2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Conference	Big Ten Conference Legends Division
Ranking
BCS	#21
Coaches	#22
AP	#22
2011 record	8–3 (4–3 Big Ten)
Head coach	Bo Pelini (4th year)
Offensive coordinator	Tim Beck (1st year)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Carl Pelini (4th year)
Base defense	4–3 defense
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium
Seasons « 2010

2011 Big Ten football standings
v · d · e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Legends
#11 Michigan State xy		6	–	1					9	–	2
#17 Michigan		5	–	2					9	–	2
#22 Nebraska		4	–	3					8	–	3
Iowa		4	–	3					7	–	4
Northwestern		3	–	4					6	–	5
Minnesota		1	–	6					2	–	9
Leaders
#20 Penn State x		6	–	1					9	–	2
#15 Wisconsin		5	–	2					9	–	2
Purdue		3	–	4					5	–	6
Ohio State		3	–	4					6	–	5
Illinois		2	–	5					6	–	5
Indiana		0	–	7					1	–	10
Championship: Michigan State vs. Penn State/Wisconsin December 3, 2011
x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant As of November 20, 2011 • Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team will represent the University of Nebraska in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team will be coached by Bo Pelini and will play their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. This season will be Nebraska's first in the Big Ten, as they moved from the Big 12 to the Big Ten following the conclusion of the 2010 season.

Before the season

The 2011 football season marks Nebraska's entrance into the Big Ten Conference.

Recruiting

Scholarship recruits

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Abdullah, Ameer RB	Homewood, AL	Homewood	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)	177 lb (80 kg)	4.51	Jan 20, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Allen, Taariq WR	Weston, MA	Rivers	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.54	Oct 26, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Bondi, Mauro K	Boca Raton, FL	West	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)	190 lb (86 kg)	N/A	Jan 30, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Carter, Joe DE	Aiken, SC	Chaffey CC	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)	250 lb (110 kg)	N/A	Jan 28, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:
Davie, Daniel S	Beatrice, NE	Beatrice	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)	181 lb (82 kg)	4.32	Jun 17, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Green, Aaron RB	San Antonio, TX	Madison	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)	191 lb (87 kg)	4.44	Oct 27, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Jackson, Charles CB	Klein, TX	Collins	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.4	Oct 30, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Klachko, Ryan OL	Springfield, IL	Sacred Heart-Griffin	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	280 lb (130 kg)	5.47	Apr 7, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Moore, Tyler OT	Clearwater, FL	Countryside	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)	290 lb (130 kg)	5.07	Oct 10, 2009
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Peat, Todd DT	Tempe, AZ	Corona del Sol	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	300 lb (140 kg)	5.04	Feb 2, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Pirman, Max OLB	Orrville, OH	Orrville	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)	218 lb (99 kg)	4.69	Nov 15, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Price, Givens OT	Houston, TX	Taylor	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	278 lb (126 kg)	5.09	Dec 6, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Reeves, Ryne OG	Crete, NE	Crete	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	286 lb (130 kg)	5	Jun 10, 2009
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Santos, David LB	Klein, TX	Collins	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)	193 lb (88 kg)	4.55	Jul 31, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Stafford, Daimion S	Norco, CA	Chaffey CC	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)	210 lb (95 kg)	4.46	May 19, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:
Starling, Bubba QB	Gardner, KS	Gardner Edgerton	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)	193 lb (88 kg)	4.5	Jun 19, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Sterup, Zach OT	Hastings, NE	St. Cecilia	6 ft 8 in (203 cm)	260 lb (120 kg)	5	Jun 22, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Sutton, David TE	Lincoln, NE	Southeast	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	245 lb (111 kg)	4.60	Jan 30, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:
Turner, Jamal QB	Arlington, TX	Sam Houston	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)	170 lb (77 kg)	4.5	Jan 28, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Williams, Kevin DT	Holland, OH	Springfield	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)	275 lb (125 kg)	4.9	Apr 19, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 23   Rivals: 15  ESPN: 16
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Yahoo Sports: Rivals.com 2011 Nebraska Commitments". Rivals.com. http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/commitments/2011/alabama-23. Retrieved 2011-02-19.  "Scout.com 2011 Nebraska Commitments". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=204&p=9&c=8&yr=2011. Retrieved 2011-02-19.  "ESPN 2011 Nebraska Commitments". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/college-football/recruiting/school/_/id/158/class/2011. Retrieved 2011-02-19.  "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=204&p=9&c=14&yr=2011. Retrieved 2011-02-19.  "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?type=0&sort=0&year=2011. Retrieved 2011-02-19.

