Returning Starters-Offense (Year listed is for Fall, 2003)

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1 16 Returning Starters-Offense (Year listed is for Fall, 2003) #4 Judd Davies Fullback Senior Omaha, Neb. (Millard North) 2002 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team Member Two-Time Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII (2001, 2002) Three-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2000, 2001, 2002) 2001 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002) Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) Fullback Judd Davies is one of Nebraska s most experienced veterans heading into the 2003 season. Entering spring ball, he and junior Steve Kriewald are listed as the Huskers top two fullbacks for the third straight season. Davies has started each of the past two seasons, and in addition to his on-field contributions, is one of Nebraska s top candidates for academic honors. Davies carries were scaled back in 2002 as the Huskers Big 12- leading running game focused on the quarterback and I-back. He finished the year with 193 rushing yards on 42 carries, the fourth-best total on the team. Davies earned academic all-conference honors for the third straight season and was a Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII pick for the second straight year. He finished the 2002 fall semester with a cumulative grade-point average and earned a 4.0 last fall. The Millard North graduate played in all 14 games with 12 starts in 2002, and scored four touchdowns, with one each in four of the first five games. He capped the regular season with a season-high 59 yards on five carries against Colorado, including a season-best 23-yard run. Davies has started 24 games over the past two seasons and has played in 38 games (including bowls) in a Husker uniform. He enters his senior season with 614 career rushing yards and nine touchdowns. The top day of his career was a 119-yard effort at Baylor in 2001, when he scored on runs of 42 and 22 yards. Davies Career Statistics Rushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs ed / vs. BU / vs. BU / vs. CU 4 Totals 36/ vs. BU 9 Tackles: 2 UT, 2 AT, 4 TT total; 1 UT, 1 AT, 2 TT in 2000; 1 UT, 1 AT, 2 TT, 2001; Receiving: total: , 2000; 2-9-0, Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Rushing 3-17, punt return Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Rushing, (16 yard TD) 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Rushing, Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 #78 Mike Erickson Left Guard Junior Omaha, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista) Mike Erickson is one of three starters returning on the Husker offensive front, having started all 14 games at left guard as a sophomore in Erickson had the difficult duty of replacing departed All-American Toniu Fonoti last fall, but responded well and helped Nebraska to a No. 4 national ranking in rushing offense at yards per game.erickson was honored for his work in the classroom by being named to the second-team academic All-Big 12 squad. Erickson was third on the team in pancakes (101) and had six doublefigure pancake games, including four of the season s first six games. He posted a career-high 16 pancakes at Texas A&M, when the offensive line posted a school-record 110 pancakes as a unit, leading Nebraska to a comeback victory. He had 14 knock-downs against McNeese State, when Nebraska rushed for a season-high 444 yards. Erickson was the only freshman on Nebraska s top two offensive line units in He played in six games and recorded four pancake blocks. Erickson s Career Numbers Games Played 20 (6 in 2001; 14 in 2002) Games Started 14 (14 in 2002) Pancakes 105 (4 in 2001; 101 in 2002) Career Pancake Best 16 at Texas A&M, 2002 Double Digit Pancake Games 6 (6 in 2002) #51 Richie Incognito Center Sophomore Glendale, Ariz. (Mountain Ridge) First-Team Freshman All-American (FWAA, The Sporting News, Rivals.com) 2002 First-Team All-Big 12 (The Sporting News) 2002 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Dallas Morning News) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches, Associated Press) Sophomore Richie Incognito is coming off one of the best seasons ever by a Nebraska freshman offensive lineman and is poised for bigger things in He started 13 games at left tackle as a redshirt freshman and posted the second-highest season pancake total in Husker history. Incognito s play did not go unnoticed as The Sporting News and the FWAA selected him as a first-team freshman All-American. He was a first-team All-Big 12 pick by TSN. The Dallas Morning News picked him second-team allleague and the AP and coaches gave him honorable-mention honors. This spring Incognito will move inside to try his hand at center, where he would provide the Huskers with the type of dominant interior blocker that has been a key to many of Nebraska s previous great offensive fronts. Seven Husker centers have received All-America honors since 1980, and in that same span Nebraska has led the nation in rushing 13 times. The 6-3, 305-pound Incognito was the first Husker offensive lineman in school history to start the season opener in his first season in a Husker uniform. He led the Huskers in pancakes last season with 171 knockdowns in the regular season, the second-highest total at Nebraska since the statistic has been tracked (1995). Incognito and his offensive line mates helped the Husker offense lead the Big 12 Conference in rushing at yards per game. Incognito had nine double-figure pancake games, including three consecutive games with 20 or more pancakes. He posted 28 pancakes at Texas A&M, the second-most ever by a Husker, as the offensive line set a school single-game record with 110 knock-downs. Incognito also topped 20 pancakes at Oklahoma State (21) and Texas (22). He recorded doublefigure pancake totals in each of Nebraska s final six games and led the Huskers in pancakes eight times during the season. Incognito s Career Numbers Games Played 14 (14 in 2002) Games Started 13 (13 in 2002) Pancakes 171 (171 in 2002) Career Pancake Best 28 at Texas A&M, 2002 Double Digit Pancake Games 9 (9 in 2002)

2 #5 Jammal Lord Quarterback Senior Bayonne, N.J. (Bayonne) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) NU Single-Game Total-Offense Record Holder (369 yards vs. McNeese State) NU Season Record for Rushing Yards by a Quarterback (1,412 yards) NU Single-Game Record for Quarterback Rushing Yards (234 yards vs. Texas) Jammal Lord returns for his senior season after a 2002 campaign in which he produced one of the most prolific statistical seasons ever by a Husker signal caller. Lord started all 14 games and set Nebraska singlegame and season quarterback records for both rushing and total offense. This spring he will look to continue to develop his leadership abilities and improve his accuracy and consistency in the passing game. Lord accounted for a school-record 2,774 yards of total offense, eclipsing Eric Crouch s 2,625 yards during his 2001 Heisman season. He also established NU quarterback records for rushing yardage in a game (234 vs. Texas) and a season (1,412). Lord s rushing total was the most by any quarterback nationally last fall and the third most ever by a Division I-A signal caller. He is also one of only 19 Division I-A players to both rush and pass for more than 1,000 yards in the same season, and became the third Husker quarterback to accomplish the feat, joining Crouch (2001) and Scott Frost (1997). His 234 yards rushing against Texas broke his own NU quarterback record of 218 yards set last year versus McNeese State. In