Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!
I hope all the Veterans in our group got a chance to hear a hearty thank you from fellow Americans Wednesday. I would also like to add my heartfelt thanks for your service to our Country. We tend to take freedom for granted in this country and its important to remember to take the time to remember and thank those who are willing to stand between us and those who would take our freedoms away.
SWEET VICTORY!! We were in Plattsmouth watching the game with family, but you could almost hear the cheering from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Wow...what a great win for the Huskers and especially the Blackshirts...truly awesome performance. See the articles below for the blow by blow, close your eyes and savor the memories of watching a season-making game. Lets hope the team keeps up that level of play for the rest of the year. If they do we may see them playing Texas in the new billion dollar Cowboys stadium on December 5th.
Of course there are lots of other items to read below including an article about the new "Football Experience" facility, News from the Homeland, and another pitch to vote "Suh for Heisman".
Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl
Watch Parties:
With this Saturday's game against Kansas being broadcast as an ABC Regional game (which means it will only be on ESPN Gameplan on the west coast), we'll once again need to gather at our favorite watch sites to be able to view the game. So put on your red duds and come on out to Final-Final, Jack's, Legends and Knuckles to cheer on the Huskers. Coverage starts at 12:30 Pacific time, so get there early to get a good seat and grab some great pub grub for lunch before kickoff.
The game against KSU was picked up for television coverage and will be broadcast on ESPN (see article below). This means that all 12 games this season were broadcast on some sort of TV coverage!
==========
HUSKERS FACE JAYHAWKS ON ABC...
The Matchup
Nebraska goes back on the road this Saturday, traveling to Lawrence, for a Big 12 North Division matchup with Kansas. The game is set to kick off shortly after 12:30 p.m. (PST) from KU’s Memorial Stadium, with ABC providing regional television coverage of the contest.
Nebraska enters the game with a 6-3 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the Big 12 Conference, following a 10-3 victory over 20th-ranked Oklahoma last Saturday in Lincoln. The win ended a four-game losing streak against the Sooners and marked the Huskers’ second win over a ranked foe this season. Nebraska is right in the thick of the North Division race, standing a half-game behind division leader Kansas State.
Kansas stands at 5-4 on the season, including 1-4 in Big 12 Conference play, after a 17-10 loss at Kansas State last Saturday. KU began the season 5-0, but has suffered four consecutive setbacks in Big 12 action. Despite the losses, KU remains a dangerous foe, featuring one of the Big 12’s most explosive offensive attacks.
The Series
Nebraska holds an 89-23-3 lead in the all-time series between the two schools, including a 46-8-1 advantage in Lawrence. The home team has held its own in recent years, winning the past five meetings in the series dating back to a 24-3 Nebraska win in Lawrence in 2003.
==========
BLACKSHIRTS BAFFLE NO. 20 OKLAHOMA...
Lincoln - Call it redemption. Call it justice. Call it Karma. Whatever you want to call it, Nebraska brought home a sweet victory over an old rival, as the Blackshirt defense hauled in five interceptions and shut down No. 20 Oklahoma in a 10-3 victory at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
In a game that harkened back to the classic battles of the Big Red of the past four decades, Nebraska held the Sooners out of the end zone and mustered enough offense to improve to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12. The Huskers dropped the 20th-ranked Sooners to 5-4 and 3-2 in front of 86,115 fans and ABC television audience.
In a game dominated by one of the nation's best defensive units, Blackshirt Matt O'Hanlon played the biggest game of his career to help the Huskers erase a two-game home skid while erasing the memory of committing eight turnovers in a loss to Iowa State at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 24.
O'Hanlon, a senior from Omaha, Neb., tied a Nebraska record with three interceptions while erupting for a career-high 12 tackles. The last of his interceptions ended the Sooners' last chance at the end zone with 27 seconds left in the game. O'Hanlon's huge game also erased any memories Husker fans had of a last second touchdown scored by Virginia Tech in a road loss against the Hokies in September.
"This is one of the biggest wins of my career here and I probably can't play much better," O'Hanlon said after the game. "I was pretty down after the Virginia Tech game, and I just needed a breakout game to get my confidence back. I think that happened tonight."
Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini said he was proud of his senior safety.
“Matt has great character and resolve," Pelini said. "He’s one of the leaders, that’s why he walked on the field tonight as a captain because he’s earned that right.”
O'Hanlon played big from start to finish, achieving his career-best in tackles with nine in the opening half. O'Hanlon helped the Huskers carry a 7-3 lead into the locker room at halftime, but he was far from alone.
Defensive back Prince Amukamara hauled in NU's first inteception of the night, picking off a Landry Jones pass and returning it 22 yards to the OU 1. One play later, junior quarterback Zac Lee hit tight end Ryan Hill on a one-yard scoring pass to give the Huskers a 7-0 lead with 13:36 left in the first half.