Walk-on recruits

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Broekmeier, Tyson QB	Aurora, NE	Aurora	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.7	Feb 1, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Burtch, Sam WR	Elmwood, NE	Elmwood-Murdock	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.6
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Gangwish, Jack LB	Wood River, NE	Wood River	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.9	Jan 24, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Hayes, Aaron OL	Elkhorn, NE	Elkhorn	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	265 lb (120 kg)	5.2	Jan 22, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Kucera, Adam OL	Litchfield, NE	Litchfield	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)	285 lb (129 kg)	N/A	Jan 24, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Kuzu, Murat RB	Plano, TX	Plano	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.54	Feb 4, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Ridder, Anthony LB	West Point, NE	Central Catholic	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.7	Jan 29, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Ridder, Eddie TE	Elkhorn, NE	Mt. Michael	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)	225 lb (102 kg)	N/A
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Sailors, Will OL	Lincoln, NE	Northeast	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	260 lb (120 kg)	5.2	Jan 24, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Slaughter, Derek LB	Pelham, AL	Pelham	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.65	Jan 25, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Wynne, Richard RB	Omaha, NE	Creighton Prep	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.45	Jan 28, 2011
	Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?type=0&sort=0&year=2011. Retrieved 2011-02-19.

Schedule

^[1][2]

Date	Time	Opponent#	Rank#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	2:30 p.m.	#21 (FCS) Chattanooga*	#10	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	BTN	W 40–7	84,883
September 10	6:00 p.m.	Fresno State*	#10	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	BTN	W 42–29	85,101
September 17	2:30 p.m.	Washington*	#11	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	ABC	W 51–38	85,110
September 24	6:30 p.m.	at Wyoming*	#9	War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, Wyoming	Versus	W 38–14	32,617
October 1	7:00 p.m.	at #7 Wisconsin	#8	Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin	ABC	L 17–48	81,384
October 8	7:00 p.m.	Ohio State	#14	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	ABC	W 34–27	85,426
October 22	2:30 p.m.	at Minnesota	#13	TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota	ABC/ESPN2	W 41–14	49,187
October 29	11:00 a.m.	#9 Michigan State	#13	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	ESPN	W 24–3	85,641
November 5	2:30 p.m.	Northwestern	#9	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	BTN	L 25-28	85,115
November 12	11:00 a.m.	at #12 Penn State	#19	Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania	ESPN	W 17-14	107,903
November 19	11:00 a.m.	at #20 Michigan	#17	Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan	ESPN	L 17-45	113,718
November 25	11:00 a.m.	Iowa	#22	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska	ABC
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Roster and coaching staff

