Happy Thanksgiving!
I don't want to spoil everyone's holiday too much by dwelling on the happenings last Saturday, but suffice it to say that I feel like Turkey Day came a few days early for Nebraska, and the Huskers were the main course. Always hard to beat A&M at their "Home of the 12th Man", but its even harder when they have 5 extra folks on the field acting on their behalf. Although Pelini is apologetic and contrite (see below) about yelling at the officials, I believe he had the right to be upset (maybe he shouldn't have been quite as vocal on the field) about what appeared to be a one sided officiating job during the game, with a couple of critical calls that gave A&M scoring opportunities they might not have had without the calls. Call it sour grapes but this was a critical game for the Huskers and the Big 12 and shouldn't have the shadow of poor officiating hanging over the outcome.
Some good recruiting news for the softball and baseball teams below and some good info from the UNL Foundation at the end of the email.
Enjoy the reading and...
Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl
Watch Parties:
The game against Colorado on Friday is set for a 12:30 start and will be a national ABC broadcast...so we don't have to worry about ESPN Gameplans or PPV anymore. Although there will be a triptophan induced desire to just hang around the house on Friday for the game and eat leftovers, there's nothing like gathering with other Husker fans at our watch sites to enjoy the game. All of the pubs/sports bars will be open and ready for a crowd, so get there early, grab some lunch and watch the Huskers beat the Buffs one last time.
============
HUSKERS HOST COLORADO ON SENIOR DAY...
The Matchup
Nebraska closes out the regular season with its traditional Friday after Thanksgiving matchup with Colorado at Memorial Stadium. The game will be the final Big 12 regular-season contest for both schools as Nebraska is set for a move to the Big Ten Conference and Colorado to the Pac-12 in 2011. Game time for Senior Day at Memorial Stadium is set for 12:36 p.m. PT with the game televised nationally on ABC.
The Huskers enter the game with a 9-2 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the Big 12 Conference after a 9-6 loss at Texas A&M last Saturday. Nebraska enters the matchup with Colorado in need of a victory in order to secure a spot in the Dec. 4 Big 12 Championship Game. Nebraska enters the final weekend of the regular season tied with Missouri for the North Division lead, but the Huskers hold the tie-breaker with their head-to-head win against the Tigers.
The loss to Texas A&M dropped NU to 16th in the AP poll, 15th according to the coaches and 15th in the BCS standings.
Colorado is playing its best football of the season over the past two weeks. The Buffs improved to 5-6 overall with their 44-36 win over Kansas State in Boulder on Saturday. CU knocked off Iowa State the previous week and can become bowl-eligible with a win over Nebraska.
The Series
Nebraska owns a 48-18-2 all-time edge in the series between the two schools. The Huskers have won four of the past five meetings against the Buffs. The series has featured a number of tight games, with eight of the past 14 games decided by 10 or fewer points.
============
HUSKERS FALL TO AGGIES...
College Station, Texas - The Blackshirts produced a strong performance, but No. 18 Texas A&M managed one more field goal than the No. 9 Nebraska could muster in the Huskers' 9-6 loss at Kyle Field on Saturday night.
With the loss, Nebraska slipped to 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12, while maintaining the edge in the Big 12 North Division race. Texas A&M improved to 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12 South with the victory.
In a near statistical dead heat, Nebraska produced 306 yards of total offense, including 164 (17-28-2) passing and 142 rushing yards on 37 carries. Texas A&M managed 310 yards, including 172 through the air (19-29-0) and 138 yards on the ground. NU held a time of possession edge of 31:13-28:47, while A&M ran 70 offensive plays, compared to 65 for the Huskers.
Neither team found the end zone on Saturday night, as Alex Henery kicked a pair of field goals for the Huskers. The Lou Groza Award candidate booted a 48-yard field goal with 8:53 left in the first quarter to give Nebraska a 3-0 lead.
Randy Bullock answered with a 29-yard field goal with 9:08 left in the second quarter to send the two teams to the locker room tied at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Bullock gave the Aggies their first lead with a 28-yard field goal with 14:33 left in the game, before Henery tied the score (6-6) with a 29-yard boot with 8:31 remaining.
However, the Aggies were able to answer with a 19-yard Bullock field goal with 3:02 left to secure the winning margin.
