Happy Turkey Day Bay Area Husker Fans!
Whew!!! That was a nail biter, and WAY too close for those who are weak of heart, but we got the "W" against Texas A&M, and look out Kansas City, here we come!! Well... there is one minor speed bump along the way, but I believe the Huskers will once again be dining on buffalo instead of leftover turkey the day after Thanksgiving. Game time for the last game of the regular season against Colorado on Friday the 25th will be televised on nationwide ABC with kickoff at 12:30 Pacific. The watch sites will all be open for business, so if you need a break from the post-turkey day blues and don't want to fight your way around the shopping malls, take a break with other Husker fans and have a nice pub lunch at your 'fav' watch site while you watch the game!
And, as we all get ready for a wonderful feast with friends and family at the table next Thursday, please take a moment to give thanks and say a prayer for those who are not able to be with their families this Thanksgiving, and who are defending our freedoms, giving us the chance to celebrate the holidays in peace and safety here at home. May God Bless them all, and bring them home safely when their task is complete. The following is attributed to Prime Minister Tony Blair (doesn't matter who said it, its a great thought to pass along): When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America, he said: "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in...and how many want out."
And, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: 1. Jesus Christ 2. The American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Go Big Red (White and Blue), and a Happy Thanksgiving To All!
Carl
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BIG RED REVIEW: HUSKERS CLINCH BIG 12 NORTH...
Maurice Purify scored the game-winning touchdown with 21 seconds left in NU's 28-27 victory over Texas A&M.
Big Red Review is your source for a complete postgame recap of Nebraska's thrilling 28-27 come-from-behind win over No. 24 Texas A&M on Saturday at Kyle Field. Huskers.com provides a complete game story, stats, notes, quotes and photos.
Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Recap
Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Final Game Statistics
Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan Quotes
Nebraska Player Quotes
Nebraska Postgame Notes
Texas A&M Postgame Notes
Texas A&M Coach Dennis Franchione Quotes
Texas A&M Player Quotes
Nebraska Audio Clips of Postgame Quotes
Audio Highlights from the Husker Sports Network
Nebraska Season Statistics
2006 Season Photo Gallery
Excerpt from the Recap:
College Station, Texas - Zac Taylor hit Maurice Purify with a nine-yard touchdown pass with just 21 seconds left to give Nebraska the Big 12 North Division title with a 28-27 victory over No. 24 Texas A&M at Kyle Field on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, Nebraska improved to 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12, while also clinching a berth in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Texas A&M slipped to 8-3 on the year and 4-3 in the league.
Taylor capped a record-breaking day with his pass to Purify to put the exclamation point on an 11-play, 75-yard drive in just 1:36 that stopped an impressive second-half comeback by the Aggies.
Taylor, who completed 21-of-35 passes for 267 yards with two touchdowns, became the Huskers' career passing yardage leader with 5,193 yards in less than two full seasons, surpassing Dave Humm's previous mark of 5,035 yards from 1972 to 1974. Taylor's two touchdown passes also gave him 22 scoring strikes on the year, snapping Vince Ferragamo's single-season record of 20 set in 1976.
A senior from Norman, Okla., Taylor guided the Huskers to a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter and a 21-13 lead at the end of three quarters, but a pair of Texas A&M fourth-quarter touchdowns gave the Aggies a 27-21 edge with 7:28 left.
The Aggie defense, which held the Huskers to just five second-half first downs until NU's game-winning drive, came up with what appeared to be the game's biggest play on Mark Dodge's interception and 16-yard return.
Texas A&M had a chance to end it just minutes later, but Nebraska's Barry Turner blocked Layne Neumann's 42-yard field goal attempt that would have given the Aggies a 30-21 win.
Taylor and the Huskers capitalized on their final chance in a big way. The 11-play scoring drive featured three first-down connections between Taylor and wide receiver Todd Peterson, including a fourth-down grab to keep the Huskers' hopes alive.
Peterson enjoyed his best game of the season with seven catches for 82 yards and a score. Five of Peterson's second-half catches went for first downs, while the Huskers managed just nine total first downs in the second stanza.
Marlon Lucky added a big day of his own with four catches for 56 yards, including a 42-yarder. Lucky also led the Huskers on the ground with 12 carries for 52 yards, while Brandon Jackson added nine carries for 44 yards. Cody Glenn finished the day with six carries for 25 yards and two short scoring runs early in the first half to put Nebraska in control of the game.
