RED-WHITE SPRING GAME 2010 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL

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1 2010 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL SPRING NOTEBOOK NEBRASKA ENTERS SPRING PRACTICE WITH MOMENTUM Nebraska enters its 2010 spring practice session with strong momentum following a good finish to the 2009 season. For the second consecutive year, Nebraska entered the off-season as winners of six of its final seven games, including an impressive bowl victory. HUSKER SPRING SCHEDULE The late-season surge allowed Nebraska Week 1 March 24, 26, 27 to finish with a 10-4 record in 2009, its first Week 2 March 29, 31, April 2, 3 10-win season since The Huskers have Week 3 April 5, 7, 19, 10 also posted back-to-back nine-win seasons for Week 4 April 12, 14, 15 the first time since the 2000 and 2001 seasons. RED-WHITE SPRING GAME Nebraska gets back on the field for 15 Saturday, April 17, 1 p.m. spring practices between March 24 and the Spring Game on Saturday, April 17. The Huskers KEY FALL DATES capped an eight-week winter conditioning Friday, Aug. 6 Players report program the week of March 8, and began Saturday, Aug. 7 Fan Day; First day spring drills following Spring Break. of practice Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini will Monday, Aug. 23 First Day of Classes welcome back 19 starters for his third season at Saturday, Sept. 4 Season Opener vs. the helm, including 10 on offense, 7 on defense Western Kentucky, Memorial Stadium and specialist Alex Henery, who doubles as the place-kicker and punter. Nebraska s 19 returning starters is its most in recent memory. NEBRASKA LOOKING FOR ANOTHER SPRING SELLOUT In recent years, Nebraska fans have turned out in large numbers for the Red-White Spring Game, another example of the loyalty of the Husker fan base. During each of the past six years, Nebraska has drawn at least 54,000 fans for the spring game, highlighted by a sellout crowd of 80,149 in 2008 and last year s capacity crowd of 77,670. The demand for spring game tickets led Nebraska to once again sell all tickets for the 2010 game on a reserved basis. As of March 17, more than 60,000 tickets had been sold for the contest, making another capacity crowd likely. More than 41,000 tickets were snapped up on the first day of sales in February, including more than 8,400 tickets in the first 15 minutes of sales. Overall Nebraska has drawn 394,355 fans for its past five spring games at Memorial Stadium, an average of nearly 66,000 per game. Red-White Game Attendance Figures Year Attendance , , , , , ,670 HUSKERS SIGN WELL-ROUNDED RECRUITING CLASS Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini and his staff put together another solid recruiting class capped on Signing Day on Feb. 3. The Huskers added 21 scholarship players, with another 16 prep standouts joining the program as walk-on athletes. Nebraska s 2010 recruiting class included four in-state prospects. Three of those players were the first players to sign with the Huskers from their respective high schools in at least 24 years. The Huskers continued to mine the state of Texas for talent, signing five players from the Lone Star State. Pelini s first three recruiting classes at Nebraska have included 22 signees from Texas. Nebraska signed players from Illinois and Minnesota for the first time since THREE SIGNEES JOIN HUSKERS IN JANUARY Three members of the 2010 signing class joined the Nebraska program for the second semester in January. All three players will participate in spring practice. Offensive tackle Jermarcus Yoshi Hardrick joined the Huskers from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. The 6-7, 315-pound Hardrick is expected to contend for immediate playing time on the offensive line. Also joining Nebraska at semester were a pair of freshmen defensive linemen Jay Guy of Houston, Texas and Chase Rome of Columbia, Mo. Both players graduated high school early in order to take part in NU s winter conditioning program and 2010 spring drills. NEBRASKA CARRIES WIN STREAK INTO 2009 The first two Nebraska teams led by Head Coach Bo Pelini have clearly played their best football late in the season. Pelini s 2008 team began 3-3, then won six of its final seven games to post a 9-4 record. In 2009, the Huskers stood at 4-3 in late October, but again went on to post a 6-1 record down the stretch to finish at 10-4, good for Nebraska s first 10-win season since Nebraska s 6-1 second-half records each of the past two seasons are the school s best seven-game finishes since also going 6-1 in Nebraska is one of only 12 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision to win six of its final seven games last season. NU is 10-2 under Pelini in games played on or after Nov. 1, including a 3-0 record in bowl games. The only losses were at No. 4 Oklahoma in 2008 and against No. 3 Texas in the 2009 Big 12 title game. Nebraska owns a 7-1 record in games played in November under Head Coach Bo Pelini, including a 4-0 record in NU s seven-game November win streak is the program s longest since winning 19 straight games in November from 1992 to NU s Record in Final Seven Games SURGE CARRIES NEBRASKA TO LOFTY RANKING Nebraska s late-season run, capped by an impressive performance in the Holiday Bowl, shot the Huskers up the final national polls. Nebraska finished 14th in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls, the Huskers highest final ranking since the 2001 campaign when NU finished 8th in the AP poll and 7th by the coaches. Early preseason polls indicate that Nebraska could crack the top 10 in this fall s preseason rankings. Nebraska last appeared in the top 10 after a 5-0 start to the 2003 season placed the Huskers 10th in the AP poll. COACHING STAFF REMAINS INTACT FOR THIRD SEASON Nebraska was long known for coaching staff continuity and Head Coach Bo Pelini appears to embrace that philosophy. Nebraska will be in its third straight season with its staff intact in 2010, as all nine full-time assistants enter at least their third season on the Husker sideline. Nebraska is one of only 11 schools nationally to have the same full-time coaching staff for at least the past three years, including only Baylor and Texas in the Big 12. Prior to last season, Nebraska had not had its full coaching staff remain the same from one season to the next since 2001 to 2002 when Frank Solich s staff was unchanged. PELINI STACKS UP WELL AGAINST PEERS, NU LEGENDS In guiding Nebraska to an 19-8 record the past two seasons, Head Coach Bo Pelini has put himself in some impressive company. Pelini is the fourth Nebraska head coach to win nine games in each of his first two seasons with the Cornhuskers. The others to reach that win plateau were Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne and Frank Solich. Pelini s nine victories in 2008 tied for the most among 18 coaches in their first season at their respective school that year. Among first-time head coaches, Pelini s victory total was the best in the nation. Pelini s 19 victories in his first two seasons are second among the hiring class of Pelini was just the eighth BCS Conference (since 1998) first-time head coach to post nine or more victories in his first season. He was just the second first-year head coach in that span to win nine games after inheriting a team with a losing record the previous year. Nebraska shared the Big 12 North crown in 2008, and Pelini became the first coach in Big 12 history to lead his team to at least a share of a division championship in his first season. He has added an outright division title in 2009 to become the only Big 12 coach to win at least a share of a division title in each of his first two seasons. 