2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Logo of the Nebraska athletic teams 2004-
Big 12 North Division co-champion
Holiday Bowl vs. Washington, L 7–19
Conference Big 12 Conference
Division North
Ranking
Coaches No. 19
AP No. 20
2010 record 10–4 (6–2 Big 12)
Head coach Bo Pelini (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson (4th season)
Offensive scheme Spread offense
Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini (3rd season)
Base defense 4–3 defense
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
(Capacity: 81,091)
2010 Big 12 football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
Northern Division
No. 20 Nebraska xy   6 – 2         10 – 4  
No. 18 Missouri x   6 – 2         10 – 3  
Kansas State   3 – 5         7 – 6  
Iowa State   3 – 5         5 – 7  
Colorado   2 – 6         5 – 7  
Kansas   1 – 7         3 – 9  
Southern Division
No. 6 Oklahoma xy$   6 – 2         12 – 2  
No. 13 Oklahoma State x   6 – 2         11 – 2  
No. 19 Texas A&M x   6 – 2         9 – 4  
Baylor   4 – 4         7 – 6  
Texas Tech   3 – 5         8 – 5  
Texas   2 – 6         5 – 7  
Championship: Oklahoma 23, Nebraska 20
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bo Pelini and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. They were members of the North Division of the Big 12 Conference. It was Nebraska's 102nd and last season in the Big 12 (including years in the MVIAA/Big Eight) as they will begin competing in the Big Ten Conference in 2011.

The Cornhuskers finished the season 10–4, 6–2 in the Big 12 and were co champions of the North Division with Missouri. Due to their victory over Missouri, Nebraska represented the North Division in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game where they were defeated by Oklahoma 20–23. They were invited to the Holiday Bowl for the second consecutive season and played Washington. Despite defeating the Huskies 56–21 during the regular season, the Cornhuskers were defeated 19–7.

Before the season

The 2010 Cornhuskers took to the field on Saturday, September 4, 2010 against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Cornhuskers carried on despite losing a handful of key personnel losses to graduation after 2009, especially Heisman-candidate and #2 overall NFL draft pick DT Ndamukong Suh. The Nebraska coaching staff remained intact for the third straight year, since the return of Bo Pelini to the program.

During the spring of this year, several NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams began publicly discussing potential conference changes, which ultimately gained enough momentum to set off a chain reaction of university conference affiliation changes. On June 11, 2010, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln announced that its regents unanimously voted to end the university's affiliation with the Big 12 Conference, and would be joining the Big Ten Conference. The Big Ten Conference unanimously approved Nebraska's official application just hours later, and Nebraska announced that the Cornhusker athletic programs would transition into the Big Ten conference play schedule effective July 1, 2011. This is Nebraska's last year playing in the Big 12 Conference.[1][2][3]

Nebraska's preseason #8 AP ranking was the highest starting rank for Nebraska since Eric Crouch's 2001 Heisman trophy season, which ultimately saw the Cornhuskers playing Miami in the BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl.

Recruiting

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 4 6:00 p.m. Western Kentucky* No. 8 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV W 49–10   85,555
September 11 11:30 a.m. Idaho* No. 6 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV W 38–17   85,732
September 18 2:30 p.m. at Washington* No. 8 Husky Stadium • Seattle ABC/ESPN2 W 56–21   72,876
September 25 6:00 p.m. South Dakota State*dagger No. 6 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV W 17–3   85,573
October 7 6:30 p.m. at Kansas State No. 7 Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium • Manhattan, Kansas ESPN W 48–13   51,015
October 16 2:30 p.m. Texas No. 5 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska ABC/ESPN L 13–20   85,648
October 23 2:30 p.m. at No. 17 Oklahoma State No. 14 Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, Oklahoma ABC W 51–41   55,935
October 30 2:30 p.m. No. 7 Missouri No. 14 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska (Rivalry) ABC/ESPN W 31–17   85,907
November 6 2:30 p.m. at Iowa State No. 9 Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA ABC W 31–30 OT  51,159
November 13 6:00 p.m. Kansas No. 9 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV W 20–3   85,587
November 20 7:00 p.m. at No. 18 Texas A&M No. 9 Kyle Field • College Station, Texas ABC L 6–9   90,079
November 26 2:30 p.m. Colorado No. 16 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska (Rivalry) ABC W 45–17   85,646
December 4 7:00 p.m. vs. No. 10 Oklahoma No. 13 Cowboys Stadium • Arlington, Texas (Big 12 Championship Game) ABC L 20–23   78,802
December 30 9:00 p.m. vs. Washington* No. 18 Qualcomm Stadium • San Diego, California (Holiday Bowl) ESPN L 7–19   57,921
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