the win over the Cowboys, Lord passed for 151 yards to produce a school-record 369 yards of total offense, bettering Crouch s 360 yards in 2001 at Colorado. Lord had five games with more than 100 yards rushing, including the only two 200-yard rushing games by a quarterback in NU history. He owns three of the seven most prolific rushing outings ever by Husker signal callers and led Nebraska in rushing eight times in Lord had eight 100-yard passing days as a junior and topped 100 yards in both rushing and passing against McNeese State and Texas A&M. Lord led the Husker offense to a No. 4 national ranking in rushing (268.7 ypg). Lord led the NU rushing attack, averaging yards per game, fourth among Big 12 runners and 35th nationally. He finished second in the nation among quarterbacks in rushing yards per game. Lord played sparingly as Crouch s backup in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Lord s Career Statistics Rushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs / twice / vs. KU / , , vs. MSU 8 Totals26/ , , vs. MSU 14 Most Rushes 30 vs. Texas A&M, 2002 Most Yards Rushing 234 vs. Texas, 2002 Long Rush/TD Rush 57 vs. McNeese State, 2002 Number of Career Rushes of 25-Plus Yards 14, 1 in 2001; 13 in 2002 Passing Year G Att. Cmp. Int. Pct. Yds. Y/A Y/G LPTD Eff.R / / / , Totals26/ , Most Passes Attempted 25 at Kansas State, 2002 Most Passes Completed 12 vs. McNeese State, 2002 Most Yards Passing 151 vs. McNeese State, 2002 Long Pass 90, vs. Iowa State, 2002 Number of Career Passes of 25-Plus Yards 15, 2 in 2000; 13 in 2002 Total Offense: 529-3, total; , 2000; , 2001; 455-2,774-20, Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Rushing ; Passing, none 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Rushing, ; Passing, , 93 yards, 1 TD 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP) #68 Dan Vili Waldrop Right Tackle Senior Wilmington, Calif. (Banning) Dan Vili Waldrop enters his final season as a Husker, after spending the past two seasons as Nebraska s starting right offensive tackle. He has been fifth on the team in pancakes each of the past two years and is one of three returning starters from an offensive line that helped Nebraska to a No. 4 national ranking in rushing offense last season. For his efforts, Vili Waldrop earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press last season. Vili Waldrop had one of the most productive pancake games in school history against Texas A&M, when he posted a career-high 24 pancakes. He started all 13 regular-season games and posted 91 pancakes, including four games with seven or more knock-downs. Vili Waldrop started all 12 games and the Rose Bowl at right tackle in He finished fifth on the team in pancakes with 95 and assisted the Huskers to the NCAA rushing title at yards per game. Vili Waldrop had three double-figure pancake games with a season-high 17 knockdowns against Rice, when NU had 497 total yards. Vili Waldrop played in 10 games in 2000, primarily on special teams, but also as a reserve left gurad. He had seven pancakes and also played in the 2000 Alamo Bowl. Vili Waldrop redshirted in Vili Waldrop s Career Numbers Games Played 36 (10 in 2000; 12 in 2001; 14 in 2002) Games Started 25 (12 in 2001; 13 in 2002) Pancakes 193 (7 in 2000; 95 in 2001; 91 in 2002) Career Pancake Best 24 at Texas A&M, 2002 Double Digit Pancake Games 4 (3 in 2001; 1 in 2002) Returning Starters-Defense #59 Ryon Bingham Nose Tackle Senior Sandy, Utah (Alta) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) 2002 Second-Team Academic All-Big Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll Three-time Finalist for Nebraska Lifter-of-the-Year Award (1999, 2000, 2001) Ryon Bingham returns for his senior year after a pair of seasons as a mainstay on the Husker defensive front. Bingham started all 14 games at nose tackle in 2002 and saw significant action at the position as a sophomore. Bingham is one of several talented players who will return in the interior defensive front, giving Nebraska one of its deepest positions on the defense. Along with Bingham, senior Patrick Kabongo has starting experience, while sophomores Titus Adams and Le Kevin Smith gained valuable playing time a year ago. Bingham finished the 2002 season with 67 tackles, the most among Husker defensive linemen, and was tied for fifth on the team with nine tackles for loss and had 1.5 sacks for 18 yards. His strong play earned him honorable-mention all-conference honors from the league s coaches. Bingham had five games last season with seven or more tackles, with a career-high 10 stops at Kansas State. He also forced a fumble and had a tackle for loss against the Wildcats. Bingham added nine tackles, including 17

3 18 a tackle for loss in the regular-season finale against Colorado and had eight tackles and a pair of TFL s at Iowa State. Bingham also had a strong game against No. 7 Texas in Lincoln when he totaled seven tackles, including a seven-yard sack of Longhorn quarterback Chris Simms. Bingham played in 12 games in 2001 and finished with 18 tackles and five TFLs. He missed all of his redshirt freshman season in 2000 with a broken foot. Bingham s Career Statistics 2000 DNP injured / / Totals26/ Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, 0 UT, 2 AT, 2 TT 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 1 AT, 2 TT #21 Philip Bland Safety Junior Lafayette, Colo. (Fairview) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches, Associated Press) 2002 First-Team Academic All-Big Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll A versatile performer in the Husker secondary, Philip Bland is expected to once again play a key role at a safety position for Nebraska this fall. Bland earned starts at both free safety and rover last season, and earned honorable-mention all-conference honors. Bland could be in line for bigger honors this fall, but he will be out of action this spring after off-season shoulder surgery that will keep him out of contact work until fall practice. Once healthy, Bland will join five other players in the Husker secondary with at least five career starts. Bland started all 13 regular-season games for Nebraska and finished third on the team with 84 total tackles, including 44 solo stops. The versatile defender opened the season as Nebraska s starter at free safety, where he started the first seven games. The hard-hitting Bland made the switch to rover before the Oklahoma State game and started the season s final six games at that position. Bland closed the regular season with a career-high 13 tackles against Colorado, one of seven games in which he had seven or more stops. He added five pass breakups and his only career interception sealed Nebraska s victory at Texas A&M. Bland missed the Independence Bowl contest with Ole Miss because of a hamstring injury. Bland started three games at rover as a true freshman in He appeared in 11 games and recorded 24 tackles, including nine solo stops. Bland was also honored for his performance in the classroom last fall, as a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick with a grade-point average in general studies. Bland s Career Statistics Defense ( Tackles ) Fum. QB Int. Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BKPBU PI Hry.Csd / / Totals23/ Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, UT 1, AT 0, TT Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: injured, did not play #20 Josh Bullocks Free Safety Sophomore Chattanooga, Tenn. (Hixson) Josh Bullocks heads into the 2003 season after a freshman campaign in which he made a steady rise up the depth chart in the secondary and finished the year as the Huskers starting free safety. This spring Bullocks will look to continue his development in a secondary that features six players with extensive starting experience. Bullocks played in 13 games and made five starts for a young defense. He began the season listed third at free safety, but made his first start at Oklahoma State and officially took over the starting role at the position before the Texas game. Bullocks finished his rookie campaign with 48 tackles and made 34 of his tackles in the season s final seven games, including a season-high nine stops against Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl. He added an interception against Texas, which he returned 19 yards. Bullocks showed a nose for the football by also causing a fumble (Oklahoma State) and recovering a fumble (Kansas State) in Bullocks and his twin brother, Daniel, both redshirted in their first season at Nebraska in Bullocks Career Statistics 2001 Redshirted / #88 Trevor Johnson Rush End Senior Lincoln, Neb. (Northeast) 2002 Finalist for Nebraska Lifter-of-the-Year Award Three-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2000, 2001, 2002) Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001) Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002) Rush end Trevor Johnson established himself as a solid defensive end in his junior year in 2002, and this spring he will look to take the next step and become a dominant player for the Huskers. Johnson began the 2002 season as a reserve at the position, but moved into the starting lineup midway through the season and responded with solid play. Johnson showed his versatility when senior Chris Kelsay missed several games with a hamstring injury. In Kelsay s absence, Johnson started two games at his normal right rush end position, but moved to the left side to fill Kelsay s void for three contests. Johnson averaged better than five tackles per game after he moved into a starting role. The Lincoln native finished the season with 54 total tackles and his 11 tackles for loss (3.5 sacks) tied for the third most on the team. He also ranked second on the team in quarterback hurries with 15. Johnson had a total of five tackles in the first four games, then posted four tackles and two TFL at Iowa State to earn a start the next week against McNeese State. He responded with a season-high eight tackles against McNeese State. Johnson had an impressive start to the Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss, posting four tackles, including two sacks for 19 yards, before halftime. However, he sat out the second half with a concussion and Ole Miss rallied to defeat the Huskers. Johnson has excelled in the classroom since arriving at Nebraska. Last fall he was named to the first-team academic All-Big 12 squad for the third consecutive year. He carries a 3.40 grade-point average in business

4 administration. Johnson made nine tackles, including two TFL in 2001, after switching from tight end the previous spring. Johnson saw action as a reserve tight end and on special teams in 2000, after redshirting in his first year at Nebraska. Johnson s Career Statistics /0 Played TE--No receptions / / Totals 36/ Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Receiving, none 2002 Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, none 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 3 UT, 1 AT, 4 TT; Sacks 2-19, 1 QB Hurry #94 Patrick Kabongo Defensive Tackle Senior Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Vanier Prep) 2001 AFCA Good Works Team Two-Time Member of Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2001, 2002) 1999 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll Senior Patrick Kabongo gained extensive starting experience as a junior and is part of a deep and talented Nebraska interior defensive front. Kabongo moved into the starting lineup at defensive tackle midway through the season and played in all 14 games with seven starts in At 6-6 and 320 pounds, Kabongo is one of Nebraska s biggest players, but he retains good mobility. Kabongo was one of the Huskers top pass rushers and finished sixth on the team in tackles with 62 stops, the second-best total among Husker defensive linemen. He posted nine tackles for loss totaling 25 yards and had a pair of sacks for 17 yards. He added five quarterback hurries, caused a fumble and broke up a pair of passes at the line of scrimmage. Kabongo earned his starting spot after a 15-tackle performance at Iowa State, when he also had three tackles for loss. He had five tackles in his first career start against McNeese State and added four other games with five or more tackles. Kabongo played sparingly as a reserve defensive tackle in both 2000 and 2001, after redshirting his first season at Nebraska in He is one of two Canadians on the NU roster, along with junior place-kicker Sandro DeAngelis. Kabongo has a strong track record off the field, as a regular volunteer throughout the community. He was named to the 2001 AFCA Good Works Team. He graduated with a degree in criminal justice in May of 2002 and has been enrolled in graduate classes the past two semesters. Kabongo s Career Statistics / / / Totals 29/ Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Tackles, 0 UT, 1 AT, 1 TT 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, none #28 Pat Ricketts Cornerback Senior Omaha, Neb. (Millard North) Two-Time First-Team Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII (2001, 2002) Two-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2001, 2002) Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (vs. Arizona State) 2002 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team 2000 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002) Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002) Pat Ricketts has seen extensive action at cornerback each of the past three seasons and this spring he will compete for a starting job. He opened the 2002 season as the starting left corner opposite senior DeJuan Groce, but gave way to true freshman Fabian Washington after five games. Ricketts kept his Blackshirt and was an important part of the defense for the remainder of the season, as he was utilized as a third cornerback in passing situations. Ricketts played in all 14 games last season and finished the year with 56 tackles in eight starts to rank ninth on the team. He was also a member of Nebraska s kickoff coverage unit. Ricketts had 10 pass breakups to rank second on the team. He opened the year with three tackles and three pass breakups against Arizona State, and earned Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors. Ricketts recovered a fumble against Troy State and had his first interception of the season against Utah State. He added his second interception of the season at Texas A&M and recorded three double-figure tackle games in 2002, including a career-high 12 stops at Iowa State. Ricketts played in every game in 2001 with two starts and had 29 tackles. He added an interception against Kansas State and had five pass breakups. He played in 11 games in 2000 and made 18 tackles. Ricketts walked on at Nebraska and redshirted in In addition to his on-field contributions, Ricketts continues to excel in the classroom. The Omaha native has better than a 3.4 cumulative gradepoint average in business administration and has been a first-team Academic All-Big 12 pick the past two seasons. He was one of four Huskers to earn Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII honors and recorded a perfect 4.0 grade-point average last fall. Ricketts Career Statistics / / / Totals36/ Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: 2 UT, 0 AT, 2 TT 2002 Rose Bowl vs. Miami: 1 UT, 0 AT, 1 TT 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 1 AT, 2 TT, 1 PBU 19

