Husker Football

It all came together Wednesday night in San Diego as the Huskers dismantled Arizona 33 - 0. For the first time in quite a while, the Huskers put it all together: offense, defense and special teams. The Blackshirts sent Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the seniors off in style as they secured the first shutout in the 32 year history of the Holiday Bowl. Arizona was only able to manage 6 first downs and 109 yards for the game; while the Huskers' offense came alive in this game with 19 first downs and 396 total offensive yards. The Huskers were finally healthy this game and the extra preparation for the bowl game seemed to really pay off. This makes the first 10 win season since 2003. The Huskers are hoping to use this momentum in spring ball and are ready to compete for the Big 12 championship and become players on the national scene again. Holiday Bowl stats ..... Holiday Bowl highlights

Going into last night's game the Huskers were a 2 touchdown underdog to the undefeated Longhorns. Around the country nobody gave the Huskers a chance in this game. When it was all said and done, the Longhorns were lucky to escape with a 13 - 12 win. The Blackshirt defense recorded 9 sacks and held the Longhorns to 202 total yards on the night. Ndamukong Suh led the team in tackles with 12 and accounted for 4.5 sacks. The Huskers may have lost the game, but I believe they proved to a national audience the Huskers are on the way back and will be a force in the Big 12 once again. Today the Huskers should receive an invitation to the Holiday Bowl and a rematch with Arizona.
GAME STATS ..... HIGHLIGHTS

With a trip to the Big 12 Championship game in hand, it might have been easy for the Huskers to lose focus against Colorado. Rest assure that wasn't the case. Coach Pelini did a good job keeping the Huskers focused on Colorado this week. The Huskers got out of Boulder with a 28 - 20 victory over Colorado. Granted the defense didn't have its best performance of the year, but on a short week, I will take it. Remember, Colorado scored their 3rd touchdown on the last play of the game. The Huskers scored a touchdown on special teams, defense and the offense had 2, one passing and one rushing. It may not have been the prettiest win, but the Huskers now can turn their attention to Texas as they prepare for the Big 12 Championship game next weekend.
GAME STATS ..... HIGHLIGHTS

The Huskers rapped up the Big 12 North Division title Saturday night with a convincing 17 - 3 victory over Kansas State. The Blackshirt defense made big plays when they needed to, only allowing 3 points to Kansas State on the night. This makes 10 consecutive quarters that the Blackshirts haven't allowed a touchdown at home. The offense did just enough to ensure the defense had a cousin in the second half. The Huskers can't lose focus this week. They now have a short week to prepare for Colorado. Once the Huskers have taken care of business there, then Husker Nation can turn their attention to the Big 12 Championship game and the Texas Longhorns.
GAME STATS ..... HIGHLIGHTS

For the last few weeks we have been hearing how the Husker defense with Suh and Crick has led the team to victory. This week the Husker offense led the team to a fourth quarter comeback, 31 - 17. WR Niles Paul had 154 yards receiving and a crucial kickoff return in the fourth quarter. RB Roy Helu took over the fourth quarter scoring the final 2 touchdowns and rushing for 162 yards on the day. Next week Kansas State comes calling to Lincoln in what will decide the Big 12 North and earn one team a trip to the Big 12 Championship game.
GAME STATS ..... HIGHLIGHTS

The Blackshirts made a big statement in front of the 86,115 in Memorial Stadium and those watching on ABC's primetime telecast as they beat the Sooners 10 - 3 in a defensive battle. No one had a bigger game than safety Matt O'Hanlon who was everywhere collecting 12 tackles and making 3 interceptions, including a game clincher at the end of the game. Ndamukong Suh was also a force with 4 tackles, a blocked field goal and 3 quarterback hurries. The Huskers' offense did just enough and still haven't found their starting quarterback this late in the season. The Huskers travel to Lawrence Kansas next week to take on the Jayhawks.
GAME STATS ... HIGHLIGHTS 1&2.... SPEED GAME

Looking up at the sea of red at Floyd Casey Stadium, the Husker players could have sworn they were in Lincoln. The Huskers felt at home for the first 30 minutes Saturday afternoon as true freshman Cody Green made his first collegiate start at quarterback. Nebraska went on to build a 20-0 halftime lead and held on for a 20-10 victory over the Bears. Nebraska sophomore defensive tackle Jared Crick was a force all day, finishing with 13 tackles, including a school-record five sacks for 24 yards in losses. Oklahoma comes calling next weekend in a must win game if the Huskers want to control their own destiny in the Big 12 North.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