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2 Nebraska became just the second team in the 13-year history of the Big 12 to finish last in its division one season and earn at least a share of the division title the following year in Best Record Among Coaches Hired Prior to 2008 Season Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech 20-7 Bo Pelini, Nebraska* 19-8 Bill Stewart, West Virginia* 18-8 Houston Nutt, Ole Miss 18-8 Kevin Sumlin, Houston* 18-9 *first-time head coach SEASON OPENING WIN STREAK Nebraska will look to continue a nation-leading streak when it opens the 2010 season against Western Kentucky at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 4. Last year s 49-3 win over Florida Atlantic marked the Huskers 24th straight victory in a season opener. The streak leads the nation, bettering Florida s 20 straight season-opening wins. The Huskers have won each of their last 24 season openers by 10 or more points, and have scored 40 or more points in the opener 17 of the past 24 seasons. In the win streak, NU has limited opponents to 14 points or less 16 times HUSKERS FIND SUCCESS AGAINST RANKED FOES Nebraska posted a 33-0 victory over No. 22 Arizona in the Holiday Bowl for its third win of the 2009 season against a ranked opponent. The Huskers were 3-2 against ranked teams last season, defeating No. 24 Missouri and 20th-ranked Oklahoma, Nebraska also suffered a pair of one-point setbacks, losing at No. 13 Virginia Tech and to No. 3 Texas, 13-12, in the Big 12 Championship Game. Nebraska s three victories over ranked teams in 2009 was its most since NU posted four wins over ranked foes during a 12-1 campaign in BLACKSHIRTS LOOK TO BUILD ON 2009 DOMINANCE Nebraska returns nine defensive players who made at least five starts last season, and the 2010 Blackshirts will look to build on the impressive effort of the 2009 Nebraska defense. In 2009, Nebraska led the nation in scoring defense, pass efficiency defense and red-zone defense and ranked second in sacks, seventh in total defense and ninth against the run. POINTS AT A PREMIUM VS. HUSKERS The Huskers finished last year first nationally in scoring defense at 10.4 points per game. Nebraska held seven foes to single digits and eight teams to 10 or fewer points, with both of those totals leading the nation. Nebraska also posted two shutouts in a season for the first time since NEBRASKA DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT Nebraska has made remarkable defensive improvements over the past three seasons. In 2009, NU led the nation in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense.» Total Defense ypg ypg ypg ypg 77.9 ypg» Rushing Defense ypg ypg ypg 93.1 ypg 23.4 ypg» Scoring Defense 37.9 ppg 28.5 ppg 9.1 ppg 10.4 ppg 18.1 ppg» Sacks (1.7 pg) 44 (3.1 pg) 9 (.45 pg)» Opponent 3rd-Down Conversion Percentage 50.3 % 33.7 % 16.6 % 32.3% 1.4 % Nebraska s 10.4 points per game allowed was the fewest since the 1984 Nebraska defense also led the nation by allowing just 9.5 points per game. Nebraska had not allowed less than 15 points per game since NU allowed just 25 trips into the red zone by its opponents, the second-fewest red-zone chances in the nation. Only 11 of those drives ended in touchdowns and Nebraska s 64 percent rank in red zone defense was the nation s best. Nebraska allowed just 44 points in five games against ranked teams an average of 8.8 points per game. NU allowed just four touchdowns against ranked teams. The Huskers had a streak of 11 straight quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown, between a second-quarter touchdown pass by Iowa State on Oct. 24 and a second-quarter TD run by Kansas on Nov. 14. Nebraska allowed only 10 offensive touchdowns in eight Big 12 games. Nebraska did not allow a touchdown in the final 10 quarters at Memorial Stadium and four of NU s seven opponents in Lincoln did not reach the end zone. Nebraska held its first five opponents under 20 points for the first time since the 2003 season and held 12 of 14 opponents to 17 or fewer points. To put that accomplishment in perspective, Nebraska held just six opponents to less than 20 points in 2007 and 2008 combined. NO FREE PASSES Nebraska also had the best pass defense in the nation, leading the country in the pass efficiency defense category in NU allowed just seven passing touchdowns, the second-fewest nationally, intercepted 20 passes to tie for seventh and opponents 47.8 completion percentage was the fourth-best in the nation. Ten of Nebraska s 14 opponents completed 50 percent or less of their pass attempts, and five opponents had less than 150 yards passing. Nebraska allowed an average of yards per game through the air, NU s best pass defense since allowing yards per game in TOTAL DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE Nebraska ranked seventh nationally in total defense at yards per game, NU s best defensive average since allowing yards per game in Nebraska held seven straight foes to fewer than 280 total yards from games 2-8. That was the longest sub-300-yard streak for an NU defense since Four of those games were against Big 12 foes, the longest such streak by the Blackshirts in league play since NU held 13 of 14 opponents to fewer total offensive yards than their season average. Defensive tackle Jared Crick earned All-Big 12 honors as a sophomore with 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries. 14 AMAZING BLACKSHIRT IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES Nebraska was one of the nation s most improved defenses in 2008, finishing second in the Big 12 in total defense just one season after ranking last in the Big 12 and 112th nationally in total defense. As impressive as the progress was in 2008, the Blackshirts made even larger strides as a unit in Two seasons after ranking 116th nationally in scoring defense (37.9 ppg), NU led the nation in that category at 10.4 points per game. NU allowed 28.5 points per game in 2008 and its 18.4 ppg improvement last fall easily led the nation. In two seasons, Nebraska s sack total has increased from 13 to 35 to 44 in Against the run, Nebraska cut its per game average nearly in half in 2008, then shaved another 23 yards per game off its average allowed in HUSKERS.COM

