2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

The 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cornhuskers were coached by Bo Pelini and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. This season was Nebraska's first in the Big Ten Conference in the Legends Division as they moved from the Big 12 Conference to the Big Ten following the conclusion of the 2010 season. They finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in Big Ten play to finish in third place in the Legends Division. They were invited to the Capital One Bowl where they were defeated by South Carolina 13–30.

2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionLegends Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 24
APNo. 24
2011 record9–4 (5–3 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Beck (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple option
Defensive coordinatorCarl Pelini (4th season)
Base defense4–3 defense
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
(Capacity: 81,091)
2011 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Legends Division
No. 11 Michigan State x  7 1     11 3  
No. 12 Michigan %  6 2     11 2  
No. 24 Nebraska  5 3     9 4  
Iowa  4 4     7 6  
Northwestern  3 5     6 7  
Minnesota  2 6     3 9  
Leaders Division
No. 10 Wisconsin xy$  6 2     11 3  
Penn State x  6 2     9 4  
Purdue  4 4     7 6  
Ohio State  3 5     6 7  
Illinois  2 6     7 6  
Indiana  0 8     1 11  
Championship: Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • % BCS at-large representative
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Before the season

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

Scholarship recruits

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Ameer Abdullah
RB
Homewood, Alabama Homewood 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 4.51 Jan 20, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Taariq Allen
WR
Weston, Massachusetts Rivers 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.54 Oct 26, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Mauro Bondi
K
Boca Raton, Florida West 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) N/A Jan 30, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Joe Carter
DE
Aiken, South Carolina Chaffey CC 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 250 lb (110 kg) N/A Jan 28, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Daniel Davie
S
Beatrice, Nebraska Beatrice 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 4.32 Jun 17, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Aaron Green
RB
San Antonio, Texas Madison 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 4.44 Oct 27, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Charles Jackson
CB
Klein, Texas Collins 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.4 Oct 30, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Ryan Klachko
OL
Springfield, Illinois Sacred Heart-Griffin 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 280 lb (130 kg) 5.47 Apr 7, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Tyler Moore
OT
Clearwater, Florida Countryside 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.07 Oct 10, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Todd Peat
DT
Tempe, Arizona Corona del Sol 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 300 lb (140 kg) 5.04 Feb 2, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Max Pirman
OLB
Orrville, Ohio Orrville 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 4.69 Nov 15, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Givens Price
OT
Houston, Texas Taylor 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 278 lb (126 kg) 5.09 Dec 6, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Ryne Reeves
OG
Crete, Nebraska Crete 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 286 lb (130 kg) 5 Jun 10, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
David Santos
LB
Klein, Texas Collins 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 4.55 Jul 31, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Daimion Stafford
S
Norco, California Chaffey CC 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.46 May 19, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Bubba Starling
QB
Gardner, Kansas Gardner Edgerton 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 4.5 Jun 19, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Zach Sterup
OT
Hastings, Nebraska St. Cecilia 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 260 lb (120 kg) 5 Jun 22, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
David Sutton
TE
Lincoln, Nebraska Southeast 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 4.60 Jan 30, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Jamal Turner
QB
Arlington, Texas Sam Houston 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.5 Jan 28, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Kevin Williams
DT
Holland, Ohio Springfield 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 4.9 Apr 19, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 23   Rivals: 15  ESPN: 16
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Yahoo! Sports: Rivals.com 2011 Nebraska Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  • "Scout.com 2011 Nebraska Commitments". Scout.com. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  • "ESPN 2011 Nebraska Commitments". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 19, 2011.

    Walk-on recruits

    US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
    Tyson Broekmeier
    QB
    Aurora, Nebraska Aurora 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.7 Feb 1, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Sam Burtch
    WR
    Elmwood, Nebraska Elmwood-Murdock 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.6  
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Jack Gangwish
    LB
    Wood River, Nebraska Wood River 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.9 Jan 24, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Aaron Hayes
    OL
    Elkhorn, Nebraska Elkhorn 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 5.2 Jan 22, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Adam Kucera
    OL
    Litchfield, Nebraska Litchfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 285 lb (129 kg) N/A Jan 24, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Murat Kuzu
    RB
    Plano, Texas Plano 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.54 Feb 4, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Anthony Ridder
    LB
    West Point, Nebraska Central Catholic 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 4.7 Jan 29, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Eddie Ridder
    TE
    Elkhorn, Nebraska Mt. Michael 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) N/A  
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Will Sailors
    OL
    Lincoln, Nebraska Northeast 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 260 lb (120 kg) 5.2 Jan 24, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Derek Slaughter
    LB
    Pelham, Alabama Pelham 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.65 Jan 25, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Richard Wynne
    RB
    Omaha, Nebraska Creighton Prep 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.45 Jan 28, 2011 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Overall recruiting rankings:
    • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
    • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
    • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

