Bay Area Husker News

Bay Area Husker ENews 01-01-09

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:25:00 +0000

Good News!! bayareahuskers.org can now be found at bayareahuskers.com

Huskers win the Gator Bowl 26-21 and close out a very good year under first year head coach Bo Polini.

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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 4-18-08

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans,

Sorry about the time between emails and the lack of news from the homeland, but I wanted to kick this one out to remind you that the annual Spring Game is Saturday 4-19-2008. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. More info next week after the game.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),

Carl

SPRING GAME LINK FOR LIVE AUDIO AND STATS...
SPRING GAME LINK
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HUSKERS FINISH LAST PRACTICE BEFORE SELLOUT SPRING GAME...

Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson is excited about the balance between the Red and White units for Saturday's spring game.

The Nebraska football team concluded its last spring football practice with a 2 ½-hour, helmets-only workout inside the Hawks Championship Center Thursday afternoon. This was the Huskers' last practice before the much-anticipated Spring Game on Saturday, which will be played before a packed house at Memorial Stadium.

"We have two teams that are really balanced. It worked out really well, and barring anyone gets nicked up, it's going to be a lot of fun," Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson said. "I'm really happy with where we are at. Football is a long process, where were at today, the questions we had coming in, we feel like we have started to get some of those questions answered."

One of the main attractions of this year's spring game will be the progression of the defense. The defense has made great strides this spring according to Defensive Coordinator Carl Pelini, but they still have work to do.

"Guys are getting more comfortable with what we are talking about, which is the basic fundamentals and techniques. Everything is moving in a good direction," Carl Pelini said. "I'm really excited about the progression of the defensive line. I think they are really taking to the new techniques, they are asking good questions, and the "want to" is there, which is the biggest thing."

Kickoff for Saturday's spring game is scheduled for 1 p.m. All students eighth grade and below will be admitted for free, as they can take a Drug Free Pledge at halftime led by Head Coach Bo Pelini, and former Nebraska linebacker Demorrio Williams.

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SOLD OUT SPRING GAME OFFERS REGULAR-SEASON ATMOSPHERE...

Nebraska's Spring Game sellout promises to offer fans a fall game-day atmosphere.
Lincoln - For the first time, Nebraska's Red-White Spring Game is sold out for April 19, and fans will get a full game-day experience, complete with some pedestrian and traffic congestion caused by the 80,000-fan convergence on downtown Lincoln. Kickoff for the spring football game is 11 a.m. PDT, with a Husker baseball game beginning at 1:35 p.m. PDT at Hawks Field.

Fans are reminded that no tickets will be sold on Saturday, but those who have not picked up tickets can arrive at the Ticket Office beginning at 9 a.m. The Husker Nation Pavilion will open at 10 a.m. at Ed Weir Track/Nebraska Soccer Field to enhance the game-day atmosphere. Memorial Stadium gates open at 11:30 a.m.

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SPRING GAME PROGRAM...

The 2008 Nebraska Red-White Spring Game program is available for sale at Huskers Authentic and will be for sale at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 19. Kickoff for the Huskers' annual spring game is set for 11 a.m. PDT

Nebraska's Spring Game Program includes coaches biographies, updated player biographies on returning Huskers, biographies for 2008 signees, statistics from the 2007 season and much more...

Part 1 : Pages 1-36 : Introduction, Coaches Bios, 2008 Spring Outlook, Returning Player Bios, 2008 Signees
Part 2 : Pages 37-71 : 2007 Honors, 2007 Season Stats, 2007 Game Recaps, 2007 Senior Bios, Spring Game History

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HUSKERS.COM ANNOUNCES RED-WHITE ROSTERS...

Huskers.com will give Nebraska football fans their first opportunity to see the rosters for Saturday's sold-out Red-White Game. Check Huskers.com to find out who will wear Red and which players will don White jerseys on Saturday afternoon.

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11 HUSKERS NAMED TO BERRINGER TEAM...

Holder and place-kicker Jake Wesch earned his fourth straight spot on the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team.

Lincoln - Eleven members of the 2007 football team comprise the 11th annual Brook Berringer Citizenship Team as announced by the Nebraska Athletic Department. The student-athletes will be recognized on the field before kickoff of Saturday's Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.

The Brook Berringer Citizenship Team was established by the Husker football program in honor of former Nebraska quarterback Brook Berringer, who died in a plane crash in April of 1996.
Berringer was a member of NU's back-to-back national championship teams in 1994 and 1995. He was also one of the most dedicated Husker volunteers in the community with youth, both in Nebraska and in his hometown of Goodland, Kan. The team honors players who display a similar love and dedication for volunteering in the community.

This year's Berringer Citizenship Team is headlined by five repeat honorees, including a four-time honoree and a pair of three-year recipients. Place-kicker Jake Wesch is a member of the team for the fourth consecutive year, while punter Dan Titchener and 2007 senior fullback Matt Senske were both named to the Berringer team a third straight time. Senior receiver Todd Peterson and 2007 senior lineman Victory Haines are the two-time honorees on this year's team.

Six players have been named to the team for the first time in their careers. Those honorees include senior quarterback Joe Ganz, sophomore fullback Aaron Gillaspie, senior linebacker Cody Glenn, sophomore linebacker Blake Lawrence, senior long snapper T.J. O'Leary and senior linebacker Tyler Wortman.

The football team has been among the most active teams in the local community, ranking among the finalists for the Life Skills Team Award each of the past three seasons. A large group of student-athletes and coaches, including football team members are scheduled to visit a local Lincoln hospital and retirement center on Thursday, April 24.

Athletic Director Tom Osborne and Associate Athletic Director for Life Skills Keith Zimmer will make the presentation to the Berringer team recipients.

In addition to the Berringer Team, senior defensive end Zach Potter will be honored on Saturday as the recipient of the second annual Cletus Fischer Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is presented annually to a Nebraska football player who has demonstrated a high level of athletic and academic achievement and intends to pursue a career as a high school or college coach.

2008 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (years on team)
* Joe Ganz, QB, Palos Heights, Ill., 2008
* Aaron Gillaspie, FB, Littleton, Colo. 2008
* Cody Glenn, LB, Rusk, Texas, 2008
* Victory Haines, OL, Logan, Utah, 2007, 2008
* Blake Lawrence, LB, Shawnee Mission, Kan., 2008
* T.J. O'Leary, LS, Omaha, Neb., 2008
* Todd Peterson, WR, Grand Island, Neb., 2007, 2008
* Matt Senske, FB, Bellevue, Neb., 2006, 2007, 2008
* Dan Titchener, P, Cheyenne, Wyo., 2006, 2007, 2008
* Jake Wesch, PK/H, North Bend, Neb., 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
* Tyler Wortman, LB, Grand Island, Neb., 2008

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HUSKERS INK THREE-GAME SERIES WITH SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI...

2012 Nebraska Football Schedule

2013 Nebraska Football Schedule

2015 Nebraska Football Schedule

Southern Miss will visit Lincoln in 2012 and 2015, with the Huskers traveling to Hattiesburg in 2013.

Nebraska announced on Monday that it has agreed to a three-game football series with Southern Miss, with games scheduled in Lincoln during the 2012 and 2015 seasons, along with a 2013 contest in Hattiesburg, Miss.

The first game in the series will be played on Sept. 1, 2012, in Lincoln, and will mark the Huskers' season opener. The Huskers will travel to Southern Miss for a game on Sept. 7, 2013, with the final meeting in the three-game contract set for Sept. 5, 2015.

The games in 2012 and 2013 are the second non-conference games scheduled for those seasons. Nebraska previously agreed to a home-and-home series with UCLA that will send Nebraska to Pasadena in 2012, with the Bruins playing in Memorial Stadium in the 2013 season. The Nebraska-USM game in 2015 is the first non-conference game on the Huskers' 2015 schedule.

"Southern Miss has an outstanding football program with a tradition of taking on top programs around the country," Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne said. "We had a competitive three-game series with them a few years back and this should be another challenging set of games for our football team against a good opponent."

The three-game series with the Golden Eagles will mark the second such agreement between the two schools, following three games between 1999 and 2004. Nebraska defeated USM in Lincoln in 1999 and was victorious at Hattiesburg in 2003, before the Golden Eagles knocked off Nebraska in Lincoln in 2004. The three recent games are the only meetings between the two schools on the gridiron.

Southern Miss is coming off a 7-6 season in 2007, including a trip to the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The Golden Eagles have been to a bowl game in nine of the past 11 seasons and 2008 will mark the debut of first-year head coach Larry Fedora.

Nebraska has completed its non-conference schedules through the 2010 season, and Big 12 Conferences schedules are set through 2015.

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Executive Travel and UNL Alumni Association announce partnership

(I've been getting their travel advice emails for some time now...very good stuff with a national and international view from a Lincoln based company...check out their website at www.executivetravel.com )

Executive Travel is pleased to announce that we have been selected by the University of Nebraska Alumni Association as their official membership tour operator. This new program will launch new tours beginning in 2009. We are excited about this new partnership and are honored to work with such an outstanding organization.

Executive Travel 1212 O Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
402-435-8888 Fax 402-435-2735 info@executivetravel.com

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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 3-13-08

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:22:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

We had a great Founders' Day event on February 24th. Doug Bereuter, former Congressman from Nebraska, was our guest speaker and provided us with some unique insight about the inner workings of Congress and Nebraska politics during his 26 year career. In his new role as the President of the Asia Foundation (based here in the Bay Area), he also gave us a primer in the geopolitical world of international relations in Asia, and the challenges we (and the world) face with the rapid growth of China. We had a lot of great raffle prizes and our scholarship fund grew substantially...many thanks to all who attended and a special thanks to the board members who put the event together.

I'm gonna start you out in this email with a You Tube video, and end with one about Husker football....kinda like bookends on the message today. Enjoy the videos and all the news in between. And don't forget, the Mission Chamber Orchestra (conducted by our own Emily Ray) is holding a fund raising concert this Sunday. If you get a chance, try to attend.
More info below.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

Golfers...save the date. Our Bay Area Husker Golf Tourney is set for Saturday June 14th at Los Lagos. More details coming soon.

Basketball fans...I'll be sending a separate email about a great event on April 12th at the Arco Arena put together by our neighboring Alumni Chapter, Northern Californians For Nebraska. Come watch the Kings and meet former Husker star, Mikke Moore. Should be fun!

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GO BIG BO! (Thanks to Kirk Swanson for sending this)...

This is awesome. Well done and hopefully a sign for new hope.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pSkH3UxFJ0g
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THREE HUSKERS SELECTED FOR NCAA POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS...

Lincoln - Three University of Nebraska volleyball players were among 29 female student-athletes across the country selected for NCAA postgraduate scholarships this week. Christina Houghtelling, Sarah Pavan and Tracy Stalls were each selected to receive $7,500 scholarships to use as they eventually pursue their postgraduate degrees. Prior to this year, Nebraska had had only three NCAA Postgradute Scholarship winners in program history, most recently Laura Pilakowski during the 2002-03 academic year.

The athletes selected this week were athletes who participated in fall sports, which included men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo.
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GREAT ARTICLE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT HAVE SEEN IT... SPORTS / COLLEGE FOOTBALL February 25, 2008

Huskers' New Coach Promises to Heed Program's Old Ways
By JOE DRAPE

New Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini is more than a head football coach. He is the steward of a public trust, one cherished by the more than 1.7 million denizens of this state on the plains.

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THREE FORMER NEBRASKA PLAYERS ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME BALLOT...

Grant Wistrom is one of three former Husker greats on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today the names of 75 players and eight coaches who comprise the 2008 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Among the players included on the ballot are former Nebraska greats Trev Alberts, Will Shields and Grant Wistrom.

The ballot will be mailed this week to more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers, and those votes will be submitted to the NFF's Honors Court. The Hall of Fame Class will be announced on ESPN News on May 1, and inducted at the National Football Foundations Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 in New York City.

To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least 10 years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year.

Alberts was a first-team All-American and Butkus Award winner in 1993, helping Nebraska to a Big Eight title and trip to the Orange Bowl. Alberts also distinguished himself off the field as an Academic All-American and an NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1993.

Shields recently completed an accomplished pro career with the Kansas City Chiefs. While in college, Shields was a unanimous first-team All-American in 1992 and also won the Outland Trophy. He helped Nebraska to three NCAA rushing titles and back-to-back Big Eight titles in 1991 and 1992.

Wistrom was a two-time unanimous first-team All-American in 1996 and 1997. He led the Huskers to three national championships during his career and was the 1997 Lombardi Award winner as well as a two-time Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Year selection. Wistrom was also an academic All-American and a recipient of the NCAA Top Eight Award.

Nebraska is well-represented in the College Football Hall of Fame with 13 former players and six former coaches enshrined. The Huskers' most recent inductee was 1983 Heisman winner Mike Rozier who became the 19th Husker honoree in 2006.

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HUSKERS ANNOUNCE BASEBALL TELEVISION PACKAGE...

A minimum of eight Husker baseball games will be televised this season, as the Nebraska baseball program announced its television package on Wednesday. The schedule includes five games on Nebraska Educational Television, as well a pair of national TV appearances.

Nebraska's first TV appearance of the year will be on Saturday, March 29, as the Huskers head to Austin, Texas, for a contest against the Longhorns. This game will be carried throughout the Big 12 region on FSN, and is one of five regular-season telecasts this season. First pitch for this contest has been moved from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. FSN (PDT), which announced four of its regular-season broadcasts, has one remaining wildcard slot on May 18 and also televises the Big 12 Championship game on Sunday, May 25.
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HUSKERS HEAD TO K-STATE...
Date Date Opponent Time (all times Central)
Tuesday March 11 South Dakota State W, 7-3
Friday March 14 at Kansas State
(7-6, 0-0 Big 12) 4:00 p.m. (game time moved up)
Saturday March 15 at Kansas State
(7-6, 0-0 Big 12) 2 p.m.
Sunday March 16 at Kansas State
(7-6, 0-0 Big 12) 1 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers
Day Nebraska Kansas State
Friday Johnny Dorn, Sr., RHP Brad Hutt, Sr., RHP
(2-0, 1.35 ERA) (1-2, 2.25 ERA)

Saturday Thad Weber, Sr., RHP Chase Bayuk, Sr., LHP
(2-1, 7.16 ERA) (0-1, 5.22 ERA)

Sunday Aaron Pribanic, Jr., RHP Justin Murray, Jr., RHP
(2-0, 0.96 ERA) (1-0, 1.54 ERA)

Nebraska vs. Kansas State
Media Info

Live Radio: Husker Sports Network and for free on the Internet at Huskers.com Live Stats: Huskers.com Live Video: HuskersNside (subscription required)
Television: None

This Weekend: The Nebraska baseball program hits the road for the first time since the opening weekend, traveling to Kansas State to open the Big 12 portion of the 2008 schedule. The series begins Friday night at Tointon Family Stadium at 6:30 p.m., with afternoon games slated for both Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.)

On the Radio and Internet: Fans across Nebraska can listen to Greg Sharpe, Lane Grindle and Adrian Fiala call all of the action on Husker Sports Network - including KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln, KFAB 1110 AM in Omaha and KRVN 880 AM in Lexington - and on the Internet at Huskers.com. Any games that conflict with Nebraska basketball games on the Husker Sports Network will be available on Huskers.com and joined in progress on the network. In addition, fans can also watch all four games live on HuskersNside. For subscription information, visit Huskers.com.

Last Time Out (Nebraska 7, South Dakota State 3): Jake Opitzs two-run double in the fifth inning broke a 2-all tie, as Nebraska extended its win streak to 10 games with a 7-3 victory over South Dakota State on March 11. Opitz was one of two Huskers to drive in a pair of runs on Tuesday, as Johnston came off the bench to deliver a pair of RBIs - the first two of his career - and scored twice. Craig Corriston tied his career high with three hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Mitch Abeita also chipped in a pair of hits for the victors.

With Tuesday's win, the Huskers completed a perfect 10-game homestand and have won 12 straight at Hawks Field, their longest win streak since a 21-game home win streak during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The Huskers relied on their youth, as seven freshmen saw extensive action, including four of Nebraskas seven hurlers. Michael Mariot (1-0) earned his first collegiate win with an inning of relief, as no pitcher threw more than three innings, as the staff combined for 10 strikeouts and just one walk.
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HUSKERS COMPLETE PERFECT HOMESTAND...

Jake Opitz had two hits, including a two-run double in the fifth.

Lincoln - Jake Opitz's two-run double in the fifth inning broke a 2-all tie, as Nebraska extended its win streak to 10 games with a 7-3 victory over South Dakota State Tuesday afternoon at Hawks Field.

Opitz gave Nebraska the lead for good, roping a two-out, two-run double off of SDSUs Isaac Johnson into the corner in right, scoring Dan Johnston and DJ Belftonte to give NU a two-run lead.

Opitz was one of two Huskers to drive in a pair of runs on Tuesday, as Johnston came off the bench to deliver a pair of RBIs - the first two of his career - and score twice. Craig Corriston tied his career high with three hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Mitch Abeita also chipped in a pair of hits for the victors, who open Big 12 play at Kansas State on Friday with an 11-2 mark.

With Tuesday's win, the Huskers completed a perfect 10-game homestand and have won 12 straight at Hawks Field, their longest win streak since a 21-game home win streak during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

The Jackrabbits pulled to within 4-3 on Stephen Turner's sixth-inning RBI single, but Nebraska came back with a run in the bottom of the frame and added two more in the eighth to pull away.

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DORN, HUSKERS TOP NORTHERN COLORADO...

Johnny Dorn struck out a career-high 13 hitters on Saturday.

Lincoln - Behind a career-high 13 strikeouts from Johnny Dorn, the Nebraska rolled to a 12-2 victory over Northern Colorado Saturday afternoon.

Dorn was magnificent against the Bears, fanning the first seven hitters he faced and didn't allow a base hit until Cody Henry's one-out bloop single in the fifth. Dorn, who improved to 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, topped his previous high of 12 strikeouts against UC Riverside in the 2007 NCAA Regional and reached double figures in strikeouts for the fourth time in his career.

On the day, Dorn allowed just three hits and one earned run over seven innings, while his 13 strikeouts were the most by a Husker since Joba Chamberlain fanned 13 against Miami in the 2005 NCAA Super Regional. With the win, Dorn ups his career record to 33-9, eight wins shy of Shane Komine's school and Big 12 record.

Anderson said that Dorn's velocity and location were pinpoint early on, helping the senior now strikeout 29 in just 20 innings of work for Nebraska (7-2).

"I think the velocity helps, and he located extremely well today," Anderson said. "That's good to see. I think everything is just a little bit better."

" am just trying to get ahead, and when I get two strikes in the count I try to put as much into that pitch as I can,"Dorn said. "l'll try and get a strikeout. Otherwise pitch for contact and try and get outs."

The Huskers, whose six-game win streak is the longest since 2006, were paced offensively by Bryce Nimmo, who went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored. Nimmo, who is hitting .632 with seven RBIs and seven runs scored over his last five contests, has not recorded five straight multi-hit games over the past week.

CORRISTON LIFTS HUSKERS TO 3-2 WIN...

Craig Corriston's eighth-inning RBI single broke a 2-all deadlock, lifting the Nebraska baseball team to a 3-2 victory over Northern Colorado Sunday afternoon. Corriston's two-out single plated Mitch Abeita with the go-ahead run, helping the Huskers to their seventh-straight win.

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DORN SHARES BIG 12 WEEKLY HONOR...

Nebraska right-hander Johnny Dorn earned an honor as well on Monday, as he was chosen as the Big 12's Co-Pitcher of the Week. It is the third time the senior has received the conference's weekly award.

Dorn allowed just one earned run over seven innings, as the Huskers defeated Northern Colorado, 12-2 on March 8. He fanned a career-high 13 Bears, including the first seven hitters he faced, as his 13 strikeouts were the most by a Husker pitcher since Joba Chamberlain in 2005. On the season, Dorn is now 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, striking out a Big 12-high 29 hitters over 20.2 innings of work.
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DR. HIBNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWED...

Dr. Barbara Hibner served as a member of the Athletic Department for 27 years.
The University of Nebraska is proud to announce the full endowment of the Dr. Barbara Hibner Memorial Scholarship. Exactly one year after her death, the scholarship has reached the full endowment level of $250,000, thanks to donations from friends and family of Dr. Hibner, Husker fans and a generous gift from Dr. Hibner's estate.

The Dr. Barbara Hibner Memorial Scholarship will be presented annually to a women's varsity sport at Nebraska in honor of a female student-athlete who meets specific criteria established with input from Dr. Hibner's family and Nebraska's Senior Woman Administrator. The scholarship will be presented to the sport at the beginning of the fall semester to cover the needs of the honored student-athlete. In that way, Dr. Hibner's lasting impression upon Nebraska and women's athletics will continue to be felt for generations to come.

The scholarship is named for Dr. Barbara Hibner, a 28-year member of the NU Athletic Department who passed away on March 7, 2007, after a fight with bone cancer. Dr. Hibner, who was fondly known as "Dr. H" to her friends and student-athletes, was a tireless promoter of women's athletics whose efforts resulted in Nebraska being among the conference and national leaders in the advancement of women's sports.

Hibner began her career at Nebraska in 1978 as the Assistant Women's Athletic Director, before being promoted in 1985 to the position of Women's Athletic Director, a position she held for 10 years. In 1994, she was named Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, a position she held until her retirement in December of 2005. During her tenure, Nebraska added three women's sports - soccer, bowling and rifle - to become the conference leader in women's athletics with 13 sports and 117 scholarship opportunities.

"Barb is responsible for much of the rise of women's athletics at Nebraska," Athletic Director Tom Osborne said, upon Dr. Hibner's passing. "She was a women's athletic administrator during a time of tremendous growth in women's athletics. During her tenure, women's athletics emerged as a very important part of the athletic scene at the University of Nebraska.

Hibner's dedication to women's athletics was recognized beyond the reach of the NU Athletic Department. She established events in Lincoln for women's gymnastics, women's basketball and volleyball, all in addition to her efforts within collegiate athletics. In 1994, she was honored with the YWCA Tribute to Women award, and in 2004, she received the lifetime achievement award from the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office for her work in the Lincoln community. Her passion was to provide athletic opportunities for women of all ages.

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HUSKER SOFTBALL TEAM EMBARKS ON NINE GAME, 10 DAY ROAD TRIP...

The Nebraska softball teams travels to Las Vegas, Nev., this weekend to kick off a 10-day road trip with five games at the UNLV Rebel Round Robin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Huskers will then take advantage of Spring Break by staying in Las Vegas to play two contests against Southern Utah before traveling to Texas to open Big 12 play with a two-game series beginning on Friday, March 21.

Fans will be able to follow NU on its lengthy road trip, as Huskers.com will provide free audio coverage of all nine games. Nate Rohr will handle play-by-play duties for the broadcasts, while select games will be available on the Husker Sports Network.

Nebraska will face stiff competition on the road, as the Huskers will play a total of six games against teams that have either earned a top-25 ranking this season or received votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll. Following the road trip - Nebraska's longest since 2004 - the Huskers travel to Creighton on March 26 before returning home to play 16 of their final 21 games at Bowlin Stadium, where the Huskers have enjoyed a tremendous home-field advantage the past three seasons.

Nebraska got a taste of the home cooking last weekend, sweeping a four-game series from Northern Colorado by a combined score of 28-0. The Huskers posted three run-rule victories, with each win coming by a score of 8-0. NU posted back-to-back run-rule victories in Saturday's doubleheader, marking Nebraskas first consecutive run-rule victories since 2006.

The Huskers were led by their pitching, as the right-handed combination of junior Molly Hill and sophomore Alex Hupp combined to toss 24.0 scoreless innings in the series. Each pitcher threw two shutouts, as Nebraska tossed four consecutive shutouts, marking the Huskers' longest shutout streak since NU posted seven consecutive shutouts during the 2004 season.

Hupp was especially impressive, allowing just one hit in 11.0 innings of work, as Northern Colorado batters were just 1-for-33 against her (.030). She tossed her first career no-hitter with a six-inning masterpiece in her first start against UNC, surrendering just one walk while striking out a career-high 12. In her second start, Hupp allowed only an infield single while striking out seven and facing just one batter over the minimum in a five-inning complete game.

Hill meanwhile continued to round into form barely a month removed from knee surgery. She tossed a pair of two-hit shutouts and the reigning Big 12 ERA champion has not allowed an earned run in three of her first five starts this season.

Offensively, NU received contributions up and down the lineup, but it was the newcomers who were especially impressive while playing in front of the home fans for the first time.

Freshman Julie Brechtel began the weekend 5-for-5 as part of a larger stretch where she recorded a hit in seven straight at bats. Fellow freshman Heidi Foland posted her first career extra-base hit while producing five RBIs in a single game, an individual high for Nebraska this season. Junior Amanda Duran, a transfer from Pima (Ariz.) Community College, also excelled, finishing 6-for-9 with four RBIs.

Overall, NU's eight newcomers combined to post an impressive .368 average with six doubles, nine runs scored and 15 RBIs.
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HILL PITCHES HUSKERS PAST BEARS...

Molly Hill tossed her second straight two-hit shutout against Northern Colorado.

Lincoln - Junior right-hander Molly Hill tossed her second two-hit shutout of the weekend, as the Nebraska softball team stretched its scoreless innings streak to 19 innings in posting a 4-0 victory over Northern Colorado in game one of Sunday's doubleheader at Bowlin Stadium.

Hill won her second straight decision to improve to 3-2 on the season. Barely a month removed from knee surgery, Hill threw a season-high 7.0 innings, while striking out a season-high 12. Hill had a no-hitter through 3.1 before surrendering a double that marked Northern Colorado's first hit off a Nebraska pitcher in 11.0 innings.

Hill's work gave Nebraska its third straight win and improved the Huskers' record to 7-8 on the season. Northern Colorado fell to 6-19 with its third loss to the Huskers. Jamie Juelfs (3-7) tossed a complete game for the Bears, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits.

Freshman Julie Brechtel and junior Amanda Duran paced the Huskers' seven-hit attack, recording two hits each.

HUPP TOSSES NO-HITTER IN 8-0 WIN...

Lincoln - Alex Hupp was nearly perfect in the circle, tossing a six-inning no-hitter as the Nebraska softball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Northern Colorado with a second 8-0 victory in the nightcap on Saturday at Bowlin Stadium.

Hupp was perfect through 4.1 innings and faced just one batter over the minimum on the night. She was perfect until walking Katelyn Landorf in the top of the fifth. The only other Bear to reach base was Jessie Schopeflin, who reached on an error but was promptly caught stealing with two outs in the top of the sixth.

Hupp, who won her third consecutive start, evened her record at 3-3 on the season. In tossing the 34th no-hitter in Nebraska softball history, Hupp struck out a career-high 12 batters in only six innings.

With Hupp in control in the circle, the Husker offense made the most of its six hits, producing eight runs for the second straight game. NU was aided by seven walks and five hit-by-pitches in the game. With plenty of RBI opportunities, it was the bottom of the order who delivered for Nebraska. Hupp recorded her first multi-hit game of the season, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, but it was freshman Heidi Foland who stole the show.

Foland finished 2-for-3 with a double and a career-high five RBIs. Entering the game, Foland had yet to record an extra base hit and had tallied just one RBI in her first 12 career games.

Kelli Henderson (1-6) took the loss for Northern Colorado, which fell to 6-18 on the season. In four innings of work, Henderson allowed just three hits, but six walks and three hit batters did her in, as she was tagged for five runs.

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HUSKER FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET PRICES REMAIN THE SAME...

Nebraska will play eight home games for the first time in six seasons.

Nebraska football season ticket holders will see no increase in cost per game of tickets for the 2008 home schedule, and will once again receive a discount compared to the full face value of a season ticket.

Season ticket holders will pay $52 a ticket for eight home games in 2008 ($416 total), a 15 percent savings ($74) over the full face value of a season ticket at $490. Individual tickets to Nebraska home games will cost $65 each for contests against four Big 12 opponents and Virginia Tech, and $55 each for home games against Western Michigan, San Jose State and New Mexico State.

For the sixth consecutive year, Nebraska students will not see an increase in their season ticket prices. UNL students will pay a total of $168 for the eight games, or $21 per game. UNL faculty and staff will pay $392 for season tickets, a 20 percent discount on the full face value of season tickets.

Husker ticket holders will see an attractive home schedule in 2008, including games against three teams that finished in the top 10 of the final 2007 rankings. Defending Big 12 North Champion Missouri (Oct. 4) finished No. 4 in the Associated Press Poll, with Kansas (Nov. 8) at No. 7 and Virginia Tech (Sept. 27) ranked ninth.

Ticket Prices Summary
2008 Single-Game Home Total (Average) $490 ($61.25)
Season Ticket Total (Average) $416 ($52)
UNL Student Ticket Total (Average) $168 ($21)

Notes

Nebraska will have eight home games for the first time since the 2002 season and just the sixth time in school history.

The Huskers' first five games of 2008 will be played at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska last played its first five games at home in 2005, and the 2008 season will mark just the fifth time in school history NU has opened with five straight home games (1906, 1918, 1975, 2005).

The Oct. 4 game against Missouri will be Nebraska's Homecoming contest.

Nebraska's meeting with Western Michigan will be the first between the two schools, while its matchup with Virginia Tech will be the first regular-season meeting between the two programs. Nebraska holds a 1-0 series edge over the Hokies, defeating Virginia Tech in the 1996 Orange Bowl.

Nebraska is 2-0 all-time against New Mexico State (1979 and 1982) and won the only previous matchup with San Jose State (2000).

Nebraska faces a total of six 2007 bowl teams this fall including Virginia Tech, Missouri, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

Tickets for the April 19 Red-White Spring Game continue to be on sale at Huskers.com, by calling 1-800-8 BIG RED or 402-472-3111, and in person at the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office. As of Wednesday, approximately 39,000 advance tickets had been sold for the game. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance to avoid long lines on game day. Kickoff on April 19 is set for 1 p.m.
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HUSKERS SNAG SEASON HIGH IN CLOSE CALL TO GOPHERS...

Junior T.J. Schmidt earned his sixth event title of the season against Minnesota and Temple.

Minneapolis, Minn.- The 10th-ranked Nebraska gymnastics captured second place in a nail-biting competition against No. 8 Minnesota and No. 9 Temple in Minneapolis, Minn., on Saturday night. NU fell by less than a point to Minnesota, 342.80-341.90, but was able to soar past the Owls (326.10).

Despite the loss, Nebraska earned three individual event titles, including a pair from junior T.J. Schmidt on the pommel horse (14.65) and the parallel bars (14.80). Sophomore Kyle Shanahan also captured his second high bar title of the year with a score of 13.95. Senior Stephen Tétrault stepped up his level of competition, earning second on pommel horse (14.55) and vault (15.75) before placing second in the all-around with a season high score of 84.20.

"This is exactly the type of motion I wanted to see this time of year," Head Coach Francis Allen said. "We wanted to keep improving and we're doing just that. This is the best Nebraska team I've seen for a couple of years so it's very encouraging as we go up against Iowa, Air Force and then the teams of the MPSF.

With the help of NU's All-Americans, the Huskers came out swinging on the pommel horse to start the meet, scoring a season-high team score of 55.80 to top their previous best of 54.60. Schmidt claimed the event title with a career-high score of 14.65, while Tétrault also set a new personal record score of 14.55 for second place. The Gophers took an early lead in the first rotation, scoring 59.35, while NU had 55.80 and Temple had 53.85.

Junior James Mauldin and freshman Anthony Ingrelli kept things rolling for Nebraska on the still rings, both scoring a 14.30 for second place. The duo's performance lifted the team morale, as Tétrault added a personal best of 14.05 to give the Huskers a score of 56.40 on still rings.

The Huskers then traveled to floor exercise in the third rotation, where they set a new season record of 57.50 to top their previous score of 57.10. Brûlé posted a season-high mark of 14.65 on floor as he tied for third place with Minnesota's Colin McGuire. NU jumped to first place after the third rotation, as Minnesota posted a 169.25 and Temple had a 162.30.

Schmidt claimed his second parallel bars title with a score of 14.80 as the Huskers earned a season-high score of 57.25 in the fourth roation. Brûlé wasn't far behind Schmidt, as he captured second place with a score of 14.55.

NU had a rough spot on high bar in the fifth rotation, scoring only a 53.35. However, Kyle Shanahan stepped up and earned his second high bar title of the year with a score of 13.95.

Nebraska finished up the meet on vault, where they scored a 61.60. Tétrault blasted his former vault score of 15.40 as he tied Minnesota's Cole Storer for second place. The individual surge would not be enough to score above the Gophers and Nebraska fell to 1-7 on the road this season.

The Huskers will have a two-week break before hosting Iowa at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on March 14 at 7 p.m. The meet will be a double dual with the Husker women's team, as they will be taking on Iowa State.

Team Results Score
1. Minnesota 342.80
2. Nebraska 341.90
3. Temple 326.10

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NO. 11 HUSKERS HUNT FOR DUAL WIN OVER NO. 10 HAWKEYES...

After spending the last four meets on the road, the No. 11 Nebraska gymnastics team returns to Lincoln on Friday, March 14, to go up against the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes. The competition, which is set to begin at 7 p.m., is a double dual with the NU women's team competing against Iowa State.

Nebraska and Iowa meet for the 22nd time in 41 years, with the Hawkeyes leading the series, 12-8-1. The two teams have been evenly matched in recent years as the final score has been within a point difference since 2005.
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The Mission Chamber Orchestra Presents

Eastern European Chamber Music & Auction Extravaganza!

Concert Details:

Beethoven Quartet, op. 59/, no. 3, mvt 1
Borodin Nocturne
Pacific Strings
Shostakovich Piano Trio no. 2 in E minor, op. 67
Noer Trio
Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain
MCO Cello Quartet
Ferenc Farkas Ancient Dances (/Regi Magyar Tancok/)
MCO Woodwind Quintet

Date: Sunday, March 16, 2008
Tickets: General Admission, $20, Senior/student, $17, Children under 12, $5
Time: Silent auction starts at 1:30PM; Concert begins at 2:30PM
Location: Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. 5th Street, San Jose

Parking: Free. There is a garage directly across the street.

The afternoon will include free refreshments and an exciting silent auction featuring the following, and much more!
· Dinner with pianist Jon Nakamatsu & MCO conductor Emily Ray
· Waterfall Alaska fishing package
· Disneyland tickets
· Byington Winery tour & tasting
· Hotels packages

Click on the link below for more auction items:
http://www.missionchamber.org/auction.shtml
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PAST NU DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS-BRING BACK THE GOOD OLD DAYS...
You Tube Video...

watch video

Video Description
"Paint It Black" - Rolling Stones
Track 4 from DVD "Big Red Rock"
By OurDecay Productions 2003

Personal Message

Watch the hit on Newcombe run against Tenn at :51, the next play a hit on Texas punter at :55. Mcbride talks about tradition and culture and playing for each other and former players. I guess that concept missed Callahan and Cosgrove.

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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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 2-21-08

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:39:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Baseball season is just around the corner and do we have a great way to start! The Huskers are playing in a round robin tourney at the Stanford Sunken Diamond baseball facility this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting). So grab your rain coat and come out and cheer on the Huskers (more info below).

Founders' Day Event...
We're looking forward to our annual Founders' Day event on Sunday at the Sunnyvale Ramada. I know the reservation deadline has past, but Mac may be able to add a couple of folks if you hustle up and call or email him tonight or early Friday morning. See the website www.BayAreaHuskers.org for more details.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

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BAY AREA HUSKERS NIGHT AT THE SABRECATS!!!!

Our local Arena Football League team (last year's AFL National Champs), the San Jose Sabercats, is offering a great deal for local alumni groups to attend one of their games. We've selected the second game of the season on Saturday, March 22nd (vs. the Dallas Desperados) as the night for local Husker fans to get together for some great indoor football! Tickets are only $9 each (half price) and its a guaranteed great time! Karen and I have been season ticket holders for about 5 years and we think its the best sports deal in the area. Cheap tickets, a great venue and a very fast paced game...scores are usually in the 60s and 70s per team. So let me or Dave Pegg know that you want to attend and we'll arrange for a Husker group outing.

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HUSKERS HEAD TO STANFORD TO OPEN 2008 SEASON...

Nebraska at Stanford
Friday - 2 p.m. (DH)
Saturday - 2 p.m.
Sunday - 1 p.m.

All times Pacific

Pitching Probables
Friday (G-1)
NU-Thad Weber, Sr., RHP (0-0)
Jeremy Bleich, Jr., LHP (0-0)

Friday (G-2)
NU-Johnny Dorn, Sr., RHP (0-0)
Erik Davis, Sr., RHP (0-0)

Saturday
NU-Dan Jennings, Jr., LHP (0-0)
Max Fearnow, Jr., RHP (0-0)

Sunday
NU-Aaron Pribanic, Jr., RHP (0-0)
Jeffrey Inman, So., RHP (0-0)

Live Radio: Selected Husker Sports Network and for free on the Internet at Huskers.com

Live Stats: Huskers.com

Live Video: Stanford All-Access (free)

Television: None

This Week: The Nebraska baseball program begins the 2008 season this weekend, as the Huskers travel to Stanford for a four-game series with the Cardinal. Friday’s season opener will be a doubleheader, scheduled for 2 p.m. (Pacific) with single games on both Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).

On the Radio: Fans across Nebraska can listen to Greg Sharpe and Lane Grindle call all of the action on the 27-station Husker Sports Network - including flagship stations KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln and KRVN 880 AM in Lexington - and on the Internet at Huskers.com. Every game this season will be carried on the Husker Sports Network. Saturday’s game will be joined in progress on selected network stations.

Preview: The Huskers open this week with a with a trip to national power Stanford to kick off the 2008 season. The Huskers return 13 letterwinners, including six everyday starters from a team that went 32-27 and reached the finals of the NCAA Tempe Regional last season. Offensively, senior Jeff Tezak is NU’s top returning hitter after batting .335 with three homers and 37 RBIs to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors. Tezak is one of three starters who hit over .300 a year ago, joining senior infielder Craig Corriston (.320-5-41) and sophomore right fielder DJ Belfonte (.307-0-16). Senior second baseman Jake Opitz drove in a team-high 48 RBIs, while ranking first on the squad in triples (three) and second in homers (five).