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HUSKERS CONCLUDE BY WEEK WORKOUTS...
Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove addressed the media after Thursday's practice.
Lincoln – The Nebraska football team practiced for 2 1/2 hours in shorts and helmets inside the Hawks Championship Center on Thursday afternoon to wrap up its off week. The Huskers will take the next two days off before returning to the field on Sunday.
“It’s been a good week,” Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “We’ve got a lot of good work against our offense because we were able to get fresh. And now we get some time off.”
The Husker defense is preparing to face a Colorado offense that ranks last in the Big 12 averaging only 290.91 yards per game. Cosgrove talked about the CU offense and the transition to spread formations throughout the conference in recent years.
“There are a lot of similarities but (also) different plays,” Cosgrove said. “We’ve had some new teams this year like Oklahoma State, Texas and (Texas) A&M (running spread offenses). Those are all new teams and (present) good opportunities.
“Every week, even Colorado, they have done a lot of different things. As you watch them, every game it’s something new, (like) a new formation. They’re running the same plays but it’s a new formation.”
Last year, the Blackshirts held the Buff offense to only 212 yards after giving up 420 in 2004.
The Huskers will resume practice on Sunday. They will hold their weekly press conference on Monday instead of the usual Tuesday time slot due to the game being held on Friday instead of Saturday.
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HUSKERS RETURN TO PRACTICE FIELD...
Jay Norvell believes an improved running attack has aided the improvement of NU's offense from 2005 to 2006.
Lincoln – The Nebraska football team, fresh off winning its fourth Big 12 North Division championship, returned to the practice field Tuesday with a two-hour workout inside the Hawks Championship Center. The practice marked the first of three days of bye week workouts the Husker will hold while preparing for the Nov. 25 matchup with Colorado.
“The guys were energized,” Offensive Coordinator Jay Norvell said. “We didn’t have pads on, so they really ran around. Coach (Bill Callahan) shortened practice, because he wanted low reps and high intensity, and we got a lot of intensity from the guys. It was good, crisp work today.”
Even though Nebraska does have a game for 10 more days, Norvell said the squad is utilizing its extra practice time wisely.
“We’re preparing this week. It’s just a different preparation. We started in on Colorado today. We talked to the players about them. We reviewed the game tape, started in on some of the base things and introduced them to Colorado. It’s a very important game for us. It’s a big rivalry. There are a lot of feelings on this game for our players, so we started that preparation, that focus today.
“We’re not stopping. We’re pushing on and working on the things that we need to work on. We come out here every day with the same focus and same energy. It starts with the coaching staff, so there’s no letdown. We have a lot of big goals that we want to accomplish, and we’re not close to having accomplished them yet. We’re just getting warmed up, and this is a big game for us.”
Norvell addressed the issue of the Huskers’ third-quarter offensive struggles this year, a period in which the unit has totaled only 42 points all season. NU has scored more than 100 points in each of the other three quarters.
“We just have to explode in that third quarter and execute better. It’s not really one thing. We haven’t run the ball effectively and we haven’t converted on third down, so it’s just a lot of little things we need to execute. We have to play with more energy when we come out in the third quarter and execute better.”
Despite Nebraska’s problems with the third quarter, the Husker offense appears to be a much advanced unit over the 2005 edition. Norvell cited an improved running game, among other factors, for the improvements on offense.
“I think we made a lot of improvement in our ability to run the football. I feel that we are a much better ball security team that we were last year. And we’re protecting the passer much better, and that’s directly related to our ability to run the football.”
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TODD COLLECTS A PAIR OF HONORS...
Senior fullback Dane Todd is an academic all-district pick for the third straight year.
Nebraska senior fullback Dane Todd has been named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII team as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The selection marks the third straight year Todd has been named to the Academic All-District VII team and advances Todd to the ballot for Academic All-America honors.
In addition to Todd, three Huskers were named second-team Academic All-District VII. They include junior tight end J.B. Phillips, sophomore offensive guard Andy Christensen and senior defensive back Brandon Rigoni.
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HUSKERS IN THE NFL WEEK 10...