2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class IB Abdullah, AmeerAmeer Abdullah 1.0 !Fr WR Allen, TaariqTaariq Allen 1.0 !Fr OL 70 Ash, NickNick Ash 3.0 !So TE 82 Barry, RobertRobert Barry 3.0 !So WR 80 Bell, KennyKenny Bell 2.0 !RFr QB Broekemeier, TysonTyson Broekemeier 1.0 !Fr IB 22 Burkhead, RexRex Burkhead 4.0 !Jr WR Burtch, SamSam Burtch 1.0 !Fr OL 58 Caputo, MikeMike Caputo 5.0 !Sr QB 16 Carnes, BrionBrion Carnes 2.0 !RFr OL 51 Chapek, BrandonBrandon Chapek 3.0 !So OL 77 Choi, Seung HoonSeung Hoon Choi 4.0 !Jr OL 72 Coffey, JesseJesse Coffey 3.0 !So WR 1 Cooper, KhiryKhiry Cooper 4.0 !Jr TE 81 Cotton, BenBen Cotton 4.0 !Jr OL 67 Criss, ScottScott Criss 3.0 !So WR Davie, DanielDaniel Davie 1.0 !Fr WR 87 Dixon, TaylorTaylor Dixon 4.0 !Jr WR 18 Enunwa, QuincyQuincy Enunwa 3.0 !So WR 88 Evans, TylerTyler Evans 2.0 !RFr WR 11 Gilleylen, CurenskiCurenski Gilleylen 5.0 !Sr IB Green, AaronAaron Green 1.0 !Fr QB 17 Green, CodyCody Green 4.0 !Jr OL 50 Hardrick, JermarcusJermarcus Hardrick 5.0 !Sr OL Hayes, AaronAaron Hayes 1.0 !Fr FB 34 Hron, MitchMitch Hron 3.0 !So WR 45 Hughes, KeeganKeegan Hughes 2.0 !RFr WR 85 Hyland, KCKC Hyland 4.0 !Jr WR 83 Jean-Baptiste, StanleyStanley Jean-Baptiste 3.0 !So OL 55 Jensen, RobRob Jensen 2.0 !RFr IB 28 Jones, AustinAustin Jones 5.0 !Sr OL 52 Jones, DwightDwight Jones 3.0 !So OL 78 Jones, MarcelMarcel Jones 5.0 !Sr QB 12 Kellogg III, RonRon Kellogg III 3.0 !So TE 89 Kerr, J.T.J.T. Kerr 3.0 !So WR 4 Kildow, TyTy Kildow 3.0 !So WR 84 Kinnie, BrandonBrandon Kinnie 5.0 !Sr OL Klachko, RyanRyan Klachko 1.0 !Fr OL Kucera, AdamAdam Kucera 1.0 !Fr RB Kuzu, MuratMurat Kuzu 1.0 !Fr FB 48 Legate, TylerTyler Legate 5.0 !Sr OL 75 Lingenfelter, LukeLuke Lingenfelter 5.0 !Sr TE 41 Long, JakeJake Long 3.0 !So OL 61 Long, SpencerSpencer Long 3.0 !So WR 6 Marlowe, TimTim Marlowe 4.0 !Jr FB 35 Martin, JayJay Martin 5.0 !Sr QB 3 Martinez, TaylorTaylor Martinez 3.0 !So TE 86 McClure, MychaelMychael McClure 4.0 !Jr OL Moore, TylerTyler Moore 1.0 !Fr OL 57 Moudy, MikeMike Moudy 2.0 !RFr OL 69 Nickens, BrodrickBrodrick Nickens 3.0 !So IB 29 Okafor, CollinsCollins Okafor 4.0 !Jr WR 21 Osborne, StevenSteven Osborne 4.0 !Jr OL 56 Pelini, MarkMark Pelini 2.0 !RFr OL 62 Pensick, ColeCole Pensick 3.0 !So OL Price, GivensGivens Price 1.0 !Fr OL 76 Qvale, BrentBrent Qvale 3.0 !So TE 25 Reed, KylerKyler Reed 4.0 !Jr OL Reeves, RyneRyne Reeves 1.0 !Fr TE Ridder, EddieEddie Ridder 1.0 !Fr OL 63 Rodriguez, AndrewAndrew Rodriguez 3.0 !So OL Sailors, WillWill Sailors 1.0 !Fr WR 43 Schrodt, DillonDillon Schrodt 2.0 !RFr OL 71 Sirles, JeremiahJeremiah Sirles 3.0 !So WR 