On the mound, Nebraska has a new pitching coach - Eric Newman, formerly the head coach at Dallas Baptist - and a youthful staff, as eight pitchers off the 2007 staff were plucked in last June’s draft. Senior right-hander Johnny Dorn anchors the NU hurlers, after going 10-3 in 16 starts a year ago, highlighted by a complete-game win with 12 strikeouts against UC Riverside in the NCAA Regional. He is the only starter back from Nebraska’s weekend rotation.

Leading Off
•-Nebraska is 5-0 in season openers under Head Coach Mike Anderson and has won its last six season openers, dating back to a 13-inning victory over New Mexico in 2002.

•-Nebraska’s trip to Stanford marks the Huskers’ first-ever season-opening trip to California. Under Mike Anderson, the Huskers have begun seasons in five states (Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii, South Carolina and California) over the last six years.

•-Thad Weber’s start on Friday will mark the first time since 2002 that a right-hander has started the season opener. In fact, Nebraska has started a southpaw in seven of the previous eight seasons.

•-Of the 31 players on this weekend’s travel roster, 19 could see their first action as Huskers, including nine true freshmen and four redshirt freshmen. With that many freshmen on the travel roster, there is a strong possibility that NU could have more than one freshman in the opening day lineup for the first time since 1999. Under Mike Anderson, three true freshmen have started the season opener, most recently DJ Belfonte in 2007.

•-Since the NCAA went to the 64-team format in 1999, Nebraska has made eight tournament appearances, which ties for eighth nationally. The only teams to make more appearances tham Nebraska in that span are Cal State Fullerton, Clemson, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), Oral Roberts, Rice and Texas.

•-Nebraska has won 86 straight games when taking a lead into the ninth inning dating back to the 2005 campaign, and is 183-3 (.984) when leading after eight innings since the start of the 2003 season.

•-Nebraska’s trip to Stanford this weekend is the first time the Huskers have visted a Pac-10 school during the regular season since a two-game series at Arizona State in 1987.

•-This weekend’s trip to Stanford is a homecoming for pitcher Joe Hatasaki, who is from Mountain View, Calif. Hatasaki joined the program in January after pitching as a true freshman at Arizona State.

Enjoying the Great Indoors
The Huskers have a case of cabin fever they will hope to shake this weekend. Nebraska has been exclusively indoors since opening practice on Feb. 1 - a total of 17 workouts, including Wednesday. The Huskers will travel to California on Thursday morning and are scheduled to practice outdoors for the first time Thursday afternoon.

For the past two years, the Huskers have been able to work out in the Hawks Championship Center, an 81,200-square foot facility which was completed in 2006. The building, which is connected to Memorial Stadium by an indoor skywalk, includes room for a full football field and a championship wing that includes hitting cages for the baseball and softball programs.

The 2008 season will mark the third time in six years the Huskers have not gotten outdoors before departing Lincoln. The good news is that NU is a combined 6-1 on the opening weekend in those instances, including a 3-1 record last year.

Scouting Stanford
Under the guidance of long-time head coach Mark Marquess, Stanford has been among the nation’s most consistent programs. The Cardinal have reached the College World Series 13 times in his 31 years at Stanford, including five straight appearances in Omaha earlier this decade, and national titles in 1987 and 1988. In 2007, Stanford missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 14 years, but closed the campaign by winning nine of its last 10 games to post a 28-28 mark.

For the Cardinal, the bulk of their roster is back, as the 2008 Stanford squad features 22 letterwinners, including 14 pitchers and seven everyday starters. Outfielder Sean Ratliff returns to pace the Cardinal offense, hitting .339 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs a year ago. He is one of three Stanford players in Baseball America’s top-100 draft prospects for 2008, joining pitcher Jeremy Bleich and utility player Jason Castro. On the mound, Stanford brings back 14 of its 15 pitchers who threw last year, although none of the returnees had more than four wins last season.

Series History: Stanford leads the series, 4-1, and has won the last two meetings. This weekend’s series will mark the first time the two teams have met in the regular season since 1993.

Huskers Tabbed for Sixth in Big 12
The Nebraska baseball team was picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 by a vote of the league coaches released on Feb. 20. The Huskers, coming off a season where they went 32-27 and reached the finals of the NCAA Tempe Regional, totaled 36 points in voting.

Nebraska returns six everyday starters, including All-Big 12 designated hitter Jeff Tezak, who hit a team-high .336 last season. Other returning starters include catcher Mitch Abeita, second baseman Jake Opitz, third baseman Craig Corriston and outfielders Bryce Nimmo and DJ Belfonte. The Husker pitching staff is led by senior All-American right-hander Johnny Dorn, who has compiled a 31-9 record during his Husker career.

Texas was the choice of the league’s coaches, garnering 80 points in the preseason voting and eight of the 10 first-pace votes. Missouri (71) and Baylor (65) received the other two votes, as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. The rest of the order was Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Tech.

Huskers to Be Tested Again in 2008
An impressive home schedule, 27 games against NCAA Tournament teams and a season-opening trip to national power Stanford highlight the 2008 Nebraska baseball schedule. The Huskers will be tested against a slate that features five teams – Arkansas, Texas, Wichita State, Texas A&M and Missouri – which were No. 1 seeds in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

The 55-game regular-season schedule includes 32 home games, including a four-game series with NCAA qualifier UC Riverside to open the home schedule on Feb. 29. Other marquee non-conference tilts include a two-game series with SEC power Arkansas (March 18-19), a three-game series against Louisiana-Lafayette (May 2-4) and single games against Wichita State (April 15) and Creighton (April 22).

In 2007, the Huskers’ strength of schedule ranked sixth nationally, as Nebraska played 29 of its 59 games against teams that made the NCAA Tournament.

Chart Climbing
•-Head Coach Mike Anderson enters the 2008 opener needing one win to move into sole possession of third place on Nebraska’s all-time wins list.

•-Anderson also begins the season in 10th place in winning percentage among all active coaches. He joins Texas’ Augie Garrido as the only two Big 12 coaches among the top-10 nationally in winning percentage.

•-Johnny Dorn begins the 2008 season within striking distance of a couple of milestones. He is already in second place on Nebraska’s career wins list with 31, a total that leads all returning pitchers nationally.

•-Jake Opitz is quickly climbing Nebraska’s career list for assists. A three-year starter at second base, Opitz begins his senior year in sixth place and needs only 35 assists to climb into fifth place.
•-Bryce Nimmo looks to become just the second Husker to lead Nebraska in stolen bases for three straight years, joining former Major Leaguer Ken Ramos, who paced NU in stolen bases from 1987 to 1989.

Dorn Climbs Husker Win List
With his win against UC Riverside in his final start of 2007, Johnny Dorn moved into sole possession of second place on NU’s career wins chart with 31. The right-hander from Grand Island also moved on to the Huskers’ top-10 lists in both career strikeouts and innings pitched to begin his senior year.

Of Dorn’s 31 career wins, 10 have been in Big 12 series clinchers over the past three seasons. He has had 14 chances to win a conference series in his career, and has won 10 of them, including five as a freshman when he went 12-2 en route to All-America honors.

The Coaching Staff
Nebraska shuffled its coaching staff in the offseason, adding pitching coach Eric Newman, while shifting Dave Bingham over to handle the Huskers’ defensive efforts. The three full-time coaches on the Nebraska staff have combined for over 1,100 wins.

Dave Bingham - Serves as the Huskers’ defensive coordinator, overseeing team defense and working with the Husker infielders. Bingham served as an assistant to Stanford Head Coach Mark Marquess on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team. The pair also assisted on the 1984 U.S. Olympic staff.

Eric Newman - Begins his first season as Nebraska’s pitching coach after serving as the head coach at Dallas Baptist the past three seasons. Newman, who compiled a 95-72 record at DBU, is a California native who pitched collegiately at both Fresno State and Texas Tech.

Nate Thompson - Begins his first season as Nebraska’s volunteer coach and works primarily with the infielders and assists with the hitters. Thompson comes to NU after serving as an assistant coach at Fort Hays State in 2007. He played for Coach Newman at Dallas Baptist and was a student assistant at the school in 2006.

Husker Baseball: Giving Back
The Husker baseball program has been active in the community during the 2007-08 academic year. Starting with the Paint-a-thon in August, the Nebraska baseball team has done over 400 hours in community service projects this year.

•-During the Christmas break, players and coaches combined for over 250 hours of community service projects, working with various groups in their hometowns. Some of the projects included working with local law enforcement in translating languages, cleaning community centers and raising money for Food Banks.

•-On Jan. 25, 2008, the Nebraska baseball program hosted Baseball 101, a day of actitives to help fans learn more about the sport. The one-day clinic had over 100 participants and raised over $10,000 for a literacy center in Lincoln.

Six Draftees on 2008 Husker Roster

Nebraska’s 2008 roster boasts a total of six Huskers who have been previously selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Four of the players were picked in last year’s draft, including Thad Weber, who was chosen in the 35th round, but elected to return for his senior year.

Huskers Feature Players from 12 States
The 34 members of the 2008 roster hail from 12 states from coast to coast. There are a total of 12 players from Nebraska on the roster, including six from the Omaha metro area and two from Lincoln.

Husker Baseball on Television
The Husker baseball program will make at least eight appearances on television during the 2008 season. The broadcast schedule featured five games produced by Nebraska Educational Television (NET and NET-HD) as well as nationally televised games as part of the Big 12’s television package. Nebraska’s first TV appearance of the year will be on Saturday, March 29, as the Huskers head to Austin, Texas, for a contest against the Longhorns.

Husker Home Run Club Bus Trips
Make your plans now to join the Husker Home Run Club for a pair of bus trips during the season. The first bus trip takes place on April 12-13, for a trek to Oklahoma State, with the second one on May 17-18 for the Huskers’ regular-season finale at Missouri. Both packages include roundtrip transportation, selected meals, a hotel room and tickets to both of Nebraska’s games that weekend.

For more information and prices, contact Ed Bolejack at (402) 476-4990 or Erich Helge at (402) 643-5403 or visit Huskerhomerunclub.com.

Making the Grade by Baseball AmericaAs part of Baseball America’s preview, the publication graded the schools in the top eight conferences (ACC, SEC, Big 12, Pac-10, Big Ten, Big East, Big West and C-USA) in four areas - national impact, competitiveness, fans and facilities and academics - during the 64-team NCAA era.

Nebraska was one of 16 programs to receive an A from the publication and joined Texas as the only two Big 12 programs to receive an A. As a conference, the Big 12 tied the ACC for second place in that era.

Single-Game Tickets Now on Sale
Single-game general admission tickets for Husker baseball home games are now on sale. General admission tickets for all regular-season home games this season are $7 for adults and $5 for youth in high school or younger or for senior citizens ages 60 or older. General admission tickets are free for children ages six and younger along with UNL students (with a valid student ID).

The 2008 schedule includes Big 12 home series against Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Kansas and Texas A&M, as well as non-conference series against Louisiana-Lafayette, UC Riverside and Northern Colorado. Other single-games on the schedule include matchups with NCAA qualifiers Creighton and Wichita State, as well as contests against Nebraska-Kearney and Western Illinois.

16 Huskers Named to Big 12 Honor Roll
A total of 16 current or former Husker baseball players were named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll last week. The group is led by Bryce Nimmo and Nick Sullivan, both of whom made their seventh consecutive appearances on the honor roll. As a team, the Huskers recorded a 2.95 team GPA during the fall semester, their best performance in Mike Anderson’s six years as head coach at NU The 16 Husker baseball players were among the 298 athletes across all sports to earn spots on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll during the 2007 fall semester.
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HUSKER BASKETBALL TEAM UPSETS NO. 24 WILDCATS...

Aleks Maric finished with 15 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in posting his seventh double-double in a row.

Lincoln – Aleks Maric collected his seventh straight double-double and Steve Harley scored a career-high 20 points to lead Nebraska past 24th-ranked Kansas State, 71-64 in front of nearly 10,000 fans Wednesday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Maric hit 5-of-8 shots from the field on his way to 15 points, but his two biggest shots of the game came at the free-throw line, where Maric calmly sank both ends of a 1-and-1 to give Nebraska a 68-64 lead with 32.1 seconds remaining. Harley, who drilled 9-of-12 from the field, also added a pair of late free throws that accounted for the final margin.

To go along with his 15 points, Maric also pulled down a season-high 17 rebounds as he dueled against another of the top big men in the country in Kansas State's Michael Beasley. Beasley also recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, but he took seven more shots than Maric.

With the win, Nebraska's second over a ranked squad this season, the Huskers improved to 15-9 on the season and 4-7 in the Big 12 Conference. K-State, which entered the game one-half game out of first place in the league, fell to 18-7 and 8-3.

The Huskers shot a blistering 56.5 percent from the field in the second half and finished at 51.9 percent for the game, the second-best mark of the season and easily Nebraska's best shooting performance in conference play. NU also knocked down 13-of-17 from the charity stripe, including 6-of-8 down the stretch, a key stat considering Nebraska went the final 5:08 without hitting a field goal.
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WOMENS BASKETBALL...FREE THROWS COST HUSKERS AT KANSAS...

Kelsey Griffin scored points and had seven rebounds at Kansas on Sunday.

Lawrence, Kan. - Nebraska overcame a nine-point second-half deficit to take a three-point lead with 2:47 left, but Kansas rallied for a 62-61 win on a Danielle McCray free throw with 1.4 seconds left at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Huskers, who slipped to 17-8 overall and 6-5 in the Big 12, hit just 17-of-34 free throws in the game, while the Jayhawks converted 10-of-13 free throw attempts, including an intentional miss by McCray to end the game. The Jayhawks improved to 15-9 overall and 4-7 in the league.

Kelsey Grffin led the Huskers with 13 points and seven rebounds, despite playing just 24 minutes because of first-half foul trouble. Yvonne Turner added 11 points in just 20 minutes, after also being strapped with two early fouls in the game. Cory Montgomery added eight points and five rebounds, despite picking up three first-half fouls.

Nebraska, which entered the game leading the Big 12 in free throw shooting in conference play and hit 30-of-32 free throws in a 71-51 win over the Jayhawks in Lincoln on Jan. 12, struggled at the line for the first 34 minutes. NU hit just 9-of-24 free throws before hitting 8-of-10 in the final six minutes.
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HUSKER SOFTBALL TEAM HEADS TO KENTUCKY THIS WEEKEND...

Darcy Rutherford led NU with a .333 average last weekend while hitting second in the order.

The Nebraska softball team ventures into the Bluegrass State for the first time in the 33-year history of the program this weekend, as the Huskers travel to Louisville, Ky., for a revised Cardinal Classic.

Originally scheduled as a four-team, round-robin format tournament, the schedule has been altered and will feature only Nebraska and Mississippi, along with host Louisville. Northern Illinois was also scheduled to compete, but the Huskies will instead stay home as part of a campus-wide "Week of Healing" to help the university community deal with the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of five people on Feb. 14.

Forecasted bad weather also forced the cancellation of Friday’s games, as the revamped schedule has Nebraska playing both Louisville and Ole Miss on both Saturday and Sunday for a total of four games on the weekend. Live stats will be available for all games this weekend, while live, pay video will be available when the Huskers play Louisville through uoflsports.com.

NU hopes its first trip to Kentucky brings better results than last weekend, when the Huskers finished with a 1-4 record. Despite the record, a young and injured Nebraska squad was able to take some positives from a grueling schedule that included two games against teams ranked in the top six of the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll.

Nebraska opened the tournament with a 6-1 loss to traditional power Cal, although the Huskers were down just 2-1 before the Bears pulled away late. Nebraska then used three early runs and a clutch pinch-hit, two-run single from junior Amanda Duran to post a 5-3 victory over Idaho State. Freshman right-hander Tori Tyson earned the victory in her first career start, while sophomore right-hander Alex Hupp picked up her first career save.

The next day would prove more difficult for the Huskers, as they were run-ruled for the first time in 235 games in a 9-0 loss at fifth-ranked Arizona State. Nebraska then fell behind early in a 7-3 loss to Memphis before rebounding with a terrific effort against unbeaten and sixth-ranked Northwestern on Sunday.

Against the Wildcats, Tyson had a solid outing, allowing just three earned runs against a team that entered the game averaging 10 runs per game. The Husker offense also began to find its stride, as juniors Crystal Carwile and Haley Long hit a pair of two-run homers in the seventh inning to erase a 4-2 deficit and put Nebraska in front 6-4.

Northwestern immediately rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to earn an 8-6 victory, but NU’s effort in that contest showed glimpses of the Huskers’ potential.

Nebraska was without two players last weekend, while junior Brittany Pascale saw limited duty while continuing to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. The Huskers get ace right-hander Molly Hill back in a limited capacity this weekend and sophomore infielder Whitney Barrett is nearing her return as well.

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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 2-5-08

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:54:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Sorry about the gap in coverage, but here's some good stuff from the homeland including notice of a special event tomorrow (Wednesday) when Huskers.com will provide live coverage of the Huskers Signing Day.

The Husker Round Ball teams are also playing big games tomorrow night (see info below).

Enjoy!

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

P.S. Don't forget to sign up for our chapter Founders' Day event on Sunday February 24th. See http://www.bayareahuskers.org/ for more details and the registration form.

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LIVE SIGNING DAY COVERAGE...
Gearing up for National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 6, Huskers.com will provide free, live video and audio of Head Coach Bo Pelini's 12 p.m. (Pacific time) press conference to announce his first signing class. Below is a schedule of what to expect on Signing Day.

Prior to Signing Day Press Conference
Tables below will be updated with the list & biographies of all players whose Letters of Intent were received by Noon.
Signing Day Press Conference
Watch the press conference LIVE
Listen to the press conference LIVE
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ESPN Early Top 25 Ranking...(nope, the Huskers aren't on the list...YET!)...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3186264

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RESERVED TICKETS FOR THE SPRING GAME AVAILABLE TOMORROW...

The University of Nebraska has announced that tickets to the April 19 Red-White Spring Football Game will go on sale on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 6 a.m. (Pacific Time) Tickets will be available at Huskers.com and can also be purchased by contacting the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-8BIG RED. Kickoff for the Red-White Spring Game has been set for 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

This season, in a change from recent years, reserved tickets for the spring game will be available. Approximately 25,000 reserved seats in the East and West Stadiums will be available at a cost of $10 per ticket.

In addition to the reserved tickets, fans may also purchase general admission tickets at the cost of $8 for adults and $4 for youth (high school age and younger) and seniors. Children under age six, as well as UNL students, faculty and staff (with ID) will be admitted for free. Children (junior high or younger) wishing to take the Drug Free Pledge at halftime will also be admitted for free. General admission seating will be in the North and South stadiums.

All fans wishing to attend the Red-White game are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance to avoid long lines at ticket booths and will-call windows on game day. Nebraska has averaged nearly 60,000 fans for its spring game over the past four seasons and Memorial Stadium will be at full capacity (81,067) for this year’s Red-White contest.

Nebraska Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations Jeff Jamrog said the goal is to better the record 63,417 fans that attended the 2005 game.

“Nebraska is known nationally for its tradition of selling out football games and I know Coach Pelini wants that to include the spring game,” Jamrog said. “Hopefully, our fans will take the chance to spend a great day in Lincoln and get a preview of their 2008 Huskers.”

In addition to expecting a large crowd in the stadium, Nebraska will also be hosting its Junior Day in conjunction with the spring game with prospects from around the country expected to be on campus.

The Nebraska baseball team will also be in town on April 19, playing host Kansas at Hawks Field later in the afternoon. Information on additional events surrounding the Red-White Spring Game will be announced in the coming weeks on Huskers.com.

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DOBSON NAMED NEBRASKA HEAD FOOTBALL STRENGTH COACH...

Nebraska Football Coach Bo Pelini announced Tuesday that James Dobson has been hired as the Huskers’ Head Football Strength Coach. Dobson is regarded as one of the top young strength coaches in the country after spending the past nine years as an assistant strength coach at the University of Iowa.

Dobson will oversee all aspects of the Huskers’ strength and conditioning efforts for football, including the winter conditioning program, summer workouts and in-season strength training. Nebraska will begin its winter conditioning program under Dobson’s direction on Jan. 21.

Dobson has been a part of the Hawkeye football program during one of the most successful periods in school history. Iowa appeared in bowl games in six of the past seven seasons and won 38 games from 2002 to 2005. Iowa won 25 Big Ten games in that same period, including Big Ten titles in both 2002 and 2004.

With the Hawkeye program, Dobson worked under Chris Doyle, who is regarded as one of the nation’s top strength coaches. Top pupils Dobson has worked with include safety Bob Sanders, tight end Dallas Clark, offensive tackle Robert Gallery and linebacker Chad Greenway.

Sanders earned All-America honors at Iowa in 2003, and was the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Indianapolis Colts. Clark began his Hawkeye career as a walk-on linebacker, but moved to tight end and went on to earn All-America honors in 2002, before being a first-round draft pick. Gallery came to Iowa as a 240-pound tight end, and through the strength program, he left as a 320-pound offensive tackle, won the 2003 Outland Trophy and was the second overall selection in the 2004 draft. Greenway earned All-America honors as a senior in 2005, and was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2006.

In addition to his experience at Iowa, Dobson worked for two years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Southern Methodist, working with the football, volleyball and basketball teams.

Dobson attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he worked as a student assistant with the Badger football team for three seasons. He earned his B.S. degree in kinesiology from Wisconsin in 1996, and his masters of science and administration degree from Central Michigan in 2004.

A certified strength and conditioning specialist and a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Dobson is a native of Mt. Horeb, Wis. He and his wife, Rebecca, have a son, Colton, and a daughter, Elise.

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BECK NAMES HUSKER RUNNING BACKS COACH...

Nebraska Head Football Coach Bo Pelini has announced that Tim Beck will serve as the Huskers’ running backs coach. Beck joined the Huskers on Monday after completing his third season as an assistant coach at Kansas in the Orange Bowl last Thursday.

Beck is the final full-time assistant to be named to the Nebraska staff, as Pelini announced the other eight members of his coaching staff in mid-December. Like the other members of Nebraska’s new staff, Beck has prior experience coaching in the Big 12 Conference.

Beck helped Kansas to its best season in school history with a 12-1 record in 2007, capped by a 24-21 victory over Virginia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl. In each of his three seasons on Mark Mangino’s staff, Beck served as the Jayhawks’ receivers coach, and he added the title of pass game coordinator in 2007.

In 2007, Beck helped engineer one of the nation’s most potent offenses as Kansas ranked second nationally in scoring offense (42.8 ppg), eighth in total offense (479.8 ypg) and 17th in passing offense (291.0 ypg). KU senior receiver Marcus Henry caught 54 passes for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn All-Big 12 honors, while three other Jayhawks caught more than 40 passes each.

Before joining the Kansas staff, Beck was one of the most respected high school coaches in the state of Texas, serving three seasons at Summit High in Mansfield. He was the 2003 District Coach of the Year after leading Summit to its first-ever playoff appearance and district championship. Beck also served as the head coach at R.L. Turner High in Carrollton, Texas, from 1999 to 2001.

He also had a successful run as the head coach at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., from 1993 to 1995. Among the standouts Beck coached at Saguaro High was former Nebraska All-America safety Mike Brown.

In addition to Kansas, Beck’s collegiate experience includes three seasons at Missouri State (1996-98), two seasons as a graduate assistant at Kansas State (1991-92) and one season at Illinois State (1990).

Beck is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High, the same high school that Bo and Carl Pelini attended. Beck played college football at Central Florida.

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HUSKER BASKETBALL TEAM HEADS TO MANHATTAN TO FACE RANKED WILDCATS...

+ Game Information
Game: Game 20
Game Time: 7:07 p.m. CST
Game Date: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008
Release Date: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008
Television: FSN Midwest/ESPN FullCourt (Greg Sharpe, play-by-play; Matt Davison, color)
Radio: Husker Sports Network (Kent Pavelka, play-by-play; Andy Markowski, color)
Internet: Huskers.com (live radio, stats)
Satellite Radio: Kansas State broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 125
Venue: Bramlage Coliseum (12,528)

+ Nebraska Takes on Wildcats in Manhattan

The Nebraska men's basketball team will make its third road trip in 12 days as it travels to Manhattan, Kan., to take on No. 20/24 (AP/Coaches) Kansas State on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Aiming for their second straight Big 12 Conference road victory after defeating Missouri in Columbia, Mo., last week, the Cornhuskers will tip off against the Wildcats at 7:07 p.m. on Wednesday at Bramlage Coliseum.

The mid-week contest will be telecast on FSN Midwest with Greg Sharpe calling the action and Matt Davison adding color commentary. The NU telecast will be distributed only in the state of Nebraska, per Big 12 Conference rules. KSU's telecast will also air on FSN Midwest in the state of Kansas. A new agreement this year will allow Nebraska's telecasts on FSN Midwest to also be seen around the nation on ESPN FullCourt. Check listings for the channel assignment on FSN Midwest and ESPN FullCourt.

The Nebraska-Iowa State contest can be heard live on the radio on the Husker Sports Network, consisting of 30 stations around Nebraska and Iowa that provide coverage of Nebraska athletic events. Veteran play-by-play man Kent Pavelka will call the action while former Husker Andy Markowski adds color commentary. The broadcast will be carried around the world live on the Internet on Huskers.com.

NU men's basketball games can typically also be heard on satellite radio. This week, however, Kansas State's broadcast will be the only one heard on Sirius Satellite Radio on channel 125.
Nebraska will be looking for its third straight win in conference action. With a victory, the Huskers would pull within a game of .500 in the league standings after starting the season 0-4, including a pair of losses to top-5 Kansas. The last time the Huskers won three straight games in league play was 2005-06 with victories over Missouri, Oklahoma State and Baylor.

The Huskers will also be searching for their second straight road win after defeating Missouri last week in Columbia, Mo., by a 66-62 margin. Nebraska won consecutive road games last year with victories over Missouri and Texas Tech, the first time since posting victories at Colorado and No. 24 Kansas in 1999.
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HUSKER LADIES TIP OFF BIG 12 SECOND HALF AT COLORADO...

Senior forward Danielle Page leads the Huskers to her home state of Colorado to battle the Buffaloes on Wednesday at 9 p.m.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-6, 5-3)
at Colorado Buffaloes (13-8, 2-6)

Coors Events Center (11,064) • Boulder, Colo.
Wednesday, Feb. 6 • 9 p.m. CST

Television: FSN Rocky Mountain
(DirecTV Ch. 645, DISH Ch. 414, Time Warner Cable Ch. 302)
Radio: Husker Sports Network
(98.1 FM-KFGE, Lincoln, 1110 AM-KFAB)
Live Internet Audio: Huskers.com (free)

Huskers Tip Off Second Half of Big 12 Season at Colorado

The Nebraska women’s basketball team starts the second half of the Big 12 Conference season by traveling to Boulder to take on Colorado on Wednesday night. Tip-off with the Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center is scheduled for 9 p.m., with live television coverage provided by FSN Rocky Mountain. The game can be seen on DirecTV Ch. 645 and DISH Network Channel 414 along with Time Warner Cable Channel 302 in Lincoln. Live radio coverage on the Husker Sports Network will provided by 98.1 FM-KFGE in Lincoln and 1110 AM-KFAB in Omaha. KFAB will join the game in progress following the conclusion of the Husker men’s game at Kansas State.

The Huskers head to Colorado after a thrilling 73-67 comeback win at Missouri on Sunday. Nebraska trailed by 14 points with 8:30 left and by 10 points with 5:30 remaining before storming to the six-point win. Junior Kelsey Griffin scored 17 of her season-high 23 points in the second half to lead the Husker comeback, including 15 points in the final 12 minutes. The 6-2 forward from Eagle River, Alaska, averaged 21.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last week to earn Big 12 Player-of-the-Week honors on Feb. 4. Griffin leads the Huskers in Big 12 play with 15.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game despite playing with a cracked rib.

Nebraska’s late-game turnaround at Missouri was nearly astonishing. The Huskers hit just 12-of-42 shots to open the game, before hitting 12 of their final 13 shots from the field to close the contest. NU scored on 19 of its 20 possessions to close the game, scoring 39 points in the final 12 minutes, after managing just 34 points in the first 28 minutes.

Sophomore guard Yvonne Turner played a big role in the NU turnaround at Missouri, scoring all nine of her points in the second half, including eight in the final 4:09. Turner has led Nebraska defensively on the perimeter throughout the season, leading the Big 12 in conference play with 2.88 steals per game.

Senior forward Danielle Page is also enjoying her best season at Nebraska. The 6-2 native of Monument, Colo., is averaging 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. She owns 55 blocks on the year and needs just five more to become the first player in NU history to record 60 or more blocks twice in her career.

Nebraska Nuggets: Team Notes

NU enters the week at No. 20 in the CollegeRPI.com power rankings. The Huskers own six wins over top-50 RPI teams and all six of NU’s losses have come against top-40 RPI foes. NU is one of nine Big 12 teams in the top 50, and 11 Big 12 teams are ranked among the RPI’s top 100 with only No. 113 Missouri outside the century club. The Big 12 is the best conference in the nation according to CollegeRPI.com.
Nebraska’s No. 14 RPI entering the week of Jan. 28 is the highest the Huskers have ever been rated outside of the non-conference season. Early this year, NU spent a few days as the No. 1 RPI team in the country.
The Huskers’ Strength of Schedule comes in at No. 16 according to CollegeRPI.com. The Huskers are 6-6 so far this year against Top 50 RPI clubs, and have played the best home schedule in school history. NU has hosted traditional NCAA powers Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Mississippi, Florida, Kansas State and Kansas already this year. The Huskers opened the season at home against UTEP, which is 17-2 this season. The Miners’ only other loss this year came by single digits at Kansas State. UTEP entered the week at No. 24 in the CollegeRPI.com rankings.
The Huskers headed into the second half of Big 12 Conference play with a 16-6 overall record and a 5-3 league mark. It marked the fifth straight season that NU hit the turn in league play with a .500 or better record. Nebraska was 6-2 through the first eight games last year before finishing a tie for fourth with a 10-6 conference mark.
Nebraska's 82-72 win over Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum ended a 10-year losing streak to the Cyclones in Ames. NU's last win had come on Jan. 30, 1997, in Angela Beck's final year as the Husker head coach.
NU set a school record with 11 three-pointers in the win at Iowa State. The Huskers have hit 10 or more three-pointers on five occasions against the Cyclones.
Nebraska's 45 points allowed in a 56-45 win over No. 15 Texas were the fewest scored by a top-25 opponent in school history against the Huskers.
The Huskers' win at Missouri was their fifth straight over the Tigers in Columbia. It also marked Nebraska's largest comeback victory of the season. NU trailed by 14 points with 8:30 left in the contest, before winning 73-67.
Nebraska is leading the Big 12 in conference games only by hitting 79.6 percent of its free throw attempts. Entering league play, NU ranked 11th in the league at 59.9 percent, ahead of only Oklahoma. The Sooners are ranked second in Big 12 games only at 75.4 percent.
Nebraska (30-32) and Kansas (7-8) combined to hit 37-of-40 free throws on Jan. 12. The 92.5 percent free throw shooting was the best combined mark by both teams in Husker history, surpassing a 34-of-37 effort (91.9 percent) between Nebraska (18-19) and Oklahoma (16-18) in the Sooners’ 91-69 win at the Lloyd Noble Center on Feb. 5, 2000.
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KROPP RETURNS TO OMAHA WITH AVP "HOT WINTER NIGHTS" TOUR...

Former Husker All-American Jenny Kropp is now on the AVP Tour.

Lincoln – Nebraska volleyball fans will have an opportunity to see one of their former standouts in action next Thursday night in Omaha, as the AVP Tour brings its "Crocs Hot Winter Nights" Tour to Omaha.

The 19-city tour stops at the Qwest Center next Thursday night, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., and tickets for the event are available for purchase at Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com. The tour, which began in Oklahoma City last month and continues throughout February, replicates a beach tournament environment, complete with sand, music and all of the trapping of beach volleyball.

Jenny Kropp was chosen as the AVP’s Crocs Rookie of the Year in 2007, posting three top-10 finishes, including a third-place finish in Chicago where her and her partner Jen Pavley upset four top-10 teams to reach the semifinals. Kropp appeared in 13 events and finished third on the tour in blocks at 1.15 per game.

Strong blocking was Kropp’s forte during her college career as a Husker. The Grand Island, Neb., native still ranks in the top-10 on Nebraska’s career lists for both blocks (544, seventh) and block assists (484, fifth). Kropp earned second-team All-America honors as a senior, averaging 2.45 kills per game on .371 hitting and 1.73 blocks per game. Kropp was a two-time AVCA All-Central Region pick and led the Huskers to an undefeated record and a national title in 2000. Following graduation from NU, she played professionally in Puerto Rico for two seasons.

Four men and four women compete in Omaha including three-time Olympian Holly McPeak, Angie Akers and Angela Lews. The men’s tournament features AVP stars Matt Fuerbringer, Jake Gibb, Casey Jennings and Sean Rosenthal.
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TTRAULT, SCHMIDT FACE TOP GYMNASTS AT WINTER CUP...

Senior Stephen Ttrault will be participating in his fourth consecutive Winter Cup. He has earned a bid every year since his freshman season.

Nebraska All-Americans Stephen Ttrault and T.J. Schmidt will get a chance to go up against some of the nation’s top gymnasts at the 2008 Winter Cup in Las Vegas. The two Nebraska natives earned spots at the invitation-only, three-day event, which begins on Thursday, Feb. 7. Two sessions of preliminary action begin at 2 p.m central at the Las Vegas Sports Center and the meet concludes on Saturday, Feb. 9, with finals starting at 8:30 p.m.

Approximately 84 gymnasts will attend the 2008 Winter Cup. Each participant received invitations to the meet either through a qualifying finish at a 2007 national event or by submitting a video to a panel of judges. The field is separated into two sessions of 42 participants each on Thursday, of which those gymnasts who finish in the top three on any given event or those who receive a qualifying score will advance to the finals on Saturday. Friday is set aside as a finalist training day.

The Winter Cup is used to select seven members for the U.S. National Team, including the top four finishers from the meet as well as three additional athletes as selected by the Men’s Program Committee.

Both Ttrault and Schmidt will begin the meet on the parallel bars in Session 1, which will begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Joining the Huskers is a large group of Michigan Woverines, including Thomas Kelley, Joe Catrambone, Ralph Rosso, Ed Umphrey and Mel Anton Santander. The groups will follow Olympic order from their starting event.

The two Huskers have had vast experience at the Winter Cup, as Ttrault has attended the event every season since his freshman year and Schmidt received an invitation during his sophomore season.

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HUSKER GYMNASTS FALL TO SOONERS IN OKLAHOMA...

Norman, Okla. – The No. 10 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team scored a team mark of 327.75 in front of 1,238 fans at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., against the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners on Friday night. Despite strong team and event scores, NU’s performance wasn’t quite enough to prevail over OU, which posted a score of 355.55 for the win.

"We're doing much better just look at our scores," Nebraska Head Coach Francis Allen said. "We're starting to get a little team momentum built up, but we just have to have more meets. We want to be in a position to beat both Iowa and Minnesota so we can be in the top six"

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NU FINISHES THIRD AT STANFORD GYMNASTICS OPEN...

Palo Alto, Calif.-The No. 14 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team finished third at the Stanford Open in front of a blaring crowd at the Burnham Pavilion on Saturday night. The Huskers scored a 333.85 on the night, while Stanford notched a 361.35 for top honors and California scored a 357.90 for second place. NU fell to a 0-6 all-time record against the Cardinal and a 1-4 all-time record against the Golden Bears.

With Stanford and Cal’s athletes in full force, Nebraska was unable to crack the top three in any event. However, several gymnastics earned career-high scores on the night.

“We did some really good things, but we missed 60 percent of our routines,” Nebraska Coach Francis Allen said. “That’s killing us right now. We started off good today, but in our last three events we couldn’t seem to finish. We are seeing some bright spots here and there.”
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HUSKERS TAKE THIRD AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN GYMNASTICS OPEN...

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The No. 10 Nebraska men's gymnastics team opened its 2008 season by earning a third-place finish with a score of 331.20 at the Rocky Mountain Open on Saturday night.

The U.S. Olympic Training Center won the six-team competition with a score of 347.90, while No. 3 Oklahoma placed second with a score of 343.55. Air Force managed a fourth-place showing (323.20), while Arizona State took fifth (305.85) and Washington settled for sixth (194.10).

"This was our first meet and we made little mistakes and errors,” Nebraska Coach Francis Allen said. “Once we get these first meet jitters out of our system we’ll be fine. We need to go home and clean up those little areas and we have the potential to be a great team.”
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ESPN TABS HUSKER SOFTBALL TEAM AS WORLD SERIES CONTENDER...

Coach Revelle's 2008 Huskers feature no seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen.

As part of its softball season preview, Graham Hays of ESPN.com featured Head Coach Rhonda Revelle and the 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers as a candidate to make it to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Hays cited Revelle's proven coaching success, as well as promising hitters Crystal Carwile and Amanda Duran and returning Big 12 ERA Champion Molly Hill as reasons why the Huskers may end the season at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium. Revelle is seeing her team gain some favorable preseason expectations, despite the fact that Nebraska features one of the youngest squads in school history this season. The Huskers will rely heavily on eight newcomers to produce this season, while the roster does not include a single senior for the first time in the 33-year history of the program.

Below is an excerpt from Hays' column, entitled Cinderellas-in-waiting, pitchers on the rise and other preseason questions:

The University of Nebraska brought back one legend in an attempt to recapture the glory of bygone years on the gridiron when the school tabbed Tom Osborne to take over as athletic director. Luckily for softball fans in Lincoln, that program's championship aspirations have more to do with the present than the past in large part because coach Rhonda Revelle never left.

A player on the Nebraska team that went to the first Women's College World Series in 1982 -- one of seven all-time appearances for the Cornhuskers -- Revelle has run the show from the bench for the last 15 seasons. She took her team to Oklahoma City as recently as 2002 and while they aren't likely to open the season with the same fanfare as Big 12 rivals like Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Baylor, the Cornhuskers may have what it takes to outlast almost anyone.

For more of Hays' complete feature and season preview, visit ESPN.com by clicking here.

Nebraska, which is receiving votes in the preseason USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll, opens its season one week from Friday with a pair of games at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

TEAM PICKED TO FINISH SIXTH IN BIG 12...

The Nebraska softball team was picked to finish sixth in the 2008 Big 12 preseason coaches poll, the conference announced on Thursday, Jan. 17.

