Ouch! That one will sting for a long time. But hey, you gotta put it behind you and get on with plans for the Holiday Bowl. Lots of info below about the bowl matchup, tickets (via Alumni Assoc. and other sources), and activities in San Diego if you plan to make the trek.
The big news this week is Ndamukong Suh's trophy fest! So far he's won the Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik and Outland trophies (no article yet about the last two...just saw the info at ESPN.com for their awards show tonight). And he is one of the 5 contenders for the Heisman this weekend. Go get 'em Ndamukong!!!
The Volleyball team is going on to the second round of NCAA Tourney play and once again get the benefit of playing on home turf at the Omaha Quest Center for the matches this weekend. See the info below for details and broadcast info.
And the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metro area tops the Forbes list of "Best Bang for the Buck" affordable places to live in the USA. See the article at the end of the email. I just copied the top ten, but if you go to the link you can see the entire list.
Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl
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NEBRASKA TO FACE ARIZONA WILDCATS IN PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL...
Purchase 2009 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Tickets
Nebraska has been selected to participate in the 32nd annual Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The 9-4 Cornhuskers are set to take on 8-4 Arizona, one of three teams that finished tied for second in the Pacific-10 Conference.
Kickoff for the Holiday Bowl is set for 5 p.m. PST (7 p.m. CST) on Dec. 30, with ESPN providing the telecast to a national audience.
Nebraska is making its second appearance in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl and its first since 1998. Ironically, Nebraska also squared off against Arizona in that contest, dropping a 23-20 decision in front of a sold-out Qualcomm Stadium. This will mark just the third overall meeting between the schools, including a 14-14 tie in Lincoln in 1961.
The Huskers are coming off a 13-12 loss to No. 2 Texas on Saturday evening in the Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, Texas. The loss ended a five-game Nebraska win streak and was its third of the season by either one or two points. The Huskers' four losses this season have come by a total of 25 points.
Arizona has also had its share of close games this fall. The Wildcats four losses have come by a total of 24 points, and they also have four wins by five or fewer points, including Saturday's 21-17 victory at USC to earn the Holiday Bowl bid.
Arizona is strong on both sides of the football, ranking 40th nationally in total offense, while featuring a balanced attack. The Wildcat defense is ranked 21st nationally in total defense allowing just 315.8 yards per game. Wildcat coach Mike Stoops is in his sixth season at the school and he has guided Arizona to back-to-back eight-win seasons.
Nebraska received a team allotment of 11,000 tickets for the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. The remaining tickets in Nebraska's allotment will be available available to the general public at Huskers.com, beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday night.
The Athletic Ticket Office (Stadium Drive Parking Garage) will open Monday morning at 8 a.m. and at that time will also sell tickets in person or by phone at 1-800-8-BIG-RED. There will not be tickets held for in-person or phone sales in the event that all tickets sell on-line before 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Tickets for the game are $60 and $30.
Other Nebraska Bowl Notes
--The 2009 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl appearance will be Nebraska's 46th all-time bowl appearance, the fifth-most in college football history.
--Nebraska has a 23-22 record in bowl games and has won nine of its last 13 bowl games and three of its past four since 2003.
--This year's game will be Nebraska's fourth bowl game in the state of California, including the two Holiday Bowl appearances and the 1941 and 2002 Rose Bowl games.
--Nebraska is 0-3 against the Pac-10 in bowl games. In addition to the 1998 Holiday Bowl against Arizona, Nebraska also lost bowl games against Stanford (1941 Rose) and Arizona State (1975 Fiesta).
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NEBRASKA SELLS ALL OF ITS HOLIDAY BOWL TICKET ALLOTMENT OF 11,000...
The Nebraska Athletic Department announced Tuesday that the school has sold its allotment of 11,000 tickets to the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl football game on Dec. 30.
Holly Adam, Nebraska's Assistant Athletic Director for Tickets, said NU sold about 4,000 tickets in the last day-and-a-half after Husker donors had purchased the first 7,000 available bowl tickets.
"Even though we've sold out of our allotment, the game is not a sellout," Adam said, acknowledging that her office will now direct Husker fans to the bowl's website - www.pacificlifeholidaybowl.com - to purchase tickets.
Another option for Husker fans, Adam said, is Holiday Bowl opponent Arizona, which is just finishing its donor requests. The Wildcats will have its remaining tickets available for the general public, beginning Tuesday night. Fans can go to www.arizonawildcats.com to order.
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HOLIDAY BOWL TICKET FOR SALE...
