9/13/20 | SquareOffs
News reports are saying the Big Ten is putting together 2020 season plans that the presidents and chancellors will vote on soon. This could mean a late October start date. If the season can start sooner than later, then Big Ten teams could potentially play enough games to qualify for a College Football Playoff bid. Even a November start date…
9/13/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 13: Trojans looking impressive. Southern California loomed as a formidable opponent for Nebraska long before the season began. Now, six days before the West Coast showdown, the Huskers' task appeared even tougher. On Saturday, USC got everyone's attention by whipping Alabama on the road by three touchdowns. On Sunday, there was concern the Huskers would have to rely on…
9/12/20 | J. Hudson
Joe Orduna eludes Wake Forest’s Frank Fussell en route to a 20-yard touchdown. Sept. 12: Tagge delivers vs. Deacons. A week filled with worries about the Nebraska quarterbacks’ health seemed like a distant memory by the time the Huskers were finished with Wake Forest, 36-12, in Saturday’s season opener. Jerry Tagge hit 9 of 12 passes for 168 yards, including…
9/11/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 11: A tall task for Deacons. One thing hasn’t changed in 50 years: Little or no news typically comes out of Friday in-season practices. With that in mind, this series on Fridays will consist mainly of final pregame wrap-ups that appeared in the Friday evening or Saturday morning newspapers. The North Carolina press oozed pessimism about Wake Forest’s chances…
9/10/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 10: Starting lineups firmed up. Likely starters were named at all positions but one after Thursday’s light workout. To nobody's surprise, Jerry Tagge got the nod at quarterback even though he was running at only two-thirds speed by coach Bob Devaney's estimation. Van Brownson’s ailing right elbow finally showed some improvement, and Devaney said the junior signal-caller might suit…
9/9/20 | HuskerMax
NU system president Ted Carter tells KLIN radio that the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force is "putting together some plans that the presidents and chancellors will vote on very soon." .@UofNE_President Ted Carter talked disinformation with @Kellan_Heavican and threw in this nugget.The Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force is "putting together some plans that the presidents and…
9/9/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 9: Huskers ease up as game nears. With Jerry Tagge appearing more and more certain to start at quarterback against Wake Forest, there was growing concern Wednesday about Van Brownson's ailing right elbow. “We’re not even sure what the problem is," coach Bob Devaney said, adding: “I’m concerned about it even beyond Saturday.” Devaney said Tagge’s sore leg was…
9/8/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 8: Tagge’s status brightens QB picture. The quarterback situation remained worrisome after Tuesday’s practice, but there was hope that Jerry Tagge could answer the bell Saturday against Wake Forest. “We got a full day of practice from Tagge, but Van looks more doubtful than ever,” coach Bob Devaney said. A leg bruise continued to slow Tagge. As for Van…
9/7/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 7: Quarterbacks still on the mend. With Nebraska’s top two quarterbacks dinged up, sophomore Bob Jones was running the No. 1 offense during Monday’s practice. Coach Bob Devaney held out hope that Van Brownson and Jerry Tagge would be ready to play in Saturday’s opener against Wake Forest. Brownson was nursing a sore elbow, as he had been for…
9/6/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 6: Huskers 9th in preseason poll. The Huskers learned they would start the season with a No. 9 national ranking as the Associated Press released its preseason Top Twenty poll Sunday. Ohio State and Texas claimed the top two spots, just ahead of No. 3 Southern Cal, Nebraska’s second opponent. The other ranked teams on the Huskers’ schedule were…
9/5/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 5: Scrimmage fails to satisfy Devaney. The heavy work of fall camp ended as the Huskers played a game-like scrimmage Saturday in front of about 2,000 fans. The Red team, with the top offensive and defensive units, dominated the Whites, 47-3. Coach Bob Devaney wasn’t impressed, however, saying consistency was lacking with a week to go before the opener…
9/4/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 4: Here are the captains. Dan Schneiss and Jerry Murtaugh were announced as Nebraska’s co-captains for 1970 after Friday’s practice. Fullback Schneiss was the team’s second-leading rusher in 1969, a year that saw linebacker Murtaugh set the school record for tackles in a single season. The two seniors were elected by their teammates. “Both are outstanding players and will…
9/3/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 3: Hurtin’ Huskers wrap up two-a-days. It was the last of the two-a-days Thursday, and a few more banged-up Huskers joined the list of those who might sit out Saturday’s scrimmage. Things were so thin at center that coach Bob Devaney called up Dan Anderson in Fremont and had him rejoin the squad. Anderson had not been invited to…
9/2/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 2: Snakebit at the center position. The Huskers took another hit at center as sophomore Doug Jamail suffered a badly sprained ankle during scrimmaging Wednesday. Sophomore Doug Dumler now appeared to be a shoo-in to start in the Sept. 12 opener against Wake Forest. Dumler, who began fall camp at No. 3, took over the No. 1 spot after…
9/1/20 | SquareOffs
The Big Ten 2020 football season saga continues. A spring season has been talked about for about for a couple months now, but there are some significant issues with that course. Two new options being considered now are an October/November start, or a January start - either one for a minimum 10-game season of conference-only games. Most everyone agrees it's…
9/1/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 1: Still looking for a pass rush. An ineffective pass rush continued to concern coach Bob Devaney after a pair of practices on a hot and humid Tuesday, 11 days before the season opener against Wake Forest. With three starters from last season gone, the defensive secondary can ill afford the extra burden of an opposing quarterback with ample…