Texas A&M was the preseason favorite to win the league for the third straight year. Oklahoma was picked second, while Baylor received two first-place votes and came in at No. 3. Missouri and Texas rounded out the top five.

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ASSISTANT VOLLEYBALL COACH MAES NAMED HEAD COACH AT VIRGINIA...

Lincoln – University of Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook confirmed Monday afternoon that head assistant coach Lee Maes is leaving the Husker program to become the head coach at the University of Virginia.

Maes spent three seasons on the Husker staff, handing player training and opponent scouting and working extensively with the middle blockers while serving as the Huskers' recruiting coordinator. In his three seasons at Nebraska, Maes' teaching was evident, as the Huskers went 96-5 with three Big 12 titles and two appearances in the NCAA Championship match. He helped develop 13 AVCA All-Americans in his time at Nebraska, including national players of the year Christina Houghtelling (2005) and Sarah Pavan (2006).

Cook said that Maes has played a vital role in Nebraska’s success over the last three years, highlighted by helping the Huskers win the school’s third NCAA title.

“Since Lee’s arrival, Nebraska has been on an incredible run over the last three years,” Cook said. “We are thankful for his hard work and effort and helping Nebraska volleyball reach the next level. One of Lee’s long-range goals was to become a head coach, and Virginia presented a great opportunity for him. They are very lucky to have him as their head coach, and it shows the commitment that Virginia is making to become a successful program.”

Cook said that a national search is underway.
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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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 1-3-08

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:40:00 +0000

Happy New Year Bay Area Huskers!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are ready for the new year. Lots of bits and pieces about virtually all of the various athletic programs below.

In one of the articles about Husker Baseball you will notice that the Huskers will be playing their season opener at Stanford on Friday February 22nd. I don't have a time yet...I will let you know when we find out, but put the date on your calendar. Thats just a couple days before our annual Founders' Day event (more on that in another email), but we'll try to put together a group outing to watch the team at Sunken Diamond like we did a few years back when they played Stanford in the Regionals...lots of fun even though they lost.

Also wanted to put in a plug for our popular Mission Chamber Orchestra (conducted by Emily Ray)...see the info below for tickets and times.

They say our new head coach is a pretty tough dude...so in the Husker Humor column at the bottom is a "Just How Bad is Bo Pelini?" list. Pretty funny, but definitely just for the adults in the crowd (and I took out a few that were a little too graphic). Thanks to Buck for passing it along.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

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WINTER GRADUATIONS....

Nebraska's winter graduating class of student-athletes is one of the largest in school history and is 30 percent larger than last December's group of 31 graduates. The Huskers' 45-member graduating class consists of student-athletes from 14 U.S. states and three foreign countries, including Germany, Latvia and South Africa. Nearly all of Nebraska's varsity teams are represented in the group, while the Huskers graduate with nearly 20 different majors in their fields of study. Despite the diversity of the group, a total of 20 Nebraska natives make up nearly half of the class. Nebraska continues to feature one of the highest graduation rates in the nation with an exhausted eligibility graduation rate of 94 percent.

Among the graduates were Jason Wassung of the Gymnastics team, Ashley DeBuhr and Deven Porter of the Softball team, Christina Houghtelling and Meghan Smith of the Volleyball team, Mike Harmelink, Jon Klausing and Al Smith of the Baseball team and Jessie Bruch of the Soccer team.

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FIVE HUSKER VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS SELECTED TO AVCA ALL-AMERICA TEAM...

Sarah Pavan became the fourth volleyball player in history to be a four-time, first-team All-American.

Lincoln - A school-record five Nebraska volleyball players were honored Wednesday, as the American Volleyball Coaches Association revealed its All-America teams.

The Huskers placed five players on the teams, including first-team selection Sarah Pavan, second-team honorees Rachel Holloway, Christina Houghtelling and Tracy Stalls and third-team recipient Jordan Larson. It is the most Huskers named All-American in one season, breaking the previous mark of four set three previous times including both 2005 and 2006.

Nebraska leads the nation with 62 AVCA All-America certificates, six more than runner-up Stanford's total of 56. Nebraska has had at least one All-American every season since 1983, a total of 26 straight seasons, including 27 in John Cook's eight seasons as head coach.

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TWO HUSKER SOCCER PLAYERS COMPETE WITH NATIONAL TEAMS...

Andrea Zuniga played for the U-20 Chilean national team.

Lincoln-Two current Husker soccer players took time away from Lincoln to represent their countries over Thanksgiving break, as Andrea Zuniga and Alexa Cardona competed for Chile and Puerto Rico, respectively. The two local products both completed their freshman year in the Husker program this fall.

Zuniga, a native of Omaha, traveled to Miami where she tried out for the Under-20 Chilean national team. She was selected to the 25-member squad as a forward and competed against other Olympic development teams in a four-game tournament. The team went 1-3, but Zuniga earned three starts and saw action in all four games. Zuniga, whose father was born in Santiago, Chile, saw the experience as an honor.

"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity so I am very thankful for it," she said.

Zuniga will compete with the team at several tournaments in the spring.

Meanwhile, Cardona competed with the Puerto Rican national team in Olympic qualifying in Puerto Rico. Cardona, a native of Lincoln, has been a member of the team for over a year. She played the full 90 minutes in two games against Trinidad and Tobago as a midfielder and forward. Puerto Rico split the games to narrowly miss qualifying, but Cardona still cherished the chance to compete.

"It was the best opportunity I have ever experienced in my life," she said. "It was an honor because the level of play is so high. It is a totally different feeling there. The teams are so good."

Cardona, who is half Puerto Rican and half Cuban, played on the 18-member team with her cousin. Cardona plans to compete with the team at tournaments in the spring.

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NU RETURNING GYMNASTS SHINE IN ANNUAL INTERSQUAD COMPETITION...

Sophomore Daniel Brûlé helped Team 2 to victory, as he posted top finishes on parallel bars and high bar.

Lincoln- After two days of nail-biting competition, the Nebraska men's gymnastics team wrapped up its intrasquad meet on Friday afternoon, with Team 2 edging out Team 1, 352.55-352.50.

Nebraska's returners shined after Thursday's events, as juniors Eric Daigle, T.J. Schmidt and James Mauldin each earned event titles. Daigle posted a 14.50 on floor exercise and Mauldin earned a 14.00 on still rings for Team 1, while 2007 NCAA All-American Schmidt scored a 14.20 on pommel horse for Team 2. After the first three events, Team 1 jumped ahead of Team 2, 124.20-122.85.

Team 1 began to take over again in day two, as sophomore John Robinson claimed the vault title with a 15.80. However, sophomore Daniel Brûlé helped Team 2 forge ahead in the final two events, capturing first place in parallel bars with a 14.35 and first in high bar with a 14.50.
The meet provided good competition for the athletes and also gave the coaches a chance to determine competitors for the 2008 season.

"The intersquad is kind of the beginning of figuring out who is going to compete this season," Assistant Coach Chuck Chmelka said. "We have kind of a unique year where we have a lot of guys, so we have to whittle it down. Only 12 guys can compete for our team, so we have to make a 12-man team out of basically 17 guys. Every week it could change, but we have to keep it at 12. It may be where we have to sacrifice a couple of tenths on some events to gain some on others. It's really hard and we've been going through a bunch of scenarios and there are a lot of different ones. We're going to use this meet as a rank to see where we're at-who surprised us, who didn't, who hurt themselves, who helped themselves-and then go from there."

Seventeen gymnasts competed in the event, including newcomers Cory Baumgarten, Anthony Ingrelli, Bear Danley and Matthew Forrest. Baumgarten and Danley earned top-three spots on vault (15.65) and high bar (14.40), respectively.

Despite suffering a broken hand in the off season, three-time All-American Stephen Tétrault also saw action in the competition, earning high scores in every event.

"I think what we did in the last couple of days was pretty productive," Tétrault said. "It's a good sign of what will come. We have a lot to work on obviously, but it's a good starting block to where we want to go throughout the year."

Not only did the Huskers get a chance to iron out strengths and weaknesses, they had the opportunity to test out the new NCAA scoring system. The NCAA recently adopted a new international Olympic scoring system to judge all collegiate men's gymnastics competitions during the 2008 season. Instead of a "10" being the perfect score, there is no cap on the score a gymnast can receive. For example, a gymnast could score up to 18.50 if he did most of the difficult skills perfectly, however top performers are starting from between 15-17. After a start value is determined for each event, judges will then deduct points for any technical errors or form breaks to create a final score.

"USA Gymnastics and the International Gymnastics Association have used the system for four years, so it's kind of interesting to see where we fit in with the best of the world," Chmelka said. "There are scores of 16 out there, but they will be hard to come by. The system is hard, confusing and involves more math, but I think it was good that all of the people to show up to the intersquad were here to learn what it is all about. Once the fans learn how to do it, they're going to have a lot more fun at gym meets and hopefully our crowds will go up and that's certainly what we need."

Nebraska will get a chance to officially use the new scoring system when they open the 2008 season on Friday, Jan. 11, at the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs, Colo. The two-day event, which features No. 3 Oklahoma, Arizona State and Air Force, is set to begin at 8 p.m. on Friday with the team competition and continue with the individual event competition at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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NEBRASKA NAMED ONE OF THE TOP-10 WINNINGEST SOFTBALL PROGRAMS...

Rhonda Revelle and Lori Sippel have combined to spend 40 seasons at NU in the NCAA era.

As part of its "The Best of...." series, CSTV selected Nebraska as the 10th-winningest softball program of the NCAA era, which dates back to 1982, when the Huskers appeared in the inaugural Women's College World Series, one of their Big 12-leading seven all-time appearances.

One of only 10 teams nationally to record 900 wins in the first 25 years softball was an NCAA sport (1982 to 2006), the Huskers own an all-time NCAA record of 943-487 (.659) following the 2007 season.

Fans can view the top-10 list and submit their own rankings by clicking here. Below are a few highlights of Nebraska's rich tradition in the 26 years softball has been an NCAA sport:

18 NCAA Tournament Appearances
7 Women's College World Series Appearances
1 Honda Award Winner & 3 Nominees
20 All-Americans
Nation-Leading 24 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
6 Regular-Season Big Eight Titles
6 Big Eight Tournament Titles
3 Regular-Season Big 12 Titles
3 Big 12 Tournament Titles
3 Olympians (1 in 1996; 2 in 2004; 1 in 2008)
1 Member of the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame
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BOWL GAME WITHDRAWAL...(thanks to Prez Dave for sending this along)...

I think more than a few folks here are having "bowl game withdrawal" . . . in today's paper a short item:

Big Red fans bowled over when NU isn't in big game

Last Thursday afternoon, hosts from a local radio show invited people to a sports bar to watch Nebraska play Notre Dame in a bowl game simulated on a PlayStation 2.

It was expected that a few might show up, but surely not enough that the place would have to call in extra waitresses. There ended up being about 550 people screaming at pixilated figures in Nebraska helmets to win a game.

When the Huskers aren't in a bowl game, this is what happens.

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RANDY YORK'S N-SIDER...

Support Comes One Donation at a Time

"I don't know when we have ever needed your support more than we need it right now. We need everyone, everywhere individually and collectively to help us bring our program back to the level where we all want it to be."
- Nebraska Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne

Less than an hour after Bo Pelini was introduced as Nebraska's head football coach, the phone rang in my office.

Consider This Great Gift Idea For Your Favorite Husker Fan
Your favorite fan's name on our Wall of Champions

Donation Story

Huskers.com has received several inquiries this week about a popular holiday gift idea your favorite fan's name engraved on our Wall of Champions inside the North Stadium entrance of the Osborne Athletic Complex.

For a $100 donation, you can ensure that your favorite fan's name will be connected to the rich tradition of Nebraska athletics. For each additional $100 donation, you can add the names of other important Husker fans in your life.

Checks to the Nebraska Athletic Department should be made payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation and sent to the Nebraska Athletic Development Office, P.O. Box 880154, Lincoln, NE., 68588-0154.

It was a gentleman named Jesse Halbgewachs, who had watched the Pelini-Tom Osborne press conference on Huskers.com in Virginia Beach, Va. He was so enthused about what he'd just seen, he'd written a $100 check and called to see where to send it.

"This is a proud day. Bo covered a lot of bases and hit on some very good things," Halbgewachs said. "You always ask: Were there any warm and fuzzy moments?" For me personally, it was very touching when Coach Pelini said that Nebraska was a special place. He said it with such conviction and passion. The statement he made about Nebraska being a big family was also very touching."

Halbgewachs, a 34-year-old native of Gothenburg, Ne., and now a Baptist pastor in Tidewater, Va., is a University of Nebraska at Kearney graduate and a self-described "devoted member" of the Nebraska football family.

"I just want to show my support after what I just heard," he said. "I heard an interim athletic director explain why he selected a defensive-minded coach and why it wasn't good to re-invent the wheel on offense. That makes complete sense to me.

"I liked the way both leaders handled themselves in the press conference," Halbgewachs said. "Coach Pelini said how eager he was to learn from Coach Osborne, and he gave Coach Solich credit comments that spoke volumes to me.

"I realize change doesn't happen overnight, but it's going to happen much quicker with an athletic director and a head coach focusing on reuniting the former players and showing everyone their respect and appreciation. That's why I decided to write this check (which has been received)."

Paul Meyers, associate athletic director-Development, says that unless otherwise stipulated, mailed-in donations get earmarked for the Husker Award Fund, which was established to provide funds for scholarships, operations, capital improvements and other special projects.

Derek Freeman, operations manager in NUs Athletic Development Office, says $100 checks to the Husker Nation Championship Drive are by far the donation of choice for individual donors.

"Right now, we have 2,680 accounts that have given $100 or less to our capital campaign," he said. "All but about 400 of those accounts have given exactly $100."

Everyone who gives between $100 and $999 to the Husker Nation Championship Drive is listed on the Husker Nation Wall of Champions inside the front entrance of the Osborne Athletic Complex. The $1,000 and above contributors continue to be featured prominently on the wall closest to the 40-foot waterfall/fountain in the North Stadium lobby.

"We have plenty of room on our walls for more names from our growing Husker family," Meyers said.

In an open letter to 55,000 Nebraska alums in the current issue of Nebraska Magazine, Osborne said he didn't "know when we have ever needed your support more than we need it right now. We need everyone, everywhere individually"

Osborne also wrote that "Whether you choose to support us emotionally or financially or both rest assured that you can help us re-energize our department and renew our focus."

He ended the letter, saying "Nebraska football is ingrained in my family like it is in your families. That's why it is so important that we all unite with a shared vision and a commitment to re-establish the tradition few of us will ever take for granted again."

Let us know what you think of Osborne's thoughts. Or feel free to share your views on how and why you support the program.

Editor's note: Online contributions are the easiest method of making donations to the NU Athletic Department. Checks to the Nebraska Athletic Department should be made payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation and sent to the Nebraska Athletic Development Office, P.O. Box 880154, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0154.

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DORN NAMED TO WALLACE AWARD WATCH LIST...

Huskers.com - Johnny Dorn has won 31 games in three seasons at Nebraska.

Lincoln - University of Nebraska right-handed pitcher Johnny Dorn earned preseason recognition this week, as he was selected to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List.

A senior from Grand Island, Dorn anchors the Husker pitching staff after compiling a 10-3 record in 16 starts last season. He struck out 71 over 93 innings of work as a junior, highlighted by a career-high 12-strikout complete game against UC Riverside in the NCAA Tempe Regional. Dorn's 10 wins were the most by any returning conference starter this spring.

A three-time All-Big 12 pick, Dorn enters his senior season with a 31-9 career record and ranks second on Nebraska's career wins list. He is 10 wins shy of the school mark for wins held by three-time All-American Shane Komine, and Dorn ranks on NUs top-10 list in both innings pitched (280.1, fourth) and starts (43, fourth).

Dorn will look to become Nebraska's second Wallace Award winner, as Alex Gordon won the award in 2005 en route to consensus national player-of-the-year honors.

Dorn and the Huskers begin spring practice on Feb. 1, 2008 with the season opener set for Friday, Feb. 22, at Stanford.
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MISSION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: WOODWINDS RULE!
(conducted by our own Emily Ray!)...
Members of MCO's woodwind section shine alongside virtuoso saxophonist Ashu

Back by popular demand, the dynamic and brilliant saxophonist Ashu returns to San Jose to perform with MCO in a concert featuring instruments of the woodwind section. Ashu was born and raised in Northern California and began playing the saxophone at age 10. At age 25, Ashu has established an extraordinary ability to communicate with audiences through his charismatic and moving performance style. While his virtuosity continues to thrill listeners, his artistry reaches far beyond this, demonstrating a unique personality and musical voice. He has also repeatedly defied conventions by winning major competitions traditionally won by pianists and violinists.

Concert Details

Event: The Mission Chamber Orchestra: Woodwinds Rule!
Date: Saturday, February 2, 2008
Time: 7:30pm
There will be a 15-minute question and answer session immediately following concert
Location: Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. 5th Street, San Jose
Conductor: Emily Ray
Soloist: Ashu, saxophonist
Parking: $2 if you park in garage directly across the street.

Program:
· Berger Short Overture for Strings
· Alexander Glazunov Saxophone Concerto in Eb
· Hector Villa-Lobos Fantasia for Saxophone
· Howard Hanson Pastorale for Oboe, Harp, and Strings
· Howard Hanson Nymphs and Satyr Ballet Suite
· Josep Pla Concerto for 2 Flutes

Tickets: Advanced ticket purchases available online: http://missionchamber.org/cat_season.php
Advanced ticket purchase is recommended.

Tickets purchased at the door*: $20 general, $17 seniors & students, $5 children under 12
*subject to availability

MCO phone: 408-236-3350Website: http://www.missionchamber.org/

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Just How Bad is Bo Pelini?

When Pelini takes a swim, he doesn't get wet, the water gets Pelinied.

Bo Pelini doesn't read offenses. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

Before Chuck Norris goes to sleep at night, he checks his closet for Bo Pelini.

Bo Pelini once played 18 holes of golf using a 12 inch strip of rebar and a sun dried tomato. He shot a 54.

Bo Pelini could kill Chuck Norris nine different ways with his headset and four different ways with his play chart.

Bo Pelini sleeps with a night light. Not because he is afraid of the dark but because the dark is afraid of Bo Pelini.

Superman wears Bo Pelini pajamas to bed.

Bo Pelini didn't hang the moon. He stared down an asteroid and it stopped in it's tracks.

Bo Pelini's calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd; no one fools Bo Pelini.

Bo Pelini was originally cast as the main character in 24, but was replaced by the producers when he managed to killevery terrorist and save the day in 12 minutes and 37 seconds.

Bo Pelini doesn't cut his grass, he dares it to grow.

Bo Pelini used to beat the sh*t out of his shadow because it was following him to close. It now stands a safe 30 feetbehind him.

They say that Superman's only weakness is kryptonite. Bo Pelini laughs at Superman for having a weakness.

Bo Pelini's dog is trained to pick up his own poop because Bo Pelini will not take sh*t from anyone.

Bo Pelini can build a snowman out of rain.

Bo Pelini's wristwatch has no numbers on it. It just says, "Time to kick ass."

GO HUSKERS!

And seen recently on a billboard near downtown Lincoln to announce the changes coming to Husker Football, "BOFENSE", in huge letters on a red background! The picture was taken from just east of Haymarket Park from the side road next I-180. Only in Nebraska! (Thanks to Dick Kistler for passing this along)

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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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 12-24-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:05:00 +0000

Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Fellow Bay Area Husker Fans!

For the longest time it looked like Santa was going to leave sticks and coal in the Husker Nation stocking again this year, but lo and behold, the Huskers find tidings of comfort and joy just in time for the holidays. Not only has "Santa Tom" brought us new hope and a new coaching staff, but he has graciously agreed to be the permanent AD for the next 2 and a half years (see below). 2008 promises to be a great year for the Huskers (see "A Good Year to be a Husker" below).

And on a more serious note, please take the time to remember the true meaning of this blessed holiday, and also say a prayer for those on watch around the world who are protecting our freedom to worship and our ability to celebrate the season. May they come home safely, and with honor, to eventually enjoy a "belated holiday" with their families. Please see the comments and link to a wonderful and memorable online video commemorating the recent return of Nebraska troops after 15 months in Iraq. Link and photography courtesty of Todd Rundstrom below.

May you and your family enjoy a warm and wonderful Christmas, and may we all look forward to a Happy New Year!

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

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OSBORNE TO BE NU A.D. THROUGH JUNE 2010...

Tom Osborne has agreed to serve as Nebraska's Athletic Director until 2010.

Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 19, 2007 - University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman today announced that the "interim" has been removed from Tom Osborne's title, and Osborne has agreed to serve as Nebraska's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics until June 30, 2010.

"I appreciated Tom's willingness to step in as interim athletic director during a very difficult time for the athletic department," Perlman said. "His presence and his decisions have significantly reduced the controversy surrounding the department and particularly the football program.

"The decision to ask Osborne to serve as NU's permanent athletic director is based on timing.

"It is now beneficial to provide the department with stability in leadership, so it can take full advantage of the progress that already has been made," Perlman said.

"I don't think conducting a search for a permanent athletic director would serve the university's interests at this time," added Perlman. "That's why I offered Tom the opportunity to remove 'interim' from his title and invited him to accept an appointment as athletic director for a term of approximately 2 1/2 years until June 30, 2010."

Perlman and Osborne agreed that a search for Osborne's successor will begin in early 2010 with the intention that Osborne will both assist in the search and help with the transition of a new athletic director.

Osborne, 70, accepted Perlman's offer to direct the department on an ongoing basis and will continue to work as athletic director under the same terms of his original contract, signed on Oct. 24. Perlman and Osborne finalized the new agreement Tuesday.

"When Chancellor Perlman asked me to lead the athletic department and to help unify the state, he gave me the responsibility and the authority to do whatever needed to be done," Osborne said. "We've made some great strides over the last two months, but the chancellor and I agree that these next two years are crucial to keep our program moving forward.

"I have never been enamored with titles," Osborne said. "At the same time, I think it's important for our entire department to realize that we will continue moving down the same path we're already going. Change always breeds at least some uncertainty, and if removing 'interim' from my title helps everyone understand that we'll continue to be consistent in our approach, I'm all for that.

"Everyone associated with the program - coaches, student-athletes, administrators, fans and alumni - want what's best for Nebraska," Osborne said.

"My focus is on working together and giving our best, so the athletic department can continue to improve in every way possible."
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PELINI ANNOUNCES HUSKER COACHING STAFF...

Nebraska Head Football Coach Bo Pelini announced Monday that he has completed the process of hiring his first Husker coaching staff. Eight of the assistant coaches have been announced, with all of those having previous coaching experience in the Big 12 Conference, including six coaches who have spent time at Nebraska.

Pelini finalized his staff over the weekend with the addition of a running backs coach. However, Pelini said the announcement of that individual will come in early January, after that coach has finished his work in a bowl game with his current school.

The offensive staff includes Barney Cotton as associate head coach/offensive line coach; Shawn Watson as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks; Ted Gilmore as assistant head coach/receivers coach/recruiting coordinator; and Ron Brown as tight ends coach. Watson and Gilmore were retained from the previous Nebraska coaching staff.

On the defensive side, the Husker staff will include Carl Pelini as defensive coordinator/defensive line coach, Mike Ekeler as linebackers coach, John Papuchis as defensive ends coach and Marvin Sanders as secondary coach.

Pelini also announced that former Husker player and assistant coach Jeff Jamrog will serve as Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations for the Nebraska football program.

Pelini said the coaching staff he has hired brings the overall characteristics he was looking for in Nebraska assistants.

“I was asked about the qualities I look for in assistant coaches, and I mentioned teachers, communicators and high-energy people,” Pelini said. “I think this group of coaches will be great teachers for the young men in our program, and they are a good fit for Nebraska football.”

Pelini said Cotton and Gilmore will assist him in a variety of roles in their positions as associate and assistant head coach, respectively.

“In addition to coaching the offensive line, Barney will assist me in a number of key administrative duties within our program,” Pelini said. “Ted will continue as our receivers coach and recruiting coordinator, and he will also play a key role in the overall direction of our program.”

The offensive staff will be led by Watson, who directed the Nebraska offense this season. The Huskers ranked eighth nationally in passing offense and 11th in total offense, and Pelini is excited to build on that success.

“Offensively, there has been good success here recently,” Pelini said. “I think we can add some wrinkles to what has worked well the past few years. Coach Watson is a proven offensive coordinator in the Big 12 Conference, and our offensive assistants have extensive collegiate experience, specifically in the Big 12 North.”

Defensively, Pelini said he will be involved in all aspects of the preparation and expects his defensive staff to operate as one cohesive unit.

“Our defensive coaches will all have equal input on what we are doing, regardless of titles or positions,” Pelini said. “Our defensive coaches are outstanding teachers who will bring great energy to the practice field. I have worked with each of them during my career and have great confidence in this group. This staff plans to build on the tradition of hard-nosed Blackshirt defenses at Nebraska.”

Here is a brief capsule on the members of the 2008 Husker staff.

Offensive Staff
Shawn Watson—Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Watson will be entering his third season at Nebraska in 2008 and his second as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2007, Nebraska threw for a school-record 3,886 yards, including the top three passing days in school history. Watson’s offense averaged 468.2 yards per game, 11th in the country and the best season average at Nebraska since 1997.

Watson coached the Nebraska tight ends and was the recruiting coordinator in 2006, before being promoted to his current post last January.

Watson has a total of seven seasons of experience as an offensive coordinator in the Big 12, serving in the same role at Colorado from 2000 to 2005. Watson was on the staff of four Colorado teams that won the Big 12 North Division, including a conference championship in 2001. He also has head coaching experience, leading the Southern Illinois program from 1994 to 1996.

Ron Brown—Tight Ends
Brown rejoins the Nebraska coaching staff for the 2008 season, after serving as the Huskers’ receivers coach for 17 seasons from 1987 to 2003. During the first 16 of those years, Brown also coached the tight ends, and he was the most veteran member of Frank Solich’s final Nebraska coaching staff in 2003.

Brown has spent the past four years serving as the Nebraska State Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also has served as the national spokesman for the FCA and is a regular columnist for the FCA magazine “Sharing the Victory”. Brown and former Husker Stan Parker are co-founders and co-directors of a statewide Christian ministry called Mission Nebraska.

Under Brown, Husker receivers were known for their tenacity and downfield blocking in Nebraska’s run-oriented attack. His receivers helped Nebraska lead the nation in rushing nine times in his 17 seasons. At Nebraska, Brown coached two academic All-Americans, had 12 players picked in the NFL Draft and 14 others who signed professional contracts.

Brown also served as an assistant coach for three seasons (1984-86) at Brown, his alma mater, and was the head freshman coach at the school in 1983.

Barney Cotton—Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
Cotton will be in his second stint on the Nebraska coaching staff. He served as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach on Frank Solich’s staff in 2003, helping Nebraska to a 10-3 record and a victory in the Alamo Bowl. Most recently, Cotton spent three seasons at Iowa State as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. With the Cyclones, Cotton directed a potent ISU offensive attack led by quarterback Bret Meyer and record-setting receiver Todd Blythe. He helped guide the Cyclones to an appearance in the 2004 Independence Bowl and the 2005 Houston Bowl.

Before arriving at Nebraska in 2003, Cotton was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for six seasons at New Mexico State (1997-2002). He also served as an assistant at St. Cloud State for six seasons and was the head coach at Hastings College in 1995 and 1996.

Cotton played for Nebraska from 1975-78, starting on both the offensive and defensive lines during his Husker career. He played four seasons in the National Football League with St. Louis and Cincinnati.

Ted Gilmore—Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
Gilmore has served on the Husker staff each of the past three years as the Huskers’ receivers coach and in 2007, he also handled the role of recruiting coordinator. Gilmore’s receivers have posted record-setting numbers under his direction.

Seniors Terrence Nunn and Maurice Purify finished their eligibility as the No. 2 and No. 5 career receivers at Nebraska. Nate Swift will enter his senior season in 2008 as Nebraska’s No. 4 all-time receiver. Gilmore’s receiving corps played a key role in the Huskers ranking eighth nationally in passing offense and 11th in total offense in 2007.

Gilmore has been a collegiate assistant for 11 seasons, also serving in stints at Wyoming, Kansas, Houston, Purdue and Colorado.

Defensive Staff
Carl Pelini—Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
Carl Pelini, the older brother of Head Coach Bo Pelini, comes to Nebraska after three seasons as the defensive line coach for Frank Solich at Ohio University. Pelini also has experience at Nebraska, serving as the defensive graduate assistant for the Huskers in 2003, when NU set a school record for takeaways and ranked 11th nationally in total defense.

At Ohio, Pelini played a key role in the resurgence of the Bobcat program. Ohio’s recent success was highlighted by the 2006 season, when the Bobcats won the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division and played in the GMAC Bowl against Southern Miss. The bowl appearance was the first by the Bobcats since 1968. The 2006 defense ranked in the top 30 nationally in scoring and total defense. This season, Ohio finished with a 6-6 record and senior defensive tackle Landon Cohen earned second-team All-MAC honors for the second straight season.

Pelini spent the 2004 season as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota State on the staff of former Husker player and assistant Jeff Jamrog. Pelini was an accomplished high school coach prior to his first stint at Nebraska. He was the head coach at Fitch High School in Ohio for three seasons, after serving as the head coach and athletic director at Winnetonka High School in Kansas City for five years. He also served as a graduate assistant at Kansas State in 1989 and 1990, and as a restricted earnings coach for the Wildcats in 1991. He played two seasons at Columbia University.

Mike Ekeler—Linebackers
A native Nebraskan, Mike Ekeler joins the Husker defensive staff after spending the past three seasons on the LSU football staff. Ekeler spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons as a graduate assistant coach working for Pelini and the Tiger defense. In 2007, Ekeler worked as an intern for the LSU program.

Ekeler brings an extensive knowledge of the state of Nebraska and the Big 12 Conference to the Husker staff. Before his recent time with Pelini at LSU, Ekeler was a defensive graduate assistant on Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma staff in 2003 and 2004. He helped the Sooners play in back-to-back BCS national championship games and earn a Big 12 title in 2004.

Before his time with the Sooners, Ekeler spent five seasons as a high school coach in Nebraska and Kansas. He spent time coaching at Omaha Skutt High School and Manhattan (Kan.) High School, before getting back into the college game at Oklahoma in 2003.

After graduating from Blair High School, Ekeler played four seasons under Bill Snyder at Kansas State, lettering from 1991 to 1994. He was a special teams standout and was part of two Wildcat teams that played in bowl games.

John Papuchis—Defensive Ends Coach
John Papuchis comes to Nebraska after spending the past four seasons on the football staff at LSU. While with the Tigers, Papuchis worked as a defensive intern, assisting in every aspect of the defensive game plan for the Tigers.

Papuchis first joined the LSU staff under Nick Saban and over the past three seasons has helped the Tigers rank third nationally in total defense each season. In 2007, the Tiger defense featured a pair of consensus All-Americans in defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and safety Craig Steltz.

Papuchis joined the Tigers prior to the 2004 season after a three-year stint with Kansas. In 2001, he worked with the Jayhawk secondary and then assisted with the linebackers in Kansas' 2003 Tangerine Bowl season.

Papuchis graduated from Virginia Tech in 2001 and earned his master’s degree from Kansas in 2003

Marvin Sanders—Secondary Coach
Marvin Sanders returns to the Husker staff after serving as the defensive backs coach in 2003. In Sanders’ lone season on the defensive staff with Pelini, Nebraska recorded 47 takeaways, including a school-record 32 interceptions and led the nation in pass efficiency defense. In 2003, safety Josh Bullocks recorded a school-record 10 interceptions and became just the second NU sophomore in school history to earn All-America honors.

After his year at Nebraska, Sanders served for three seasons as the defensive coordinator at North Carolina. He helped the Tar Heels reach the Continental Tire Bowl in 2004. Prior to joining the Nebraska staff in 2003, Sanders had assistant coaching stops at Nebraska Wesleyan, Minnesota-Morris, Nebraska-Omaha, New Mexico State and Colorado State. While on coach Sonny Lubick’s CSU staff, he helped the Rams to appearances in the New Orleans Bowl in 2001 and the Liberty Bowl in 2002.

Sanders earned three letters as a defensive back at Nebraska from 1987 to 1989, playing for Tom Osborne and secondary coach George Darlington. He was a starter as a senior in 1989 and earned honorable-mention All-Big Eight honors for a Nebraska team that reached the Fiesta Bowl.

Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations
Jeff Jamrog
Jeff Jamrog joins Pelini’s staff as Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations, following four seasons as the head coach at Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn. Jamrog is one of three former Nebraska players on Pelini’s staff and one of five members of the staff who return to Nebraska after having previous Husker coaching experience.

Jamrog led Minnesota State to a 17-27 record in four years, including a 6-5 mark in 2004, the program’s first winning season since 1994. Several Mavericks earned honors under Jamrog’s direction, including two-time Academic All-American Spencer Dickinson.

Before leaving for Minnesota State, Jamrog was an assistant coach at Nebraska for four seasons from 2000 to 2003, when he coached the NU defensive line. The Huskers finished in the top 12 nationally in rush defense twice in that stretch. Jamrog was a three-year letterman at Nebraska where he was a starting outside linebacker in 1987. He was a first-team Academic All-American in 1987 and an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient.

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HUSKERS PRODUCE LARGE CLASS OF DECEMBER GRADUATES...

Athletic and academic All-American Christina Houghtelling will receive her diploma during commencement ceremonies at the University of Nebraska on Saturday morning.

Lincoln - One of the largest-ever December graduating classes of Nebraska student-athletes will receive diplomas during winter commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Nebraska’s graduating class of student-athletes was nearly 30 percent larger than last December’s group of 31 graduates. The Huskers’ 44-member graduating class consists of student-athletes from 14 U.S. states and three foreign countries, including Germany, Latvia and South Africa. Nearly all of Nebraska’s varsity teams are represented in the group, while the Huskers graduated with nearly 20 different majors in their fields of study. Despite the diversity of the group, a total of 20 Nebraska natives made up nearly half of the class.

Nebraska Senior Associate Athletic Director for Academics, Compliance and Planning Dennis Leblanc said the December 2007 graduating class consists of strong examples of student-athletes who have the ability to excel in the classroom, in the community and in competition.

"I congratulate all of these Nebraska student-athletes for the way they have balanced classwork, community involvement and competition," Leblanc said. "These 45 graduates come from a diverse background from around the country and the world and have represented Nebraska at the highest level in academics and athletics. The athletic department, the University and the state of Nebraska are proud of their accomplishments."

The Nebraska football team produced the largest contingent in the group with a total of 20 players earning their degrees. Brett Byford, Ben Eisenhart, Dan Erickson, Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas, Tierre Green, Victory Haines, Frantz Hardy, Sean Hill, Andy Kadavy, Sam Keller, Lane Kelly, Kevin Luhrs, Corey McKeon, Josh Mueller, Wali Muhammad, Steve Octavien, Bo Ruud, Andy Sand, Matt Senske and Bryan Wilson all completed their undergraduate academic careers.
Coach Gary Pepin’s track and field program added five members to the group, including national champions Arturs Abolins and Dace Ruskule, along with Bryce Dickmeyer, Bubba Kramer and Alec Maduza.

Coach Pablo Morales’ women’s swimming and diving team also produced a strong contingent of five graduates, including Emilee Crawford, Kate Dulgar, Bailey Ingles, Kaci Ressler and Dani Millis. Millis competed her first four years at Nebraska for Coach Dan Kendig’s women’s gymnastics team, which also featured All-American Michele Zabawa among the graduates.

Christina Houghtelling, the 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year for Coach John Cook’s Nebraska volleyball team, joined former teammate Meghan Smith among NU’s class of December graduates. Houghtelling, a native of Cambridge, Neb., was also a CoSIDA Academic All-American for the Huskers.

A trio of former Husker baseball players (Mike Harmelink, Jon Klausing and Al Smith) earned their diplomas for Coach Mike Anderson’s team, along with Husker softball players Ashley DeBuhr and Devin Porter for Coach Rhonda Revelle.

Joerg Barthel and Sean Coetzee earned their degrees as former members of Coach Kerry McDermott’s Nebraska men’s tennis team, while Ty Capps and Chrissie McArdle completed their degrees as members of the Nebraska men’s and women’s golf teams.

Soccer player Jessie Bruch, men’s gymnast Jason Wassung and Husker All-American bowler Amanda Burgoyne rounded out the list of December student-athlete graduates at Nebraska.

Nebraska continues to feature one of the highest graduation rates in the nation with an exhausted eligibility graduation rate of 94 percent.

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PAVAN SELECTED AS TODAY'S TOP VIII AWARD WINNER...

Sarah Pavan was selected as one of the NCAA Today's Top VIII honorees on Monday.

Lincoln – University of Nebraska volleyball star Sarah Pavan received one of the highest honors a college student-athlete can receive on Monday, as she was selected as one of the 2008 NCAA Today’s Top VIII.

The NCAA Today’s Top VIII honors eight senior student-athletes among all levels for their athletics success, academic accomplishments, community service and leadership. Pavan will receive the award during the NCAA Honors Celebration on January 13, 2008, at the NCAA Convention in Nashville.

The other 2008 Today’s Top VIII are Rachel Buehler, Stanford University, soccer; Roberto Castro, Georgia Institute of Technology, golf; Dennis Dixon, University of Oregon, football; Ben Wildman-Tobriner, Stanford University, swimming; Lisa Winkle, Calvin College, basketball and outdoor track; Jamie Wolf, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, diving; and Sarah Zerzan, Willamette University, cross country and outdoor track.

The Top VIII honorees are selected by the NCAA Honors Committee, which is composed of eight athletics administrators at member institutions and national distinguished citizens who are former student-athletes.

Pavan is the 16th Husker to earn to the honor, a total that leads the nation, and the fourth Husker volleyball winner, joining former greats Nancy Metcalf (2002), Janet Kruse (1992) and Virginia Stahr (1990). Pavan, the only volleyball player in the 2008 Today’s Top VIII, is just the 12th volleyball player ever receive the award which was first presented in 1973.

"It is truly humbling to see your name with such an elite group of student-athletes," Pavan said. "These people have accomplished so much in their sports and in other areas and it is special to be considered in that group."