We have one ticket for sale to the NU-UA Holiday Bowl at the price of $81, what we paid for it. If you could advertise for us with the Bay Area Husker Fans, we would appreciate it!
Diane Dodd
925-210-1721
doddlings4@comcast.net
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HORNS SQUEAK PAST HUSKERS...
Arlington, Texas - Ndamukong Suh and the Nebraska Blackshirts provided another dominant defensive performance, but No. 3 Texas escaped from Cowboys Stadium with a 13-12 victory over the No. 22 Huskers on a walk-off 46-yard field goal in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday night.
Suh, a senior All-America defensive tackle who is a candidate for every major national defensive award, set a Big 12 Championship Game record with 4.5 sacks among his seven tackles for loss and game-high 12 total tackles, while the Blackshirts sacked Texas Heisman Trophy candidate Colt McCoy nine times. The Blackshirts also intercepted McCoy three times, which all led to Alex Henery field goals in the game. The Blackshirts notched 18 tackles for 65 yards lost against the Longhorns.
The final Henery field goal came from 43 yards out with 1:44 left to give Nebraska a 12-10 lead over the 13-0 Longhorns. The Huskers, who fell to 9-4 with three of their losses by two points or less, watched the Longhorns quickly get into field goal range after Nebraska's ensuing kickoff bounced out of bounds to give UT possession at its own 40 to start the drive.
Texas drove to the NU 26, but the Blackshirts stiffened and pushed the Longhorns back on a pair of plays before McCoy rolled right and threw a floater out of bounds to try and stop the clock, even though Texas had a timeout. The clock initially went to zero and Nebraska briefly celebrated a victory, before officials cleared the field and put one second back on the clock to give UT a last field goal attempt. Hunter Lawrence snuck a 46-yard field goal just inside the left upright to give the Longhorns the Big 12 title.
Nebraska's defense held McCoy and the high-powered Longhorn offense to just 202 yards of total offense, including just 18 yards on the ground. The Huskers mustered just 106 yards of total offense against UT, but a 4-for-4 performance from Henery on field goals nearly provided Nebraska with a league title and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series.
The Huskers jumped to a 3-0 lead less than four minutes into the game after an Eric Hagg interception of a McCoy pass on a ball that was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Pierre Allen set up Henery's 45-yard field goal.
Less than five minutes later, Henery allowed the Huskers to capitalize on a Prince Amukamara interception of McCoy with a 52-yard field goal with 6:32 left in the opening quarter.
The two defenses controlled the rest of the half, until the Longhorns finally cracked through on a two-yard touchdown dive by McCoy with 2:19 left in the half, which capped a nine-play, 42-yard drive.
Texas pushed the lead to 10-6 with 1:40 left in the third quarter, when Lawrence kicked his first field goal of the night from 39 yards out to close out a six-play, 30-yard drive.
While the offense continued to struggle for the Huskers, Niles Paul came up with a huge special teams plays to ignite Nebraska's chances to upset the unbeaten Longhorns.
Paul returned a 46-yard Justin Tucker punt 43 yards to the UT 10. Four plays later, Henery booted his shortest field goal of the night from 28 yards, after the Husker offense lost a yard on the short drive, but still trimmed the Texas lead to 10-9.
On Adi Kunalic's ensuing kickoff, Marqui Goodman slipped and fell at the UT 1 as he was catching the kickoff to pin the Longhorns against their own goal line. But McCoy then led Texas on its longest drive of the night - 14 plays and 65 yards - driving to the NU 34, before Dejon Gomes made an outstanding play to give the Blackshirts their third interception of McCoy on the night.
Nebraska's offense then capitalized with its most sustained drive of the night - 8 plays and 43 yards, as Zac Lee sprinted 17 yards on the opening play of the drive. Three plays later, Lee hit Brandon Kinnie on a 16-yard pass play. Rex Burkhead moved the pile four yards on the next three plays to get to the UT 26, setting up Henery's go-ahead field goal.
Roy Helu Jr. led the Huskers with 10 carries for 32 yards, while Burkhead carried 17 times for 22 yards against a stingy and disciplined Longhorn defense. Lee managed six carries for 12 yards, while completing just 6-of-19 passes for 39 yards and three interceptions. McCoy completed 20-of-36 passes for 186 yards and also three interceptions, while Tre' Newton led all rushers with 36 yards on 19 carries. Jordan Shipley led all receivers with seven catches for 71 yards, including a big play on the UT drive to set up the winning score.
