Phil Peetz Tight End Sr Ross Pilkington Wide Receiver So

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1 Phil Peetz Tight End Sr Ross Pilkington Wide Receiver So Elkhorn, Neb. Fort Collins, Colo. (Loveland) 4Three-Time First-Team Academic All- Big 12 (2001, 2002, ) 4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (1999, 2000, 2001) 4 Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002, ) Brook Berringer Citizenship Team Senior Phil Peetz (pronounced Pete's) played a key role for Nebraska during his senior season after seeing reserve duty throughout his Husker career. Peetz was the Huskers' No. 2 tight end in, and provided Nebraska with a physical blocking threat at the position to complement All-Big 12 tight end Matt Herian. Peetz played in all 12 games, with five starts. A standout in the classroom, Peetz earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors for the third straight year. He played the entire season with his degree in hand and is one of 19 Huskers who will have graduated before the bowl game. Peetz completed his undergraduate work in criminal justice last May with a cumulative grade-point average. Peetz saw extensive action in all 12 games and earned starts against Utah State, Southern Miss, Iowa State, Texas and Colorado when Nebraska opened in a doubletight end set. Peetz did not have any receptions, but his blocking prowess helped power the way for Nebraska to rush for more than 250 yards seven times. Peetz played in 11 games in 2002, mostly as a member of Nebraska s PAT and field goal units, but also saw limited duty as a reserve tight end. Peetz moved to tight end before spring ball and played in every game in 2001, primarily on Nebraska s PAT and field goal units. Peetz moved from the line to rush end before the 2000 season and provided depth, but did not appear in any games. A scholarship athlete, Peetz redshirted in For more information on Phil Peetz, please see page 130 in the Nebraska Football Media Guide. Sophomore Ross Pilkington finished second on the team with 19 receptions for 268 yards and had a 44-yard touchdown reception in Nebraska's victory at Southern Miss. 4 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 4NU Freshman Receptions Record (14, 2002) 4NU Freshman Receiving Yardage Record (301 in 2002) Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) First-Team Freshman All-Big 12 (The Sporting News) Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll Sophomore wideout Ross Pilkington continued to be a go-to receiver in the Husker offense during the season. Pilkington finished the year tied for second on the team with 19 receptions, including six games with two or more catches. Pilkington's receptions totaled 268 yards, and he caught his second career touchdown in the Huskers' victory at Southern Miss. A former minor leaguer with the Colorado Rockies, Pilkington has the all-around talents to succeed in NU's offense. He has the speed to be a deep threat for the Huskers, but also the toughness to make difficult catches across the middle. He is also an excellent perimeter blocker in the Huskers' run-oriented offense. Pilkington is also strong in the classroom and earned second-team academic All-Big 12 honors. Pilkington started all 12 games as Nebraska's top "X" receiver in. His 19 receptions tied fellow wide receiver Mark LeFlore for second on the team behind tight end Matt Herian. Pilkington averaged 14.1 yards per catch. He caught at least one pass in each of the season's first six games, including a career-high five catches for 57 yards in a 31-7 victory over Utah State. He hauled in three passes for 56 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown from Jammal Lord in the Huskers' victory at Southern Miss. Pilkington went three consecutive games without a catch, but had five receptions in the season's final three games, including two each against Colorado and Kansas State. Pilkington's dominant blocking ability was most evident on Josh Davis' 42-yard scamper against Penn State, when Pilkington knocked down two Nittany Lion defenders downfield. Pilkington played in all 14 games behind Wilson Thomas at split end and finished with 14 receptions for 301 yards. only touchdown came on a 90-yard reception at Iowa State, NU's longest pass play since 1965 and the third-longest in school history. Pilkington's reception and yardage totals both ranked second on the team, and his 14 catches bettered the previous freshman record of 12, held by I-backs Ahman Green (1995) and DeAngelo Evans (1996). Pilkington s 301 receiving yards matched fellow freshman Matt Herian s for a frosh receiving