Former Husker specialist Josh Brown Brown made a game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired to secure a Seahawks win.
Demorrio Williams (Atlanta)—Williams led the team in total tackles with seven, including five solo, while also adding a forced fumble in Atlanta’s 17-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Sam Koch (Baltimore)—Sam Koch averaged 38.8 yards on five punts and pinned two inside the 20-yard line to help engineer the Raven’s 27-26 comeback win over the Titans. The Seward, Neb., native has averaged 43.5 yards on 52 punts this season, including pinning 17 inside the 20-yard line, as Baltimore stands at 7-2 to lead the AFC North.
Cory Ross (Baltimore)—Ross was not active for the Raven’s game against the Titans, but continues to practice with Baltimore.
Chris Kelsay (Buffalo)—Kelsay made three tackles, including two solo, as the Bills dropped a 17-16 one-point decision against the Indianapolis Colts.
Mike Minter (Carolina)—Minter totaled six tackles, including five solo, as the Panthers rolled over the Buccaneers 24-10. Minter has totaled 57 tackles, including 40 solo, so far this season, while adding one interception and three pass breakups.
Mike Rucker (Carolina)—Rucker totaled four tackles, including three solo, to hold the Buccaneers to just one touchdown and allow Carolina to improve to 5-4 with a 24-10 win over Tampa Bay. Rucker has totaled 27 tackles so far this season, including 16 solo, while adding 1.5 sacks and 2 pass breakups.
Mike Brown (Chicago)—Brown was sidelined with a season-ending injury in Week 8.
Kyle Larson (Cincinnati)—Larson averaged 35.7 yards on four punts in the Bengal’s 49-41 loss to the San Diego Chargers. The former Husker specialist also had a long of 41 yards and pinned one inside the 20-yard line.
Ralph Brown (Cleveland)—Brown had three tackles, all solo, in the Brown’s 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Daniel Bullocks (Detroit)—Bullocks was active but did not record a tackle in the Lion’s 19-13 loss to San Francisco. Bullocks has totaled 49 tackles this season, including 33 solo, as well as one sack and three pass breakups.
Dominic Raiola (Detroit)—Raiola made his 72nd consecutive start at center for the Lions, blocking for a 19-30, 202-yard performance from quarterback Jon Kitna in Detroit’s 19-13 loss to the 49ers. Railoa, a Rimington Award Winner in 2000, anchored a Detroit offensive line that allowed running back Kevin Jones to rack up 44 yards on 13 carries.
Cory Schlesinger (Detroit)—Schlesinger played in his 176th career game at fullback but did not catch a pass.
Ahman Green (Green Bay)—Green racked up 55 yards on 22 carries in Green Bay’s 23-17 divisional win against Minnesota.
Kris Brown (Houston)—Brown snagged two field goals and added one extra point in Houston’s 13-10 road win over Jacksonville. Brown’s third-quarter 28-yard field goal was enough to clinch the Texan’s first road win since 2004.
Zach Wiegert (Houston)—Wiegert anchored an offensive line that allowed quarterback David Carr to finish 16-32 for 167 yards and a rushing attack that totaled 148 yards and one touchdown in the Texan’s 13-10 win over the Jaguars. Despite the strong performance, Weigert suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the fourth quarter, and underwent reparative surgery Monday morning.
Will Shields (Kansas City)—Shields recorded his franchise-record 216th consecutive start at right guard for the Chiefs in Kansas City’s 13-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Shields led the blocking that led to a 75-yard day on 18 carries from Larry Johnson as well as a 15-38, 201-yard performance from quarterback Damon Huard.
Russ Hochstein (New England)—Hochstein played center for a New England offensive effort that included a 25-37, 255-yard, one-touchdown performance from quarterback Tom Brady as the Patriots fell to the Jets 17-14.
Le Kevin Smith (New England)—Smith was not active for the Patriot’s 17-14 loss to Jets.
Josh Bullocks (New Orleans)—Bullocks led the Saints’ defensive effort with seven tackles, including five solo, as New Orleans fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-31. Bullocks has racked up 49 tackles, including 37 solo, one interception and three pass breakups through nine games this season.
DeJuan Groce (New Orleans)—Groce snagged a season-high two tackles for the second time this year in the Saint’s 38-31 loss to the Steelers. Groce has had five tackles after being active in five games this season.
