had to wait until just a few days before the season opener to learn who would be given Blackshirts the coveted practice jerseys worn by first-team Husker defenders. First-year coordinator Bo Pelini s delay in awarding the Blackshirts does not seem to have fazed his players, as Nebraska has played strong defense throughout the season. Although NU s performance at Missouri did not match its dominant ways in the first five games, Nebraska still ranks among the nation s best in nearly every statistical category. Here are a few notes regarding the performance of NU s defense through six games... 4 NU ranks in the top 18 nationally in all five major defensive categories and turnover margin, including No. 2 in total defense at yards per game (behind Georgia, 255.2) and third in pass efficiency defense with a rating of 87.4 points. 4 The Huskers held their first three opponents to 10 points or less for the first time since In that season, Nebraska finished the year No. 1 in the country in total defense (203.3 ypg) and scoring defense (9.5 ppg). 4NU has forced 21 turnovers in six games, including five each against Oklahoma State and Southern Miss and four against Troy State. NU did not force more than three turnovers in a game last season and just 21 total in 14 games in Nebraska s +1.0 turnover margin ranks 14th in the nation and third in the Big 12 Conference. Tracking the 2003 Blackshirts 2nd Half Opponent Rushing Passing Total Turnovers Pts. off TO Yards/Pts. Oklahoma St (2 F, 3 INT) 14 57/0 Utah State (2 F, I INT) 9 86/0 Penn State (1 F, 1 INT) 3 98/0 So. Miss (3 F, 2 INT) /7 Troy State (2 F, 2 INT) 7 99/0 Missouri (2 INT) 7 212/27 6-Game Avg (10 F, 11 INT) 61/ / (6 games) (2 F, 8 INT) 4 Nebraska held each of its first five opponents to 108 or fewer yards on the ground, before Missouri picked up 211 in a win over the Huskers. NU held Penn State to just 44 yards, after the Nittany Lions rushed for 217 yards against Nebraska in The Huskers are allowing an average of just 95.8 yards per game on the ground, good for 18th in the nation. 4 Nebraska s defense has allowed just two runs of 20 yards or longer this season, both by Missouri s Brad Smith. The previous long rushes against the Huskers this season were three 17-yard runs. scampers by Utah State s David Fiefia, Southern Miss Tim Blackwell and Troy State s Aaron Leak. Only 10 opponent pass plays have covered more than 20 yards. 4 Troy State s 150 yards of total offense were the fewest NU has allowed since Baylor picked up just 84 in a 59-0 NU victory in October of That game was also NU s most recent shutout before the 30-0 win over Troy State. 4 Nebraska has not allowed a point in the third quarter this season and the Huskers hold a 74-0 scoring advantage in that period. By comparison, NU opponents outscored the Huskers in the third quarter in The Blackshirts allowed just seven points in the second half through the first five games, before Missouri exploded for 27 fourth-quarter points in last week s NU loss. 4 Nebraska has allowed just 10 drives to enter its red zone in six games, including only five in the season s first five games. Eight of the five drives that have reached Nebraska s red zone have started inside the Nebraska 36-yard line, including all five by Missouri (three inside NU 10). Opponents have penetrated the red zone on just two of the

7 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Release Date: Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, Page 7 other 77 drives against the Husker defense this season. Both Utah State and Troy State failed to reach the red zone against NU s defense. Southern Miss reached the NU red zone twice in the second half, marking the first secondhalf red zone trips by opponents this season. 4 The Huskers allowed Oklahoma State just183 yards of total offense, the fewest Nebraska had allowed in 24 games. Nebraska had not allowed fewer yards in a season opener since Iowa picked up just 169 yards of total offense in the 1999 opener in Iowa City (NU, 42-7). The Cowboys are averaging yards per game since their loss at Nebraska. 4 Nebraska s defense was nearly flawless after the first quarter in each of the first two games. Oklahoma State picked up 113 yards in the game s first 18 minutes in the season opener, but managed just 70 yards of offense in the game s final 42 minutes, including 57 in the second half. Utah State gained 145 yards in the first quarter, but had just 93 the remainder of the game, with 59 of those yards coming on the final possession of the game. Husker Records Report Category... Record All-time Home Memorial Stadium Since Away Road (on campus) Neutral Sites (includes bowls) When Scoring 35+ Points vs. Big 12 Teams In Big 12 Action (since 96) Home Away Neutral Bowls On ABC On FieldTurf At Night vs. Ranked Teams... All-Time Home Away Neutral as No. 1 Team In 259 Consecutive Sellout Streak... All-Time vs. Ranked Teams Under Head Coach Frank Solich... All-Time Home Away Neutral Bowls vs. AP Ranked Teams Home Away Neutral vs. AP Top 10 Teams Home Away Neutral vs. Unranked Teams Home Away vs. Big 12 Teams Home Away Neutral Big 12 Championship Game At Night August September October November December January NU Streaks...The Huskers have... 4 won 96 straight when rushing for 400 yards 4 won 107 consecutive games when holding the opponent to 10 or fewer points ( all-time) 4 scored in 95 consecutive games 4 scored in 225 straight home games 4 shut out opponents 101 times Huskers Through the Years Natl. Coaches Record Years Champs Bob Devaney , 71 Tom Osborne , 95, 97 Frank Solich Since All-Time Shutout Adds to Nebraska s Defensive Dominance Nebraska s defense established its dominance in the season s first four games, but the one thing missing from the Blackshirts early-season resume was a shutout. That goal was accomplished with a 30-0 whitewash of Troy State in Lincoln. The Trojans never seriously threatened to put points on the scoreboard, snapping the ball in Nebraska territory just three times on the day. Troy State Coach Larry Blakeney left the game impressed with the Husker defense. 