yardage record. Pilkington had a season-high three catches for 54 yards against McNeese State, and caught one pass for 24 yards in the Independence Bowl. For more information on Ross Pilkington, please see page 107 in the Pilkington s Statistics Receiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs / at Iowa State 1 12/ at Southern Miss 1 Totals 26/ at Iowa State 2 Rushing: 4-7-0, long 11 at Penn State, all in Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Receiving, Receptions 5 vs. Utah State, Receiving Yards 90 at Iowa State, 2002 Long Reception 90 at Iowa State, 2002 TD Receptions 1 at Iowa State, 2002, 1 at Southern Miss, Number of Catches of 25-Plus Yards 5; 2 in 2002, 3 in 72

2 '03 HUSKERS Jerrell Pippens Free Safety Sr Philadelphia, Pa. (West Catholic) 31 4 Three-Time Nebraska Special Teams Captain (OSU, Texas A&M, KSU) Senior Jerrell Pippens is a key member of the Blackshirt defense and a special teams standout for the Huskers. Nebraska's top backup at both safety positions, Pippens earned a Blackshirt late in the season following a career day at Kansas. Pippens is a standout on four of NU's special teams units, and his excellence in that area was honored as he was named special teams captain three times in. Pippens will enter the bowl game as the No. 2 free safety behind All-American Josh Bullocks, and Pippens also has the ability to slide over to strong safety. Pippens played in every game this season with a start against Kansas when NU opened in the nickel package. He was the leading tackler among Nebraska nonstarters with 46 stops, including 27 solo tackles. He finished the season with five pass breakups, including two in the regular-season finale at Colorado. He had his best game at Kansas, after battling the flu throughout the day and arriving to the stadium late. He finished the game with a career-high 12 tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and his second interception of the season in the first quarter. Pippens had four other games with four or more tackles, including the opener against Oklahoma State. In NU's 17-7 victory, Pippens had four tackles, including a seven-yard sack of OSU quarterback Josh Fields that caused a fumble recovered by Ryon Bingham. Nebraska converted the turnover to a touchdown and a 17-7 lead. Pippens had his first interception of the season at Southern Miss and added four tackles, a tackle for loss, a hurry and a breakup in the game. On special teams, Pippens served as a bullet on punt coverage and blocked a Texas A&M extra point. Pippens played in every game in 2002 and finished with 33 tackles, including 16 solo stops. He was an integral part of Nebraska s kickoff and punt coverage teams. Along with DeJuan Groce, Pippens served as a gunner on punt coverage and was a key in Nebraska allowing just 9.4 yards per return. He had a season-high eight tackles at Penn State. Pippens played in 11 games in 2001 on special teams and as a backup free safety, and finished with 14 tackles, including eight solo stops. He had a season-high eight tackles vs. Rice. He made two solo tackles on special teams in the 2002 Rose Bowl. Pippens saw action in five regular-season games at free safety in 2000, and made a season-high three tackles (all solo) in the 2000 Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern. A former walk-on athlete, Pippens redshirted in For more information on Jerrell Pippens, please see page 131 of the Pippens Statistics 1999 Redshirt / / / / Totals 42/ Interceptions: 2-2, both in 2000 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 Tackles 12 at Kansas, Solo Tackles 8, at Kansas, ; Pass Breakups 2 vs. Colorado, TFL 1, four times; Long Interception Return 2 at Kansas, Nick Povendo Offensive Tackle Jr Keller, Texas 69 Junior offensive tackle Nick Povendo (pronounced Poe-VEN-doe) played a key role on the offensive line this season, serving as Nebraska's top backup at offensive tackle. Povendo played in all 12 games, including duty on Nebraska's extra point and field goal units. He helped the Husker offense average nearly 240 yards per game on the ground and post seven 250-yard rushing games in. Povendo is listed second at left tackle behind sophomore Richie Incognito for the Alamo Bowl. Povendo saw action in all 12 games as a reserve tackle and on the Huskers' kicking unit. He saw extensive action late in the season as injuries continued to mount on the offensive line and the NU coaching staff was forced to alter its regular playing rotation. Povendo played in all 14 games with starts against Iowa State and Ole Miss, and helped pave the way for an NU running game that