[4]

Roster and coaching staff

2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
OL 70 Ash, NickNick Ash RFr
TE 82 Barry, RobertRobert Barry RFr
WR 80 Bell, KennyKenny Bell Fr
WR 9 Broekemeier, JoeJoe Broekemeier Sr
IB 22 Burkhead, RexRex Burkhead So
OL 58 Caputo, MikeMike Caputo Jr
QB 16 Carnes, BrionBrion Carnes Fr
OL 51 Chapek, BrandonBrandon Chapek RFr
OL 77 Choi, Seung HoonSeung Hoon Choi So
OL 72 Coffey, JesseJesse Coffey RFr
WR 1 Cooper, KhiryKhiry Cooper So
TE 81 Cotton, BenBen Cotton So
OL 67 Criss, ScottScott Criss RFr
WR 87 Dixon, TaylorTaylor Dixon So
WR 18 Enunwa, QuincyQuincy Enunwa Fr
WR 88 Evans, TylerTyler Evans Fr
WR 11 Gilleylen, CurenskiCurenski Gilleylen Jr
QB 17 Green, CodyCody Green So
OL 50 Hardrick, JermarcusJermarcus Hardrick Jr
IB 10 Helu Jr., RoyRoy Helu Jr. (C) Sr
OL 74 Henry, RickyRicky Henry Sr
WR 8 Henry, WillWill Henry Sr
TE/FB 33 Hill, RyanRyan Hill Jr
FB 34 Hron, MitchMitch Hron RFr
WR 45 Hughes, KeeganKeegan Hughes Fr
WR 85 Hyland, KCKC Hyland So
WR 83 Jean-Baptiste, StanleyStanley Jean-Baptiste RFr
OL 55 Jensen, RobRob Jensen Fr
IB 28 Jones, AustinAustin Jones Jr
OL 73 Jones, D.J.D.J. Jones Sr
OL 52 Jones, DwightDwight Jones RFr
OL 78 Jones, MarcelMarcel Jones Jr
QB 12 Kellogg III, RonRon Kellogg III RFr
TE 89 Kerr, J.T.J.T. Kerr RFr
WR 4 Kildow, TyTy Kildow RFr
WR 84 Kinnie, BrandonBrandon Kinnie Jr
QB 5 Lee, ZacZac Lee Sr
FB 48 Legate, TylerTyler Legate Jr
OL 75 Lingenfelter, LukeLuke Lingenfelter Jr
TE 41 Long, JakeJake Long RFr
OL 61 Long, SpencerSpencer Long RFr
WR 6 Marlowe, TimTim Marlowe So
FB 35 Martin, JayJay Martin Jr
QB 3 Martinez, TaylorTaylor Martinez RFr
TE 86 McClure, MychaelMychael McClure So
TE/WR 44 McNeill, MikeMike McNeill Sr
OL 57 Moudy, MikeMike Moudy Fr
OL 69 Nickens, BrodrickBrodrick Nickens RFr
IB 29 Okafor, CollinsCollins Okafor So
WR 21 Osborne, StevenSteven Osborne So
WR 24 Paul, NilesNiles Paul Sr
OL 56 Pelini, MarkMark Pelini Fr
OL 62 Pensick, ColeCole Pensick RFr
OL 76 Qvale, BrentBrent Qvale RFr
TE 25 Reed, KylerKyler Reed So
IB 27 Robinson, DontrayevousDontrayevous Robinson So
OL 63 Rodriguez, AndrewAndrew Rodriguez Fr
WR 43 Schrodt, DillonDillon Schrodt Fr
OL 71 Sirles, JeremiahJeremiah Sirles RFr
WR 39 Smith, JacobJacob Smith Fr
OL 65 Smith, MikeMike Smith Sr
QB 7 Spano, KodyKody Spano So
RB 40 Taylor, ZachZach Taylor Fr
OL 79 Thompson, BrandonBrandon Thompson So
OL 59 Thorson, BrianBrian Thorson So
IB 14 Ward, LesterLester Ward So
QB 15 Washington, LatravisLatravis Washington Sr
TE 47 Wells, BrettBrett Wells RFr
OL 68 Williams, KeithKeith Williams Sr
WR 26 Wullenwaber, TylerTyler Wullenwaber Fr
TE 49 Young, DreuDreu Young Sr
FB 31 Zimmerer, C.J.C.J. Zimmerer RFr
 Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DE 95 Allen, PierrePierre Allen (C) Sr
CB 21 Amukamara, PrincePrince Amukamara (C) Sr
DE 70 Anderson, KennyKenny Anderson So
DE 9 Ankrah, JasonJason Ankrah RFr
DE 47 Ashburn, WalkerWalker Ashburn Fr
DB 40 Bart, JoshJosh Bart Fr
CB 2 Bell, AntonioAntonio Bell So
DB 39 Blatchford, JustinJustin Blatchford So
CB 14 Blue, AnthonyAnthony Blue Jr
S 8 Cassidy, AustinAustin Cassidy Jr
LB 51 Compton, WillWill Compton So
DB 6 Cooper, CoreyCorey Cooper Fr
DT 96 Cotton, JakeJake Cotton Fr
DT 94 Crick, JaredJared Crick Jr
LB 4 David, LavonteLavonte David Jr
CB 31 Dean, JaseJase Dean So
CB 15 Dennard, AlfonzoAlfonzo Dennard Jr
S 32 Ebke, JimJim Ebke Jr
DB 17 Evans, CianteCiante Evans Fr
DE 92 Fahie, TyroneTyrone Fahie Sr
DB 25 Felici, JoeyJoey Felici Fr
LB 42 Fisher, SeanSean Fisher So
DB 30 Foster, DerekDerek Foster Fr
DE 80 Gdowski, AndyAndy Gdowski Fr
DB 7 Gomes, DeJonDeJon Gomes Sr