    Sources:

      Schedule

      DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
      September 32:30 p.m.Chattanooga*No. 10BTNW 40–784,883
      September 106:00 p.m.Fresno State*No. 10
      • Memorial Stadium
      • Lincoln, Nebraska
      BTNW 42–2985,101
      September 172:30 p.m.Washington*No. 11
      • Memorial Stadium
      • Lincoln, Nebraska
      ABC/ESPNW 51–3885,110
      September 246:30 p.m.at Wyoming*No. 9VersusW 38–1432,617
      October 17:00 p.m.at No. 7 WisconsinNo. 8ABCL 17–4881,384
      October 87:00 p.m.Ohio StateNo. 14
      • Memorial Stadium
      • Lincoln, Nebraska
      ABCW 34–2785,426
      October 222:30 p.m.at MinnesotaNo. 13ABC/ESPN2W 41–1449,187
      October 2911:00 a.m.No. 9 Michigan StateNo. 13
      • Memorial Stadium
      • Lincoln, Nebraska
      ESPNW 24–385,641
      November 52:30 p.m.NorthwesternNo. 9
      • Memorial Stadium
      • Lincoln, Nebraska
      BTNL 25–2885,115
      November 1211:00 a.m.at No. 12 Penn StateNo. 19ESPNW 17–14107,903
      November 1911:00 a.m.at No. 20 MichiganNo. 17ESPNL 17–45113,718
      November 2511:00 a.m.IowaNo. 22
      ABCW 20–785,595
      January 2, 201212:00 p.m.vs. No. 10 South Carolina*No. 21ESPNL 13–3061,351
      • *Non-conference game
      • Homecoming
      • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
      • All times are in Central time

      [1][2]