led the Big 12 in rushing offense at yards per game. Povendo played in just one game (Rice) in 2001 and missed several games after being bit by a spider. The bite required surgery to clean out the wound. A scholarship athlete, Povendo redshirted his first year. For more information on Nick Povendo, please see page 132 in the Pat Ricketts Right Cornerback Sr Omaha, Neb. (Millard North) 28 4 Second-Team CoSIDA Academic All-American 4Three-Time First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-District VII (2001, 2002, ) 4Three-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2001, 2002, ) Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (vs. Arizona State) Brook Berringer Citizenship Team Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 4Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002, ) 4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002) Senior cornerback Pat Ricketts will cap an outstanding Husker career in Nebraska's Alamo Bowl matchup with Michigan State. Ricketts has been a regular in the Husker secondary each of the past four seasons and started all 12 games at right corner in. Ricketts finished the season with 32 tackles and had two interceptions, aiding Nebraska to a nation-leading 29 interceptons. The Huskers also ranked first nationally in pass efficiency defense behind the outstanding play of the Nebraska secondary. Ricketts had five pass breakups this season, pushing his career total to 21, good for sixth on the Nebraska career list. A former walk-on, Ricketts has also been a standout in the classroom throughout his Nebraska career. An August graduate with a degree in business administration, Ricketts completed his undergraduate work with a cumulative grade-point average. He was a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick for the third consecutive year in. Ricketts also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District VII honors for the third 73

3 straight year in, and he and fellow Millard North graduate Judd Davies were both named second-team CoSIDA Academic All-Americans this fall. Ricketts earned the starting right corner job in fall camp and was a mainstay at the position. He finished the season with 32 tackles, including 24 solo stops and had tackles for loss against Troy State and Texas A&M. Ricketts' five pass breakups were tied for third on the team. In the season opener, Ricketts played a key role in Nebraska limiting Oklahoma State All-America receiver Rashaun Woods to just five catches for 47 yards. Ricketts had a season-high five tackles against Texas A&M and had three tackles seven times this season. He capped the year with an interception and two breakups against Kansas State, followed by a game-clinching interception at Colorado in the final two minutes of NU's victory. Ricketts played in all 14 games with eight starts in 2002 and finished with 56 tackles to rank third among Husker defensive backs. His 10 pass breakups were second on the team, and he recorded interceptoins against Utah State and Texas A&M, and recovered a fumble against Troy State. Ricketts opened the year with three tackles and three pass breakups against Arizona State, and earned Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors. He had 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, including a season-high five stops against Texas Tech. He also had an interception against Kansas State, recovered a fumble at Baylor and had five pass breakups. Ricketts played in the 2002 Rose Bowl against Miami and had one solo tackle. He appeared in 11 games (including Alamo Bowl) in 2000 as the No. 2 left corner behind Keyuo Craver and had 18 tackles. In the 2000 Alamo Bowl, Ricketts recorded two solo tackles. Ricketts redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in For more information on Pat Ricketts, please see page 108 in the Ricketts' Statistics Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd Redshirt / / / / Totals 48/ 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 Single-Game Bests Tackles 12 at Iowa State, 2002 Solo Tackles 6, at Iowa State, 2002 Tackles for Loss 1, three times Passes Broken Up 3 vs. Arizona State, 2002 Interceptions 1, five times Long Interception Return-11 vs. Utah State, 2002 Cory Ross I-Back So Denver, Colo. (Thomas Jefferson) 22 Sophomore I-back Cory Ross has been an integral part of Nebraska's offense throughout the season, but his biggest impact came in the final three games of the year. With Nebraska looking for a spark in its running attack, the Huskers turned to the 5-6, 200-pound Ross at halftime of the Kansas game, and he responded in impressive