39 Smith, JacobJacob Smith 2.0 !RFr QB Starling, BubbaBubba Starling 1.0 !Fr OL Sterup, ZachZach Sterup 1.0 !Fr TE Sutton, DavidDavid Sutton 1.0 !Fr RB 40 Taylor, ZachZach Taylor 2.0 !RFr OL 79 Thompson, BrandonBrandon Thompson 4.0 !Jr OL 59 Thorson, BrianBrian Thorson 4.0 !Jr WR 10 Turner, JamalJamal Turner 1.0 !Fr IB 14 Ward, LesterLester Ward 4.0 !Jr TE 47 Wells, BrettBrett Wells 3.0 !So WR 26 Wullenwaber, TylerTyler Wullenwaber 2.0 !RFr RB Wynee Jr., RichardRichard Wynee Jr. 1.0 !Fr FB 31 Zimmerer, C.J.C.J. Zimmerer 3.0 !So	Defense Pos. # Name Class DE 70 Anderson, KennyKenny Anderson 4.0 !Jr DE 9 Ankrah, JasonJason Ankrah 3.0 !So DE 47 Ashburn, WalkerWalker Ashburn 2.0 !RFr DB 40 Bart, JoshJosh Bart 2.0 !RFr CB 2 Bell, AntonioAntonio Bell 4.0 !Jr DB 39 Blatchford, JustinJustin Blatchford 4.0 !Jr CB 14 Blue, AnthonyAnthony Blue 5.0 !Sr DE Carter, JosephJoseph Carter 4.0 !Jr S 8 Cassidy, AustinAustin Cassidy 5.0 !Sr LB 51 Compton, WillWill Compton 4.0 !Jr DB 6 Cooper, CoreyCorey Cooper 2.0 !RFr DT 96 Cotton, JakeJake Cotton 2.0 !RFr DT 94 Crick, JaredJared Crick 5.0 !Sr LB 4 David, LavonteLavonte David 5.0 !Sr CB 31 Dean, JaseJase Dean 4.0 !Jr CB 15 Dennard, AlfonzoAlfonzo Dennard 5.0 !Sr S 32 Ebke, JimJim Ebke 5.0 !Sr DB 17 Evans, CianteCiante Evans 3.0 !So DB 25 Felici, JoeyJoey Felici 2.0 !RFr LB 42 Fisher, SeanSean Fisher 4.0 !Jr DB 30 Foster, DerekDerek Foster 2.0 !RFr LB Gangwish, JackJack Gangwish 1.0 !Fr DE 80 Gdowski, AndyAndy Gdowski 2.0 !RFr DB 11 Green, AndrewAndrew Green 3.0 !So DL 99 Guy, JayJay Guy 2.0 !RFr DB 35 Holt, AndrewAndrew Holt 2.0 !RFr CB Jackson, CharlesCharles Jackson 1.0 !Fr DB 26 Jackson, HarveyHarvey Jackson 2.0 !RFr DT 58 Jackson, JustinJustin Jackson 4.0 !Jr DB 29 Jameson, SethSeth Jameson 3.0 !So LB 44 Kreikemeier, MicahMicah Kreikemeier 4.0 !Jr LB 49 Manninger, MattMatt Manninger 4.0 !Jr LB 46 Martin, EricEric Martin 4.0 !Jr LB 36 May, MathewMathew May 5.0 !Sr DE 65 McDermott, ColinColin McDermott 4.0 !Jr DE 89 McDermott, ConorConor McDermott 4.0 !Jr LB 33 McGill, TysonTyson McGill 2.0 !RFr CB 32 Mendoza, MarcusMarcus Mendoza 5.0 !Sr DE 34 Meredith, CameronCameron Meredith 4.0 !Jr CB 2 Middleton, LazarriLazarri Middleton 3.0 !So DB 18 Mitchell, JoshJosh Mitchell 2.0 !RFr DT 68 Molek, JoshJosh Molek 4.0 !Jr DE 52 Moore, J.C.J.C. Moore 2.0 !RFr DT 90 Moore, TerrenceTerrence Moore 5.0 !Sr DB 43 Moravec, BrentBrent Moravec 4.0 !Jr DE 48 Okuyemi, TobiTobi Okuyemi 2.0 !RFr S 12 Osborne, CourtneyCourtney Osborne 4.0 !Jr LB 56 Paulsen, DevinDevin Paulsen 3.0 !So DT Peat Jr., ToddTodd Peat Jr. 1.0 !Fr LB Pirman, MaxMax Pirman 1.0 !Fr DL 53 