Scott Shanle (New Orleans)—Shanle grabbed eight tackles, including four solo, and one sack in New Orleans’ 38-31 loss to Pittsburgh. Shanle has snagged 62 tackles, including 44 solo, through nine games this season after totaling 45 through the entire year in 2005. Shanle has also added three sacks and one pass breakup so far this season.
Adam Treu (Oakland)—Treu played in his 152nd career game with Oakland, serving as the squad’s long snapper, as the Raiders fell to the Broncos 17-13.
Fabian Washington (Oakland)—Washington recorded a season and career-high two interceptions while adding two solo tackles in Oakland’s 17-13 loss to Denver. Washington has recorded 16 tackles, including 15 solo, while also adding five pass-breakups and three interceptions through seven games this season.
Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia)—Buckhalter returned a fumble 37 yards to put the Eagles up 21-0 over Redskins in Philadelphia’s eventual 27-3 win. Buckhalter also racked up 20 yards on eight carries in the Eagle’s fifth win of the season. Buckhalter has racked up 203 yards on 53 carries rushing and 87 yards on 10 receptions through nine games this season.
Ryon Bingham (San Diego)—Bingham was active but did not record a tackle in the Chargers’ 49-41 win over the Bengals.
Carlos Polk (San Diego)—Polk snagged a season-high seven tackles, including five solo, in San Diego’s 49-41 win over Cincinnati. Polk has racked up 23 tackles, including 19 solo, through nine games this season.
Josh Brown (Seattle)—Brown made a game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired to secure the Seahawks 24-22 win over the Rams. Brown also made all three attempted extra points in Seattle’s sixth win of the season.
Grant Wistrom (Seattle)—Wistrom snagged five tackles, including three solo and added one sack in the Seahawk’s 24-22 win over the Rams.
Barrett Ruud (Tampa Bay)—Ruud snagged six tackles, including three solo, as Tampa Bay fell to the Panthers 24-10.
Kyle Vanden Bosch (Tennessee)—Vanden Bosch snagged one tackle in the Titans 27-26 loss to the Ravens. Vanden Bosch has totaled 39 tackles, including 31 solo, through nine games this season, while also adding four sacks.
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HUSKER VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS AGGIES...
The Huskers improved to 24-1 on the season with Wednesday's win.
Lincoln – Sarah Pavan totaled a match-23 kills on .588 hitting, as No. 1 Nebraska rebounded from its first loss of the season with a 30-16, 30-28, 30-25 victory over Texas A&M Wednesday night at the NU Coliseum.
Pavan, who reached the 20-kill mark for the sixth time this season, finished with 23 kills on just 34 swings and added a season-high three aces and three blocks to help the Huskers improve to 24-1 on the season and 16-1 in Big 12 play. Nebraska turned in one of its best offensive performances of the season, hitting .436 as a team, as both Pavan and Stalls (eight kills on .583 hitting) finished above .500 hitting on the night. Freshman Rachel Holloway totaled 50 assists and guided a Husker attack that saw four players total at least eight kills in NU’s 19th sweep of the year.
The .436 hitting was NU’s best effort in a Big 12 match this season and its second-best total of the year, and Nebraska Coach John Cook was pleased with the Huskers’ offensive focus against the Aggies.
"We came out and played really well in the first game, and that was a concern I had after the way we played Saturday night (against Colorado)," Cook said. "We just did an excellent job with all phases of the game. Sarah (Pavan) certainly made a huge statement tonight about how she wants to finish the season, and overall as a team, offensively, we were awesome."
"We definitely learned a lot (from Colorado) and we bounced back pretty well tonight," Pavan said. "Obviously we didn’t want to make the same mistakes twice, so we made some adjustments from what we did Saturday, and that worked pretty well."
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EIGHT HUSKER VOLLEYBALL STARS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12...
Amanda Gates was one of eight Huskers named academic All-Big 12 on Tuesday.
Lincoln – A conference-best eight Nebraska volleyball players were honored Tuesday with selections to the first-team academic All-Big 12 squad.
The honorees were led by Sarah Pavan and Amanda Gates, who were two of only four players in the Big 12 with cumulative 4.0 GPAs. It is Pavan’s second academic All-Big 12 award, as she carries a 4.0 GPA in biochemisty, and the first for Gates, who majors in communication studies. Pavan, a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American last season, also picked up CoSIDA first-team Academic All-District VII honors last week.
