Fresh Links

Steve Sipple marvels at Devine Ozigbo’s surprising rise.

Hail Varsity looks back at the 1995 Huskers’ 552-yard rushing performance at Michigan State. | Game page

Game-opening drives have been the Huskers’ strong suit since some early-season failures.

The early kickoff isn’t ideal for recruiting, but several uncommitted prospects will make official visits* Saturday.

Austin Rose says it was worth the five-year wait for his first carry as a Husker.

Scott Frost says the Spartans’ defense poses a stiff challenge: “We run it well, but this is going to be one of our biggest tests.” More from Thursday’s practice here. | Updates & discussion

College Football News and Adam Carriker see Nebraska winning this one. | More predictions | Make your pick

Nebraska is looking for difference-makers, not depth, in recruiting the junior college* ranks.

Anatomy of an Era: Larry Townsend on the 1994 team’s national championship: “You couldn’t even explain the satisfaction, because of all those years losing to the Florida schools and then to finally be the team.”

The Blackshirts hope to keep their turnover trend going despite a change of pace in offenses.

Adrian Martinez has had an incredibly hot hand in game-opening drives.

The Spartans’ defense has confidence that stems from having already curtailed some potent offenses. | Vulnerable vs. spread?* | WR’s return a plus | Scouting MSU: 1, 2*

Nebraska athletics’ Graduation Success Rate reaches an all-time high of 90 percent.

JD Spielman has been limited in practice this week, and his status is day to day. More from Wednesday’s practice here. | Updates & discussion

Mike Rozier will make an appearance Saturday at the Husker Nation Pavilion as part of ESPN’s Heisman House Tour.

Athlon Sports previews the game and sees the Huskers winning by a touchdown. | More predictions

Here’s the story of how a late Husker fan’s hat landed in the hands of Scott Frost.

Tanner Farmer* talks with Adam Carriker about what it means to be a Husker, the strongest players on the team, laying the foundation for future Nebraska success and more.

Anatomy of an Era: Defensive tackle Larry Townsend says of Charlie McBride, “If you were on any kind of high horse you’d get knocked off pretty quick.”

Coach Mark Dantonio isn’t tipping his hand on who will be the Spartans’ starter at quarterback. | MSU notes

Husker Dan says winning the next two games would be something to get excited about.

Rob Zatechka says on Husker Doc Talk that the momentum is shifting in the Big Ten West.

Tre Neal says he has no regrets about leaving unbeaten UCF for Nebraska.

Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander expects the Blackshirts to be tested by Michigan State’s ground game after last week’s leaky outing against Illinois. More from Tuesday’s practice here. | Updates & discussion

Colorado is reportedly parting ways with coach Mike MacIntyre, but the school’s AD says no decision has been made.

Ken Fischer, the second of four brothers to play at Nebraska in a 16-season span after World War II, has died at age 92.

Anatomy of an Era: Rush end Jared Tomich says practicing full-bore against the O-line was sometimes “half football and half boxing, but that’s what got us ready for Saturday.”

Tom Shatel says the Spartans and Huskers should play for a trophy honoring Sam Foltz and Mike Sadler.*

More than 350 veterans and guests packed the entrance at the stadium’s Gate 20 for the dedication of a new memorial commemorating Nebraskans’ World War I service. | Photos

Special glasses enable a legally blind fan to see the Huskers play for the first time.

Scott Frost says creating big plays against Michigan State’s defense will be a challenge. More from Monday’s presser here. | Updates & discussion

Devine Ozigbo is named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, and Adrian Martinez is Freshman of the Week. | All-B1G for ’Zig?

Anatomy of an Era: Jared Tomich recalls that “Coach Osborne was happy for me when I got drafted, but Coach Osborne was proud of me when I got my degree.”

The day-after commentary and analysis focuses on the Huskers’ potent offense: Gabriel, McKewon,* Sipple, Heady,* Washut, Carriker.*

Michigan State has an uncertain situation at quarterback* heading into the Nebraska game. | Spartans slight favorites

Faith has helped JoJo Domann persevere through injuries and doubts.

The Michigan State game will have an 11 a.m. CST start and a Fox telecast. | Stats matchup

Anatomy of an Era: Charlie McBride gave him a chance as a Proposition 48 walk-on, and Jared Tomich ran with it.

In the game voted the most memorable of the home sellout streak, the 1978 Huskers upset Oklahoma, 17-14. It’s part of this week in Husker history.

Up next is Michigan State, which lost Saturday to Ohio State, 26-6.

Nebraska 54, Illinois 35. Points off turnovers are the big difference and Devine Ozigbo has a big day as the Huskers outscore the Illini. Details on the game page.  | Stryker commentary | Highlights | Larabee photos | Postgame presser | Big Red Over-Reaction

Fans share their warm memories of bad-weather games in Tad Stryker’s pregame perspective.

Scott Frost discusses Adrian Martinez’s recruitment and development in this BTN feature.

On a wintry Saturday at Memorial Stadium, it’ll be a clash of teams that are clicking on offense but have had their struggles on defense. Get the Illinois-Nebraska pregame reads from Lincoln (1, 2, 3), Omaha (1, 2, 3),* Grand Island (1, 2),* Peoria, Champaign (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6),* and Decatur. Commentary: Christopherson, Sipple, Shatel,* Callahan.

PICKS | STATS | FLIP SHEET | BBS

Dave Feit gives the alternative uniforms a wholehearted thumbs up.

A Denver TV station looks back at Andy Janovich’s prowess as a high school wrestler.

Lamar Jackson is a big part of the defense’s turnaround in turnovers.

Adam Carriker weighs in on the alternate uniforms.*

Anatomy of an Era: “We just knew we were tough customers,” says defensive tackle Jason Scott Jenkins. “We got after them and sacrificed our body, truly got after people.”

True freshman Adrian Martinez’s growth in the leadership department has his older teammates’ attention.