3 NU BUILDING FOURTH QUARTER REPUTATION Nebraska has been among the nation s best fourth-quarter teams each of the past two seasons. In 2008, NU ranked second nationally in fourth-quarter points scored (155) and fourth-quarter point differential (+103). The 2009 season was no different as NU outscored the opposition 96-32, with the 32 points allowed tying Alabama for the lowest in the nation. The 64-point differential in the fourth quarter was the fourth-best nationally. The fourth-quarter highlight was at No. 24 Missouri. NU trailed 12-0 entering the fourth quarter, before scoring 27 unanswered points. The rally from a 12-point fourthquarter deficit tied a school record, and the 27 points were the most by NU in any quarter since the 2004 season opener, and the most in the fourth quarter since Nebraska allowed nine Big 12 opponents just 23 fourth-quarter points and held eight foes without a fourth-quarter point. Nebraska outscored its opponents in the second half in The 55 secondhalf points were the fewest allowed by any team in the nation. Only two opponents scored more than seven points in the second half in 2009 (Baylor-10, Colorado-13), and NU allowed only five offensive TDs in the second half. Under Bo Pelini, Nebraska is 19-2 when leading at any point in the fourth quarter. The lone losses were one-point setbacks against Virginia Tech and Texas in CRICK POISED FOR BIG THINGS IN 2010 Ndamukong Suh rightfully grabbed the majority of the individual headlines for the Nebraska defense in However, he was far from the only dominant performer for the Blackshirts. In fact, the player who could step into the spotlight this season is junior defensive tackle Jared Crick who lined up alongside Suh last fall. In 2010, the 6-6, 285-pound Crick will be the experienced veteran on the defensive interior who will anchor one of the nation s best defenses. Crick pushed Suh for team statistical leads in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss all season. Crick finished the year with 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. Like Suh s performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game, Crick had one of the most prolific defensive days in school history with a record-setting performance at Baylor. Crick had a school-record five sacks for 24 yards in the game. Five NU players had previously registered four sacks in a game. Crick s five sacks were the most in a single game by any player in the nation in 2009, just ahead of Suh s 4.5 sacks against Texas. Crick had seven tackles for loss, tying the NU school record also held by Jim Skow (1985 vs. Missouri) and Suh (2009 vs. Texas). The seven TFLs by Crick and Suh were three more than any other Big 12 player in Crick had 13 tackles in the game, including 10 solo stops. The 13 tackles were the most by a Husker in 2009, as were the 10 unassisted tackles. The last time a Nebraska defensive lineman had more than 13 tackles was Patrick Kabongo (15 in 2002). Crick earned Big 12 and national defensive player-of-the-week honors for his performance, before going on to first-team All-Big 12 honors. Crick s 5.2 tackles per game ranked second only to Suh among Big 12 defensive interior linemen. Crick had at least one tackle for loss in eight games and had a sack in seven games. SECONDARY RETURNS STARTING EXPERIENCE The Nebraska secondary played the key role in the Huskers leading the nation in pass efficiency defense. Two key members of that secondary starting safeties Larry Asante and Matt O Hanlon finished their eligibility in 2009, and the process of replacing them will begin this spring. However, Nebraska does return five players who made at least five starts in Cornerback Prince Amukamara ranked fifth in the Big 12 and 19th nationally in passes defended. He had a team-high 11 pass breakups to go along with five interceptions. His five picks were second on the team behind safety Matt O Hanlon, and the most by a Nebraska cornerback since Barron Miles also had five in Amukamara also had 64 tackles and three tackles for loss. His play earned Amukamara first-team All-Big 12 honors. Senior Eric Hagg has essentially been a starter for the past two seasons. Hagg has served as NU s nickel back and has been in the starting lineup for 20 of 27 games the past two seasons. Hagg could continue at nickel, but could also be tried at one of the safety spots. He earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors last season and has 81 career tackles, including 12 for loss. Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard took over the starting job opposite Amukamara during conference play and finished the season with 31 tackles and eight pass breakups. Senior-to-be Anthony West started the other five games at corner and enters 2010 with 16 career starts and 13 breakups. Dime back Dejon Gomes had 46 tackles, four interceptions and a team-high three fumbles caused in his first season at Nebraska. Like Hagg, he could also figure into the safety plans, but could continue in his 2009 role. PAUL, MCNEILL MOVING UP RECEIVING CHARTS Nebraska returns 10 starters on offense, including a pair of senior receiving targets who have made an impact in the passing game. Wide receiver Niles Paul was the leader of NU s receiving corps in 2009, catching 40 passes for 796 yards and four touchdowns. Paul s receiving yardage total was the fifth-best in school history and his 19.9 yards per catch led the Big 12 Conference. His per-catch average also ranked third in school history among players with at least 20 receptions and top among players with 40 catches in a season. Paul tied the NU school record in 2009 with four 100-yard receiving games, including three in Big 12 play and against Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. His 154 yards on four catches at Kansas was the sixth-best receiving day in NU history, while his 143 yards vs. Iowa State ranked ninth. Paul earned Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP honors by accounting for 237 allpurpose yards, including 123 receiving yards. He had a career-long 74-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter to cap the scoring in a 33-0 rout. Paul had 11 catches of at least 20 yards, with nine of those covering 35 yards or more. His 38.5 yards per catch at Kansas was the second-best single-game effort in the Big 12 in Paul ranked second in the Big 12 in both kickoff return and punt return average and his all-purpose yards per game was ninth in the Big 12. Paul enters his senior year positioned to move to lofty heights on the Huskers career receiving charts. His 64 career receptions are 17th on the NU career list and he is 36 catches from becoming the sixth player in school history with 100 catches. His 1,016 career