2007 AT&T COTTON BOWL GUIDE

Transcription

1 2007 AT&T COTTON BOWL GUIDE Table of Contents Introduction Season in Photos Nebraska Information...4 Auburn Information...5 Media/Nebraska Travel Information...6 Noting Nebraska Nebraska Bowl Notes Coaches/Administration Head Coach Bill Callahan Offensive Coordinator Jay Norvell...31 Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove...32 Assistant Coaches Athletic Director Steve Pederson...38 Football Support Staff/Administration...39 University Administration...40 Player Information Honors...42 Depth Chart...43 Rosters Player Bios Adam Carriker Zac Taylor Stewart Bradley...50 Brandon Jackson...51 Marlon Lucky...52 Corey McKeon...53 Jay Moore...54 Terrence Nunn...55 Maurice Purify...56 Bo Ruud...57 Dane Todd...58 Greg Austin/Lance Brandenburgh...59 Brett Byford/Andy Christensen/Jordan Congdon...60 Barry Cryer/Major Culbert...61 Ola Dagunduro/Ben Eisenhart/Dan Erickson...62 Joe Ganz/Cody Glenn...63 Tierre Green/Cortney Grixby...64 Victory Haines/Frantz Hardy/Matt Herian...65 J. Hickman/M. Holt/M. Huff/B. Johnson...66 Andre Jones/Andy Kadavy/Lane Kelly...67 Kurt Mann/Josh Mueller/Lydon Murtha...68 C. Nicks/M. O Hanlon/T.J. O Leary/S. Octavien...69 Chris Patrick/Todd Peterson/J.B. Phillips...70 Zach Potter/Andy Poulosky/Brandon Rigoni...71 Matt Senske/Andrew Shanle...72 Clayton Sievers/Matt Slauson/Tyrell Spain...73 Ty Steinkuhler/Ndamukong Suh...74 Nate Swift/Hunter Teafatiller...75 Rickey Thenarse/Dan Titchener...76 Barry Turner/Jake Wesch...77 Bryan Wilson/Kenny Wilson/Corey Young Season in Review Team and Individual Statistics Game-by-Game Recaps Big 12 Statistics Nebraska Bowl Records Bowl Records First National Bank Nebraska Athletic Staff Directory Administration President: James B. Milliken, J.D. Chancellor: Harvey Perlman, J.D. Institutional Representative: Josephine Potuto, J.D. Athletic Director: Steve Pederson Exeuctive Associate A.D.: Marc Boehm Senior Associate A.D.: Bob Burton Associate A.D./Football: Tim Cassidy Associate A.D./Chief Financial Officer: Nancy Kenny Associate A.D./Communications: Chris Anderson Associate A.D./Marketing: Paul Miles Associate A.D./Athletic Development: Paul Meyers Assoc. A.D./Senior Woman Admin./Softball Coach: Rhonda Revelle Assistant A.D./Facilities: John Ingram Assistant A.D. for Athletic Administration: Pat Logsdon Assistant A.D./Director of Compliance: Gary Bargen Assistant A.D./Director of Events: Butch Hug Assistant A.D./Athletic Development: Diane Mendenhall Football Staff Head Coach: Bill Callahan Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Cosgrove Offensive Coordinator: Jay Norvell Safeties/Special Teams Coordinator: Bill Busch Cornerbacks: Phil Elmassian Wide Receivers: Ted Gilmore Running Backs: Randy Jordan Offensive Line: Dennis Wagner Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator: Shawn Watson Graduate Assistant Coach/Offense: Keith Heckendorf Graduate Assistant Coach/Defense: Jon Osterhout Administrative Assistant for Technology: Tim McFadden Administrative Assistant: Vince Guinta Operations Assistant: Wince Morris Video Coordinators: John Duncan, Matt Schilling Head Strength Coach: Dave Kennedy Associate Head Athletic Trainer/Head Football Trainer: Doak Ostergard Media Relations Staff Media Relations Director: Keith Mann Media Relations Director of Operations: Jeff Griesch Assistant MRD: Shamus McKnight Assistant MRD: Jerry Trickie