The Huskers fall to Iowa State in a defensive clash for the ages 9-7. Neither team deserved to lose this game. You had the feeling that the game might come down to the last possession and the sellout crowd in Lincoln would not be disappointed. Not exactly! The Huskers matched a school record by committing eight turnovers, including four inside the Iowa State 5. The Huskers couldn't get out of their own way even if they wanted to. The Cyclones' victory was the first in Lincoln since 1977. Baylor is on the Huskers' schedule next week. God Help Us!
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

The same lack of offense that nearly cost us the game with Missouri finally caught up to the Cornhuskers Saturday against Texas Tech. The Husker offense is exactly what we thought it may have been last weekend and that's not very good. The Huskers were held scoreless for the first 3 quarters again and also gave up 7 points to a Texas Tech team that didn't need any help scoring. The unranked Red Raiders opened up with a 21-0 lead during a 31-10 victory over No. 15 Nebraska before a stunned crowd of 86,107 at Memorial Stadium. The Husker offense never got going with bad passing, dropped passes, no running game and more penalties that we were never able to overcome. The Huskers face Iowa State next week. A must win if the Huskers hope to contend for the Big 12 North title.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

The Husker offense came alive in the fourth quarter to score 27 unanswered points to top Missouri 27-12. The game was played in what could only be classified as a monsoon as the rain fell all game, leaving more than 5 inches when the game ended. The Blackshirts defense played lights out this evening led by senior Ndamukong Suh, who even in the bad weather put together the kind of game that could be used as a Heisman submission. He accounted for 6 tackles, 1 sack, forced a fumble, dropped in coverage and broke up a pass and had an interception. If this is a sign of things to come, then Ndamukong Suh and the Blackshirts are going to be a force to reckon with in the Big 12. The Huskers can't celebrate this win too long as Texas Tech comes to Lincoln next weekend.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

The Huskers wore throwback jerseys and honored members of its 1962 team Saturday night in celebration of its NCAA record 300th consecutive sellout. A record that is truly impressive and second to none in college football. The Cornhuskers' 55-0 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette was the perfect way to celebrate that milestone. Zac Lee threw for 238 yards and a touchdown, Roy Helu Jr. scored twice and the Blackshirts earned their first shutout since the 2006 victory over Troy. The Huskers got back on track this week after a heartbreaking 16-15 loss at Virginia Tech. Now the Big 12 North favorite gets a week off before opening conference play at Missouri on Oct. 8.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

For the second year in a row, Virginia Tech wins late in a game that seemed to be well in hand for the Huskers. The inability of the offense to score touchdowns in the red zone and the defense's unwillingness to put pressure on the Virginia Tech quarterback cost the Huskers in the end. Running back Roy Helu ran the ball 28 times for 169 yards. It was his production that kept Virginia Tech's ineffective offense from getting opportunities to figure things out in the second half. The Huskers had the ball with about two minutes left, but couldn't get a first down to run out the clock. That gave Virginia Tech its final opportunity as they rallied late sending the Huskers packing with a heartbreaking 15 to 16 loss.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

Everyone has been talking about the Huskers up coming match up with Virginia Tech next weekend, but the Huskers still had Arkansas State to contend with this weekend. Zac Lee showed everyone today with his play on the field why he was the Huskers first choice to lead the team. Zac threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns, completing 27 of 35 passes in a 38 to 9 victory over Arkansas State. The Huskers had 4 sacks on defense and committed zero turnovers on the day. This is the type of effort that will be needed next week as the Huskers go into hostile territory to face Virginia Tech.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

The Huskers started the 2009 season with a convincing victory over Florida Atlantic 49 - 3. Husker I-back Roy Helu broke loose for 152 yards on 16 carries and a career-high three TDs. Quarterback Zac Lee threw for 213 yards in his first career start. He completed 15 of 22 passes, including TDs to Menelik Holt and Curenski Gilleylen. The Blackshirts defense showed more positive signs Saturday night as the Cornhuskers didn't allow a touchdown in the victory. Next week Arkansas State comes calling to Lincoln.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS

Zac Lee lead the red passed to white team 31 - 17. Lee is the leader and did nothing to hurt that status with an excellent performance. Lee completed 15 of 18 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns. The junior, who has been a reserve and scout team quarterback for the Cornhuskers, is the guy, Pelini said. Linebacker and wide receiver are other areas where mostly unproven talent must emerge. Matthew May, a sophomore from Imperial, Neb., impressed at linebacker. Freshman Antonio Bell, along with Brooks, made the tough catches. Also, looking good was tight end Ben Cotton. The defense led by tackle Ndamukong Suh should be ahead of the offense when the season opens Sept. 5 with a visit from Florida Atlantic.
GAME STATS ....... HIGHLIGHTS