2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Capital One Bowl vs. South Carolina, L 13–30
Conference	Big Ten Conference Legends Division
Ranking
Coaches	#24
AP	#24
2011 record	9–4 (5–3 Big Ten)
Head coach	Bo Pelini (4th year)
Offensive coordinator	Tim Beck (1st year)
Offensive scheme	Multiple Option
Defensive coordinator	Carl Pelini (4th year)
Base defense	4–3 defense
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 81,091)

2011 Big Ten football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Legends Division
#11 Michigan State x		7	–	1					11	–	3
#12 Michigan %		6	–	2					11	–	2
#24 Nebraska		5	–	3					9	–	4
Iowa		4	–	4					7	–	6
Northwestern		3	–	5					6	–	7
Minnesota		2	–	6					3	–	9
Leaders Division
#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 As of January 10, 2012; Rankings from AP Poll

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.

Before the season

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

Recruiting

Scholarship recruits

Name	Home town	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Abdullah, Ameer RB	Homewood, AL	Homewood	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	177 lb (80 kg)	4.51	Jan 20, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Taariq Allen WR	Weston, MA	Rivers	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.54	Oct 26, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Mauro Bondi K	Boca Raton, FL	West	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	N/A	Jan 30, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Joe Carter DE	Aiken, SC	Chaffey CC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	N/A	Jan 28, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Daniel Davie S	Beatrice, NE	Beatrice	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	181 lb (82 kg)	4.32	Jun 17, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Aaron Green RB	San Antonio, TX	Madison	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	191 lb (87 kg)	4.44	Oct 27, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Charles Jackson CB	Klein, TX	Collins	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.4	Oct 30, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Ryan Klachko OL	Springfield, IL	Sacred Heart-Griffin	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	5.47	Apr 7, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Tyler Moore OT	Clearwater, FL	Countryside	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	5.07	Oct 10, 2009
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Todd Peat DT	Tempe, AZ	Corona del Sol	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	300 lb (140 kg)	5.04	Feb 2, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Max Pirman OLB	Orrville, OH	Orrville	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	4.69	Nov 15, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Givens Price OT	Houston, TX	Taylor	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	278 lb (126 kg)	5.09	Dec 6, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Ryne Reeves OG	Crete, NE	Crete	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	286 lb (130 kg)	5	Jun 10, 2009
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
David Santos LB	Klein, TX	Collins	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	193 lb (88 kg)	4.55	Jul 31, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Daimion Stafford S	Norco, CA	Chaffey CC	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	4.46	May 19, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Bubba Starling QB	Gardner, KS	Gardner Edgerton	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	193 lb (88 kg)	4.5	Jun 19, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Zach Sterup OT	Hastings, NE	St. Cecilia	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	5	Jun 22, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
David Sutton TE	Lincoln, NE	Southeast	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	4.60	Jan 30, 2011
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Jamal Turner QB	Arlington, TX	Sam Houston	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	4.5	Jan 28, 2010
	Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Kevin Williams DT	Holland, OH	Springfield	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	275 lb (125 kg)	4.9	Apr 19, 2010
	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:

Walk-on recruits

Name	Home town	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Tyson Broekmeier QB	Aurora, NE	Aurora	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.7	Feb 1, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Sam Burtch WR	Elmwood, NE	Elmwood-Murdock	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.6
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jack Gangwish LB	Wood River, NE	Wood River	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.9	Jan 24, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Aaron Hayes OL	Elkhorn, NE	Elkhorn	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	5.2	Jan 22, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Adam Kucera OL	Litchfield, NE	Litchfield	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	N/A	Jan 24, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Murat Kuzu RB	Plano, TX	Plano	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.54	Feb 4, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Anthony Ridder LB	West Point, NE	Central Catholic	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.7	Jan 29, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Eddie Ridder TE	Elkhorn, NE	Mt. Michael	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	N/A
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Will Sailors OL	Lincoln, NE	Northeast	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	5.2	Jan 24, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Derek Slaughter LB	Pelham, AL	Pelham	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.65	Jan 25, 2011
	Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Richard Wynne RB	Omaha, NE	Creighton Prep	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.45	Jan 28, 2011
	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

Date	Time	Opponent#	Rank#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	2:30 p.m.	Chattanooga*	#10	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE	BTN	W 40–7	84,883
September 10	6:00 p.m.	Fresno State*	#10	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE	BTN	W 42–29	85,101
September 17	2:30 p.m.	Washington*	#11	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE	ABC/ESPN	W 51–38	85,110
September 24	6:30 p.m.	at Wyoming*	#9	War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY	Versus	W 38–14	32,617
October 1	7:00 p.m.	at #7 Wisconsin	#8	Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI	ABC	L 17–48	81,384
October 8	7:00 p.m.	Ohio State	#14	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE	ABC	W 34–27	85,426
October 22	2:30 p.m.	at Minnesota	#13	TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN	ABC/ESPN2	W 41–14	49,187
October 29	11:00 a.m.	#9 Michigan State	#13	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE	ESPN	W 24–3	85,641
November 5	2:30 p.m.	Northwestern	#9	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE	BTN	L 25–28	85,115
November 12	11:00 a.m.	at #12 Penn State	#19	Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA	ESPN	W 17–14	107,903
November 19	11:00 a.m.	at #20 Michigan	#17	Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI	ESPN	L 17–45	113,718
November 25	11:00 a.m.	Iowa	#22	Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE (Heroes Game)	ABC	W 20–7	85,595
January 2	12:00 p.m.	vs. #10 South Carolina*	#21	Citrus Bowl • Orlando, FL (Capital One Bowl)	ESPN	L 13–30	61,351
*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 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. # Name Class 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. # Name Class 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 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: December 1, 2011