Wednesday’s match between Nebraska and Texas A&M will feature all four players in the Big 12 with perfect 4.0 GPAs, a group that also includes Texas A&M’s Christi Hahn and Jen Moore.
Seniors Dani Busboom and Dani Mancuso both earned their third selection to the academic All-Big 12 team, as both players major in communication studies. Other multiple award winners included junior Tracy Stalls, who is a two-time academic All-Big 12 honoree.
Maggie Griffin and Rachel Schwartz joined Pavan as first-time honorees, as Nebraska and Kansas State were the only schools with eight selections on either the first or second teams.
Nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the volleyball academic all-league team consisted of 42 first team members combined with eight on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second-team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.
To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.
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HUSKER VOLLEYBALL ANNOUNCES RECRUITING CLASS...
Nebraska Head Coach John Cook announces this year's volleyball recruiting class.
Lincoln – University of Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook announced Thursday the signing of four high school seniors to National Letters-of-Intent to play volleyball for the Husker volleyball program. All four players are ranked among the country’s top-50 seniors by Prepvolleyball.com - middle blocker Brooke Delano (Bellevue, Neb./Bellevue West), right side hitter Lindsey Licht (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) and outside hitters Tara Mueller (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain) and Danielle Minch (Sterling, Colo./Sterling).
Cook said this group not only features exceptional athletes, but all four bring impressive winning backgrounds into the Husker program.
"We feel like we have four talented players who are also very good athletes," Cook said. "All of them have been a part of winning teams, and you are always looking for people who know how to win. That is an intangible that you can’t teach. We will be expecting some of them to be able to contribute for us next season."
Nebraska Volleyball Recruiting Class
Name Pos. Ht. Hometown (High School)
Brooke Delano MB 6-4 Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West)
Lindsey Licht RS 6-5 Aurora, Colo. (Grandview)
Tara Mueller OH 6-0 Scottsdale, Ariz. (Desert Mountain)
Danielle Minch OH 6-1 Sterling, Colo. (Sterling)
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EXPERIENCE TRUMPS OUTCOME OF HUSKER SOCCER'S 2006 SEASON...
Nebraska finished the 2006 season with a record of 10-7-3.
The 2006 season may have ended sooner than the Nebraska soccer team would have liked, but the experience gained by the young Husker squad could prove to be more valuable than postseason glory.
On the season, eight freshmen earned starts for NU, including four who started in at least half of Nebraska’s matches. In fact, the Huskers utilized just three players at the junior or senior level, which means that the majority of NU’s returning roster will boast extensive game experience in 2007. With the loss of senior Brittany Timko to graduation, Nebraska will need this returning experience to maintain the level of success that has become synonymous with Husker soccer.
Nebraska finished the season 10-7-3, continuing a streak of posting at least 10 victories every season in the history of the program. Nebraska owned at least a one goal lead in 15 of its 20 contests this season, but an inability to close games resulted in a 4-5-1 record in Big 12 play and the Huskers failing to receive a big to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995.Timko repeated as the Big 12 Player of the Year, sharing the honor with Oklahoma State’s Yolanda Odenyo, to become the first player in the history of the conference to earn player-of-the-year accolades more than twice. Timko was also a first-team All-Big 12 selection for the third consecutive season, while senior Tanya Dennis and sophomore Aysha Jamani both earned repeat nominations with selections to the All-Big 12 second team. Dennis earned her first Big 12 award as a first-team selection in 2004. Jamani earned her place on the second team last season. Freshman Carly Peetz rounded out the Husker honorees, representing Nebraska as an All-Newcomer selection.
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TIMKO NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR...
Brittany Timko was named a Hermann Award semifinalist for the third consecutive year.
Lincoln – Nebraska senior forward Brittany Timko, the reigning three-time Big 12 Soccer Player of the Year, was named a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy for the third consecutive season. Timko is one of 15 semifinalists for the award, which is the official National Soccer Coaches Association of America Player-of-the-Year award for Division I.
The recipient of the award will be determined through voting by NSCAA Division I member coaches. The three women’s finalists will be announced Monday, Nov. 27 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 2, 2006 in St. Louis.