Athletic Department Photographer: Scott Bruhn Graphic Design Coordinator: Megan McLaughlin Administrative Assistant: Vicki Cartwright Interns: Andy Anderson, Matt Smith Graduate Assistant: Sarah Sherman Athletic Medicine Director of Athletic Medicine: Dr. Lonnie Albers Chief of Staff/Orthopaedic Surgeon: Dr. Pat Clare Orthopaedists: Dr. Scott Strasburger, Dr. Reed Bartz Head Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist: Jerry Weber Assoc. Head Athletic Trainer/Head Football Trainer: Doak Ostergard Assistant Trainers: Brad Brown, Derek Clark, Tom Dufresne, Jolene Emricson, Lisa Grzeskowiak, Staci Reynolds Coordinator of Sports Nutrition: James Harris Academic Performance Team Assoc. A.D. for Academic Programs and Student Services: Dennis Leblanc Assistant A.D. for Student Life: Keith Zimmer Academic Counselors: Alvin Banks, Sheri Hastings, Katie Jewell, Kim Schellpeper, Will Sheppard Athletic Performance Team Head Strength Coach: Dave Kennedy Assistant Football Strength Coach: Dave Langworthy Baseball Strength Coach: Mike Arthur Assistant Strength Coaches: Chad Wade, Laura Pilakowski Bob Devaney Sports Center Strength Coach: Rusty Ruffcorn Credits The Nebraska Cotton Bowl guide was written and edited by Media Relations Director Keith Mann, Media Relations Director of Operations Jeff Griesch, Assistant MRD Jerry Trickie, and interns Andy Anderson and Matt Smith. Cover design by Design Coordinator Megan McLaughlin. Photos by Athletic Department Photographer Scott Bruhn. The book was printed by the University of Nebraska Printing Services. Should you need information regarding Husker football, please contact: Keith Mann, Nebraska Media Relations Office, One Memorial Stadium, P.O. Box , Lincoln, NE ; Phone (402) Bowl guide cost: $10 (tax included). It is the policy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln not to discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran s status, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

2 2006 NEBRASKA SEASON IN REVIEW Nebraska vs. Louisiana Tech, Sept. 2 NU 49, LA TECH 10 The Nebraska offense exploded for 584 yards as the Huskers won their season opener for the 21st straight season. Four tight ends, including Matt Herian, caught touchdowns passes on the afternoon. Nebraska vs. Nicholls State, Sept. 9 NU 56, NICHOLLS STATE 7 The Blackshirt Defense had an impressive effort in a 56-7 domination of Nicholls State. The Huskers allowed just 187 total yards and did not allow the Colonels to complete a pass. Nebraska vs. USC, Sept. 16 USC 28, NU 10 Nebraska battled to the end against the fourth-ranked Trojans, before losing Linebackers Corey McKeon and Stewart Bradley were among the leaders of a stout defensive effort. Nebraska vs. Kansas State, Oct. 14 NU 21, KSU 3 Nebraska jumped to an early two-touchdown lead in Manhattan, and the defense controlled the rest of the night in a 21-3 victory. Tight end Hunter Teafatiller scored Nebraska s first touchdown on a fake field goal. Nebraska vs. Texas, Oct. 21 UT 22, NU 20 Fifth-ranked Texas kicked a late field goal to escape Memorial Stadium with a victory. Linebacker Bo Ruud and the Husker defense held Texas in check for much of the day, while the Nebraska offense made big plays through the air. Nebraska vs. Oklahoma State, Oct. 28 OSU 41, NU 29 Nebraska jumped to an early 16-0 advantage in Stillwater, but Oklahoma State rallied to hand Nebraska its third loss. I-back Brandon Jackson rushed for a career-high 182 yards in the losing effort. Nebraska vs. Oklahoma, Dec. 2 OU 21, NU 7 An opportunistic Oklahoma defense held the Nebraska offense to one touchdown in a 21-7 victory in the Big 12 Championship Game. Senior quarterback Zac Taylor connected on his school-record 44th career TD pass. 2