5 20 #38 Barrett Ruud Mike Linebacker Junior Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast) 2002 First-Team Academic All-Big Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) 2001 Second-Team Freshman All-American (The Sporting News) 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll Barrett Ruud (pronounced RUDE) had a strong sophomore season in 2002, despite battling injuries throughout much of the year. He returns to bolster a strong linebacking corps that returns five of six players from last season s two-deep depth chart. Ruud started all 14 games at Mike linebacker and finished the year as NU s second-leading tackler with 91 stops. He was also second on the team in tackles for loss with 12 for 36 yards. Ruud added two sacks and four PBU on the year, and his 13 quarterback hurries ranked third on the team. For his efforts, Ruud was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 pick by the league coaches and also earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors. Ruud had six games in 2002 with eight or more tackles, beginning with an eight-tackle outing against Arizona State, when he added a pair of TFL. Ruud broke his left hand early against Troy State, but returned to action in the contest. He played the next several games with a cast on his hand, but still compiled impressive statistics, before battling a leg injury late in the season. Ruud s best play was in the final five games. He posted a career-high 12 tackles, including three TFL and a sack against Texas, then finished the season with nine stops and two TFL at Kansas State, followed by a 10-tackle effort against Colorado, when he forced a fumble. He had nine tackles in the Independence Bowl against Ole Miss. Ruud played in every game as a true freshman in 2001 and totaled 49 tackles, including 17 solos. Ruud s Career Statistics / / Totals26/ Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, none 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 8 AT, 9 TT #3 Fabian Washington Left Cornerback Sophomore Bradenton, Fla. (Bayshore) Second-Team Freshman All-American (The Sporting News) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) Nebraska Freshman Record for PBU (13) and Interceptions in a Season (Four) Fabian Washington emerged as a future star at cornerback as a true freshman in 2002, and will be counted on to play a key role again this fall. Washington began the 2002 season as a reserve cornerback, but the coaching staff quickly recognized his play-making ability and Washington cracked the starting lineup at left cornerback midway through the season. After starting opposite All-America corner DeJuan Groce last season, Washington will be counted on for leadership as NU breaks in a new starter at right cornerback. Washington led the team in pass breakups and set Nebraska freshman records for both PBU (13) and interceptions (4). He was one of the nation s top freshman defensive backs, and was named a second-team frosh All-American by The Sporting News. He earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches. Washington made 11 starts in 13 games played last season and finished the year with 49 tackles, including 34 solo stops.washington returned his four interceptions for 35 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown against Arizona State on the first time he touched the ball as a Husker. He had four tackles and forced a fumble at Iowa State, and also picked off two Seneca Wallace passes in the game. Washington finished the season with six games with five or more tackles, capped by a season-high eight stops against Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl. Washington s Career Statistics Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-RBK PBU PI Hry.Csd / Interception Returns: , 29-yard TD vs. Arizona State, Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 6 UT, 2 AT, 8 TT, 2 PBU, fumble caused #7 Demorrio Williams Will Linebacker Senior Beckville, Texas (Beckville/Kilgore JC) 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll Demorrio Williams made the difficult transition from junior college to the Big 12 Conference last fall and finished his junior season as Nebraska s leading tackler with 92 stops. Williams impressed Husker coaches with outstanding progress last spring and made 11 starts at weakside linebacker, while splitting time at the position with fellow native Texan T.J. Hollowell. Williams and Hollowell are two of five linebackers who return from last season s two-deep depth chart. Williams 92 tackles (38 solo) were one more than fellow linebacker Barrett Ruud. Williams added six tackles for loss and a sack, and also tied for the team lead with a pair of fumbles caused and a fumble recovery. Williams made a strong impression in his debut as a Husker with a blocked punt against Arizona State that was returned for a score by Scott Shanle. Williams also returned a blocked punt later in the game. Williams had four games with eight or more tackles. He had eight tackles each against Troy State and at Oklahoma State. Against Texas A&M, Williams had nine tackles and a 15-yard sack. He closed the year with a seasonhigh 13 tackles against Colorado. He also had two tackles for loss against the Buffs and also caused and recovered a fumble in the game. He capped his first season as a Husker with a team-high nine tackles in the 2002 Independence Bowl. Williams was a standout linebacker at Kilgore JC (Texas), before arriving in Lincoln. Williams Career Statistics Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-RBK PBU PI Hry.Csd / Blocked Punt: 1 vs. Arizona State, Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 2 UT, 7 AT, 9TT

6 Returning Starters-Kickers #19 Kyle Larson Punter Senior Funk, Neb. (Kearney) Other Offensive Players to Watch #1 Josh Davis I-Back/Kickoff Returns Senior Loveland, Colo. (Loveland) Ray Guy Award Semifinalist (1 of 10) 2002 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Associated Press) Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2001, 2002) 2001 Third-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches) 2001 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP) 2001 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week vs. TCU and OU Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (1999, 2001) Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002) Kyle Larson has been one of the nation s top punters each of the past two seasons and is expected to lead a strong Husker special teams unit this fall. Like last season, Larson is expected to be a strong contender for conference and national honors in Larson emerged as one of the Big 12 s top punters in 2001, and that carried over to an even more impressive 2002 season. Last season, Larson averaged 43.2 yards per punt to rank 11th nationally in punting average. Larson was one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation s top punter. He was also a second-team All-Big 12 pick by the league s coaches, high praise in a conference that featured five of the nation s top 25 punters. Larson keyed the Husker punt unit to a 38.2-yard net average to rank fifth in the nation. The 6-0, 205-pound Larson averaged 45 yards or better in seven games in In addition to his lofty punting average, Larson buried opponents inside the 20-yard line 23 times in 2002, helping NU to a plus six-yard advantage in field position on the year. Larson uncorked four punts for a 57.3-yard average against Utah State, just off the