Volleyball NCAA Today’s Top VIII Winners

Year-Recepient, School
1986-Susan Harbour, Oregon
1987-Lisa Ice, San Jose State
1989-Dylann Duncan, BYU
1990-Virginia Stahr, Nebraska
1992-Janet Kruse, Nebraska
1995-Amy Albers, Washington (Mo.)
1998-Kasey A. Morlock, North Dakota State*
1998-Carrie Ferguson, Capital (Ohio)*
1999-Kristin Folkl, Stanford
2002-Nancy Metcalf, Nebraska
2005-Ogonna Nnamani, Stanford
2008-Sarah Pavan, Nebraska*-two-sport athletes

"When I came on my visit, they showed me the list of the past Top VIII winners, and I was amazed," Pavan said. "I saw it and said ‘to be one of those you must to do something great.’ I didn’t understand how special it was. Being at Nebraska over the past four years, I began to understand how elite that group is. It is not something I ever expected to receive, and I am really honored to accept this."

"After the honors Sarah has earned during her career, this is the one award that eluded her because it is only presented to seniors," Nebraska Coach John Cook said. "Having had the experience of watching Nancy Metcalf win this award in 2002, this is the most prestigious honor that a college student-athlete can receive. It is truly the elite of the elite."

"While the Honda-Broderick is like the Heisman Trophy for athletic and academics, the Today’s Top VIII means even more because it is chosen from student-athletes, both male and female, from every sport from all three divisions. To be selected among the top student-athletes in the country is the ultimate honor, and it shows the commitment that the University of Nebraska has for its student athletes to succeed both academically and athletically. This is a proud moment for the Husker Nation and a great reflection on our program."

Pavan recently wrapped up one of the most decorated careers in college volleyball history, becoming one of only four players in NCAA Division I history to be a four-time first-team All-American. A three-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, Pavan was named the 2006-07 Honda Broderick Cup Winner and 2006 American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Year as a junior. She was a four-time, all-conference selection and was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2006 NCAA Championship, helping the Huskers to a national title. As a senior, Pavan averaged 4.83 kills, 1.90 digs and 0.49 service aces per game in earning Big 12 Player-of-the-Year honors for the third straight year. She led the Big 12 in kills and points per game (5.73) and was among the Big 12 leaders in service aces (second) and hitting percentage (.342, 10th). She finished her career with a school-record 2,008 kills, becoming only the fourth player in Big 12 history to reach that plateau.

She has been just as successful off the court, where she carries a 4.0 GPA in biochemistry. She is a three-time first-team Academic All-American and was chosen as the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American of the Year during 2006-07. Pavan has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor roll every semester at Nebraska and is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 performer. The Kitchener, Ontario, native is also active in Nebraska’s community outreach program, as she has volunteers for SafeQuarters to Benefit Friendship Home, a breast cancer walk and was a motivational speaker for the "School is Cool" Celebration program during her Nebraska career.

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HOLIDAY GREETING FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION...ITS A GOOD YEAR TO BE A HUSKER...

Here is the link
http://www.huskeralum.com/communications
/enewsletters/2007/12/holiday/holiday.htm

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NEBRASKA ARMY GUARD RETURNS FROM IRAQ...(Thanks to Duane Tucker for sending this along)...

I do not have festive Christmasy videos on my website right now. I have something better: 2 weeks ago the 755 Chemical Company National Guard unit returned to Lincoln from a year in Iraq. I went there with two other photogs to take pics for the families. I then created a slideshow of the homecoming and posted it on my site. Here is the link to see the slideshow:www.imagefactoryphotography.com/slideshows/755

It runs 8 minutes, so pull up a chair, your kids, and some kleenex.
And pass it on!

Merry Christmas,
- Todd
Todd Rundstrom
308-233-7269
todd@imagefactoryphotography.com
www.imagefactoryphotography.com

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HUSKERS FALL IN REGIONAL FINAL...

Sarah Pavan led Nebraska with 16 kills to top 2,000 career kills in her final match as a Husker.

Lincoln – Second-ranked Nebraska’s quest for consecutive national titles ended Saturday night, as the Huskers fell to No. 6 California, 30-28, 31-29, 30-26 at the UW Field House. The Huskers, bidding to become volleyball’s first repeat champion since USC in 2002 and 2003, ended their season with a 30-2 record, while Cal improved to 26-7 and advanced to its first national semifinal in school history.

The loss ended a remarkable run for Nebraska’s quartet of seniors, as Maggie Griffin, Christina Houghtelling and Sarah Pavan helped Nebraska to a 126-7 record, two national semifinal appearances, four Big 12 titles and the 2006 national championship.

Pavan became the first Husker and just the fourth Big 12 player to ever record 2,000 kills, as the senior right side hitter finished with a match-high 16 kills and finished her career with 2,008 kills to rank fourth in Big 12 history. Stalls finished with seven kills on .462 hitting, ended the year hitting a school and Big 12 record .473, breaking Virginia Stahr’s mark of .440 originally established in 1990. Both were chosen to the NCAA Madison Regional All-Tournament team
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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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 12-06-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:36:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Happy Hannukah to all those celebrating the Jewish holiday (4th-12th). With the announcement of Bo Pelini as head coach, things have been hoppin' back in Lincoln. I added a couple of articles (provided by some of you) that should help us understand how the process is going.

In addition to all the great football news in Lincoln, (and thanks to all of your votes) Tom Osborne has been voted as the Greatest Coach of All Time according to the the ESPN/Citi online poll. Of course we all knew that...but now the rest of the nation will know!

Root for the Volleyball team this weekend as they compete in the next level of competition in Wisconsin. They meet Michigan State tomorrow night at 5 p.m. our time and you can watch the match on www.uwbadgers.com . Assuming they win that match the lady Huskers will meet either Cal or Iowa State on Saturday at 6 p.m. our time and you can watch that game live on ESPNU. See the article below for more details. And assuming they win that match they will be headed for Sacramento the following week for the National semi-finals and the finals to vie for back to back championships. GO HUSKERS! If anyone is interested in joining the group that has already indicated they want to attend the Sacramento matches, let me know and I'll add you to that list.

And don't forget to keep voting for Anne Marie Rye for the Athlon Spirit competition...article and link at the end of this email.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

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OSBORNE VOTED GREATEST FOOTBALL COACH OF ALL TIME...
(Thanks to all who voted in ESPN's Citi poll)

Final Voting on ESPN.com

Tom Osborne in the College Football Hall of Fame

Tom Osborne was voted the Greatest Football Coach of All Time in a recent fan poll on ESPN.com.

Lincoln - Former Nebraska football coach and current interim athletic director Tom Osborne was voted the "Greatest Football Coach of All Time" in a recent contest on ESPN.com.

Osborne captured 52 percent of the votes among fans around the world, well ahead of former Alabama Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who brought home 35 percent of the vote.

No other coach received as many as 5 percent of the total votes. The distinguished list of coaches featured some of the greatest names in the history of college football, including Knute Rockne, Glen "Pop" Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg, John Heisman, Eddie Robinson, Woody Hayes, Barry Switzer, Bobby Bowden, Joe Paterno, Lou Holtz, Bo Schembechler, John Robinson, Hayden Fry and John Gagliardi.

In October, Osborne was chosen to receive the 2008 Lifetime Acheivement Award from the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards committee of the American Heart Association.

Osborne will receive the award at the Paul "Bear" Bryant College Football Coaching Awards Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Houston.

The following day, Osborne will be honored by the Nebraska Alumni Association with its highest award, the Founders Medallion, at the 2008 RED Gala in Omaha.

Osborne coached for 25 seasons at Nebraska, earning three national championships and 13 conference titles. He led the Cornhuskers to a bowl appearance in every season and broke Bryant's record of 24 straight postseason trips. Osborne retired following the 1997 season with a 255-49-3 record, the fifth-best winning percentage (.836) in Division I-A history.

In his final five season, NU went 60-3 and won national titles in 1994, 1995 and 1997. He coached 47 first-team All-Americans who won a total of 55 honors. He also guided a pair of Heisman Trophy winners, six Outland winners, one Butkus winner and one Johnny Unitas winner.

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Osborne followed his 36-year career as a football coach by winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Nebraska's third district in 2000. He served three terms in Congress, before being named Nebraska's interim athletic director on Oct. 16.
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Pelini, Osborne form intriguing duo
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Dec 03, 2007 - 12:10:25 am CST

Bo Pelini isn't real big on small talk.

"I don't always say a whole lot," he told me recently. "But I notice everything."

As he climbed the coaching ladder, Pelini presumably noticed the strongest traits of George Seifert, Ray Rhodes, Pete Carroll, Mike Sherman, Les Miles, Bob Stoops and Frank Solich - men Pelini mentioned Sunday as being mentors.

Now comes the chance to learn from another mentor. This will be fascinating to watch - Pelini and Tom Osborne. The brash and admittedly emotional former Ohio State free safety learning from the famously calm and understated former congressman and legendary coach. Together they will try to pull Nebraska from the depths of a startling football depression that sometimes seems surreal.

Pelini will notice everything about Osborne, if the 39-year-old Pelini is as wise as he seems.

Some will say it's an odd couple. Well, Bob Devaney and Osborne were disparate personalities who seemed to mesh OK.

People often forget Osborne was a fiery coach in his younger days. However, few have forgotten Pelini angrily confronting Bill Snyder in 2003. People remind Pelini of the incident at seemingly every turn. In fact, he was reminded just before dinnertime Sunday, as he was announced as Nebraska's 28th head football coach.

Surely the Snyder situation was the impetus behind the reporter's question: Your emotions and passions, will you have to temper them now? After all, goes the line of thinking, Pelini's now a head coach for the first time.

Pelini paused. He chuckled. It was a nervous chuckle. He started to answer, then paused. It was sort of uncomfortable for a few seconds.

No problem. Pelini's newest mentor was sitting right behind him. Pelini turned and looked at Osborne, as if seeking guidance. Osborne shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, "You're on your own on this one, young fella."

Everyone laughed and comfort returned.

Let the Pelini era begin.

"I'm going to be who I am," Pelini said. "I'm not going to change."

He repeated it for emphasis.

"Bo Pelini's not going to change."

The native of Youngstown, Ohio, is a boxing fan and a devoted family man. He enjoys Bruce Springsteen and coaching defense. Baby, he was born to lead (my apologies to The Boss). At least that's what virtually every one of his former players will tell you. They'll tell you he has a natural way of inspiring them. Maybe it's his glare, or his tough-guy persona, or his ultraconfident demeanor, or his sheer intelligence. He's whip-smart.

Whatever the case, he gets players to play hard.

"If you don't play hard, you don't have much of a chance," said Osborne, the most powerful interim athletic director in the history of college sport.

Consider this particular hire. Consider the ramifications. How much farther can Nebraska football sink before it permanently becomes a mere shadow of its former power, prestige and utter brilliance? There's plenty of pressure here, folks.

It's interesting that Osborne is entrusting his beloved program to a first-time head coach. He said he hired Pelini after considering "a lot of well-qualified people," including Turner Gill, the beloved former Husker quarterback whom Osborne adores like a family member. Gill, 45, is showing signs of becoming a top-shelf major-college coach.

However, Osborne analyzed the program and determined defense, or lack thereof, topped the list of concerns

"As you know, occasionally you'll win a game if you give up 50 points, but you're not going to win many," Osborne said.

In coming days, Pelini will turn on film of Nebraska's games this season and the new Husker coach will be repulsed. He will see a team that struggled to adjust on the fly. Worse, he will see a defense that too often lacked energy. That too often played with little-to-no passion. Its ineptitude was stunning at times.

Pelini may not be as smooth with the media as Bill Callahan. Callahan sounds like a corporate CEO at times. Pelini is more of a salt-of-the-earth type. Yes, it sounds trite, but Pelini is a people person. He's a notorious prankster. He likes being around players. He means it when he says he'll have an open-door policy. His players seem to trust him and enjoy playing for him, which probably explains why they swarm to the ball and force turnovers - Pelini trademarks.

Never will a Pelini defense (or team) play without emotion.

Pelini is only half-joking when he tells friends with a straight face that he's the only one who can handle this mission. He has a way of expressing confidence that's much more endearing than it is a turnoff. Nebraska needs his confidence badly right now.

Some will say Nebraska needed a veteran head coach right now, someone who's been there, done that in a power conference. But given the Huskers' immediate needs, Pelini fits well - right man, right time.

Hard decisions loom. What type of offense will he employ? For now, he says only that Nebraska will be "very multiple." Reading between lines, it appears Pelini and Osborne may favor an offense that resembles the one in place, meaning Shawn Watson may well be in line for offensive coordinator. Stay tuned.

Will Pelini continue to coach Louisiana State's defense as it prepares for the national title game? That's a tough call, he says. Again, stay tuned.

Pelini's first day as Nebraska head coach seemed to go well. He passed the news conference test with flying colors. It was especially nice to hear Pelini acknowledge Solich, who hired Pelini in 2003 to revive the Huskers' defense.

"I think people along the way have forgotten how important he was to Nebraska and what he did over a long period of time," said Pelini, who now begins the challenging task of trying to restore and invigorate an entire program.

Indeed, it's no time for small talk.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.

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Pelini will have to adjust to role of recruiter as head coach
December 3, 2007
Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- As a recruiter, new Nebraska coach Bo Pelini doesn't have a good or bad reputation.

He really has no reputation, recruiting analysts say.

As defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and LSU, his charge was figuring out how to use players rather than how to acquire them.

Pelini's first task at Nebraska will be to keep in the fold players who have verbally committed to the Cornhuskers and then add to the class.

Pelini said Sunday he's eager to get started recruiting. Analysts say it's one of the biggest adjustments he'll have to make as a first-time head coach.

"It's just a question of want," said Jamie Newberg, an analyst for Scout.com who specializes in the Southeast. "Does he want to be that active, be front and center, meet everybody and have that recruit-recruit-recruit type of personality? It's a huge commitment every day. That's what it's going to take."

Pelini said his recruiting role at LSU was as a closer. He made home visits to prospects, outlined their potential roles at LSU and secured pledges.

"He was not the type of coach who would build a relationship with players over weeks and months," Newberg said Monday.

Jeremy Crabtree, national recruiting editor for Rivals.com, said Pelini is well-respected by high school coaches. The fact he hasn't gone on the road to do a lot of recruiting in recent years doesn't mean he wouldn't be good at it.

"He's just been in a position the last few years where he didn't have to be a monster recruiter," Crabtree said.

It is not uncommon for offensive and defensive coordinators to play peripheral roles in recruiting.

The key to Pelini's recruiting success will be the position coaches he hires. Pelini said he planned to quickly assemble his staff.

"There's a lot that has to be done as far as recruiting goes," he said Sunday. "It's going to be a process of everyone getting their collective efforts together and making sure we head this thing in the right direction."

The role of head coaches in recruiting has changed over the years, Newberg said.

Coaches such as Nebraska's Tom Osborne and Florida State's Bobby Bowden were great closers. But closing the deal is a small fraction of the job now, Newberg said, because the process moves much faster.

"Now the head coaches have to be on the road during the May evaluation period with their assistants," Newberg said. "You've got to be seen, you've got to be heard, you've got to be everywhere. More teams are offering (scholarships) early, doing earlier evaluations, and kids are committing earlier."

Former coach Bill Callahan came to Nebraska with the reputation as an outstanding recruiter from his days at Wisconsin and Illinois. Callahan relished the chase for players and would go after the top prospects across the nation.

"That was Coach Callahan's strong suit," Newberg said. "They put a lot of effort into recruiting. But that's what it takes no matter where you are."

Pelini said he would re-establish Nebraska's in-state recruiting efforts and ramp up the walk-on program. Those are good ideas, Crabtree said.

"Callahan was all over the map," Crabtree said. "We're going to see a more concentrated effort with Nebraska, the Midwest, Texas. And they'll spot recruit some areas. I like that formula. It's a good way to have success early on."

Newberg said Pelini has learned from some of the best recruiters in the nation, having worked with Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and LSU's Les Miles.

Pelini also has a great resource in Osborne, the interim athletic director and a highly respected recruiter during a 25-year Nebraska coaching career in which he averaged 10 wins a season and won three national championships.

Just as important as recruiting players, Crabtree said, will be recruiting assistant coaches.

"Whoever he surrounds himself with will go a long way to how he gets judged as a recruiter," Crabtree said.
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ASSISTANT COACHES RETURN TO NEBRASKA (got this from a Lincoln source...Thanks Mark!)...

It's official, Barney Cotton, Ron Brown and Marvin Sanders have returned to the Big Red as assistants. Coach Cotton's son, a tight end, has changed his mind and has de-committed from Louisville in order to be a Husker.

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2008 HUSKER SCHEDULE DATE CHANGES ANNOUNCED...

Nebraska has announced that there will be date changes for 2008 home games against Virginia Tech and Western Michigan.

The previously scheduled Sept. 27 game against Western Michigan has been moved to Aug. 30 and will be the first game of Bo Pelini’s coaching tenure at Nebraska. Nebraska’s game with Virginia Tech will now be played on Sept. 27 instead of the originally scheduled Sept. 20 date. Television announcements for the two games will be made at a later date, but the Nebraska-Virginia Tech game will air on ABC, ESPN or FSN. The move allows Nebraska an early-season open date on Sept. 20.

The Huskers will open the 2008 campaign with five consecutive home games, marking the second time in four seasons NU has played its first five games at home. Following the Aug. 30 opener with Western Michigan, Nebraska will play host to San Jose State on Sept. 6 and New Mexico State on Sept. 13. Following a week off, Nebraska will conclude its five-game homestand against Virginia Tech on Sept. 27 and Missouri on Oct. 4.

In addition to the five home games to open the season, Nebraska will also entertain Baylor (Oct. 25), Kansas (Nov. 8) and Colorado (Nov. 28/29). The home schedule features three games against teams ranked in the top eight of the final BCS standings (Kansas, Missouri, Virginia Tech). Nebraska’s road games next year include trips to Texas Tech, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Kansas State.

2010 Husker Schedule Finalized
Nebraska has also announced that it has finalized the 2010 football schedule with the completion of contracts for three non-conference home games that season.

Nebraska will play host to contests against Western Kentucky (Sept. 4), Idaho (Sept. 11) and South Dakota State (Sept. 25) adding those games to a previously announced non-conference matchup with Washington in Seattle on Sept. 18, 2010. All of those contracts were finalized earlier this fall.

The Huskers will open the 2010 campaign against Western Kentucky in Memorial Stadium. A member of the Sun Belt Conference, Western Kentucky is a long-time Division I-AA power, which is making the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Hilltoppers won the 2002 I-AA national title, but will be a full member of the Bowl Subdivision in the 2009 season. The Hilltoppers are coached by Dave Elson, who owns a 37-22 record in five seasons in Bowling Green, Ky., including a 7-5 mark in 2007.

A week following the first-ever matchup with WKU, the Huskers will meet Idaho for the first time on Sept. 11, 2010. Rob Akey just completed his first season as head coach at Idaho. The Vandals have a recent history of taking on top opponents. In 2007, the Vandals’ non-conference schedule included games at USC and Washington State, adding to non-conference games since 2004 against Michigan State, Oregon State, Washington and Oregon.

After the trip to Washington, Nebraska will complete non-conference play against South Dakota State on Sept. 25. The Jackrabbits finished 2007 with a 7-4 record and won the Great West Conference title. SDSU won its final five games of the season, while their four losses were by a total of 26 points, including three by six or fewer points. South Dakota State will move to the Gateway Conference in 2008. The Jackrabbits open the 2008 season at Iowa State and have 2009 game at Minnesota.

Following its non-conference schedule, Nebraska will open Big 12 play at Kansas State on Oct. 2. The Huskers have also completed their 2009 non-conference schedule.

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HUSKERS HEAD TO WISCONSIN FOR NCAA REGIONAL...

CAA Madison Regional
Regional Semifinal #2: No. 18 Iowa State (19-13) vs. No. 6 California (24-7)

Friday, Dec. 7 • UW Field House (Madison, Wis.) • 3 p.m. PST

Regional Semifinal #2: No. 2 Nebraska (29-1) vs. No. 24 Michigan State (21-13)

Friday, Dec. 7 • UW Field House (Madison, Wis.) • 5 p.m. PST (or 30 minutes following first match)

Television: None
Radio: Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and KHUS 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com
Live Stats: NCAASports.com

Regional Finals: Friday’s Winners
Saturday, Dec. 8 • UW Field House (Madison, Wis.) • 8 p.m.

Television: ESPNU (DirecTV Ch. 609; DISH Network Ch. 148; Time Warner Cable Ch. 235)Radio: Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and KHUS 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com
Live Stats: NCAASports.com

The Nebraska volleyball team heads north to continue its quest for its second straight national title, as the Huskers travel to Madison, Wis., for the NCAA Madison Regional this weekend. The Huskers will depart Lincoln on Wednesday afternoon for the regional which begins Friday evening at the UW Field House.

No. 2 Nebraska (29-1) will take on No. 24 Michigan State (21-13) in the evening’s second semifinal, scheduled for 5 p.m. PST or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first match between No. 18 Iowa State (19-13) and No. 6 California (24-7). The winners will face off in the regional title match Saturday night at 6 p.m. PST with a berth to the national semfinals in Sacramento on the line. All-session tickets are on sale through the University of Wisconsin Ticket Office (800-GO BADGERS or uwbadgers.com) and are $12 for adults and $8 for students, youths and seniors.

Friday's match can be viewed on www.uwbadgers.com for free, while Saturday's televised match will not be carried over the Internet. All of Nebraska's postseason contests can be heard across Nebraska on the Husker Sports Network and for free on the Internet at Huskers.com.

The Huskers head to their 14th consecutive regional following impressive sweeps over South Dakota State and Wichita State last weekend. Nebraska used strong serving and blocking, averaging 3.50 service aces and 3.67 blocks per game in the two wins. NU reached double figures in aces in consecutive matches for only the second time in the last four seasons and has averaged 2.71 aces per game over the last seven matches.The Huskers are 72-22 (.766) in 26 NCAA Tournament appearances and have won 13 of the last 14 NCAA Tournament matches dating back to 2005. NU is 28-12 all-time in NCAA regional play, reaching the national semifinals on 10 occasions, most recently in 2006.

Worth Noting

•-Nebraska is making its 26th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007, a total which ties for third among all Division I programs. Only Penn State and Stanford have longer streaks, as those two schools have qualified for all 27 NCAA Championships. NU’s streak is easily the longest among Big 12 teams.

•-The Huskers’ streak of 14 straight NCAA Regionals is the longest active in the country, as only three programs (Nebraska, UCLA and Penn State) have advanced to an NCAA Regional in each of the past five seasons. NU is 26-12 all-time in NCAA regionals.

•-The Big 12 has turned in an impressive showing in the NCAA Tournament, going 8-3 in the first two rounds and placing three teams in the NCAA Regional for the second straight season. Big 12 teams went 5-1 in the first round with only Missouri’s five-game loss at No. 6 seed Washington. It marks the third time in the last five seasons (2003, 2006, 2007) and the fifth time in Big 12 history that three teams advanced to a regional.

•-The Big 12 had six teams in the 2007 NCAA Tournament field (Nebraska, Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Iowa State and Missouri), which equaled the most by any conference. The Big 12 was the only conference with two of the four regional No. 1 seeds (Nebraska and Texas).

•-This weekend’s trip to Madison marks the first regional that Nebraska has ever participated in without the host institution being present. It also marks only the fourth time since the NCAA pre-determined seeds in 2003 that the host did not advance to a regional. Including 2007, hosts have reached a regional 75 percent of the time (15-of-20).

•-NU finished 16-0 at the NU Coliseum in 2007, which marked the 17th time - and fifth time in eight years - that NU has had a perfect home record.

•-NU will look to reach the 30-win plateau for the fourth straight year and the 19th time in school history on Friday against Michigan State. During the 11 years of Big 12 competition, the Huskers have reached 30 wins eight times, while the other 10 teams in the league have accomplished the feat once - Kansas State in 2003.

•-According to research by Rich Kern, Nebraska’s 15-1 record against the other NCAA Tournament qualifiers is the best of any team in the NCAA Tournament field. Nebraska’s 16 matches against NCAA Tournament teams trailed only Stanford, which played 17 contests against NCAA qualifiers during the regular season.

•-Seniors Sarah Pavan, Christina Houghtelling and Tracy Stalls became the second group of seniors to win four straight Big 12 titles, joining the 2002 senior class of Greichaly Cepero, Amber Holmquist, Laura Pilakowski and Lindsay Wischmeier.

•-Sarah Pavan and Tracy Stalls could finish their careers during one of the most successful eras in college volleyball history. They have been a part of a national championship team (2006), two national championship matches (2005-06) and four Big 12 titles (2004-06). Here is a look at the winningest classes in school history during the NCAA era.

•-Nebraska has won 22 of its last 23 matches against ranked foes going back to the start of the 2006 season. The Huskers are 85-12 (.876) against ranked teams in eight seasons under John Cook.

•-Nebraska has held its last seven opponents to .086 hitting dating back to Nov. 11.

•-Christina Houghtelling is four kills shy of 1,000, while Sarah Pavan needs 26 kills to be the first Husker with 2,000 kills.

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FIVE HUSKERS EARN ALL-REGION HONORS...

Sophomore Rachel Holloway was one of Nebraska's five first-team all-region selections.

Lincoln – Five University of Nebraska volleyball players were honored, as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its all-region teams Wednesday afternoon.

Nebraska had five first-team Central Region selections – Rachel Holloway, Christina Houghtelling, Jordan Larson, Sarah Pavan and Tracy Stalls – as the Huskers were the only program in the nation to have five first-team all-region selections. The five players are now eligible for AVCA All-America honors, which will be announced next Wednesday.

The list is headed by senior right-side hitter Sarah Pavan, who was selected for the fourth consecutive year. Pavan, a three-time Big 12 Player of the Year and 2006 AVCA National Player of the Year, averages 4.88 kills, 1.91 digs and 0.52 service aces per game, pacing the Big 12 in kills and points per game (5.80), ranking second in aces and eighth in hitting percentage (.353). She is bidding to become only the fourth player in NCAA Division I history to be a four-time first-team All-American.

Holloway is an all-region selection for the second straight season, guiding a Husker offense that tops the nation in kills (17.91) and assists (16.55) per game and ranks third in hitting percentage (.331). On the year, she averages 13.66 assists, 2.28 digs and 0.98 kills per game, ranking ninth nationally in assists. She helped NU hit .300 or better 24 times in 30 matches against one of the most difficult schedules in the country, including five matches of .400 hitting or better.

Houghtelling collects her second all-region selection of her career, as she was the 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year. Houghtelling, who was the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year, averages 3.15 kills on .311 hitting and a team-high 4.02 digs per game, ranking seventh among conference players and first among outside hitters in the league. She is also 10th in the Big 12 with 0.30 aces per game.

Larson earns her second consecutive all-region nod after averaging 3.44 kills, 3.24 digs and 0.53 service aces per game. She leads the Big 12 in aces per game and ranking ninth in points per game (4.42). Larson totaled a team-high 10 double-doubles this year and is only the third player in school history to total 1,000 kills and 1,000 assists.

Stalls rounds out the five first-team honorees, as she collects her second straight all-region honor. The senior middle blocker leads the Big 12 and ranks third nationally in hitting percentage (.471), averaging 2.83 kills and 1.13 blocks per game. She is on pace to shatter NU’s single-season record for hitting percentage and become just the second Husker to hit over .400 in consecutive seasons. Stalls hit .500 or better in 13 matches and totaled double figures in kills 11 times, including each of the last five matches.

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Upsets in NCAA volleyball tourney leave Huskers wary
12/4/2007, 4:41 p.m. EST
By ERIC OLSON The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — If Nebraska's volleyball players think they have a clear path to the final four, coach John Cook recommends they look at the NCAA tournament bracket.

Four of the top 11 seeds were knocked out in the first two rounds.

"That's putting us on edge," Cook said Tuesday. "You cannot mess around."

Among the teams upset was Wisconsin, the host of this weekend's Madison Regional. The defending champion Cornhuskers (29-1) had anticipated playing the Badgers in front of a large crowd in the regional final.

Now, if the second-seeded Huskers beat Michigan State (21-13) on Friday, they'll see either Iowa State (19-13) or No. 10 California (24-7) on Saturday.

Cook coached Wisconsin, 1992-98, before joining Terry Pettit's staff at Nebraska. He took over as head coach in 2000.

"It's a bummer Wisconsin is not in it, because I think that will take away a little from the excitement of the regional, what it could be," Cook said.

Nebraska cruised through the first two rounds with three-game sweeps of South Dakota State and Wichita State in Lincoln last weekend.

Michigan State, which finished fifth in the Big 10, is in a regional semifinal for the first time since 2002 after knocking off No. 15 Dayton in three games.

California beat No. 22 Duke in four games to advance to Friday's match against Iowa State, which is in regionals for the first time.

The Cyclones, coached by former Nebraska setter Christy Johnson, is one of the hottest teams in the tournament. They upset No. 16 San Diego in the first round, then knocked off No. 7 Wisconsin on the Badgers' floor.

"Watching some of these other good teams get upset, I guess it does just kind of show that it is possible," two-year Nebraska captain Tracy Stalls said. "We need to make sure we stay on it."
Nebraska swept Iowa State twice this season and have won all 72 matches against the Cyclones since 1975.

Kori Cooper said history doesn't count for much.

"They have a lot of heart, and they fight, and you can never count them out," she said.

Iowa State hasn't lost since a five-game defeat to Big 12 co-champion Texas on Nov. 21. The Cyclones led the fifth game 14-9 before losing 18-16.

"What's remarkable is how they bounced back after that," Cook said. "Many teams would just tank. You get so close to a win and give it away. But they've come back even stronger from it.

The question will be whether they can keep it going or if they're just happy to get to the sweet 16."

The Huskers encountered difficulty in last year's regional final in Gainesville, Fla., rallying to beat Minnesota in five games after losing the first two. Earlier that season, Nebraska had beaten the Gophers in four games.

"We learned that it's going to be a tough regional no matter who you're playing," Cook said. "You know it could go four or five games, so be ready for a battle. The reminder is, if you're not ready to play in this tournament right now, anybody can beat anybody. That's why we feel that sense of urgency. It doesn't matter who we're playing. We're going to have to play great."___

On the Net:
University of Nebraska athletics: http://www.huskers.com
Iowa State athletics: http://www.cyclones.com/
Michigan State athletics: http://msuspartans.cstv.com/
University of California athletics: http://calbears.cstv.com/
National Collegiate Athletic Association: http://www.ncaasports.com
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HUSKERS ANNOUNCE BASEBALL RECRUITING CLASS...

Nebraska Head Coach Mike Anderson announced his fall recruiting class on Tuesday.

Lincoln –Nebraska Baseball Coach Mike Anderson announced Tuesday that 13 student-athletes have signed National Letters-of-Intent to play baseball at Nebraska during the recently completed fall signing period.

The class includes nine high school seniors and four junior college transfers and comprises recruits from six states (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri Nebraska, Texas and Washington).

“I am excited about the class we have put together and the methods and energy from both our recruits and from Dave (Bingham) and Eric (Newman),” Anderson said. “They worked very hard to find young men that understood what we were looking for in Nebraska baseball.”

The class is highlighted by a trio of in-state performers in Jake Kuebler (Lincoln Southeast), Kash Kalkowski (Grand Island) and Nick Ludemann (LaVista and Creighton Prep). Both Kuebler and Kalkowski were both all-state performers who could be used as two-way players at Nebraska, while Ludemann is considered one of the state’s top high school pitching prospects.

“We really liked them and had targeted them early in the recruiting process. We are excited they selected Nebraska,” Anderson said. “We were very impressed with all three of their work habits and they all have the tools to enjoy success in this program during their college years.”

Anderson called this class as a whole “very athletic” but was more impressed with other key attributes of this group of student-athletes.

“The biggest thing besides the talent they possess is their character and leadership abilities,” Anderson said. “They are high-character kids and many of them have been leaders on their teams in high school or at the junior college level. They already have an understanding of what it takes to be successful at the next level.”

Nebraska Baseball Recruiting Class
Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. B/T Hometown (School)
Erik Anderson JC RHP 5-11 185 R/R Prairie Village, Kan.
(Barton County CC/
Shawnee Mission East HS)

Cody Asche HS INF/OF 6-1 185 L/R O'Fallon, Mo. (Ft. Zumwalt
West HS)
Cory Burleson HS C/INF 6-2 195 L/R Midland, Texas (Midland
Christian HS)

Boomer Collins HS UTL 6-0 185 R/R Waxahachie, Texas

Shane Dyer JC RHP 6-3 180 R/R Eaton, Colo. (South Mountain
(Ariz) CC/New Mexico/Eaton HS)

Seth Hood HS INF 6-1 200 R/R Moline, Ill. (Moline HS)

Kale Kiser HS INF 5-10 175 S/R Plano, Texas (West HS)

Jake Kuebler HS INF/RHP 6-5 195 R/R Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast HS)

Nick Ludemann HS RHP 6-5 195 R/R LaVista, Neb. (Creighton Prep HS)

Kash Kalkowski HS RHP/INF 6-1 195 R/R Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island
HS)

Curtis Petersen HS RHP 6-4 180 R/R Aubrey, Texas (Denton Ryan HS)

Colt Simon JC LHP 6-1 205 R/L Grand Prairie, Texas (Howard
College/South HS)

Cade Thompson JC 1B/OF 6-3 200 L/L Eatonville, Wash. (Central Arizona
College/Eatonville HS)
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RYE READY FOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND OF SPIRIT VOTING...

Vote now for Anne Marie Rye in the championship round of the Athlon Sports Sideline Spirit Contest.

Lincoln – Nebraska cheerleader Anne Marie Rye will represent the Huskers and the Big 12 Conference in the final round of this year’s Athlon Sports Sideline Spirit contest. Voting for the final round begins on Saturday, Dec. 1 at midnight and will run through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21. No registration is necessary to vote and there is no limit to the number of times a person can vote.

The Athlon Sports Sideline Spirit Contest is entering its fifth year and is one of the most popular programs on our website. This year’s sponsor, JVC, adds broad national exposure and promotion for this competition. Contestants were chosen from across the country to participate in the contest, which began with the kickoff of the college football season in September.

The contest was divided into four rounds, featuring seven cheerleaders or dancers in each round (one from each BCS conference and one non-BCS representative).

Rye, a Lincoln native, earned nearly 150,000 votes to win the second round of the contest. Voting for the second round ended on Oct. 13, and Husker fans pushed Rye into the finals by more than 27,000 votes ahead of second-place Taylor Nix from Florida State.

Rye automatically advanced to the championship round by receiving the most votes in the second round. The winner of the championship round wins the overall contest.

Rye, a junior communications major from Lincoln, will try to become the second Husker to win the Athlon Sideline Spirit Contest. In 2004, former Husker Cheer Squad member Chelsea Kimmerling captured the honor. The nursing major from Beatrice, Neb., received more than 95,000 votes, nearly 36,000 votes ahead of the runner-up from North Carolina State.

The 2007 Athlon Sports Sideline Spirit Contest winner will be featured in the 2008 Athlon Sports College Football annuals and her school's spirit squad will receive $1,000, plus 2 JVC Camcorders, a 42-inch LCD JVC TV and a JVC Portable Kaboom Box.

For more information and to place your vote, visit www.athlonsports.com/spirit.

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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 12-03-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:26:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Wanted to get this out ASAP. No more rumors, no more guesses, its the real thing. Tom Osborne announced in a press conference yesterday that Bo Pelini, former Husker coach and LSU Defensive Coordinator, will be the next Head Coach at Nebraska. I'm sure Bo won't waste any time recruiting his assistant coaches (with Tom's help of course) and setting the tone for next year's football team.
Enjoy reading the article below and check out the links to the press conference and other comments.

And don't forget to vote for Husker Cheerleader, Anne Marie Rye, in the next round of the Athlon Spirit Contest (info and weblink below).

Go Big Red!
Carl

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PELINI NAMED NEBRASKA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH; OSBORNE SAYS HE FILLS PROGRAM'S BIGGEST NEED...

Lincoln – University of Nebraska Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne Sunday named Bo Pelini the school's 28th head football coach – and only the fifth head coach since 1962.

Osborne said his eight-day search for a successor to Bill Callahan was based on analyzing the qualities of individual coaches and balancing them with the needs of the program.

“We need a head coach with strong defensive credentials and great leadership,” Osborne said. “We were also looking for someone who can inspire confidence and get players to play with great effort. And, of course, we also wanted our new head coach to understand our traditions, including the importance of our walk-on program and the importance of football in this state.”

Osborne said Pelini “fit the bill in all respects.”

According to Osborne, Pelini “made a significant difference when he was defensive coordinator of our (10-3) team in 2003, especially after we struggled considerably on defense the year before. I was particularly impressed with the way we beat Michigan State (17-3) in the Alamo Bowl. As interim head coach, Bo motivated the team on both sides of the ball, and we played with a great deal of passion and intensity in that game – both on defense and on offense.”

In 2004, Pelini was co-defensive coordinator for an Oklahoma team that won the Big 12 championship and lost to USC in the national championship game. The last three seasons, he has been defensive coordinator at LSU, helping the Tigers to three consecutive years of a top-three national ranking in total defense.

“It takes good coaching and good leadership to have a defense ranked either at or near the top of the national charts,” Osborne said. “Last night, I thought LSU's defense played well and was important in that Southeastern Conference championship game.”

Osborne acknowledged an aggressive timeframe for hiring a new coach. “We wanted to get this done as quickly as possible, so Bo can put together his new staff and concentrate on recruiting,” he said. “These next two weeks are really critical to the recruiting process.”

For more on Pelini, please click here

Bo Pelini Career Biography

Bo Pelini Press Conference (audio)

Trev Alberts talks about the hiring of Bo Pelini (audio)

Husker defensive end Zach Potter on Bo Pelini (audio)

Current and Former Husker Player Quotes

Press conference quotes

Press conference photo gallery

What others say about Bo Pelini

Watch Press Conference (Dec 2nd, 2007)

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FIFTEEN HUSKERS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12 HONORS...

Junior linebacker Tyler Wortman was one of 15 Huskers named to the Academic All-Big 12 team on Tuesday.

Fifteen Nebraska football players have been named to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 football team, the conference office announced on Tuesday. Among the group of Husker players honored, 12 were named to the first team with another three players earning second-team recognition.

The Nebraska honorees were led by junior linebacker Tyler Wortman who posted a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during the past year. Among the 151 student-athletes honored by the Big 12, Wortman, a mechanical engineering major, was one of seven players recognized for carrying a perfect grade-point average.

