Football Articles

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 13

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 12

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 11

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 10

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…

NU president: B1G vote coming soon

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 9

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 8

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 7

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 6

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 5

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 4

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 3

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 2

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…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 1

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…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 31

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,…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 30

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…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 29

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…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 28

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…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 27

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…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 26

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…

Stryker: Big Ten cancellation stinks worse 2 weeks later

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Should college football have a commissioner or other governing body?

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,…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 25

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…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 24

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…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 23

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…

Feit: Digesting a B1G, Wild Week

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…

B1G plug is pulled

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…

Stryker: With adults in charge in Lincoln, hope for football persists

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,…

Frost: Let them play

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…

2020 fall camp, Day 2

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

2020 fall camp, Day 1

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

Husker Dan: ’Tis the Season to Be Jolly?

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…

Keven Lightner could use your help

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…

Pernell: Nebraska adds elite JUCO Defensive Back

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…

Husker Dan: What the Husker Season May Look Like

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…

Do you see the Huskers getting to 6-4 in the new Big Ten season?

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.…

Stryker: If facts override fear, college stadiums should fill

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Who is your pick for the top Husker guard?

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…

Husker Dan: Will There Be a College Football Season This Fall?

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…

Nebraska: Kordell’s Kryptonite

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…

Stryker: Tom Novak stood tall amid Nebraska football depression

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Do you think there will be college football this year?

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…

Stryker: Are Cheeseheads as spoiled as Husker fans of yesteryear?

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,…

Degrees of Separation for Husker Fans

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…

70 Huskers Named to Berringer Citizenship Team

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,…

Twin picks: Davises drafted

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.…

Husker Dan: September Song for Nebraska?

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…

Pernell: Top 100 Prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft

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…

Watch: Virtual Spring Game 2020

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…

Sam Francis Named to Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame

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…

Husker Dan: The Huskers need to get to Carnegie Hall

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…

Stryker: All-Underrated team deserves renewed esteem

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…

Telling the story of Husker football in five games. Or 18.

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…

Larry Jacobson or Zach Wiegert next for the College HoF?

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…

Husker nutrition during pandemic

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…

1922 Huskers’ brawn beats Notre Dame’s finesse

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…

Free HuskerMax BBS Membership

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…

1918: War, influenza and football

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…

Spring practice No. 2

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…

Crouch elected to Hall of Fame

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…

2020 Nebraska football spring press conference

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…

Spring football schedule

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…

Stryker: On expanded gambling and amateur athlete compensation

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…

Matt Lubick: Let’s get Nebraska “back to the standard”

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Should the NCAA seek exemption from antitrust regulation?

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Should Nebraska legalize sports betting?

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…

Pernell: Reviewing the 2020 Recruiting Class (Defense)

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…

Pernell: Reviewing the 2020 Recruiting Class (Offense)

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…

Pernell: Ranking the 2020 Husker Recruits

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…

Pernell: Top 40 Recruiting Classes of 2020

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.…

Stryker: Recent coaching hires can work if innovation happens

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Should Coach Frost hand off play calling?

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Best gift – Piatowski or Hoppen jersey?

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…

Best of the Decade: All-2010s teams & top plays

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),*…

Stryker: Coming off Decade of Instability, NU needs turning point

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…

Best of the Decade: Team records

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,…

Best of the Decade: Individual record-setters

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…

Monday Morning Quarterback: How are you feeling about the Husker recruiting class?

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…

Husker Dan: A Very Sad, Gray Day for Husker Fans

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…

2020 early signing day

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…

Best of the Decade: Claims to fame

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-,…

Best/Worst of the Decade: The blown leads

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…

Husker Dan: 2020 and Brown on Red

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…

Best of the Decade: The comebacks

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…

Best of the Decade: Wins against ranked teams

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…

Pernell: N2FL’s 2019 All-Big Ten Team

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:…

Husker Dan: Winter of Discontent?

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…

Pernell: Frost, Nebraska Trying to Finish Strong Class

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…

Stats matchup: 2019 vs. 2018 Nebraska football

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…

Stryker: Mental mistakes send Huskers home for holidays again

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…

Highlights: Nebraska vs. Iowa

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…

Stryker Pregame Perspective: Fisher gets nod as best assistant

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…

BTN preview: Iowa @ Nebraska

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.        

Wednesday practice, Iowa week

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…

Husker Dan: Won and One to Go

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…

Monday presser, Iowa week

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 •…

2019 Nebraska-Iowa 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…

Stryker: A long day’s flight into rejuvenation for Big Red

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…

Postgame notes: 2019 Nebraska @ Maryland football

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…

Postgame presser: Nebraska @ Maryland

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…

Highlights: Nebraska vs. Maryland

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…

Thursday practice, Maryland week

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…

Wednesday practice, Maryland week

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 •…

Tuesday practice, Maryland week

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…

Husker Dan: Cut, Copy and Paste

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…

Monday presser, Maryland week

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 •…

Monday Morning Quarterback: Do you agree with the Coach Frost two-year contract extension?

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…

The Stryker Report: Steady support of the Husker marching band

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…

2019 Nebraska-Maryland stats matchup

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…

Stryker: Husker run game shows progress in loss to Badgers

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…

Photos: 2019 Wisconsin @ Nebraska football

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…

Postgame notes: 2019 Wisconsin @ Nebraska football

11/16/19 | HuskerMax
With the loss, Nebraska dropped to 4-10 all-time against Wisconsin, including 3-3 in Lincoln. The Badgers have won the past seven meetings. Junior running back Dedrick Mills rushed 17 times for a career-high 188 yards (previous high - 169 yards at Kentucky in 2016 when Mills played for Georgia Tech), including 13 times for 112 yards and a touchdown before…