Texas A&M's winning drive was extended by a roughing the passer penalty on Husker safety Courtney Osborne. On 3rd-and-11, Osborne came off the edge on a blitz and hit A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill with his right shoulder in the stomach as Tannehill threw the ball incomplete in the direction of Kenric McNeal.
Instead of 4th-and-11 at the NU 49, A&M moved on the edge of field goal range with a 1st-and-10 at the NU 34. Cyrus Gray covered 32 yards on five consecutive runs for the Aggies until the Blackshirts forced a 4th-and-Goal at the NU 2.
Osborne's penalty was the 15th of a school-record 16 called on the Huskers on Saturday night in an ABC primetime telecast in front of a school-record 90,079 fans at Kyle Field. NU's 16 penalties forced 145 yards to be marched off against the Huskers - the highest total in school history. Texas A&M was flagged for just two penalties for 10 yards. The 14-penalty and 135-yard penalty margins were the largest in a Nebraska game in the history of the Big 12 Conference.
============
AMUKAMARA NAMED FINALIST FOR JIM THORPE AWARD...
Nebraska senior cornerback Prince Amukamara has been named one of three finalists for the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award as announced on Monday afternoon. The award is given annually to the nation's best college defensive back, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 9 at the ESPNU College Football Awards Show in Orlando.
Amukamara is joined by Texas Christian senior Tejay Johnson and LSU junior Patrick Peterson in the group of finalists. The 6-1, 205-pound Amukamara ranks among the national leaders in pass breakups with 11, and has also recorded 48 tackles and a sack. Amukamara's play has helped Nebraska lead the nation in pass efficiency defense, while ranking second in passing yards allowed per game.
Amukamara, who has 25 career pass breakups, is Nebraska's first-ever finalist for the Thorpe Award. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Amukamara is scheduled to earn his undergraduate degree next month, finishing in just 3 ½ years.
============
NEBRASKA'S PELINI APOLOGIZES FOR SIDELINE TIRADES...
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-t25-nebraska-pelini
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)Nebraska coach Bo Pelini tried to tamp down the frenzy surrounding his program Monday, apologizing for his sideline tirades and assuring fans that his star quarterback hasn't quit the team.
Pelini's volatile behavior became the story line of Saturday's 9-6 loss at Texas A&M, more so than the fact the 16th-ranked Cornhuskers now probably have to beat resurgent Colorado on Friday to win the Big 12 North after starting the season with national championship hopes.
Pelini's foul-mouth berating of the officials and quarterback Taylor Martinez made for must-see TV for ABC, but it also drew an admonishment from Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman and criticism from fans who say Pelini embarrassed the state and program.
"I always believe it's OK to disagree with a call," Pelini said. "It's not OK to make it personal. At times during that game, probably in my quest to fight for the kids on our football team, I let it get personal. For that, once again, I'm sorry. I regret that."
Pelini's sideline rants have been scrutinized since he took over in 2008, but his rage seemed to peak in the A&M game as the Aggies (8-3, 5-2 Big 12) shut down the Huskers (9-2, 5-2).
Officials drew his ire for calling 16 penalties for 145 yards, both school records. Among them were seven personal fouls,including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Pelini.
Martinez left the game with five minutes in the first quarter after aggravating his right ankle sprain, and he didn't escape Pelini's wrath, either.
Martinez, who returned to play the second half, was on the sideline in the second quarter when Pelini approached him. The redshirt freshman showed no emotion as the coach yelled at him, pointed his left index finger at him and poked him just above the collar.
Pelini declined to say what prompted the exchange, which was captured by ABC cameras and was viewed more than 109,000 times on YouTube in the 24 hours after the video was posted. Martinez does not speak to the media except after games, and then not always.
"My policy is I don't talk about what happens in our family," Pelini said. "I can say this: the things that are out there speculating over what that was (about) are completely off base. Taylor is with the football team. He and I are on the same page and there are no issues there. We put all that behind us."
Pelini acknowledged that Martinez was not with the team for its Sunday "shakeout," which he described as a short jogging session that helps players loosen up after the previous day's game. Martinez's absence sparked Internet rumors that he had quit the team.
Pelini said Martinez's absence was excused and that he wouldn't have been able to jog anyway because of his injury.