      Roster and coaching staff

      2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team roster
      Players Coaches
      Offense
      Pos.#NameClass
      IB 8 Ameer Abdullah Fr
      WR 7 Taariq Allen Fr
      OL 70 Nick Ash So
      TE 82 Robert Barry So
      WR 80 Kenny Bell RFr
      QB 9 Tyson Broekemeier Fr
      IB 22 Rex Burkhead (C) Jr
      WR 46 Sam Burtch Fr
      OL 58 Mike Caputo Sr
      QB 16 Brion Carnes RFr
      OL 51 Brandon Chapek So
      OL 77 Seung Hoon Choi Jr
      WR 1 Khiry Cooper Jr
      TE 81 Ben Cotton Jr
      OL 67 Scott Criss So
      WR 13 Daniel Davie Fr
      WR 87 Taylor Dixon Jr
      WR 18 Quincy Enunwa So
      WR 88 Tyler Evans RFr
      WR 11 Curenski Gilleylen Sr
      IB 2 Aaron Green Fr
      QB 17 Cody Green Jr
      OL 50 Jermarcus Hardrick Sr
      OL 54 Aaron Hayes Fr
      IB 5 Braylon Heard Fr
      WR 85 KC Hyland Jr
      IB 28 Austin Jones Sr
      OL 52 Dwight Jones So
      OL 78 Marcel Jones Sr
      QB 12 Ron Kellogg III So
      TE 89 J.T. Kerr So
      WR 84 Brandon Kinnie Sr
      OL 52 Ryan Klachko Fr
      OL 53 Adam Kucera Fr
      RB 24 Murat Kuzu Fr
      FB 48 Tyler Legate Sr
      OL 75 Luke Lingenfelter Sr
      TE 41 Jake Long So
      OL 61 Spencer Long So
      WR 6 Tim Marlowe Jr
      FB 19 Mike Marrow So
      FB 35 Jay Martin Sr
      QB 3 Taylor Martinez So
      OL 73 Tyler Moore Fr
      OL 57 Mike Moudy RFr
      OL 69 Brodrick Nickens So
      IB 29 Collins Okafor Jr
      WR 21 Steven Osborne Jr
      OL 56 Mark Pelini RFr
      OL 62 Cole Pensick So
      OL 66 Givens Price Fr
      OL 76 Brent Qvale So
      TE 25 Kyler Reed Jr
      OL 65 Ryne Reeves Fr
      TE 36 Eddie Ridder Fr
      OL 63 Andrew Rodriguez So
      OL 59 Will Sailors Fr
      OL 71 Jeremiah Sirles So
      WR 39 Jacob Smith RFr
      OL 57 Zach Sterup Fr
      TE 98 David Sutton Fr
      RB 40 Zach Taylor RFr
      OL 79 Brandon Thompson Jr
      OL 59 Brian Thorson Jr
      WR 10 Jamal Turner Fr
      IB 14 Lester Ward Jr
      IB 30 Richard Wynee Jr. So
      WR 26 Tyler Wullenwaber RFr
      FB 31 C.J. Zimmerer So
      Defense
      Pos.#NameClass
      DE 70 Kenny Anderson Jr
      DE 9 Jason Ankrah So
      DE 47 Walker Ashburn RFr
      CB 2 Antonio Bell Jr
      DB 39 Justin Blatchford Jr
      CB 14 Anthony Blue Sr
      LB 50 Broderick Boehm Fr
      DE 7 Joseph Carter Jr
      S 8 Austin Cassidy Sr
      LB 51 Will Compton Jr
      DB 6 Corey Cooper RFr
      DT 96 Jake Cotton RFr
      DT 94 Jared Crick Sr
      LB 4 Lavonte David (C) Sr
      CB 31 Jase Dean Jr
      CB 15 Alfonzo Dennard Sr
      S 32 Jim Ebke Sr
      DB 17 Ciante Evans So
      DB 25 Joey Felici RFr
      LB 42 Sean Fisher Jr
      DB 30 Derek Foster RFr
      LB 95 Jack Gangwish Fr
      DE 80 Andy Gdowski RFr
      DB 11 Andrew Green So
      DL 99 Jay Guy RFr
      DB 35 Andrew Holt RFr
      DB 26 Harvey Jackson RFr
      DT 58 Justin Jackson Jr
      DB 29 Seth Jameson So
      CB 16 Stanley Jean-Baptiste So
      LB 44 Micah Kreikemeier Jr
      LB 49 Matt Manninger Jr
      S 21 Bronson Marsh Fr
      LB 46 Eric Martin Jr
      LB 36 Mathew May Sr
      DE 65 Colin McDermott Jr
      DE 89 Conor McDermott Jr
      CB 32 Marcus Mendoza Sr
      DE 34 Cameron Meredith Jr
      DB 18 Josh Mitchell RFr
      DT 68 Josh Molek Jr
      DE 52 J.C. Moore RFr
      DT 90 Terrence Moore Sr
      DE 48 Tobi Okuyemi RFr
      S 12 Courtney Osborne Jr
      DT 57 Todd Peat Jr. Fr
      LB 40 Max Pirman Fr
      DL 53 Thaddeus Randle So
      DB 19 Wil Richards So
      LB 26 Anthony Ridder Fr
      LB 54 Trevor Roach RFr
      DT 97 Chase Rome RFr
      LB 41 David Santos Fr
      LB 22 Derek Slaughter Fr
      S 13 P.J. Smith Jr
      DB 3 Daimion Stafford Jr
      LB 59 Colby Starkebaum So
      DT 55 Baker Steinkuhler Jr
      LB 38 Graham Stoddard Jr
      DE 37 Kevin Thomsen Sr
      DB 23 Lance Thorell Sr
      DL 61 Jeff Uher RFr
      DE 91 Donovan Vestal RFr
      DB 38 Yusef Wade RFr
      CB 10 Dijon Washington So
      LB 45 Alonzo Whaley Jr
      DB 24 Austin Williams RFr
      DE 98 Josh Williams Jr
      DT 92 Kevin Williams Fr
      Special teams
      Pos.#NameClass
      PK 37 Mauro Bondi Fr
      P/PK 27 Jon Damkroger Sr
      P/PK 96 Brett Maher (C) Jr
      LS 92 P.J. Mangieri Jr
      LS 97 Joseph Rotherham Fr
      Head coach
      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: December 1, 2011


      Game summaries

      Chattanooga

      Chattanooga at Nebraska
      1 234Total
      Chattanooga 0 070 7
      #10 Nebraska 10 13170 40

      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 234Total
      Fresno State 14 339 29
      #10 Nebraska 7 7721 42
      • Date: September 10, 2011
      • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
      • 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 (Play-by-play), Chris Martin (Color) & Dionne Miller (Sideline)

      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 234Total
      Washington 7 10021 38
      #11 Nebraska 10 101714 51
      • Date: September 17, 2011
      • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
      • 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 (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Heather Cox (Sideline)

      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 234Total
      #9 Nebraska 7 71014 38
      Wyoming 0 707 14