DB 11 Green, AndrewAndrew Green RFr
LB 41 Grove, ThomasThomas Grove Sr
DL 99 Guy, JayJay Guy Fr
DB 28 Hagg, EricEric Hagg Sr
DB 35 Holt, AndrewAndrew Holt Fr
DB 26 Jackson, HarveyHarvey Jackson Fr
DT 58 Jackson, JustinJustin Jackson So
DB 29 Jameson, SethSeth Jameson RFr
DT 85 Klingelhoefer, FaronFaron Klingelhoefer Jr
LB 44 Kreikemeier, MicahMicah Kreikemeier So
LB 37 Lewis, TyroneTyrone Lewis RFr
LB 49 Manninger, MattMatt Manninger So
LB 46 Martin, EricEric Martin So
LB 36 May, MathewMathew May Jr
DE 65 McDermott, ColinColin McDermott So
DE 89 McDermott, ConorConor McDermott So
LB 33 McGill, TysonTyson McGill Fr
CB 32 Mendoza, MarcusMarcus Mendoza Jr
DE 34 Meredith, CameronCameron Meredith So
CB 2 Middleton, LazarriLazarri Middleton RFr
DB 18 Mitchell, JoshJosh Mitchell Fr
DT 68 Molek, JoshJosh Molek So
DE 52 Moore, J.C.J.C. Moore Fr
DT 90 Moore, TerrenceTerrence Moore Jr
DB 43 Moravec, BrentBrent Moravec So
DE 48 Okuyemi, TobiTobi Okuyemi Fr
S 12 Osborne, CourtneyCourtney Osborne So
LB 56 Paulsen, DevinDevin Paulsen RFr
DL 53 Randle, ThaddeusThaddeus Randle RFr
DB 19 Richards, WilWil Richards RFr
LB 54 Roach, TrevorTrevor Roach Fr
DT 97 Rome, ChaseChase Rome Fr
S 13 Smith, P.J.P.J. Smith So
LB 59 Starkebaum, ColbyColby Starkebaum RFr
DT 55 Steinkuhler, BakerBaker Steinkuhler So
LB 38 Stoddard, GrahamGraham Stoddard So
S 3 Thenarse, RickeyRickey Thenarse Sr
DE 37 Thomsen, KevinKevin Thomsen Jr
DB 23 Thorell, LanceLance Thorell Jr
DL 61 Uher, JeffJeff Uher Fr
DE 91 Vestal, DonovanDonovan Vestal Fr
DB 38 Wade, YusefYusef Wade Fr
CB 10 Washington, DijonDijon Washington RFr
DB 16 Watson, AdamAdam Watson Sr
DB 5 West, AnthonyAnthony West Sr
LB 45 Whaley, AlonzoAlonzo Whaley So
DB 24 Williams, AustinAustin Williams Fr
DE 98 Williams, JoshJosh Williams So
 Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P/PK 27 Damkroger, JonJon Damkroger Jr
PK/P 97 Dann, JasonJason Dann Fr
LS 66 Greenfield, BeauxBeaux Greenfield Fr
PK/P 90 Henery, AlexAlex Henery (C) Sr
PK 1 Kunalic, AdiAdi Kunalic Sr
P/PK 96 Maher, BrettBrett Maher So
LS 92 Mangieri, P.J.P.J. Mangieri So
LS/LB 67 Meginnis, SamSam Meginnis So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Shawn Watson
       4th season as OC/QB coach
       5th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Southern Illinois
  • Carl Pelini
       3rd season as DC/DL coach
       3rd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Youngstown State
  • Tim Beck
       3rd season as RB coach
       3rd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Central Florida
  • Ron Brown
       3rd season as TE coach
       20th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Brown
  • Barney Cotton
       3rd season as AHC/OL coach
       4th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Nebraska
  • Mike Ekeler
       3rd season as LB coach
       3rd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Kansas State
  • Ted Gilmore
       3rd season as AHC/Rec coach
       6th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Wyoming
  • John Papuchis
       3rd season as DE/ST coach
       3rd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Virginia Tech
  • Marvin Sanders
       3rd season as Sec coach
       4th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Nebraska
  • James Dobson
       3rd season as S&C coach
       3rd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Wisconsin
  • Curt Baldus
       3rd season as GA coach
       4th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: St. Cloud State
  • Ross Watson
       3rd season as GA coach
       3rd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Mount Union