Pelini said Martinez would play against Colorado if he's healthy.
Perlman, the chancellor, on Sunday called Pelini's behavior "unfortunate" and said it did not represent the university or the football program well. Pelini and Perlman discussed Saturday's chain of events, and the coach said he has the administration's full support.
"We're on the same page," Pelini said. "I have total respect for him, the administration, the job they have to do."
Pelini said he told the chancellor he would tone down his behavior.
"Yeah, absolutely," he said. "Believe me, I assured him it won't happen again."
Perlman declined to comment Monday.
Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda said Pelini would face no disciplinary action from the league. Burda said beyond in-game penalties that could be assessed, the conference leaves it up to the institution to address matters relating to sideline decorum.
Pelini has a reputation for his temper. He drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for haranguing an official in the 2008 game against Virginia Tech. That same season, he blew up during the Oklahoma game, cursing and yelling at officials, assistant coaches and players, grabbing one by the facemask.
"Perception is reality, so that;s something I've got to fix,"Pelini said the week after the ,08 Oklahoma game. "I understand that. I'm a highly emotional guy. I've got to be careful."
Last year, after one second was put back on the clock for Texas to kick the game-winning field goal in the Big 12 championship game, Pelini flew into a rage, shouting that the Longhorns were given special treatment so they could play in the BCS title game.
Pelini said fans who disapprove of his behavior should consider the integrity with which he has rebuilt the program and that his players generally stay out of trouble.
"You hope they look at the heart of who you are and what you've done and what you've built up over a certain amount of time, and you hope people are in your corner,"he said. "I bust my butt each and every day for this program, and for the kids and the university. If I embarrassed anybody by what I did, I'm sorry. That's as far as I can go. I didn't do it intentionally."
Tight end Ben Cotton said Pelini's passion is appreciated.
"He wants the best for his team, he wants to win just like we do, he wants to see us succeed," Cotton said. "We all know he's coming from the right intentions, and we've got his back just like he's got ours."
The disparity in penalties between Nebraska and Texas A&M,16 to 2, has led to allegations among Husker fans that the Big 12 is conspiring against Nebraska in its last year in the league, before it leaves for the Big Ten.
Asked if he thought that were true, Pelini hesitated, then said he didn't think that was the case.
Pelini was asked how, if he changed roles with officials, he would react to having a coach constantly in his ear. Would he give the offending coach a break?
"Probably not," he said. "When you get animated, you don't approach it the right way. Sometimes you do yourself a disservice. I might have done that the other night. I regret it. I'm sorry about it."
============
TWO BIG 12 TITLES AND 1997 MIZZOU GAME TOP OUR LIST...WHAT ABOUT YOURS??
Randy York's N-Sider...
Friday's Nebraska-Colorado football game will become a footnote in Big 12 Conference history ... a final meeting between two universities heading to different conferences in different parts of the country.
Next summer, Nebraska will become an official member of the Big Ten Conference, headquartered in Chicago, and Colorado will become an official member of the Pac-Ten Conference, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif.
You can't help but see irony in two schools that will play in a 15th straight nationally televised post-Thanksgiving game while preparing to leave the same conference at the same time.
Nebraska, no doubt, would like to thank the Big 12 for the memories, and Colorado probably wouldn't mind saying goodbye yellow brick road at this stage of the game either. Both schools, after all, will pursue their intercollegiate dreams in conferences they believe fit their respective cultures better than the Big 12 has.
Even though NU and CU look at their rivalry against each other through decidedly different lenses, the truth is the Huskers and Buffs have given ABC Television and college football fans some dramatic games since Nebraska beat CU in 1996, the year the Big 12 was formed.
Games Were Memorable and Evenly Matched
Nebraska won the head-to-head matchup against CU the first five times they met in the Big 12, but each game was memorable and evenly matched. The Huskers won by scores of 17-12, 27-24, 16-14, 33-30 in overtime and 34-32. Those five straight wins continued Nebraska's series-long dominance over CU, but that mastery could not prevent one of the greatest oddities in college football history from happening.
Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, is a day that will live in infamy among Nebraska fans. Led by Heisman Trophy winner, Eric Crouch, Nebraska lost to CU, 62-36, but somehow still secured a Rose Bowl spot in the BCS National Championship Game against Miami.