8/31/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 31: From the mouth of Murtaugh. Little if anything remarkable happened on the practice field Monday as the Cornhuskers resumed two-a-days. What occurred afterward, though, has become ingrained in the lore surrounding the 1970 season. More than two dozen sports journalists observed the Huskers’ afternoon practice as the Big Eight Skywriters tour hit Lincoln. When the workout was finished,…
8/30/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 30: One week down, two to go. In a break from two-a-days, the Huskers held a single practice Sunday and installed the final batch of offensive plays for the Sept. 12 season opener against Wake Forest. Coaches weren’t finished evaluating the four reels of film from Saturday’s scrimmage, so any lineup changes were yet to be announced. One exception…
8/29/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 29: Offense steps up in scrimmage. Six touchdowns were rung up as the offense ruled the first major scrimmage of fall camp, but coach Bob Devaney wasn't hitting the panic button with his inexperienced defense. The two juniors vying for the top quarterback job put up similarly solid numbers. Jerry Tagge, playing mainly with the first team, completed 11…
8/28/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 28: Tuning up for major scrimmage. On the eve of the first major scrimmage of fall, Bob Devaney said offensive consistency wasn’t what it needed to be. “We’re certainly not ready to play a game, but it’s coming along,” the Huskers’ head coach remarked after two-a-days Friday, the fifth day of fall practice. The Omaha World-Herald had a more…
8/27/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 27: Pads go on, and the hitting begins. The Huskers strapped on full gear Thursday for the first time of fall camp, and coach Bob Devaney was pleased to say afterward that “those defensive guys haven’t forgotten how to hit.” The No. 1 defense, returning just three starters from 1969, stymied the No. 1 offense for the first several…
8/26/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 26: A second Husker in sick bay. One day after moving up to the No. 1 spot at flanker, Johnny Rodgers was sidelined by pain in his side. The sophomore from Omaha missed Wednesday afternoon’s practice, joining senior right guard Donnie McGhee on the sick list and undergoing tests at the Student Health Center. “The doctors aren’t sure what…
8/25/20 | Tad Stryker
Two weeks after Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren announced the cancellation of all his conference’s fall sports, I have a hard time understanding the critical thinking skills (or lack thereof) shown by the leaders of the Big Ten Conference. I know I’m not alone. An army of hot-blooded Husker fans immediately called for Warren’s firing. They criticized the Big Ten…
8/25/20 | SquareOffs
Speaking at a news conference Monday, Nick Saban was asked what his thoughts were on whether college football needed a commissioner. The Alabama coach said he thinks it's important "that we have something or someone, some organizational body that can bring everyone together." Saban went on to say “And I don’t know if that’s a commissioner, if it’s some council,…
8/25/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 25: Offense coming along. A sore elbow kept Van Brownson from throwing much, but Jerry Tagge’s passing was sharp Tuesday, the Huskers’ second day of fall practice. Coach Bob Devaney said the installation of the offense was going quickly, a byproduct of the NCAA’s three-year-old no-pads rule covering the first three days of fall practices. Much of Tuesday was…
8/24/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 24: Huskers hit the ground running. Coaches sent the Huskers on a 12-minute run as 1970’s fall practices began with two no-pads sessions Monday. Linemen were expected to cover at least 1½ miles in that time; backs and ends, 1¾ to 2 miles. Those targets were met “almost without exception,” said coach Bob Devaney, who declared the team was…
8/23/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 23: Players report for fall camp. Fifty years ago today, more than 80 Cornhusker players reported for fall camp and posed for photos on Memorial Stadium’s new AstroTurf. It was the official start of a 132-day march to something special: the Nebraska football program’s first national championship. But on this summer Sunday, no one could have known that. How…
8/18/20 | SquareOffs
It's hard to describe the impact COVID-19 is having on college sports. The calculations are already immense and will continue to grow. It has been the epitome of a fluid situation since the start. It started with almost startling speed with first the decision to not have any attendance at March Madness, then days later the decision to cancel the…
8/13/20 | Dave Feit
This week has seen a month's worth of drama after the Big Ten announced they are postponing the fall sports season until the spring. Here is a quick - and by no means complete - timeline of events: Wednesday, August 5: The Big Ten releases the 2020 conference football schedule, along with a five page "executive summary" of COVID-19…
8/11/20 | HuskerMax
The Big Ten on Tuesday postponed football and all other fall sports until spring due to COVID-19 concerns. Nebraska brass expressed disappointment and said they still hoped Husker players could compete somehow, though Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren shot down that notion Tuesday evening. Click the video below for Warren's earlier response to questions about Nebraska's stance, and jump down…
8/10/20 | Tad Stryker
Nebraska administrators, football coaches and players have been remarkably steady, effective and responsible throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the concurrent racial unrest, one of the most volatile and confounding stretches in American history, and it culminated in an admirable media showing by coach Scott Frost and three of his players on Aug. 10. The Cornhuskers are galvanizing into a stronger,…
8/10/20 | SquareOffs
As of this writing, it appears the Big Ten season as announced last week is not going to happen. Reports are that Nebraska and Iowa were the only two Big Ten schools whose presidents did not vote to end the season, although there are also reports that no official vote has taken place. So ... clear as mud. The Big…
8/10/20 | HuskerMax