Timko is one of two players on the list to be named a semifinalist for the third time, joining North Carolina’s Heather O’Reilly who was also a semifinalist with Timko the past two seasons.
In an outstanding senior season, Timko reached new heights in her collegiate career as she joined the 40/40 club with 41 goals and 42 assists in her career. Timko is one of just 35 players in the history of the NCAA to reach the mark.
Timko led the Huskers in 2006 with a team-high 11 goals and seven assists, marking the third straight time she has led the club in both goals and assists. Prior to Timko’s arrival, no single player had led the team in goals and assists in the same season.
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NEBRASKA SOFTBALL INKS FOUR IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD...
Julie Brechtel, Ashley Guile, Abby Hughes and Tori Tyson all signed with the Huskers during the early signing period.
Head Coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Friday that the Nebraska softball program had received national letters-of-intent from a talented four-player group that will join the Huskers for the 2007-08 school year.
Making up this year’s class is Julianne Brechtel, an infielder from Fullerton, Calif., Ashley Guile, a first-team high school All-America first baseman for Olathe (Kan.) East High School, fellow Olathe native Abby Hughes and Tori Tyson, a right-handed pitcher from Corona, Calif.
Nebraska has gone to proven and familiar territory to sign players for this year’s class. With the addition of Guile and Hughes, Nebraska has now signed four players from the Olathe area since 2003, including three players from Olathe East High School. Brechtel and Tyson each played for the Corona Angels, joining current freshman outfielder Crystal Gonzalez, who also played for the Angels, which are coached by Marty Tyson, Tori’s father.
Revelle was pleased with the caliber of the class and is excited to see what each player can accomplish in her Husker career.
“We have high expectations for the 2007 class and how it will impact our program both on the field, in the class room, and in the community,” Revelle said. “This is an outstanding group of student-athletes and we are proud to have them at Nebraska.
“They will excite the fans with their play, and be excellent role models to the young people in our community."
Nebraska’s 2006-07 Signing Class
Player Position Hometown (High School)
Julianne Brechtel Infielder Fullerton, Calif. (Sunny Hills)
Ashley Guile Catcher/First Base Olathe, Kan. (Olathe East)
Abby Hughes Utility Olathe, Kan. (Olathe North)
Tori Tyson Right-Handed Pitcher Corona, Calif. (Corona)
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HUSKERS TOP BIG 12 IN EXHAUSTED ELIGIBILITY RATE...HITS 94 PERCENT...
(Ed. note: You should really check out the other Top 25 fooball ranked schools and their football E.E. rate...Ohio State is only at 56%, USC is at 53%, Texas is at 38% and Oklahoma is at the bottom at 27%)
Nebraska's 94 percent exhausted eligibility graduation rate is tops in the Big 12 Conference.
The University of Nebraska is the Big 12 Conference leader in exhausted eligibility rates for the fourth consecutive year, according to federal graduation rates released by the NCAA on Thursday.
Nebraska boasts an impressive exhausted eligibility rate of 94 percent, a percentage point higher than last year’s Big 12-leading rate of 93 percent. The exhausted eligibility rate surveys the graduation rate of scholarship student-athletes in 10 incoming freshman classes who complete their eligibility at that university. Nebraska’s exhausted eligibility rate has increased from 87 to 94 percent in the past six years and improved 22 percentage points since the inception of the exhausted eligibility rate in 1991-92.
The current exhausted eligibility rate includes members of incoming classes from 1990-91 through 1999-2000. During that time period 424 of 453 Nebraska scholarship student-athletes who completed their eligibility earned their undergraduate degree.
Nebraska’s 94 percent exhausted eligibility rate ranks three percentage points higher than Baylor who ranks second in the Big 12 Conference at 91 percent. The national average for exhausted eligibility is 85 percent for Division I schools.
Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson said the continued excellence in graduation rates is at the top of the list of accomplishments for Husker student-athletes.
“There are many things for which we all can be proud as Nebraska fans, but none that compare to the success that our student-athletes are having academically,” Pederson said. “Dennis Leblanc and the staff of the Hewit Center are to be commended for their outstanding work, but the real credit goes to the students who have shown that you can have excellence in your sport and still achieve excellence in you school work. We are very proud of the great success that they are all enjoying.”