[5][6][7][8][9]

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Roster
Last update: January 10, 2011

Game summaries

Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky at Nebraska
1 234Total
Western Kentucky 0 037 10
• #8 Nebraska 14 71414 49

This was the first ever meeting of the Hilltoppers and Cornhuskers. Redshirt Freshman QB Taylor Martinez was not revealed as the starter for Nebraska until kickoff, and subsequently became the first freshman quarterback to open a Nebraska season in the history of the program. On his first carry, Martinez rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown, paving the way for Nebraska to extend its ongoing NCAA record of consecutive season-opening victories to 25. His 129 rushing yards on the day also marked the first time a Nebraska QB exceeded 100 yards on the ground since 2003, and this was accomplished even while sharing snaps with the second and third string quarterbacks. The 2010 Blackshirts debut was marred somewhat when they allowed the Western Kentucky squad, which had lost their last 20 games in a row prior to this game, to accumulate 299 all-purpose yards, mostly during a second-half defensive letdown.[10][11][12]

Idaho

Idaho at Nebraska
1 234Total
Idaho 0 377 17
• #6 Nebraska 3 2870 38
  • Date: September 11
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Game start: 11:39 a.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 2:57
  • Game attendance: 85,732
  • Game weather: Sunny, Clear, 73°F, Wind WNW@5-10mph
  • Referee: Dan Romeo
  • TV announcers (FSN PPV): Dave Armstrong (Play-by-play), Gary Reasons (Color) & Brent Stover (Sideline)
Remembering 9/11 during the tunnel walk

For the sixth straight year, Nebraska opened the season 2–0. The 38–17 defeat of the Idaho Vandals in the first ever meeting of these teams improved the Cornhuskers to 22–1 against WAC opponents all-time. After an unimpressive outing the week prior, the Nebraska defense came forth with a strong defensive attack, holding the Vandals to just 60 yards on the ground and 279 total yards, while notching seven sacks for 80 yards lost. The Blackshirts intercepted five passes, three of which were converted into scores. A 28–3 scoring output in the 2nd quarter allowed the Cornhuskers to run away with the game and play some reserve personnel, which allowed the Vandals to outscore Nebraska 14–7 in the second half. Although the Nebraska offense recorded 471 all-purpose yards, numerous miscues resulted in stalled drives and lost opportunities. The home field win was Nebraska's 375th at Memorial Stadium, and the 500th home win in Lincoln all-time. Nebraska redshirt freshman QB Taylor Martinez had a second straight 100-yard rushing game, and his 67-yard second-quarter touchdown was the longest by a Nebraska QB since a 70-yard dash by Eric Crouch against Colorado in 2001. Cornhusker PK Alex Henery accounted for eight points on the day, which was enough to make him the fifth Nebraska player to ever exceed 300 career points. Despite the win, Nebraska slipped from #6 to #8 in the AP Poll following the game.[13][14][15]

Washington, September 2010

Nebraska at Washington
1 234Total
• #8 Nebraska 14 14217 56
Washington 7 770 21

Washington was in the second year of a rebuilding project under 2nd-year coach Steve Sarkisian, who took over in 2009 after Washington finished 0–12 the year before, when Nebraska arrived for the first Cornhusker road game of the 2010 season. Despite Nebraska's #8 AP ranking, the spread was less than ten points in favor of the Cornhuskers as the week leading up to the game. Factoring into the spread was Nebraska's redshirt freshman QB making only his third start ever, and first on the road. The stature of senior Washington QB Jake Locker also played into the previews, as Locker was considered a top NFL prospect and an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Early in the 4th quarter as Husker fans stay until the end of the game

