2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 football 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg 100 Logo of the Nebraska athletic teams 2004– Big 12 Conference North Division Big 12 9–4 5–3 Bo Pelini 1st Shawn Watson 2nd Carl Pelini 1st Spread 4–2 Memorial Stadium Big 12 North Division co-championGator Bowl champion Gator Bowl W 26–21 vs. Clemson The 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bo Pelini and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before the season Pelini returned to Nebraska as head coach after a previous one-year stint as defensive coordinator for Nebraska in 2003.http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=38&u_sid=621172 https://archive.today/20080131171838/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=38&u_sid=621172 dead January 31, 2008 Huskers Show Off Staff Elizabeth Merrill January 13, 2003 Omaha World-Herald January 6, 2008 At the conclusion of the 2003 season, Pelini was appointed as interim head coach,http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=38&u_sid=933062 https://archive.today/20080124143938/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=38&u_sid=933062 dead January 24, 2008 Pelini Is Interim Coach; 'Ready' for Challenge Rich Kaipust December 1, 2003 July 7, 2008 Omaha World-Herald following the firing of Frank Solich, for Nebraska's appearance in the Alamo Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans, a contest in which Nebraska triumphed 17–3,http://www.huskermax.com/games/2003/michiganstate03.html Nebraska vs. Michigan State 2003 – HuskerMax March 8, 2010 June 16, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100616003856/http://huskermax.com/games/2003/michiganstate03.html live leaving Nebraska with a final AP Poll ranking of 19 and Coaches Poll ranking of 18. Despite this performance and significant fan support, Pelini was passed over as Solich's permanent replacement in favor of Bill Callahan. During Pelini's absence from Nebraska, he served as co-defensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2004, and Defensive Coordinator for the LSU Tigers for 2005–2007http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=2&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=1331513&Q_SEASON=2008 Nebraska Football Coach Profile: Bo Pelini January 6, 2008 September 19, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080919041129/http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=2&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=1331513&Q_SEASON=2008 dead prior to his return to Nebraska following the dismissal of Callahan. Schedule 2008 AP Central August 30 6:00 pm w y Western Michigan Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV 47–24 84,485 September 6 11:30 am w y San José State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV 35–12 84,146 September 13 6:00 pm w y New Mexico State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV 38–7 84,821 September 27 7:00 pm l y Virginia Tech Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska ABC 30–35 85,831 October 4 8:00 pm l y Missouri 4 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska rivalry ESPN 17–52 85,372 October 11 2:00 pm l y Texas Tech 7 Jones AT&T Stadium Lubbock, Texas FSN 31–37 OT 53,449 October 18 11:30 am w y Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium Ames, Iowa rivalry Versus 35–7 48,794 October 25 11:30 am w Baylor Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska Versus 32–20 85,104 November 1 7:00 pm l y Oklahoma 4 Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, Oklahoma rivalry ESPN 28–62 85,212 November 8 1:30 pm w Kansas rivalry Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska FSN PPV 45–35 