Scott Frost met with the news media Monday afternoon and said Nebraska is prepared to look into scheduling games outside the conference structure if the Big Ten nixes football this fall. Dicaprio Bootle, Adrian Martinez and Matt Farniok also spoke of their desire to play this fall one way or another. Full video below. Coverage HuskerMax · 2020.08.10 KLIN…
8/8/20 | HuskerMax
Here's a brief video from Saturday's practice, the second official session of fall camp. 08.08.20#GBR x #TheGoodLife pic.twitter.com/S53aeDrzPo— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) August 8, 2020
8/7/20 | HuskerMax
Here are some moments from Friday's practice, the first official session of fall camp. 08.07.20#GBR x #TheGoodLife pic.twitter.com/7ZSvtgVHxS— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) August 8, 2020
8/6/20 | Husker Dan
Hallelujah! Joy! Awesome! Fantastic! Far Out! Rad! Cool! Groovy! Super! Sensational! (It's amazing what you can find in a thesaurus.) I know, we can't be giddy for too long considering there is a possibility the 2020 football season won't be played in its entirety or even at all. But for now, any news that points in the direction of having…
8/4/20 | HuskerMax
Keven Lightner, all-conference offensive tackle for the Huskers in 1987, is in a fight for his life against COVID-19. A GoFundMe drive is underway to cover some of his expenses. Keven Lightner, all-conference offensive tackle for the Huskers in 1987, is in a fight for his life against COVID-19. Keven is an assistant coach with the Fujitsu Frontiers of Japan's…
7/28/20 | SquareOffs
Everyone is looking for the Huskers to take a step or two up in year three of the Frost era. Five wins, .500 in the anticipated 10-game conference schedule would definitely do the trick. But another part of it is the team getting back to being tough to beat in Lincoln. And even more than that, using that Memorial Stadium…
7/28/20 | Jeremy Pernell
Scott Frost and his staff leave no stone unturned when it comes to looking for talent to add to the roster. He has reignited the storied walk-on program and this offseason has added several transfers from FBS programs. Most notable among them are offensive linemen Nouredin Nouili, who as a true freshman last season started seven games at guard for…
7/22/20 | Husker Dan
What the Husker football season is going to look like this fall has not been officially announced, but one of the scenarios allows for a full 12 game season for all of the B1G Ten Conference members. How is that possible when the B1G has eliminated all non-conference games? Good question. WARREN PEACE? B1G Ten first-year commissioner Kevin Warren might…
7/13/20 | SquareOffs
Not a surprising announcement last week from the Big Ten that the 2020 is going to be shortened to conference play only. This enables the conference to perhaps push the start back a couple weeks and build in more open weekends. We should know more in a few weeks about whether the season will even happen. For now it's on.…
7/6/20 | SquareOffs
More and more discussions are taking place around pushing the college football season to spring 2021. The significant headwinds and shrinking amount of time to get the NCAA ducks in a row for a fall season are making it tough on the schools. With both the planned NBA and MLB seasons currently on shaky ground, the 2020 fall college football…
7/1/20 | Tad Stryker
Fear certainly sells, and the Covid-19 pandemic has given the national media plenty of fuel to ramp up its fearmongering efforts. Unfortunately, the upcoming college athletic seasons, including football, could be disproportionately affected, unless decision-makers see through the one-sided narrative. I’m not surprised that the media report sensational-sounding raw numbers without context, but I’m disappointed in the scientific community for…
7/1/20 | SquareOffs
Asked by Steve Stipple what would call a successful season this year, Bill Moos said gave the same answer as last year - six wins. While six wins would be a step up from last year, a lot of Husker fans took notice Compare this year's schedule to last year, and the degree of difficulty this year is definitely up…
6/24/20 | SquareOffs
The Nebraska tradition for outstanding lineman is well known, with the Outland going to Huskers nine times, way more than any other school. A long line of Husker lineman have excelled on both sides of the ball. So many, that you can do things like compare greats at a single position - such as offensive guard, where two of the…
6/16/20 | SquareOffs
We all want college football to happen this year, but the headwinds are strong. The sheer amount of the unknown, the many scenarios that could happen, the large number of details, and the cost of those details are complex and significant. We know from Sports Illustrated this week that on a call with the White House reopening task force, NCAA…
6/9/20 | Husker Dan
It's June and already the preseason college football magazines are appearing on shelves throughout the country. And now that COVID 19 restrictions are being relaxed, amateur athletes from all over the nation have been resuming workouts at their respective colleges, universities and high schools. Yes, social distancing measures are still being required, but the idea of college football games taking…
6/9/20 | SquareOffs
Tough, but not unexpected, news this week that JD Spielman is putting in for the transfer portal and leaving Nebraska. The number three all-time receiver in career catches and receiving yards, Spielman averaged over 18 yards a catch while playing slot receiver requiring him to run routes across the middle where he took a lot of hits. Wan'Dale Robinson had…
6/3/20 | J. Hudson
Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart was a dual-threat dynamo — except when he faced Nebraska. The Big Red had a way of making "Slash" look like an under-prepared third-stringer. The Big Eight’s all-time total offense leader with 7,770 yards, Stewart earned first-team all-conference honors as a senior in 1994. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the second round of the 1995…
6/2/20 | SquareOffs
There has been a ton of amazing plays throughout Husker history. So many that you can break them down by any number of ways. For this week, quarterback runs are the focus with two incredible plays lined up side by side. In 1996, in the Fiesta Bowl vs. the Florida Gators, Tommie Frazier uncorked a 75-yard touchdown run where it…
5/27/20 | SquareOffs
Is pay-per-view a way to help college football get back to live games? Nobody is expecting a normal college football season this year. As one of the marquee programs, Nebraska and its incredible fan support is one of the schools that could be best suited to provide a way to make it happen. Say the model is a reduced schedule,…