Also notable among Nebraska’s first-team selections is tight end J.B. Phillips, who was a first-team selection for the fourth consecutive year. Phillips graduated with his degree in marketing in December of 2006, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree.

Senior linebacker Lance Brandenburgh and junior wide receiver Todd Peterson earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors for the third time in each of their careers. Five others players earned academic honors for the second time, including senior tight end Josh Mueller, junior punter Dan Titchener, junior safety Matt O’Hanlon, junior defensive end Zach Potter and senior linebacker Bo Ruud.

Seven Huskers earned Academic All-Big 12 honors for the first time in their careers, including Wortman, sophomore receiver Wes Cammack, senior safety Ben Eisenhart, senior offensive lineman Victory Haines, junior offensive lineman Lydon Murtha, senior fullback Andy Sand and senior fullback Matt Senske.

Nebraska’s 15 Academic All-Big 12 selections were the third-most among conference schools and NU’s 12 first-team selections were the second-highest total in the league.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or during the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of his team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

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LUCKY, NICKS NAMED SECOND-TEAM ALL-BIG 12...

Lucky scored 12 touchdowns and totaled more than 1,700 all-purpose yards in 2007.

Nebraska junior I-back Marlon Lucky and senior offensive tackle Carl Nicks have been selected as second-team All-Big 12 selections, the conference office announced on Tuesday. The selections were made by the conference’s 12 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own players.

In addition to the selection of Lucky and Nicks to the second-team offense, 10 other Huskers received honorable-mention All-Big 12 accolades.

The 6-0, 210-pound Lucky produced one of the top all-purpose yardage seasons in Nebraska history. On the ground, Lucky ran for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns, marking the 28th, 1,000-yard rushing season in Nebraska history. Lucky was just as dangerous for Nebraska in the passing game, catching a school-record 75 passes for 705 yards and three touchdowns. His 75 receptions are the most by a running back in the nation and his 705 receiving yards are the fifth-most in school history.

A native of North Hollywood, Calif., Lucky finished with 1,743 all-purpose yards, the seventh-best single-season total in Nebraska history and the best since Ahman Green totaled 1,982 yards in 1997. This marks the second straight year Lucky has been honored by the conference, as the coaches made him an honorable-mention selection as a sophomore, while the Associated Press selected him as a second-team all-purpose player in 2006.

Nicks was the anchor of an offensive line that helped Lucky produce his yardage totals, while also guiding Nebraska to a school-record passing total. The 6-5, 330-pound Nicks started 11 of 12 games at left tackle, providing the push for Nebraska to rank eighth nationally in passing offense and 13th in total offense.

The offensive line allowed just 18 sacks in a school-record 481 pass attempts in 2007, and provided the protection to allow quarterbacks Sam Keller and Joe Ganz to produce five of the top eight passing games in school history.

Ten Huskers were selected to the honorable-mention list—four on offense, four on defense and two on special teams. Offensively, the players honored were senior center Brett Byford, junior tackle Lydon Murtha, sophomore guard Jacob Hickman and senior receiver Maurice Purify. On the defensive side, junior defensive end Zach Potter, senior linebackers Bo Ruud and Steve Octavien and sophomore safety Larry Asante received honorable-mention honors. Rounding out the Huskers recognized were senior kickoff/punt returner Cortney Grixby and junior punter Dan Titchener.

This marks the third straight season Grixby and Ruud have received honors from the conference, while Byford and Purify were honored for the second consecutive year.

2007 All-Big 12 Team
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HUSKERS SWEEP PAST SHOCKERS...

The Huskers head to an NCAA regional for the 14th consecutive year.

Lincoln, Neb. – Behind a solid all-around effort, the second-ranked Nebraska volleyball team advanced to its nation-leading 14th consecutive NCAA Regional appearance with a 30-22, 30-19, 30-19 sweep of Wichita State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament before 4,056 fans at the NU Coliseum.

The Huskers had an edge in nearly every statistical category, out-hitting the Shockers .325-to-.122, totaling 52 kills to WSU’s 35. Defensively, the Huskers recorded 10 blocks to Wichita State’s three, while Nebraska out-dug the Shockers 54-45.

One of the more impressive areas where Nebraska excelled was at the service line, where the Huskers (29-1) tallied a season-high 11 aces and were aced just once. It marked the second straight match where NU totaled at least 10 aces after not reaching double figures in aces during the regular season.

Sarah Pavan, one of four seniors playing their final match at the Coliseum, finished with 15 kills on .481 hitting to lead three Huskers with double figures in kills. Jordan Larson added 11 kills, nine digs and five aces, while Tracy Stalls pounded 10 kills and had four blocks, as the seniors wrapped up their 72nd consecutive home win.

Even with the Huskers’ All-Americans shining, the play of freshman Tara Mueller stood out. One night after receiving her first career start at outside hitter, Mueller pounded a career-high nine kills on .316 hitting, while adding the first solo block of her young career. Mueller came off the bench midway through game one and by the halfway point of game two, she had already pounded a career-high six kills on 10 swings without an error.

Mueller’s performance highlighted a night where Nebraska had moments of brilliance in every phase of the game, both from the starters and the bench. The Huskers, who won their nation-leading eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament match and collected their 39th win in the last 40 matches.

Nebraska now advances to the Madison (Wis.) Regional, where the Huskers will take on Michigan State, an upset winner over Dayton next Friday at a time to be determined

HUSKERS ROLL PAST JACKRABBITS...

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska volleyball team was dominant in opening defense of its national title, as the second-ranked Huskers cruised to a 30-13, 30-14, 30-13 sweep of South Dakota State in front of 4,189 fans in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at the NU Coliseum.

Nebraska hit at least .367 in every game, while South Dakota State hit negative in each of the three games. The Huskers also recorded 12 blocks, while the Jackrabbits were unable to record a single stuff.

On the match, NU hit .378, while SDSU committed 24 errors and recorded just 19 kills en route to a season-low -.052 attack percentage.

Tracy Stalls and Sarah Pavan paced the potent Nebraska offense with 11 and 10 kills, respectively, while Jordan Larson added eight kills on 12 swings without an error. Larson also added a season-high five aces, as six different Huskers contributed to Nebraska’s season-high 10 aces.
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STALLS INVITED TO TRAIN WITH U.S. NATIONAL TEAM...

Tracy Stalls has been invited to train with the U.S. National Team in January.

Lincoln – USA Volleyball announced Monday that University of Nebraska middle blocker Tracy Stalls is one of three current college athletes invited to train with the U.S. National Team in January.

Stalls, a two-time selection, joins the Stanford duo of Foluke Akinradewo and Cynthia Barboza as the three players who were invited based on their performances with the U.S. National Team in 2007.

Stalls trained with the U.S. National Team over the summer and started three matches for Team USA at the Pan American Cup in Colima, Mexico last June. The senior middle blocker averaged 2.25 kills per game while hitting .615 on 39 swings, as Team USA went 3-0 with Stalls in the lineup.

A two-time All-Big 12 performer and second-team All-American, Stalls leads the Big 12 and ranks third nationally in hitting percentage (.472), averaging 2.79 kills and 1.09 blocks per game this season for the second-ranked Huskers, who won a share of the Big 12 title this season.

In addition, junior Jordan Larson was one of 13 players chosen to attend an invitation-only tryout with the U.S. National Team in January. A first-team All-American in 2006, Larson picked up her second straight All-Big 12 award on Monday and averages 3.48 kills and 3.19 digs per game in helping Nebraska to a 27-1 regular-season record and the No. 2 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Larson is second in the Big 12 in service aces (0.46/gm) and ninth in points per game (4.33).

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HUSKER VOLLEYBALL SUBJECT OF NET TV SPECIAL (hope you know someone in Nebraska who can record this for you...)...

The Huskers celebrate the 2006 NCAA title

Lincoln -- When the Nebraska volleyball team defeated Stanford last December at Omaha's Qwest Center to win the 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship, a record crowd of more than 17,000 celebrated in their victory.

But the Husker championship was not a fairy-tale success.

"Nebraska Volleyball: Dream Like a Champion," airing Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. CT and Sunday, Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m. CT on NET1 and in high-definition on NET-HD, is an inspiring look at Nebraska's own "Dream Team."

From former head volleyball coach Terry Pettit to current coach John Cook, follow the Husker volleyball team on its journey to winning the 2006 National Championship title and along the way learn some of the history behind one of the nation's premier women's volleyball programs.

After a devastating loss to the Washington Huskies in the 2005 National Championship match, "Dream Like a Champion" captures how the Husker team rebounded from the defeat and forged team unity and lasting friendships during a trip to China.

The documentary then follows the Nebraska women as they persevere through the pressure-filled and roller coaster ride of the 2006 season, culminating in the national championship match against Stanford in Omaha. Commentary from current and past Husker players, as well as national rivals, is featured in the program.

"Dream Like a Champion" chronicles how the accomplishments of Pettit's teams -- 694 victories, a 1995 national championship and six Final Four appearances -- led to volleyball becoming to Husker women's athletics what the Big Red football program is to the men's athletic program. It also explores how Cook -- who took over when Pettit retired in 1999 -- has made the Nebraska volleyball program his own.

"Nebraska Volleyball: Dream Like a Champion" is a production of NET Television for broadcast on NET1. NET Television is a service of NET. For a complete program schedule, visit netNebraska.org/television.

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THREE HUSKER VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN...

Sarah Pavan was named Academic All-American of the Year in volleyball.

Pavan Repeats as Academic All-American of the Year

Lincoln – For the first time in school history, three Nebraska volleyball players were named first-team Academic All-Americans, as the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America teams were unveiled Wednesday morning.

Seniors Sarah Pavan, Christina Houghtelling and Tracy Stalls earned that distinction on the six-member first team with Pavan repeating as Academic All-American of the Year. The 2007 campaign marks only the second time in school history that NU has had three Academic All-Americans, as the 2001 class featured only one first-team honoree.

It is the third selection for Pavan, who was a first-team selection in 2005 and 2006, and second for Houghtelling, who earned the honor in 2005. The 2007 season marks Stalls’ first selection to the team.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Dennis Leblanc, who coordinates the Huskers’ academic efforts, says that the three players honored shows the level of commitment that program has consistently shown in both academics and athletics.

“When you talk about having three first-team Academic All-Americans on a defending national championship team and a team GPA of 3.60, it says a lot about the type of individuals in this program,” Lablanc said. “With only six first-team selections and over 2,000 players at the Division I level, it is truly a great honor for Sarah, Christina and Tracy individually, as well as for the other teammates and the coaching staff. It shows the type of individuals that Coach Cook and his staff are bringing to Nebraska.”

Nebraska now has a national-best 32 academic All-Americans in volleyball, a total that nearly triples runner-up M.I.T. total of 12. The Husker program has had 13 volleyball academic all-Americans, including nine first-team selections, under John Cook since the start of the 2000 season.

Pavan becomes the third Husker to repeat as Academic All-American of the Year, joining Janet Kruse and Virginia Stahr, and is the second Husker volleyball player to become a three-time first-team Academic All-American. Pavan, who was named Big 12 Player of the Year for the third straight year on Monday, carries a perfect 4.00 GPA in biochemisty. With Pavan's selection in 2007, Nebraska has now had four players combine for seven volleyball Academic All-Americans of the Year.

Houghtelling becomes the fifth Husker to become a two-time first-team Academic All-American, as the senior from Cambridge, Neb., has a 3.91 GPA in elementary education. A three-time academic All-Big 12 selection, Houghtelling is a two-time All-Big 12 performer and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year on Monday.

Stalls becomes the ninth different Husker to earn Academic All-America honors under Coach Cook, as she carries a 3.95 GPA in an individualized program of studies. A two-year captain and All-Big 12 performer, she has been a three-time first-team All-Big 12 honoree and earned second-team academic All-District VII honors in 2006.

Nebraska now leads the nation with 255 Academic All-Americans in all sports, 61 more than second-place Notre Dame’s total of 194.
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VOTE FOR HUSKER CHEERLEADER, ANNE MARIE RYE, FOR ATHLON COLLEGE SPIRIT CONTEST...

Debby and I would like to ask all of you to show your Husker spirit and vote for our daughter Anne Marie in the final round of the Athlon College Football Sideline Spirit Contest!. Voting for the final round will begin on Saturday, December 1st at 12:00am and will run through 11:59pm on Friday, December 21st. No registration is necessary to vote and there is NO LIMIT to the number of times a person can vote each day.

Click on the following link to vote:http://www.athlonsports.com/
college-football/8054/sideline-spirit?action=gallery&participant=59

Please send this e-mail to all your Husker friends and family. Also if you have access to a website can you please post a link?

THANKS and GO BIG RED!!Matt & Debby

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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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 11-30-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:59:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and made it home from travels near and far. The changes back in Lincoln are happening quickly and if you didn't hear the news, Tom Osborne is now also the interim coach to help keep the recruiting machine going while searching for a head coach...lots of rumors about Bo Pellini and Turner Gill but no hard facts yet. Hope you get a chance to watch the Mizzou Tigers take on the Sooners in tomorrows Big XII championship game.

And check out the lady Husker volleyball team info as they start their bid for another national championship. You should be able to pick up at least the audio on the Huskers.com webcast.

You should also read the funny "Husker Nation Gospel" at the end of the email. Some creative Husker fan penned a fabulous and funny "King James" style gospel of the latest trials and tribulations of the Husker Nation.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),

Carl

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Thursday, November 29, 2007

Osborne now 'interim coach' in order to recruit

Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Few Nebraska football fans are going to argue with Tom Osborne's decision on an interim head coach.

Already the interim athletic director, Osborne declared himself the coach until he hires a successor to Bill Callahan, allowing Nebraska's beloved former coach to visit prospective recruits and try to prevent the program from slipping during the recruiting contact period.

Athletic department communications chief Randy York said the 70-year-old Osborne, who took over the department after the firing of Steve Pederson last month, passed an NCAA certification test on his first try Wednesday and has informed the Big 12 office of his new title.

Osborne was unavailable for comment Thursday. York said he would be on the road recruiting through the end of the week.

Gary Bargen, assistant athletic director in charge of compliance, said the interim AD tag would have limited Osborne to meeting with prospective recruits only if they visited campus. Now he can visit recruits in schools and homes until Dec. 15.

Several recruits who had been committed to Nebraska have said publicly that they are considering other schools while awaiting to see who the next coach will be.

Callahan was fired last Saturday following a 65-51 loss at Colorado, where the Huskers squandered an 11-point halftime lead by allowing 34 consecutive points.

Nebraska finished a dismal 5-7, a year removed from reaching the Big 12 championship game. The season featured a 76-39 defeat at Kansas, the most points allowed by a Nebraska team, and included six games in which its famed defense surrendered 40 or more points.

Osborne, who won 255 games and three national championships from 1973-97, has said he has no interest in returning to the sidelines -- even going so far as to say his wife, Nancy, would "shoot me" if he did.

Once a hire is made, Osborne could continue to recruit until the new coach assembles a full staff of nine assistants, York said.

Two assistants from Callahan's staff, defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove and cornerbacks coach Phil Elmassian, are no longer recruiting for Nebraska.

Osborne said in a radio interview with the Husker Sports Network on Wednesday that he hoped to have a new coach selected by next week. He already interviewed Buffalo coach Turner Gill and LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and spoke informally with Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, according to media reports.

Another coach linked to the search, Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, told local radio station WCKY on Wednesday that he had not been contacted by Nebraska.
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Nebraska Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne discussed his search for the Huskers' next football coach on Wednesday night.

COACHING SEARCH IS ON TRACK...

Lincoln - In an interview with Lane Grindle Wednesday on the Husker Sports Network’s “Sports Nightly” Show, Nebraska Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne said the search for a new head football coach was “pretty much on track.”

After indicating that he had interviewed several candidates for the new head coaching job, Osborne was asked how long the search process will take. “We would hope that we would be moving along pretty well by at least the middle of next week,” he said. “But if it takes longer, it takes longer.”

Osborne wouldn’t say if Nebraska is done interviewing candidates. “But I think we’re really in pretty good shape,” he said, adding that he wanted to keep interview options open.

Nebraska’s interim athletic director also became NU’s interim head football coach Wednesday when Gary Bargen, NU’s assistant athletic director for compliance, faxed a letter to Keri Boyce, director of compliance for the Big 12 Conference.

In the letter, Bargen notified the conference that Osborne is also now serving as interim head football coach until a new head football coach is named. According to the letter, Osborne passed the 2007-08 Coaches’ Certification Examination on Wednesday and is now permitted to recruit off-campus until he is no longer serving as a designated, countable coach.

In his radio interview, Osborne explained his approach to hiring a new head football coach.

"You can overwhelm yourself with numbers to where you’re talking to so many people that you don’t really remember what the last person you interviewed said,” Osborne said. “On the other hand, you want to have a large enough pool that you were able to really examine some of the best qualities that some of the best coaches have. And I think we’ve been able to do that.”

Osborne said there are two ways to look at hiring a new head coach and staff.

One is to find a coach who has either played at Nebraska or worked at Nebraska and understands the culture. “They understand where North Platte is and where Oshkosh is, and they know the importance of football to young people in this state,” Osborne said. “They know what walk-ons meant to the program in the past.”

Another possible approach, Osborne acknowledged, is hiring an experienced coach with a solidified staff “that can come in here and sometimes save a lot of time and grief simply because they all have a common terminology. They know each other. Their systems are well in place, and they don’t have to spend several months trying to figure out what each one of them is meaning by a certain term.”

Osborne said the candidates he’s interviewed understand the game, have been successful and are very passionate about football. Money does not appear to be a driving force for the candidates he’s interviewed. “Now having said that,” Osborne added, “it does seem the going rate on salaries has really gone through the roof a bit . . . a little bit amazing.”

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NO. 2 HUSKERS BEGIN TITLE RUN AT HOME...(should be available on a Huskers.com webcast)

The Nebraska volleyball team begins the postseason at home, as the second-ranked Huskers will play host to the first and second rounds at the NU Coliseum this weekend. Action begins Friday, Nov. 30, when the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (27-8) of the Sun Belt Conference take on the Wichita State Shockers of the Missouri Valley Conference (26-5) at 4:30 p.m. Nebraska (27-1), which earned its bid by sharing the Big 12 title with Texas, will play in the evening’s second match and will take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (25-10) of the Summit League beginning at 7 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first match. The second round will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m., as Friday’s winners will square off for a right to compete in the Madison (Wis.) Regional.

Tickets for the first and second rounds in Lincoln are already sold out, but additional tickets may become available later in the week, as the other participating teams determine their ticket allotment. Fans can listen to all of the Huskers’ postseason action on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln, KHUS 93.3 FM in Omaha and on the Internet at Huskers.com.

The 2007 season marks the 23rd time that Lincoln has played host to first- and second-round competition. Last year, Nebraska hosted the first and second rounds at the NU Coliseum before winning the Gainesville Regional en route to its third national title. Nebraska is 70-22 (.761) in 25 previous NCAA Tournament appearances, ranking second among NCAA schools in wins and winning percentage.

NU Volleyball Quick Hits

Nebraska is 43-3 all-time at the NU Coliseum during the NCAA Tournament.
Nebraska and South Dakota State have not met since a 2-1 Husker win in 1975 - NU’s first varsity season.
Nebraska’s 26 NCAA Tournament appearances ties for third all-time, trailing only Stanford and Penn State with 27 apiece.
The Huskers have held their last five opponents to a combined .105 hitting, including three of the last four foes to under .100 hitting.
Nebraska’s seniors are 70-1 at home over the last four years and have dropped just eight games at home since losing to Florida A&M in the 2004 home opener.

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RANDY YORK'S N-SIDER...

Portrait of a Leader
The Four Highly Effective Traits of Tracy Stalls

Last Saturday night, in front of the 103rd consecutive volleyball sellout at the NU Coliseum, Tracy Stalls took 13 swings and had 11 kills as second-ranked Nebraska swept 22nd-ranked Oklahoma.

Stalls’ .845 hitting performance impressed everyone, including Dan Whitney, a.k.a. Larry the Cable Guy, who went into a meeting room afterwards to both praise and entertain the defending national champion Huskers.

The "GIT-R-DONE!" Guy probably thought he was going to be the post-game show, but Stalls delivered her own comedy act with what others describe as an impressive repertoire of animal noises. “She was cracking him (Larry the Cable Guy) up,” Nebraska Coach John Cook said.

Stalls, a 6-3 senior co-captain and middle blocker from Denver, might be the most serious-minded amateur comedienne in the country. “Everything she does has a purpose,” Cook said. “She is your classic leader and will do anything to encourage and inspire her teammates. I’ve coached a lot of dedicated athletes, but I don’t know if I’ve ever coached a more dedicated leader.”

Stalls has all the credentials . . . first-team All-Big 12, first-team Academic All-Big 12, first-team All-Central Region, second-team All-American, U.S. National Team Camp participant, team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

We could keep going, but Stalls is focused on one thing only finishing her Cornhusker career with another national championship. Individual honors are nice, but not part of her priority system. The same applies to individual stats. “I don’t like numbers,” she says. “They’re just a dangerous thing.”

All that matters to Stalls is helping her team get into the physical and psychological shape needed for another successful national championship run.

The Four Highly Effective Traits of Senior Tracy Stalls
1. Live by Example
2. Communicate with Compassion
3. Share a Vision
4. Be Proactive and Be Humble

While reluctant to step into the spotlight, Stalls agreed to sit down with us and share her views on leadership. By the time Shamus McKnight, our volleyball sports information director, turned off his tape recorder, we had a gold mine of insight and candor.

We’ve decided to package our portrait of a leader and call it “The Four Highly Effective Traits of Tracy Stalls.” We thought it best to let Tracy explain those traits in her own words. Then, if you wish, please feel free to share with us the ones that mean the most to you. Better yet, think of some other successful leaders in Nebraska athletic history and describe how you think they stack up to Tracy’s take, which includes:

Live by Example
This means more to me than anything because no matter what comes out of your mouth, if what you do isn’t in line with what you say, there is no respect and no reason to listen to you. Living by example allows people to respect your voice.

How you live is what you are. What is your character? How are you working to develop your character? Are you maxing out in everything that you’re doing and everything that you can control? Do you understand what it is that you can and can’t control? As a competitor, on the court, during intense times, do you want to make the play or are you afraid? That makes a difference between being a leader and a non-leader.

Leaders find a way to win and be good when it is hard. Leaders relish the battle. They listen and have patience. They respond to things instead of just react. Leaders make choices in their lifestyle that support their character. When you lead by example, you’re honest, trustworthy. You can keep a secret. When you are in a position of leadership, people watch what you do and how you respond. Enjoy the responsibility. Take on the challenge.

Communicate with Compassion
The most important role of a captain is to be a mediator between coaches and players. If there are small issues, you do your best to figure them out and get them taken care of. Don’t let anything slide. Make sure everyone knows what’s going on and where everything stands.

Things always go on in the locker room. Leaders decide what can be taken care of between and among teammates, and determine when we need to bring issues to coach. We have to be aware and discern what’s happening, so he is fully aware of how we feel. When you become aware, you can communicate without fear of confrontation. That is something I’ve learned here. I am not afraid of confrontation, and I know there is a right way to handle it.

If you watch and understand how people respond, you know what to say to them. My faith helps me communicate with compassion, patience and love. That is something I’ve really learned since I came to Nebraska what it’s like to serve my teammates and look for opportunities . . . taking time to hear about their day and developing that love and trust.

Being a good listener is the biggest part of being an effective communicator. When you know what people are thinking and how they’re feeling, you can help build them up. Don’t look to gain anything from that person. Just find ways to know who they are, so you understand why something might be tearing them down. Sometimes, communicating can take a lot of hard work, but it’s the only path to mutual respect.

Share a Vision
When you learn how to communicate with compassion, you gain the ability to share a vision. Leaders get others involved and engaged because they actively pursue and get others’ feedback. Leaders do the best they can to get everyone on the same page and keep everyone there. When you have an issue, everyone works together to figure it out.

On every successful team that I’ve been on whether it’s a club championship or last year’s national championship it’s important to have a mission statement. Any successful corporation has a mission statement that makes it very clear what your purpose is. When you know and understand the desired outcome, you can focus on the process and what you can control versus what you can’t control. It’s amazing how much more you can accomplish when everyone understands what’s expected.

Last year, our team used a pyramid to guide our actions, and it worked well. This year, we have a circle. We’re looking at intangible things that aren’t necessarily measured by stats, but still affect the outcome.

For example, I can’t necessarily control where the set is, but I can control how I prepare to get whatever comes my way. I can control if I am giving my best effort to get up to the ball on time and how my mindset is. If I’m ready to compete and swing, I’ve controlled what I can control.

The circle approach is designed to help a teammate who might fall back or distance herself when something goes wrong. As a leader, you have to be aware when that happens and do what you can to help whether it’s having lunch or talking to them . . . just doing something to pull them back in to the circle so that we are unified.

Be Proactive and Be Humble
I’m convinced that leaders need to be both proactive and humble. I’m hyperactive and want to have too many meetings, so I’ve asked my fellow seniors to help me with that. We’re all aware that we’d rather be proactive to eliminate confusion or make sure something doesn’t fester, but we’re also trying for the right balance.

Humility is just as important as being proactive. There’s no question that I don’t know what I’m doing all the time. I am going to mess up. But that’s part of the process of the circle approach to be able to create a sense of vulnerability where people can feel like they can be themselves. When we can all acknowledge our own weaknesses and talk about them we’re living by example, communicating with compassion, sharing a vision and being proactive and humble.

When you put all those elements of leadership together, you create the will to change, the opportunity to grow and improve your chance to succeed . . . together, as a team.

Editor’s Note: Tracy Stalls, who had 10 kills in 20 swings in the Huskers’ three-game sweep at Baylor Wednesday night, is one of four Nebraska seniors who will play their last regular-season game in the Coliseum Saturday night against Texas Tech. Sarah Pavan, Christina Houghtelling and Maggie Griffin will join Stalls in a post-match ceremony honoring the seniors.

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HUSKER HUMOR...
(Thanks to Carlos, Buck and Dick for sending this along)...

HUSKER NATION GOSPEL
And it came to pass in the land of Lincoln, in the kingdom of Husker Nation, that a man named Pederson arose to rule the realm ofAthletics. For he was of the Kingdom, from the city of North Platte, and was a follower of the Huskers of Corn.

But he was not a wise man, forsaking the ways of the HuskerNation, sending the leader Solich into the wilderness, and turning away the warriors of old who wore the tunics of black into battle in ages past, even removing their portraits and pictures.

And in the place of Solich, he selected from the land of La-La a strange man, once known as leading a failed army known as Raiders to defeat after defeat in the grand Coliseum of the Land of Oaks, a city by the bay of San Francisco, a wicked city of Sodomites and practitioners of perversion.

And did this man, known as Callahan, become the general ofthe Husker armies, forsaking all traditions held dear to the hearts of the citizens.

And a strange plan known as the West Coast Offense was forced upon the armies, and the proven tactics of old were called evil and sinful by Callahan. And complex and confusing were the plans in the Offense,and failure was the result.

And the Husker armies fell apart on the fields of battle,and adversaries from the Land of Troy, the hated Sooners, the powerful Orange Cowboys from the land of Still Water, yea even the despised PurpleCats from the wasteland of Kansas, did achieve victory after victory over the once-mighty Husker armies, and the wearers of the Tunics of Black.

And in the fourth year of the reign of Callahan, did theHusker armies struggle against warriors from a land where canning jars were made. And lo, the armies of Troy, the Tiger tribe from Columbia, yea, even the Orange Cowboys, did soundly defeat the Husker armies. And it came to pass during the battle with the Orange Cowboys, in the presence of St. Thomas of Osborne and his brave soldiers of yore, that the members of Husker Nation did turn their backs upon the slaughter of the weakened armies of Callahan.

And a hue and cry arose throughout the land, in cyberspace,and on the program ESPN, for the removal of the failed general Callahan and his aides, and his master Pederson the Jerk.

And the Chancellor heard their cries, and dispatched Pederson into exile.

And St. Thomas was summoned by the Chancellor, and was given the power to rule in the department of Athletics.

And o, did Callahan wail and gnash his teeth, telling one and all of the fine works he had done. And his lies fell on deaf ears.

And there was great joy in Husker Nation as St. Thomas restored the traditions of old, welcoming with open arms the warriors of old known to the Nation.

But there was a reminder from St. Thomas that no remedies would be quick in coming, and that time shall pass before the great Husker armies are strong and feared once again throughout the land of the Allianceof 12.

Even so, once again hope is strong among the faithful of the Husker Nation, and some day in the future the Tunics of Black shall once again be worn by the fierce defenders of the field.
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Bay Area Husker ENews 11-16-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:05:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I probably won't send anything next week due to the holiday, so here's an early Turkey Day greeting. Hope you all travel safe and have a great time with friends and family during the next week. And please remember to add a little 'Thanks to our Troops' in your prayers next Thursday as we gather around the table to enjoy the bounties of life in the best country in the world.

Of course the Thanksgiving weekend wouldn't be complete without a little Husker football. After the Huskers skinned the Wildcats last Saturday, there is hope that the team will once again be enjoying a little roast buffalo along with their Thanksgiving leftovers. With the shot of adrenalin they got from that win, I think they will "Bring It" to Colorado.

Except for Legends in Concord (which serves an early morning golf course crowd), our other watch sites will probably not be open on Friday morning following Turkey Day, and most of you would be hard pressed to venture out of the house anyway what with friends, family and a fridge full of leftovers waiting for you. The game is on early (9 a.m. Pacific) with a national TV feed on ABC. So stay in your PJs, put on your Big Red slippers and plant yourself in front of the Telly with a breakfast of turkey sandwiches and stuffing and cheer on the Huskers!

GO BIG RED, BEAT THE BUFFS!

Got this from Huskerpedia to help you get in the mood for next Friday:
Own the shirt

If you venture out for some holiday shopping this Saturday (17th), check out the Barnes and Noble in San Jose (on Stevens Creek). Our very own Emily Ray's Mission Chamber Orchestra will be there to provide some soothing shopping music (see info at the end of the email).

Some great reading below, especially the piece by Mike Osborne (its long but worth the time). And don't forget to vote for Coach Tom as the best coach ever in college football (see article and website link below).

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

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VOTE FOR TOM OSBORNE AS THE GREATEST COACH IN COLLEGE HISTORY...

Follow the link and vote for Tom Osborne. He is ahead in the polls right now so make sure to get your vote in soon!!!!!
See the poll on the ESPN "U" website: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/citirosebowl/2007/index

You can also get to this same link at http://www.huskerpedia.com/

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GANZ POWERS HUSKERS PAST WILDCATS, 73-31...

Joe Ganz threw for a school-record 510 yards, including a school-record seven touchdowns, in NU's 73-31 win over Kansas State.

Lincoln - Joe Ganz produced one of the best individual offensive performances in school history to lead a high-powered Nebraska offense to more than 700 total yards in a 73-31 victory over visiting Kansas State in the Big Red's regular-season home finale on Saturday afternoon.

Playing in front of a Senior Day crowd of 84,665 fans in the NCAA-record 289th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium, Ganz shattered both Nebraska's single-game total offense (528 yards) and single-game passing records (510 yards), while adding a school record for the most touchdown passes thrown in a game with seven. And Ganz did it little more than three quarters.

The junior quarterback from Palos Heights, Ill., completed 30-of-40 passes and did not throw an interception in his second career start. Along with his 510 yards passing and seven scores through the air, Ganz added 18 yards on six carries on the ground.

Ganz, who completed 11-of-14 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone to shoot the Huskers to a 38-10 halftime lead, went 19-for-26 with 283 yards and four scores in the first 20 minutes of the second half, before giving way to reserve quarterback Beau Davis with 9:57 left in the game.

Nebraska amassed 702 yards of total offense on the day, the first time since 1995 (vs. Iowa State) that the Huskers crossed the 700-yard plateau. NU also produced its first 70-point scoring total since hanging 77 on Iowa State in 1997.

Although Ganz departed, Nebraska continued to roll scoring on its 11th consecutive possession on Marlon Lucky's second touchdown run of the day with just over four minutes left in the game. Lucky finished the day with 16 carries for 103 yards, while adding six receptions for 78 yards, including the 100th reception of his career.

Wide receiver Maurice Purify enjoyed the biggest day among the Husker seniors with six receptions for 108 yards, while a trio of fellow senior wide receivers also enjoyed big days.

Frantz Hardy tied a school record with three touchdown receptions for a total of 83 yards, while Terrence Nunn added five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. Senior walk-on Dan Erickson added a career-high three catches for 25 yards.

Overall, nine different NU receivers hauled in receptions on the day, including junior Todd Peterson, a former walk-on from Grand Island, who pulled in four catches for 85 yards with two scores. Junior Nate Swift joined Lucky on a select Husker receiving list with his 100th career reception. In fact, Lucky and Swift each nabbed their 100th catches on back-to-back plays in the third quarter. Swift finished the day with two catches for 38 yards.

The Huskers, who snapped a five-game losing streak to improve to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in Big 12 play, fell behind 7-0 on KSU's second drive of the game, before senior cornerback Cortney Grixby ignited the Husker faithful with a scintillating 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to tie the score midway through the opening quarter.

Grixby's return was Nebraska's first for a touchdown in a decade, dating back to Joe Walker's return for a score in the 1998 season opener. It also appeared to inspire the Husker offense and defense on an emotional Senior Day in Lincoln.

After Brooks Rossman hit a 31-yard field with 4:34 left in the first quarter to give KSU a 10-7 lead, the NU Blackshirts slammed the door on the Wildcats for the rest of the half.

Ganz and the Nebraska offense took full advantage by ripping off 45 unanswered points to drop Kansas State to 5-5 on the season and 3-4 in the Big 12. NU's offensive eruption began with Lucky scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ganz with 32 seconds left in the first quarter to give NU its first lead of the day at 14-10.

Less than two minutes later, Ganz extended NU's lead to 21-10 by hooking up with Hardy on a 36-yard scoring strike with 13:09 left in the half.

Alex Henery pushed the Husker lead to two touchdowns with a 27-yard field goal with 6:39 left, before Lucky struck again with a five-yard scoring run to push NU's lead to 31-10 with 2:05 left in the half.

But the Huskers were just getting started. After the Blackshirts held the Wildcats on fourth down in NU territory, Ganz blistered the KSU secondary with back-to-back connections to Peterson, including a 23-yard touchdown with eight seconds left to put Nebraska up 38-10 at the half.

Nebraska kept rolling after receiving the opening kickoff of the second half, marching 80 yards capped by Ganz's eight-yard touchdown pass to Hardy just three minutes into the half. The duo hooked up for a third time on a 39-yard scoring strike with 6:16 left in the quarter to push NU's lead to 52-10.

At that point, Ganz tied Nebraska's single-game record with his fifth touchdown pass of the day, while Hardy tied a record of his own with his third touchdown catch of the afternoon.

Nebraska closes its 2007 regular season by traveling to Boulder, Colo., for its traditional day-after-Thanksgiving showdown with Colorado. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, Nov. 23, with live national television coverage provided by ABC.
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GANZ NAMED BIG 12 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK...

Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Nebraska junior quarterback Joe Ganz has been named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for his record-setting performance in Nebraska’s 73-31 victory over Kansas State on Saturday.

The 6-1, 200-pound Ganz completed 30-of-40 passes for a Nebraska record 510 yards through the air. He also threw for seven touchdowns, shattering the previous NU record of five touchdown passes in a game. Ganz finished the day with 528 yards of total offense, breaking the previous school record in that category by 95 yards. Ganz had 12 completions of 20 yards or more in the game.

In two games as Nebraska’s starter Ganz has thrown for 915 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for another score. He owns two of the four 400-yard passing days in Husker history.

Ganz’s selection as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week marks the second time this year a Husker has won the award. Junior I-back Marlon Lucky captured the award after his 233-yard rushing effort in the season opener against Nevada.

Ganz was one of three players honored by the conference on Monday. Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib was the Defensive Player of the Week, while Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray earned the Special Teams Player-of-the-Week award.

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RANDY YORK'S N-SIDER...

A Nebraskan, a Walk-On . . . a Soldier

Saturday’s Kansas State football game is not only a special day for 29 Nebraska seniors, but also an important opportunity for more than 400 Nebraska-based active troops who have recently returned from overseas duty and are special guests of the University of Nebraska.

Lt. Col. Jim Murphy, who oversees recruiting and retention for the Nebraska Army National Guard, is a double source of pride as the Huskers brace to salute all soldiers the day before Veterans Day.

First, in pregame ceremonies, Murphy will help present Major General Roger P. Lemke with a civilian Nebraska football jersey. Lemke commanded our state’s military forces and directed the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency until he retired just a week ago.

Secondly, even though the 48-year-old Murphy will watch the game in his military uniform, he can take particular pleasure in watching the pads pop on the field. Before he ever decided to become a career soldier, Murphy was one of the biggest long shots ever to start at Nebraska as a walk-on player.

“Mitch Krenk and I defied the odds together,” says Murphy, whose dad (Big Jim) captained Nebraska’s 1956 football team and whose uncle, Monte Kiffin, is the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “Mitch ended up going all the way to making the Chicago Bears Super Bowl team (in 1984), but we were both on the seventh or eighth-team when we started out.”

Murphy and Krenk, the president of Nebraska’s Letterman’s Club, decided to take a winter conditioning class together as freshmen. “I think we were the only two non-football players in the class,” Murphy recalls. “We worked as hard, if not harder, than anyone in the class, and we were surprised when Coach (Tom) Osborne invited us to come out for spring football. Then, after that, he invited us to come out for fall camp.”

The two long shots made a pact with each other. “Mitch said we were the lowest of the walk-ons, so we couldn’t just be low maintenance; we had to be no maintenance. That meant we couldn’t get hurt, and if we did, we had to pretend like we weren’t hurt. We had to make grades, stay out of trouble, show up every day, never miss a practice, never be late to a meeting and never give any of the coaches any reason to think we didn’t belong there.”

Murphy laughs about having what he calls an electric shoulder. “I had a pinched nerve in my neck, and once in a while, it would incapacitate me,” Murphy said. “It’d take about 30 seconds before the pain would go away, then I’d jump right back up.”

He says attrition was the best way to jump through the depth chart. “When I was eighth team, two of the defensive backs ahead of me didn’t make their grades and two more quit the team. All of a sudden, I was fourth team, and I started to realize why the Nebraska players would say, You stay; you play.’ Jeff Krejci came over to me one day and said: Geez, Murph, you keep working hard, and you’ll be right there with the rest of us. You’re just as good as some of these other guys. Keep your nose to the grindstone, and you never know what might happen.’”