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SUH WINS ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD...
The postseason award haul continues for Nebraska senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. On Wednesday night, Suh won the 40th Rotary Lombardi Award at an awards banquet in downtown Houston. The Lombardi Award goes to the college football lineman -- offensive or defensive -- who in addition to displaying outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of Vince Lombardi.
Suh becomes the fifth Nebraska player to win the Lombardi Award, joining Rich Glover (1972), Dave Rimington (1982), Dean Steinkuhler (1983) and Grant Wistrom (1997). Nebraska's five Lombardi awards are the second-most by one school in the 40-year history of the award, trailing only Ohio State's six Lombardi Award winners.
Other finalists for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award included Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes and Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Among those in attendance at Wednesday night's banquet were Suh's parents, Michael and Bernadette, as well as Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini.
The presentation of the Rotary Lombardi Award to Suh also continues a run of success for defensive lineman under the direction of Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini. Two seasons ago, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey captured the Nagurski, Lombardi, Outland and Lott trophies while Pelini was the defensive coordinator with the Tigers, and it appears Suh could be in line for a similar award haul this season.
Suh has now captured a pair of major awards this week after winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Monday night in Charlotte, N.C. On Thursday night, Suh is a finalist for three awards that will be presented at the ESPN College Football Awards Show (ESPN, 6 p.m. CT)-the Outland Trophy, the Bednarik Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
Suh's week will be culminated with a trip to New York City as one of five finalists for the 75th Heisman Trophy.
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SUH EARNS BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD AS NATION'S TOP DEFENDER...
Senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh picked up his first major piece of hardware as he was named the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's best defensive player. The annual award was presented Monday night by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at a banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
Suh was chosen from a field of finalists that also included Pat Angerer (LB, Iowa), Eric Berry (DB, Tennessee), Terrence Cody (DL, Alabama) and Jerry Hughes (DE, TCU). The 6-4, 300-pound Suh became the first Cornhusker to win the award as the nation's best defensive player and is the first Blackshirt to earn a major honor since Grant Wistrom was named the Lombardi Award winner in 1997. Suh is also a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award as well as the Outland Trophy, Bednarik Award, Lott Trophy and the Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award.
Already named a first-team All-American this year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Suh has been a dominant force from his interior defensive lineman position. His presence has been noticed so much that on Monday, Suh was also named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, the first Blackshirt to be a finalist since middle guard Rich Glover finished third in the Heisman voting in 1972.
Suh has blown over opponents all year long and heads into the bowl season leading the team in tackles for the second straight season. He has recorded 82 tackles this year, including 50 solo stops while wreaking havoc in opponents' backfields. Suh has recorded 12.0 sacks and 23 tackles for loss, both marks that rank among the top three in Nebraska single-season history. His 10 pass breakups this year are a position season record and he has added 26 quarterback hurries, an interception, a forced fumble and three blocked kicks.
Suh is the fifth player from the Big 12 Conference to win the award since 2001. He joins last year's award winner Brian Orakpo (Texas), along with Derrick Johnson (Texas, 2004), Derrick Strait (Oklahoma, 2003) and Roy Williams (Texas, 2001) in representing the league.
Presented since 1993, the Nagurski Trophy is awarded in memory of the legendary All-America lineman at Minnesota from 1927 to 1929. He was also a star for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s.
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SUH SELECTED AT HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST...
Senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was named one of five finalists for the Heisman Memorial Trophy Award, given annually to the most outstanding college football player in the country. The announcement of his selection as a finalist came on Monday afternoon in a live segment of ESPN SportsCenter.
Suh will join Colt McCoy (Texas, quarterback), Mark Ingram (Alabama, running back), Toby Gerhart (Stanford, running back) and Tim Tebow (Florida, quarterback) at the 75th Heisman Trophy awards announcement, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square. The event will be televised live from New York City at 5 p.m. PST on ESPN.
"It is a tremendous honor and very humbling to be a finalist for a prestigious award like the Heisman Trophy," Suh said. "I'm excited to be included with a great group of finalists for this year's award."
"Suh is certainly deserving of any honors that may come his way this week," Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini said. "He is a special football player -- as good as anyone in the country, in my opinion. It is good to see that the Heisman voters have recognized the true impact a dominant defensive lineman like Suh can have on a football game."
Suh is the first Heisman finalist for Nebraska since quarterback Eric Crouch won the school's third Heisman Trophy in 2001. Crouch joined past Husker winners Johnny Rodgers (1972) and Mike Rozier (1983) as Nebraska ranks third in Heisman Trophy winners since 1970.