5/25/20 | Tad Stryker
It’s not often that a football team returns to the field early and watches the marching band wrap up its halftime show. They’ve usually got more urgent things on their mind. But even with a rare victory in sight, at the end of the worst decade in Nebraska football history, coach Bill Glassford and most of his team were fixated…
5/11/20 | SquareOffs
In a letter he published last week, Jim Harbaugh came out in favor of allowing college football players to declare for the draft at any time. And, if the player is not drafted, then he should be allowed to return to school and continue his college career. This would require the NCAA and the NFL to remove the current rules…
5/4/20 | SquareOffs
On Friday the NCAA released a three-phase plan for resuming college sports. The three phases are based on the federal guidelines for easing social distancing and other limitations imposed such as prohibiting large gatherings. The NCAA is taking the position that in order for college sports to be resumed, "resocialization of collegiate sports must be grounded in resocialization of college…
5/1/20 | Tad Stryker
Nationally, the NFL Draft was a timely, agreeable oasis for a nation starved of meaningful sports news. At my house, it was equally welcome; I watched most of the first round, and about half of rounds 2 and 3, which means I tuned in for more of the draft this year than the past five years combined. Despite its socially-distanced,…
4/29/20 | David Max
I have always said that the six degrees of separation for Husker Fans is only three. I will start by sharing one experience I have had recently. Donna and I were sitting at the bar in our favorite restaurant in Elk Grove last year waiting for our dinner table with our daughter Crystal and son in law Andy. Andy was…
4/27/20 | SquareOffs
Two names separate from the rest when looking at the top Husker linebackers since 2000, either one has a claim to be the top Blackshirt linebacker of the 2000s. Barrett Ruud started 37 out of 50 games for the Huskers and holds the school record for tackles with 432 in his four-year Nebraska career - 90 more than anybody else.…
4/27/20 | HuskerMax
Seventy Nebraska football players have been recognized for their work in the community by being named to the 23rd annual Brook Berringer Citizenship Team. The group includes 40 repeat honorees and 30 first-time selections. Mohamed Barry, Pernell Jefferson, Reid Karel and Wyatt Mazour highlighted the group as each made his fifth appearance on the Berringer Citizenship Team, while Avery Anderson,…
4/25/20 | HuskerMax
More than six years after committing to the Huskers, Khalil and Carlos Davis are bound for the NFL. The twin defensive linemen from Blue Springs, Mo., weathered multiple coaching changes on their way to becoming NFL draft material. After being selected Saturday, they're going their separate ways for the first time — Khalil to Tampa Bay and Carlos to Pittsburgh.…
4/23/20 | Husker Dan
But it's a long, long while From May to December And the days grow short When you reach September –Lyrics from Kurt Weill's "September Song" This was to have been the week I was going to write about the Husker Spring Game, how 85,000 people came out on a beautiful, cool spring day to see what this year's crop of…
4/22/20 | Jeremy Pernell
Rank-Name-Position-School 1. Chase Young, DE (Ohio State) 2. Isaiah Simmons, OLB/SS (Clemson) 3. Jeffrey Okudah, CB (Ohio State) 4. Joe Burrow, QB (LSU) 5. Derrick Brown, DT (Auburn) 6. Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Alabama) 7. Jedrick Wills, OT (Alabama) 8. Justin Herbert, QB (Oregon) 9. Jerry Jeudy, WR (Alabama) 10. Mekhi Becton, OT (Louisville) 11. Tristan Wirfs, OT (Iowa) 12. CeeDee…
4/20/20 | SquareOffs
Since 1970, there have been only five defensive linemen to finish in the top 5 for the voting for the Heisman Trophy. Two of them were Huskers — Rich Glover came in third in 1972 and Ndamukong Suh was fourth in 2009. Rich Glover wasn't the biggest guy, but he played huge and was a big part of the 1971…
4/18/20 | HuskerMax
You can watch or rewatch the 2020 Nebraska football virtual spring game and associated features below, plus check out coverage of the online event. • Omaha World Herald | Eric Crouch leads fourth-quarter comeback for White team in Nebraska's virtual spring game • Hail Varsity | Five Thoughts on a Dramatic, Entertaining (Virtual) Husker Spring Game • Hail Varsity…
4/14/20 | HuskerMax
Sam Francis, a two-sport star for the Huskers in the 1930s, was announced as the fifth member of the 2020 University of Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame class on Tuesday, April 14. Francis is being inducted posthumously, as he passed away on April 23, 2002, at the age of 88. Francis was a decorated member of Nebraska’s football and track and…
4/13/20 | SquareOffs
Monday Morning Quarterback: Who's your Husker Quarterback - Turner Gill or Tommie Frazier? When the Husker faithful talk about the best quarterbacks in Nebraska team history, the conversation often ends up with Tommie Frazier and Turner Gill in the top 2 spots. The nod usually goes to Frazier because of the back-to-back titles in '94 and '95. Simply put, both…
4/8/20 | Husker Dan
Dear Readers: I hope all of you are coping as best as you can with the COVID-19 pandemic that now has reached over 180 countries. Many people have died and more will, so I urge everyone to heed the basics in trying to limit the spread of the disease. To date, I don't know any one either in my family…
4/6/20 | SquareOffs
When it comes to quarterbacks, the University of Nebraska has had a number of top-notch, proven leaders and winners over the last several decades. Let's focus today on two with similar styles and careers - Scott Frost and Eric Crouch. Scott Frost went 24-2 in his two-year career at Nebraska, including 13-0 and the national title in 1997. Frost was…
4/5/20 | Tad Stryker
Underrated does not necessarily mean underappreciated, at least when it comes to Nebraska football. Most Cornhusker fans know the two-deep lineup like the back of their hand, so it stands to reason they never let a solid performer escape their notice, even if he doesn’t get high postseason honors. This is my Husker All-Underrated Team, starting with 1962, the beginning…
4/3/20 | HuskerMax