receiving yards is 18th in NU history and he is less than 500 yards from moving to fourth on that list. Mike McNeill has been a signature at tight end for the Huskers the past two seasons. The 6-4, 235-pound McNeill will actually work at receiver to start spring WHAT RETURNS FOR THE 2010 HUSKERS... OFFENSE Category... Pct. of 2009 Total Rushing Yards % Passing Yards % Receiving Yards % Total Offense Yards % All-Purpose Yards % Scoring % DEFENSE Category... Pct. of 2009 Total Tackles % Tackles for Loss % Sacks % Interceptions % Pass Breakups % Fumble Recoveries % Fumbles Forced % SPECIAL TEAMS Category... Pct. of 2009 Total Field Goals % Extra Points % Punt Return Yards % Kickoff Return Yards % Punting Yards % ball, and enters his senior year with impressive credentials. McNeill was second on the team with 28 catches for 259 yards last season. He also tied with Paul for the team lead with four touchdown catches. In 2008, McNeill set a position season record with 32 receptions, while his six touchdown receptions were just one shy of the position record. McNeill has six career games with at least 50 receiving yards. McNeill has 13 career games with three or more receptions. McNeill has 61 career catches to rank 19th on the Nebraska career list. McNeill could shatter the Nebraska career tight ends reception record of 65 by Matt Herian from 2002 to McNeill is 274 yards from becoming the 19th Husker to reach 1,000 career receiving yards. HELU JR. PACES NU RUSHING ATTACK Nebraska I-back Roy Helu Jr. emerged as one of the Big 12 s top backs in 2008, and battled through injuries to surpass 1,000 rushing yards as a junior in Helu s effort earned him second-team All-Big 12 honors and the 6-0, 220-pounder could be poised for big things in Helu posted four 100-yard rushing games last season and he has seven career 100- yard games. His best games seemed to come against top competition as he surpassed the century mark against Florida Atlantic, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma and Kansas with a career-high 169 yards against the Hokies. Helu s 81.9 yards per game ranked fourth in the Big 12 last fall and his 1,147 rushing yards was the 16th-best single-season effort in NU history. Helu enters 2010 with 2,159 career rushing yards, good for 22nd position on the career rushing chart. He is just 540 yards from the career top 10 and if he were to post a second 1,000-yard rushing season he would finish fourth on the Huskers career list. Helu has shined against top competition and in road environments. Helu has three 100-yard rushing games in NU s last seven contests against ranked opponents and has averaged 6.2 yards per carry. In eight road games since the beginning of the 2008 campaign, Helu has rushed for 811 yards on 133 carries, 6.1 yards per tote. HUSKERS.COM 15

4 Helu had a Big 12-best 12 runs of 20+ yards in 2010 and 20 rushes of at least 20 yards over his past 18 games. Helu had three of the nine 150-yard rushing games by Big 12 players in 2009, and four of the top 13 rushing efforts in the league. Nebraska is 7-1 in November the past two seasons in large part because of Helu. He has five 100-yard rushing games in the eight November games and has rushed for 953 yards, an average of yards per game. Helu has averaged 6.1 yards per carry in the last two Novembers and scored nine touchdowns. Helu is complemented in the Nebraska backfield by good depth. True freshmen Rex Burkhead and Dontrayevous Robinson both played key roles last season, combining for 511 yards and five touchdowns. Burkhead missed five games during Big 12 play with a foot injury, but was key down the stretch by rushing for 100 yards at Colorado and 89 yards and a touchdown in the Holiday Bowl win. Robinson filled in nicely in Burkhead s absence and finished with 165 yards. True freshman quarterback Cody Green also scored a rushing touchdown, giving NU three true freshmen with rushing touchdowns for the first time in school history. HENERY AMONG NATION S MOST ACCURATE KICKERS Alex Henery enters his senior season poised to make an assault on the Nebraska record book, while challenging Big 12 and NCAA records. The senior from Omaha also emerged as one of the conference s top punters in Henery was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award last season and should be one of the leading contenders for the award in Henery connected on a school-record 24-of-28 field goals in 2009, including three games with at least four field goals. He hit 5-of-5 field goals at Virginia Tech, the second highest field goal total in school history, trailing only Dale Klein s school record seven field goals in He also supplied all the scoring by hitting 4-of-4 field goals in a loss to Texas in the Big 12 title game, and finished the year with a perfect 4-of-4 effort against Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. Henery has six career games with four or more field goals, an accomplishment that has already tied an NCAA record. He has 11 multiple-fg games in his career. Henery s 24 field goals in 2009 shattered the Nebraska record and gave him 50 career field goals in 57 attempts, making him the most accurate kicker in school history. His 50 field goals are just seven field goals from the school record, held by 11-year NFL veteran Kris Brown. Henery is the second-most accurate returning field goal kicker in the nation. He is also the most accurate kicker in NU history on extra points, hitting 139-of-140 in his career, a 99.3 percent accuracy rate. He has made 62 straight PATs heading into 2010, including 38-of-38 as a junior. Among Henery s seven career missed field goals, just two have come from less than 50 yards. In fact, Henery had a streak of 25 straight made field goals from inside 50 yards. Henery has 289 career points entering 2010, good for fifth on the NU career list. He has posted 110 points each of the past two seasons, eighth on the single season list. Henery s two 110-point seasons trail only Kris Brown (116 in 1997) for season scoring by a kicker. A third 100-point season this fall would move Henery to the top of Nebraska s career scoring list. Henery s point total is also third nationally among players returning for the 2010 season. Henery averaged 41.4 yards in his first season as Nebraska s starting punter in 2009, making him one of only thre players nationally to rank in the top 50 in both field goals and punting average. Henery led the Big 12 with 30 punts downed inside the 20, including an impressive eight inside the three-yard line. 16 NEBRASKA CAREER SCORING Player, Years Points 1. Kris Brown, Eric Crouch, Josh Brown, Mike Rozier, Alex Henery, 2007-present 289 NEBRASKA CAREER FG MADE Player, Years FGs 1. Kris Brown, Alex Henery, 2007-present Josh Brown, NEBRASKA SEASON FG MADE Player, Year FGs 1. Alex Henery, Jordan Congdon, Alex Henery, Kris Brown, WIN CLUB Nebraska is one of seven programs with 800 all-time victories, joining Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Ohio State, Penn State and Alabama. Nebraska s 827 all-time victories rank fourth nationally. 