Washington received the ball to start the game but gave up an interception four plays later, just 1:35 into the game. Shortly thereafter Nebraska scored a touchdown and never gave up the lead for the rest of the game. The Cornhuskers finished the day with 533 all-purpose yards, more than double Washington's totals in each category. This included three Nebraska players totaling over 100 yards of rushing, an accomplishment not met since 2001 and only the fourth time ever in program history. It was also the first time Washington had ever allowed three opponent players to exceed 100 rushing yards. The Cornhusker offense managed over 13 yards per pass attempt and over 7 yards per rush attempt, while the 56 total Nebraska points was the most points ever scored by a non-conference opponent in Husky Stadium's 90-year history, also tying the most points ever scored there by a Washington conference opponent. An 80-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter by Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez was the longest TD run by a freshman QB, and the second-longest run by any Nebraska QB, in program history. The Blackshirts coverage prevented the Huskies from ever getting consistent momentum, and the highly touted Locker ended the day only 4 of 20 in the air for 70 yards and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a Nebraska TD by junior CB Alfonzo Dennard. The sole highlight of the day for Washington was ending Nebraska's 10-game streak of holding opponents to 20 points or less. Nebraska took over the series by moving to 4–3–1 against Washington all time.[16][17][18]

South Dakota State

South Dakota State at Nebraska
1 234Total
South Dakota State 0 030 3
• #6 Nebraska 0 1403 17
  • Date: September 25
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Game start: 6:08 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 2:55
  • Game attendance: 85,573
  • Game weather: Sunny, 64°F, Winds ENE@10mph
  • Referee: Rick Loumiet
  • TV announcers (FSN PPV): Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (Color) & Jim Rose (Sideline)

Meeting for the first time since a 58–7 Nebraska victory in 1963, the FCS South Dakota State Jackrabbits were not intimidated by the Memorial Stadium homecoming crowd despite entering the game at 0–2, and gave the flat Cornhuskers the toughest test of the season to date. The 307th consecutive sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium was the largest crowd that the Jackrabbits team had ever played in front of, and the last two teams to hold Nebraska to fewer than 17 points had been the #20 Oklahoma Sooners and #3 Texas Longhorns. The game was closer than the 17–3 score would indicate, as the Jackrabbits had two touchdowns nullified by penalties, one of them on an interception returned 66 yards to the end zone. The large contingent of visiting fans from South Dakota were clearly heard chanting "Let's Go Rabbits" in the stadium as the home crowd was silenced by the spirited fight of the visiting team. While both teams suffered two interceptions each, Nebraska offered up four fumbles on the day, losing one of them to a fumble-free South Dakota State. Nebraska held the time of possession edge on the game by only 11 seconds, and converted only four of thirteen third downs. Cornhusker head coach Pelini summed up the Nebraska effort after the game, saying "We were a bad team." Nonetheless, the win moved the Cornhuskers to 2–0 over the Jackrabbits all time, and put Nebraska at 4–0 for the first time since 2005.[19][20][21][22][23]

Kansas State

Nebraska at Kansas State
1 234Total
• #7 Nebraska 7 102110 48
Kansas State 0 337 13

Nebraska met Kansas State in Manhattan to open the final Cornhusker Big 12 Conference slate. It was the 95th time the teams had met, and the last time unless they are matched against each other in a future non-conference game or bowl game. Redshirt freshman Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez bounced back from his lackluster appearance in the previous contest against South Dakota State, rushing for four touchdowns and 241 yards to set a new all-time Cornhusker quarterback single-game rushing record. His 370 total yards on the day were the most all-purpose yards set by a Cornhusker freshman at any position in nineteen years. Martinez's efforts helped propel Nebraska to tally more yards against Kansas State than any other opponent in twenty one years. The Wildcat offense seemed to have success to start the game, marching down the field on their first possession, until they were stopped on a 4th-and-2 in the Nebraska red zone with no points to show for it. The Blackshirts subsequently took control of the game defensively, notching their 13th straight game holding an opponent to 21 points or less and helping the Cornhuskers to hand Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder a home field loss, in the stadium named after him, on his 71st birthday. The Nebraska win moved the Cornhuskers to 5–0 for the first time since 2003, and the series between the programs drew to a close with a Nebraska advantage of 78–15–2.[24][25][26][27][28]