The Huskers also got big plays in the special teams from senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and junior punter Alex Henery. Suh blocked Tress Way's 45-yard field goal with 6:50 left in the first quarter. It was Way's second unsuccessful attempt of the quarter, following a 46-yard miss on OU's opening possession.
The NU defense also held the Sooners on a 4th-and-1 play inside the 20 with a big tackle for loss from Eric Hagg, before Way finally cashed in with a 28-yard field goal for the Sooners with 24 seconds left in the half for OU's only points of the game. But his struggles continued in the third quarter, when he misfired wide left on a 42-yard attempt to end another OU scoring opportunity.
Nebraska, which had been pinned deep in its own territory early in the first quarter, flipped the field on the Sooners with Henery's 66-yard punt that buried OU at its own 2. Henery punted six times in the first half for a 43.5-yard average, including two punts inside the OU 20.
In the opening half, Nebraska managed 75 yards on 17 carries on the ground, led by Helu's 77 yards on seven carries. Lee and starter Cody Green combined to complete just 3-of-8 passes for five yards. Jones completed 14-of-28 passes for 106 yards, but his interception was converted into a touchdown for the Huskers. OU mustered just 28 yards on 17 carries on the ground.
In the third quarter, O'Hanlon made a major impact by pulling down his first interception and returning it 30 yards to set up a Henery field goal that gave NU a 10-3 lead with 5:38 left in quarter. Unfortunately for Henery, exactly one quarter later, he misfired wide right on a 43-yard field goal attempt to end his streak of 25 consecutive field goals made of less than 50 yards. That attempt would have given the Huskers a 10-point lead.
In the fourth quarter, O'Hanlon struck again. Just seconds after Jones connected with Dejuan Miller on a 33-yard pass play, O'Hanlon hauled in his second interception of the night to notch NU's third pick of Jones for the game. The interception ended OU's threat and gave the Husker offense possession at the NU 19 with 12:53 left.
Oklahoma native Phillip Dillard then got in on the action picking off a Jones pass at the NU 33 and returning it nine yards. Dillard, a senior linebacker from Tulsa, recorded eight tackles, including two tackles for loss and one 13-yard sack of Jones as well.
The Sooners got one last shot, with 41 seconds left, but O'Hanlon put his name in the Husker record book alongside of Dana Stephenson, Joe Blahak and Ric Lindquist as the only players in NU history to post three interceptions in a game with his pick at the NU 6 with 27 seconds left.
Sophomore Jared Crick, the reigning national defensive player of the week, continued his strong play with eight tackles of his own, including a shared sack, three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup, while Larry Asante added eight tackles of his and one breakup.
Senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh added four tackles of his own, while adding three hurries, a breakup and a blocked field goal.
The Blackshirts held OU to just 325 total yards on 87 plays, while forcing five turnovers. Jones completed 26-of-58 passes for 245 yards, while the Sooners mustered just 80 rushing yards on 29 carries.
Junior I-back Roy Helu Jr. carried the Nebraska offense with 20 carries for 138 rushing yards, while adding three receptions for 15 yards. Helu accounted for 153 of NU's 180 total yards, as Lee and Green combined to complete 7-of-14 passes for 39 yards. Alex Henery played a major role with 11 punts and a 43.7-yard average.
==========
HUSKERS READY TO FACE JAYHAWKS...
The Nebraska football team finished its practice week Thursday with a two-hour workout in Memorial Stadium. The Huskers head to Lawrence, Kan., on Friday for Saturday's matchup with the Jayhawks.
Head Coach Bo Pelini said the Huskers finished the week on a strong note.
"We've still got a couple little things to iron out, but I thought overall we had a good week of practice, a good last couple days," Pelini said. "Now we've just got to finish the mental preparation and get ready to go."
Coming off last week's thrilling 10-3 win over Oklahoma, Nebraska is poised not to have a letdown against the Jayhawks this week. The Huskers are mindful that KU is a talented football team.
"What happened last week against Oklahoma, we put that behind us right away," Pelini said. "It's about executing against a good Kansas team. We know we're going to get their best shot. We know they're going to be ready to play. They've got their backs against the wall. And they're looking at it like they have a three-game season. So we know the challenge we have sitting in front of us. Our guys will be ready to go."
Although NU controls its own destiny to win the North Division, Pelini said the team hasn't talked about that at all.
"That takes care of itself," Pelini said. "All we're talking about is Kansas. If you earn it, it'll be there at the end. You can sit there and get so focused on what the goal is at the end, you lose sight of the process and that's what I've preached forever is stay focused on the process, it's going to get us that title."
NU and Kansas kick off at 12:30 p.m. (PST). Regional television coverage will be provided by ABC.