Overall, Suh is likely to be the 17th Husker to finish in the top 10 of voting for the award and third NU defensive player. Middle guard Rich Glover was third in the voting in 1972 behind teammate and winner Rodgers, while Wayne Meylan, also a middle guard, was ninth in Heisman voting in 1966.
Only once has a defensive player won the Heisman Trophy, as Michigan's Charles Woodson took the top honor in 1997. Primarily a cornerback, Woodson also played on offense and special teams while winning the award in his junior season. Suh has only played on offense once this year, lining up in the backfield for a few snaps in Nebraska's 13-12 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game.
During that contest, Suh demonstrated why he should be included among the most outstanding players in the country. The Portland, Ore., native dominated the line of scrimmage against the Longhorns, racking up a career-best-tying 12 tackles while adding 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. He pressured fellow Heisman finalist Colt McCoy throughout the night, individually recording more sacks against McCoy than any team as a whole has ever sacked him during his four-year career.
On the season, Suh leads the Cornhuskers with 82 tackles, including 50 solo stops. He is bidding to become the first defensive lineman ever to lead the Blackshirts in tackles in consecutive years, as he also paced the team with 76 tackles last season.
Suh is sixth nationally in sacks with 12.0 this season, moving him to third on the Cornhuskers' single-season list while bringing his career total to 24.0 to place fourth all-time in Nebraska history. He also moved to second on the Huskers' career TFL chart with 56, just three away from the record currently held by two-time All-American Grant Wistrom (58.5).
Suh also has 26 quarterback hurries this year while adding 10 pass breakups. The 6-4, 300-pounder ranks in the top 80 nationally (all positions) for passes defended as he added his fourth career interception earlier this fall. Suh has added a forced fumble and has blocked three kicks this year while leading the Huskers to a 9-4 record, and a berth in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl against Arizona on Dec. 30.
On Monday, Suh started a national awards tour that will eventually end in New York City, as he was on his way to Charlotte, N.C., for the banquet to announce the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, given to the best defensive player in the country. Suh will then travel to Houston on Wednesday for the Lombardi Award presentation and will be on hand for the Home Depot ESPN College Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 10. Suh is a finalist for the Outland Trophy at the event, as well as the Bednarik Award. The Walter Camp All-America Team also will be announced during the live telecast on ESPN starting at 6 p.m.
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SUH TOPS ALL CANDIDATES IN ESPN/NISSAN WEBSITE VOTING POLL...really great considering he was a write in candidate! (thanks to all who voted)...
PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL VOTES PCT.
Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska 124696 18%
C.J. Spiller RB Clemson 109347 16%
Mark Ingram RB Alabama 107063 16%
Colt McCoy QB Texas 95930 14%
Tim Tebow QB Florida 89644 13%
Toby Gerhart RB Stanford 40997 6%
Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame 22018 3%
Jacory Harris QB Miami (FL) 11709 2%
Case Keenum QB Houston 10458 2%
Eric Norwood LB South Carolina 10320 2%
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HERE'S ONE HEISMAN VOTE: NEBRASKA DEFENSIVE LINEMAN NDAMUKONG SUH...
By Mike Lopresti, Gannett (USA Today) December 8, 2009
This can't leave the room, because Heisman votes are supposed to be kind of secret. But here's the decision if you promise not to tell anyone else, since the deadline passed Monday.
Maybe we should start at the beginning. Like most voters, I first noticed quarterbacks — Heisman electors are drawn to passers like the swallows return to Capistrano.
But good reports also kept coming in about a Nebraska defensive lineman.
This Ndamai …Ndema … well, whatever his name is.
The quarterback candidacies began to fade as the season hummed along. Reigning winner Sam Bradford was quickly out, since nobody wins the Heisman from beneath an MRI machine. Tim Tebow is highly admirable, but this is not a career achievement award, and his 2009 had some bumpy patches.
Colt McCoy stayed on the short list. So did a platoon of running backs. Alabama's Mark Ingram, Stanford's Toby Gerhart, Clemson's C.J. Spiller.
And it was hard to forget the Nebraska lineman, since he seemed to be treating offenses each week as if they were abandoned cars and he was the metal crusher.
This Ndomor …Ndmaer … well, whatever his name is.
Last weekend was for closing arguments.
Gerhart wasn't playing, but he'd already covered more territory this season than Patton's army. Spiller had a big day, and so did Ingram, as a dagger into the heart of Florida.