The Omaha World-Herald’s Tom Shatel listed five games that tell the story of Husker football, and he invited five other longtime observers of the program (Kent Pavelka, Mike Babcock, Lee Barfknecht, Eric Olson and Chuck Sinclair) to do the same. Here are the games they listed, with links to our game pages. The Omaha World-Herald's Tom Shatel listed five games…
3/30/20 | SquareOffs
Husker fans everywhere were happy to see Eric Crouch selected as one of this this year's inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame. Crouch won the Heisman Trophy in 2001 while leading Nebraska to the BCS National Championship Game. He finished his Nebraska career as only the 3rd quarterback in college football history at the time to run for…
3/28/20 | HuskerMax
Dave Ellis and Lisa Kope explain how the Huskers' Performance Nutrition program is keeping student-athletes healthy and nourished during the COVID-19 pandemic. "It changes a little bit every day," Ellis said. "We're getting better and better at this as we go." Kope said students weren't prepared for a situation like this. "We're trying to keep our kids in the best…
3/19/20 | J. Hudson
4th-quarter sack halts Irish uprising in last game at Nebraska FieldAs the fourth quarter began, it was gut-check time at Nebraska Field. Nebraska had run roughshod over Notre Dame during the first 30 minutes of play, but that was a distant memory. The 1922 Cornhuskers were now hanging on for dear life. STORY STATS NOTES JACK BEST Verne Lewellen charges…
3/17/20 | David Max
During the coronavirus crisis we are offering a free one-year membership to new members and former members of the BBS. If you are a previous member of the BBS and have let your subscription lapse or have never signed up for a subscription, fill out this form and I will manually add your subscription. Loading…
3/16/20 | J. Hudson
A timeline of the 1918 Nebraska Cornhuskers' season and the challenges caused by war and pandemic.• Back: Cypreanson, Hoyt, Dana, M. Munn, Ross, Schissler. • Middle: Kline, Jobes, Lantz, Reynolds, Dobson, Lanphere. • Front: Lyman, W. Munn, Schellenberg, Swanson, Hubka, Howarth, Newman, Best. Running a college football program during a major war is a challenge enough. Calls to military duty…
3/11/20 | HuskerMax
Nebraska's second spring practice of 2020 had no media access, but the Athletic Department tweeted the images and video below. Coverage from Monday's press conference continues to trickle in on this page. | Practice schedule | Spring media guide | Roster round two pic.twitter.com/cWzsch96wL— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) March 11, 2020 hazy pic.twitter.com/w4ZfqWni3K— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) March 11, 2020…
3/11/20 | HuskerMax
Former Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch, the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, was announced Wednesday as one of 17 players who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December. Coverage • Huskers.com | Crouch Selected for College Football Hall of Fame • National Football Foundation | NFF Announces Storied 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class • Lincoln…
3/9/20 | HuskerMax
The 2020 Huskers held their first spring practice Monday and met the press afterward. Coach Scott Frost said quarterback Adrian Martinez will be limited because of offseason surgery on his left shoulder. Refresh this page for the latest coverage. • Monday transcripts • Updates & discussion • Practice schedule • Spring media guide COVERAGE VIDEO PHOTOS Coverage • Omaha World-Herald…
3/9/20 | HuskerMax
Nebraska football's 2020 spring drills kicked off with the Huskers’ first practice on Monday, March 9. Spring practices end with the Red-White Spring Game at 1 p.m. April 18. Practices & media availability Mon 3/09 8:15-10:50 a.m. Spring press conference afterward Wed 3/11 8:15-10:50 a.m. No media access Sat 3/14 2:15-4:50 p.m. No media access Mon 3/16 8:15-10:50 a.m. Def. assts., selected…
3/9/20 | SquareOffs
With spring practice kicking off for the football Huskers this week, there are a lot of questions to be answered for the team. After a disappointing 5-7 finish in 2019, and an overall 9-15 in his first two years, Coach Frost is under the gun to get the Huskers above .500 in 2020 in what is going to be a…
3/2/20 | SquareOffs
In this year's CFP National Championship Game, the combined salaries for the Clemson and LSU coaching staffs was more than $27 million, with Dabo Swinney at the top with $9.3 million and with Ed Orgeron at $4 million. Salaries of college football coaches have increased dramatically over the past 10-15 years. In 2006 there was only one coach making $3…
2/29/20 | Tad Stryker
Two arguments are swirling through the sports community of the Cornhusker State, and in the state legislature, whose current session recently passed its halfway point. One is part of a national debate on how amateur athletes should be compensated. The other is a statewide discussion on whether Nebraska should make it easier to bet on sports. Both have been the…
2/24/20 | SquareOffs
The NCAA last week announced a proposal to allow first-time transfers to immediately begin playing in their first season at the new school. Currently, except for few exceptions, college football, baseball, hockey, and men's and women's basketball players all have to spend a "year in residence" at the new school before they can play for their new team. The proposed…
2/21/20 | HuskerMax
In an Athletic Department video released Friday, new Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick said he feels energized after his year away from coaching: "It just lit a fire underneath me because it really made me realize what I miss about coaching, and that's the relationships, the camaraderie with the coaches and that daily give and take with the players." Now…
2/17/20 | SquareOffs
We hear more and more about discussions within the NCAA leadership and member schools about seeking an antitrust exemption. An antitrust exemption would enable the NCAA to mandate how schools address the number of legal challenges facing college sports. The legal challenges facing the NCAA are significant. The "Fair Pay to Play" player compensation in California and in various stages…
2/11/20 | SquareOffs
In the news currently are three separate bills related to sports gambling introduced to the Nebraska legislature. One of those measures - LB791 - would legalize sports betting in Nebraska for both pro and college athletics. While the bill would open up gambling on any sports team, if you are talking athletics in Nebraska there is obviously nothing bigger than…