Lt. Col. Murphy never once let up for anything or anybody. In his first three years as a Husker (1978-79-80), Murphy flew under everyone’s radar. As a junior, he lettered. As a senior, in 1982, he found himself No. 1 on the depth chart at spring practice. He started a couple of games that fall before getting pneumonia after a big win at Auburn. Although he never worked his way back into the starting lineup, he never missed a kickoff on special teams.

“You hear about walk-ons being the heart and soul of Nebraska football,” Murphy said. “All of the superstars on that ’82 team know how true that is. They know how hard we worked just to get on the field, and it helped them work hard themselves. We pushed them to heights they never even imagined.”

Nebraska All-Americans Mike Rozier and Irving Fryer remember laughing at the skinny walk-ons they saw report as freshmen. By the time they were seniors and preparing for their last home game, they weren’t laughing anymore. “Irving and I watched how hard those guys worked,” the Heisman Trophy-winning Rozier said. “We figured if we worked as hard as they did, how much better would we be? Walk-ons set the tone for everyone, including me.”

Murphy smiles when he hears the story. “I remember a story about Irving,” he recalls. “One time in practice, Tim Holbrook, another walk-on from my hometown (Lexington), fought through a crack-back block and just decked Irving in practice. Irving looked at our receivers coach (Gene Huey) for sympathy, and Coach Huey looked back at him and said: Irving, welcome to the Big Eight!’”

For Jim Murphy, the journey from winter conditioning to the playing field was a long and winding road. But there are hundreds of other stories just like his. Tell us about your favorite walk-on players, and we may just post it for others to read.
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(This one from Randy York came in too late for last week's email, but I wanted to include it because I think its another important article about Nebraska Tradition)...

For Ruuds, Family Pride Shines Through

A Hall of Fame football coach, now Nebraska’s interim athletic director, wrote a book called “More Than Winning.” He wrote about the process the preparation, the effort, the strategy, the players and the game being more important than the championships and the trophies.

In his book, Tom Osborne talked about his experiences, his values and his faith and how they mean more to him than winning.

For the Ruuds, described by some as the “First Family of Nebraska Football,” Saturday’s game against Kansas State is about more than winning.

Husker Family Tree: The Ruuds
Bo Ruud Biography
Barrett Ruud Biography
Tom Ruud Biography
Clarence SwansonBiography

It is about character and courage and sacrifice . . . and about family pride shining through the dark clouds on and off the football field.

Nebraska All-America linebacker Tom Ruud will watch son Bo Ruud play his last home game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Joining his dad in the stands, because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a bye week, is brother Barrett Ruud, Nebraska’s all-time leading tackler.

Wednesday, in his 30th consecutive season of hunting pheasants in the Nebraska Sandhills with five ex-teammates, Tom Ruud hiked up to the top of a hill on a 120-year-old ranch between Bassett and Taylor to talk on his cell phone.

He was asked about the meaning of Bo’s last home game in this most challenging of seasons. The mediocre phone connection was apparent, but so were the words that came out of a proud father who was obviously choking up.

Despite the struggles of the season, including a leg injury that has sidelined Bo for all but one series of the last three games, Tom Ruud called Saturday’s game “an exciting time” for Bo, one of Nebraska’s three 2007 co-captains.

“He’s been around five years, and it’s been kind of an up-and-down ride,” Tom said. “But Bo has played awfully well, and he’s awfully proud of his teammates. He really wants to get a win Saturday. Every one of those kids is going out there to do the very best they can, and I believe that they can pull together and play well enough to win. Personally, this last game in Lincoln is a little emotional for all of us.”

Bo’s late, great-grandfather, Clarence Swanson, is in the College Football Hall of Fame. His uncle, John Ruud, is still on the Nebraska Tunnel Walk highlight reel for his vicious hit in the Huskers’ 1978 upset win over top-ranked Oklahoma and Billy Sims. Bob Martin, former Husker All-America defensive end, is another Bo Ruud uncle. That means Jay Martin, Bob’s son and a freshman walk-on linebacker from Waverly, will be cheering his cousin on at field level.

Someone else will be there, too . . . in spirit. Jaime Ruud, Tom’s wife and the mother of Barrett, Bo and sister Kim, died of a heart attack on June 30, 2006, at the age of 52.

For Tom, the patriarch of this proud and productive clan of Ruuds, it takes a few seconds of silence to gather his thoughts on a long-distance call.

“Jaime and I tried to raise our kids to be good people first,” he said. “I’m proud of their athletic accomplishments, but I’m even prouder of how they treat people just like they want to be treated themselves.”

A former first-round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills, Tom admits he never “pulled any punches.” He always insisted that when his kids did something, “they did it as well as they possibly can.” When you give it your all, Tom said, “you don’t have to worry about anything else.”

Barrett took that philosophy with him to the NFL, where he now ranks second among all NFL tackle leaders halfway through the season. Barrett and Bo, who played on the same state championship team at Lincoln Southeast, never got that kind of chance in college.

But they’ve stayed close, as friends as well as brothers. For the Ruuds, family pride shines through every day, every phone conversation and every game day opportunity.

Saturday, Bo Ruud will take one last pre-game walk through the tunnel. He will sprint through those familiar swinging doors one last time. He will look up and see the words “I Play for Nebraska” and then, a second or two later, he will hear another sellout crowd of 85,000 people give him the most thunderous roar he has ever heard.

A tear or two might well up in the eyes of his tight-knit family, and, I’m betting, in the eyes of countless others who wish Bo and 28 other Nebraska seniors nothing but the very best.

Editor’s Note: Let us know what you think about the rich family traditions in Husker football. Which families do you think could be considered the "First Family" in Nebraska football history. Your responses may be included among the "Voices of Husker Nation."
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HUSKER VOLLEYBALL TEAM ACES AGGIES, 3-0...

Jordan Larson had four aces in NU's win at Texas A&M.

College Station, Texas – Jordan Larson had four of the Huskers’ season-high nine service aces, leading second-ranked Nebraska to a 30-26, 30-23, 30-22 sweep at Texas A&M Wednesday evening at G. Rollie White Coliseum.

Larson matched her season best with four aces, as the Huskers improved to 24-1 on the season and 16-1 in the Big 12. Sarah Pavan and Christina Houghtelling also added two aces, as NU tied its season high in aces for the third time this year.

"Jordan set the tone for us with her serving," Nebraska Coach John Cook said. "She was serving rockets all night and they really struggled passing their serve."

Pavan led the Huskers with her third double-double in four matches, leading NU with 20 kills on .350 hitting, 10 digs and a pair of blocks. Jordan Larson totaled 11 kills and a pair of stuffs, as Nebraska held the Aggies (18-10, 7-10 Big 12) to .099 hitting and totaled 10.5 blocks, including for Tracy Stalls and three by both Houghtelling and Kori Cooper.

"It’s a great road win again against a team that has been playing well in recent weeks," Cook said. "To go on the road and win 3-0 against a team that is fighting for its NCAA life is a very good win for us. This is never an easy place to win, and Texas A&M is an NCAA caliber team, especially with the way that have played over the few matches."
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HUSKERS STORM CYCLONES, 3-0...

Kayla Banwarth totaled 19 digs against Iowa State on Sunday.

Ames, Iowa – Kayla Banwarth enjoyed a successful homecoming, totaling a career-high 19 digs in her first career start to lead second-ranked Nebraska to a 30-20, 30-19, 30-16 victory over Iowa State Sunday afternoon.

Banwarth, playing in front of nearly 40 family and friends who made the drive from Dubuque, keyed the Huskers’ defensive efforts, as Nebraska (23-1, 15-1 Big 12) held Iowa State to. 135 hitting and out dug the Cycloens, 59-45. The all-around effort silenced the Hilton Coliseum crowd of 6,705 – the largest collegiate crowd to ever see a volleyball match in Iowa. Banworth also chipped in five assists and a service ace as Nebraska totaled five aces and held Iowa State (15-11, 9-7 Big 12) without an ace.

Nebraska Coach John Cook was a little worried about Banworth’s nerves before the match, but the freshman passed the test with flying colors.

“I thought she would be really nervous, but she did a great job tonight,” Cook said. “It was very impressive performance from her, as she was calm, cool and collected throughout the match. She has gained a lot of confidence in recent matches and has played well for us the last two matches. The other thing Kayla gives us is that she is a former setter and handles the ball very well. We think she can be a real important piece for us down the stretch.”

While Banwarth keyed NU’s defensive efforts, Rachel Holloway guided a potent Husker attack by totaling 39 assists and seven kills to help NU hit .388 against a team that was third in the conference in opponent hitting percentage. NU hit over .400 in each of the final two games, including .486 in the finale. Sarah Pavan paced the Huskers’ offensive efforts with a match-high 16 kills on .483 hitting and two aces, as six Huskers totaled at least seven kills in the sweep, the Huskers’ 20th in 25 matches.

“I thought we were very good today,” Cook said. “We were on our team for the last three days about coming in her and making a statement today. They followed our game plan very well and Holloway did a great job of mixing up our offense all day. It was a very consistent effort.”
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SEVEN HUSKER VOLLEYBALL TEAM MEMBERS GARNER ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12 HONORS...

Lincoln – Seven members of the Nebraska volleyball team were honored Tuesday afternoon, as they were selected to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 Volleyball Team.

The Huskers’ seven selections tied Kansas State for the most of any Big 12 school, as all seven NU players were first-team honorees. The group is led by seniors Christina Houghtelling and Sarah Pavan, who had perfect 4.0 GPAs during the last academic year. It is both Pavan and Houghtelling’s third selection to the academic All-Big 12 team, as only six of the 44 members of the team posted 4.0 GPAs.

Other first-team academic All-Big 12 honorees included Kori Cooper, Maggie Griffin, Jordan Larson, Rachel Schwartz and Tracy Stalls. It marked Stalls’ third appearance on the team and the second for Griffin, Schwartz and Larson. Cooper makes her first appearance on the team this fall.

Nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the volleyball academic all-league team consisted of 44 first team members combined with nine on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.
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HUSKER SOCCER HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2007...

The Huskers celebrate a goal against Texas A&M.

Lincoln-Headed into the 2007 campaign, head coach John Walker knew the season would test his club. The Huskers would be looking to fill a hole left in the midfield by the graduated Brittany Timko, while 24 of the 31 members of the team were underclassmen, including 14 freshmen.

The season lived up to its billing as challenging as the Huskers finished with a 5-10-4 record, including 1-8-1 in the conference, but Walker and the team refused to let the final record define the season.

Closer examination reveals several bright spots for Nebraska. The youth, that was once considered a challenge, turned out to be one of the strengths of the Huskers as six freshmen earned starts during the season, including Jessica Mills and Brittany Goosen. The duo started all 19 games for the Huskers at key positions, with Mills in goal and Goosen on the defensive line.

Those young Huskers helped the team start the season on the right foot, including freshman Alexa Cardona, who scored the first goal of the season in a 2-0 NU win over Northwestern on Sept. 2. The Huskers boasted a 3-0-2 record in non-conference play at the Nebraska Soccer Field in 2007, including a 5-1 drumming of Saint Louis on Sept. 21.

Several players helped to replace the loss of Timko, including fellow Canadians Sari Raber and Selenia Iacchelli. Raber, a junior from Richmond, British Columbia, finished with three goals and three assists on the season as she placed herself as a leader and distributor in the midfield.

Iacchelli, a junior from Edmonton, Alberta, also finished with three goals and three assists as she established herself as a viable threat on set plays. Two of her three goals came on free kicks from more than 35 yards away. Iacchelli recorded 50 shots and 24 shots on goal in the season, both of which led the team.

Filling in for Timko’s goal scoring was sophomore Shay Powell, who led the Huskers with five goals on the season. Powell’s goals came on just 15 shots on goal as the Dallas, Texas, native overcame an early-season injury.

Offensively, Nebraska distributed the ball well, as 17 Huskers scored points during the season. Six freshmen recorded points, including two goals and three assists by Cardona. Sophomore Carly Peetz had only two goals on the season, but she made both count as each was a game-winner. Nebraska scored at least one goal in their last eight competitions, which included a 4-0 victory over Lamar on Oct. 12.

Nebraska’s 4-0 win over the Cardinals was the offensive high of the season as the Huskers racked up 44 shots, including 26 in the first half. The 44 shots were the most in a game since NU recorded 44 in an 11-0 win over Drury on Sept. 3, 2000. Nebraska put half their total shots on goal as 22 of their shots found their way towards the net. NU’s defense would not be outdone though, as the Huskers allowed Lamar just three shots.

The Husker defense had plenty to brag about throughout the season also. Mills completed her first season in net as she anchored the Husker defense. She recorded a shutout in her first career game and went on to be named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25. Mills’ shutout performance against Saint Louis on Sept. 21 and one-goal allowed against No. 12 Florida on Sept. 23 earned her the award. She recorded 11 saves in the two games.

Mills ended the season with 79 saves and three shutouts, but not all the credit can be given to her. Mills had a solid defensive line in front of her, led by Peetz, Goosen, Lindsay Poehling and Anna Caniglia. The Huskers started their season 2-0-2 thanks in part to a defense that allowed just two goals in the first four games. Poehling and Caniglia, both sophomores, will return to a battle-tested defense in 2008.

The Huskers failed to qualify for the Big 12 Championships, but the knowledge and experience gained by the young squad in the 2007 season will prove to be invaluable in the upcoming season. Nebraska loses only three players to graduation, midfielder Jessie Bruch, defender Meghan Hungerford and defender Abby Penas, including only one starter of a 31-player team.

The 2007 season saw the Huskers:
-Earn one Big 12 Player-of-the-Week Award (Mills)
-Take 44 shots, including 26 on goal, in a 4-0 win over Lamar
-Place nine players on the academic All-Big 12 first and second teams
-Win 12th consecutive league opener in 12 tries with a 1-0 win over Oklahoma
-Improve the program’s all-time record to 166-2-2 when leading at the half, finishing 4-0-0 in 2007
-Improve to 21-9-7 at the Nebraska Soccer Field

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MIKE OSBORNE (Tom's son) PROVIDES SOME INSIGHT INTO THE CHANGES IN THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT (thanks to Mike Ray for sending this along)...

Thoughts from Mike Osborne On the Current Situation

Current Affairs

If you hate editorials, or if you are a fan of basketball on grass - then you may want to skip reading this email. If not, read ahead with the warning I am not very smart, I just try to observe things:

Let me begin this opinion bit by stating that the following in no way reflects the opinions of anyone at the University. They are solely my views. The current AD, and part-time professor, has consistently warned me over the years people will think whatever I convey about the football program is coming from him. That is not the case. He is not a big talker - so what follows is all my own. I have no inside knowledge of what may or may not happen in the next couple weeks, but I have some thoughts about what has gone on the past few years.

Like most fans, I am overjoyed that situation has changed, and coach Osborne is now very much involved in the program. You can look at our football situation in baseball terms like we're down 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th. You want your best batter up to bat in that situation. That doesn't guarantee anything, but it gives you your best hope for a positive outcome. I am biased, but I think we have our best batter up to bat. And he appears comfortable in the batters box.

After the leadership change was made, people at the athletic department said they felt like they could breath again. The airwaves buzzed around the state and everywhere you went people were celebrating. One of the sports talk stations played the "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" song from The Wizard of Oz as they went into and out of breaks. Pretty harsh, but representative of the spirit of the day.

It was like the iron curtain had been lifted from Nebraska football and now employees, media, players, coaches, and fans could say what they really thought without fear of retribution from above. Have you ever been in an environment where people in authority fed everyone a lot of baloney and you were expected to smile and shake your head in agreement, and any questioning could lead to your excommunication? That is what the athletic department had become.

It may take awhile for employee's nerves to settle. Employees lower on the totem pole have described the situation as a dictatorship. They have said that years ago, no one ever spoke about accountability, integrity, teamwork, and tradition - but all those things were there. Nowadays, there are signs and plaques and speeches everywhere around the building referencing those attributes, but the qualities themselves were not to be found. I think one measure of a person is how they treat those "beneath" them. The key being, if you really think someone is "beneath" you, you already have a problem. Suffice it to say the people in support positions at the athletic department were feeling under foot.

Not more than a couple months after coach Solich was fired I was taken to lunch by a high ranking athletic administrator and told in no uncertain terms to "keep things positive" with regard to my remarks about the program.

Earlier in the season a radio commentator (and former player) was summoned to the north-end fortress and raked over the coals because he dared state (on air) that the team lacked chemistry. He was certain his job was in jeopardy and one more slip of the tongue would cost him his job. Kevin Raemakers was pulled aside after making a remark during his Nebraska Hall of Fame acceptance speech that was perceived as unsupportive of the regime. His arm was tightly squeezed by a man half his size and was told firmly it was no place for him to state his personal views.

The now notorious firing of head football trainer Doak Ostergard was in my view completely related to Doak's natural instinct against smiling and nodding when someone was telling him bold-faced lies. Doak was never one to get animated or belligerent, but he never hesitated to call a skunk a skunk. And he would not just shut up and go away when he thought he was being treated dishonestly.

To be fair, Steve Pederson did some great things that will serve Nebraska football well into the future. The facilities he helped create are truly world class. Recruits for years to come will be dazzled and persuaded by the impressive edifices of the Athletic Department. But they will come to be better people because of the heart of the department, and because of the innumerable good people who have dedicated themselves to making Nebraska the special place it truly is. A surprising thing about Pederson's tenure, a fellow Nebraskan, was he did a lot of things we feared an outsider might do.

The toughest part of the current situation is the sympathetic plight of the coaches children, especially the boys. I have a bit of a bleeding heart for them because I think I have experienced a taste of what they may be going through. Unlike the coaches and their wives or the players, the kids do not control the environment they enter into every day. The coaches get to work with each other, fellow commiserators and comrades-in-arms so to speak. The wives can choose where they go and who they see. They certainly must find comfort in each others company. Though the players may endure some discomfort amongst their peers around campus, they come to practice everyday with about 100 guys going through the same thing, and they are big intimidating guys who probably find it hard to be too worried about what the skinny kid in the business management class may be thinking.

The coaches kids however, must venture behind enemy lines on a daily basis. And make no mistake, they are enemy lines. Most of the kids in their schools are probably fairly well mannered. But that can't mask the sense of "outsider" you feel every where you go. Kids who are sympathetic don't know what to say and don't want to embarrass you. Most kids treat you like you have a contagious disease and keep their distance. You can see the conversations they are having while glancing your way. And then there are the few who think it is their duty to tell you what is too painfully obvious, that things aren't going well for the Huskers. It is difficult when you are at an age where you want to fit in and find your niche with your peers, and there is this palpable force-field around you that either repels people or twists their behavior toward you. I remember being treated with hushed tones, long faces, or being quietly ignored the day after a painful loss and maybe for a full week after a loss to Oklahoma. It confuses you because you can't really grasp why you are being treated like someone in your family died. When peers act so strangely after a loss, you begin to wonder why they are friendly when the team is winning - it can play with your mind if you think too much. Hopefully most of the coaches kids are like me and aren't terribly deep thinkers!

I have heard stories of some of the coaches kids going through some really tough times. Can you imagine what it is like to be the coaches kid sitting in the stands and a large portion of the student section is chanting "Fire (YOUR NAME)" clap clap clap, "Fire (YOUR NAME)." I can only imagine the comments that are being made at school. One of the coaches wives contacted me last year about speaking to some of the coaches kids and it didn't work out. I wish it had - I could have told them some of my stories and some of my solutions. I would have told them that it will all pass, and they'll learn who their real friends are and it can make them better people. One thing I've learned is to be thankful for the good and the bad, you learn from both.

I remember sitting in the stands and hearing the comments about my dad. The first time I was in 5th grade and I took a friend to a game. We were sitting by two older gentlemen who were long time fans. One turned to the other a said, "I just haven't had any confidence in the team since Osborne took over." It took the fun out of the day. As I grew older I became more than a little agitated with the fickleness of some fans. One of my favorite memories from the early 1990's was when a drunk fan called my mom and dad's home number (they had it listed in the phone book) after the home loss to Washington - eventual National Champs. I answered the phone, "Agghhh ish this Tom Oshborn?", "Yes it is" I said. "Well you don't know a ***** thing bout coachin football, what the h---l was that out there tonight..." etc. etc. After he finished saying his peace, he heard some things come out of "Tom Osborne's" mouth that left him in stunned silence. I also took the opportunity to point out some of his personal flaws in less than polite terms. My sister and her friend were standing nearby and fell over laughing.

I have always had a love-hate relationship with Husker hysteria. It is fun when things are going well and everybody's happy. But like Ernie Chambers points out, it has become like a religion to some. I used to jokingly refer to myself as the son of the high priest of Nebraska during my dad's final years, and not because my dad wanted to be considered as such. I thought some fans had lost perspective. But what made it a positive was the way coach Brown, my dad, and some others did an outstanding job of trying to redirect peoples admiration and adoration to the higher power they strove to serve. That is why, unlike some, I don't take offense when an athlete points to the heavens after scoring or doing something great. I like to think they are redirecting peoples affection to where it belongs. I don't necessarily think that athletes mean that God personally allowed them or helped them to score - it is more like they are giving back - pointing to Who really deserves the applause.

Personally, that is part of what has been missing for me from the program in recent years, that sense of deeper meaning, the bigger picture, the higher calling. It did not use to be so much about wins and losses or money or the NFL. It was about teaching young men how to be real men. Men of integrity, character, and humility. I think the current players are outstanding kids. And the coaches are doing their very best. I believe some of the decisions that were made to take the program away from what it was about were not made with ill intentions - just mistaken priorities. You can't build a young man's character when the sales pitch is based on "we're going to help you make it to the NFL." All the while knowing you are selling him fools gold. That mode of operation may work for a short time, but like all things built on shifting sand, it will fall under its own weight. If you want to see and hear from the heart of a Husker what I am talking about - listen to Jason Peter's speech to the 1997 Team reunion banquet from a few weeks ago.

The team used to be an extension of us - it was like they had come out of the stands and played from us and for us. The youthful excitement at a big play was cheered as much by teammates on the field and on the sideline as by the fans. Silly high fives, spontaneous joyous jumping and always arms around each other as they came off the field into the embraces and pats on the back spilling onto the field from the sideline. And there was no fear of failure, only all-out reckless effort. We were all in it together, from the clerk sitting in a gas station in Sidney listening to Lyell Bremser, to the guy holding the down-and-distance marker on the sideline to Tom Sorley standing at the line, looking across at Reggie Kinlaw. If we were gonna lose, we were gonna go down fighting, and everyone was going to do their part. Many of us could do little more than yell at the top of our lungs and make sure we had on our lucky underwear. Some of us could get close enough to yell encouragement to the players only a few feet away, and a few of us stepped onto the field wearing a red jersey and played for the rest. If some of you are too young or if it has been too long ago to recall the sense of unity we had, simply watch the 1978 Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game with Lyell Bremser's play-by-play and you'll be taken back. We can recapture that spirit and sense of family. We need leadership that is sincere and that can be trusted with our young men to hold true to the traditions of Nebraska football, and not just pay it lip service.

A notable irony, coach Osborne, considered NU's greatest leader, has never put Nebraska football first in his life. His faith and his heartfelt responsibility to others to lead by example, is what makes him who he is. In so doing, he has ensured the greatness of Nebraska football. That is the kind of leadership we will have again. It may not translate to instant National Championships or 10 win seasons, but I think it will translate to the rebirth of a sense of all-for-one and one-for-all, which will eventually culminate in another National Championship.

Terms & Conditions in the Current State of Affairs

The Good: Joe Ganz and the offense, and a chance at 2 wins to finish the season. Coaches and players caring about each other in spite of the stress and criticism. And a truly excellent recruiting job by coach Callahan and his staff over the past 4 years. The cupboard is not bare.

The Bad: Everyone straining to keep their dignity in a trying situation.

The Ugly: A potential for $10 million dollars in buyouts to start with a clean slate.

Basketball: You've heard the term "basketball on grass" when the 1990's blackshirts talked about passing teams, in particular Steve Spurrier's Fun and Gun offense. It was not said as praise. Jason Peter, CU coach Bill McCartney, and many other former coaches and players have concurred that as your offense schemes, so goes your defense. The theory being that if your offense is a cerebral finesse construct, then your whole team practices like that. If that is all your defense sees in practice, then your defense becomes soft and passive. An aggressive and physical offense breeds a like defense.

Karma: You eventually reap what you sow.

Hope: The return of an active fullback. The return of a Nebraska born and bred backbone to the team. The return of The Nebraska Way. An eagerness to see what all the quality athletes in the program will do when coached up in a more aggressive, smash-mouth style of football, Nebraska football. With the right coaching, some insiders believe there is enough talent on hand for NU to be a top 15 team next season. That may be a stretch, be we can Hope.

Cause for Concern: The dust is settling in North Stadium. Everything is smooth with coach Osborne in charge. But he won't want to stay forever, and what then? Several people in positions of authority at the University hope he will stay at least 5 years in some official capacity - he is like the wood in the bucket of water. On a farm, one way to keep water splashing out of a pale when you are moving it around in a pickup or trailer is to put a piece of wood in the pale. Coach Osborne has that calming influence.

Truth in Advertising: All the mandatory signs displayed around the athletic department that said "Everyone is Accountable" have been taken down, and accountability was sorely missing at the leadership level. No signs will be around next year, but instead administrators, coaches, athletes, and support staff will act accountably and do so cheerfully.

Truth in Advertising 2: It is doubtful future recruits will be lured by a sales pitch of a fast track to the NFL. Instead, it is likely they will come for an education and an opportunity to earn a place in the Husker tradition.

A confession: Although I had predicted a good season for the Huskers, I had done so to appease the thought police that were keeping an eye out, and that was wrong of me. Although I was hoping otherwise, privately I told several people I feared things were aligned for an unraveling this season. I told Doak Ostergard he had been granted a favor when he was fired last spring. I perceived the situation like a plane on a tarmac destined for a crash, and he had been allowed to deplane. My reasoning: This may sound harsh, but I looked at who was left down there in the leadership - it seemed ripe for collapse.

Welcome Home: Most former players didn't feel connected to the program in the last few years. I know of a former starting fullback and defensive end who said they would never let their sons come play at the modern NU, and both of whom who have sons who may very well be talented enough to do so. Phil Bates son plays for Iowa and others have gone elsewhere. One of coach Osborne's first acts as AD was to send out a letter to all former lettermen to inform them that they were officially welcomed back. They would have an opportunity for tickets, sideline passes, and press box passes. Pictures of former Husker greats were put up in the new north stadium complex within a few days. The security desk, which restricted access of everyone, including former All-Americans and former coaches from entering the north stadium complex was shut down. In it's place are cheerful greeters and the doors are unlocked.

No Spin Zone: The culture at the Athletic Department is being flipped back to one of honesty and trust, which has to come from the top for it to permeate an organization. Consequently, I think happy days are coming our way once again.
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MISSION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AT BARNES AND NOBLE...

Dear Friend of Mission Chamber Orchestra,

The holiday season is approaching and MCO has a suggestion for getting started on your shopping while simultaneously helping the orchestra. All day on Saturday, November 17, at the Barnes and Noble at 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd, when you purchase books, CDs, and DVDs and present the attached coupon (editors note: available on request...didn't want to clog the email system with an attachment), MCO will receive a percentage of the sale. There will also be live chamber music from 2-5 pm for your enjoyment. If you are planning any shopping at Barnes and Noble, please consider coming to 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd. next Saturday.
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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.

Bay Area Husker ENews 11-8-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:02:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

One last home game left for 29 seniors. Lets hope they finally break the string of losses and put another "W" on the board so these guys can hold their heads a little higher. Kickoff for the K-State game is set for 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time and all of our watch sites will be active again with great pub breakfasts for all you Hungry Huskers. The game is televised nationally on Versus.

The Volleyball Team has been doing great...came from behind to beat K-State and swept the Buffs last night in Lincoln.

Lots of gallows humor about the football program flying around, so I added a couple of the funnier samples below...pretty creative folks!

Enjoy the reading below, and don't forget to fly your flag on Sunday (and Monday) in honor of all the veterans who have served this great County over the years. And if you are interested, San Jose has a great Memorial Day parade downtown on Sunday the 11th at 11 am.

Go Big Red (White and Blue)...
Carl

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NEBRASKA PLAYS HOST TO WILDCATS IN HOME FINALE...

Quarterback Joe Ganz and the Huskers welcome Kansas State to Memorial Stadium this weekend.

After a pair of road games against nationally ranked opponents, Nebraska returns home to Memorial Stadium for the final time in 2007, taking on Kansas State on Saturday. The Huskers contest with Kansas State will be televised nationally by Versus with kickoff set for 9:37 a.m. PST in the 289th consecutive sellout in Lincoln.

Nebraska will be looking to close the home season on a winning note and end a five-game losing skid on Saturday. The Huskers dropped to 4-6 overall and 1-5 in Big 12 Conference play with a 76-39 loss at No. 8 Kansas last Saturday.

The Wildcats will come to Lincoln with a 5-4 overall record and 3-3 mark in Big 12 Conference play. The Wildcats are coming off a 31-20 loss at Iowa State last Saturday, leaving KSU in a tie for third place in the Big 12 North Division. Prior to the loss at Iowa State, KSU’s three losses had come by a total of 18 points, including losses against nationally ranked Auburn (23-13) and Kansas (30-24).

Nebraska will look to pick up its third straight win over Kansas State and defeat the Wildcats for the 19th time in the past 20 meetings in Lincoln. The Huskers won 29 straight matchups with K-State from 1969 to 1997, but the Wildcats responded by winning five of seven meetings before NU wins the past two seasons. Nebraska will also be looking to complete its home schedule with a 4-3 record which would mark the 39th consecutive season the Huskers have had a winning home record.

Saturday will also mark the final home contest for 29 Nebraska seniors, who will be introduced to the Memorial Stadium crowd before the start of the game. Saturday’s activities will also include a Veteran’s Salute and Military Day.

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HUSKERS FALL TO NO. 8 KANSAS...

Lawrence, Kan. - In his first career start as Nebraska's quarterback, Joe Ganz threw for more than 400 yards and led the Husker offense to 39 points, but it was not enough in NU's 76-39 loss at No. 8 Kansas at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ganz, a junior from Palos Heights, Ill., led Nebraska to a touchdown on his opening series as NU's starter by capping the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. He also guided the Huskers to a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter, but KU's offense scored touchdowns on 10 consecutive drives to lead the Jayhawks to victory.

Ganz finished the day by completing 25-of-50 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns to lead Nebraska to the biggest offensive output allowed by KU's defense this season. In fact, NU's 39 points surpassed the total output produced by the Jayhawks' first five opponents combined at home this season (33 points).

Despite a strong offensive performance by the Huskers, the Jayhawks were even more efficient in producing the highest point total ever by an NU opponent. The Jayhawks took their first lead at 21-14 at the end of the first quarter and carried a 48-24 lead into the locker room at the half.

Nebraska marched down the field to narrow the gap to 48-31 after the opening drive of the second half, but the Husker defense could not slow the balanced and potent Kansas offense. The Jayhawks took advantage of three straight Husker turnovers to score four consecutive touchdowns to push their lead to 76-31 with 11:12 left in the game on Brandon McAnderson's fourth touchdown run of the day. McAnderson finished the day with 25 carries for 119 yards.

Ganz, who did throw four interceptions, ended a streak of 28 points by KU when he found Maurice Purify in the end zone on fourth down to pull NU to 76-39 after completing a two-point conversion pass to Nate Swift. Ganz finished with four touchdown passes in his debut, with three of those strikes going to Purify, who enjoyed the finest day of his Husker career with seven catches for 158 yards and three scores.

While Purify had a huge day, nine other NU receivers hauled in at least one reception from Ganz. Marlon Lucky added six catches for 83 yards, including a 62-yard scoring catch and run to give NU a 14-7 first quarter lead.

KU quarterback Todd Reesing also connected with a bevvy of receivers on the afternoon, orchestrating a fine-tuned Kansas onslaught by completing 30-of-41 passes for 354 yards and six touchdown passes. Three of the scoring strikes went to Dezmon Briscoe, who finished with five catches for 52 yards. Marcus Henry led all KU receivers with six catches for 101 yards and one touchdown, while a total of eight Jayhawks recorded catches.

KU finished the day with 572 yards of total offense, includuing 218 rushing yards. Nebraska amassed 484 total yards, but managed just 79 yards on the ground led by freshman Roy Helu's nine carries for 56 yards.

Despite the similar yardage totals for the two teams, Nebraska's five turnovers proved to be the largest difference on the day, while the Husker defense was unable to force a turnover by the Jayhawks.
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RUUD RETURNS TO PRACTICE...

Senior linebacker Bo Ruud could be in the starting lineup for Saturday's home finale.

Lincoln – Nebraska could have senior linebacker Bo Ruud in the starting lineup for Senior Day against Kansas State as the Husker captain returned to practice Wednesday afternoon.

“It looks real positive,” head coach Bill Callahan said after the workout on the Gass grass practice fields next to the Hawks Championship Center. “We’ll see how he responds tonight and tomorrow when he comes back in to see the trainers. It’s very positive.”

Ruud last played in the early stages of the Texas A&M game on Oct. 21, before he went down with an injury. He has 42 total tackles in 2007 and a pair of interceptions that went for touchdowns in wins over Ball State and Iowa State.

“I would like to see him start (on Saturday),” Callahan said. “I think that would be great for him if he’s ready. We’ll see where we’re at.”

On the other side of the ball, Kansas State’s defense is ranked fourth in the Big 12 in yards allowed with 347.7 per game. The Huskers are preparing for a 3-4 and 4-2 defense from Wildcat defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar.

“We’re going to see both the odd and even front,” Callahan said. “They do a good job with their ends. I’m really impressed with (Ian) Campbell. He’s a premier end in this conference with No. 95 (Rob Jackson). Both guys have the ability to squeeze the pocket and put pressure on the quarterback.”

Nebraska will have its last full practice of the week Thursday afternoon prior to its Friday walk-thru. Saturday’s Senior Day against Kansas State kicks off at 9:30 a.m. PST on Versus.
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ROSE ENDS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS...

Adrian Fiala and Jim Rose on the set of the pregame show.

Jim Rose announced Tuesday morning he would no longer be the play-by-play announcer for Nebraska Husker football games.

During Newsradio 1110 KFAB's "Good Morning Show," Rose explained that he is stepping down as the "voice of the Huskers" immediately. Rose has called the games for six years.Rose said the job as the voice of the Huskers was rewarding, exciting and thrilling, but he had lost touch with important things in his life.

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PHILLIPS NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TEAM...

Senior tight end J.B. Phillips has received Academic All-District honors for the third straight year.

Nebraska senior tight end J.B. Phillips has been named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII team as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). With his selection to the all-district squad, Phillips advances to the ballot for Academic All-America honors which will be announced in early December.

This marks the third consecutive year that Phillips has received academic all-district honors after being a second-team pick each of the past two seasons. The Colleyville, Texas native is in his second semester of graduate school after picking up his degree last December. Phillips completed his undergraduate work in marketing with a 3.73 cumulative grade-point average and he carries a 3.89 grade-point average in his master’s degree work.

On the field, Phillips is among Nebraska’s most experience performers. He has made 32 career starts at tight end and owns 30 career receptions, including three touchdown grabs.

Nebraska is the nation’s leader in Academic All-Americans for football and all sports. In football, Nebraska has had 62 first-team Academic All-Americans and 90 overall selections. The Huskers have a nation-leading 252 Academic All-Americans across all teams and sports.

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PETERSON NAMED ONE OF 11FINALISTS FOR WUERFFEL TROPHY...

Junior Todd Peterson is one of 11 finalists for the 2007 Wuerffel Trophy.

Nebraska junior wide receiver Todd Peterson has been named of 11 finalists for the 2007 Wuerffel Trophy, a national award that honors the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement.

Peterson is the only representative from the Big 12 Conference and his selection marks the third straight year that Nebraska has had a finalist for the award. Former Nebraska fullback Dane Todd was a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy each of the past two seasons. Nebraska and Washington State are the only two schools in the country that have had a finalist for the award since its inception in 2005.

A native of Grand Island, Peterson is a well-rounded student-athlete. On the field, the 6-4, 210-pound Peterson has 12 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns this season. He has six career receiving touchdowns. In the classroom, Peterson carries a 3.73 grade-point average in nutrition, exercise and health science and is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection.

He also is one of Nebraska’s most active student-athletes in the area of community outreach. Peterson was named to the 2007 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team for his efforts, which include serving as a motivational speaker during American Education Week and School is Cool Week, volunteering with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Read to Succeed and Pacific Pals.

Earlier this fall, Peterson was named the 2007 recipient of the Brook Berringer Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Originally a walk-on, Peterson was awarded a scholarship in the fall of 2006.

The Wuerffel Trophy award is named after former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who led Florida to the 1996 national championship, played six years in the National Football League and has received national recognition for his humanitarian and community service efforts with Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans.

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LAWRENCE NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE...

Nebraska freshman linebacker Blake Lawrence was selected as a National High School Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation Monday for the outstanding athletic and academic achievements he displayed during high school.

Lawrence is one of five current college freshmen selected in 2007, including Ryan Coffey (Louisville), Kellen Kiilsgaard (Stanford), Matthew Stotler (Columbia) and Barton Dear, who is not playing at the collegiate level.

First bestowed in 1991, the NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Award has become one of the most competitive and sought after high school honors in the country. Criteria for the award include but are not limited to academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement.

"With the National High School Scholar-Athlete Awards, the NFF annually strives to honor the absolute finest from the gridiron at the high school level," NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell said. "The accomplishments of this year's five nominees make us all proud, and their contributions both on and off the field set the standard for their peers to follow.”

Lawrence came to Nebraska after an award-winning prep career at Shawnee Mission West High School in Shawnee Mission, Kan., where he was named the Gatorade Kansas High School Player of the Year. Lawrence was a dominant two-way player, starting at quarterback as a senior, while also continuing as a defensive stalwart, where he had 60 tackles, a pair of sacks and three interceptions. His performance led Shawnee Mission West to the state Class 6A title game, while individually he earned all-state and All-Metro honors from the Kansas City Star.