McCoy struggled in the Big 12 championship game, and while his clock management on the final play worked — by one fortunate second — it felt like it came out of a textbook, "How to be a Kamikaze Pilot."
Then there was Ndimoi …Ndaju … well, whatever his name is.
Any defensive unit would be proud to have seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in a game. He did that by himself. And Texas wasn't exactly trying to block him with members of a ballet class. He was storming through several beefy Longhorns to make a mess of the Texas offense.
Monday morning was time to vote.
Gerhart seemed an attractive candidate as the studious underdog from Stanford. It'd be like electing the chemistry whiz as prom king.
Spiller had been among the most electrifying players in college football to watch. Ingram was part of the heart and soul of the No. 1 team, McCoy the winningest quarterback the sport had ever seen.
But here's the thing. When looking to pull the Heisman trigger in a crowded field, it helps to find something truly extraordinary from one player.
The Big 12 championship game was truly extraordinary for Ndmaio …Ndoli … well, whatever his name is. The man owned the night.
Has he done that all year? The numbers suggest a relentless and dominating effort from the gritty, sweaty workplace of the trenches. If a lineman wants to accomplish great things, he is left to his own will. Nobody blocked for him, when he stormed opposing backfields through double teams for 12 sacks and 82 tackles, 23 of them for a loss. He clawed his way there on his own motor.
The past week has been full of surreal sport developments.
Were we imagining the New York Yankees talking about cutting payroll? The New England Patriots turning into Jello? The New Jersey Nets winning a game? Two different Minnesota Vikings found driving 104 and 109 mph? I didn't even know the Vikings had a NASCAR team.
Tiger Woods kept showing up in headlines, linked to various playing partners, but none of them on a golf course. Very strange.
And here I was, ready to vote for a tackle for the Heisman, by the name of … uh, let me check again … Ndamukong Suh (pronounced En-dom-ah-ken Soo).
Ingram — who will probably win — second, and Gerhart third.
Not an easy call, though any doubters of Suh's greatness can consult two groups: NFL scouts and the linemen trying to block him.
Besides, how often do you get the chance to give a legitimate Heisman vote to a lineman whose mother came from Jamaica and father from Cameroon?
But the really hard part was typing his name on the ballot. Hope I got it right.
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WISTROM BECOMES 14TH HUSKER INDUCTEE INTO COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME...
New York City - Nebraska's Grant Wistrom was among 18 players and coaches who were inducted into the 2009 College Football Hall of Fame class here Tuesday night by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Wistrom became the 14th Nebraska player in the College Football Hall of Fame, along with six former Cornhusker coaches. He is the first Nebraska player to join the Hall since 1983 Heisman winner Mike Rozier was inducted in 2006.
Wistrom said last spring that he was humbled by the honor of being selected and owes much of his success to his coaches and former teammates.
"I don't even know where to begin to thank the coaches and players who have helped me receive this special award," Wistrom said. "Obviously, this is not only an honor for me, but is indicative of the guys I played with and the coaches who helped me develop to my full potential.
"Our teams posted the best four-year record in the history of college football, and I know there are other deserving candidates from those teams. I would like to specifically thank Coach Osborne, Charlie McBride and Tony Samuel for helping me develop as a player on the field and as a man off the field."
Wistrom was the anchor of the Husker defense during one of the most successful eras in college football. During his career from 1994 to 1997, Nebraska compiled a 49-2 record and won three national championships. Wistrom was a first-team All-American in 1996 and 1997, and in 1997 he became the fourth Nebraska player to capture the Lombardi Award.
The Webb City, Mo., native holds the school record for tackles for loss with 58.5 for 260 yards, and he ranks second in Nebraska history with 26.5 sacks. Wistrom had his No. 98 jersey retired during the 1998 season. Off the field, Wistrom was a two-time first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American and was a recipient of the NCAA Top Eight Award in 1997. He was the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year for 1997-98.
Wistrom's induction continues an impressive week in the Huskers' rich history of defensive linemen. On Monday, current Husker defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was named a Heisman Trophy finalist and took home the Bronko Nagurski Award as college football's top defensive player. The Nagurski Award was the first major defensive award won by a Husker since Wistrom's Lombardi Trophy in 1997.
Wistrom and Suh rank first and second on the Nebraska career tackles for loss list, with Suh needing three tackles for loss in the Holiday Bowl to overtake Wistrom.