Talk about quirks in the BCS system at the time. The math that can qualify a team for a national championship appearance when that same team can't even qualify for its own conference championship game, was simultaneously analyzed and apologized for, scrutinized and neutralized, and finally, after much debate, revolutionized with a clause to make sure a similar scenario would never happen again.
In another interesting twist to this series, Shawn Watson, CU's offensive coordinator for that explosive offensive display in 2001, is now Nebraska's offensive coordinator. And Ted Gilmore, the receiver coach on that '01 Buff staff, is now the Huskers' receiver coach and recruiting coordinator.
Both ex-Buffs love being on the Nebraska sideline in a series that shows the Huskers with 48 wins, 18 losses and two ties overall. Since the launch of the Big 12, Nebraska has won 10 of the 14 games in the new era of the series.
Osborne Teams Occupy Four Spots in Top 10
Even though Tom Osborne coached in only the first two years of the Big 12 Conference, four of his teams' games are on our all-time Big 12 Husker win chart. Nebraska's 54-15 win over Texas A&M in the 1997 Big 12 Championship Game ranks No. 1 all-time.
The Huskers' 45-38 overtime victory at Missouri that same year ranks No. 3. The Huskers' 39-3 thumping of Kansas State in 1996 ranks No. 6, and the Huskers' 56-26 win over an 11-1 Wildcat team in '97 ranks No. 9.
Frank Solich and Bo Pelini each coached in three games that made our Huskers' 10 Best Big 12 Wins chart.
Solich's Big 12 championship win over Texas in 1999 ranks No. 2 on the chart, followed by his memorable 20-10 win over Bob Stoops and Oklahoma in 2001 - a game that ranks No. 4 on the chart. The Huskers' 34-32 triumph over Colorado in 2000 - on a Josh Brown walk-off field goal - ranks No. 7 on the chart.
The three Pelini-coached games that made the chart are: 1) Nebraska's 40-31 win over CU in 2008 when Alex Henery made a record 57-yard field goal with the game on the line; 2) Pelini's 10-3 upset of Oklahoma friend/former boss Stoops in 2009 in Lincoln; and 3) this year's 31-17 triumph over Missouri when the Tigers rolled into Lincoln unbeaten and ranked seventh nationally. Those three Pelini-coached wins rank 5th, 8th and 10th on our Big 12 best-win chart.
A 2010 Championship Would Top This Chart
The list is fundamentally solid, but in dire need of a modern-day makeover. Given the timing, context and circumstances, Pelini would move to No. 1 overall if the Huskers would play and win their first Big 12 football title in 11 years at Cowboys Stadium on Dec. 4. After last year's 13-12 heartbreaking loss to Texas in the same stadium, can anyone imagine a better way to exit from the Big 12 than stage left and into, perhaps, the most beautiful sunset you've ever seen?
Please check out our Top 10 List of Nebraska's best wins in Big 12 history and then take your own trip down memory lane and tell us what games and plays you treasure the most.
Respond to Randy
Nebraska's 10 Best Big 12 Wins
1. Nebraska 54, Texas A&M 15, Dec. 6, 1997, San Antonio, Texas
Quarterback Scott Frost set the tone for a national championship Orange Bowl rout of Tennessee with a 54-15 cruise past the Aggies in the Big 12 Championship Game. Frost rushed for 79 yards, passed for another 201 (on 12-of-18) and scored two touchdowns.
2. Nebraska 22, Texas 6, Dec. 4, 1999, San Antonio, Texas
The Blackshirts sacked quarterback Major Applewhite seven times and intercepted three of his passes to dominate the rematch and avenge Nebraska's only loss of the season with a 22-6 mastery of Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game at the Alamodome.
3. Nebraska 45, Missouri 38, (overtime), Nov. 8, 1997, Columbia, Mo.
Everyone remembers Matt Davison's diving catch off Shevin Wiggins' miracle foot to send this game into overtime. But the end was equally fitting as Missouri natives Grant Wistrom and Mike Rucker converged on Corby Jones to finish off this all-time thriller.