In addition to the exhausted eligibility rates, the NCAA also announced other federal graduation-rate data and overall institutional Graduation/Success Rates (GSR) scores on Thursday. The GSR is the NCAA’s calculation of student-athlete academic success. Earlier this fall, the NCAA released GSR scores and federal graduation rates for individual sports, but did not release the institutional figures at that time.
Nebraska’s highlights from the data released by the NCAA on Thursday included...
As previously reported, the Nebraska football team posted a graduation success rate of 88 percent, tops in the Big 12.
Nebraska football boasted a one-class (1999-00 entering class) federal graduation rate of 84 percent, tops in the Big 12 and well above the national average of 55 percent. Among African-American student-athletes, Nebraska had a 100 percent graduation rate.
Among the current football top 25 (Coaches Poll), Nebraska’s one-class rate of 84 percent was second, trailing only Boston College’s 92 percent. (see attached document)
In the four-class graduation rate (1996-97 through 1999-00 entering classes), Nebraska had a 75 percent graduation rate for its football program. Overall the Husker football program led the conference in federal rates for one and four classes, as well as the graduation success rate.
Nebraska had an institutional GSR score of 80 percent.
The federal graduation rates for both one and four classes allow a student a six-year window to earn their degree from the time they enter their institution.
Big 12 Conference Exhausted Eligibility Rates
1. Nebraska 94% (424/453 student-athletes)
2. Baylor 91%
3. Texas Tech 90%
Iowa State 90%
5. Texas 89%
6. Missouri 87%
7. Kansas 86%
8. Oklahoma 84%
Colorado 84%
10. Texas A&M 83%
11. Oklahoma State 80%
12. Kansas State 59%
Note: National Average is 85 percent
Includes entering classes from 1990-91 to 1999-2000
Graduation Rates for Top 25 Football Schools
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NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND...
* NU Great Tommie Frazier Is Out As Head Football Coach At Doane
Two losing seasons.
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/15/455ad06d854f4
* UNL Defeats UNO 76-62 In First Regular Season Game
Doc Sadler's first regular season game as NU roundball coach has a happy ending. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/15/455ae6d5a817a
* Two-Minute Drill Saved The Day For NU At College Station
It's true. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/14/455a1faade939
* Husker Fans Must Adjust To A New Variety of Excitement
This look at the new reality of the new Husker football brought a lot of you to the keyboard. Keep the commentary coming. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/13/4558e171e0606
* Who Is Really Nebraska's Fastest Cornhusker?
You are going to be surprised. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/14/455a16f1d1848
* Rural Nebraskans Don't Think Latino Immigration Has Been Good
Rural folk don't think rural areas have been well served by immigration. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/13/4558ecfe4293e
* Nebraska Last In Decline Of Teen Childbearing
This study has prompted a lot of discussion for several days. We again commend it to you; again, in connection with a recent column by Tammy Hansen Snell. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/08/45524ffabf5fb
* Nebraska Senate Race No. 1 In $$$ Per Vote
Our guess is that most voters would rather have had the cash, rather than being had by a bunch of really dumb tv ads. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/09/4553861e1734f
* In Nebraska It Was Business As Usual From Statehouse To The Senate
Go Big Red applies to more than football in Nebraska. And what was all that malarkey about the 3rd District seriously considering a Democrat for Congress? http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/08/45522f1182f57
* Smoking Ban Goes To Ashcan In Lexington
The folk in Lexington reject proposed smoking restrictions. The mayor is really annoyed, too. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/11/08/45524beaad11c
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TRAVEL TIPS FOR ATTENDING THE BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME...
Executive Travel in Lincoln sent this...
Nebraska heads to K.C as the Big 12 North Champion -
Our phones were ringing off the hook on Monday as Husker fans called to make reservations with us on our trip to Kansas City to play for the Big 12 Championship at Arrowhead Stadium.
Our trip is fully escorted and departs Lincoln on Dec. 1 and includes motor coach,2 nights lodging at the Four Points Sheraton, transfers to/from game, game ticket as well as a Husker tailgate party. Price is $499.00 per person based on Double occupancy.If you are thinking of going to K.C. to see the Huskers don't wait too long to make your reservation as our phones have been ringing like we were giving away free gasoline.
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