Husker single-game record. He had at least one punt of 45 yards or more in every game except McNeese State, when he punted just twice. Larson is the latest in a streak of talented walk-on punters to start at Nebraska, joining Jesse Kosch ( ); Bill Lafleur (1998) and Dan Hadenfeldt ( ). A native of Funk, Neb., Larson has a career punting average of yards. Larson earned third-team All-Big 12 honors from the league s coaches in 2001 after averaging 42.5 yards per punt. Larson did not see game action in 2000, after redshirting as a walk-on in Kyle Larson s Career Punting Statistics Punting Net Inside Year G/GS No. Yards Avg. Avg. Opp.20Long 50+ Blk ed 2000 Did not play / , / , Total 26/ , Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Punting, (40.6 avg., Long 55) 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Punting, (43.8 avg., Long 58) Nebraska Career Kickoff Return Yardage Record Holder (1,669 yards) Nebraska Season Kickoff Return Yardage Record Holder (994 yards, 2002) NU Single-Game Kickoff Return Yardage Record Holder (186 at Kansas State, 2002) Josh Davis has established himself as one of the top kickoff return men in the nation and will look to continue to give the Huskers an explosive weapon in Davis rewrote the Nebraska kickoff return records the past two years. The second-generation Husker set NU records for single-game (186), season (994) and career (1,669) kickoff return yardage. His 42 kickoff returns in 2002 also set a school record and his 23.7 return average ranked 33rd in the nation. Davis has also served as a backup I-back the past two years. He ran for 162 yards and caught 10 passes out of Nebraska s backfield. With the departure of two-year starter Dahrran Diedrick at I-back, Davis will be a candidate for increased playing time out of the backfield. Davis had five games last season with more than 100 yards in kickoff returns, including a school-record 186 yards on seven returns at Kansas State, highlighted by a season-long 53-yard return. In addition to breaking Nebraska s single-game return yards record in that contest, Davis also set Husker season and career records for return yards against the Widcats. His season total broke his own record of 675 yards set a year earlier, and he broke Tyrone Hughes previous career record of 1,493 yards. Davis finished the season with 13 returns of 25 yards or more and had at least one return of that distance in 11 of the 13 games he played. Davis had 25 returns for 675 yards in 2001 and his 27.0 average ranked 14th nationally. He rushed for 61 yards as a sophomore. Davis played in the first two games as a redshirt freshman in 2000, but tore his left ACL in practice and missed the remainder of the season. Davis Career Statistics Rushing Year G/S Att. Net Long TDs ed / / / Totals 27/ Rose Bowl vs. Miami: KOR, Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: KOR, 5-105; Rushing 2-11; Receiving 1-(-4) #11 Matt Herian Tight End Sophomore Pierce, Neb. (Pierce) Kickoff Returns No. Yds Avg. Long TDs , Tight end Matt Herian emerged as a big-play receiving threat as a true freshman in The Huskers lost four senior tight ends to graduation, moving Herian to the forefront. In addition, the Huskers plan to strive for more balance in their offensive attack in 2003, and Herian s receiving skills could be a major part of that attack. Herian is the only tight end returning from the top four on last season s depth chart, and his focus in the offseason has been on improving his strength to become a more effective blocker.

7 22 Herian caught just seven passes in his rookie campaign, but four of those receptions went for touchdowns. He averaged a remarkable 43.0 yards per catch and five of his receptions covered 28 yards or more. Herian was selected by The Sporting News to its first-team All-Big 12 freshman team. Herian s seven catches covered 301 yards, tied with fellow freshman Ross Pilkington for the second-most receiving yards on the team and was a Nebraska freshman receiving yards record. Herian made his first career reception a memorable one, hauling in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jammal Lord against Utah State. Against Texas, he had a 60-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to pull NU to within He closed the regular season with two catches for 95 yards against Colorado, including an 80-yard touchdown catch. The 80-yard grab tied the secondlongest ever by a Husker tight end. He capped his freshman season with a 41-yard touchdown catch against Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl. Herian was one of five true freshmen to see action for the Huskers in 2002, including four offensive skill-position players. Herian s Career Statistics Receiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs / vs. Colorado Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Receiving, 1-41, 41-yard TD #9 David Horne I-Back Sophomore Omaha, Neb. (Central) Fourth-Team Freshman All-American (The Sporting News) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) David Horne burst onto the scene midway through the 2002 season and gave Nebraska s ground game a needed spark. With the departure of fifthyear senior Dahrran Diedrick, Horne is the leading candidate to take over the starting I-back position and carry the rushing load as a sophomore. Horne has spent the winter in the weight room, adding strength to become a more effective runner between the tackles. The Omaha Central graduate did not play in the first five games in 2002, but ended his redshirt season against McNeese State. He quickly moved to second on the depth chart and split time at I-back the rest of the year. Horne finished his rookie year with 651 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns, while topping 100 yards three times. Horne s rushing total was the fourth best ever by a Husker freshman. Horne rushed for 81 yards in his debut against McNeese State, then had 88 yards on 20 carries the following week against Missouri. He recorded his first career 100-yard game a week later in a loss at Oklahoma State. He rushed for 125 yards on 24 carries and scored a two-yard TD against the Cowboys, becoming the first true freshman I-back to rush for more than 100 yards since A week later at Texas A&M, Horne responded with a season-high 128 yards on 24 carries. He scored four touchdowns in the game, including three in the second half, as Nebraska rallied from a 17-point deficit for a win. His four touchdowns were the most by a Husker frosh since Calvin Jones rushed for a school-record six TDs at Kansas in Horne produced his third 100-yard outing of the season with 122 yards on just nine carries against Kansas.He capped his freshman season with 15 carries for 65 yards in the Independence Bowl. Horne s Career Statistics Rushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs / , three times Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Rushing, #45 Steve Kriewald Fullback Junior Scotia, Neb. (North Loup-Scotia) 2002 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team Two-Time Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2001, 2002) Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001) Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002) Steve Kriewald (pronounced KREE-wald) returns for his junior season and for the third straight year he and senior Judd Davies are expected to handle the fullback duties. Kriewald has backed Davies each of the past two seasons and contributed primarily as a lead blocker in NU s rushing attack. Kriewald will miss spring ball after off-season ankle surgery. Kriewald played in all 14 games with a start against Iowa State and