2/6/20 | Jeremy Pernell
Position Group Summaries (Defense) Defensive Line (4): If anyone was a bigger target than Turner Corcoran, it might have been Nash Hutmacher. The backbone of a good 3-4 defense has always been the nose guard. Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander has said that the nose guard in his system needs to be "the heavyweight champion of the world." Defensive line coach…
2/6/20 | Jeremy Pernell
Position Group Summaries (Offense) Quarterback (1): For the third year in a row, Scott Frost and Mario Verduzco were able to sign a top-of-the-board class quarterback. The staff identified Logan Smothers early and were able to get him on board before they had even coached a game in Lincoln. The Huskers offered Smothers back on May 17, 2018, becoming the…
2/5/20 | Jeremy Pernell
The Huskers signed 23 players to their 2020 class. The 23 recruits hail from 14 different states: Florida (7), Alabama (2), Kansas (2), Texas (2), California (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (1), Nebraska (1), North Carolina (1), Oklahoma (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1) Ranking Nebraska's Commits 1. Turner Corcoran (Offensive Line) Lawrence, Kansas 2. Omar…
2/5/20 | Jeremy Pernell
Top 40 Recruiting Classes 1. Georgia 2. Clemson 3. Alabama 4. LSU 5. Ohio State 6. Texas A&M 7. Florida 8. Auburn 9. Oklahoma 10. Oregon 11. Michigan 12. Texas 13. Tennessee 14. Penn State 15. Miami (Fla.) 16. Washington 17. South Carolina 18. Notre Dame 19. Florida State 20. Nebraska 21. North Carolina 22. Stanford 23. Arizona State 24.…
2/3/20 | SquareOffs
Coach Frank Solich became head coach in 1998 after the retirement of the legendary Tom Osborne. He had played for the Huskers and had been an assistant under Osborne for 19 years - a tried and true Husker. Solich's teams were 58-19 (.753 winning percentage) and never had a losing season. During his time, the Huskers had three top-10 finishes.…
1/27/20 | SquareOffs
Husker fans were heartened to see Coach Scott Frost shake up his staff in the offseason. Coming off two losing seasons, there was some concern he would double down and hold fast with his current coaches as part of the consistency mantra. Instead, Frost made a couple moves in key areas - replacing his offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach with Matt…
1/25/20 | Tad Stryker
College football fans nationwide worry about their teams and second-guess the head coach. Nothing newsworthy there, but nobody I know does it quite as well these days as observers of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Few people are as passionate as Husker football fans. Believe me, I hear from them, as does anyone else who writes about the program. I almost never…
1/20/20 | SquareOffs
There were some big coaching changes in Husker land this past week. Coach Scott Frost let go of offensive coordinator and receivers coach Troy Walters, replacing him with Matt Lubick, who Frost worked with at Oregon. Lubick spent the last year out of football but worked as a consultant for Frost during that time. Frost also gave offensive line coach…
1/13/20 | SquareOffs
Best Birthday Gift Jersey - Eric Piatowski or Dave Hoppen? Your best friend, a huge Husker hoops fan, has a birthday coming up. You've narrowed your gift selection to two b-ball jerseys - Eric Piatkowski or Dave Hoppen. Hmmmm... Piatowski was a sweet-shooting small forward with a killer jump shot. Piatowski was honorable mention All Big Eight his freshman and…
1/7/20 | SquareOffs
Reading the daily sports wires and it is hard to come across an article that does not rake Jim Harbaugh over the coals for his record these past four years. No doubt, when you are paid as much as Harbaugh, 3rd highest paid college football coach at $7.7 million, you are going to have a big target on your back.…
12/31/19 | J. Hudson
Nebraska media outlets are weighing in with their own 2010s retrospectives, all-decade teams and more. We are compiling them on this page to complement our own decade reviews. All-decade team HuskerMax has blended five publications' all-decade Nebraska teams into a composite 2010s squad. The teams were selected by The Athletic,* HuskerOnline (1, 2), the Omaha World-Herald (1, 2),*…
12/30/19 | SquareOffs
Halfway through the 2019 schedule, the Huskers were at 4-2 with a should coulda woulda 5-1 without the fourth-quarter collapse at Colorado. They were looking well positioned to get at least two more wins for six wins, a .500 season and their first bowl since 2016. There was no joy in Lincoln, as the Huskers went 1-5 over the second…
12/28/19 | Tad Stryker
If you’re getting ready to flush the past decade of Nebraska football, I have two things to say to you: That’s not a bad idea, not bad at all. But before you flush, pause for a bit of historical perspective. There’s no reason to sugar-coat it: the 2010s were the third-worst decade in 120 years — 13 decades — of…
12/26/19 | J. Hudson
Record-best team accomplishments were a scarce commodity for Nebraska football in the 2010s. As noted in the previous segment, dozens of individual records were set. But safely out of reach for another decade were team records like the 1983 offense's 401.7 rushing yards per game and the 1967 defense's per-game average of 67.5 rushing yards allowed. Besides some record-setting comebacks,…
12/24/19 | J. Hudson
The Nebraska record book required frequent updates during the 2010s. Even as losses outnumbered wins in the decade's latter half, players were posting chart-topping numbers. In all, more than two dozen Huskers hold records for feats that occurred during the decade and/or for career totals that included at least one season in the 2010s. We'll start with these six who…
12/23/19 | SquareOffs
The Huskers signed 23 scholarship players during the early national signing period. Nine of the 23 signees are at front-seven positions, including 6'2", 270 lb. Pheldarius Payne, a defensive lineman out of Virginia. A lot of effort looks like it paid off on getting defensive secondary talent in the house, including top recruit Jaiden Francois, a 6'1", 182 lb. corner…
12/18/19 | Husker Dan
Gerry Gray, longtime sponsor of the Hunt With The Huskers charity event and producer of several Husker radio talk shows and the The Great Outdoors Radio Show with Greg Wagner, passed away Sunday, December 15th at the age of 82. On the surface, Gerry could be a crusty curmudgeon. But beneath that tough veneer was a generous, warm, thoughtful and…
12/17/19 | HuskerMax
