Big Red Rising --Nebraska Cornhuskers Dynasty

[Curry59]

Season Review
#4 Huskers to play #1 Texas in Big 12 Title Game at Arrowhead this Saturday

In what could be called the understatement of the season in college football, Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini said that his Huskers could have a "decent shot" at knocking off #1 Texas in the Big 12 Title Game at Arrowhead this Saturday.

"We'll give them our best shot and leave everything out on the field," said Pelini.

First, we must look back at one of the most amazing regular season's in Nebraska history. The Huskers have played in some blowouts and they have won close games. Each game, you felt that Nebraska was in total control of what was going on between the sidelines.

The turnaround experienced by Nebraska (12-0, #4) this season is one that might surprise some people. Once the elite powerhouse, the Huskers suffered through some not-so-Nebraska-like seasons in the past 10 years. Enter Bo Pelini, who in just his third year has the Huskers back in the national title hunt. Many would not deny the fact that Nebraska was on it's way back up, but no analyst would have told you that the Huskers would get back this fast.

Outscoring their opponents 515-150 during the season, the Huskers barely broke a sweat. There was the overtime thriller in Blacksburg where the Huskers narrowly escaped 35-19, or the defensive tussle against Missouri where the Huskies prevailed 15-9. There was also back-to-back tight contests against Oklahoma (48-34, but the game was tied with four minutes remaining) or the near collapse against Baylor (31-28). The closest any other opponent got to stopping the Huskers was 23 and 24 point deficits, respectively.

What has been the story with the Huskers this season has been an outstanding defense, ranked #6 overall in the nation (first in rush defense) and an offense that has not failed to score in bunches this season (42.9 PPG, #15 total offense). Leading that offense has been Junior I-Back Roy Helu, who has rushed 239 times for 1,445 yards ans scored 13 touchdowns.

"When Q [Quentin Castille, earlier dismissed from the team] left, I was concerned about who would help pick up the slack," said Helu. "I think that question was answered by Rex [Burkhead] during our second game of the season."

Helu speaks of one Rex Burkhead, the true Freshman running back from Plano, Texas. Burkhead found himself pushed into the #2 spot on the depth chart after Castille's dismissal from the team. He has rushed 139 times for 830 yards (5.9 YPC) and scored a whopping 13 rushing touchdowns. He has been one of the bigger surprises in college football this year, and has forced people to know his name after he ran all over Colorado in a 52-0 rout (26 carries, 210 yards, 4 TD).

Perhaps the biggest story in Lincoln, and quite possibly the rest of the Big 12 this year has been true Freshman quarterback Cody Green, the dual-threat recruit from Dayton, Texas. Green played in the team's first four games but saw his playing time greatly increase after Zac Lee, the starter heading into the season, was injured early on. Green responded superbly, guiding the Huskers to a win over Oklahoma. In 12 games this year, Green has amassed over 2,000 total yards of offense and has a combined 21 TD's. After the decommitment of Ballwin, Missouri quarterback Tyler Gabbert, Green has given the Nebraska Faithful reason to not care that the second Gabbert son has reneged on a verbal to Nebraska.

"What a fun year," says Green. "I've been comfortable most of the time. Other times, not so much, but what I've learned this season is that we have a team that can pick me up if I'm having a boneheaded game."

Don't expect too much of those.

[Curry59]

The Nebraska defense has possibly been the biggest reason for this year's success. In an offensively talented Big 12 Conference, the Blackshirts have only given up 150 total points (12.5 PPG) and rank #6 (nation) in total defense. Senior standout Ndamukong Suh has not disappointed after a promising Junior campaign. Suh has been downright dominant this season, recording 60 tackles (18 TFL), 9 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR, 1 interception, and 1 defensive touchdown. Junior Defensive End Pierre Allen has also been a monster, recording 68 tackles (9 TFL) and 8 sacks. Rounding out the defensive line was Barry Turner (55 tackles, 12 TFL, 7 sacks) and redshirt Freshman Baker Steinkuhler (40 tackles, 10 TFL, 6 sacks).

The linebacking corps has also been stout with Sean Fisher, Mathew May and Will Compton. The secondary has been a stingy unit, only allowing 155 yards per game through the air.

The game against Texas will mark one of the biggest days in Nebraska football history. Texas has been just as dominant all year, but the similarities between the two teams is startling. Texas has scored 516 points (to Nebraska's 515) and allowed 140 points (to Nebraska's 150). Both teams rank in the top 10 in numerous offensive and defensive categories.

Will the Huskers youth on offense ultimately be too much to overcome against the mature, uber-talented Texas team? We will know on Saturday.

[Curry59]

Season Review:

Florida Atlantic, W 56-3
Arkansas State, W 55-7
@ Virginia Tech, W 35-29 (OT)
UL-Lafayette, W 48-7
@ Missouri, W 15-9
Texas Tech, W 52-6
Iowa State, W 34-10
@ Baylor, W 31-28
Oklahoma, W 48-34
@ Kansas, W 56-7
Kansas State, W 33-10
@ Colorado, W 52-0

Up Next: #1 Texas (Kansas City, Missouri) -- Big 12 Championship Game

Notable Season Stats:

Passing:

Cody Green - 122-200, 61% completion, 1,582 yards, 14 TD, 4 INT

Zac Lee - 98-159, 60.5% completion, 1,272 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT

Rushing:

Roy Helu - 239 carries, 1,445 yards, 6.0 YPC, 13 TD
Rex Burkhead - 139 carries, 830 yards, 5.9 YPC, 13 TD
Cody Green - 93 carries, 541 yards, 5.8 YPC, 8 TD
Lester Ward - 20 carries, 80 yards, 4.0 YPC

Receiving:

Menelik Holt - 56 receptions, 803 yards, 8 TD
Niles Paul - 43 receptions, 599 yards, 4 TD
Antonio Bell - 41 receptions, 594 yards, 6 TD
Mike McNeill - 24 receptions, 208 yards, 3 TD
Curenski Gilleyen - 21 receptions, 260 yards, TD
Brandon Kinnie - 13 receptions, 207 yards, 2 TD

Defensive:

Pierre Allen - 68 tackles, 9 TFL, 8 sacks
Larry Asante - 67 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 INT
Sean Fisher - 64 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 INT
Will Compton - 62 tackles, 3 TFL
Ndamukong Suh - 60 tackles, 18 TFL, 9 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD
Barry Turner - 55 tackles, 12 TFL, 7 sacks
Baker Steinkuhler - 40 tackles, 10 TFL, 6 sacks)

Committed Recruits:

Victor Burnett, MLB, 4*
Curtis Carter, ATH, 4*
Andrew Rodriguez, OT, 4*
Ryan Britt, WR, 4*
Quintin Wright, ATH, 4*
Steven Lundy, OG, 4*
Jonathan McKnight, ATH, 3*
Ciante Evans, CB, 3*
Tyler Evans, WR, 3*