4. Nebraska 20, Oklahoma 10, Oct. 27, 2001, Lincoln, Neb.
It took a signature Heisman Trophy moment with six minutes left - a gadget pass play from Mike Stuntz to quarterback Eric Crouch, who raced 63 yards to the end zone - to upset the defending national champion Sooners and end their 20-game win streak.
5. Nebraska 40, Colorado 31, Nov. 28, 2008, Lincoln, Neb.
Call it the kick that defined Nebraska's season. Who can forget sophomore Alex Henery's record 57-yard field goal with 1:37 remaining to give Nebraska a 33-31 lead, followed by Ndamukong Suh's clinching 30-yard interception return for a touchdown?
6. Nebraska 39, Kansas State 3, Oct. 5, 1996, Manhattan, Kan.
DeAngelo Evans was booed every time his name was announced, but the Wichita, Kan., freshman rushed for 168 yards to help 7th-ranked Nebraska beat the 16th-ranked Wildcats a 28th consecutive time in the Big 12 Conference debut for Nebraska.
7. Nebraska 34, Colorado 32, Nov. 24, 2000, Lincoln, Neb.
Josh Brown's 29-yard field goal as time expired lifted eighth-ranked Nebraska to a 34-32 walk-off win over Colorado. The game-winning kick marked the first time since play-by-plays were on file in 1960 that the Huskers had won a game on the last play.
8. Nebraska 10, Oklahoma 3, Nov. 7, 2009, Lincoln, Neb.
In a defensive slugfest, Bo Pelini earned his biggest win by combining a dominant defense with a conservative, ball-control offense. It was the fewest points ever scored by a Bob Stoops-coached team and the first time OU did not score a touchdown in 11 years.
9. Nebraska 56, Kansas State 26, Oct. 4, 1997, Lincoln, Neb.
Ahman Green rushed for 193 yards and four touchdowns to rout a Wildcat team that finished 11-1 and won the Fiesta Bowl by 17 points. No other conference team came within single digits of KSU, which won its seven league games by an average of 20 points.
10. Nebraska 31, Missouri 17, Oct. 31, 2010, Lincoln, Neb.
Senior Roy Helu Jr. raced untouched on three long touchdown runs of 66, 73 and 53 yards to finish with a school-record 307 rushing yards to power Nebraska to a win over No. 7 Missouri - the Huskers' second straight victory over an unbeaten top-15 team.
Share your favorite Nebraska Big 12 games and plays with Huskers.com
============
CASSIDY NAMED FIRST-TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN...
Nebraska junior safety Austin Cassidy has been named a 2010 ESPN Academic All-America Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The honor continues Nebraska's nation-leading tradition of producing academic All-Americans.
Cassidy was one of 25 first-team selections in the University Division, and one of just four defensive backs honored nationally. A psychology major, Cassidy carries a 3.88 cumulative grade-point average.
The Lincoln Southwest graduate becomes Nebraska's 69th all-time first-team academic All-American, and the Huskers' first since Kurt Mann and Dane Todd were honored in 2005. Cassidy's honor gives Nebraska a nation-leading 103 ESPN Academic All-Americans in football when including second- and third-team choices. As an athletic department, Nebraska has a nation-best 279 academic All-Americans across all teams and all sports.
In addition to the first-team academic All-America selection, Cassidy has received numerous academic honors throughout his career. He is a two-time ESPN Academic All-District VII selection and a two-time first-team academic All-Big 12 honoree. He has also been named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll each of the first six semesters of his college career.
On the field, Cassidy has moved into a starting role with the Huskers over the past month. He has 36 tackles this season, and also had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown at Iowa State. Cassidy has been one of Nebraska's special teams leaders each of the past two seasons.
Cassidy originally joined the Nebraska program as a walk-on before being awarded a scholarship prior to the 2010 season.
Cassidy is one of three first-team members from the Big 12 Conference, joining Texas defensive end Sam Acho and Texas A&M linebacker Michael Hodges.
============
FOUR HUSKERS NAMED TO AP ALL-BIG 12 TEAM...
Four Huskers were named to the Associated Press' all-time, all-Big 12 team announced on Wednesday, as the conference prepares for its final weekend of regular-season play as a 12-team league. Ndamukong Suh, who will have his No. 93 jersey retired Friday during the Nebraska-Colorado game, highlighted Nebraska's selections by being chosen as the top defensive player in Big 12 history.