fashion. Ross racked up nearly 300 yards in Nebraska's final three games of the year, including a pair of 100-yard efforts. The Huskers have used three I-backs extensively throughout the year, but Ross will be the top man at the position for the bowl game. The elusive Ross is also Josh Davis' backup on both kickoff and punt returns. Ross finished the regular season as Nebraska's fourth-leading rusher with 437 yards on 93 carries, an average of 4.7 yards per attempt. Ross carried the ball 36 times in Nebraska's first nine games, including nine carries for 54 yards against Iowa State. He also had five or more carries against Utah State, Southern Miss, Troy State and Texas A&M and scored a three-yard touchdown vs. Troy State. Ross' role changed dramatically in the Kansas game. With Nebraska leading the Jayhawks 10-3 at halftime, Ross started the second half at I-back and gave the Huskers a spark. He carried 19 times for a career-high 108 yards, helping Nebraska rack up 400 yards of total offense in the 24-3 victory. The performance earned Ross a promotion to the starting spot for NU's matchup with Kansas State. Ross handled his first start well, with 16 rushes for 87 yards and a career-long 26-yard reception against the Wildcats. In the regular-season finale at Colorado, Ross carried a career-high 22 times for 103 yards and scored from two yards out to give Nebraska a second-quarter lead. Ross had a season-long 23-yard run in the victory. He finished the season with two receptions for 36 yards and had six punt returns for 62 yards, including a 30-yarder against Troy State. Ross began the 2002 season as NU's No. 6 I-back, but quickly moved up the depth chart. He played in 12 games with a start vs. Missouri when NU opened in a spread formation. Ross finished the season as NU s fifth-leading rusher with 184 yards on 35 carries (5.3 ypa) and two touchdowns. He had three carries for a season-high 44 yards, including a career-long 34-yard TD run, in the season opener vs. Arizona State. He caught five passes for 39 yards on the year, and had a 25-yard punt return against Kansas. Ross redshirted in his first season at Nebraska. For more information on Cory Ross, please see page 133 in the Nebraska Football Media Guide. Ross Statistics Rushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs 2001 Redshirted / vs. ASU 2 12/ vs. Colorado 2 Totals 24/ vs. ASU 4 Receiving: total; in 2002; in Punt Returns: total; 1-25 in 2002; 6-62 in Most Rushing Attempts 22 at Colorado, (103 yards) Most Rushing Yards 108 at Kansas, (19 attempts) Long Rush 34 vs. Arizona State (TD), 2002 Long Reception 26 vs. Kansas State, Long Punt Return 30 vs. Troy State, Senior Pat Ricketts started all 12 games at right cornerback this season and earned second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. 74

4 '03 HUSKERS Josh Sewell Center Sr Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast) 79 Shane Siegel Strong Safety So Grand Island, Neb Rimington Trophy Watch List 4 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team 4 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 4 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) 4 Jake Young Memorial Scholarship Recipient 4 Nebraska Lifter-of-the-Year Finalist 4 Big 12 Commissioner s Spring Academic Honor Roll Josh Sewell emerged as a standout at center during spring ball, and his play in helped solidify the Husker offensive line. Sewell started all 12 games at center despite battling injuries throughout the second half of the campaign. The play of Sewell and his offensive line mates helped Nebraska average nearly 240 rushing yards per game and top 250 yards on the ground seven times this season. Sewell is also a standout in the classroom and the community. He was a secondteam academic All-Big 12 selection this season and is on track to graduate next May. A graduate of Lincoln Southeast High School, Sewell was presented the first Jake Young Memorial Scholarship at the Utah State game, in honor of the former Husker All-American lineman who was killed in the fall of Sewell earned the starting center job in spring ball after coaches had experimented with using Richie Incognito at the center position. Sewell was one of four offensive linemen to start all 12 games this season and was a member of the watch list for the Rimington Trophy. A powerful force up front, Sewell was a finalist for the Lifter-of-the-Year Award and helped power NU to seven 250-yard rushing games, including a season-high 337 yards on the ground vs. Penn State. Sewell played in five games as a reserve behind John Garrison at center in Sewell enrolled at