==========
HUSKERS, WILDCATS TO SQUARE OFF IN PRIMETIME...
The Big 12 Conference and ESPN announced on Monday that Nebraska's Nov. 21 home finale against Kansas State will kick off at 4:45 p.m. PST from Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on either ESPN or ESPN2, with the decision on the channel made on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Nebraska-Kansas State contest could determine the Big 12 North representative in the league title game on Dec. 5 in Arlington, Texas. Entering this week's games Kansas State is atop the division at 4-2 in league play, while Nebraska is a half-game behind at 3-2.
Nebraska's appearance on ESPN or ESPN2 will be its second of the season, with the first a nationally televised Thursday night win at Missouri on Oct. 8. It also guarantees all 12 of Nebraska's regular-season games will be televised, including nine on network or cable television and three pay-per-view contests.
The prime time contest will be Nebraska's second straight night home game following last Saturday's 10-3 win over Oklahoma that was televised by ABC. The two contests are Nebraska's first home night games in November since a 2002 game against Texas. The Kansas State game will mark just the fourth November home night game in school history (also vs. Kansas in 1992).
Nebraska's game this week at Kansas will be televised regionally by ABC with kickoff set for shortly after 12:30 p.m. PST. The Huskers' regular-season finale at Colorado on Friday, Nov. 27 will be nationally televised by ABC, also with a 12:30 p.m. (PST) kickoff.
==========
RODGERS, ROZIER, CROUCH PRAISE THE NEW NEBRASKA FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE ROOM...
Take it from Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier and Eric Crouch. Watching film from four decades ago, three decades ago and nearly one decade ago was a new experience for Nebraska's three Heisman Trophy winners over the weekend.
Video images of their signature plays and other meaningfully related Heisman moments have new snap, crackle and pop in the Nebraska Football Experience Room.
The room was officially dedicated before Friday night's Nebraska-Oklahoma banquet for major award winners at the Champions Club in Lincoln. Those same Huskers and Sooners, as well their coaches, also were honored at halftime of Saturday night's NU-OU game at Memorial Stadium.
"I love the way the room incorporates all the new technology," said Rodgers, who cut the ceremonial red ribbon at the official dedication. "I know our recruits and all our fans will enjoy the new video because Mike, Eric and I loved every minute of it. We enjoyed watching history come alive in a very unique way."
Rodgers, Rozier and Crouch viewed the video with Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne, who was involved in either coaching or recruiting all three Husker Heisman winners. They also watched the video a second time with winners of a Huskers.com experientual auction and saw things they hadn't seen during the first viewing.
Osborne said the Nebraska Football Experience Room, located just inside the front lobby of the North Stadium Complex, is an important part of Nebraska's newly remodeled recruiting path, designed to showcase Husker tradition.
"It was great," Rozier said. "Of course, any time I see my mom in a video, I'm going to be happy."
Crouch said watching the new video, which uses creative graphics and surround sound, made him think of all the elements that enabled him to achieve Heisman Trophy status, including the weight and conditioning facility that's adjacent to the new video room.
Osborne, Rodgers, Rozier and Crouch said the ultimate benefactors of the new room are NU recruits and Husker fans, who will spend eight minutes in the room and walk out both educated and entertained.
New videos, including one that focuses on the Nebraska Game Day Experience, also will be shown in the room, which is open during normal business hours and free of charge to the public.
The room is a linchpin of an ongoing remodeling project to showcase Nebraska football tradition in the Osborne Athletic Complex. The new recruiting path also includes a new mural in the strength and conditioning complex, a new hallway display featuring Nebraska's major football award winners, and newly designed walls outside the locker room that showcase the accomplishments of the Huskers' walk-on program and the history of Nebraska's Blackshirts.
==========
O'HANLON NAMED BIG 12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK...
Senior safety Matt O'Hanlon has earned recognition as Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week, following his outstanding performance in Nebraska's 10-3 victory over No. 20 Oklahoma on Saturday night.
A native of Bellevue, Neb., O'Hanlon tied the school record with three interceptions, made 12 tackles and tallied one pass break-up. In the process, he became just the fourth Husker to intercept three passes in a game. His first pick set up Nebraska's field goal that gave the Huskers a 10-3 third quarter lead, while the final interception sealed the victory on Oklahoma's last drive.
O'Hanlon has 48 tackles this season and leads the team with four interceptions. His performance against the Sooners also helped the senior receive a "helmet sticker" from ESPN's College Football Final.
O'Hanlon's honor marks the third Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week award for Nebraska in the past month, joining Ndamukong Suh (Oct. 12) and Jared Crick (Nov. 2).
==========
SUH, BLACKSHIRTS CONTINUE TO EARN HONORS...
The award and honors keep coming for senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and his Nebraska defensive teammates. On Wednesday, Suh was named one of eight semifinalists for the 2009 Lott Trophy, named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.