Texas

Texas at Nebraska
1 234Total
• Texas 10 730 20
#5 Nebraska 0 337 13
  • Date: October 16
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Game start: 2:34 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:16
  • Game attendance: 85,648
  • Game weather: Sunny, 75°F, Winds NNE@8mph, Humidity 39%
  • Referee: Greg Burks
  • TV announcers (ABC/ESPN): Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

These teams came head-to-head for the 14th time in what has frequently been a contentious – if still respectful – clash of conference foes whose games often carry title implications, and often at the expense of the Cornhuskers. 2010 was no exception, as unranked Texas defeated #5 Nebraska in Lincoln, in front of a fired-up home crowd that had long anticipated this contest. The loss leaves Nebraska 4–10 against Texas all time, and just 1–9 in the last ten attempts. With Nebraska's departure from the Big 12 Conference following this season, this was the last regular season league meeting of these teams. Unless they meet again in a future bowl game, there are no scheduled dates for these programs to meet again in the future.

Oklahoma State

Nebraska at Oklahoma State
1 234Total
• #14 Nebraska 14 171010 51
#17 Oklahoma State 13 1477 41

The Cornhuskers traveled to Stillwater following a high-profile disappointing loss to Texas the week prior, hoping to bounce back against their first ranked opponent of the year, the #17 Oklahoma State Cowboys. Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez eclipsed the 300-yard mark through the air for the first time in his career, passing for 323 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 112 yards on the ground.

Nebraska's victory improved the Cornhuskers' series lead to 37–5–1, but was only Nebraska's second win in the last five matches between the squads. Their first win in Stillwater since 1995. With Nebraska's departure from the Big 12 Conference following this season, this was the last league meeting of these teams in a series that dates back to when the Cowboys briefly joined the MVIAA from 1925 to 1928. Oklahoma State later returned to the league for good in 1958, leading the conference to be known as the "Big 8" for the first time.

Missouri

Missouri at Nebraska
1 234Total
#7 Missouri 0 7100 17
• #14 Nebraska 24 070 31
  • Date: October 30
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Game start: 2:36 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:26
  • Game attendance: 85,907
  • Game weather: Clear, 67°F, Winds NE@12mph
  • Referee: Randy Christal
  • TV announcers (ABC/ESPN): Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Jeannine Edwards (Sideline)

#7 Missouri arrived in Lincoln to take on Nebraska for the 104th contest between the schools since 1892, trying to make progress to catch up to Nebraska in the series. The Tigers trail behind the Cornhuskers 36-65-3 all-time.

Nebraska's withdrawal from Big 12 play after this year ends a historical league affiliation with the Tigers that dates to 1892, when these two programs joined with Kansas and Iowa to form the Western Interstate University Football Association (WIUFA). Though the WIUFA disbanded after six seasons, all four WIUFA teams came together again with the formation of the MVIAA in 1907. The conclusion of the 2010 season will mark the end of a 103-year continuous conference partnership, and leaves the fate of the Victory Bell in question.

Iowa State

Nebraska at Iowa State
1 234OTTotal
• #9 Nebraska 0 71707 31
Iowa State 0 100146 30

Second-year Iowa State Head Coach Paul Rhoads hosted Nebraska in Ames for the first time, as the squads come together for their 105th contest. With Nebraska leaving Big 12 play after this season, this game marked the end of a historical series and conference relationship dating back to 1896, almost as far back as the Nebraska-Missouri series. Nebraska, who leads the all-time series 86–17–2, avenged last year's 7–9 loss, which was Iowa State's first win in Lincoln in 34 years. Nebraska and Iowa State traded scores in the 4th quarter before Nebraska led 31–24 in the final minutes. Iowa State scored a touchdown to make the score 31–30 Nebraska leading. ISU Head Coach Paul Rhoads called a 2-point conversion. With the game on the line, ISU QB Austen Arnaud threw a pass that got intercepted by Nebraska DB Eric Hagg to give Nebraska the overtime win in Ames.

Kansas

Kansas at Nebraska
1 234Total
Kansas 0 030 3
• #9 Nebraska 7 733 20
  • Date: November 13
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Game start: 6:09 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 2:37
  • Game attendance: 85,587
  • Game weather: Clear, 34°F, Winds NNW@5-10mph, Humidity 84%
  • Referee: Karl Richins
  • TV announcers (FSN PPV): Dave Armstrong (Play-by-play), Gary Reasons (Color) & Jim Rose (Sideline)

Kansas traveled to Lincoln to play the 105th and last game in the NCAA-record longest consecutive season series in all of college football. This game marked the 117th time overall that the teams have come together to settle things on the field. Nebraska's victory leaves the series closed for now with a decisive Cornhusker advantage of 91–23–3. It was the first meeting between Kansas and Nebraska since the Jayhawk program was taken over by former legendary Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill.