3 Nebraska vs.troy, Sept. 23 NU 56, TROY 0 Nebraska vs. Kansas, Sept. 30 NU 39, KU 32 (OT) Nebraska survived a scare from Kansas, pulling out a overtime victory in the Big 12 opener. The Huskers had three touchdown passes of 75 yards or longer, including TD receptions of 78 and 75 yards by Frantz Hardy. The Nebraska running attack dominated the game in a victory over Iowa State in Ames. Cody Glenn rushed for a career-high 148 yards and two touchdowns, and Brandon Jackson also topped 100 yards. Nebraska vs. Missouri, Nov. 4 NU 34, MU 20 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M, Nov. 11 NU 28, TAMU 27 Nebraska vs. Colorado, Nov. 24 NU 37, CU 14 The Huskers dominated from start to finish in a 56-0 victory at Memorial Stadium. Marlon Lucky sprinted for three touchdowns and 156 yards and the Blackshirts posted their first shutout in three seasons. Nebraska took control of the Big 12 s North Division race with a two-touchdown victory over Missouri. The Huskers jumped to a 27-6 halftime lead, including a 28-yard first-quarter TD grab by Terrence Nunn. Nebraska secured its first trip to the Big 12 Championship Game in seven years with a dramatic, victory at Texas A&M. Wide receiver Maurice Purify supplied the difference with a nine-yard touchdown catch from Zac Taylor with 21 seconds left. Nebraska vs. Iowa State, Oct. 7 NU 28, ISU 14 Nebraska completed a sweep of North Division foes with a 23-point win over Colorado. The Huskers opened their bag of tricks against the Buffs, including a 29-yard TD catch on a fake field goal by Barry Turner.

4 The Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. The Auburn Tigers Huskers Briefly Record: 9-4 Big 12 Record: 6-2 Home: 6-1 Away: 3-2 Neutral: 0-1 Total Attendance: 996,845 Average Attendance: 76,680 Home Attendance: 595,308 Average Home Attendance: 85,044 Offense Yards Rushing/Game: Yards Rushing/Att.: 4.4 Passing Yards/Game: Passing Yards/Att./Comp.: 3,291/384/230 Total Net Yards/Game: Total Net Yards/Att.: 6.2 Points/Game: Turnover Margin/Game: 0.00 Defense Yards Rushing/Game: Passing Yards/Game: Total Net Yards/Game: Points/Game: 18.4 General Information Location: Lincoln, Neb., Population: 235,594 Founded: 1869 Enrollment: 22,000 Football Stadium: Memorial Stadium (1923)/ Tom Osborne Field (1998) Capacity: 81,067 Surface: FieldTurf (2005) Nickname: Cornhuskers or Huskers Colors: Scarlet and Cream Conference: Big 12 Chancellor: Harvey S. Perlman, J.D. Institutional Rep.: Dr. Josephine Potuto Athletic Director: Steve Pederson Associate A.D. for Football: Tim Cassidy Media Relations Director: Keith Mann Administration President: James B. Milliken, J.D. Board of Regents Randolph Ferlic, M.D., Omaha Chuck Hassebrook, Lyons Howard Hawks, Omaha Jim McClurg, Ph.D., Lincoln Drew Miller, Ph.D., Papillion Bob Phares, North Platte Kent Schroeder, J.D., Kearney Charles S. Wilson, M.D. Student Regents Mike Eiberger, UN-Kearney Matt Schaefer, UN-Lincoln Dan Connealy, UN-Medical Center Steve Massara, UN-Omaha Nebraska Schedule and Results (9-4, 6-2 Big 12) Husker Quick Stats Net Rushing G Att. Yards YPC YPG Long TDs Brandon Jackson, IB Marlon Lucky, IB Cody Glenn, IB Passing G Att-Cmp-Int Pct. Yds YPG TDs Eff. Rating Zac Taylor, QB , Receiving G No. Yds YPR YPG Long TDs Terrence Nunn, WR Maurice Purify, WR Brandon Jackson, IB Tackles G UT TOT TFL Sacks PBU Int.