The Lott Trophy is in its sixth year and is presented to the nation's top defensive player, while equally considering the athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Other finalists for this year's award include safety Eric Berry (Tennessee) safety Taylor Mays (USC), defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma), linebacker Rolando McClain (Alabama), defensive end Sam Acho (Texas), defensive end Jerry Hughes (TCU) and defensive end Eric Norwood (South Carolina).
The finalists for the Lott Trophy will be named on Nov. 24 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 13 at a banquet in Newport Beach, Calif.
The Lott Trophy recognition for Suh continues an impressive run of conference and national honors for Blackshirt players this season, including...
* Suh was named one of four finalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award on Tuesday. The 6-4, 300-pound Suh will be in attendance at the Dec. 9 Lombardi Award dinner in Houston where he will look to become Nebraska's fifth winner of the award.
* Senior safety Matt O'Hanlon has received conference and national attention for his record-setting performance in NU's win over Oklahoma last Saturday. O'Hanlon's three interceptions helped earn him Bronko Nagurski National Player-of-the-Week honors, along with Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week accolades.
* O'Hanlon's recognition as the FWAA/Nagurski Player of the Week marked the third time Nebraska has won the award this season. Suh won the award after his performance at Missouri and fellow defensive tackle Jared Crick received the honor after a record-setting sack performance at Baylor.
* Nebraska is the first school in the history of the Nagurski weekly defensive honor (since 2001) to win the award three times in one season. In the nine-year history of the award, there were only three schools that have won the Nagurski award twice in the same season prior to this year.
* Nebraska defenders have also twice won the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week (Suh vs. MU, Crick vs. Baylor), won the Lott IMPACT player-of-the-week twice (Suh vs. MU, ISU) and captured Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors three times (Suh vs. MU, Crick vs. Baylor, O'Hanlon vs. OU).
The honors are the result of a season of impressive play and statistics from Suh and the Blackshirts. Among the statistical highlights are...
* Nebraska ranks in the top 11 nationally in four major defensive statistical categories, including second in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense, 10th in rush defense and 11th in total defense.
* Nebraska held seven straight opponents to 280 or fewer yards, the longest streak by a Blackshirt defense since 1996. Opponents are averaging just 3.97 yards per play which ranks fifth in the country. In five Big 12 games, NU is allowing a Big 12-best 3.7 yards per opponent snap.
* Nebraska has allowed 16 points or fewer in eight of nine games this season, and the 93 points allowed is the second-fewest by a Nebraska defense through nine games in the past 25 seasons. The Blackshirts have not allowed a fourth-quarter point in the past three games and have allowed just one second-half offensive touchdown in five Big 12 Conference games.
* The Blackshirts have given up only three passing touchdowns this season, tying Air Force for the national lead. Nebraska is the only school in the country allowing a touchdown pass on less than 1 percent of the opposition's passing attempts. Nebraska has held five opponents to 50 percent or less in the passing department and the opponent pass completion percentage of 49.8 percent ranks sixth in the country.
* Nebraska has allowed its five Big 12 opponents an average of just 77.4 rushing yards per game, and each of the Huskers last seven opponents has averaged fewer than 3.0 yards per rush. In Big 12 games, Nebraska has allowed only two runs of 20 yards or more.
* Nebraska has allowed opponents just 14 trips into the Red Zone this season, a mark that ties for TCU for the fewest in the country.
* Suh and Crick are the only defensive tackle combination in the country to currently rank 1-2 on their team in tackles. They are the only two defensive tackles among the top 40 in the Big 12 in tackles per game.
* Crick and Suh are the first pair of Blackshirt interior linemen to post double figure TFLs in the same season since 1990, and their combined totals of 27 tackles for loss and 14 sacks are the best for a duo of Blackshirt defensive tackles since All-Americans Jim Skow and Danny Noonan combined for 39 tackles for loss and 26 sacks in 1985.
* Nebraska junior cornerback Prince Amukamara is tied for eighth nationally in passes defended at 1.33 per game. Amukamara has nine pass breakups and three intercpetions on the season. In Big 12 games only, Amukamara leads the conference with 1.8 passes defended per game.
* In Big 12 games, Crick and senior linebacker Phillip Dillard rank sixth and seventh, respectively in tackles per game. Dillard has three games of eight or more tackles in conference play.
==========
CONTINUE VOTING FOR SUH FOR HEISMAN...(thanks Carlos)...
Just a reminder but we need to keep voting for Suh everyday. One of our former board members now living in Iowa said that the last he checked Suh is currently the frontrunner with nearly 67,000 votes, but his percentage has dropped from 32% of the total votes to only 22%. C. J. Spiller of Clemson has pulled ahead of Tim Tebow and is closing in on Suh, so its apparent that Clemson fans are very good at getting out the vote. Suh needs our continued support!