The sixth overall selection in the 1998 National Football League Draft by the St. Louis Rams, Wistrom spent six seasons with the Rams from 1998 to 2003. While there, the Rams won a Super Bowl title in 1999 and an NFC title in 2001. He played for Seattle from 2004 to 2006, helping the Seahawks to the Super Bowl following the 2005 season. He retired after the 2006 season.
What Others Said About Wistrom's Selection:
You knew when you watched Grant in high school that he was special. He has worked so hard to be the best over the years he has played. This is one of the highest honors you can receive as a college football player, being voted in not only by your peers, but your coaches, athletes and members of the media. Without a doubt, Grant is very deserving of this honor because of his lifelong, dedicated effort to be the best. I couldn't be happier for him. Charlie McBride, Nebraska Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach, 1977-99
When you play a team sport like football, the biggest concern you have is whether or not the guy next to you is going to get the job done and have his motor running full speed all the time. When I put my hand in the dirt and looked to my right or left and saw Grant, I knew I had nothing to worry about. He was the type of guy that you dream about playing next to. He doesn't understand the word half-speed. When you look up the word "Blackshirt" in the dictionary, chances are you'll see a picture of Grant Wistrom next to it. I can count on one hand in my years of playing football the guys you knew you would have your back no matter the situation, not only on the field, but off it, and Grant was at the top of the list. I have been through a lot, and Grant never turned his back on me. He has always been there to support me, and he will be a brother to me forever. Jason Peter, Wistrom's NU teammate, 1994-97
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HUSKERS IN THE NFL - WEEK 13...
Lincoln - A total of 22 former Huskers saw action during Week 13 of the 2009 NFL season.
Former Huskers Correll Buckhalter and Russ Hochstein each played a major role in Denver’s 44-13 win on the road in Kansas City. Buckhalter made the most of his 12 carries, as he ran for a game-high 113 yards, while also catching three balls for 15 yards. From his left guard position, Hochstein paved the way for the Broncos to run for 245 yards on 45 carries and two touchdowns, as the team averaged 5.4 yards per touch.
On Monday Night Football, former running backs Brandon Jackson and Ahman Green contributed to Green Bay’s 27-14 win at home over Baltimore, moving the Packers to 8-4. Green averaged 4.6 yards per carry, as he carried five times for 23 yards. Jackson, who filled in on third-down situations, caught two balls for 14 yards and also helped protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns.
Josh Brown was the Rams only offense in a 17-9 loss to Chicago, as the former Husker connected on all three of his field goal attempts. Brown, who is now 14-18 on season, made kicks from 20, 48 and 50 yards. For the Bears, Zackary Bowman produced three total tackles and a forced fumble, while Josh Bullocks added a tackle on special teams.
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TICKETS ON SALE FOR NCAA VOLLEYBALL REGIONAL IN OMAHA...
Lincoln – All-session and single-match tickets are now on sale for this weekend’s NCAA Omaha Volleyball Regional at the Qwest Center.
Four of the nation’s top teams, including three squads ranked in the top seven of the AVCA poll, will be in action beginning Friday night. The first regional semifinal features second-ranked Texas taking on Texas A&M beginning at 4:30 p.m., while No. 7 Nebraska will square off with No. 5 Iowa State in the nightcap, set for 7 p.m. The regional final will take place Saturday night at 8 p.m. with the winner heading to the National Semifinals in Tampa.
It is the first time since 1994 that a regional field comprises of four teams from the same conference, as the Big 12 has five teams in regional action this weekend.
The Huskers come into this weekend’s regional riding a nine-match win streak following a sweep of No. 20 Northern Iowa last Saturday. With a 25-6 record, the Huskers are making their 16th consecutive regional appearance – the longest streak in the country.
All-Session tickets are priced at $38 (Lower & Upper Mezzanine) and $30 (Upper Bowl) and provides fans tickets to both Friday night matches as well as the regional final Saturday night. Single-session tickets for both nights are now available with prices set at $21 and $18.
Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone 800-745-3000. Tickets will not be sold at the Nebraska Ticket Office. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early, as a large crowd is expected for this weekend’s regional.
Omaha is one of four pre-determined regional sites, joining Gainesville, Fla. (Florida), Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota) and Stanford, Calif. (Stanford).
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HUSKERS SWEEP PANTHERS TO EARN SPOT IN OMAHA REGIONALS...