1. Michigan Texas Notre Dame Nebraska Ohio State Alabama Penn State 811 Nebraska is entering its 121st season of college football, and owns an all-time record in 1,208 games (.701). Since the first season of Nebraska football in 1890, Husker teams have won 11 or more games 12 times, including seven times since Nebraska has won 12 or more games seven times, including three seasons with 13 wins (1971, 1994, 1997). NU (702), Michigan (705), Alabama (728) and Notre Dame (736) were the only programs to win 700 games in the 1900s. NATION S BEST SINCE 70 Nebraska easily ranks as the nation s winningest program since the start of the 1970s, when Bob Devaney guided NU to back-to-back national titles in 1970 and During the past four decades, the Huskers have compiled a record, for a.794 winning percentage in 498 games. NU s 393 wins in that time period are 27 more than any other school since Nebraska Ohio State Oklahoma Michigan Penn State 357 Nebraska has 37 nine-win seasons and win seasons since Nebraska posted its first 10-win season since 2003 last fall, and has posted back-to-back ninewin seasons for the first time since Nebraska was the first team in college football history to win 100 or more games in consecutive decades, ranking first in the 1980s (103-20) and second in the 1990s ( ). NU narrowly missed 100 wins in the 1970s (98). Nebraska posted 84 wins in the recently completed decade. NCAA RECORD SELLOUT STREAK CONTINUES IN 2010 One of the most remarkable streaks in collegiate sports reached another milestone on Sept. 26, 2009, against Louisiana-Lafayette when Nebraska celebrated the 300th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium. A Memorial Stadium record crowd of 86,304 fans were on hand for the historic event, and the streak reached 304 games by seasons end. The sellout streak dates back to Hall of Fame Coach Bob Devaney s first year in 1962 (vs. Missouri on Nov. 3). Notre Dame is second in all-time consecutive sellouts with 214, 91 fewer than Nebraska. The sellout streak at Memorial Stadium is expected to reach 311 by the end of the 2010 season. NU OWNS DOMINANT EDGE AT MEMORIAL STADIUM Nebraska has rewarded the loyalty of its fans with incredible success at Memorial Stadium through the years. Nebraska has won at least six home games in 19 of the past 23 seasons. Nebraska is at home in the last 21 seasons (since 1989). During Nebraska s run of success at home in the past 25 years, Nebraska has had three home winning streaks of 20 or more games, and has posted 40 unbeaten and untied home seasons. The Huskers are (.776, 655 games, 120 years) in Lincoln, and (.759, 500 games, 87 years) in Memorial Stadium (since 1923). Nebraska has had 41 straight winning home seasons. NU CRACKS TOP 10 IN AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE Nebraska ranked 10th nationally in average attendance in 2009, and second among Big 12 Conference schools. Nebraska averaged a school-record 85,888 fans for seven home games, including a school-record 86,304 fans against Louisana-Lafayette. Five Big 12 teams ranked in the top 30 nationally in attendance, led by Texas who was fourth at 101,175 fans per game. HUSKERS.COM

5 A LOOK AHEAD TO 2010 THE SCHEDULE Nebraska s 2010 schedule will feature contests against six teams that appeared in bowl games in Included in that group is BCS Championship game participant Texas, along with other bowl teams Idaho (Humanitarian), Oklahoma State (Cotton), Missouri (Texas), Iowa State (Insight) and Texas A&M (Independence). The remainder of Nebraska s non-conference schedule includes matchups in Lincoln with Western Kentucky and South Dakota State, and a trip to Washington on Sept. 18. In Big 12 action, Nebraska will face Texas, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, while Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Baylor rotate off the schedule for the next two seasons. Nebraska s Big 12 opener at Kansas State has been moved to Thursday, Oct. 7 to accommodate an ESPN national telecast. TEAM OVERVIEW Nebraska returns 19 starters from its 10-4 Big 12 North championship team, including 10 on offense, seven on defense and specialist Alex Henery who doubles as the starting place-kicker and punter. The Huskers have numerous other players with significant starting experience. Nebraska had just 13 seniors on its 2009 team, however, six of those players logged at least 15 career start, including five defensive standouts. Below is a quick breakdown of NU s returning starting experience for THE OFFENSE Nebraska returns four starters on the offensive line, in addition to starters at quarterback, fullback, I-back, both receiver spots, and a pair of veteran tight ends. Only center Jacob Hickman, a three-year starter, is lost from regular 2009 starters. Nebraska did struggle offensively during Big 12 play, but finished the year with an impressive outing in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona. I-back Roy Helu Jr., tight end Mike McNeill and receiver Niles Paul each have an opportunity to make a lasting impression in the Nebraska record book, while Mike Smith and Keith Williams have each started the past two seasons. Here is a position-by-position look at the offense heading into spring practice. OFFENSIVE LINE Mike Caputo**, Jr., C Former walk-on has been reliable backup at center past two years Ricky Henry*, Sr., OG Omaha native was one of three OL to start all 14 games in 2009 D.J. Jones**, Sr., OT Versatile veteran has ability to play tackle or guard Marcel Jones**, Jr., OT Started first 11 games before missing final three with injury Mike Smith***, Sr., OT Has held down left tackle spot the past two seasons Keith Williams***, Sr., OG Teamed with Smith to give NU continuity on left side Andy Christensen*** Nebraska native made nine career starts at guard Jacob Hickman**** Three-year starter including 2008 and 2009 at center Derek Meyer* Walk-on transfer from K-State made three starts in his one year at NU Senior Roy Helu Jr. enters 2010 as a key to the Nebraska offensive attack. Helu Jr. racked up more than 1,100 rushing yards during his junior season and has the opportunity to crack the top five on Nebraska s career rushing list. Nebraska returns four starters on the offensive line, including senior guard Keith Williams and senior tackle Mike Smith who will be making a bid to be in the starting lineup for the third straight season. Williams has brought a physical presence to the left guard spot and fought off early-season injuries for a productive 2009 season. Smith s mobility has made him effective at left tackle and he also has the versatility to move around on the line. Ricky Henry stepped into the lineup at right guard last season and started every game. He brings tenacity