-Yds Andre Jones, CB Stewart Bradley, LB Andrew Shanle, S Corey McKeon, LB Tierre Green, S Bo Ruud, LB Team Comparison Nebraska (9-4).. Auburn (10-2) Category Average Natl. Rank Average Natl.Rank Rushing Offense Passing Offense Total Offense Scoring Offense Rushing Defense Passing Defense Pass Efficiency Defense Total Defense Scoring Defense Net Punting Punt Returns Kickoff Returns Turnover Margin t Sacks t Tackles For Loss t-51 (Bold indicates a mark which ranks in nation's top 25) AP Rank....NU/Opp. NU/Opp. Date: Opponent: Television: Results: Att: Game Current: Sept. 2 Louisiana Tech FSN W, ,181 20/-- 22/-- Sept. 9 Nicholls State.. W, ,076 21/-- 22/-- Sept. 16 at USC ABC L, ,000 19/4 22/8 Sept. 23 Troy FSN PPV W, ,799 23/-- 22/-- Sept. 30 Kansas# FSN W, (OT) 85,069 21/-- 22/-- Oct. 7 at Iowa State# ABC W, ,338 22/-- 22/-- Oct. 14 at Kansas State# FSN PPV W, ,723 21/-- 22/-- Oct. 21 Texas# ABC L, ,187 17/5 22/18 Oct. 28 at Oklahoma State# FSN L, ,108 20/-- 22/-- Nov. 4 Missouri# ABC W, ,197 RV/-- 22/-- Nov. 11 at Texas A&M# ABC W, ,336 RV/24 22/23 Nov. 24 Colorado# ABC W, ,800 23/-- 22/-- Dec. 2 vs. Oklahoma^ ABC L, ,031 19/8 22/7 Jan. 1 vs. Auburn$ FOX 10:40 a.m. 22/10 22/10 #-Big 12 Conference game; ^-Big 12 Championship game; $-AT&T Cotton Bowl Final 2006 Big 12 Conference Standings No. North Conf. Overall No. South Conf. Overall 1. Nebraska Oklahoma Missouri Texas Kansas State Texas A&M Kansas Texas Tech Colorado Oklahoma State Iowa State Baylor conference champion; Big 12 Championship Game: Oklahoma 21, Nebraska 7 4

5 71st Annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Auburn Schedule and Results (10-2, 6-2 SEC) AP Rank....AU/Opp. AU/Opp. Date: Opponent: Television: Results: Att: Game Current: Sept. 2 Washington State ESPN2 W, ,451 4/-- 10/-- Sept. 9 at Mississippi State# LFS W, ,640 4/-- 10/-- Sept. 16 LSU# CBS W, ,451 3/6 10/4 Sept. 23 Buffalo W, ,921 2/-- 10/-- Sept. 28 at South Carolina# ESPN W, ,374 2/-- 10/RV Oct. 7 Arkansas# CBS L, ,451 2/-- 10/12 Oct. 14 Florida# ESPN W, ,451 11/2 10/2 Oct. 21 Tulane W, ,837 8/-- 10/-- Oct. 28 at Mississippi# W, ,211 7/-- 10/-- Nov. 4 Arkansas State LFS W, ,493 5/-- 10/-- Nov. 11 Georgia# LFS L, ,451 15/-- 10/RV Nov. 18 at Alabama# CBS W, ,138 14/-- 10/RV Jan. 1 vs. Nebraska$ FOX 10:40 a.m. 10/22 10/22 #-Southeastern Conference game; $-AT&T Cotton Bowl Final 2006 Southeastern Conference Standings No. School Conf. Overall 1. Florida Tennessee Kentucky Georgia South Carolina Vanderbilt conference champion; SEC Championship Game: Florida 38, Arkansas 28 Tiger Quick Stats No. School Conf. Overall 1. Arkansas Auburn LSU Alabama Mississippi Mississippi State Net Rushing Att. Yards YPC YPG Long TDs Kenny Irons, RB Brad Lester, RB Ben Tate, RB Passing Att-Cmp-Int Pct. Yds YPG TDs Eff. Rating Brandon Cox, QB , Receiving No. Yds YPR YPG Long TDs Courtney Taylor, WR Rodgeriqus Smith, WR Prechae Rodriguez, WR Tackles. UT TOT TFL Sacks PBU Int.