Lincoln, Neb. - The No. 7 Nebraska volleyball team clinched a spot in the regional semifinals in Omaha next weekend after sweeping No. 20 Northern Iowa 25-14, 25-17, 25-21 Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 4,066 at the NU Coliseum.
Hannah Werth ignited the No. 2 Huskers (25-6) in the win with a match-high 13 kills on a season-best .476 hitting, 14 digs and a career-high four blocks. It marked her second straight double-double in the NCAAs, as the Huskers won their ninth straight match, all by sweeps.
With the win, the Huskers will play in their 16th consecutive NCAA Regional, a streak that more than doubles any other program in the nation. Nebraska will take on Iowa State, a 3-0 winner over Wichta State, next Friday at 7 p.m. at Qwest Center Omaha. Tickets for that match are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Texas will take on either LSU or Texas A&M in the other semifinal, slated for 4:30 p.m.
Tara Mueller joined Werth in double figures with 12 kills as Nebraska became the first team to hit over .300 against Northern Iowa (31-3) this season. Sydney Anderson dished out 44 assists and guided a Husker attack that had four players with at least eight kills.
Kayla Banwarth totaled a match-high 19 digs, as the Panthers were held to a season-low .113 hitting in seeing their 29-match win streak snapped. In all, Nebraska had held its last six opponents to a combined .096 hitting percentage.
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HUSKERS TAKE OUT CHANTICLEERS, 3-0...
Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska volleyball team used a solid defensive effort to sweep Coastal Carolina, 25-13, 25-18, 25-15, Friday evening in front of a sold out NU Coliseum crowd. The Huskers, who improved to 48-3 in NCAA Tournament matches in the Coliseum, have now won 23 of 24 first-round matches in school history.
The Husker defense was the story as NU (24-6) held Coastal Carolina to just 19 kills and a .048 hitting percentage. Kayla Banwarth added a match-high 24 digs, as the junior libero became just the second Husker in school history to accumulate 500 or more digs in a season, joining former Husker Dani Busboom (2006). Banwarth’s 24 digs were the best ever by a Husker in a three-set NCAA Tournament match, breaking the previous mark of 20 by Amanda McCormick against Dayton in 2003.
In all, Nebraska totaled 63 digs, tying a team three-set high and matching the program’s NCAA record in a three-set match that had stood since 1994. It also equaled the Huskers’ best in a three-set match this season.
On the attack, Hannah Werth racked up a double-double as she led all players with 12 kills on 30 swings, hitting .267, while also adding 11 digs. It was Werth’s 12th double-double of the season. Tara Mueller came close to a double-double, as she added nine kills to go along 14 digs. As a team, the Huskers hit .297, while Sydney Anderson added 36 assists.
Coastal Carolina, who was making its third appearance at the NCAA Tournament and its first since 1998, ends the season with a 20-14 record. Chelsy Kimes, the MVP of the Big South Tournament, led the Chanticleers with with eight kills and added 10 digs.
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HOLIDAY BOWL TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH SAN DIEGO ALUMNI CHAPTER...(Thanks Rita!)
The NAA San Diego Chapter has a few tickets remaining for the Holiday Bowl. See information below and contact John O'Reilly if interested. GBR!!!
Ticket Sales: As of early a.m. Thursday, we have sold 123 tickets and have 31 left. Deadline, 5 p.m., this Friday. We expect your tickets to arrive to you between Dec 19 and Dec 24. We do not know where these seats are in the stadium. Assume the worst and hopefully you’ll be positively surprised. Good thing: You are with Husker fans. We’ll let you know when packages have been sent. Credit cards only, we add $6 shipping and 4% on entire order to defray our credit card cost. To order call 760-804-0910 (John O’Reilly), and leave this info: # tickets, $80 or $125, CC type, CC number, Exp Date, Security code, name on card, billing address, shipping address if different, "emergency" phone number.
Husker Huddle: Our tickets come with admission to "Husker Huddle" – no opt out. If you purchased the $125 ticket, you get access to the food at the Huddle. Think of the Huddle as a University sponsored tail-gater. It’s 1-4 p.m. the day of the game right next to stadium. There will be speakers (Chancellor, Tom Osborne perhaps), the band, cheerleaders, Lil Red, etc. They’re fun & great Husker networking. Our local San Diego Chapter should have a table @Huddle – please stop by and say hello…and offer to provide "table duty" for 15-30 minutes and relieve the current person on duty. More details about the Huddle will be included in the ticket package, if we have them. The UNAA Lincoln web site below is best source of info.