Nebraska in January of 2001 after transferring from Indiana State. He sat out the 2001 season under NCAA transfer rules. For more information on Josh Sewell, please see page 134 in the Andrew Shanle Free Safety RFr First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2002, ) 4 Nebraska Lifter-of-the-Year Finalist 4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002) 4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2002, ) Shane Siegel (pronounced SEE-gull) continued to be a key member of Nebraska's special teams in, while filling a reserve role in the Husker secondary. Siegel is one of the top performers on Nebraska's kickoff coverage and enters the bowl game listed as the Huskers' No. 2 strong safety behind fellow sophomore Daniel Bullocks. Siegel is a also a standout in the classroom with better than a 3.8 cumulative gradepoint average, and has earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors each of the last two years. Siegel finished the season with eight total tackles, including four solo stops, primarily on special teams. He had a season-high three tackles against Iowa State and made two stops each against Oklahoma State and Troy State. Siegel played in all 14 games in 2002 with a start against Arizona State. He made 14 tackles as a reserve defensive back and on special teams, including a career-high five tackles vs. Kansas. He played in the 2002 Independence Bowl, but did not have a tackle. A walk-on athlete, Siegel redshirted in For more information on Shane Siegel, please see page 135 in the Siegel s Statistics Defense ( Tackles ) Fum. QB Int. Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd Redshirt / / Totals 26/ St. Edward, Neb. 4 Big 12 Commissioner s Spring Academic Honor Roll The younger brother of former Husker linebacker Scott Shanle, Andrew Shanle (pronounced SHAN-lee) saw extensive action in his first season with the Huskers, primarily on special teams. Shanle was a member of Nebraska's top kickoff coverage unit and played in each of the final 11 games. He is listed as Nebraska's No. 3 free safety behind Josh Bullocks and Jerrell Pippens. Shanle did not play in the opener, but was on the kick coverage unit for the rest of the year. He finished with nine tackles, including six solo stops and had three tackles each against Texas A&M and Iowa State, including a 14-yard sack vs. the Cyclones. A scholarship recruit, Shanle redshirted in his first season at Nebraska. For more information on Andrew Shanle, please see page 135 in the Senior center Josh Sewell emerged on the Husker offensive line in the spring and anchored the unit by starting all 12 games of the season. 75

5 Chad Sievers Mike Linebacker Jr Valley, Neb. 54 4First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2002, ) 4 CoSIDA Academic All-District VII 4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002) 4 Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2002, ) Linebacker Chad Sievers (pronounced SEE-vers) served as Barrett Ruud's top backup at Mike linebacker for the second straight year and played in every game in. Sievers also played a key role on Nebraska's special teams coverage units and finished the year with 14 tackles. He is listed as the co-no. 2 Mike linebacker behind Ruud for the bowl game. Sievers is one of the nation's top student-athletes. He is the only Husker upperclassman who owns a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. This fall he was named to the first-team academic All-Big 12 squad for the second consecutive year and he was a CoSIDA Academic All-District VII selection. Sievers finished the regular season with 14 tackles, including seven unassisted stops, while playing a key role on Nebraska's coverage units. He saw his most extensive defensive action late in the Huskers' win at Southern Miss, when he recorded a season-high eight tackles. Sievers finished the 2002 season with 37 tackles and two tackles for loss in nine games. He had five or more tackles in four of Nebraska's first six games, including a career-high nine stops at Iowa State. He suffered a season-ending knee injury vs. Kansas, but continued in the game and made six tackles and recovered a fumble. Sievers sat out the 2001 season after transferring from New Mexico State. For more information on Chad Sievers, please see pages in the Sievers 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 / / Totals 21/ Tackles 9 at Iowa State, 2002 Solo Tackles 4 vs. Southern Miss, Tackles For Loss 1-3 vs. Troy State, 2002; 1-1 at Penn State, 2002 Le Kevin Smith Defensive Tackle So Macon, Ga. (Stratford Academy) First-Team Freshman All-Big 12 (The