The departure of Nebraska from the Big 12 marked this game as the probable last game of one of the longest continuous series in the history of NCAA college football, as Kansas and Nebraska have met on the field every year without interruption since 1903, and failed to meet in only two seasons overall since 1892. No future meetings are scheduled, and the teams are unlikely to see the same field again unless they meet in a future non-conference game or are both selected to meet in a postseason bowl game.

Texas A&M

Nebraska at Texas A&M
1 234Total
#9 Nebraska 3 003 6
• #18 Texas A&M 0 306 9

With Nebraska's departure from the Big 12 Conference following this season, this was the last league meeting of these two teams. The Cornhuskers were penalized 16 times for 145 yards and lost the game 9–6. Several of the calls were controversial, and played key role in the outcome of the game.[29] For example, Texas A&M player Tony Jerod-Eddie grabbed and squeezed the testicles of Nebraska player Ben Cotton when he recovered a fumble, and Cotton was flagged 15 yards when he tried to protect himself.[30]

Following the Cornhuskers' defeat by the Aggies, Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Carl Pelini was involved in an incident with Brandon Jones, a co-owner of a Texas A&M sports site, TexAgs. The photographer stated that Pelini had seized Brandon's camera and broken several pieces from it before throwing them to the ground. Video shows Pelini rushing towards the photographer and camera.[31]

Colorado

Colorado at Nebraska
1 234Total
Colorado 0 3140 17
• #15 Nebraska 3 14217 45
  • Date: November 26
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Game start: 2:37 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 85,646
  • Game weather: Sunny, 49°F, Winds WNW@17mph, Humidity 37%
  • Referee: Rick Loumiet
  • TV announcers (ABC): Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Jeannine Edwards (Sideline)

Colorado traveled to Lincoln as both teams closed their regular seasons. This series has produced many amazing and emotional finishes, but this 69th clash was not in doubt for long as Nebraska steadily pulled away for the win to clinch the Big 12 Conference North Division Title and a berth in the Big 12 Championship game. Colorado was denied a sixth win for the season and thus did not attain bowl eligibility, making this the final game of their 2010 season. As 2010 was the final year for both teams in the Big 12, the long-running series has drawn to a close with Nebraska in command at 49–18–2.

Oklahoma

Nebraska vs. Oklahoma
1 234Total
#13 Nebraska 10 1000 20
• #9 Oklahoma 0 1733 23

For the second year in a row, Nebraska appeared in the Big 12 football championship game. The team would play their final game as members of the Big 12 against Oklahoma in Arlington, Texas. Nebraska led 17–0 at one point in the first half, before Oklahoma reeled off 17 points of their own. A field goal just before halftime sent Nebraska into halftime with a 20–17 lead. In the second half, Oklahoma held Nebraska scoreless for the first time of the season and managed two field goals in each of the latter periods to win 23–20. Nebraska had 4 turnovers in the game and Oklahoma held a 453–293 yard disadvantage.

Washington–Holiday Bowl

Nebraska vs. Washington
1 234Total
#18 Nebraska 0 700 7
• Washington 10 072 19

Following Nebraska's loss to Oklahoma, Nebraska was selected as the Big 12's representative at the 2010 Holiday Bowl, which also chose the Washington squad beaten by Nebraska in September, now 6–6, to appear as the final opponent in the Cornhuskers 2010 season. This was Nebraska's second straight Holiday Bowl appearance. Washington had rebounded from a 3–6 start and the demoralizing early season loss to Nebraska, winning out the rest of their season to earn a bowl bid. The Huskies held Nebraska to a single first-half touchdown on their way to winning 19–7.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final 
AP 8 6 8 6 6 7 5 14 14 9 9 9 16 13 17 20 
Coaches' 9 7 8 7 6 6 4 (2) 13 12 10 8 9 15 13 16 19 
Harris Not released 5 34 14 11 9 9 15 13 17 Not released 
BCS Not released 16 14 7 8 8 15 13 18 Not released

After the season

Although there were high hopes for the year, three major goals were not achieved and resulted in a season that ended with a note of disappointment. After the last-second, one-point loss to Texas in the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game, the squad looked forward to a chance to avenge the loss against the Longhorns and to return to the league title game for the final Big 12 conference championship. The 2010 Big 12 Championship game was the last league title game for the foreseeable future, as the departure of Nebraska and Colorado from the league dropped the number of members to ten, which is not enough to hold a title game under NCAA rules.