Early signing day for the Nebraska football recruiting class of 2020 saw the Huskers get national recognition for a strong finish, and Scott Frost said the Huskers "have a chance to win a lot of games with these guys." General coverage and commentary from the day's developments and Frost's press conference are listed here, while player-specific articles and videos can…
12/16/19 | SquareOffs
It's that time for reflection on Big Ten football and which teams were the biggest surprises. Let's start with our own Big Ten West and compare how reality compared with the preseason thinking. We'll do the Big Ten East next week. ESPN's preseason ranking had the Big Ten West as: 1. Iowa 2. Wisconsin 3. Nebraska 4. Northwestern 5. Minnesota…
12/16/19 | J. Hudson
Hall of Fame material? The Huskers had some during the 2010s. It became more and more rare as the decade went on, but three dozen Huskers earned honors that someday could land them in the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame. The threshold for HOF consideration: All-America or first/second team All-Big 12/Big Ten status. Ten of the 36 players earned first-,…
12/12/19 | J. Hudson
A dark cloud makes a brief visit today to our Best of the Decade series. As Monday's installment showed, the Huskers pulled off big comeback wins with exceptional frequency during the 2010s. But it's our duty to point out that the decade of the come-from-behind win was also the decade of the blown lead for Nebraska football. Seven times during…
12/10/19 | Husker Dan
After another disappointing season, Husker fans are left wondering about the program's future under the direction of Scott Frost and his staff. Can Nebraska ever get back to respectability? And if they can, when is it going to happen? Scott Frost often says that you are what your record says you are and right now, the Huskers' record over the…
12/9/19 | SquareOffs
Husker great Tommie Frazier dropped a bomb of a tweet the day after Nebraska’s heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Iowa in Lincoln shut the door on the 2019 season. I will not comment on Nebraska football again until they make a bowl. It's obvious that people believe in someone that can't get it done. Those players played their asses off yesterday.—…
12/9/19 | J. Hudson
Don't leave early. Don't even think about it. That's one thing the 2010s taught Huskers fans. It was the decade of the come-from-behind win for Nebraska football. Of the program's 31 known victories from a dozen or more points behind, 11 happened in the 2010-2019 seasons. That's almost quadruple the average rate of the previous seven decades. Embed from Getty…
12/5/19 | J. Hudson
The Huskers' 58.1% winning percentage in the 2010s was the third-lowest in program history, but there was still plenty to cheer about. Here we look back on Nebraska's nine victories over AP-ranked teams (based on gameday or final AP rankings). That was down from 12 in the previous decade. Gameday Final Date Opponent Score AP rank AP rank NU/Opp NU/Opp…
12/4/19 | Jeremy Pernell
Chase Young pressures Adrian Martinez. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN Offense QB: Justin Fields (Soph.) Ohio State RB: Jonathan Taylor (Jr.) Wisconsin (3x) RB: J.K. Dobbins (Jr.) Ohio State WR: Tyler Johnson (Sr.) Minnesota WR: David Bell (Fr.) Purdue TE: Brycen Hopkins (Sr.) Purdue OT: Tristan Wirfs (Jr.) Iowa OT: Logan Bruss (Soph.) Wisconsin OG: Wyatt Davis (Soph.) Ohio State OG:…
12/3/19 | Husker Dan
Now is the winter of our discontent. - From "Richard III" by William Shakespeare • Judging by the mail I've been receiving in the wake of the Huskers' loss to Iowa last Friday, Husker fans are not in a good mood. What's more, they have every right to feel that way. The 2019 Husker football season was one that was…
12/3/19 | Jeremy Pernell
It's official, Nebraska will not play in a bowl game for the third consecutive season, something that hasn't happened since the 1955-1961 seasons. The Huskers finished 5-7, with a dreadful 1-5 stretch to end the season. In the midst of that skid, Frost ruffled a few of his players' feathers with some of his public comments. In particular were comments…
12/2/19 | SquareOffs
Brutal loss in Lincoln on Friday. The defense was doing its job and keeping a Top 20 team out of the endzone for all of the second half after giving up some early scores. But until 8:00 to go in the 3rd, the Husker offense had put just 3 points on the board. Cam Taylor's acrobatic pick six in the…
12/1/19 | HuskerMax
The season is over and there's no game to preview, but our stats matchup isn't taking Sunday off. Here's how the 2019 and 2018 Nebraska football teams compare statistically against each other. 2019 HUSKERS 5-7 (3-6) 2018 HUSKERS 4-8 (3-6) Avg. Rank Avg. Rank Rushing offense 203.3 32 209.0 28 Passing offense 212.6 82 247.2 51 Pass efficiency…
11/29/19 | Tad Stryker
A season-ending game against a rival with a bowl bid on the line is a great time to ramp up your performance in the second half and rally from a 14-point deficit to tie the game. It’s a lousy time to make bad decisions. But two boneheaded miscalculations — one by a coach, another by a player — made the…
11/29/19 | HuskerMax
Thanks to Kenny Larabee of KLIN for providing these photos from Friday's Nebraska-Iowa football game. Click on an image to launch slide show. | Game page RETURN TO GAME PAGE
11/29/19 | HuskerMax
Highlights from Nebraska's last-second loss to Iowa in Lincoln on Nov. 29, 2019. Refresh this page to get the latest videos. | HuskerMax game page Make that 🖐 in a row for @HawkeyeFootball over Nebraska! pic.twitter.com/NakVhGWL8T— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) November 29, 2019 THE KICK IS GOOD!Keith Duncan drills it for @HawkeyeFootball to…
11/29/19 | HuskerMax
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and numerous players comment on the Huskers' last-second loss Saturday against Iowa. | Game page RETURN TO GAME PAGE
11/29/19 | Tad Stryker
Some folks were a bit hesitant to answer this week’s Pregame Perspective question. Others gave it a great deal of thought. On a cold, drizzly Friday morning in downtown Lincoln, as the Cornhuskers prepared to play Iowa needing a victory just to become bowl eligible, I asked 100 Husker fans this question: “Which Husker assistant coach has done the best…
11/27/19 | HuskerMax
The Big Ten Network previews Friday's game between Nebraska and Iowa in Lincoln. The Huskers are aiming for bowl eligibility with a win, while the Hawkeyes are shooting for their fifth consecutive win in the series.