and toughness to the line on every snap. Junior Marcel Jones started the first 11 games at right tackle last season, before being injured. In his absence D.J. Jones filled in and finished the season at right tackle. D.J. Jones has good versatility and could move around during the spring. Junior Mike Caputo is the leading contender to replace Jacob Hickman at center. Caputo is undersized, but makes up for any physical limitations with great technique. Nebraska will also use the spring to evaluate a talented group of young linemen who are expected to push for playing time. Redshirt freshmen Nick Ash, Jess Coffey, Brent Qvale and Jeremiah Sirles all have great size and ability and impressed in their first season in the program. Both Qvale and Sirles may have earned playing time in 2009 had their seasons not been cut short by injury. Sophomore Brandon Thompson also continues to push for a role on the line, while junior college transfer Jermarcus Yoshi Hardrick is expected to immediately battle for a starting tackle spot. QUARTERBACKS Cody Green*, So. Became the first true freshman to start a game at NU since 1992 Zac Lee*, Sr. Posted fifth-best passing season in school history; will miss spring practice Latravis Washington***, Sr. Converted LB provided depth at QB in 2009 As always, the quarterback position will be one of the most watched by fans during spring practice. Incumbent starter Zac Lee will miss spring ball following offseason surgery on his throwing arm. Lee threw for more than 2,000 yards while starting 12 games last fall and certainly will have an opportunity to retain his job in the fall. Sophomore Cody Green started two games in his first year in the program, and figures to make a strong push for the starting job this fall. Green flashed his impressive running skills and strong arms as a true freshman last fall. Senior Latravis Washington saw spot action behind Lee and Green last fall and hopes to compete for time. Sophomore Kody Spano has suffered a pair of knee injuries, but is healthy entering the spring. He brings good throwing and running ability to the offense and could battle for time. Freshman Taylor Martinez redshirted last season and figures to make his case for playing time in the spring. Martinez is one of the better athletes on the team and could add explosiveness to the quarterback spot. Walk-on Ron Kellogg III was Nebraska s Scout Team MVP and looks to get into the picture in the spring. RUNNING BACKS Rex Burkhead*, So., IB Came back from injury late in season to play key role on offense Mike Hays**, Jr., FB Provides a big option at fullback, while excelling on special teams Roy Helu Jr.***, Sr., IB Fourth in Big 12 in rushing in 2009; 10 TDs led Nebraska Austin Jones*, Jr., IB Added depth at IB and saw action with Helu and Burkhead injured Tyler Legate*, Jr., FB Emerged as starting fullback and was Nebraska s walk-on MVP Marcus Mendoza*, Jr., IB Versatile player could be in backfield or used at receiver Dontrayevous Robinson*, So., IB At 230 pounds, provides NU with physical runner Lester Ward*, So., IB Made most of limited snaps in a reserve role last season Nebraska returns 100 percent of its rushing yardage from the 2009 season, including a talented group of I-backs. Senior-to-be Roy Helu Jr. ranked among the Big 12 s best running backs for the second straight year and earned second-team all-league honors. The 220-pound Helu battled a shoulder injury for much of the season, but managed 1,147 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. He has also shown his receiving ability for the past two seasons. A pair of true freshmen emerged last fall to play a key role at I-back. Rex Burkhead started strong in 2009, then missed five games with a broken foot. However, when he returned late in the season he provided a glimspe of his future potential. After rushing for 100 yards at Colorado, Burkhead led the NU running game in the Holiday Bowl. Fellow Texan Dontrayevous Robinson was forced into duty at mid-season with both Helu and Burkhead injured. Robinson answered the call with impressive work in the second half of the year. He provides NU with a big, bruising runner from the I-back spot. Juniors Austin Jones and Marcus Mendoza and sophomore Lester Ward all saw snaps at I-back last fall, and hope to use spring practice to work their way into the I-back rotation. NU also returns starting fullback Tyler Legate. In addition to giving NU a lead blocking presence, Legate also showed HUSKERS.COM 17

6 his ability as a receiver. Junior Mike Hays has provided depth at fullback the past two seasons, while redshirt freshman C.J. Zimmerer looks to get involved at the position after a redshirt season. RECEIVERS Antonio Bell*, So. Speedy receiver who saw limited action as a true freshman Khiry Cooper*, So. Became a go-to-target at mid-season; playing baseball this spring Curenski Gilleylen**, Jr. Has proven ability as a deep threat in Husker passing game Will Henry***, Sr. Senior hopes to use spring to work his way into playing rotation Brandon Kinnie*, Jr. Emerged late in season and is poised for bigger things in 2010 Tim Marlowe*, So. Starting return man saw limited snaps at receiver as redshirt frosh Niles Paul***, Jr. Quietly had one of most explosive receiving seasons in NU history Chris Brooks** Reserve most of career, before playing key receiving role as senior Wes Cammack**** Special teams standout throughout his NU career Menelik Holt*** Part-time starter as senior and had more than 50 career catches Like most of the offensive spots, Nebraska has a number of returning options at receiver. The group is clearly led by senior Niles Paul who caught 40 passes for 796 yards and four touchdowns in Paul s 19.9 yards per catch was the third-best average ever among NU players with at least 20 receptions and the Omaha native has the size, speed and experience to be one of the Big 12 s top receivers. Junior Brandon Kinnie could be a front-runner to be the top receiving option behind Paul. The 6-3, 220-pound Kinnie emerged late in the season as a reliable target and has the size to be a key factor this fall. Sophomore Khiry Cooper was among NU s top options in the middle of the year and figures to be a prominent factor in Cooper will spend the spring with the Husker baseball team before heading back to the gridiron in the fall. Curenski Gilleylen was one of NU s top targets early in the 2009, and has the skills to once again be a key factor in the Husker passing game. Both Antonio Bell and Tim Marlowe saw action as freshmen last fall and hope to use spring to increase their role in the offense. Senior Will Henry is NU s tallest receiving target at 6-5 and looks for increased action in Sophomore Steven Osborne leads an additional group of young receivers who will look to impress this spring. Possibly the most intriguing story of the spring could be the addition of senior Mike McNeill to the