Here's our chance to vote for SUH for the 2009 Heisman! As the sponsor for the Heisman trophy, Nissan gets to cast one vote and they are voting based on fan input. Make your voice heard!! You will have to type his name in (Ndamukong Suh) and then you will be directed to the results page.
http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/2009/
==========
HUSKERS IN THE NFL - WEEK 9...
Lincoln - A total of 17 former Huskers saw action during Week 9 of the 2009 NFL season, while four players were off with a bye.
In the “Battle of the Bays”, Tampa Bay got their first win of the season over Green Bay, 38-28. Sporting their throwback creamsicle jerseys, the Bucs scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, while holding the Packers to seven second-half points. Barrett Ruud totaled four tackles, with the Bucs defense intercepting Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers three times. For the Packers, Ahman Green surpassed Hall of Famer Jim Taylor as the Packers’ all-time leading rusher with 8,208 yards, as Green carried six times for 45 yards on Sunday.
Zackary Bowman continued to play well for the Chicago Bears in his second year in the league. In a loss to Arizona, Bowman had four solo stops and intercepted his second pass of the year. Bowman returned a Matt Leinart pass 39 yards, which resulted in a Bears’ touchdown three plays later.
At the Superdome, Carl Nicks and Scott Shanle contributed to the Saints’ 30-20 win over Carolina. Now 8-0, the Saints are off to their best start in the franchise’s 43-year history. Shanle had four total tackles and a pass deflection, as the Saints defense forced three fumbles, including one which was returned for their seventh defensive touchdown of the year. For the offense, Nicks protected Drew Brees as he threw for 330 yards and one touchdown, the fifth time this season Brees has thrown for over 300 yards.
2010 Pro Bowl
Fan are also encouraged to vote for former Huskers for this years' Pro Bowl. Below is a list of players on the ballot and here is the link to vote.
Correll Buckhalter – Running Back – Denver Broncos - AFC
Dominic Raiola – Center – Detroit Lions - NFC
Carl Nicks – Guard - New Orleans Saints - NFC
Richie incognito – Guard – St. Louis Rams - NFC
Mike Brown – Strong Safety – Kansas City Chiefs - AFC
Zack Bowman – Corner – Chicago Bears - NFC
Fabian Washington – Corner – Baltimore Ravens - AFC
Chris Kelsay – Defensive End – Buffalo Bills - AFC
Kyle Vanden Bosch – Defensive End – Tennessee Titans - AFC
Barrett Ruud – Inside Linebacker – Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFC
Demorrio Williams – Inside Linebacker – Kansas City Chiefs - AFC
Scott Shanle – Outside Linebacker – New Orleans Saints - NFC
Kris Brown – Kicker – Houston Texans - AFC
Josh Brown – Kicker – St. Louis Rams - NFC
Sam Koch – Punter – Baltimore Ravens - AFC
==========
HELUS FAITH KEPT HIM GROUNDED THROUGH INJURY AND CHALLENGES...
Big games bring out the best in Roy Helu Jr.
In Nebraska's last five games against teams that were nationally ranked at the time the Huskers played them, Helu has rushed 92 times for 599 yards - an average of 6.5 yards per carry.
Nebraska's junior I-back rushed 20 times for 138 yards Saturday night against 20th ranked Oklahoma, marking his sixth career 100-yard rushing game and his third this season. The 138-yard effort against Oklahoma followed a 157-yard rushing performance at OU last year.
Helu cited his faith as the source of his strength, enabling him battle through injury and persevere through some tough mental roadblocks in recent weeks.
If the key to winning is to stop the run on defense and run the ball on offense, Helu provided the spark on offense. His 63-yard run in the second quarter was a career-long rush, bettering his 57-yard scamper at Oklahoma last season.
Helu cited the blocking of Tyler Legate, a sophomore fullback from Neligh, Nebraska, as a big key to his performance. "He was awesome," Helu said of Legate.
So was Helu, who now has gained those 599 yards against Texas Tech and Oklahoma last season and Virginia Tech, Missouri and OU this season.
==========
FOUR HUSKERS HONORED AS ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT SELECTIONS...
Four Nebraska football players have been honored as ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 7 selections. The teams were announced Thursday and the Nebraska honorees are led by sophomore defensive back Austin Cassidy who earned first-team all-district honors.
With his selection to the Academic All-District first team, Cassidy advances to the national ballot for ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America. Cassidy was joined on team by three second-team Academic All-District 7 honorees, including senior receiver Wes Cammack, sophomore offensive tackle Marcel Jones and junior linebacker Blake Lawrence.