Sporting News) 4 Big 12 Commissioner s Spring Academic Honor Roll Le Kevin Smith (pronounced Leh-KEE-vin) helped anchor the Husker defensive line, starting 11 games at the defensive tackle position. Smith had four games with at least five tackles this season and finished the year with five tackles for loss from his interior spot. The Husker defense ranked in the top 15 nationally in four major defensive categories and is second nationally in takeaways. The play of Smith and nose tackle Ryon Bingham has freed up Husker linebackers Barrett Ruud and Demorrio Williams to each top the century mark in tackles. Smith will continue in his role as Nebraska's top defensive tackle for the Alamo Bowl game vs. Michigan State. Smith finished the season with 43 tackles, including 19 solo stops and five tackles for loss. He had three quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Smith started 11 games and sat out the Utah State contest with an injury. He recorded a career-high 10 tackles, including seven solo stops, at Missouri, while Bingham was sidelined with an injury. Smith had five tackles in three other contests, including the Penn State, Troy State and Kansas State games. Against the Nittany Lions, he also had a career-high two tackles for loss. Smith recovered a fumble in the third quarter vs. Texas A&M, one of Nebraska's eight takeaways on the day. Smith played in all 14 games in 2002 and finished with 42 tackles, including 16 solo stops. He added six tackles for loss, a sack and five quarterback hurries. He capped his freshman year with five tackles, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries in the Independence Bowl. Smith underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL shortly after arriving in Lincoln in the fall of 2001 and sat out his first season as a redshirt. For more information on Le Kevin Smith, please see page 136 in the Smith s Statistics 2001 Redshirt / / Totals 25/ Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 4 AT, 5 TT; 1-1 TFL, 2 QB Hurries Tackles 10 at Missouri, Solo Tackles 7, at Missouri, Tackles For Loss 2-7 vs. Utah State, 2002; 2-8 vs. Penn State, Sacks 1-6 vs. Utah State, 2002 Quarterback Hurries 2 vs. Texas, 2002; vs. Ole Miss, 2002 Independence Bowl Sophomore Le Kevin Smith totaled 43 tackles in 11 starts at defensive tackle. 76

6 Brandon Teamer Defensive Tackle Fr Omaha, Neb. (Central) 74 True freshman Brandon Teamer quickly impressed the Nebraska coaching staff with his ability this fall. The Omaha Central graduate found his way into the Huskers' regular rotation on the defensive line from the start of the season. Teamer served as Le Kevin Smith's top backup at defensive tackle, and saw the majority of his playing time in passing situations. Teamer was one of six true freshmen to see action this fall, but was the only defender among the group. Teamer played in every game except Kansas, and finished with 13 tackles, including eight solo stops. He had a season-high three tackles at Texas, all unassisted. He had two tackles each vs. Kansas State and Colorado, and had three quarterback hurries, including an interception caused against Iowa State. For more information on Brandon Teamer, please see page 148 in the Teamer s Statistics 11/ Benard Thomas Defensive End Jr East Palo Alto, Calif. (St. Francis) Benard Thomas earned a starting defensive end spot on the Blackshirt defense this fall and helped Nebraska rank in the top 15 nationally in four defensive categories. Thomas was the No. 1 left end all season opposite senior Trevor Johnson, and was one of Nebraska's top pass rushers. The 6-4, 255-pound Thomas has the size to be an effective run stopper and the athleticism to chase the quarterback. He finished the regular season third on the team in quarterback hurries. Thomas played in all 12 games, including 10 starting assignments, and finished the season with 41 tackles, including 17 solo stops. He had five tackles for loss, including two for 17 yards against Texas A&M, when he recorded a seven-yard sack. Thomas also forced a fumble in the game, part of Nebraska's school-record eight takeaways. Thomas' 10 quarterback hurries were third on the team. Thomas had two hurries in each of Nebraska's first two games, and capped the regular season with a career-high three hurries at Colorado. He also had a pair of pass breakups against the Buffs and made a tackle for loss. Thomas had a careerbest seven tackles in Nebraska's victory over Southern Miss. He had five tackles each against Troy State and Missouri. Thomas chose to sit out the 2002 season as a redshirt. He played in 10 games as a reserve rush