      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 234Total
      #8 Nebraska 7 703 17
      #7 Wisconsin 7 20147 48

      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 234Total
      Ohio State 10 1070 27
      #14 Nebraska 3 31414 34
      • Date: October 8, 2011
      • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
      • 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 (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Heather Cox (Sideline)

      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 third 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 four unanswered touchdowns. On the subsequent Ohio State series, Miller twisted his ankle causing him to leave the game. He did not return. He was replaced by Joe Bauserman who went 1–10 passing including a costly interception. The Nebraska offense out-gained Ohio State in the second 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 27–6 midway through the third quarter.[9]

      Minnesota

      Nebraska at Minnesota
      1 234Total
      #13 Nebraska 10 2470 41
      Minnesota 0 077 14

      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 29–21–2 edge in the all-time series.

      Michigan State

      Michigan State at Nebraska
      1 234Total
      #9 Michigan State 0 300 3
      #13 Nebraska 10 0140 24
      • Date: October 29, 2011
      • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
      • 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 (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color), Urban Meyer (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

      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 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 234Total
      Northwestern 7 0714 28
      #9 Nebraska 0 3715 25
      • Date: November 5, 2011
      • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
      • 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 (Color) & Dionne Miller (Sideline)

      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 234Total
      #19 Nebraska 0 1070 17
      #12 Penn State 0 077 14

      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 234Total
      #17 Nebraska 7 370 17
      #20 Michigan 10 71414 45

      Iowa

      Iowa at Nebraska
      1 234Total
      Iowa 0 007 7
      #22 Nebraska 0 1037 20
      • Date: November 25, 2011
      • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
      • Game start: 11:07 a.m. CST
      • Elapsed time: 3:06
      • Game attendance: 85,595
      • Game weather: Overcast, 54ºF, Wind: S@13mph
      • Referee: Todd Geerlings
      • TV announcers (ABC): Bob Wischusen (Play-by-play), Bob Davie (Color) & Jeannine Edwards (Sideline)

      South Carolina–Capital One Bowl

      Nebraska vs. South Carolina
      1 234Total
      #21 Nebraska 13 000 13
      #10 South Carolina 9 7014 30

      Rankings

      Ranking movements
      Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
      NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
      Week
      Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final 
      AP 10 10 11 9 8 14 14 13 13 9 19 17 22 20 21 24 
      Coaches 11 10 10 9 8 15 14 11 13 9 17 16 22 19 20 24 
      Harris Not released 13 11 13 9 17 16 21 19 20 Not released 
      BCS Not released 13 14 10 19 16 21 19 20 Not released

      After the season

      Big Ten all-conference first team

      As selected by the media and coaches:

      • RB – Rex Burkhead
      • LB – Lavonte David
      • CB – Alfonzo Dennard
      • PK – Brett Maher
      • P – Brett Maher

      Big Ten position awards

      • Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Alfonzo Dennard CB
      • Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Lavonte David LB
      • Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year: Brett Maher K/P
      • Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year: Brett Maher K/P
      • Big Ten Sportsmanship Award: Jared Crick DT
      • Big Ten Freshman of the Year: Ameer Abdullah RB/KR/PR

      References

      Media related to 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team at Wikimedia Commons

      1. Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule – 2011, ESPN, Retrieved August 2, 2011
      2. NCAA Football TV Listings, NCAAFootball, Retrieved August 2, 2011
      3. "Scoring Summary (Final), Chattanooga vs Nebraska" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 3, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
      4. "Scoring Summary (Final), Fresno State vs Nebraska" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 10, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
      5. "Scoring Summary (Final), Washington vs Nebraska" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 17, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
      6. "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Wyoming" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. September 24, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
      7. "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Wisconsin" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. October 1, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
      8. "Scoring Summary (Final), Ohio State vs Nebraska" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. October 8, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
      9. "Taylor Martinez caps Huskers' biggest comeback in win over Buckeyes". ESPN.com. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
      10. "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Minnesota" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. October 22, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
      11. "Scoring Summary (Final), #9 MSU vs #13 Nebraska" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
      12. "Scoring Summary (Final), Northwestern vs Nebraska" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. November 5, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
      13. "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Penn State" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
      14. "Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier Removed". ESPN. November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
      15. Juliano, Joe (November 13, 2011). "Shocking Week Ends with Penn State Loss". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
      16. "Scoring Summary (Final), Nebraska vs Michigan" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. November 19, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
      17. "Scoring Summary (Final), Iowa vs Nebraska" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. November 25, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
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