A graduate of Lincoln Southwest High School, Cassidy carries a 3.84 cumulative grade-point average in psychology. He has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll each of his first four semesters on the Nebraska campus. On the field, Cassidy is one of the leaders of Nebraska's special teams units and is a key reserve at safety. Cassidy has played in all eight games and has six total tackles, while adding a pass breakup.
Cammack is a native of DeWitt, Neb., and carries a 3.89 grade-point average in agricultural engineering. Cammack has been an academic All-Big 12 pick each of the past two years and is on track to graduate in May. He has played in six games this season as a reserve receiver and a member of the Husker special teams. Cammack has made one reception and has a tackle on special teams.
Jones has started all eight games at right tackle and helped a Nebraska offense that ranks among the nation's leaders in sacks allowed. A Phoenix, Ariz., native, Jones carries a 3.35 cumulative grade-point average in construction management. He was a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick in 2008 and is a four-time Big 12 honor roll selection.
Lawrence played in three games with two starts this season before being forced to end his football career for medical reasons. Lawrence contributed 10 tackles early in the season before moving into a volunteer student assistant role for the Huskers. Off the field, Lawrence is a marketing major with a 3.91 cumulative grade-point average and is scheduled to earn his degree this December in just 2 ½ years on the Nebraska campus. Lawrence is a four-time Big 12 honor roll selection and a 2008 first-team academic All-Big 12 pick.
Nebraska ranks as the national leader in Academic All-Americans in football and across all sports. Nebraska's nation-leading football academic All-America total stands at 98, while Nebraska has produced 269 Academic All-Americans across all sports. Football Academic All-Americans will be announced later this month.
==========
CHAMBERLAIN EARNS WORLD SERIES TITLE...
Joba Chamberlain went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three World Series appearances.
Former Nebraska pitcher Joba Chamberlain played an integral part in helping the New York Yankees to their 27th World Series title Wednesday night.
Chamberlain, an All-American during his two-year career at Nebraska, made three World Series appearances, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three appearances. He earned the victory in Game 4 and came back with a shutout inning of relief in the decisive game six. He recorded four strikeouts in three innings of work in the World Series and held opponents to a .182 batting average. Chamberlain made 10 relief appearances during the postseason, going 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA.
He is the first Husker baseball player to earn a World Series ring since Darin Erstad in 2002 with the Anaheim Angels.
The postseason capped a solid third season in the Major Leagues for Chamberlain, who went 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 32 appearances, including 31 starts in 2009. It is the second postseason appearance in three seasons for Chamberlain, who helped the Yankees reach the playoffs in 2007.
Chamberlain compiled a 16-7 record for Nebraska during the 2005 and 2006 campaigns. He went 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 2005, helping Nebraska to a school-record 57 wins and a College World Series appearance. Chamberlain was a first-round draft pick by the Yankees in 2006 and reached the Major Leagues in his first professional season.
Chamberlain was one of two Huskers to make the postseason, as Brian Duensing compiled a 5-2 mark to help the Minnesota Twins to the American League Central Division title. Duensing was also a member of the Huskers’ 2005 CWS team, going 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA that season. He was 17-2 as a Husker in 45 appearances over three seasons.
==========
NO. 9 HUSKERS RETURN HOME TO FACE TEXAS A&M...
No. 9 Nebraska (18-6, 11-4 Big 12)
vs. Texas A&M (14-9, 7-8 Big 12)Friday, Nov. 13 • NU Coliseum • 7 p.m.
Radio: Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and KTWI 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com
TV: None
Live Stats: Huskers.com
Video: HuskersNside (subscription required)
Following a sweep of eighth-ranked Iowa State, the Nebraska volleyball team hosts Texas A&M Friday night at the NU Coliseum. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will be carried on selected Husker Sports Network stations, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Twister 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com with John Baylor and Diane Mendenhall on the call. The match will also available on HuskersNside. The Nebraska-Texas A&M match is on Friday because of the state high school volleyball championships at the NU Coliseum on Saturday.
The Huskers (18-6, 11-4 Big 12) jumped from 10th to ninth in Monday’s poll and are coming off their best performance of the season, a three-set sweep at Iowa State on Saturday. The Huskers quelled the Cyclones and their record crowd of 10,203 with a solid all-around effort, hitting .327 against the league’s top defense. NU became the first team in 34 matches to hit over .300 against the Cyclones, as five attackers recorded at least eight kills. Middle blockers Brooke Delano and Kori Cooper combined for 17 kills and five blocks, as Delano hit .571 with eight kills. NU is now a game out of second place in the league race.
Texas A&M (14-9, 7-8 Big 12) looks to snap a three-match losing streak, as it lost to Iowa State on Wednesday. The Aggies dropped a pair of five-set heartbreakers last week, including a home setback to No. 20 Baylor when they lost 18-16 in the fifth. The Aggies rely on their trio of outside hitters, including Sarah Ammerman (4.30 kills per set) and Jennifer Banse (3.26 kps), who rank second and ninth, respectively, in the Big 12 in kills per set.