-Yds Will Herring, LB Karibi Dede, LB Aairon Savage, DB Eric Brock, SS David Irons, DB Josh Thompson, NG Nebraska and Auburn Statistical Leaders Natl. Avg./... Natl. Avg./ Category NU Player Rank Game AU Player Rank Game Rushing Brandon Jackson Kenny Irons Passing Efficiency Zac Taylor Brandon Cox Total Offense Zac Taylor Brandon Cox Receptions Per Game Terrence Nunn Courtney Taylor t Receiving Yards Per Game Maurice Purify Courtney Taylor Interceptions Andrew Shanle t Eric Brock Punting Dan Titchener Kody Bliss Punt Returns Terrence Nunn Robert Dunn Kickoff Returns Brandon Jackson -- Tristan Davis Field Goals Jordan Congdon John Vaughn Scoring Jordan Congdon John Vaughn Sacks Adam Carriker t Quentin Groves Tackles For Loss Jay Moore t Quentin Groves t Adam Carriker t (Bold indicates a mark that ranks in nation's top 25) Tommy Tuberville Head Coach Tigers Briefly Record: 10-2 Southeastern Conference Record: 6-2 Home: 6-2 Away: 4-0 Offense Yards Rushing/Game: Yards Rushing/Att.: 4.3 Passing Yards/Game: Passing Yards/Att./Comp.: 2,134/261/161 Total Net Yards/Game: Total Net Yards/Att.: 5.7 Points/Game: 25.4 Turnover Margin/Game: 0.42 Defense Yards Rushing/Game: Passing Yards/Game: Total Net Yards/Game: Points/Game: 13.9 Kenny Irons Running Back General Information Location: Auburn, Ala. Founded: 1856 Enrollment: 23,547 Football Stadium: Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium Capacity: 87,451 Surface: Natural Grass Nickname: Tigers Colors: Burnt Orange and Navy Blue Conference: Southeastern (Western Division) President: Dr. Ed Richardson Athletic Director: Jay Jacobs Media Relations Director: Kirk Sampson Football Contacts: Brad Gust, Hank Hager Coaching Staff Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville Overall Record: 95-49, 12 Seasons Record at Auburn: 70-29, Eight Seasons Assistant Coaches: Al Borges, Don Dunn, Steve Ensminger, Eddie Gran, Greg Knox, Will Muschamp, Hugh Nall, Terry Price, James Willis, Joseph Hollis Jr., Toby Norwood 5

6 University of Nebraska Media Relations Staff members in attendance for the will include Media Relations Director Keith Mann (Dec. 26-Jan. 1),intern Andy Anderson (Dec. 26-Jan. 1), staff photographer Scott Bruhn (Dec. 29-Jan. 1) and Assistant MRD Jerry Trickie (Dec. 31-Jan. 1). A media relations staff member will be at practice each day and at every media function during the team's stay in Dallas. Travel Plans The Huskers will fly from Lincoln to Dallas on Tuesday, Dec. 26, and return to Lincoln following the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1 via charter. Nebraska Practice Facility Texas Stadium 2401 Airport Freeway Irving, Texas Nebraska will practice at Texas Stadium Dec Nebraska Team Hotel Hilton Anatole Hotel 2201 Stemmons Freeway Dallas, Texas Phone: (214) Media Relations Director: Keith Mann Cell: (402) Media Relations Intern: Andy Anderson Cell: (402) Media Headquarters The Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas 221 East Las Colinas Boulevard Irving, Texas Hotel Phone: (972) Media Headquarters Phone: (972) (Dec. 26) Media Headquarters Fax: (972) (Dec. 26) Note: Press conferences will be held at the Omni Mandalay Hotel on Dec Dec. 27 Media Day will be at Texas Stadium. Cotton Bowl Information Cotton Bowl Athletic Association P.O. Box Dallas, Texas Phone: (214) Fax: (214) Vice President of Communications: Charlie Fiss charlie@atttcottonbowl.com Auburn Headquarters Hyatt Regency Dallas 300 Reunion Boulevard Dallas, Texas Phone: (214) Fax: (214) Assistant A.D./Media Relations: Kirk Sampson Assistant Media Relations Directors: Brad Gust, Hank