Randle, ThaddeusThaddeus Randle 3.0 !So DB 19 Richards, WilWil Richards 3.0 !So LB Ridder, AnthonyAnthony Ridder 1.0 !Fr LB 54 Roach, TrevorTrevor Roach 2.0 !RFr DT 97 Rome, ChaseChase Rome 2.0 !RFr LB Santos, DavidDavid Santos 1.0 !Fr LB Slaughter, DerekDerek Slaughter 1.0 !Fr S 13 Smith, P.J.P.J. Smith 4.0 !Jr DB Stafford, DaimionDaimion Stafford 4.0 !Jr LB 59 Starkebaum, ColbyColby Starkebaum 3.0 !So DT 55 Steinkuhler, BakerBaker Steinkuhler 4.0 !Jr LB 38 Stoddard, GrahamGraham Stoddard 4.0 !Jr DE 37 Thomsen, KevinKevin Thomsen 5.0 !Sr DB 23 Thorell, LanceLance Thorell 5.0 !Sr DL 61 Uher, JeffJeff Uher 2.0 !RFr DE 91 Vestal, DonovanDonovan Vestal 2.0 !RFr DB 38 Wade, YusefYusef Wade 2.0 !RFr CB 10 Washington, DijonDijon Washington 3.0 !So LB 45 Whaley, AlonzoAlonzo Whaley 4.0 !Jr DB 24 Williams, AustinAustin Williams 2.0 !RFr DE 98 Williams, JoshJosh Williams 4.0 !Jr DT Williams, KevinKevin Williams 1.0 !Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK Bondi, MauroMauro Bondi 1.0 !Fr P/PK 27 Damkroger, JonJon Damkroger 5.0 !Sr P/PK 96 Maher, BrettBrett Maher 4.0 !Jr LS 92 Mangieri, P.J.P.J. Mangieri 4.0 !Jr LS/LB 67 Meginnis, SamSam Meginnis 4.0 !Jr	Head coach Bo Pelini    4th season    5th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Ohio State Coordinators/assistant coaches Tim Beck    1st season as OC/QB coach    4th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: UCF Carl Pelini    4th season as DC/DL coach    4th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Youngstown State Ron Brown    1st season as RB coach    21st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Brown Barney Cotton    4th season as AHC/OL coach    5th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Nebraska Ross Els    1st season as LB coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Nebraska-Omaha Rich Fisher    1st season as WR coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Colorado John Garrison    1st season as OL/TE coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Nebraska John Papuchis    4th season as DE/ST coach    4th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Virginia Tech Corey Raymond    1st season as Sec coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: LSU T. J. Hollowell    1st season as GA coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Nebraska Vince Marrow    1st season as GA coach    1st year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Youngstown State James Dobson    4th season as S&C coach    4th year at Nebraska    Alma mater: Wisconsin Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: 2011-02-19