==========
HUSKERS MAUL TIGERS, 3-0...
Lincoln – The No. 10 Nebraska volleyball team put together its best offensive performance of the season, sweeping Missouri, 3-0 (25-19, 26-16, 25-16) Wednesday evening at the NU Coliseum.
Nebraska hit a season-best .451 on the night, as three Huskers finished in double figures in kills while all five primary attackers hit over .400. Sydney Anderson dished out 43 assists and added two of the Huskers eight aces as the Huskers .451 hitting percentage was the best since hitting .467 against UAB in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Hannah Werth’s 12 kills on .429 hitting led Nebraska (17-6, 10-4 Big 12) while Tara Mueller and Brooke Delano added 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Delano had 10 kills on 12 swings, as her .833 hitting percentage was the sixth-best performance in school history and the sophomore added four blocks. Mueller hit .400 and added seven digs, while Kayla Banwarth totaled a match-high 15 digs and keyed a strong passing effort.
In addition to a strong offensive output, Nebraska also matched its season best with eight service aces, including three by freshman Gina Mancuso and two apiece from Werth and Anderson, and tied its season low with two errors.
==========MARLBOROUGH NAMED TO TOP DRAWER SOCCER ALL-ROOKIE TEAM...
Following a record-breaking freshman season, forward Morgan Marlborough has been recognized as one of the best women's college soccer players in the country, earning a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Rookie First Team.
Marlborough is just over a week removed from being named Big 12 Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year after she led the conference in scoring with 21 goals and added seven assists (49 points). The Lee's Summit, Mo., native ended the year fourth on the NU single-season goal chart and fifth in points.
Against Oklahoma on Oct. 11, Marlborough broke the freshman school record for single-season goals (17 in 1996 by both Lindsay Eddleman and Isabelle Morneau), as she turned in her second hat trick of the year and became one of seven players in school history to produce multiple three-goal games in a career.
In 2010, Marlborough will enter her sophomore season just five goals away from reaching Nebraska's all-time top 10 list for career goals. She ended the 2009 regular season tied for third in the NCAA in goals (21) and ranked fourth in points (49).
Marlborough's 2009 goal and point totals were the highest of any player on the All-Rookie First Team. Freshmen are not eligible for Top Drawer's Team of the Season.
Stanford forwards Kelley O'Hara (23 goals, 9 assists) and Christen Press (16 goals, 13 assists) were named TopDrawerSoccer.com Co-Players of the Season after leading the Cardinal to a perfect 20-0 campaign. Penn State midfielder Christine Nairn (7 goals, 9 assists) was awarded with Rookie of the Season.
Nebraska finished 2009 with an 11-5-4 overall record, including a fourth-place regular-season finish in the Big 12 with a 5-3-2 conference mark.
2009 TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Rookie First Team
(Freshmen are not eligible for the Team of the Season)
G Adrianna Franch, Oklahoma State
D Laura Eddy, Georgia
D Rachel Quon, Stanford
D Alina Garciamendez, Stanford
M Kristen Mewis, Boston CollegeM Christine Nairn, Penn State
M Zakiya Bywaters, UCLA
F Victoria DiMartino, Boston College
F Morgan Marlborough, Nebraska
F Carlee Payne, BYU
F Devin Petta, Northeastern
==========
HUSKERS TIE FOR LEAGUE LEAD WITH 14 ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12 SELECTIONS...
The Nebraska soccer team made a mark among the conference schools on the 2009 Academic All-Big 12 Team, as the Huskers had 14 student-athletes named to the squad, announced Tuesday by the league office. Nebraska's total ties Oklahoma State for the most of any team.
Senior Shay Powell led the impressive group of Huskers as one of 11 Big 12 soccer student-athletes who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. In the process, she earned her third consecutive first-team award, an achievement matched by classmates Anna Caniglia, Brittney Lanier and Carly Peetz.
All six seniors were named to the first team, as Julie Berkshire and Lauren Isenhower also gained top accolades, in addition to former Husker Shannon Dickerson, whose athletic career was cut short due to an injury.
Junior Anna White and sophomore Katie Goetzmann each obtained first-team honors for the second consecutive year, while sophomore Alexa Cardona and juniors Jessica Mills and Jaclyn White earned the first awards of their career.
Junior Michaella Fulmer and sophomore Blair Slapper were named to the second team, bringing Nebraska's total to 14, the second-most selections the Huskers have ever had on the Academic All-Big 12 Team (15 in 2008).
Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the Academic All-Big 12 squad required first-team members to have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team to have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA either cumulative or the two previous semesters. She must have also 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.