Lawrence was also one of the top scholars at his school, maintaining better than a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class of more than 500 students and was a National Honor Society Member. He claimed a Kansas University State Scholar Award and was listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Lawrence is currently majoring in marketing and advertising at Nebraska.Passionate about helping others, Lawrence found time to give back to his school and his community. He served on his school's Student Council Executive Board and was chairman of the local blood drive. Selected by his peers and administrators, he participated in the UniTown's Cultural Awareness and Diversity program and worked as a Leadership 20/20 Member and Peer Presenter. Lawrence also volunteered as a basketball coach and referee with Special Olympics and as an event assistant for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City.

Lawrence and the other four scholar-athletes will be honored during the NFF's Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Sprinturf, on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
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DANE TODD TO BE HONORED AT NCAA FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES CONFERENCE...

Former Husker fullback Dane Todd will be presented the Walter Byers Scholarship this week in Baltimore.

Former Nebraska fullback and scholar-athlete Dane Todd will be honored for his selection as the 2007 Walter Byers Award at this week’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representatives Association.

Todd and female Byers Award recipient Katie Kingsbury of Washington & Lee University will be honored at an awards dinner on Thursday evening in Baltimore.

Todd and Kingsbury were announced as winners of the NCAA’s highest academic honor in May.

The Walter Byers Scholarships recognize the contributions of former NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. The awards encourage academic achievement of student-athletes and each Byers Scholar receives a $21,500 scholarship. Winners have the option of renewing the scholarship for a second year based on academic standing.

Todd is currently in medical school at Emory College in Atlanta. A Lincoln Southeast graduate, Dane is the son of Loy and Kim Todd.

Todd is one of the most distinguished scholar-athletes in Nebraska history. The Lincoln native was a two-time Academic All-America selection, and graduated in May of 2006 with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in biological sciences. He was also a first-team All-Big 12 selection on the field during his senior season.
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NO. 2 HUSKERS SWEEP COLORADO...

Jordan Larson led NU with 17 kills and 17 digs against Colorado.

Lincoln – Jordan Larson’s 17 kills and 17 digs led three Husker double-doubles, as No. 2 Nebraska rolled past Colorado, 30-17, 30-22, 30-20, Wednesday night at the NU Coliseum.

Larson paced a blistering NU attack, hitting .414 on 29 swings, as she matched her season best in kills and fell one shy of a season high in digs en route to posting her team-best 10th double-double. It was also the first time in 12 matches that Larson paced NU in kills, while she also chipped in a pair of aces in helping Nebraska up its record to 22-1 and 14-1 in conference action.

Nebraska Head Coach John Cook said Larson’s strong play is important for the Huskers in the final weeks of the regular season.

Last year, I think Jordan knew she had to carry a really big load on this team with Houghtelling going out," Cook said. "Now we’re more balanced, and she wasn’t sure of her role at times. I just know when she plays great, we’re a great team. That’s what we’ve told her. We need her to be that dominant player. I feel like she’s really coming on right now."

Fellow outside hitters Christina Houghtelling and Sarah Pavan joined Larson in posting double-doubles against the Buffaloes. Houghtelling totaled 11 kills on .421 hitting and 16 digs, while Pavan chipped in 12 kills, 10 digs and four blocks.

Rachel Holloway guided the Huskers to a .388 hitting percentage – its best effort in over a month, as she totaled 47 assists and helped all five primary attackers hit over .350 in NU’s 19th sweep of the year.

While NU’s offensive effort was sharp, Cook was more pleased with the Huskers’ work on the defensive side of the net, recording 62 digs and holding CU to .129 hitting.

"We had a couple of goals tonight," Cook said. "One was to hold Alex Buth under .100, and she only had one kill the whole night. The second thing is we worked really hard on our floor defense the last two days because we want to be a great defensive team going down the stretch. We did a great job there tonight."

Emilee Sisco paced CU with 13 kills, but hit .114 on the night, as the Buffaloes fell to 6-18 overall and 1-15 in the Big 12.
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PAVAN POWERS HUSKERS PAST K-STATE...

Manhattan, Kan. – Behind a season-high 31 kills from Sarah Pavan, No. 2 Nebraska overcame a 2-0 deficit to rally for a 3-2 victory against No. 12 Kansas State, 24-30, 27-30, 30-25, 30-19, 15-8 Saturday night at Ahearn Field House.

Pavan blistered the Wildcats for a Big 12-high 31 kills on .375 hitting – the second-highest performance of her career - and added 10 digs, as the Huskers improved to 21-1 on the season and moved into a tie with Texas for the Big 12 lead with an 11-1 conference mark.

Pavan’s effort led the comeback, as the Huskers hit over .300 in each of the final three contests, including .579 in the finale, as NU played error-free ball. Tracy Stalls totaled 15 kills on .480 hitting and a season-high nine blocks, while Jordan Larson chipped in 12 kills and four blocks, as NU out-blocked the Wildcats, 15.5-13.5.

Rachel Holloway established career highs in assists (72) and blocks (six) while adding 13 digs to help NU out-hit KSU, .266-187. Outside hitter Christina Houghtelling also turned in another career high with 26 digs and added seven kills and four blocks.

Natalya Korobkova led Kansas State (18-7, 10-5 Big 12) with 22 kills, while Angie Lastra totaled 32 digs for the Wildcats in a losing effort.
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PAVAN EARNS BIG 12 WEEKLY HONOR...

Sarah Pavan was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Lincoln -- University of Nebraska right side hitter Sarah Pavan (Kitchener, Ontario) collected her second Big 12 honor of the season, as she was chosen as the conference’s offensive player of the week on Monday.

Pavan averaged 5.95 points, 5.30 kills and 2.40 digs per game in a pair of five-game wins last week for the No. 2 Huskers. She recorded a pair of double-doubles and hit .363 on the week, as Nebraska moved into a tie with Texas for the Big 12 lead.

Pavan paced NU with 22 kills on a .349 hitting clip with 14 digs, three aces and two blocks in Wednesday’s win against Missouri. Three days later against Kansas State, she eclipsed those numbers, compiling a season-high 31 kills – the most in a match in the league this season, on .375 hitting and 10 digs to help the Huskers overcome a 2-0 deficit. Pavan totaled nine of her kills on .615 hitting in game three, helping the Huskers turn the tide against the Wildcats.

Her 31 kills against Kansas State ranked as NU’s second-highest total in the rally-scoring era and the most by a Husker in a regular-season match since the 1999 season. It is the seventh time that Pavan – a two-time Big 12 Player of the Year – has garnered the conference’s weekly award.
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Q & A WITH SARAH PAVAN...

by Bonnie Ryan

Senior Sarah Pavan closes her volleyball career at Nebraska as one of the most decorated players in NCAA history. The three-time first-team AVCA All-American not only garnered 2006 AVCA National Player of the Year honors during her junior year, but was also awarded the prestigious Honda-Broderick Cup Winner for her outstanding season. Pavan talks about her favorite Halloween costumes among several topics.

Do you remember what your first Halloween costume was?
"It probably wasn’t my first, but the first one I can remember was a princess."

Did you have a favorite costume?
"I dressed up as a gypsy once when I was really little and I thought that was pretty cool. I wasn’t as hard core as some people were, but the princess was a good one."

What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
"I like all of them. Probably any type of chocolate bar would be my favorite."

What is one of your favorite memories while playing for Nebraska?
"Winning the national championship by far. Nothing has compared to that."

Take fans through your typical game day preparations.
"Well, we have serve and pass and then we watch video and eat. I’ll usually do homework or have a nap after that. When I wake up, I have to call my dad and boyfriend just to talk to them. Then I pretty much just get taped and that’s about it."

What’s your favorite pre-game meal?
"If we have an afternoon game, I really like Misty’s brunch. It’s my favorite. Those scrambled eggs with ham and the coffee cake are my favorite."

How does your hometown compare to Lincoln?
"It’s pretty similar. It’s about the same size population wise. It’s a lot more diverse racially and ethnically though, so that’s kind of different. But as far as size and types of schools and stuff, it’s very much like home."

Why did you choose the number 9?
"I’ve had this number since I was probably 13. My number used to be 17, but then I played on a regional team or something and they didn’t have that number and number 9 was the only one left, so I took it. I’ve been stuck with it ever since."

Do you have a nickname on the team?
"People usually call me by my last name or they just shorten it to ‘Pav.’ Those are the most common.

What is your shoe size?
"In women’s it’s a 12. They’re not ridiculously big. Other girls on the team have bigger feet than me."

What’s your favorite fast food?
"I don’t usually eat fast food, but if I do—Wendy’s."

Describe Coach Cook in two words:
"This is hard. Perfectionist and demanding."
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FOUR HUSKER VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS EARN ACADEMIC HONORS...

Tracy Stalls was one of three Huskers to garner first-team Academic All-District honors.

Lincoln – Four members of the second-ranked Nebraska volleyball team were honored Thursday with their selections to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII Team. The four Huskers selected included a trio of first-team selections in Sarah Pavan, Christina Houghtelling and Tracy Stalls, while Jordan Larson was tabbed a third-team selection.

It marks the third straight year that Pavan – the reigning Academic All-American of the Year in all sports – was selected for the first team and the second time for Houghtelling, a first-team Academic All-American in 2005. Stalls earned second-team honors in 2006, while the selection is the first time Larson has been honored. Pavan, Stalls and Houghtelling all advance advances to the ballot for Academic All-America honors which will be announced in early December.

Pavan, who carries a 4.0 GPA in biochemistry, is looking to become the second Husker volleyball player to be a three-time Academic All-American, joining Virginia Stahr (1987-89). Pavan leads the Big 12 in kills (4.91), aces (0.43) and points (5.76) per game while ranking among the conference leaders with a .342 hitting percentage. The 2006-07 Honda-Broderick Award winner, Pavan has five double-doubles and holds NU’s career record for kills with 1,873.

Houghtelling, who has a 3.91 GPA in elementary education, leads the Huskers in digs from her outside hitter position, averaging 3.97 digs per game. The 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year, Houghtelling also chips in 3.25 kills and 0.29 aces per game, while totaling eight double-doubles this year.

Stalls has been a force at the middle blocker position this season, averaging 2.68 kills and 1.12 blocks per game this season. She is hitting at a .447 clip, good for third nationally and is bidding to become the first Husker in nearly two decades to hit over .400 in consecutive seasons. Stalls, who has a 3.95 GPA in an individual program of studies, spent the summer with the U.S. National Team and earned second-team AVCA All-America honors in 2006.

Larson collects her first academic honor, as she has a 3.31 GPA in communication studies. A first-team AVCA All-American in 2006, Larson averages 3.50 kills and 3.46 digs per game this season, ranking among Big 12 leaders in kills (ninth), service aces (0.42, second) and points per game (4.30, ninth). The junior outside hitter leads NU with 10 double-doubles and already ranks ninth on NU’s career digs list with 962.

The Huskers are 23-1 overall and 14-1 in Big 12 action heading into Sunday’s match at Iowa State, set for 4 p.m. Fans can listen to the match across the state on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and KHUS 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on the Internet at Huskers.com.
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NINE HUSKER SOCCER PLAYERS NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12 TEAM...

Junior Sari Raber earned first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors.

Lincoln – The Big 12 Conference has named nine Nebraska student-athletes to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 soccer teams, the league office announced today.

Four repeat selections highlighted the Husker honorees as Selenia Iacchelli, Lindsay Poehling and Sari Raber all earned first-team nominations for the second consecutive year. Abby Penas earned her second nomination to the second team, while Jessie Bruch was also named to the second team. Anna Caniglia, Brittney Lanier, Carly Peetz and Shay Powell all earned their first first-team honors for the first time in their careers this season.

The Huskers’ nine honorees are the most since the 2001 season, when 12 NU student-athletes made the list.

Nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the soccer academic all-league squad consisted of 75 first-team members combined with 20 on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, while second-team members carry a 3.00 to 3.20 GPA.

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HUSKERS END SOCCER SEASON WITH 2-2 TIE AGAINST CYCLONES...

Lincoln – The Nebraska soccer team once again dominated their opponent on the offensive side of the ball, but had to settle for a tie as the Huskers battled the Iowa State Cyclones to a 2-2 double-overtime draw on Friday at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

The Huskers (5-10-4, 1-8-1 Big 12) ended their season by creating 23 shots against Iowa State (8-6-4, 4-4-2 Big 12), including 11 on goal, while the Cyclones managed just 16 total shots and six on goal. A back-and-forth first half saw ISU outshoot the Huskers 10-6, but NU roared back with 10 shots to ISU’s four in the second half. NU did its best to seal the game in the double overtime as they created seven shots in the 10-minute period. Both teams had seven corner kicks.

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HAWKS FIELD AT HAYMARKET PARK CHOSEN AS FIELD OF THE YEAR...

Hawks Field at Haymarket Park was chosen as the STMA Field of the Year.

Lincoln – Hawks Field at Haymarket Park earned a national honor on Friday, as the field was selected as the 2007 Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Baseball Field of the Year Award in the College/University division.

It marks the second time in the last four seasons that Hawks Field has received this honor, marking the first time has college field has earned the honor twice since the award was created in 1992. The field also received the honor in 2004.

The commitment to excellence in overall field quality, safety, playability and appearance earned Hawks Field at Haymarket Park Field of the Year honors in voting by a panel of national judges.
In 2007, over 250 events took place at the facility, which the University of Nebraska shares with the American Association’s Lincoln Saltdogs and the city of Lincoln, including a full season of Husker and Saltdogs baseball games and the Nebraska baseball state tournament.

Winning awards for the quality of the field is nothing new for Head Groundskeeper Josh Klute and assistants Jared Hertzel and Jen Roeber. The field has been selected as the top field in both the Northern League and American Association every year since Haymarket Park opened in 2001. Klute will receive the honor on Jan. 18, in Phoenix, Ariz., as part the annual STMA Conference.

"This award means a lot to us because of the all the hard work that our staff puts in throughout the year," Klute said. "With all of the events we host, it takes a great staff to keep the field in great shape, and a lot of the credit goes to Jared and Jen, as well as our interns (Andy Lomax, Jeff Thoman and Jesse Grimm)."

Nebraska Head Baseball Coach Mike Anderson appreciates the efforts that Klute and his staff go to in giving both the Huskers and Saltdogs the best playing conditions possible.

"Josh and his staff are most deserving of this honor considering their work habits, time crunches and passion for Hawks Field," Anderson said. "We’re excited to be playing in a park which is the best field in college baseball. Our program has an opportunity to play on fields across the country, and there is no place like Nebraska and it proves out with this award."

The Field of the Year Awards are presented for top maintenance of natural playing surfaces and support facilities in four major sports areas: baseball, softball, football and soccer. The Field of the Year and Sports Field Complex of the Year Awards are the highest honor STMA bestows upon a facility. Entrants must supply information on the design of the facility, the uses of the facility that impact the playing surface, the organization of the maintenance program and innovative solutions used to overcome playing surface problems.

Each of the five judges on the Awards Committee reviews the entrants independently, grading them on each aspect of the criteria. The results of the independent input of the five judges determine the winning field.
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HUSKER HUMOR...

This one may be a Niner story but its potentially relevant for the Huskers if things don't turn around (thanks Jim!)...

Here is a Niner joke I heard on the radio this morning.
A man wearing a Niner jersey, carring his cat who was also wearing a Niner jersey, went into a bar. He asked the bartender "Can we watch the Niner game at your bar, as we always watch the games together at home, but my TV is broken."
Although cats were not allowed in the bar the bartender replied "Aw you can come in and watch the game as long as the cat behaves himself".
As they watched the Niners scored a field goal. The cat went down the length of the bar and gave everyone a High-Five.
The bartender was totally amazed and asked the owner " What does he do when the score a touchdown"?
The owner replied "I don't know I've only had him for three years".

GO NINERS and eventually BIG RED!!
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Here's one I got from several sources (many thanks!)...

NEW TORNADO POLICY for Lincoln, NE -
In case of possible tornadoes sweeping through the state of Nebraska, we ask that all Nebraskans take shelter at the Husker stadium. We are certain that a touchdown will not occur there.
Thanks for your cooperation.
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This one hurts...OUCH! (Thanks to all who sent it)...
This must be true, I heard it from a very reliable source. Nick, the guy who told me has a second cousin whos ex-wifes new husbands son in law is a janitor in the University Book Store. Told you it was a close reliable source. Anyway, it is more than a rumor...

New rumor! Bill Callahan will not be fired, but will be resigning to take another coaching position.

Bill was, as recently last week, approached by the US Olympic committee to come on board full time. It is further rumored that he will become the head coach for the illustrious US bobsled team. After an interview with Olympic officials they were unbelievably impressed with the manner in which Callahan is able to get a team to go downhill faster than any coach in modern history.

Bay Area Husker ENews 11-2-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:22:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans,

For a brief shining moment we had hopes of returning the favor to Texas (if you remember them beating us in the last minute in Lincoln last year), but alas, we lost another one. The next road game against Kansas won't be any easier either, as they are having a record year for their football program.

The Volleyball team had a hard fought contest with Mizzou last Wednesday night and some of you may have had the chance to watch it on a tape delayed broadcast on CSTV. They pulled it out in the 5th game of the match (see article below).

Lots of rumors floating around out there about the football program, but I won't put anything in these emails until its published. With that said, check out the NY Times article at the end of the email to get a flavor of whats going on back in Lincoln...good read.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),

Watch Sites:

The game this Saturday against Kansas will be televised on Fox Sports Network and is NOT a Pay Per View game. Coverage starts at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time so set the alarm and put on your Big Red Duds and join the rest of the Husker faithful in cheering on the team. The watch sites will be active and I know Jack's will have their great breakfast menu available for all early risers.

Founders' Day 2008:

Here's a message from our chapter Prez, Dave Pegg:
We have our speaker for Founders Day Sunday February 24th!

Former First District Congressman Doug Bereuter has agreed to be our speaker. Doug spent 25 years in Congress from 1979 to 2004, retired, moved to Alamo, CA and is now president of the Asia Foundation in San Francisco. He attended high school in Utica, NE, graduated from UNL and has masters degrees from Harvard University in city planning and public administration. I'm sure he will be very interesting and can tell us about the Asia Foundation and what it means to the United States. He may even have a comment or two about Congress and Nebraska football.

Please mark that date on your 2008 calendar and we'll plan on seeing you then. Until then, as always, Go Big Red (White and Blue)!!Dave
(details to follow in future emails)

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HUSKERS LOOK TOWARD KANSAS...

Junior Joe Ganz and the Huskers look to have success against one of the nation's best defenses Saturday at Kansas.

Lincoln – To be successful in Lawrence this weekend against the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks, the Nebraska football team is going to need good ball control Saturday afternoon as Kansas boasts the one of the nation’s best defenses in 2007. Ranked in the top five nationally in four defensive categories, Kansas has produced the second-best scoring defense (10.25) as a result of the third-ranked turnover margin (1.38) in the nation.

“They’ve been opportunistic,” head coach Bill Callahan said after Wednesday’s practice inside the Hawks Championship Center. “They’ve made a lot of plays off batted balls and got a lot of (interceptions).

“When you get on a roll and you’re playing good defense, there’s energy and guys start feeding off each other.”

Kansas is 8-0 for the first time since 1909, a season in which the Jayhawks defeated the Huskers, 6-0, in Lincoln.

“I give complete respect in everything that they’ve done,” Callahan said. “It’s hard to go 8-0. It’s awfully difficult. There are five undefeated teams in the country right now. It’s hard to do. I think we see how football has balanced out across the board. It’s anybody’s game on Saturday.”

Senior linebacker Bo Ruud and freshman linebacker Blake Lawrence did not practice Wednesday. Callahan said the staff would evaluate the injuries again tomorrow, as well as the position of back-up quarterback behind junior Joe Ganz.

Nebraska will have its final full practice of the week Thursday afternoon prior to its Friday walk-thru. Saturday’s game against No. 8 Kansas will be the Huskers’ fifth against a top-10 opponent in the past two seasons.

GANZ READY FOR TOUGH KANSAS DEFENSE...

Quarterback Joe Ganz closed a “focused, concentrated, detailed” week of preparation, according to coach Bill Callahan, as the Nebraska football team worked on the grass fields for two hours Thursday afternoon in Lincoln.

“He's been living in the office all week,” Callahan said. “He's been around every single minute. He's poured a ton of time into his preparation, so you know it's important to him. He did a heck of a job on the practice field, but that's what happens when you prepare hard off the field. Those are the results that occur when you really focus in on the small details of the game, so I'm proud of him in that respect."

Ganz, a junior preparing for his first career start at Nebraska, has built on the traits he showed as a high-school player at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Illinois. Those traits stood out to Callahan as he watched him on film as he prepared to recruit him.

“When I saw him on film, I remember that he ran extremely well. He’s very mobile and threw the ball exceptionally well. He’s not the tallest guy, but there are a lot of quarterbacks in his size range that are effective, so that didn’t bother me. I thought that he was a competitor. He had a fierce, competitive style about his play. He was tough in terms of running down the field.”

Ganz came to Nebraska and has served as a backup for the past three years and has battled through numerous challenges in preparation for this game.

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HUSKER HOME FINALE AGAINST K-STATE TO BE TELEVISED...

The Big 12 Conference has announced its television selections for Saturday, Nov. 10, with the Huskers’ home finale against Kansas State set for a national telecast by Versus. Game time for the Big 12 North Division match-up has been set for 9:30 a.m. PST. **Remember that we switch back to Standard Time this weekend (Sunday Nov. 4th).

Versus is available in 70 million homes nationwide and is carrying 19 college football games this season, including five Big 12 Conference games. In Omaha and Lincoln, Versus is available on the digital tiers of Cox and Time Warner, respectively. Versus can be found on Channel 231 on Cox Communications in Omaha and Channel 229 on Time Warner Cable in Lincoln. The network is also available on Direct TV (Channel 603) and DISH (Channel 151). For information on Versus in specific areas, please visit versus.com, or check with your local cable provider.

The telecast on Versus will give Nebraska eight television appearances this season, in addition to two additional games that were carried on a pay-per-view basis. Nebraska’s game this Saturday at No. 8 Kansas will be televised by FSN, also beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Huskers’ regular-season finale at Colorado will be televised nationally by ABC.

The game will mark the first time since 2003 the Nebraska-Kansas State match-up has been televised as part of the Big 12’s regular television package. Last year’s Husker win in Manhattan was televised on a pay-per-view basis by FSN.

In addition to Nebraska-Kansas State, other Big 12 games selected for telecast on Nov. 10 are: Texas A&M at Missouri (9:30 a.m., FSN); Texas Tech at Texas (12:30 p.m., ABC); Baylor at Oklahoma (3:30 p.m., FSN); Kansas at Oklahoma State (5 p.m., ABC)...(all times Pacific).

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WRAPUP ON TEXAS GAME...

Noting Game Nine...Texas 28, Nebraska 25

►Texas’ three-point victory marked the fifth time in the past seven meetings between the two schools that the outcome has been decided by four points or less. Texas has won all five of those games. The ‘Horns have also won all six regular-season meetings between the schools since the formation of the Big 12 Conference.

►Junior wide receiver Nate Swift caught six passes for 112 yards, including a pair of touchdown catches. The two touchdown receptions give Swift 12 career touchdown catches, incuding three this season. Swift’s 12 career touchdown catches place him in a tie for sixth on the NU career list.

►The 100-yard receiving day was the fourth of Swift’s career and his first since his freshman season in 2005.

►Swift’s six catches moved him into third place on the Nebraska career receptions list with 96 catches, passing Matt Davison’s total of 93 receptions from 1997 to 2000.

►Junior running back Marlon Lucky rushed 24 times for 111 yards, his fourth 100-yard game of 2007 and the seventh of his Husker career. With his 111 yards, Lucky moved his season rushing total to 832 and his career rushing total to 1,689.

►Lucky’s 33-yard run in the second quarter was the second-longest rush by NU this season, bettered only by Lucky’s 41-yard TD run against Iowa State.

►Lucky caught six passes for 41 yards, pushing his season receptions total to 55, tying Johnny Rodgers’ school-record set in 1972. Lucky has 89 career receptions, good for fifth place on the Husker career list.

►Senior wide receiver Frantz Hardy caught a 56-yard pass on the second play of the second half, giving him five career receptions of 50 yards or more, including two this season.

►Nebraska forced a fourth quarter turnover by Texas (interception by Zach Potter), marking the first takeaway by the Husker defense in four games (four vs. Iowa State).

►Redshirt freshman place-kicker Alex Henery connected on a 31-yard field goal early in the second quarter to improve to a perfect 6-of-6 on field goal attempts this season. Henery is also 26-of-26 on extra-point attempts.

►Freshman offensive tackle Jaivorio Burkes played in his first career game and made his first career start. The start by Burkes marks the third straight season that Nebraska has had a true freshman offensive lineman earn a start. In 2005, Matt Slauson started the final three games of the season and a year ago Jacob Hickman earned a start in game 10 against Missouri. Burkes, Hickman and Slauson are the only true freshmen to start on the offensive line since 1972.

►Senior fullback Andy Sand caught two passes for 16 yards. Sand entered the game with just one reception for 15 yards in his career.

►Senior safety Ben Eisenhart collected a career-high six tackles, bettering his five tackles earlier this season against Oklahoma State.

►Junior punter Dan Titchener averaged 42.6 yards on eight punts, and had four punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
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►Texas running back Jamaal Charles had 290 yards rushing against the Huskers, the most recorded by an individual against Nebraska in school history. Charles bettered a 247-yard game by Oklahoma’s Billy Sims at Oklahoma on Nov. 24, 1979.

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GANZ TAKES FIRST SNAPS AT STARTING QUARTERBACK...

The Nebraska offense began its first day under new leadership on Tuesday, as junior quarterback Joe Ganz took the reins as the Huskers’ new starter following a season-ending injury suffered by senior quarterback Sam Keller against Texas last weekend. Ganz and NU’s first-team offense began to get familiar under beautiful fall weather inside Memorial Stadium, as the Huskers prepare to head to Kansas to take on the No. 8 Jayhawks this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

“(Joe) did a great job,” Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson said of Ganz’s practice. “He’s always kept his head in what we’re doing.”

Ganz, who will earn the first start of his career against the top-10 Jayhawks, embraced the backup role this season after Keller was named the starter prior to the season-opener against Nevada. Ganz’s attitude in his supporting role didn’t surprise Watson.

“That’s who Joe is,” Watson said. “Joe loves Nebraska, he’s embraced his role. He’s always been a team guy first and he’s always proven it in the ways he’s handled his business here with us.”

Under Ganz’s guidance this weekend, the Husker offense could take on a slightly different look, as Watson explains that Nebraska will want to focus on the first-time starter’s strengths and abilities.

“Joe does some things that Sam doesn’t do as well,” Watson said. “We’ll use those things and play to his strengths.”

The Huskers will have two more full practices before they travel to Lawrence, Kan., on Saturday to take on the undefeated Jayhawks. The game is set for an 9:30 a.m. (PDT) kickoff and will be televised on Fox Sports Net.

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CALLAHAN'S COMMENTS ON GANZ IN PRESS CONFERENCE...

Opening Statement
“We’re moving on to Kansas. We’re excited about playing the eighth-ranked team in the country this Saturday. They’re awfully good across the board and should present quite a challenge for our football team.”

On Joe Ganz taking over at quarterback
“We have the utmost confidence in Joe’s abilities and leadership to lead our team and perform at a high level. He’s gotten all the work, training and repetition that he needs to be successful in everything we do. He’s a great game manager and a great field general. He has all the abilities in the world to function effectively, so I’m excited about him on the field. Just going back to the Texas game and watching him play for the very short time he was in the game, I think excites everybody. I think we have a lot of hope when you look at a player of that caliber that can come into the game and do the things he did late in the game.”

On Ganz not getting more experience earlier in the season
“The big thing is that I can’t do anything about the past. I think Joe’s well aware of what our plan was throughout those games. We don’t look back in that respect. We look forward to what he can do for our team. I think that’s the big thing is that he’s been in games before, he’s been trained. He’s practiced. He knows the system. He knows how to execute all the throws and reads. I’m very confident in his abilities. I think it’s been well-documented around here that he can do some other things as well, so we’re excited about it.”

On Ganz’s poise
“He is (very even-keeled). He’s the type of player that has great poise. He’s a tough guy from Chicago. He’s not going to let a lot of things rattle him. I don’t get on him too much, even though he’s a Cubs fan. Being a South Sider and a Cubs fan is a little different for me. I have to try to understand that portion of it, for those of you who know Chicago. He’s just an outstanding kid. He’s waited a long time for this opportunity. I know that he’s going to try to make the most out of every play and every practice rep he gets this week in his preparation.”

On increasing the amount of running by the quarterback
“I think he naturally does that. He’s going to be the type of player that’s going to work the pocket. If he has to, he’ll escape and make plays. I think we saw one scramble of his late in the game against Texas down in the red zone where he made a positive play with his feet. He has that ability. We’ve always had plays in that move him around, so it’s really no secret in that regard. He does have mobility. We try to feature that. He has a lot of other things that he does as well to complement his abilities.”

On the team’s confidence in Ganz
“There’s no question in my mind. I look at our players and they’re very supportive of whoever is in that role. You feel that in the course of the week when you’re at practice. You see teammates encourage him and rally around him when he’s getting his turn to run the second unit. Everybody is very supportive of him. I tend to agree that a lot of guys are going to rally around Joe. I’d be disappointed if they didn’t.”

On the team rallying around Ganz
“He is (a guy a team gravitates toward) because he’s been here for four years. He’s earned his spurs and gained the respect of a lot of people around here. By and large, he’s a guy that has really earned his spot and this opportunity. He competed hard with Sam and he was unbelievable in the way that he handled himself in that entire competition. When the announcement came out that Sam was the starter, he handled his role with pure class. I can’t say enough good things about Joey. We’re excited to see him get this opportunity, though it was unfortunate that Sam got hurt and is not with us.”

On Ganz’s place on the team
“He’s a different type of player. He brings a different dimension to the attack. I think, by and large, players are looking at it as an opportunity to rally around a guy that’s a fan favorite and a guy in the locker room that everyone enjoys being around.”

On getting an edge from a changed gameplan because of the different quarterback
“There’s not going to be much variation from the system, aside from what we do. We’re going to add some things, but I don’t think that’s going to shock them or surprise them. They’ve seen a lot of different quarterbacks. I don’t think so, but I can’t speak for (KU defensive coordinator) Bill Young or any of those guys.”

On which quarterback will back up Ganz
“I certainly wouldn’t want to waste Patrick’s (Witt) redshirt, but we have prepared him as the third quarterback throughout the season. We’re going to take a very close look at that. As we look at that closely during the week, both he and Beau Davis will compete for the two-spot. We’ll look at that, examine that and let them compete throughout the week. We’ll have a plan for that for game day. Patrick was the guy who was in the three-hole for this position, so we’re going to continue to groom him and see how he looks this week compared to Beau and make that assessment later in the week and make a decision.”

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OSBORNE APPEARS ON NET's BIG RED WRAPUP SHOW...

University of Nebraska Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne visited the NET studio Tuesday night for an extended interview with Kevin Kugler and Adrian Fiala on Big Red WrapUp.
In the interivew, Osborne discusses the Husker football program, football scheduling and his views on a variety of topics.
Click here to watch the entire NET Interview
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NU ARTICLE IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED...(couldn't download it but if you can swing by a news stand or library, check it out)..

If you don"t take Sports Illustrated or haven't already been told their Oct 29th edition devoted a whole page (25) to Nebraska football and some of the activities that contribute to current status.

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NU's EXHAUSTED ELIGIBILITY GRADUATION RATE CONTINUES TO LEAD BIG 12...

Nebraska's 94 percent exhausted eligibility graduation rate led the Big 12 Conference for the fifth straight year.

The University of Nebraska is the Big 12 Conference leader in exhausted eligibility rates for the fifth consecutive year, according to federal graduation rates released by the NCAA on Tuesday.

Nebraska boasts an impressive exhausted eligibility rate of 94 percent for the second consecutive year. The exhausted eligibility rate surveys the graduation rate of scholarship student-athletes in 10 incoming freshman classes who complete their eligibility at that university. Nebraska’s exhausted eligibility rate has increased from 87 to 94 percent in the past seven years and improved 22 percentage points since the inception of the exhausted eligibility rate in 1991-92.

The current exhausted eligibility rate includes members of incoming classes from 1991-92 through 2000-2001. During that time period 415 of 443 Nebraska scholarship student-athletes who completed their eligibility earned their undergraduate degree.

Nebraska’s 94 percent exhausted eligibility rate ranks two percentage points higher than Texas Tech, which ranks second in the Big 12 Conference at 92 percent. The national average for exhausted eligibility is 86 percent for Division I schools.

In addition to the exhausted eligibility rates, the NCAA also announced other federal graduation-rate data and overall institutional Graduation/Success Rates (GSR) scores on Thursday. The GSR is the NCAA’s calculation of student-athlete academic success. Earlier this fall, the NCAA released GSR scores and federal graduation rates for individual sports, but did not release the institutional figures at that time.

Nebraska’s highlights from the data released by the NCAA on Tuesday included...

The Nebraska football team continues to set the pace in the Big 12 in graduation rates. The Huskers’ four-class graduation rate (1997-98 through 2000-01 entering classes) was a Big 12-leading 77 percent. The 77 percent rate was eight percentage points higher than Kansas State, which ranked second in the Big 12 Conference.
As previously announced this month, the Husker football team posted a GSR score of 83 percent, second in the Big 12 behind Baylor’s 84 percent mark.
Nebraska had an institutional GSR score of 77 percent.

The federal graduation rates for both one and four classes allow a student a six-year window to earn their degree from the time they enter their institution.

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VOLLEYBALL TEAM FIGHTS HARD TO BEAT MIZZOU 3-2 (first loss of a game in Lincoln this year)...

Lincoln – Sarah Pavan totaled four of her match-high 22 kills in a game five, lifting No. 2 Nebraska to a 30-19, 32-34, 30-11, 24-30, 15-10 victory over a game Missouri squad Wednesday night at the NU Coliseum.

Pavan recorded her third double-double of the year with 22 kills on .347 hitting and 14 digs, and came up big in game five with four kills, including each of the final two points, and four digs. Her effort helped the Huskers extend their home winning streak to 67 matches and bounce back from their first loss of the year last Wednesday.

Pavan was one of five Huskers with at least 10 kills, as Nebraska improved to 20-1 on the season and 12-1 in the Big 12. Jordan Larson totaled 17 kills and 16 digs for her ninth double-double of the year, becoming the 19th Husker to reach the 1,000-plateau.

Four Huskers finished with double-doubles, including Houghtelling (14 kills, 22 digs) and Rachel Holloway (64 assists, 13 digs), while Stalls totaled 10 kills and four blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs. NU’s middle blockers combined for 24 kills, including a career-high 14 from Kori Cooper on .385 hitting.

Rachel Schwartz also enjoyed a career night, totaling 21 digs in helping NU post an 88-85 advantage in digs and limit the Tigers to .161 hitting, well under the .228 clip they hit in the first matchup two weeks ago.

Nebraska Coach John Cook was disappointed with the inconsistency the Huskers showed Wednesday, as the Huskers could not find a consistent level of play for most of the night. NU committed a season-high 14 service errors and combined for 14 hitting errors in the two games it lost.

“It was very frustrating,” Cook said. “That’s not how we play, and how we’ve played most of the year, we’ve been really good with most of those things. It’s frustrating, but it’s Halloween. Weird things happen on Halloween.”

“I thought we came out and played a great first game, and then we went complacent,” Cook said. Then Missouri got the momentum, and we started breaking down everywhere. Then we came out and played a great game three like we did at Colorado last year – blow them up in game three. Then I think we thought ‘it’s over.’ So we ended up at game five.”

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NEBRASKA SOCCER FINISHES SEASON AGAINST IOWA STATE...

Lincoln-The Husker soccer team returns home to conclude its regular season against Iowa State on Friday at 4 p.m. at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

Nebraska (5-10-3, 1-8-0 Big 12) endured two losses last weekend. The Huskers doubled the Jayhawks' shot total, 22-10, in Lawrence last Friday, but Kansas came away with the 3-1 win. On Sunday, NU struck first with a Shay Powell goal in the 28th minute, but could not seal the deal again as Missouri won 3-1 in Columbia.

NU will look to finish the regular season on a positive note against Iowa State this Friday. The Huskers have a chance to put the Cyclones in a tough position. ISU has clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championships, but currently sits tied with Oklahoma State for eighth place. A Cyclone loss could force them into a first-round matchup against No. 3 Texas A&M in the conference tournament.

A Husker win will also allow NU to finish with a winning record at home this season, as Nebraska is currently 4-3-2 at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

HUSKERS FALL 3-1 TO NO. 16 TIGERS...

Columbia, Mo. – The Nebraska soccer team battled No. 16 Missouri to a 1-1 halftime tie, but the Tigers prevailed in the second half to win 3-1 over the Huskers on Sunday in Columbia, Mo.

The Huskers drew first blood for the second time in three games as sophomore forward Shay Powell scored in the 28th minute in a tight first half. Nebraska (5-10-3, 1-8-0 Big 12) amassed 11 shots in the game, including three on goal, while Missouri (11-5-0, 6-3-0 Big 12) had 18 shots, nine of which were on goal. Nebraska committed 10 fouls to the Tigers’ 12.

NU outshot the Tigers 7-5 in the first half as the Huskers capitalized on senior Jessie Bruch’s physical advantage. Bruch collected a goal kick in the 28th minute and found Powell along the outside edge of the box. Powell connected on a high shot to beat MU goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore for her team-leading fifth goal of the season.

HUSKERS FALL 3-1 TO JAYHAWKS...

Lawrence, Kan. -The Nebraska soccer team had the offense but Kansas found the back of the net on Friday in Lawrence as the Jayhawks defeated the Huskers 3-1 at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

The Huskers (5-9-3, 1-7-0 Big 12) doubled the Jayhawks’ shot total as NU had 22 shots, including 11 on goal, while KU (5-9-4, 3-2-3 Big 12) amassed just 10 shots, only six of which were on goal. NU outshot the Jayhawks 12-3 in the second half and recorded four corner kicks in the half. The Huskers had five total corners to KU’s four, while both teams had 10 fouls.

Sophomore midfielder Savannah Allen scored the Huskers’ lone goal in the 87th minute. Allen put a curving ball on goal from a corner kick that carried before a Kansas player misplayed the ball and put in net. The goal ended a 294-minute shutout streak for KU, dating back to Oct.14.