end, primarily in pass-rushing situations, and made seven tackles in He recorded five tackles for loss (29 yards), including a 24-yard sack of Iowa State s Seneca Wallace. He did not play in the Rose Bowl. Thomas played in six contests at rush end in 2000, and made two tackles, including a five-yard tackle for loss against Kansas. He saw action in the 2000 Alamo Bowl. For more information on Benard Thomas, please see page 137 in the 5 Thomas Statistics / / Redshirt 12/ Totals 28/ Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern: Tackles, none Tackles 7, at Southern Miss, vs. Kansas State, Solo Tackles 3, at Southern Miss, vs. Kansas State, TFL 2-4 vs. Baylor, 2001, 2-17 vs. Texas A&M, Sacks 1-24 vs. Iowa St., 2001, 1-7 vs. Texas A&M, ; QB Hurries 3 at Colorado, Fred Thorne Strong Safety Sr Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast) 4 First-Team Academic All-Big 12 4Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) 4 Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, ) 4 Nebraska Special Teams Captain (Southern Miss) Senior Fred Thorne became a regular contributor this season as a member of Nebraska's punt coverage unit. Thorne replaced DeJuan Groce as NU's bullet on punt coverage opposite senior Jerrell Pippens and was a standout in the role. Thorne's special teams excellence was rewarded when he was named the special teams captain for the Southern Miss contest. Thorne is also a standout in the classroom and was one of 20 Huskers named first-team academic All-Big 12. Thorne played in all 12 games, primarily on special teams and as a reserve defensive back. He finished with seven tackles, including two vs. Iowa State. Thorne sat out the 2002 season with a broken leg and played in two games each in 2000 and A walk-on, Thorne redshirted in For more information on Fred Thorne, please see page 138 in the Curt Tomasevicz Linebacker Sr Shelby, Neb. the '03 HUSKERS First-Team Academic All-Big 12 () 4 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team 4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2000, 2001, 2002) 4 Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002, ) Senior linebacker Curt Tomasevicz (pronounced Tom-eh-SEV-itch) was a key member of Nebraska's special teams this season. Also a reserve linebacker, Tomasevicz joined NU's No. 1 kickoff coverage unit midway through the year. Tomasevicz also continued his winning ways in the classroom, earning first-team academic All-Big 12 honors. He is one of 19 Huskers who will play in the bowl game with their degree after going through December commencement. 77

7 Tomasevicz did not play in the first three games, but appeared in each of the last nine games of the season. He totaled five tackles, including an unassisted stop on the opening kickoff at Colorado that pinned the Buffs on their own 9. Tomasevicz played in five games at linebacker as a junior after moving from fullback. He did not see game action in 2001, but played in two games in 2000, and had one carry for two yards vs. Baylor. A walk-on, Tomasevicz redshirted in For more information on Curt Tomasevicz, please see pages in the Dan Vili Waldrop Offensive Tackle Sr Wilmington, Calif. (Banning) 68 4 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Associated Press) Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Associated Press) Dan Vili Waldrop (pronounced VEE-lee) will complete an impressive Husker career in the bowl matchup with Michigan State. Vili Waldrop has been a fixture on the Nebraska offensive line for each of the past three seasons, starting 38 of 39 games the past three years at right tackle. This season, Vili Waldrop has helped the Huskers rank among the national leaders in rushing offense, pounding out seven games with 250 yards or more on the ground. The 6-5, 350-pound Vili Waldrop is one of just three Huskers in their third season as a starter, joining fullback Judd Davies and punter Kyle Larson. Vili Waldrop's efforts in Nebraska's offensive success have not gone unnoticed, as he was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 selection by both the league's coaches and the Associated Press. Vili Waldrop is one of 19 Huskers who will play the bowl game with their degree after picking up his psychology degree in December. Vili Waldrop has also seen practice time at offensive guard and could see action at that spot in the bowl. Vili Waldrop was one of three returning starters in the Husker offensive line and helped Nebraska get off to a strong start in. The Huskers averaged nearly 300 yards rushing the first three games, including a season-high 337 rushing yards vs. Penn