Game notes

Chattanooga

Chattanooga at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total Chattanooga 0 0 7 0 7 • #10 Nebraska 10 13 17 0 40 Date: 2011-09-03 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE Game start: 2:38 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:06 Game attendance: 84,883 Game weather: Cloudy, 78ºF, Wind NW@17-26mph Referee: Dan Capron TV announcers (BTN): Kevin Kugler, Kelly Stouffer, Ahman Green Source:[3]

This game was Nebraska's first football game as a representative of the Big Ten, and the first meeting between the Cornhuskers and the FCS Chattanooga Mocs, who are members of the Southern Conference. The Mocs finished 2010 with a 6–5 record (5–3 in conference for a three-way tie for 3rd place), including a 24–62 defeat at the hands of #3 Auburn on November 6, 2010.

Fresno State

Fresno State at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total Fresno State 14 3 3 9 29 • #10 Nebraska 7 7 7 21 42 Date: 2011-09-10 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE Game start: 6:08 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:36 Game attendance: 85,101 Game weather: Clear, 80ºF, Wind E@5mph Referee: Bill Athan TV announcers (BTN): Eric Collins, Chris Martin, Dionne Miller Source:[4]

Nebraska opened a series with another new foe never before met on the field, for a second consecutive week, when the Fresno State Bulldogs arrived in Lincoln. Fresno State finished the 2010 season under 14th–year Head Coach Pat Hill with an 8–5 record (5–3 in the Western Athletic Conference for 4th place), including a 17–40 postseason loss to the 2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football team Huskies in the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl.

Washington

Washington at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total Washington 7 10 0 21 38 • #11 Nebraska 10 10 17 14 51 Date: 2011-09-17 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE Game start: 2:42 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:32 Game attendance: 85,110 Game weather: Overcast, 58ºF, Wind SE@14mph Referee: Dave Witvoet TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Heather Cox Source:[5]

When Nebraska met Washington in their September 18, 2010 non-conference match, the Cornhuskers won 56–21 in Seattle, tying the most points ever scored by a non–conference opponent in Husky Stadium, and igniting Heisman Trophy talk around Nebraska's redshirt freshman QB Taylor Martinez. However, a mid-season ankle injury to Martinez coincided with a downturn in Nebraska's fortunes late in the season, as the Cornhuskers finished the season by losing two of the last three games, including letting a 17–3 advantage over Oklahoma in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game fade into a 20–23 defeat. After the loss, Nebraska was selected for a rematch with Washington in the 2010 Holiday Bowl, where an uninspired Cornhusker squad bowed to the effort and determination of the underdog Huskies and their senior QB, Jake Locker. The 7–19 postseason loss left Nebraska with three losses in the final four games of the season. This closing chapter matched a mark not seen since 2007, the final season of former Cornhusker Head Coach Bill Callahan. The 2011 meeting of these teams, this time in Lincoln, was the third time Washington and Nebraska played in just under a year. The all-time series now has a one game edge for Nebraska with a 5–4–1 record between the two teams.

Wyoming

Nebraska at Wyoming

1 2 3 4 Total • #9 Nebraska 7 7 10 14 38 Wyoming 0 7 0 7 14 Date: 2011-09-24 Location: War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyoming Game start: 6:38 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:07 Game attendance: 32,617 Game weather: Calm, 74ºF, Wind N@12mph Referee: Dennis Lipski TV announcers (VS): Paul Burmeister, Shaun King, Anthony Herron Source:[6]

Wyoming Head Coach Dave Christensen led the 2009 Cowboys to a 7–6 (4–4 Mountain West Conference) finish in his first season, including a 35–28 defeat of Fresno State in the 2009 New Mexico Bowl. However, the Cowboys slid to a disappointing 2010 final record of 3–9 (1–7), which included a 28–20 win over Southern Utah of the FCS. Nebraska is undefeated in all five previous meetings of these teams, with a combined scoring total of 203–69. The series dates back to 1934, but this will be the first time the squads meet at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

Wisconsin

Nebraska at Wisconsin

1 2 3 4 Total #8 Nebraska 7 7 0 3 17 • #7 Wisconsin 7 20 14 7 48 Date: 2011-10-01 Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin Game start: 7:12 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:22 Game attendance: 81,384 Game weather: Clear, 51ºF, Wind N@5mph Referee: Bill LeMonnier TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Erin Andrews Source:[7]

Nebraska opened Big Ten conference play for the first time, with a road game at Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers met a team that finished 2010 in a three-way tie for the Big Ten title and an 11–2 (7–1) record, which included a 19–21 loss to #3 TCU in the 2011 Rose Bowl. Following Wisconsin's 48—17 win, the series between the two schools is tied at 3–3.