receiving corps. One of the most prolific tight ends in school history, the 6-4, 235-pound McNeill will start the spring with the receivers and try his skills on the perimeter. McNeill has 10 career receiving touchdowns and is poised to become NU s top receiving tight end. TIGHT ENDS Ben Cotton*, So. Role in offense continued to grow as a redshirt freshman Ryan Hill**, Jr. Powerful blocker and capable receiving target for Huskers Mike McNeill***, Sr. Two-year starter plans to start spring ball at wide receiver Kyler Reed*, So. One of team s most talented athletes should play bigger role in 10 Dreu Young***, Sr. Three-year letterwinner owns good receiving and blocking skills Tight end is one of Nebraska s deepest and most talented postions. That depth will allow Nebraska to try McNeill at wideout this spring, leaving tight end to four other proven veterans. Senior Dreu Young has been in the regular rotation with McNeill the past two seasons and is possibly NU s most well-rounded tight end with good receiving and blocking skills. Junior Ryan Hill has seen his most extensive action in short-yardage situations where he uses his powerful blocking skills, but Hill also can be an effective receiver. Both Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed played big roles as redshirt freshmen and figure to see more action in Cotton has prototype tight end size at 6-6 and 255 pounds, while Reed provides an explosive athlete at the tight end position who can line up on the line or in the slot. Sophomore Mychael McClure and redshirt freshman J.T. Kerr will look to push for action this spring, and Nebraska will also add junior college product Chase Harper before fall drills. THE DEFENSE Nebraska lost five senior starters from last year s Blackshirt unit, including All- American Ndamukong Suh, three-year starter Larry Asante and three other four-year letterwinners in defensive end Barry Turner, linebacker Phillip Dillard and safety Matt O Hanlon. Despite those losses, Nebraska expects to again field one of the nation s top defenses with the return of nine players who started at least five games in DEFENSIVE LINE Pierre Allen***, Sr., DE Two-year starter battled through injuries for 12 TFL in 2009 Jared Crick**, Jr., DT Earned All-Big 12 honors in first season as starter Cameron Meredith*, So., DE Excellent as third DE last season and poised for starting role Terrence Moore**, Jr., DT Will be counted on for added playing time on interior Baker Steinkuhler*, So., DT Impressive in 2009 as Nebraska s third defensive tackle David Harvey* Provided depth along defensive line throughout career Ben Martin* Injuries end career of Lincoln native Ndamukong Suh**** Most decorated defensive player in Nebraska history Barry Turner**** Finished NU career with 17 sacks and 34 tackles for loss Nebraska must replace All-American Ndamukong Suh at tackle and two-year starter Barry Turner at defensive end, but the front four should remain among the nation s best in Junior Jared Crick teamed with Suh to give Nebraska the nation s best defensive tackle duo last season. The 6-6, 285-pound Crick was a first-team All-Big 12 performer after posting 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, and he provides a disruptive force in the middle of the NU defense. Baker Steinkuhler saw significant action while spelling Crick and Suh last fall, and the Lincoln native is the leading contender to step into the starting role alongside Crick in Junior Terrence Moore has provided depth on the inside each of the past two seasons and will make his bid for an increased role this spring. Sophomore Justin Jackson has been impressive in practice while adding depth the past two seasons and will push for playing time. Redshirt freshman Thaddeus Randle made the most of his redshirt season and is poised to work his way into the tackle rotation this fall. Senior Pierre Allen is the veteran leader of the defensive end group. Allen has started the past two seasons and has made an impact both as a pass rusher and run stopper. He should be among the Big 12 s best at defensive end in Sophomore Cameron Meredith showed flashes of his future potential in While backing up Allen and Turner, Meredith regularly found his way into opposing backfields to make plays. Fellow sophomore Josh Williams saw limited action as a reserve last fall, but should push for more action in spring ball. Redshirt freshman Jason Ankrah is expected to emerge in Coaches considered using the talented Ankrah as a true freshman, but NU s depth at the position allowed Ankrah to develop during a redshirt season. Freshmen Jay Guy and Chase Rome joined the Nebraska program in January and will spend the spring looking to make a strong first impression on the coaching staff. Guy is projected to line up on the inside, while Rome could play tackle or end. 18 Senior cornerback Prince Amukamara earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2009 after recording five interceptions and 11 pass breakups. HUSKERS.COM

7 LINEBACKERS Will Compton*, So. Earned eight starts at Mike linebacker as redshirt freshman Sean Fisher*, So. Started six games and made 35 tackles as redshirt freshman Thomas Grove***, Sr. Has earned three letters primarily playing on special teams Matt Holt*, So. Missed 2009 season after shoulder surgery Eric Martin*, So. Poised to rise at linebacker after strong special teams showing in 09 Jay Martin*, Jr. Has contributed primarily on special teams during career Mathew May**, Jr. Worked through injury to be special teams standout in 2009 Graham Stoddard*, So. One of top special teams tacklers as a redshirt freshman Phillip Dillard**** Capped career with 83 tackles and 11 tackles for loss in 2009 Colton Koehler** Walk-on was strong contributor at linebacker in 2008 and 2009 Blake Lawrence*** Forced to sidelines after series of concusssions The Nebraska linebacking corps should be an area of strong competition during spring practice. The Huskers return a pair of starters in sophomores Will Compton and Sean Fisher, who lined up at the MIKE and BUCK linebackers, respectively, last season. Both players regularly gave way to extra defensive backs in Nebraska s nickel and dime packages. However, despite their youth both Compton and Fisher were strong when they were on the field and will be among the favorites for extensive playing time in Junior Mathew May was expected to play a key role at WILL linebacker before an injury slowed him for much of the year. May still contributed as a reserve linebacker and was one of the top special teams players, and will try to get back into the starting linebacker mix during spring ball. Sophomore Matt Holt contributed as a linebacker in Nebraska s nickel package as a true freshman in 2008, and was expected to make an impact last fall. However, he was sidelined for the year by a shoulder injury, but should be back in the mix this spring. Sophomore Eric