Suh was joined on the four-player defensive line by another Husker great, Grant Wistrom. Suh received 16 of the 20 votes to earn the spot as the top defensive player, while Wistrom received one vote. On the offensive line, Dominic Raiola was named the all-time all-Big 12 center, while Aaron Taylor also earned a spot on the line. Oklahoma topped the list with seven selections, while Texas had six players named to the squad. Nebraska's four selections ranked third as no other school had more than two players named to the team.
Suh was the 2009-10 Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year and was also the first defender ever to be named the AP Collegiate Player of the Year. Wistrom was the 1997-98 Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year when he helped lead Nebraska to an undefeated season that included a Big 12 and National Championship. Raiola was the 2000 winner of the Dave Rimington Award as the nation's best center, while Taylor was the 1997 Outland Trophy Winner while teaming up with Wistrom to win three national championships in four years. All four Huskers who earned a spot on the list have had their jersey retired.
Several other Huskers earned votes but came up shy of earning a spot on the team. Offensive linemen Chris Dishman, Toniu Fonoto and Richie Incognito all received one vote, while I-back Ahman Green and place-kicker Alex Henery also received one vote each. Defensively, safety Mike Brown earned four votes, while safety Mike Minter and linebacker Carlos Polk each earned one vote.
The team was chosen by a panel of 20 voters from newspapers across the league's seven states. The complete team and voting results can be found here.
============
BIG 12-LEADING 23 HUSKERS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS...
Nebraska placed 23 football players on the 2010 Academic All-Big 12 Football Team, the league office announced Thursday. The 23 honorees for Nebraska led all conference schools and included 13 first-team selections, with another 10 student-athletes earning second-team honors.
The group of first-team selections includes 11 active members of the 2010 football team. Among those honorees, three players earned academic all-conference honors for the third time, including senior linebacker Thomas Grove, senior place-kicker Adi Kunalic and junior tight end Ryan Hill.
Two-time selections include junior safety Austin Cassidy, sophomore tight end Ben Cotton, senior quarterback Zac Lee, junior fullback Tyler Legate and junior tight end Jay Martin. Sophomore I-back Rex Burkhead and redshirt freshman offensive tackle Brent Qvale were first-time honorees. Past members of the team who were honored included offensive lineman Cruz Barrett and linebacker Blake Lawrence, who carried a 4.0 grade-point average the previous year.
Among second-team honorees, Lance Thorell is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 pick, while defensive backs Justin Blatchford and Eric Hagg were honored for a second time.
Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, the football academic all-league squad consisted of 100 first team members combined with 70 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 their 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.
============
VOLLEYBALL:
HUSKERS HOST BAYLOR ON SENIOR NIGHT...
No. 5 Nebraska (25-2, 17-1) vs. Baylor (15-14, 8-10)
Wednesday, Nov. 24 • NU Coliseum • 7 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and KTWI 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com
Web Video: Huskers.com (Premium Subscription Required)
Live Stats: Huskers.com
The No. 5 Nebraska volleyball team (25-2, 17-1 Big 12) hosts the Baylor Bears (15-14, 8-10 Big 12) on Wednesday night at the NU Coliseum. The Huskers will honor seniors Sydney Anderson, Kayla Banwarth, Lindsey Licht and Tara Mueller as it will be their last regular-season match at the NU Coliseum.
The Huskers sit atop the Big 12 Conference with two matches remaining, while the Bears rank sixth. The NU Coliseum has been a tough on opposing teams as ever this season as Nebraska is 12-0 at home and has swept its last six opponents at home dating back to a sweep of Missouri on Oct. 2.
Nebraska enters the night on a six-match winning streak after its loss at Texas on Oct. 27, including sweeps in all six matches.
Baylor is coming off a 0-3 loss at home to Missouri and has a 3-3 record in the month of November. The Bears have played better away from Waco this season with a 7-5 road record, but just a 6-7 record at the Ferrell Center.
There will be no TV coverage of the match, but a live stream will be available on Huskers.com with a premium subscription. Fans can also listen to all of the action with John Baylor and Dianne Mendenhall on the 25-station Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Twister 93.3 FM in Omaha. Fans outside the network will also be able to catch the live audio feed for free on Huskers.com.