finished the season with six carries for 19 yards. He also saw extensive action on special teams as a member of NU s kickoff return, and punt coverage teams and served as a blocker on extra points and field goals. Kriewald was Davies backup at fullback in 2001, and earned two starts (Oklahoma, Kansas) when Davies went down with an ankle injury in Kriewald played in 11 games and had 18 carries for 96 yards and scored a 24-yard touchdown at Colorado. He had a career-best 28 yards at Missouri. Kriewald redshirted in He has received second-team Academic All-Big 12 honors for each of the past two years. Kriewald s Career Statistics Rushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs 2000 Redshirt / vs. CU / vs. Utah St. 0 Totals 25/ vs. CU 1 Receiving: 1-3 vs. Kansas, 2001 Tackles: 2001, 1 UT, 0 AT, 1 TT; 2002, 0 UT, 4 AT, 4 TT #10 Mark LeFlore Wide Receiver Sophomore Omaha, Neb. (Central) Mark LeFlore was one of five true freshmen to hit the field for Nebraska in 2002, and this fall he figures to play a more prominent role in a young Husker receiving corps. LeFlore, an Omaha Central graduate, played in 13 games last season and produced big plays for the Husker offense both as a receiving and running threat. LeFlore played in every game except the season opener. He finished the season with six receptions for 24 yards and rushed four times for 80 yards. He scored a touchdown the first time he touched the ball as a Husker, racing 64 yards for a score on a reverse against McNeese State. LeFlore earned his first start at Oklahoma State, when the Huskers utilized his running skills on a 29-yard reverse on NU s first snap. LeFlore s Career Statistics Receiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs / at Kansas State 0 Rushing: TD, 64 yards vs. McNeese State, Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Receiving, 1-(-2)

8 #2 Ross Pilkington Wide Receiver Sophomore Fort Collins, Colo. (Loveland) Nebraska Freshman Season Receptions Record (14) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll Ross Pilkington quickly emerged as one of Nebraska s top receivers in his first season in a Husker uniform in The Colorado native broke NU s freshman receptions record with 14 catches. He and freshman tight end Matt Herian also set a new frosh record for season receiving yards (301). Pilkington s performance earned him first-team freshman All-Big 12 recognition from The Sporting News. Pilkington provides Nebraska with an athletic receiver who possesses good size and speed. His talents will be even more crucial this season, as Nebraska will count on a young, but talented receiving corps. Pilkington caught two passes each against Utah State and Penn State, and made a big impression at Iowa State when he caught a 90-yard touchdown pass from Jammal Lord. The 90-yard catch was the thirdlongest in school history, and Nebraska s longest pass play since Pilkington had a season-high three catches for 54 yards against McNeese State. He had a streak of eight consecutive games with at least one catch end against Kansas. Pilkington originally signed with Nebraska in 2000, but delayed his enrollment while he played minor league baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization. Pilkington s Career Statistics Receiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs / at Iowa State 1 Rushing: 4-7-0, long 11 at Penn State 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Receiving, 1-24 #69 Nick Povendo Offensive Tackle Junior Keller, Texas (Keller) Nick Povendo played a key role on the Husker offensive line last fall, when he served as the backup at both offensive tackle spots. He started two games as a sophomore and alternated into the lineup behind regular starters Richie Incognito and Dan Vili Waldrop. Incognito is slated to move to center this spring, providing Povendo with the opportunity to earn a starting job. In addition to his reserve offensive line work, Povendo was also a member of NU s extra-point and field goal teams. Povendo helped pave the way for a Nebraska running game that led the Big 12 in rushing offense at yards per game. He played in all 14 games with starts at Iowa State and vs. Ole Miss and finished with 14 pancakes, including five against Utah State. Povendo played in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2001 and missed several games after being bit by a spider. He redshirted his first year at Nebraska. Povendo s Career Numbers Games Played 15 (1 in 2001; 14 in 2002) Games Started 2 (2 in 2002) Pancakes 14 (14 in 2002) Career Pancake Best 5 vs. Utah State, 2002 #55 Junior Tagoa i Offensive Guard Senior Hauula, Hawaii (St. Louis School) 2000 Second-Team Academic All-Big Big 12 Commissioner s Spring Academic Honor Roll 1999 Big 12 Commissioner s Fall Academic Honor Roll Junior Tagoa i (pronounced TAH-go-eye) was a key member of the Husker offensive line last fall, backing up both of Nebraska s starting offensive guards. Tagoa i played in all 14 games and started the 2002 Independence Bowl when Wes Cody was out with an injury. Tagoa i is expected to compete for a starting job this fall. Last season he finished in a tie for fifth on the team in pancakes in the regular season with 91. Tagoa i helped Nebraska s offense lead the Big 12 in rushing at yards per game. He had five double-figure pancake efforts, highlighted by 18 knock-downs at Texas A&M. In that game, the NU offensive line set a school record with 110 pancakes, as the Huskers rushed for 381 yards. Tagoa i also reached double figures in pancakes against Arizona State, Utah State, Kansas and Colorado. Tagoa i played in three games in 2001 after moving from defense and had six pancakes. Tagoa'i played in five games at nose tackle in Tagoa i s Career Numbers Games Played 22 (5 in 2000; 3 in 2001; 14 in 2002) Games Started 1 (1 in 2002) Pancakes 97 (6 in 2001; 91 in 2002) Career Pancake Best 18 at Texas A&M, 2002 Double-Digit Pancake Games: 4 (4 in 2002) Other Defensive Players to Watch #96 Titus Adams Nose Tackle Sophomore Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep) 2002 Big 12 Commissioner s Fall Academic Honor Roll Titus Adams was one of five players to see extensive action in a deep and talented Husker interior defensive front last fall. Four of those players return for the 2003 campaign, and Adams will be counted on to again play a significant role in his sophomore season. Adams played in 13 games last season and recorded 21 total tackles, with a season-high five stops against Utah State. He added four tackles each against Kansas and McNeese State. Adams had three tackles for 18 yards in losses, including a pair of sacks for 17 yards. He had an eight-yard sack against Utah State and had an interception caused in the game. He had a sack vs. Kansas and had a quarterback hurry that caused an interception against the Jayhawks. Adams is extremely agile for his size, and filled in at rush end against Kansas when the Huskers were limited at that position because of injury. Adams redshirted in his first season at Nebraska. Adams Career Statistics 2001 Redshirted / Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, none 23