Hager General Information on the 71st AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Home/Visiting Teams: Cotton Bowl Web Site: Nebraska Web Site: Auburn Web Site: Nebraska/Auburn ATTCottonBowl.com Huskers.com AuburnTigers.com Nebraska Media Policies and Practice Procedures All of Nebraska's football practices are closed to the media and the public. Practice reports following each of Nebraska s practices in Dallas will be ed and posted on Huskers.com. Still photographers and videographers are welcome to shoot the first minutes of practices as indicated below, but will be asked to leave after the allotted time is up, and may not shoot until instructed to do so by media relations staff. Please refer to the schedule below for player interviews. Please contact the NU Media Relations staff to arrange other interviews. On practice days marked (post-practice interviews), media must contact MRD with player and coach requests. There will be no phone interviews available from the bowl site, unless pre-arranged before departing for Dallas. All times are subject to change and are Central time. Tentative Schedule for Nebraska in Dallas: Day Date Event Time Location/Notes Tues. Dec. 26 Departure 10 a.m. Team departs Lincoln via charter Arrival 11:45 a.m. Team charter arrives at Love Field 12:30 p.m.* Team buses arrive at Hilton Anatole Hotel Coach Callahan, 3-4 players available in Lobby for brief interviews upon arrival Team Event 7 p.m. Fox Sports Welcome, Anatole Hotel Wed. Dec. 27 Media Day 10:30 a.m. Texas Stadium 10:30-10:50 a.m. Coach Callahan in Stadium Club 10:50-11:20 a.m. Players available on field for interviews Practice 11:30-2 p.m. Open first minutes to shoot No additional interviews after practice Team Event 5 p.m. Main Event Party Grapevine Thurs. Dec. 28 Practice 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. First 15 minutes open to shoot Coach Callahan, requested players and assistants not at either press conference available after practice Press Conf. 3 p.m. Omni Mandalay Hotel Off. Coordinator Jay Norvell, QB Zac Taylor, C Brett Byford, IB Brandon Jackson, TE Matt Herian, WR Terrence Nunn Team Event 3 p.m. Children s Medical Center Team Event 7 p.m. NBA Basketball Mavericks vs. Suns (optional) Fri. Dec. 29 Practice 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. First 15 minutes open to shoot Coach Callahan, requested players and assistants not at either press conference available after practice Press Conf. 3 p.m. Omni Mandalay Hotel Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, DE Jay Moore, DE Adam Carriker, NT Ola Dagunduro, LB Stewart Bradley, LB Corey McKeon Team Event 4:45 p.m. Lawry s Beef Bowl (Lawry s The Prime Rib) Sat. Dec. 30 Press Conf. 9 a.m. Omni Mandalay Hotel Head Coach Bill Callahan, Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville Luncheon 11:30 a.m. AT&T Big Play Luncheon (Hyatt Regency Dallas) Open to Media Practice 3:15-4:45 p.m. Stretching open to media to shoot No interviews after practice Sun. Dec. 31 Practice 2:15 p.m. Walk-thru at Cotton Bowl (closed to media) Team Photo 2:45 p.m.* Team photo at Cotton Bowl (media allowed to shoot) Mon. Jan. 1 Kickoff 10:40 a.m AT&T Cotton Bowl vs. Auburn (FOX) Press Conf. Post-Game Coach Callahan and selected players Departure 3:45 p.m.* Depart for Airport 5 p.m.* Team Charter Departs Dallas 6;45 p.m.* Team Charter arrives in Lincoln *-Approximate times 6