11/27/19 | HuskerMax
Coach Scott Frost said the team has handled the short week well. “We've got some guys banged up. ... We also have some guys that have a chance to play who haven't played lately.” Refresh this page for the latest updates. • Updates & discussion • Depth charts: NU | IA | Flip sheet • Game notes: NU | IA…
11/25/19 | Husker Dan
This Friday, Nebraska will be playing a game in which the future of Husker football is at stake - at least for the near future. Beat the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Huskers will become bowl eligible. And with a win, Nebraska will be assured of its first non-losing season since 2016. Nebraska put itself in position to become bowl eligible…
11/25/19 | SquareOffs
In a game against Maryland that the Huskers absolutely had to have, they showed up big. It sure wasn't looking like that before the game, with flu ravaging the team in the days prior, keeping some from traveling and weakening others who did make the trip like JD Spielman and Dedrick Mills. And the team still has injuries keeping key…
11/25/19 | HuskerMax
Kanawai Noa’s season is over after the senior receiver underwent knee surgery, coach Scott Frost announced. Frost had no news on Wan'Dale Robinson's availability Friday against Iowa. Refresh this page for the latest updates. • Monday's transcripts • Updates & discussion • Depth charts: NU | IA | Flip sheet • Game notes: NU | IA • Stats matchup •…
11/24/19 | HuskerMax
Here's how the Cornhuskers and Hawkeyes match up statistically entering their Nov. 29th game in Lincoln. NEBRASKA 5-6 (3-5) IOWA 8-3 (5-3) Avg. Rank Avg. Rank Rushing offense 205.0 30 131.7 101 Passing offense 222.8 76 242.2 59 Pass efficiency 136.06 67 131.84 79 Total offense 427.8 53 373.9 95 Scoring offense 28.4 73 23.5 102 Rushing defense…
11/23/19 | Tad Stryker
A long flight to an unfamiliar venue did wonders for a Cornhusker football team trying to find its way. It’s amazing how depression disperses and demons disappear when you go out and smack another team in the mouth. And keep doing it again and again. It’s stunning how a 54-7 road win can change a team’s attitude, even if it…
11/23/19 | HuskerMax
Nebraska improved to 2-0 all-time against Maryland in its first-ever visit to Maryland and first game in the state of Maryland. Nebraska’s 47-point margin of victory was its largest in a conference game since 2000, when the Huskers defeated Baylor 59-0. Nebraska scored 54 points in the win, tying for its most points ever in a Big Ten Conference game…
11/23/19 | HuskerMax
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, defensive lineman Darrion Daniels and quarterback Adrian Martinez comment on the Huskers' win Saturday at Maryland. | Game page Matt Waldoch: Leadbelly server turned #Huskers kicker. A perfect 3-for-3 on field goals yesterday in his debut."I was confident before, I've been ready for a while. Just had…
11/23/19 | HuskerMax
Highlights from the Nebraska-Maryland football game in College Park, Md., Nov. 23, 2019. Refresh this page to get the latest videos. What was that, @coach_frost?!That's quite the picture the Nebraska coach painted. 😂 pic.twitter.com/khbbsTrAKG— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2019 That's our quarterbacks. pic.twitter.com/e8OXDppq5n— Nebraska On BTN (@NebraskaOnBTN) November 23, 2019 Here's @mccaffrey_luke's…
11/21/19 | HuskerMax
Wan'Dale Robinson's status for Saturday appears iffy as Scott Frost said he's "hopeful" the dynamic freshman will play again before the regular season is over. Refresh this page for the latest updates. • Updates & discussion • Depth charts: NU | MD | Flip sheet • Game notes: NU | MD • MD week reports: MON | TUE | WED…
11/20/19 | HuskerMax
Receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Kanawai Noa were not in pads for Wednesday morning's practice as the Huskers prepared for Maryland. Refresh this page for the latest updates. • Updates & discussion • Depth charts: NU | MD | Flip sheet • Game notes: NU | MD • MD week reports: MON | TUE • Stats matchup • Game page •…
11/19/19 | HuskerMax
More snaps are in store Saturday for true freshman Ty Robinson after he got his first game action against Wisconsin, said defensive line coach Tony Tuioti. Refresh this page for the latest updates. • Updates & discussion • Depth charts: NU | MD | Flip sheet • Game notes: NU | MD • Monday presser • Stats matchup • Game…
11/18/19 | Husker Dan
I went online Sunday to see Scott Frost's postgame press conference after the Huskers' loss to Wisconsin. I watched it for a few minutes. Frost's words rang familiar: "We made too many mistakes, had too many penalties. We need to do a better job of tackling. We need to get better on special teams. It's just one or two plays…
11/18/19 | HuskerMax
Coach Scott Frost said winning and losing are habits, and there are "a few too many guys on our team that are conditioned to not win. And we need to flip that." Refresh this page for the latest updates. • Monday's transcripts • Updates & discussion • Depth charts: NU | MD • Game notes: NU • Stats matchup •…
11/18/19 | SquareOffs
Chancellor Ronnie Green and Athletic Director Bill Moos announced a two-year extension of Coach Scott Frost's contract Saturday, extending the agreement through the 2026 season. Frost was already under contract for five more seasons through 2024 with his existing seven-year, $35 million deal. Frost is 8-13 cumulative in his second season at Nebraska. The Huskers are 4-6 overall and 2-5…
11/17/19 | Tad Stryker
For more than a century, the University of Nebraska marching band has been closely identified with the Cornhusker football team. Its pregame warmup concert draws hundreds of fans before each home game. Starting with preseason band camp and continuing throughout the fall, band members put in countless hours of practice for the privilege of performing pregame and halftime shows at…
11/17/19 | HuskerMax
Here's how the Cornhuskers and Terrapins match up statistically entering their Nov. 23rd game in College Park. NEBRASKA 4-6 (2-5) MARYLAND 3-7 (1-6) Avg. Rank Avg. Rank Rushing offense 195.0 36 172.0 54 Passing offense 222.5 78 187.9 106 Pass efficiency 135.41 67 115.47 109 Total offense 417.5 59 359.9 102 Scoring offense 25.8 87 28.0 70 Rushing defense…
11/16/19 | Tad Stryker
Finally, we saw some definite progress in Scott Frost’s second season as head coach. Better late than never. Playing without freshman phenom Wan’Dale Robinson, Nebraska came out and hit Wisconsin in the mouth early. The Huskers made a superior Badger team scramble, but couldn’t sustain their effort as the game wore on. The Badgers got their own running game lathered…
11/16/19 | HuskerMax
Thanks to KLIN's Kenny Larabee for providing these photos from the Nebraska-Wisconsin game. Click on an image to launch slide show. | Game page Dedrick Mills scores the game's opening points on a 12-yard run, 2019 football vs. WisconsinAdrian Martinez readies to throw a pass downfield, 2019 football vs. WisconsinBrody Belt returns a first-half kickoff, 2019 football vs. WisconsinDedrick…