The Huskers are currently preparing for the first round of the 2009 Big 12 Championship, as No. 4 Nebraska faces No. 5 Oklahoma State on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The postseason conference tournament takes place at Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.
==========
HUSKERS DROP FIRST ROUND OF 2009 BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP...
San Antonio - The Nebraska soccer team gave up two first-half goals and could not overcome the deficit against a tough Oklahoma State squad, as the Huskers dropped the first round of the 2009 Big 12 Championship on Wednesday in San Antonio, 3-0.
Nebraska outshot Oklahoma State, 14-10, including five from senior Shay Powell. Shots on goal were even at five apiece.
==========
HUSKER SOFTBALL SIGNS TALENTED SOCAL TWINS...
Talented twin sisters Tatum and Taylor Edwards each signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball at Nebraska beginning in 2010-11, Head Coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The twins are battery mates, as Taylor is a catcher and Tatum is a pitcher and outfielder. The sisters are among the best recruits to ever sign with the Huskers, as each has been a three-time all-state selection entering their senior seasons in 2010 at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, Calif.
"We are extremely excited about what the Edwards twins bring to our program," Revelle said. "They are competitive, spirited and they have winning in their blood. Tatum and Taylor will be outstanding additions to the Nebraska softball program.
Playing in a talent-rich Southern California area that annually produces hundreds of Division I softball players, the twins have still managed to separate themselves from their talented peers. Tatum was selected as the California Freshman of the Year in 2007 by CalHiSports.com, while the site named Taylor the California Junior of the Year in 2009. A two-time Under Armour All-American, Taylor was also honored as the EA Sports National Junior of the Year last spring while being named a first-team EA Sports All-American.
==========
NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND...
* A Perfect Recruiting Storm
An unseasonably warm night game. Television cameras swarming around the field of play. A raucous Memorial Stadium crowd bubbling with noise and excitement. And most importantly, a big win over a name team – Oklahoma. They don't happen... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/09/4af8d95829e70
We're 21 games into the Bo Pelini era – please, no counting the 2003 Alamo Bowl – and we've got a pretty good handle on the guy as a coach. Where Bo's good – namely, defense – he's performed as advertised. He's a little rough on the... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/06/4af3c62287b96
* Protecting the Fees
A bill protecting agricultural check-off fees from being used to address the $334 million shortfall was passed through committee to the Nebraska Legislature Monday, even though Attorney Gen. Jon Bruning's contention is that the bill is... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/10/4af9843e75593
* Husker Monday Review: Oklahoma
Roy Helu jumped into the crowd. Matt O'Hanlon flipped the ball in the air. The Memorial Stadium faithful roared with vigor before, during and after every big play, and howled with delight at game's end. The look, sound and feel of joy in... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/09/4af7b38c01a88
* Guilty Verdict for Mushroom Murderer
A Chadron jury found 26-yard-old Joseph Hotz guilty Monday of second-degree murder and a slew of lesser charges – but not the first-degree felony murder charges prosecutors had been seeking for the death of Kenneth Pfeiffer, whom Hotz stabbed 51... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/10/4af986a79f3f3
* Appropriations Committee Begins to Craft Budget
It might have been Veteran's Day Wednesday at the State Capitol, and the building might have been darker and quieter than usual. But that didn't stop the Nebraska Legislature's Appropriations Committee from beginning to work on its recommendation... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/12/4afc2df85b63e
* Huskers Land Big-Name JUCO Tight End
Nebraska already has a stable full of tight ends. But, apparently, there is room for one more. Chase Harper, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end at Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, Texas, became the 16th verbal commitment of NU's 2010... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/11/4afb1ee9c19ea
* A War Still to Win
Wednesday was Veterans Day.
It is a day when we all remember the real heroes in our country. I think of my grandpa. I think of my high school history teacher. I think of Shane Harris, Christopher Best and David "Doc" Sotelo. Rest in... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/12/4afc315ca4972
* Music Man
It's Thursday night, and the busiest guy on the Nebraska football team is cornerback Anthony Blue. He's got around 50 iPods in front of him – each from a different Cornhusker player. They've entrusted Blue with a key part of their gameday... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/12/4afba89ada6a7
* Nelson May Join GOP Filibuster
Sen. Ben Nelson leaned a little closer in the last 48 hours to joining a Republican filibuster to block the Senate health care bill. Nelson, who opposes an "opt out" public health care option, told ABC News on Tuesday night: "Faced... http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/11/12/4afc35ce5863e
==========
Visit our Bay Area Huskers website for additional Husker information, Links, Upcoming Events, Past Events, Watch Sites, and the Schedule of Games. Also order Merchandise online, and get information on Husker Scholarships. Check out the History of the Huskers and meet our Directors.
Say hello today, email us, sign up for our newsletter, and become a member of the Bay Area Huskers Alumni Chapter.
No comments:
Post a Comment