Ohio State

Ohio State at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total Ohio State 10 10 7 0 27 • #14 Nebraska 3 3 14 14 34 Date: 2011-10-08 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE Game start: 7:12 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:14 Game attendance: 85,426 Game weather: Scattered Showers, 70ºF, Wind SSE@5-10mph Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Heather Cox Source:[8]

This game was the third all-time meeting between Nebraska and Ohio State, and the first since 1956. The game also marked the Buckeyes' first appearance in Lincoln. In two previous three contests, Ohio State had outscored Nebraska a combined 62-27. Nebraska trailed at halftime 20-6, and would ultimately fall behind by a score of 27-6 midway through the 3rd quarter. Nebraska's ultimate comeback began with a LaVonte David strip and fumble recovery of Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller. On the next play Taylor Martinez ran past the Ohio State defense for an 18 yard touchdown, the first of 4 unanswered touchdowns. On the subsequent Ohio State series, Braxton Miller twisted his ankle causing him to leave the game. He would not return. He was replaced by Joe Bauserman who would go 1–10 passing including a costly interception. The Nebraska offense out gained Ohio State in the 2nd half by a total of 250 to 45 yards. With the win, Nebraska secured its first ever victory over Ohio State and as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The win also marked the largest come from behind win in school history after trailing 6–27 midway through the third quarter.^[9]

Minnesota

Nebraska at Minnesota

1 2 3 4 Total • #13 Nebraska 10 24 7 0 41 Minnesota 0 0 7 7 14 Date: 2011-10-22 Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota Game start: 2:36 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 2:59 Game attendance: 49,187 Game weather: Clear, 61ºF, Wind NNW@3mph Referee: Todd Geerlings TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard Source:[10]

Nebraska renewed an old rivalry against the Golden Gophers, as the Cornhuskers played at TCF Bank Stadium for the first time for Minnesota's 2011 homecoming game. The last meeting was a 1990 non-conference game. First-year Minnesota Head Coach Jerry Kill has taken over the squad following a 3–9 (2–6) finish in 2010. With Nebraska's 41–14 win in this contest Minnesota still holds a 29–21 edge in the all-time series.

Michigan State

Michigan State at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total #9 Michigan State 0 3 0 0 3 • #13 Nebraska 10 0 14 0 24 Date: 2011-10-29 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE Game start: 11:02 a.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:14 Game attendance: 85,641 Game weather: Sunny, 45ºF, Wind S@5-10mph Referee: Dan Capron TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Urban Meyer, Quint Kessenich Source:[11]

Nebraska met Michigan State for the first time since the Spartans were defeated 3–17 by Nebraska in the 2003 Alamo Bowl. Of special significance, that was the first Nebraska football Nebraska football victory under Head Coach Bo Pelini, as he served a one-game stint as interim Head Coach following the late-season dismissal of Frank Solich in 2003. The victory added to Nebraska's undefeated record against the Spartans, moving the streak to 6-0.

Northwestern

Northwestern at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total • Northwestern 7 0 7 14 28 #9 Nebraska 0 3 7 15 25 Date: 2011-11-05 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE Game start: 2:42 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:15 Game attendance: 85,115 Game weather: Sunny, 59ºF, Wind S@25mph Referee: Dave Witvoet TV announcers (BTN): Eric Collins, Chris Martin, Dionne Miller Source:[12]

Following an important Legends division win against Michigan State the previous week, Nebraska dropped a stunning 28-25 decision to Pat Fitzgerald's Northwestern Wildcats. The 2011 match up between the Huskers and Wildcats marked the first contest between the two schools since the Nebraska's 66-17 victory in the 2000 Alamo Bowl. Despite the loss, Nebraska still holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series.