============
SOCCER:
MARLBOROUGH NAMED TO @)!) ESPN ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM...
Sophomore forward Morgan Marlborough has been named to the 2010 ESPN Academic All-America Women's Soccer Team, one of 33 student-athletes on the prestigious list selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Marlborough earned Third Team accolades after excelling both on the field and in the classroom in her first two years at Nebraska.
A pre-elementary education major from Lee's Summit, Mo., Marlborough's award adds to a lone line of success that has seen the University of Nebraska produce a nation-leading 278 Academic All-Americans across all sports. Marlborough is only the 12th student-athlete in school history to gain the honor as a sophomore and the first to do so since volleyball standout Sarah Pavan in 2005. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her institution and be nominated by the school's sports information director.
Marlborough holds a 3.50 GPA and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll both semesters as a freshman before she earned 2010 First Team Academic All-Big 12 honors in early November. She has been equally impressive on the field, gaining back-to-back Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year awards while leading Nebraska to 24 wins and a pair of top-four conference finishes. In 2010, Marlborough ranked among the top five in NCAA scoring throughout the season, while her 18 goals, 12 assists and 48 points made her the first player in Big 12 history to lead the league in all three categories. After two seasons under head coach John Walker, Marlborough already ranks seventh in goals (39) and points (97) and fifth in game-winning goals (8) on Nebraska's all-time charts.
Two weeks ago, Marlborough was one of three Huskers named to the ESPN Academic All-District VII Team, along with teammates Jordan Jackson and Katie Goetzmann. By gaining national ESPN Academic All-America honors, Marlborough joins former NU soccer student-athletes Meghan Anderson (2001), Shannon Tanaka (2001) and Shay Powell (2009), while Breanna Boyd (2002) was named an Academic All-American by the NSCAA.
============
BASEBALL:
HUSKERS ANNOUNCE FALL RECRUITING CLASS...
Lincoln - Head Coach Mike Anderson and the Nebraska baseball program have announced the signings of 10 high school seniors and one junior college player that have signed their National Letters-of-Intent to play baseball at Nebraska beginning in the 2012 season. The recruiting class features players from eight states, including three in-state signees and two Texas natives.
"This is a very diverse group of signees that really fit some specific needs for our team," Anderson said. "We feel again that we have signed a very talented class, but also a class that has strong integrity and character. I appreciate the work of assistant coaches Dave Bingham and Eric Newman and our entire staff in finding quality young men that fit our Nebraska culture."
Name Pos Ht. Wt. B/T Hometown (High School)
Taylor Anderson INF 6-2 200 S/R Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)
Aaron Bummer LHP 6-3 185 L/L Peoria, Ariz. (Sunrise Mountain)
Austin ChristensenLHP 6-5 205 L/L Cedar Rapids, Iowa (John F. Kennedy)
Austin Darby OF 6-3 200 R/R Colorado Springs, Colo. (Chey. Mountain)
Blake Headley INF 6-2 190 L/R Omaha, Neb. (Millard South)
Travis Huber RHP 6-3 230 R/R West Jordan, Utah (College of S Idaho)
Patrick Kelly SS 5-11 170 R/R Red Wing, Minn. (Red Wing)
Kyle Kubat LHP 6-1 170 R/L Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)
William Polley P 6-5 220 L/R River Forest, Ill. (Oak Park-River Forest)
Jeffrey Stovall RHP 6-1 155 R/R Irving, Texas (Irving)
Kevin Terry C 6-1 190 R/R Dallas, Texas (Jesuit)
============
SOFTBALL:
HUSKERS SIGN THREE TALENTED PLAYERS...
Lincoln : Three talented high school softball players signed National Letters of Intent to play softball at Nebraska next season, Head Coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Monday, Nov. 15.
The Huskers, who graduate three seniors this spring, signed players from three states, while picking up an infielder, an outfielder and a pitcher. Jordan Bettiol, an outfielder from College Station, Texas, is the second prep player from Texas to sign with Nebraska in the past three seasons. Mattie Fowler, an infielder from Tucson, Ariz., is the third Arizona high school star to sign with Nebraska in the past 10 seasons. Rounding out the class is right-handed pitcher Emily Holt from Woodland, Wash. Holt is the third Washington native to sign with Nebraska in Revelle's 19 seasons in Lincoln.