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NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND...

* Ganz Becomes NU's Starting Quarterback
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/
display.v/ART/2007/10/29/47260e693b6fb

Bush nominates former North Dakota governor as Agriculture secretary
By Keith Koffler and Jerry Hagstrom, CongressDaily

President Bush on Wednesday tapped former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer to serve as Agriculture secretary.

"Ed Schafer's the right choice to fill this post," Bush said during an appearance with Schafer at the White House. "He was a leader on agricultural issues during his eight years as governor of North Dakota," Bush added, saying Schafer had worked to expand trade between the state and China, to spur North Dakota's biofuels industry and to increase economic opportunities in rural areas.

Schafer was elected governor in 1992, serving two four-year terms and becoming the first Republican to be re-elected governor in that state. In 2002, he helped found Extend America, a wireless communications company based in North Dakota. Schafer will succeed Mike Johanns, who resigned in September to run for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel in Nebraska.

Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_
page.cfm?articleid=38422&dcn=e_gvet
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NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE (thanks to Tim and Dave for sending this along)...

October 26, 2007
Restoring Nebraska to the Way It Was
By JOE LAPOINTE

LINCOLN, Neb., Oct. 25 — Quarterback Eric Crouch won the Heisman Trophy in 2001 while leading the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the Bowl Championship Series title game.

But upon returning to the campus as an alumnus, Crouch said he and other former players never felt welcome around Steve Pederson, who took over as the university’s athletic director in 2002 and had the job until he was fired last week.

“You couldn’t even get through the gate in the parking lot,” Crouch said in an interview this week at his home near Omaha. “You could never talk to Steve in person. You had to get on his list. People in Nebraska are good, old-fashioned people who want to see you face-to-face.”

That changed when Pederson was replaced by Tom Osborne, 70, who retired as the football coach 10 years ago after a quarter century and went on to serve three terms in Congress.

Even in a season filled with upheaval, Pederson’s dismissal, Osborne’s interim appointment and the sudden jeopardy of Coach Bill Callahan are developments as dramatic as the swoon of the Cornhuskers. They have lost three consecutive games by wide margins and will take a 4-4 record to Texas (6-2) Saturday.

The tumult here demonstrates how quickly fortunes can change even at a traditional football power in a state that venerates the sport, and it illustrates how morale can sour when an athletic department adopts the managerial dynamics of big business.

Shortly after Osborne was brought in by Nebraska’s chancellor, Harvey Perlman, he sent an e-mail message inviting former players to games and to his office. Osborne spoke in person and by telephone with Crouch, and ordered pictures of former stars put up on a wall.

Osborne brings gravitas. He works in a building named after him and his wife, Nancy. In front is a statue of Osborne as a coach, talking to a player. In the lobby is a bust of Osborne near a large photograph of him and his wife.

Osborne won two national titles at Nebraska and shared another. He said he was reaching out to former players because they “felt a little bit isolated and alienated” from the athletic department.

“That whole thread was broken,” he said in an interview in his office. His hope, he added, was that the former players would spread this message around the state and the national football community: “We’re going to be O.K. — and that’s really important.”

It is important in part because some high school recruits are rescinding their commitments to Nebraska because of the uncertainty regarding Callahan, who was hired by Pederson in 2003 to replace Frank Solich, Osborne’s former assistant and successor.

Solich was fired by Pederson after a 10-3 season. At the time, Pederson said, “I refuse to let the program gravitate into mediocrity.” Callahan, so far, is 26-19.

Callahan replaced the college-style option attack of Osborne and Solich with a West Coast offense favoring the pass. In his previous job, Callahan took the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl.

Osborne said he would not return to coaching and that Callahan might be back next season. But he made no promises.

This week, Callahan said he wanted to stay. “I’ve done an excellent job in every area,” he said. Referring to recruiting, he said: “I can’t make any promises. I’m not getting any promises.”

Shortly before Pederson was fired, he signed Callahan to a new five-year contract. Shortly before that, Pederson also signed a new five-year contract. He will be paid $2.2 million as a severance fee.

When asked whether he would get a fair chance to return, Callahan said: “I would hope so. That’s my assumption.”

In his weekly news conference Tuesday, Callahan faced polite but pointed questions. Local reporters asked if he might change quarterbacks and if it was wise to use redshirt players this weekend instead of saving them for an extra year of eligibility. And why, they asked, was Callahan wearing a black shirt instead of the university color, red?

On a public television station, Steve Warren, a former defensive tackle who played for Osborne and Solich, criticized the current defense. It gives up an average of 457.4 yards a game and has allowed an average of nearly 43 points in the four defeats.

“Nobody respects us in the country,” Warren said on “Big Red Wrapup.” “That’s really hard to take. It’s hard to believe we’re at this point.”

Before practice Tuesday, the senior cornerback Zack Bowman said local criticism, articles and rumors were seeping into the team’s psyche.

“Next thing you know, you’ve got guys questioning guys, and guys questioning coaches and stuff,” Bowman said. “That’s where your team starts to break down.”

Some of those articles are published and attributed to primary sources. One is in a book coming out next month called “The Nebraska Way,” by a Nebraska student journalist named Jonathan Crowl.

It reports that Callahan complained early in his tenure that Osborne was a “crusty, old” man who was trying to run Nebraska’s football program from Washington. The source is a former trainer, Doak Ostergard, whom Callahan fired last spring.

“I don’t acknowledge any of that,” Callahan said in an interview. But did he ever say those things about Osborne? “I’m not going to acknowledge that,” he repeated.

Pederson declined to be interviewed for this article. Through a university spokesman, he reissued a statement that said, in part, “We have enjoyed many successes and also faced a number of difficult challenges.”

One of them began three months ago when Pederson hired a consultant who tried to change the athletic department’s culture with blunt demands and performance reviews. The consultant, William J. DeLeo, was a retired executive for Duquesne Light Holdings Inc., an energy holding company in Pittsburgh, where Pederson had been the athletic director at Pitt. After DeLeo arrived in August, he and Pederson instituted the Operational Excellence Initiative.

Two months later came the resignation of Paul Meyers, the associate athletic director for fund-raising. His departure, one of several, got the attention of Perlman, the chancellor.

“That was a signal something was wrong,” Perlman said. “I knew how committed he was. I needed to take a harder look.”

This week, Osborne contacted Meyers to discuss a possible return.

The athletic department’s annual budget is $66.7 million, most of it generated by football revenue and donations. A call to DeLeo’s home requesting comment was not returned.

Perlman said Pederson was not fired strictly because of football results. But, he added, “I’m not trying to totally delink the two.”

Perlman said having football “in disarray” encouraged people to tell him of unhappiness in the athletic department. After listening to their complaints, he said he decided that Pederson lacked credibility and support to deal with football problems.

Among the issues: a fight at practice between two players that left one with facial bruises, and the removal two weeks ago of the traditional Blackshirts worn by defensive players at practice to honor their valor.

“We took them off until we play up to our standards,” said linebacker Bo Ruud, a Lincoln native whose brother, father, two uncles and great-grandfather also played for Nebraska.

Todd Peterson, a junior wide receiver from Grand Island, Neb., said: “It’s tough when you don’t win. I know it’s college, but it’s business at the same time. There’s a lot of money involved. We’re feeling pressure.”

Bay Area Husker ENews 10-25-07

noreply@blogger.com (Husker News) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:00:00 +0000

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans,

Another disappointing week....three losses in a row (with two at home) is tough to take, and virtually unheard of for most Husker fans under 60. With a 4-4 record, and looking at several tough games ahead (and mostly away games), the Huskers' post-season play is in doubt for the second time in Callahan's tenure. Yet its amazing to see that the networks are still willing to televise our games. Not only is the Texas game on ABC this weekend (12:30 start) but Fox Sports Network is picking up the Kansas game next weekend as a regular broadcast instead of a PPV game. Not sure if the K-State game will be televised but the Colorado game was set before the season started for a broadcast on ABC at 9 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving. So we'll activate the watch sites the next two Saturdays and hope our die-hard Bay Area fans will turn out for the game and cheer on the Huskers against the Longhorns. On a positive note there is a lot of coverage of Tom Osborne's first week at the helm of the Athletic Department (see below), and the defending National Champion Volleyball team continues to roll, although they stumbled this last night with a loss to Texas.

The self-deprecating humor has already started for the Husker football program, and I've added a couple samples in the Husker Humor column at the end of the email. Remember that laughter and gallows humor are nature's way of getting us through the tough times, so hope these bring a smile or a laugh to all of us who are suffering.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

Watch Sites:

The Huskers-Longhorns game is on ABC Regional TV this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time. I checked the broadcast map and it appears it will be broadcast on the ABC-Channel 7 affiliate in San Francisco. We've been caught short on these types of broadcasts before when they decide at the last minute to show something else instead of our game, so I would still recommend visiting your favorite Bay Area Husker Watch Site (they all have the package) for some Big Red camaraderie, some great Pub Grub and a couple of ales to sooth the pain or lift your spirits depending on the outcome. Get there early for a good seat and lunch before the game. Hope to see you there!

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HUSKERS GEAR UP FOR TEXAS OFFENSE...

The Nebraska defense will be challenged by Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, who threw for 220 yards last year against NU.

The Nebraska football team continued to prepare for a tough Texas offense Thursday afternoon during a two-and-a-half hour workout in Memorial Stadium in shoulder pads and shorts.

The focus of the preparation has been stopping Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy, who ranks third in the Big 12 at 278.8 passing yards per conference game and had 220 yards passing on 25-of-39 passes last year against the Huskers in UT's 22-20 win in Lincoln. McCoy, who as a sophomore ranks fifth in the Texas record books in career passing yardage, has shown the ability not only to make throws downfield, but also to make plays when the pocket breaks down.
"One of the things I see in McCoy is that, when he's executing the offense, when something breaks down, he's able to keep everything alive and he's able to keep plays growing and create out of the pocket and use his God-given athletic ability to make plays downfield, " head coach Bill Callahan said. "That's probably the most impressive thing I see in their passing game is that McCoy can extend the play. "

One of McCoy's top targets is sophomore tight end Jermichael Finley. The sophomore tight end has 28 catches for 396 yards this season and had a then-career-high four catches for 37 yards last year against Nebraska.

"He's a good tight end," Callahan said. "He has all the tools and all the traits you look for in an excellent tight end. Blocking-wise, he's complete. In terms of getting downfield, he can stretch the field. He has all the cuts."

Nebraska may be forced to face the Longhorns with a depleted linebacker corps. Neither Blake Lawrence or Bo Ruud practiced Thursday. Along with senior center Brett Byford, their status remains questionable for Saturday's game against Texas.

"Hopefully, they'll be ready tomorrow," Callahan said. "Hopefully, they'll all be on the trip. No one has been ruled out. They're still questionable right now."

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HUSKERS FALL TO AGGIES...

Marlon Lucky hauled in a school running back record 13 catches for 125 yards against Texas A&M on Saturday.

Lincoln - Marlon Lucky broke his own Nebraska running back record by hauling in 13 receptions for 125 yards, but it was not enough to offset a powerful Texas A&M running game, as the Huskers fell to the Aggies, 36-14, at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Playing in front of an NCAA-record 288th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium on a perfect day for football, the Huskers trailed 16-14 at the half, before Texas A&M took control of the game in the third quarter.

Nebraska, which slipped to 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12 with the loss, watched Texas A&M produce three long scoring drives to consume most of the second-half clock. The Aggies, who improved to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference, scored on drives of 80, 80 and 76 yards in the second half, eating up 15:40 on 34 plays on those drives.

Texas A&M's Jorvorskie Lane capped all three drives with short touchdown runs, as he finished the day with 15 carries for 130 yards and four scores. Lane wasn't the only Aggie to put up big numbers on the ground. A&M quarterback Stephen McGee carried a career-high 35 times for 167 yards.

As a team, the Aggies rushed for 344 yards, while adding 100 yards through the air to finish the day with 444 yards of total offense. The Huskers also amassed more than 400 yards of total offense, led by Sam Keller's 275 passing yards. NU added 130 yards on the ground, including 60 yards and one touchdown on just nine carries from freshman I-back Quentin Castille.

Although the total offense numbers were similar, Nebraska was victimized by three fumbles, while Texas A&M did not commit a turnover on the afternoon.

For the rest of the article see Huskers.com

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HUSKERS GAME AT KANSAS TO BE TELEVISED ON FSN (regular broadcast...NOT PPV this time)...

The Big 12 Conference and Fox Sports Net have announced that Nebraska's Nov. 3 contest at Kansas will be televised by the network. Game time from KUs Memorial Stadium is set for 9:30 a.m. (PDT - set clocks back on Sunday the 4th)

The NU-Kansas game will mark the first time in 2007 that a Husker game will be part of FSN's regular Big 12 television package. The Huskers have had games against Ball State and Oklahoma State televised by FSN on a pay-per-view basis.

This will mark the second consecutive year the Husker-Jayhawk game has been televised by FSN. A year ago, Nebraska defeated Kansas, 39-32, in overtime in Lincoln.

Nebraska's matchup with Texas this Saturday in Austin will be televised regionally by ABC, with a 12:30 p.m. PDT kickoff. A game time and television information for the Huskers' Nov. 10 home finale against Kansas State will be announced six to 12 days in advance, while NU's Nov. 23 regular-season finale at Colorado will be televised nationally by ABC beginning at 9 a.m. PST.
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GOT TOM??

Great article from USA Today (thanks Shari)...

OSBORNE'S RETURN PLEASES NEBRASKA FAITHFUL...

Former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne takes over as the school's interim athletic director and will be in charge of turning around the football team's fortunes. "If I can help, I'll try to do it," Osborne told supporters.

By Steve Wieberg, USA TODAY

LINCOLN, Neb. He stood before them, tall and still trim at age 70, glancing at notes he'd scrawled on the back of an envelope.

"If I can help, I'll try to do it," Tom Osborne said, speaking in a low, easy-going tone familiar to generations of Nebraskans. "We'll do the best we can."

On the football field where he once conducted business, things are a mess. Nebraska fell 36-14 to Texas A&M on Saturday, the Huskers' third loss in as many weeks and their third this season at home, something that hadn't happened in Memorial Stadium in almost four decades.

Hours earlier, however, some 300 boosters, fans and local dignitaries were gathered a few blocks away inside a ballroom in the school's student union. And they were utterly content. Osborne, just appointed Nebraska's interim athletics director and the featured guest at a reception hosted by Chancellor Harvey Perlman, spent nine minutes at the microphone in front of them. Telling a few jokes. Talking about his new job.

Soothing 300 souls.

"Everything is going to be better. I'm convinced it's going to be better," said Bill Poehling, a Nebraska alum and retired natural gas executive who was part of the gathering. "I'm just thrilled he decided to take this. There's no one that can do what Tom can do."

The call to Osborne, the former coach and icon who won 255 games, 13 conference championships and three national titles in 25 years with the Huskers, comes in their time of greatest need since the early '60s. Three-plus seasons under current coach Bill Callahan are all but deemed a failure. The athletics director who hired him, Steve Pederson, was fired last week over issues with his management style that were compounded by the losing.

Osborne insisted before Saturday's game that a similar fate for Callahan isn't a given. "I told the coaches, 'I don't want to make a change here. It's bad for recruiting. It's bad for the school,' " he said. "I want to see how everybody responds, the coaches, the players and then we'll go from there."

But Nebraska's performance against A&M was hardly a résumé-builder. One of the nation's lowest-rated defenses was plundered by the Aggies' option game, yielding 167 yards rushing to quarterback Stephen McGee and 130 yards and four touchdowns to jumbo running back Jovorskie Lane.

The Huskers' offense went scoreless in the second half, rushing for just 24 yards in the half and 130 for the game.

That underscored a fundamental objection to the system and mindset Callahan brought with him from the NFL in 2004: that they stray too far from the dearly held traditions of Nebraska football. Osborne's power-option teams pounded opponents on the ground. They featured Nebraska-born-and-bred players whose dreams began and ended with wearing the simple red "N" on their helmets.

Callahan's team, which counts just one offensive starter and nine of 44 first- and second-teamers from Nebraska, does neither.

The odds of a late surge by the Huskers don't appear great. Three of their four remaining games are on the road, starting with trips to Texas and Kansas the next two weekends.

Osborne has said he'll wait until the end of the season to decide on Callahan. If the choice is to change, though, that's running late in an era when many schools move quickly to get a jump on the most attractive replacement candidates and regain recruiting momentum before the February signing date.

Callahan concedes disappointment in Nebraska's slide to 4-4, which makes him 26-19 in his fourth season. But he's doing nothing to fuel speculation that he might save Osborne the trouble and resign. Pederson signed him to a new five-year, $1.75-million-a-year contract just seven weeks ago.

"We want to go to a bowl. We want to be better," Callahan said. "There's an opportunity to get better these next four games so we're going to do everything we can to do that."

Said quarterback Sam Keller, "There's nothing else to do but be men and keep working. I can't tell you why things are happening the way they are. I can't. All I can say is we just have to keep trying."

Osborne has attended practices, spoken to the coaching staff a couple of times and visited with players. What he says he's looking for, beyond wins and losses, is better effort than the Huskers showed in 35- and 31-point losses to Missouri and Oklahoma State that preceded Saturday's defeat by A&M.

What others in and around the program were looking for, they now have. As the hot new T-shirts in town proclaim: got tom!

"From the fan base perspective, there's definitely new life," said former Nebraska receiver Matt Davison, a Tecumseh, Neb., native who's now the Huskers' radio analyst. "Everybody's excited to have him back, first of all. But it's also the connection to such fond memories of Coach Osborne's last few years coaching. Everyone feels now that they're connected again to what Nebraska football used to be."

Current players also feel the vibe. "(When) he talked to us. "that's the first time I'd ever really heard him. I got goose bumps," said junior defensive end Zach Potter, who's from Omaha. "He came out to practice a couple of times. I looked and thought, 'Wow, Coach Osborne's over there. That's neat.'

"I'm not going to lie. I try harder when he's out there because he's, he's Coach Osborne. It's sweet."

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OSBORNE LIKES INCREASED INTENSITY...

Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne had his first "Talk to Tom" radio show on Tuesday night.

Lincoln - In his first radio show as Nebraska's interim athletic director Tuesday night on the Husker Sports Network, Tom Osborne offered up some encouragement for a team trying to snap a three-game losing streak Saturday at Texas.

"The thing I felt good about is the intensity level, especially when we were minus-three in turnovers," Osborne said. "I felt better about Saturday's game (against Texas A&M) because I saw more effort."

Osborne also liked what he saw of the Huskers in Tuesday's practice in full pads. "They ran it like they were undefeated," he said. "Our coaches are very professional. They've been around the block."

Osborne acknowledged that it would take a "monumental" effort for the 4-4 Huskers to beat the heavily favored Longhorns. But, he said, "We can still knock 'em off . . . these guys (coaches) are capable. They know football."

Earlier in the show, Osborne said his biggest challenge after one week on the job is "people are killing me with kindness." He said he's gotten so many phone calls, e-mails and personal visits that "I can't find the time to do things I really need to do."

Osborne said one of his highest priorities is meeting with every head coach in the athletic department and their respective teams. "By next week, I probably will have hit all the coaches in the program," Osborne said.

The link to Nebraska's Audio Archive provided above this story provides the full three hours of Sports Nightly on the Husker Sports Network. Osborne appeared on the show for an hour-long segment starting in the second hour of the program.

Osborne's hour-long "Talk to Tom" call-in show, is carried on the Husker Sports Network and available free world-wide on Huskers.com. It will air during its regular time slot on Mondays at 7 p.m. starting next week.

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RANDY YORK'S N-SIDER...

Tom Osborne: That Was The Week That Was

The minute I looked at front page feature stories on Tom Osborne in both The Omaha World-Herald and The Lincoln Journal Star on Sunday, I thought of a satirical television comedy program that originated in the 1960s on the British Broadcasting Company and later became popular in the United States.

It was called That Was The Week That Was, and David Frost used those six words to sign off after every episode.

I'm relatively sure that Tom Osborne, with a bit of satire in mind himself, would like to tell everyone that the week that was will never be again, and no one is happier about that than he is.
The Week That Was

ESPN College GameDay

Interview with Jim Rome
ESPN Radio Interview
KFAB Interview
Third Quarter Interview

Friday, as he climbed out of his car in front of the Holiday Inn before speaking to an overflow crowd at the Big Red Breakfast in Omaha, Nebraska's new interim athletic director said: "Randy, I've tried to help out (from a media relations perspective) in about every way I can this week, but I really prefer to get out of the limelight and work more behind the scenes."

I understand where Coach Osborne is coming from . . . I really do, and anyone who tried to keep up with him in his first week on the job would understand his position as well.

But after 255 wins, three national championships, six years in the U.S. House of Representatives and taking over an athletic department in one of the most crucial times in Nebraska history, stepping outside the limelight becomes a bit more difficult.

That's why, over the last six days, among other important things, Osborne has accommodated a small army of local, state and regional media. He has done national interviews with the Jim Rome Show, ESPN College Game Day, ESPN Radio with Mike Tirico and Kirk Herbstreit and with Fox Sports Radio Nationwide.

Coach Osborne even squeezed in an interview with a USA Today writer on Saturday shortly before speaking at the Chancellor's Pregame Tailgate Party at the Student Union Ballroom. On Sunday, another national publication informed us that a writer is en route to Lincoln and will be camped out here all week.

In other words, The Week That Was looks like Another Week That Will Be.

While Coach begins to rebuild the process that will produce the type of positive national attention Nebraska fans traditionally enjoy, let me make a few observations relevant to his first week on the job.

Bill Callahan and his coaching staff are embracing their relationship with Osborne, who insists that "I'm here to serve you; you're not here to serve me."

Nebraska's football players are also enjoying their new relationship with the legendary coach. They've given him loud ovations both times he's addressed the team. And Head Athletic Trainer Jerry Weber says they love having pictures of Nebraska's All-American players hanging outside the locker room.

Even though Coach was anointed a King at the recent Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball in Omaha, he insists there are no magic wands for coaches or athletic directors. "I am not a genius, and I don't have a crystal ball," he says. "And I think most everyone knows that in athletics, there are no quick fixes."

Osborne will continue to talk about the only culture he knows organizational loyalty, work ethic, unity and sacrifice. He believes intensity and chemistry grow out of those four qualities.
Osborne is in the process of meeting individually with every men's and women's team in the athletic department and will speak to prospective recruits in all sports when they are on campus.

Last Thursday afternoon, Osborne addressed Doc Sadler's basketball team. Sitting at the training table for dinner that night, three of those players described Osborne's speech as "life changing." They said his insight also gave them a different focus on how to handle competitive demands.

Jack Lemke, an NU sophomore middle distance runner who won three Nebraska Class A 800-meter titles at Omaha Benson and ran the second fastest 800-meter time in Nebraska prep history, must have heard the basketball players talking about Coach Osborne. A few minutes later, he asked: "When is Coach Osborne going to talk to the track team? Everyone who's heard him this week said he makes the hair on your arm stand straight up. I grew up idolizing that man, and now he's our athletic director. How cool is that?"

I understand why Coach Osborne wants to stay out of the limelight, so he can devote more time to inspiring our coaches and to helping the more than 500 Husker athletes he now leads and serves.

I also understand why so many fans are touched when they see or hear Coach Osborne. If you've had a personal experience with him, I'm interested in hearing about it. And even if you haven't had a personal experience with Coach, I'm sure that something he has said, or done or even stands for means something personally to you.

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OSBORNE TO RECEIVE BRYANT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD...

The Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards committee of the American Heart Association (AHA) has announced that longtime Nebraska Head Coach Tom Osborne has been named the 2008 winner of its' Lifetime Achievement Award.

Osborne will receive the award at the Paul "Bear" Bryant College Football Coaching Awards Dinner Thursday, Jan. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Houston. The award recognizes excellence in coaching on and off the field during a career, allowing recipients to take their place in history alongside legends such as Bryant. Recent Lifetime Achievement recipients include Glenn "Bo" Schembechler, Jack Pardee and Lou Holtz.

Osborne coached for 25 seasons at Nebraska, earning three National Championships and 13 conference titles. He led the Cornhuskers to a bowl appearance in every season, and broke Bryant's record of 24 straight postseason trips. Osborne retired with a record of 255-49-3 (.836), the fifth-best winning percentage in Division 1-A history and 12th best among all-time coaching wins.

In his final five seasons, the Huskers went 60-3, winning national titles outright in 1994 and 1995 and a co-championship in 1997. Osborne coached 47 first-team All-Americans who won 55 total honors, two Heisman Trophy winners, six Outland winners (top lineman), one Butkus winner (top linebacker) and one Johnny Unitas winner (top quarterback).

Retiring after the 1997 season, Osborne was named to the College Football Coaches Hall of Fame, earning a waiver on the three-year waiting period for induction. The playing field at Nebraska was also christened that year in Osborne's honor.

After a 36-year career in college football, Osborne turned his attention to politics, winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Nebraska's third district in 2000. Osborne served three terms in Congress. He recently returned to the college athletics arena when he was named interim athletics director at the University of Nebraska on Oct. 16.

Osborne is a fourth-generation Nebraskan, earning his bachelor's degree in history from Hastings College, and his master's and doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Nebraska.

After graduating from Hastings, he played three seasons in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers. Osborne switched to coaching in 1962, becoming an assistant coach at Nebraska under Bob Devaney and serving in various assistant positions before taking over the reigns as head coach in 1973.

Osborne and his wife of 44 years, Nancy, have three children and four grandchildren. He and Nancy founded the TeamMates Mentoring Program in 1991, in which University of Nebraska football players and other community volunteers mentor middle school students one-on-one in Nebraska public schools.

The Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards honors excellence in coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Bryant himself suffered a heart attack prior to his death in 1983. Funds raised benefit research, community education and outreach programs of the AHA.

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to reducing disability and death from diseases of the heart and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim over 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2005 '06 the association invested over $543 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives.

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NO. 1 HUSKERS FALL TO TEXAS...

Sarah Pavan had 17 kills in NU's loss at Texas.

Austin, Texas " Sarah Pavan totaled a match-high 17 kills, but fifth-ranked Texas snapped the Huskers' 29-match win streak with a 30-22, 30-25, 30-20 victory over top-ranked Nebraska Wednesday night in Austin.

Destinee Hooker and Juliann Faucette combined for 30 kills, as Texas became the first Big 12 team to sweep the Huskers since the Longhorns accomplished the feat in 1997.

With the win, Texas (15-3, 11-1 Big 12) forged into a tie with Nebraska (19-1, 11-1 Big 12) at the top of the Big 12 standings. The Huskers swept the first meeting between in the teams in Lincoln on Sept. 12. The Huskers, the last remaining unbeaten team in the country, fell for the first time since Nov. 11, 2006, at Colorado, a span of 30 matches Since then, NU had dropped only six games in that span prior to Wednesday's sweep and none in the last 17 matches.

Pavan finished with 17 kills, but the Huskers hit a season-low .145, nearly .200 points below their national-best .343 hitting entering Wednesday's contest and were swept for the first time since the 2005 NCAA title match. Hooker tied Pavan for match-high honors, while hitting .455 on 33 swings. Faucette finished with 13 kills, seven digs and three blocks, as UT out-blocked the Huskers 12.5-7 and hit .371 against the Big Red.

Nebraska Coach John Cook said the Huskers' inability to put pressure on the Longhorns, allowed Texas an opportunity to get rolling offensively.

"Texas played well tonight, and we were out of sync," Cook said. "If you don't pass the ball and stress them with serving, they are hard to stop. We allowed Destinee and Brandy (Magee) to get free swings and they are hard to stop if you do that. We did not pressure them serving and we didn't pass well. "

Cook said the Huskers didn't match the intensity that Texas brought to the gym tonight.

"We haven't been pushed all year. We were pushed tonight, and we didn't push back," Cook said. "It was disappointing with this team that they couldn't find a way to push back."

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HUSKERS SWEEP PAST HAWAII IN FRONT OF RECORD CROWD...

An NCAA record crowd of 13,396 watched Nebraska host Hawai'i.

Lincoln : The venue was different but the result was the same as the top-ranked Nebraska volleyball team swept past No. 11 Hawaii, 30-22, 30-16, 30-24, Sunday in front of an NCAA regular-season record crowd of 13,396 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Playing a home match away from the friendly confines of the NU Coliseum for the fourth time this season, Nebraska (19-0) remained the lone unbeaten team in the country while extending its home court winning streak to 66 in a row and sweeping an opponent for the 17th consecutive match.

Hawaii fell to 16-4 with the loss and saw its 13-match winning streak snapped at the hands of the Huskers.

The crowd of 13,396 broke the NCAA regular-season attendance mark of 13,081 set earlier in the year between Nebraska and Penn State at Qwest Center Omaha.

"It's pretty awesome to sit down there and look up," Nebraska Coach John Cook said. "This was a historic crowd, and it's great for the sport of volleyball. Probably what I'm most proud of is that it's really a tribute to this team and these kids. These are all great students; they're great people. They give back to this community. They represent everything you want in a college student-athlete. It really started blossoming with this senior class."

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LARSON GARNERS BIG 12 HONOR...

Lincoln -- Nebraska outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) was honored by the Big 12 Conference on Monday, as she was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.

Larson earned the honor after averaging 4.33 digs and 0.67 blocks per game, while also being perfect on serve receive in the Huskers' 3-0 week. Against Missouri, Larson recorded a season-high 18 digs and in the Huskers' sweep of Missouri. Larson totaled four blocks and six digs in Saturday's win over Kansas before rebounding with a match-high 15 digs against No. 11 Hawaii.

NU held the Rainbow Wahine without an ace on Sunday, the fifth Husker opponent held without an ace against NU this season. The Huskers also held Hawaii to just .140 hitting in snapping the Rainbow Wahine's 13-match win streak.

Larson, the tri-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, is the second Husker to earn the Big 12's weekly defensive honor this season, joining Christina Houghtelling, who garnered the award on Aug. 27.

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PAVAN BREAKS RECORD, HUSKERS SWEEP KANSAS...

Lincoln : One a night where the Husker volleyball program reached one milestone, Sarah Pavan reached another, helping No. 1 Nebraska remained undefeated with a 30-16, 30-25, 30-26 sweep of Kansas Saturday night.

The Huskers, who were celebrating their 100th consecutive home sellout in the historic NU Coliseum, rolled to their 65th consecutive home win, while Pavan passed Allison Weston for NUs all-time lead in career kills.

Pavan, who now has 1,780 career kills, passed Weston with her 16th kill of the night, a shot down the line that gave the Huskers the lead for good in the finale at 22-21. She finished with a match-high 17 kills on .406 hitting, two aces and three blocks.

"It means a lot," Pavan said, "The Nebraska program has had some great players come through it, and it's definitely one of the top programs in the country. I'm very excited to be able to do that, just follow Allison Weston, one of the greatest players to ever play at the collegiate level. It's really humbling."

"I just know Sarah wants to be one of the greatest players ever to play here," Cook said. "One way you measure that is by stats and records, and it's quite an accomplishment considering all the players who have been in this program for Sarah to pass that. It's a major accomplishment."

Weston, a three-time All-American at Nebraska and national player of the year as a senior, totaled 1,778 kills between 1992 and 1995.

"I knew I had 15 to go," Pavan said. "When I got my 16th kill, I could hear the crowd, so I figured I had probably reached 16. It was a really good feeling."

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HUSKER SOCCER LOOKS TO GET BACK ON TRACK IN ROAD GAMES...

Senior Abby Penas and the Huskers will look to rebound against Kansas and Missouri.

Lincoln-The Huskers will attempt to return to their winning ways as NU returns to the road for the final time this regular season this weekend. With two conference losses over the weekend, Nebraska (5-8-3, 1-6-0 Big 12) slipped further in the conference standings and now faces an uphill battle, as the Huskers travel to Lawrence to face Kansas (4-9-4, 2-2-3 Big 12) at 3 p.m. Friday and to Columbia on Sunday to battle No. 16 Missouri (11-4-0, 5-2-0 Big 12) at 1 p.m.

Sundays have hardly been a day of rest for the Huskers this year. Last Sunday's game against No. 3 Texas A&M was the fifth of the last six Sundays that NU has squared off against a team ranked in the top 25 in the nation. The road ahead does not get any easier either. This Sunday's game sees the Huskers face No. 16 Missouri. The Tigers started the year unranked but have clawed their way into second place in the Big 12 and a national ranking. Three of MU's four losses have been to teams ranked sixth or higher in the nation. The Tigers' youth has possibly been one of their strengths this year as several underclassmen have stepped up to the plate, including sophomore Kristin Andrighetto.

Nebraska has a chance to creat some momentum before the Missouri game, as the Huskers play Kansas on Friday. Like the Huskers, Kansas has faced several ranked opponents and, like the Huskers, have found the competition stiff. The Jayhawks currently sit eighth in the conference and hold the last bid to the Big 12 Championships. The Huskers will try and claim that spot for their own by focusing on the KU defense. The Jayhawks have forced senior goalkeeper Colleen Quinn to make 80 saves so far this season.

NU boasts an 82-30-4 all-time conference record, but is 1-3-1 away from Lincoln this year.

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HUSKER BASEBALL UNVEILS CHALLENGING 2008 SCHEDULE...

Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations

The Huskers open the 2008 baseball season on Feb. 22 at Stanford.

Lincoln : An impressive home schedule, 27 games against NCAA Tournament teams and a season-opening trip to national power Stanford highlight the 2008 Nebraska baseball schedule released Thursday.

The Huskers, who reached the title game of an NCAA Regional for the sixth time in the last eight seasons in 2007, will be tested against a slate that features five teams "Arkansas, Texas, Wichita State, Texas A&M and Missouri " which were No. 1 seeds in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

According to Head Coach Mike Anderson, the Huskers' non-conference schedule, which also features NCAA qualifiers UC Riverside, Louisiana-Lafayette and Creighton, will prepare Nebraska for the rigors of Big 12 action. Anderson credited the Huskers' tough non-conference slate in 2007 as a key reason the Big Red reached postseason play for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.

"We're going to challenge ourselves again with this schedule," Anderson said. "We understand that, but it was worth it to get our team ready for the postseason."

"Last year was an example where playing a tough schedule paid off in getting into the NCAA Tournament," Anderson said. "Because of the tough non-conference schedule we played and the wins against good teams outside of the Big 12, it not only helped us prepare for the conference, but also helped us in the NCAA Regional."

The 55-game regular-season schedule includes 32 home games, including a four-game series with NCAA qualifier UC Riverside to open the home schedule on Feb. 29. Other marquee non-conference tilts include a two-game series with SEC power Arkansas (March 18-19), a three-game series against Louisiana-Lafayette (May 2-4) and single games against Wichita State (April 15) and Creighton (April 22).

The Huskers open the 2008 season at Stanford's Sunken Diamond for a four-game series with the Cardinal Feb. 22-24. It marks the Huskers' first trip to Stanford since the 2000 Super Regional. One week later, the Huskers will open the home campaign with another familiar foe, as UC Riverside visits Hawks Field for a four-game series. The Huskers took on the Highlanders, who won the Big West Conference title in 2007, at the Tempe Regional last June. The four-game set begins a 10-game homestand prior to the Huskers' Big 12 opener at Kansas State on March 14.

Following the series at K-State, Nebraska begins a seven-game homestand with a bang, as Arkansas makes its first-ever visit to Hawks Field for a two-game series on March 18-19. The week continues with a key Big 12 Conference series against Oklahoma and two games against Northern Colorado. The Huskers wrap up the month with a series at defending Big 12 regular-season champion Texas.

The month of April is heavy into conference action, as NU hosts Texas Tech (April 4-6) and Kansas (April 18-20) and travels to Oklahoma State (April 11-13) and Baylor (April 25-27). The Huskers will play several midweek contests including the first two games of a three-game series with Creighton (April 1 and April 22) as well as matchups with Iowa (April 8), Wichita State (April 15) and two games against Western Illinois (April 29-30) which begin NU's final homestand of the year.

The Huskers will spend the first two weekends of May at Hawks Field, hosting Louisiana-Lafayette (May 2-4) and Big 12 Tournament champion Texas A&M (May 9-11) in the final home weekend of the regular-season. NU wraps up its three-game series with Creighton in the annual game at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium on Tuesday, May 13, before closing conference play at Missouri on May 16-18.

Postseason play begins with the annual Big 12 Tournament at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City from May 21-25 before NCAA Regionals (May 30-June 2), NCAA Super Regionals (June 6-9) and the College World Series (June 14-25) at Rosenblatt Stadium.

For the list of games see Huskers.com

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HUSKER HUMOR...

(Yes...its started....folks are using all of the well known sports jokes and are now substituting Nebraska where other stumbling teams were once listed as the brunt of harsh humor)...so here goes...enjoy!

Frustrated Bride...
A woman walked into a bridal shop one day and told the sales clerk that she was looking for a wedding gown for her fourth wedding.

"Of course, madam," replied the sales clerk, "exactly what type and color dress are you looking for?"

The bride to be said: "A long frilly white dress with a veil."

The sales clerk hesitated a bit, then said, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but gowns of that nature are considered more appropriate for brides who are being married for the first time - for those who are a bit more innocent, if you know what I mean? Perhaps ivory or sky blue would be nice?"

"Well," replied the customer, a little peeved at the clerk's directness, "I can assure you that a white gown would be quite appropriate. Believe it or not, despite all my marriages, I remain as innocent as a first-time bride. You see, my first husband was so excited about our wedding, he died as we were checking into our hotel. My second husband and I got into such a terrible fight in the limo on our way to our honeymoon that we had that wedding annulled immediately and never spoke to each other again."

"What about your third husband?" asked the sales clerk.

"That one was a Nebraska Football Coach," said the woman, "and every night for four years, he just sat on the edge of the bed and told me how good it was going to be, but nothing ever happened."

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Vandalism in Lincoln, Nebraska

A late model automobile, with two U of N football tickets visible on the dashboard, was vandalized in Lincoln sometime between midnight and 7am this morning. The vandal caused little damage to the vehicle, but did leave two additional football tickets on the dash.

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And this from a travel agency I know in Lincoln...

Sad thing happened after the Husker football game

I heard that a father gave his two children tickets to see the Nebraska - Texas A&M football game on Saturday. Sunday the police were at his door. It appears that the Huskers played so poorly that the authorities said that any father that made their children watch the Huskers could be cited for child abuse.