Texas started the season flat and had to face unbeaten Nebraska in Lincoln, which led many media analysts to predict an easy Nebraska win. Instead, Texas took advantage of Cornhusker mistakes to deny Nebraska a win in the final foreseeable match between the teams. The Cornhuskers remained on track for an appearance in the Big 12 championship game, clinching an appearance against historical rival Oklahoma. The Cornhuskers started strong and led 17–0 in the second quarter before the Sooners rallied for 23 points while holding Nebraska to just one more field goal. Having also lost to Texas A&M in the regular season, the 10–3 Nebraska team was invited to the Holiday Bowl for a rematch with Washington.

Head coach Bo Pelini, 3–0 in bowls all time, was handed his first ever bowl loss at the hands of an inspired Husky squad, and Nebraska suffered its third loss in the previous four games, a mark last seen since the first part of 2008. Nonetheless, Pelini's overall record improved on the season, to 30–12 (.714) overall, and 17–7 (.708) in the Big 12, and his team won the Big 12 North Division title in each of his three seasons at the helm so far. This was not as successful a start as the programs of successful former head coaches Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne, or Frank Solich, but was a dramatic improvement over the first three years of his immediate predecessor, Bill Callahan. Callahan managed to get to just 22–15 (.595) overall and 13–11 (.542) in the league, with only a single division championship. Although 2010 ended on a disappointing note following Pelini's 2009 proclamation that "Nebraska was back", it was apparent that Nebraska's fortunes had improved since Pelini's 2007 arrival.

Draft picks, signees, or other future professional players

References

  1. ↑ Christopherson, Brian (June 10, 2010). "Perlman Hopes to Begin Big Ten Athletics by 2011". Lincoln Journal Star. Archived from the original on June 14, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  2. ↑ Reed, Leslie (June 11, 2010). "Huskers' Big Ten Move Official". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  3. ↑ "It's Unanimous: Nebraska to the Big Ten". Lincoln Journal Star. June 11, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Football – 2010 Schedule/Results". University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Nebraska head coaches". HuskerMax. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Assistant coaches". HuskerMax. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Football Coaches". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  8. ↑ Christopherson, Brian (December 17, 2007). "Pelini Names 8 of 9 Full-Time Assistants". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Pelini Announces Husker Coaching Staff". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Dashing Debut: Marcinez, Huskers Run to Win". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 4, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Nebraska vs. Western Kentucky 2010". HuskerMax. September 4, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Taylor Martinez Shreds W. Kentucky for 3 TDs; No. 8 Nebraska Wins Laugher". ESPN. September 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 7, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Big Red Eruption". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 11, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Nebraska vs. Idaho 2010". HuskerMax. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Nebraska's D Picks off Idaho 5 Times, Records 7 Sacks". ESPN. September 11, 2010. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Mystery Analyst Gives Martinez an A-Plus, Relishes NU's Return to Power Football". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 18, 2010. Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Nebraska vs. Washington 2010". HuskerMax. September 18, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Taylor Martinez Accounts for 4 TDs as Nebraska Runs Over Washington". ESPN. September 18, 2010. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Hanging Tough: TD Penalties Prevent SDSU Upset of Huskers". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls. September 26, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Jacks Battle, but Fall at Nebraska". South Dakota State University Department of Athletics. September 25, 2010. Archived from the original on September 28, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Blackshirts Lead Huskers Past Jacks". University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 25, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Nebraska off to Best Start Since 2005 Despite Taylor Martinez's Three Turnovers". ESPN. September 25, 2010. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Nebraska vs. South Dakota State 2010". HuskerMax. September 25, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Purple Pounding: Martinez, Huskers Roar Past 'Cats". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Taylor Martinez Rushes for 241 Yards, 4 TDs in Huskers' Win". ESPN. October 7, 2010. Archived from the original on October 8, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  26. ↑ Meek, Austin (October 7, 2010). "Martinez, Huskers Pound Cats". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on October 10, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  27. ↑ Robinett, Kellis (October 7, 2010). "Nebraska Romps Past K-State 48-13". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on October 10, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Nebraska vs. Kansas State 2010". HuskerMax. October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  29. ↑ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/526036-dan-beebe-corruption-vengeance-injustice-rule-pro-texasanti-nebraska-big-12
  30. ↑ http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Tale_of_the_Tape_Between_AM_and_NU_Causing_More_Commotion_109993189.html
  31. ↑ Zwerneman, Brent (November 21, 2010). "Nebraska Assistant, Cameraman Tangle". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
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