9 24 #27 Willie Amos Cornerback Junior Sweetwater, Texas #11 Ira Cooper Buck Linebacker Junior Omaha, Neb. (Westside) Willie Amos hopes to make his return to the Husker defense this fall, after a season on the sideline rehabilitating a knee injury. Amos may see limited work this spring, but should be 100 percent by the start of fall camp. A starter at free safety as a sophomore in 2001, Amos missed all of last season after he tore his left ACL and LCL midway through spring ball a year ago. Amos utilized his redshirt year in 2002 and has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Before his knee injury, Amos had made a smooth position switch to cornerback, where he is expected to line up this fall. Amos is one of six players in the NU secondary who enter the 2003 campaign with at least five career starts. The Sweetwater, Texas, native made seven starts at free safety in 2001 and had four interceptions, including a 20-yard TD against Kansas State. Amos, who missed three games with a hamstring injury, was a force after returning to the lineup, making 17 tackles in the final three games, including a career-high eight stops at Colorado. He added a teamhigh eight tackles, including five solos, in the Rose Bowl against Miami. Amos, who has also been a member of the Husker track team, is among NU s fastest players with a 4.45 electronic 40-yard dash time before his injury and also boasts a 36.5-inch vertical leap. He played in all 11 games as a true freshman in 2000 and made nine tackles. Amos Career Statistics / / * 0 0 Totals 20/ * 0 0 *-20-yard TD against Kansas State, Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Tackles, none 2002 Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, 5 UT, 3 AT, 8 TT, 1-1 TFL #14 Daniel Bullocks Strong Safety Sophomore Chattanooga, Tenn. (Hixson) Daniel Bullocks gained valuable experience in the Husker secondary as a redshirt freshman in 2002 and will be counted on as a key contributor this fall. Bullocks began the season as a lower-unit player, but ascended to the top of the depth chart at rover at midseason and earned his first career start against McNeese State. He moved back to a reserve role after Philip Bland shifted to rover midway through the season. He finished the year with 12 games played and recorded a total of 16 tackles. After Bullocks start against McNeese State, he was forced to miss the following week s contest with Missouri because of a left ankle injury, and the Huskers shuffled their secondary with Bland moving to rover and Bullocks twin brother, Josh, gaining the starting nod at free safety. Daniel Bullocks had a season-high three tackles at Texas A&M and had two stops in five other games. He also forced a fumble at Oklahoma State. Bullocks redshirted in his first season at Nebraska. Bullocks Career Statistics 2001 Redshirted / Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 AT, 1 QB Hurry Ira Cooper has served a reserve role at Sam linebacker each of the past two seasons and enters spring practice looking for an increased role in Cooper is part of a linebacking corps that returns five of its top six players from last season. The Omaha native has also been a mainstay on the Husker special teams during his first two years in a Nebraska uniform. Cooper gained the most extensive playing experience of his career in the Independence Bowl when he started in place of senior Scott Shanle who had the flu. Cooper responded with five tackles and a quarterback hurry in the game. He finished his sophomore season with 12 total tackles, including four solo stops. The Ole Miss contest was Cooper s best tackle outing of his career. Cooper had three stops in the season opener against Arizona State. Cooper served as a backup linebacker and totaled six tackles in 11 games in He redshirted in Cooper s Career Statistics 2000 Redshirted / / Totals 25/ Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 4 AT, 5 TT, 1 QB Hurry #2 T.J. Hollowell Will Linebacker Senior Copperas Cove, Texas (Copperas Cove) T.J. Hollowell returns for his senior season after splitting time with fellow Texan Demorrio Williams at Will linebacker in Hollowell earned two starts last season and finished eighth on the team in tackles. He and Williams combined for more than 150 tackles from the position. Hollowell returns to a deep and experienced Husker linebacking corps, and he is a versatile performer who has experience at all three positions during his Nebraska career. Hollowell played in all 14 games last season, with starts against Kansas and Kansas State. He finished his junior season with 60 total tackles, including 20 solo stops. Hollowell had a pair of tackles for losses, including a five-yard sack against Utah State, and ranked fifth on the team with nine quarterback hurries. His top tackle game was against Iowa State, when he recorded a career-high 10 stops, and he added six tackles each against Penn State and Kansas State. He also recovered a fumble against the Wildcats. Hollowell played in 12 games and had 26 tackles as a reserve Will linebacker in Hollowell saw action in all 11 games as a freshman, primarily on special teams, and had seven tackles. Hollowell s Career Statistics / / / Totals 36/ Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Tackles, none 2002 Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, 0 UT, 1 AT, 1 TT 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 2 UT, 1 AT, 3 TT

10 #40 Lannie Hopkins Will Linebacker Junior Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett) Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Kansas (2002) Lannie Hopkins (pronounced LAY-knee) has been a special teams standout and a playmaker in limited defensive action in his first two seasons as a Husker. Hopkins will look to build his role on the NU defense this spring when he joins a talented NU linebacking corps after playing in the NU secondary last season. Hopkins played a key role on the defense last season, despite being listed as the No. 4 rover for much of the season. He played in 13 games and was utilized as a pass rushing specialist on throwing downs. The coaching staff rewarded Hopkins contributions to the defense by giving him a Blackshirt midway through the season. Hopkins also played on the majority of Nebraska s special teams and was especially effective as a punt block threat. He blocked three punts in 2002, including two against Kansas. Hopkins made his only start of the season in the Independence Bowl when Philip Bland was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and responded with a career-high nine tackles. Hopkins finished the year with 24 total tackles, and added 2.5 sacks for 19 yards and five tackles for loss. Hopkins forced a fumble against Colorado and had six quarterback hurries. His two blocked punts against Kansas earned him Big 12 Special Teams Playerof-the-Week honors. Hopkins also blocked a punt in Nebraska s season opener against Arizona State. Hopkins played in three games and had two tackles for loss in 2001, before injuries sidelined him. He redshirted in Hopkins Career Statistics 2000 Redshirted / / Totals 16/ Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 8 AT, 9 TT, TFL, 1-1; 1 PBU #1 Lornell McPherson Right Cornerback Junior Omaha, Neb. (Central) 2001 Fourth-Team Freshman All-American (The Sporting News) 2001 Big 12 Commissioner s Fall Academic Honor Roll Lornell McPherson returns to a Husker secondary that has several players with extensive playing experience. McPherson enters his junior season after two years with a key role in NU s nickel and dime packages. McPherson has played in all but one regular season game in the past two seasons with seven starts. He is one of six players in the NU secondary with at least five career starts, and this spring he will battle for the starting cornerback job vacated by 2002 All-Big 12 pick DeJuan Groce. McPherson was limited throughout 2002 by a right shoulder injury he suffered early in the fall. He finished the year with 17 tackles, including two tackles for loss and capped his season with four tackles in the Independence Bowl. He also made four stops against Arizona State and McNeese