4 We faced a very good defense, a defense to be reckoned with. They might be good enough to take that team to pretty good heights. The shutout was the first by Nebraska since a 59-0 win over Baylor on Oct. 21, 2000, a span of 37 games, and marked Nebraska s fifth shutout under Coach Solich. The 2003 Blackshirts became just the fifth NU defense in the Osborne-Solich era to hold opponents to 14 points or less in each of the first five games. The Huskers have now accomplished the feat three times in six seasons under Solich (also 1999, 2001) and also held the first five opponents to less than 14 points in 1990 and 1976 under Tom Osborne. Williams Setting Tone for Blackshirts Nebraska s defensive effort in 2003 has been truly a team effort. However, it is hard not to notice the play of senior Will linebacker Demorrio Williams. The Beckville, Texas, native leads the team with 58 tackles, including 37 solo stops. He tied his career high with 13 tackles against Troy State, including seven solo stops, a pair of tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Against Missouri, Williams recorded his third consecutive double-figure tackle game, and added a sack and his first career interception. The senior has nine tackles for loss (44 yards) and 6.5 sacks (40 yards) both team-leading totals. Williams has also forced two fumbles, recovered a pair of fumbles, hurried opposing quarterbacks a team-high five times, broke up a pair of passes and intercepted a pass. Williams simply dominated the second quarter against Utah State, recording three sacks for 27 yards, forcing fumbles on two of the sacks. Nebraska Demorrio Williams Game-by-Game Game Tackles (U-A-T) TFL/Sacks Other OSU /0 2 Hurries, PBU USU# / FC, 1 FR PSU /0 USM* /1-3 1 FR, 2 Hurries TSU* /1.5-5 MU /1-5 INT *-Big 12 POW Nominee; #-Winner converted the fumbles Williams caused into nine points in a 31-7 victory. Williams play against the Aggies earned him Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors. Williams made another strong statement in front of a national stage on ESPN Thursday night at Southern Miss, recording 12 tackles, the third-most of his Husker career. He has been Nebraska s nominee for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after three of NU s first six games. The Butkus and Lombardi Award committees have noticed the play of the 6-1, 215-pound senior by both adding him to the watch lists for their respective awards. Williams play has also drawn rave reviews from both Nebraska opponents and the NU coaching staff. 4 Whoa, that s like having a safety at linebacker. He was in the backfield all the time. We had him blocked and he was quick enough to get around us and cause trouble. Oklahoma State offensive guard Sam Mayes 4 If you really want to know, I can still feel him. He was the best player out there today. I ve never played against anyone like him before. Utah State quarterback Travis Cox 4 We don t have an athlete like him. He s a difference maker and those two turnovers he caused were a major, major, major difference in this game. Utah State Head Coach Mick Dennehy 4 He s a special player. He has special talents. That left guard might be seeing him (Williams) in his sleep for a while. Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini after Oklahoma State game NU Defense Dominating in All Areas Demorrio Williams has been the headline grabbing player on defense this season, but the Blackshirts have received great individual efforts from numerous players in 2003, including... 4 Junior linebacker Barrett Ruud ranks second on the team in tackles with 56 stops, including three double-figure tackle games (12 vs. Missouri, 11 vs. Utah State, 10 vs. Southern Miss). Ruud s three fumble recoveries have resulted in 17 points, including a pair of touchdowns and a field goal. Ruud s performance this fall has not come as a surprise to NU coaches, a fact Head Coach Frank Solich pointed out after the season opener. I thought leading up to this game that Barrett Ruud had a great fall camp. He is a great football player, and I think that showed in a lot of ways today. 4 Left cornerback Fabian Washington is only a sophomore, but has emerged as the leader in the Nebraska secondary. Washington ranks third on the team in tackles with 35 stops, including team-high efforts against Oklahoma State (11) and Penn State (9). Washington was a key in the NU defense that limited Oklahoma State All-America receiver Rashaun Woods to five catches for 47 yards, including two receptions for nine yards in the second half.