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: September 3, 2011 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 (Play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (Color) & Ahman Green (Sideline) Source:

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: September 10, 2011 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 (Play-by-play), Chris Martin (Color) & Dionne Miller (Sideline) Source:

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: September 17, 2011 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 (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Heather Cox (Sideline) Source:

Scoring summary 1 14:26 NEB Tyler Legate 3-yard pass from Taylor Martinez (Brett Maher kick) NEB 7-0 1 11:54 WASH Jermaine Kearse 38-yard pass from Keith Price (Erik Folk kick) Tied 7-7 1 7:39 NEB Brett Maher 44-yard field goal NEB 10-7 2 13:40 WASH Jermaine Kearse 6-yard pass from Keith Price (Erik Folk kick) WASH 14-10 2 12:17 NEB Aaron Green 25-yard pass from Taylor Martinez (Brett Maher kick) NEB 17-14 2 9:24 WASH Erik Folk 40-yard field goal Tied 17-17 2 0:00 NEB Brett Maher 35-yard field goal NEB 20-17 3 10:18 NEB Rex Burkhead 1-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 27-17 3 10:09 NEB Rex Burkhead 1-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 34-17 3 7:20 NEB Brett Maher 29-yard field goal NEB 37-17 4 12:18 NEB Aaron Green 6-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 44-17 4 10:15 WASH Chris Polk 2-yard run (Erik Folk kick) NEB 44-24 4 7:21 WASH James Johnson 10-yard pass from Keith Price (Erik Folk kick) NEB 44-31 4 4:42 NEB Taylor Martinez 6-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 51-31 4 4:27 WASH James Johnson 52-yard pass from Keith Price (Erik Folk kick) NEB 51-38

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: September 24, 2011 Location: War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY 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 (Versus): Paul Burmeister (Play-by-play), Shaun King (Color) & Anthony Herron (Sideline) Source:

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: October 1, 2011 Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI 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 (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color) & Erin Andrews (Sideline) Source:

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: October 8, 2011 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 (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Heather Cox (Sideline) Source:

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.

Minnesota

Nebraska at Minnesota

1 2 3 4 Total • #13 Nebraska 10 24 7 0 41 Minnesota 0 0 7 7 14 Date: October 22, 2011 Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN 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 (Play-by-play) & Brock Huard (Color) Source:

Scoring summary 1 8:03 NEB Brett Maher 22-yard field goal NEB 3-0 1 3:27 NEB Tyler Legate 10-yard pass from Taylor Martinez (Brett Maher kick) NEB 10-0 2 14:38 NEB Kenny Bell 82-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 17-0 2 9:49 NEB Brett Maher 25-yard field goal NEB 20-0 2 9:34 NEB Austin Cassidy 11-yard fumble return (Brett Maher kick) NEB 27-0 2 0:33 NEB Rex Burkhead 4-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 34-0 3 6:45 MINN MarQueis Gray 5-yard run (Chris Hawthorne kick) NEB 34-7 3 0:39 NEB Aaron Green 4-yard run (Mauro Bondi kick) NEB 41-7 4 1:41 MINN Duane Bennett 6-yard run (Chris Hawthorne kick) NEB 41-14

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 2 3 4 Total #9 Michigan State 0 3 0 0 3 • #13 Nebraska 10 0 14 0 24 Date: October 29, 2011 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 (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color), Urban Meyer (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline) Source:

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 2 3 4 Total • Northwestern 7 0 7 14 28 #9 Nebraska 0 3 7 15 25 Date: November 5, 2011 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 (Color) & Dionne Miller (Sideline) Source:

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: November 12, 2011 Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA 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 (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color), Tom Rinaldi (Sideline) & Lisa Salters (Sideline) Source:

Scoring summary 2 10:55 NEB Brett Maher 41-yard field goal NEB 3-0 2 0:44 NEB Ameer Abdullah 2-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 10-0 3 8:51 NEB Rex Burkhead 14-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 17-0 3 5:07 PSU Stephfon Green 5-yard run (Anthony Fera kick) NEB 17-7 4 5:42 PSU Stephfon Green 6-yard run (Anthony Fera kick) NEB 17-14

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. 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. 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: November 19, 2011 Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI Game start: 11:00 a.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:30 Game attendance: 113,718 Game weather: Partly cloudy, Upper 40sºF, Wind: S@15-20mph Referee: Dennis Lipski TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color), Urban Meyer (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline) Source:

Iowa

Iowa at Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total Iowa 0 0 0 7 7 • #22 Nebraska 0 10 3 7 20 Date: November 25, 2011 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE 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) Source:

Scoring summary 2 11:22 NEB Brett Maher 40-yard field goal NEB 3-0 2 0:32 NEB Kyler Reed 6-yard pass from Taylor Martinez (Brett Maher kick) NEB 10-0 3 4:42 NEB Brett Maher 21-yard field goal NEB 13-0 4 11:25 NEB Rex Burkhead 2-yard run (Brett Maher kick) NEB 20-0 4 3:26 IOWA Marcus Coker 2-yard run (Mike Meyer kick) NEB 20-7

South Carolina–Capital One Bowl

Nebraska vs. South Carolina

1 2 3 4 Total #21 Nebraska 13 0 0 0 13 • #10 South Carolina 9 7 0 14 30 Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL Game start: 12:03 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:03 Game attendance: 61,351 Game weather: Sunny, 64ºF, Wind: NW@8mph Referee: Jerry McGinn TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (Play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

See also: 2012 Capital One Bowl

Rankings

See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = 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

Awards

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 at Wikimedia Commons