State. He also played on several special teams units. McPherson played in all 13 games in 2001 and started three times when NU opened in a nickel package. He recorded 29 tackles, including 20 solo stops and had six pass breakups. He redshirted in McPherson s Career Statistics 2000 Redshirt / / Totals 25/ Interceptions: total; 2--6 in Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, none 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 3 UT, 1 AT, 4 TT, TFL, 1-1 #31 Jerrell Pippens Free Safety Senior Philadelphia, Pa. (West Catholic) Junior Jerrell Pippens has played a key role as a reserve in the Husker secondary the past two years and has also been a standout on special teams. Pippens played in every game last fall as a reserve free safety and finished the year with 33 tackles, including 16 solo stops. He is one of the most experienced players in the NU secondary and this spring will compete for a starting position at safety. Pippens is one of only three senior returning lettermen among the Husker defensive backs. Pippens had an outstanding game in a return to his home state of Pennsylvania, making a career-high eight tackles at Penn State. He added four tackles each against Utah State and McNeese State. Along with DeJuan Groce, Pippens served as a gunner on NU s punt coverage and was a key reason why Nebraska allowed just 9.4 yards per punt return. Pippens played in 11 games in 2001 as a backup free safety and finished with 14 tackles. He saw action in five games at free safety in A former walk-on, Pippens redshirted in Pippens Career Statistics Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-RBK PBU PI Hry.Csd / / / Totals 30/ Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Tackles, 3 UT, 0 AT, 3 TT 2002 Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, 2 UT, 0 AT, 2 TT 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, None #54 Chad Sievers Mike Linebacker Junior Valley, Neb. (Valley/New Mexico State) 2002 First-Team Academic All-Big 12 Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002) 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll Chad Sievers made strong contributions in his first year with the Huskers, but injuries cut short his 2002 season. Sievers served as Barrett Ruud s backup at Mike linebacker throughout the year, but was slowed early in the season by injury, then suffered a season-ending knee injury against Kansas in early November. He is hopeful of participating in spring ball, but should be back at 100 percent by fall. Sievers finished the year with 37 tackles and two tackles for loss in nine games. He missed the season opener with Arizona State, then made six tackles, including a tackle for loss in his Husker debut against Troy 25

11 26 State. He missed the Utah State game, but had five or more tackles in the next three games, including a season-high nine stops at Iowa State. Sievers suffered his knee injury early in the Kansas game, but continued in the contest and made six tackles and recovered a fumble. Sievers maintains a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in business administration and was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection in He sat out 2001 after transferring from New Mexico State. Sievers Career Statistics Defense ( Tackles ) Fum. QB Int. Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd Redshirted after transfer from New Mexico State / #66 Le Kevin Smith Defensive Tackle Sophomore Macon, Ga. (Stratford Academy) Thomas Career Stats Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-RBK PBU PI Hry.Csd / / Redshirted Totals 16/ Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Tackles, none 2002 Rose Bowl vs. Miami: Tackles, none Other Kickers to Watch #22 Sandro DeAngelis Place-Kicker Junior Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (St. Joseph s Collegiate, N.Y.) Le Kevin Smith returned to full health last fall and showed his ability in his first season of action in the Husker interior defensive line. Smith was one of five players to see extensive action at the two tackle positions last season. This spring he will make a push for even more playing time as a sophomore. Smith played in all 14 games and finished the year with 42 tackles, including 16 solo stops, to earn first-team frosh All-Big 12 honors from The Sporting News. In addition to his tackle total, Smith had six tackles for loss on the season. He had five games with four or more tackles, including four tackles, two TFL and his only sack against Utah State. He had a seasonhigh five tackles and a tackle for loss against Kansas and capped his freshman year with five tackles, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries in the Independence Bowl. Smith suffered an ACL injury during fall camp as a true freshman, then tore the ACL in his other knee in spring of Smith s Career Statistics Year G/S UT AT TT TFL SacksC-RBK PBU PI Hry.Csd Redshirt / Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 4 AT, 5 TT; 1-1 TFL, 2 QB Hurries #5 Benard Thomas Rush End Junior East Palo Alto, Calif. (St. Francis) Benard Thomas enters spring practice with a goal of earning a Blackshirt after sitting out the 2002 season as a redshirt. Thomas served as a backup rush end in his first two seasons in Lincoln, but chose to redshirt last season as the Huskers had three senior rush ends. With those players departed, Thomas has the inside track on a starting position opposite senior Trevor Johnson this fall. Thomas has the frame of a prototype defensive end, standing 6-4 and weighing 265 pounds. Thomas played in 10 games in 2001, and registered seven tackles with five tackles for 29 yards lost, including one sack for 24 yards against Iowa State. He had a career-high three tackles against Baylor, including two tackles for four yards lost. He added one quarterback hurry. Thomas also helped cause an interception with fellow rush end Trevor Johnson. Thomas did not play in the first two games in 2000, but decided not to redshirt, and played in six of the last nine contests at rush end Brook Berringer Citizenship Team 2001 First-Team Academic All-Big Big 12 Commissioner s Spring Academic Honor Roll Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002) Sandro DeAngelis sat out all of last season with a stress fracture in his left foot and watched as senior Josh Brown had an outstanding final season with the Huskers. DeAngelis shared time with Brown in 2001, and enters spring ball as the frontrunner to take over the Huskers place-kicking chores. DeAngelis is one of two Canadians on the Husker roster along with defensive lineman Patrick Kabongo. DeAngelis started four of the first five games of the 2001 season. He hit 2-of-3 field goals on the year, with a long of 21 yards, and connected on 15-of-16 PATs. DeAngelis most extensive action was against Notre Dame, when he kicked off five times, made three PATs and connected on field goals of 19 and 21 yards. DeAngelis is also a standout in the classroom. He was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection in 2001 and has made the Big 12 Commissioner s Academic Honor Roll five times, including the 2002 fall semester when he had a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. DeAngelis' Career Statistics Scoring Field Goal Range Year G/S PAT FG TP PPG Lg 2000 Redshirted / Injured--Did Not Play Totals 8/ Field Goal Sequence: Notre Dame (19, 21); Missouri (32 miss), 2001 PAT Sequence: TCU 1-1; Troy State 2-2; Notre Dame 3-3; Rice 5-5; Missouri 1-2; Iowa State 1-1; Baylor 1-1; Kansas 1-1, 2001 Two-Point Conversion Attempts: 1 run vs. Baylor, 2002 (failed) Points Scored: 21 in 2001; Tackles: 0 UT, 1 AT, 1 TT, 2001