Penn State

Nebraska at Penn State

1 2 3 4 Total • #19 Nebraska 0 10 7 0 17 #12 Penn State 0 0 7 7 14 Date: 2011-11-12 Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania Game start: 11:03 a.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:27 Game attendance: 107,903 Game weather: Mostly Sunny, 40-50ºF, Wind SW@15mph Referee: Scott McElwee TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Tom Rinaldi, Lisa Salters Source:[13]

The game against Penn State was surrounded by the circumstances presented in the Penn State sex abuse scandal. Allegations against the former Penn State assistant coach emerged nationally in the week leading up the game. In the wake of the scandal, Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was fired the Wednesday of game week. Penn State's contest against Nebraska marked the first Nittany Lion's game not coached by Paterno in 46 years.^[14] Before the kickoff, players from both sides met at mid–field for a prayer led by Nebraska assistant football coach Ron Brown. In the game, Nebraska led 10–0 at halftime and then extended their lead to 17–0 after taking advantage of a Matt McGloin fumble in the third quarter. Penn State rallied and had a chance to win after scoring two touchdowns and narrowing the deficit to 17-14.^[15] However, Nebraska's defense came up with two key fourth down stops to secure the victory. The game was marked with much emotion with a blue-out at Beaver Stadium in support of the alleged victims of Sandusky's crimes.

Michigan

Nebraska at Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total #17 Nebraska 7 3 7 0 17 • #20 Michigan 10 7 14 14 45 Date: 2011-11-19 Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan Game start: 11:00 a.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:30 Game attendance: 113,718 Game weather: Partly cloudy, Upper 40sºF, Wind: S@15-20 Referee: Dennis Lipski TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Urban Meyer, Quint Kessenich Source:[16]

Iowa

Iowa at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total Iowa 0 0 0 0 0 #22 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 0 Date: 2011-11-25 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE Game start: 11:00 a.m. CST TV announcers (ABC): Bob Wischusen, Bob Davie, Jeanine Edwards

Rankings

See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking Movement
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week. NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes.

Poll	Pre	Wk 1	Wk 2	Wk 3	Wk 4	Wk 5	Wk 6	Wk 7	Wk 8	Wk 9	Wk 10	Wk 11	Wk 12	Wk 13	Wk 14	Final
AP	10	10	11	9	8	14	14	13	13	9	19	17	22
Coaches	11	10	10	9	8	15	14	11	13	9	17	16	22
Harris	Not released						13	11	13	9	17	16	21
BCS	Not released							13	14	10	19	16	21

References

Media related to 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team at Wikimedia Commons

1. ^ Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule – 2011, ESPN, retrieved 2 August 2011
2. ^ NCAA Football TV Listings, NCAAFootball.com, retrieved 2 August 2011
3. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Chattanooga vs Nebraska". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/782943.pdf?SPSID=1&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
4. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Fresno State vs Nebraska". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/784158.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=100. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
5. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Washington vs Nebraska". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/785569.pdf?SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
6. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Wyoming". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/787382.pdf?SPSID=1&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
7. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Wisconsin". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com//pdf8/788720.pdf. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
8. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Ohio State vs Nebraska". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/789833.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=100. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
9. ^ "Taylor Martinez caps Huskers' biggest comeback in win over Buckeyes". ESPN.com. 8 October 2011. http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312810158. Retrieved 12 October 2011. 
10. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Minnesota". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com//pdf8/792859.pdf. Retrieved 2011-10-24. 
11. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), #9 MSU vs #13 Nebraska". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/794251.pdf. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
12. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Northwestern vs Nebraska". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/796066.pdf. Retrieved 2011-11-06. 
13. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Penn State". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com/pdf8/797291.pdf. Retrieved 2011-11-12. 
14. ^ "Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier removed". ESPN.com. 10 November 2011. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7214380/joe-paterno-president-graham-spanier-penn-state. Retrieved 16 November 2011. 
15. ^ Juliano, Joe (13 November 2011). "Shocking week ends with loss". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 
16. ^ "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Michigan". Huskers.com. http://www.huskers.com//pdf8/799255.pdf. Retrieved 2011-11-21.