Stories leading up to the game are listed here in reverse chronological order.
Will the Huskers put an
exclamation point on the 2008 season with a win on the first day of 2009? Here are your Gator Bowl table-setters from the papers in Omaha (
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6), Lincoln (
1,
2,
3), Grand Island (
1,
2,
3,
4,
5), Columbia (
1,
2,
3), Charleston (
1,
2,
3,
4), Spartanburg (
1,
2,
3), Anderson (
1,
2), Seneca (
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6), Greenville (
1,
2) and Jacksonville (
1,
2,
3).
PREDICTIONS | WEB AUDIO | GAME TRACKERS | CHAT
A governors'
wager on the game will help the needy.
Nate Swift's
athleticism can take opponents by surprise. NU notes from Tuesday:
1,
2,
3,
4,
5
Clemson's
Dorell Scott becomes a force at nose guard after a bad start to the season. CU notes:
1,
2,
3,
4
From Steve Sipple, a tip of the cap to
Joe Ganz.
Bo Pelini reflects on how he was shaped by his
father.
The Jacksonville paper looks at how the two teams turned things around:
NU,
CU
Improved defensive play has some Huskers wishing for a
mulligan or two.
One of a bowl team's big challenges: Staying focused through the
long layoff.
Phillip Dillard adds
fire to the defense. Monday notes:
1,
2,
3,
4
Dabo Swinney says keeping NU's offense
off the field is a must.
Todd Peterson has
made the most of his opportunities in Lincoln.
Student athletic trainer
Laura Mertz looks forward to the bowl-game experience.
The
raw numbers might not tell the whole story of the two defenses.
Clemson's secondary is among the nation's
stingiest.
Jon Richt, son of the Georgia coach, does his best
Joe Ganz imitation as he toils as Clemson's scout-team quarterback.
A strong finish by
Marlon Lucky would be fitting, Tad Stryker writes.
Motivation is the bowl wild card, as illustrated by Nebraska's domination of Georgia in the 1969 Sun Bowl.
Dave Rimington recalls his battle with Clemson's defense in the 1982 Orange Bowl.
Steve Sipple sees the Gator Bowl as a
great fit for these Huskers.
It's been a season full of
surprising twists for Clemson offensive lineman Bobby Hutchinson.
After 18 years, the
circle is complete for Clemson coaches Dabo Swinney and Woody McCorvey.
A Clemson safety's
arrest won't affect his playing status on Jan. 1.
Husker Dan puts together his Christmas wish list.
The 2009 secondary will have
experience on its side.
Alex Henery and fame continue to be something of an
odd couple.
The Huskers practice, then begin a holiday break:
1,
2,
3 |
CU notes
Clemson could have
folded at midseason but did just the opposite.
Stability at the top is benefiting NU's highest-profile sports, Tad Stryker writes.
The Gator Bowl
predictions so far are a virtual toss-up.
Mark Mauer recalls the 1982 Orange Bowl game vs. Clemson.
Practices
resume after a two-day break. | Thursday notes:
1,
2
A wealth of
redshirts sets a solid foundation, Steve Sipple writes.
Team awards & season captains are unveiled at the
team banquet.
Ganz, Swift & Peterson
relish the ride from the scout team to the big stage.
A South Carolina paper tells the life story of coach
Dabo Swinney.
From Sam McKewon, a review of Bo Pelini's first year:
1,
2
Bo Pelini urges Husker fans to have Jacksonville's stadium "
flowing with red." Some Clemson students
camped out to get their tickets.
The coaches see the extra bowl practices as an
opportunity.
Johnny Rodgers joins Tommie Frazier in the HuskerPedia™ Gator Bowl
packages. A
New Year's Eve event is also in the works.
Shawn Watson reportedly interviews for the New Mexico job.
NU is enjoying
momentum on the recruiting trail, and the
Florida trip could add to that, Bo Pelini says. Saturday notes:
1,
2,
3
Mike McNeill works to become a
better blocker as he chases a receiving record.
There's no announcement yet from the Gator Bowl:
1,
2,
3