State and a season-best 405 yards of total offense in a 31-7 win over Utah State. Vili Waldrop provided stability at right tackle, while his running mate on the right side, guard Jake Andersen, battled injuries late in the season. Vili Waldrop helped Nebraska to a No. 4 national ranking in rushing offense in 2002 and earned AP honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors. He had one of the most productive pancake games in school history against Texas A&M, when he posted a career-high 24 pancakes, and he finished the year with 91 pancakes, including four games with seven or more knockdowns. He started every game except the Independence Bowl. Vili Waldrop made a smooth transition from left guard to right tackle and started all 12 games and the Rose Bowl 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 played in 10 games as a backup to Outland finalist Toniu Fonoti at left guard and as a member of NU s PAT and field goal units. He had seven pancakes in 2000 as Nebraska averaged an NCAA-leading rushing yards per game. A scholarship recruit, Vili Waldrop redshirted in For more information on Dan Vili Waldrop, please see page 110 of the Fabian Washington Left Cornerback So Bradenton, Fla. (Bayshore) 4 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Associated Press, Coaches) Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) Second-Team Freshman All-American (The Sporting News) First-Team Freshman All-Big 12 (The Sporting News) 4Nebraska Freshman Record for PBU (13 in 2002) and Interceptions in a Season (Four in 2002) Sophomore cornerback Fabian Washington has established himself as one of the top cover men in the Big 12. Washington emerged as a play-maker last year as a true freshman, setting NU freshman records for pass breakups and interceptions while starting opposite all-conference corner DeJuan Groce. Washington started the season on a strong note by playing a leading role in Nebraska s defensive effort against 24th-ranked Oklahoma State and All-America wide receiver Rashaun Woods. Washington continued his standout play all season, finishing with a team-high nine breakups and helping NU lead the nation in interceptions and pass efficiency defense. Washington's effort in Nebraska's defensive success was recognized, with his selection as honorablemention All-Big 12 by both the Associated Press and the league coaches. Despite playing just 25 games in his young Husker career, Washington is already fifth on the Nebraska career pass breakup list with 22. Washington started all 12 games at left cornerback and finished sixth on the team in tackles with 55 stops, including 36 unassisted tackles. Washington's nine pass breakups led the team, and he picked off three passes to rank third behind free safety Josh Bullocks and cornerback Lornell McPherson. He broke up three passes each against Penn State, Southern Miss and Iowa State. Washington opened the year with a career-high 11 tackles in Nebraska's 17-7 win over Oklahoma State. He also helped limit Rashaun Woods to just five catches, as OSU managed just 183 total yards. Washington had a dominant game in an victory over Penn State, with a team-high nine tackles, including a pair of TFL. He nabbed his first interception of the season and added a quarterback hurry. Washington added his second interception of the season in a shutout win over Troy State, and recovered a fumble in the game. Washington s third pick of the year and seventh of his career came against Texas A&M, one of eight Husker takeaways on the afternoon. Washington made eight tackles in NU s loss at Texas, forced a fumble and had a tackle for loss. Washington made 11 starts in 13 games, including the final nine games as NU s starting left cornerback. He finished the year with 49 tackles (34 solo) and led the team with a Husker frosh record 13 pass breakups. Washington tied DeJuan Groce with a team-high four interceptions, also an NU freshman record, and returned the picks 35 yards. Washington finished the season with five games with five or more tackles, capped by a season-high eight stops, including six solos, against Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl. He also had two breakups against the Rebels, the fourth time that he broke up two or more passes in Washington s Statistics / / Totals 25/ Interception Returns: total; , 29-yard TD vs. ASU, 2002; in 2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 6 UT, 2 AT, 8 TT, 2 PBU, FC Tackles 11 vs. Oklahoma State, ; Solo Tackles 8 vs. Oklahoma State, Tackles For Loss 2-3 vs. Penn State, Passes Broken Up 3 at Texas A&M, 2002; Interceptions 2-6 at Iowa State,