Martin was a true difference-maker on Nebraska s special teams as a true freshman. This spring he will be expected to bring the same energy to the linebacking corps and compete for significant playing time. Sophomore Graham Stoddard and senior Thomas Grove have made their presence felt on special teams and hope to work their way into the linebacking mix this spring. Sophomore Alonzo Whaley has also shown promise in practice the past two years and has the ability to make a move for playing time this spring. Fellow sophomore Micah Kreikemeier has battled injuries during his time in the program, but hopes to stay healthy this spring and battle for playing time. Junior college product Lavonte David will join Nebraska in the fall and could figure into the plans at linebacker. SECONDARY Prince Amukamara*** First-team All-Big 12 performer led team in PBUs with 11 Justin Blatchford* Special teams standout is a player to watch in secondary this spring Anthony Blue** Fully recovered from knee injury, Blue looks to push for time at cornerback Austin Cassidy* Special teams standout last season will battle for safety job in spring Jase Dean* Showed outstanding skills on special teams before mid-season injury Alfonzo Dennard** Moved into starting role at mid-season and had eight PBU Dejon Gomes* Earned Blackshirt as NU s dime back and had four interceptions Eric Hagg*** Starting nickel back past two seasons made 40 tackles and 7 TFL in 2009 Courtney Osborne* Earned reserve time at safety as a redshirt freshman P.J. Smith* Backed up veteran safeties last fall and should push for starting role in spring Rickey Thenarse*** Back for fifth season after season-ending knee injury Lance Thorell** Has played role in NU s specialty defensive packages past two years Anthony West*** Veteran has started 16 career games at corner, including 5 in 2009 Larry Asante*** Finished third among Nebraska defensive backs in career tackles Matt O Hanlon**** Capped career with team-high six interceptions in 2009 Nebraska must replace a pair of outstanding veteran safeties in Larry Asante and Matt O Hanlon, but despite those losses the secondary could be the deepest position group for the Huskers. It starts with a pair of returning starters at cornerback who helped Nebraska lead the nation in pass efficiency defense. Senior Prince Amukamara led the team with 11 pass breakups and added five interceptions to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors in He could be poised for bigger honors as a senior. On the other side, Alfonzo Dennard emerged at mid-season as the starter and was an outstanding complement to Amukamara. Dennard finished the year with eight breakups and 31 tackles, including four for loss. Senior Anthony West could again figure into the mix at cornerback. West started the first four games before giving way to Dennard, but maintained his Blackshirt status and is expected to play a prominent role in Junior Anthony Blue played on special teams and in a backup corner role last season, but should push for playing time in the spring. Sophomore Jase Dean also showed his athleticism on special teams before a season-ending knee injury five games into the 2009 season. Redshirt freshman Andrew Green was among Nebraska s top scout team performers last season and could also make a push this spring for playing time at cornerback. Senior Eric Hagg has been a mainstay in the Nebraska secondary the past two seasons as the Blackshirts starting nickel back. Hagg is sure to play a prominent role again in 2010, and could compete for one of the starting safety jobs, but he also might continue in his nickel role. Dejon Gomes enters his senior year in a similar situation as Hagg. Gomes emerged as a play-maker as Nebraska s dime back in 2009, and will be a key player in the secondary. He could stay in the same role or make a push at safety. Junior Lance Thorell has also seen playing time the past two seasons as a nickel and dime back and figures to push for a role in the secondary in Several other players figure to play into the battle for safety spots this fall. The most experienced of the group is senior Rickey Thenarse, who returns for a fifth season after missing the final 10 games last year with a knee injury. Thenarse has seen extensive action in the secondary and brings a hard-hitting presence to the position. Sophomore P.J. Smith worked into the rotation last fall as Nebraska s third safety and performed well spelling Asante and O Hanlon. Junior Austin Cassidy also saw action in the secondary in 2009, while emerging as one of the Huskers special teams leaders. Justin Blatchford excelled on special teams last season and was a backup cornerback, but is expected to get a look at safety in Sophomore Courtney Osborne also saw reserve snaps at safety last fall and should figure into the competition this spring. Redshirt freshmen Lazarri Middleton and Dijon Washington also showed good work on the scout unit last fall and will have their first opportunity to push for playing time this spring. THE SPECIAL TEAMS KICKERS/PUNTERS Alex Henery**, Sr., PK/P One of nation s best performers in both kicking and punting Adi Kunalic**, Sr., PK Has excelled as kickoff specialist the past three years SPECIALISTS P.J. Mangieri*, So., LS Walk-on handled long-snapping duties as true freshman Brett Maher*, So., H Served as holder in 2009 and also backs up Henery at punter RETURNERS Tim Marlowe, KOR, So. Averaged 23.7 yards in first year as starting kickoff returner Niles Paul**, KOR/PR, Sr. Second in Big 12 in both punt returns and kickoff returns Nebraska returns its key special teams players intact for the 2010 season. Leading the way is senior Alex Henery who doubles as the Huskers starting place-kicker and punter. Henery has been one of the nation s most dependable place-kickers over the past three seasons and could challenge Nebraska s career scoring mark in He also emerged as an outstanding punter in 2009, leading the Big 12 in punts downed inside the opposition s 20-yard line. Henery figures to challenge for Big 12 and national honors as both a place-kicker and punter. Senior Adi Kunalic has backed up Henery at place-kicker the past three seasons and also effectively handles Nebraska s kickoff chroes, helping Nebraska feature one of the top kickoff coverage units in the country. Sophomore Brett Maher provides a backup option at punter, and also adeptly handled the holding chores in P.J. Mangieri had a solid first season as Nebraska s starting long snapper in 2009, and is expected to return to that role this year. In addition to being one of the Big 12 s top receivers, senior Niles Paul also brings his explosive playmaking ability to Nebraska s return game. Sophomore Tim Marlowe teamed with Paul on kickoff returns and should be a factor in that role once again. Spring practice will also be a time to evaluate other potential return options. HUSKERS.COM 19