Ambassadorship/San Diego Host Chapter name badge: We want all of our Husker visitors from Nebraska and around the world to have a great San Diego experience. It’s not about our weather and coastline – it’s about their interactions with the locals – just like how visitors to Lincoln leave very impressed with the experience. We have created a very nice "San Diego Host Chapter" name badge and we will include them in your ticket package. You assemble the badges. We’ll also have extra San Diego Host Chapter name badges at our Chapter table at the Huddle. Each of us is an Ambassador representing San Diego whether we realize it or not. Please help us give a very positive impression. This can impact our future ability to get tickets, our ability to get quality speakers in San Diego, etc. Our last Holiday Bowl appearance was 1998- yet - the Huskers could be at the Holiday Bowl 5 times in the next 12 years. We don’t know! If you have tickets from other sources, and want one or more of these cool "San Diego Host Chapter" name badges, contact John O’Reilly.
Bus Ride from LaCosta Grill, Carlsbad, North County: A number of you have signed up. This bus ride is patterned after the regular service they provide for San Diego Chargers ticket holders. One possible problem: The three hour Husker Huddle means that the bus is sitting at Qualcomm much longer than normal! We’re looking at that now. If you are a bus-rider, I am interested in your feedback. Do you want to arrive just before 1 p.m., or are you OK arriving around 3 p.m. and catching the last hour of the Huddle? Send feedback to John O’Reilly, serious bus-riders only please.
Runza’s: The national Runza people in Omaha contacted the Chapter. You will be able to pre-order Runzas that you can pick up at Qualcomm. There may be a flier in your ticket package about this and/or we will send out more information through E-Newsletter/Facebook.
Other Holiday Bowl related Events: UNAA Lincoln is still formulating details for other events during the Holiday Bowl. The web site is http://huskeralum.org/travel/bowltravel/index.shtml
Greeting the Huskers when they arrive @Lindbergh Field: We are trying to make this happen – we’d give it less than a 50/50 chance. It boils down to having the coaching staff tell the charter tell the FBO (the company that services visiting charter jets) that they don’t mind a Husker contingent nearby showing their support as the players/coaches move from plane to bus. I can’t imagine why the coaching staff would NOT want us there. Normally the FBO is protecting the privacy of owners of private jets – the exact opposite of what we want to do! A generous volunteer alum has offered to organize a Dutch treat party nearby including transportation to/from party/FBO for people that come out to greet the Huskers. More later if we can make this to happen.
That’s "all" we can think of right now. There will be a steady stream of information coming. Please alert us if we are not addressing your questions.
Go Big Red!
UNAA San Diego Chapter
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San Diego Bound!
The Nebraska football team has been selected to play in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl for the first time since 1998! You can be a part of the excitement when the Huskers go for a 10-win season in Coach Bo Pelini's second year. The Nebraska Alumni Association offers full charter air and land-only packages, including tickets to the game Dec. 30 at Qualcomm Stadium. We'll take care of the details, so all you need to do is cheer for the Huskers.
TRAVEL DIRECT AND STAY WITH THE TEAM
The full trip includes accommodations at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina (the official team hotel) as well as direct round-trip charter air from Lincoln or Omaha, tickets in the official Nebraska block, special pep rallies and pre-game events in partnership with the Huskers Sports Network, police-escorted transportation on game day, hotel hospitality and much more. Trips are easy and convenient, and packed with plenty of Big Red spirit. Land-only packages include everything but airfare. For details of the trip, including features and prices, click here.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW
Space is extremely limited. To reserve your spot on a charter-air or land-only tour, just call, click or fax while there is still space available.
By phone: Call 866-373-7372.
Online: Click here to register securely online.
By fax: Click here to download a PDF. Return completed forms via fax to 479-443-9429.
PRE-GAME EVENTS
The Alumni Association is also finalizing plans for a pre-game Husker Huddle near Qualcomm Stadium Dec. 30, as well as a FREE pep rally Dec. 29 in partnership with Husker Sports Network. Details will be available here. Check back often for the latest information.
GAME TICKET-HUSKER HUDDLE PACKAGE
Fans can buy game-day packages that include a bowl game ticket in the Nebraska block and a pre-game Husker Huddle ticket. The alumni association is finalizing plans for the pre-game Huddle, which will include a full buffet, cash bar and spirit program. University and athletic department dignitaries, former Huskers and the NU Spirit Squad and pep band will all make an appearance at this can't miss pre-game event. Call 888-353-1874 for pricing and to purchase ticket-huddle packages.
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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.
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