Each of the three signees will complete their high school careers this spring, and all three have already earned at least one all-state award, while Fowler and Holt have both won a state championship. Given their individual and team success, Revelle is excited about the newest Huskers.
"The 2011 class adds a talented Husker athlete to the outfield, infield and pitcher's circle," Revelle said. "Not only are they winners on the field, they are all great students who we anticipate to have meaningful and highly successful careers in the classroom and on the playing field."
============
CAMPAIGN FOR NEBRASKA...
The Campaign for Nebraska. Unlimited Possibilities
Longtime UNL engineering professor makes cancer gift in memory of long-loved wife
They lived in a one-room apartment in Lincoln at first. It shared a bathroom with another apartment. Money was tight. Jerry Varner studied hard for his Ph.D. in electrical engineering and became a professor at the university. Carrie Varner worked hard at home, raising their two kids.
Some days, they got upset with each other.
"But no matter what the day brought ,and in 50 years together, there's bound to be difficult days "we never went to bed where we didn't kiss each other and say, "I love you,"Jerry says.
Read more about how longtime electrical engineering professor Jerry Varner decided to honor his wife and give to UNMC cancer research.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gift of Buffett portrait supports UNO and Girls Inc.
While Omaha native and Minneapolis businessman John Morgan is typically helping others, five young people who have benefited from his generosity recently had the opportunity to return the favor.
Earlier this month members of Girls Inc. in Omaha serenaded Morgan before helping him present one of his latest contributions to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, his alma mater.
A gift, Morgan hopes, will provide inspiration to UNO business students.
Read about John Morgan's gift and its unique journey to UNO's Mammel Hall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNO's 3,500-ft. classroom
Flying scares people.
It makes them peer into the cockpit before the door closes and pray the pilots know what they're doing with all those levers and lights.
Flying inspires people. It makes them look up into the sky and see the possibilities of human invention and human guts.
And for many people, like University of Nebraska at Omaha junior Tyler Klingemann, it can do both. He was 8 when he first stepped on an airplane. Destination: Disneyworld. The night before the trip, he cried. He couldn't sleep. The thought of flying churned his guts.
But it wasn't because he thought the plane would crash.
Find out why he was so frightened, and how flying helps him and other members of the Flying Mavs Aviation Team become safe, skilled pilots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blacksmith's gift helps those who will help others
She didn't learn much about him other than what she'd read in a short bio - that he'd been a blacksmith in Gresham, Neb., and had left money for scholarships to the University of Nebraska.
But she says she'll never forget his name: Walter Schmitt.
Thanks to the Walter Schmitt Scholarship, Lindsey Oldaker, who earned a doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in May, didn't have to get a second job and had more time to study.
The 25-year-old now works at Valley County Health Systems in Ord, Neb. "I would just thank him over and over," she says.
Read about that man, and how his scholarships are helping NU students like Oldaker.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JFK adviser never forgot NU roots
He remembers riding up the elevator and thinking, "Wow. I'm about to meet Ted Sorensen."
That was September 2007. Steve Hill, a director of gift planning for the University of Nebraska Foundation, had flown to New York City to interview Sorensen at his apartment for the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities.
Hill wondered what he'd have in common with Sorensen, one of the greatest alums in the history of the university and its law school, a man who had advised President John F. Kennedy as a speechwriter and inner-circle friend and had helped write the letter to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev that ended the Cuban missile crisis - the closest the world has come to nuclear war.
"This is crazy," Hill thought.
He remembers the door opening.
Click here to learn more about what happened that day, and about Sorensen's NU legacy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Campaign for Nebraska. Unlimited Possibilities
Raising $1.2 billion to help students, faculty and the university in general is a lofty goal. It will only be reached through the generosity of many. No gift is too large or too small. To learn more about the Campaign for Nebraska, or to contribute, go to campaignfornebraska.org.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The University of Nebraska Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that has been raising private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for more than 70 years. The foundation has locations in Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney and Scottsbluff. Last year, $107.3 million was transferred to the university to support students, faculty, academic programs, research, and for campus capital improvements. More information is available at nufoundation.org.
============
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.