85,486 November 15 2:35 pm w y Kansas State rivalry Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, Kansas FSN PPV 56–28 48,444 November 28, 2008 2:30 pm w Colorado rivalry Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska ABC 40–31 85,319 January 1, 2009, 2009 12:00 pm w y y Clemson Gator Bowl Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Jacksonville, Florida CBS 26–21 67,282 Football – 2008 Schedule/Results http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080919040955/http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=2008 dead September 19, 2008 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics July 7, 2008 Roster and coaching staff 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers y Cruz Barrett 66 OL SO Damon Bechtold 83 TE F Chris Brooks 1 WR J Jaivorio Burkes 72 OL So Wes Cammack 82 WR J Mike Caputo 58 OL RF Quentin Castille 19 IB SO Seung Hoon Choi 77 OL F Andy Christensen 62 OL S Khiry Cooper 6 WR F Ben Cotton 81 TE F Beau Davis 15 QB S Taylor Dixon 46 WR F Jim Ebke 16 QB SO Joe Ganz 12 QB S C Aaron Gillaspie 41 FB SO Curenski Gilleylen 11 WR RF Mike Hays 30 FB RF Roy Helu Jr. 10 IB SO y Roy Helu Ricky Henry 74 OL J Will Henry 8 WR SO Tyson Hetzer 47 TE J Jacob Hickman 67 OL J Ryan Hill 80 TE RF Menelik Holt 18 WR J Mike Huff 61 OL S KC Hyland 85 WR F Cory Iske 69 OL F Austin Jones 28 IB RF D.J. Jones 73 OL SO Marcel Jones 78 OL RF Thomas Lawson 36 FB S Zac Lee 3 QB SO Tyler Legate 48 FB RF Ben Lester 9 WR RF Marlon Lucky 5 IB S y Tim Marlowe 21 WR F Jay Martin 88 TE RF Mike Masin 71 OL RF Mike McNeill 44 TE SO Max McShane 54 OL F Marcus Mendoza 32 IB RF Derek Meyer 63 OL S Lydon Murtha 76 OL S y Collins Okafor 29 IB F Steven Osborne 26 WR F Niles Paul 24 WR SO y Todd Peterson 17 WR S Kyler Reed 25 TE F Zach Ruiz 18 QB F Matt Slauson 70 OL S y Mike Smith 65 OL SO Kody Spano 7 QB F Nate Swift 87 WR S y C Hunter Teafatiller 89 TE S Brandon Thompson 79 OL F Kevin Thomsen 37 FB RF Brian Thorson 59 OL F Jeremy Wallace 25 RB F Lester Ward 14 IB F Keith Williams 68 OL SO y Keith Williams (offensive lineman) Patrick Witt 2 QB RF Dreu Young 49 TE SO Pierre Allen 95 DE SO Prince Amukamara 21 CB SO y Kenny Anderson 70 DE F Larry Asante 4 S J y Shukree Barfield 56 DT S Justin Blatchford 39 DB F Anthony Blue 14 CB SO Joseph Camarata 42 LB F Austin Cassidy 8 S RF Will Compton 51 LB F Nick Covey 31 DE J Jared Crick 94 DT RF Major Culbert 2 S J y Jase Dean 20 DB F Alfonzo Dennard 15 DB F y Phillip Dillard 52 LB J y Tyrone Fahie 92 DE SO Sean Fisher 42 LB F Tanner Foxhoven 49 LB F Dan Glassman 39 DE SO Cody Glenn 34 LB S y Thomas Grove 41 LB SO Eric Hagg 28 CB SO y David Harvey 80 DE J Matt Holt 35 LB F Justin Jackson 58 DL F Faron Klingelhoefer 85 DE F Colton Koehler 54 LB J Micah Kreikemeier 44 LB F Blake Lawrence 40 LB SO John Levorson 16 DB F Luke Lingenfelter 75 DE RF Matt Manninger 61 LB F Ben Martin 63 DT SO Mathew May 36 S RF Mychael McClure 62 LB F Colin McDermott 65 LB F Conor McDermott 66 DE F Sam Meginnis 67 LB F Cameron Meredith 96 DE F Josh Molek 68 DL F Terrence Moore 90 DT RF Brent Moravec 43 FS F Armando Murillo 6 CB S Matt O'Hanlon 33 S J Courtney Osborne 12 DB F Zach Potter 98 DE S y C Justin Rogers 11 DB F Jonathon Santin 89 DE RF Clayton Sievers 88 DE S Marcus Smith 48 LB F P.J. Smith 13 DB F Austin Stafford 9 LB RF Baker Steinkuhler 55 DL F Ty Steinkuhler 43 DT S C Graham Stoddard 71 LB F Ndamukong Suh 93 DT J y Shawn Sullivan 18 CB RF Rickey Thenarse 3 S J Lance Thorell 23 CB RF Quentin Toailoa 50 DL F Barry Turner 99 DE S y Barry Turner (American football) Mason Wald 22 DB F Latravis Washington 7 LB SO Adam Watson 24 S SO Anthony West 5 CB SO Alonzo Whaley 45 LB F Josh Williams 17 DE F Tyler Wortman 53 LB S William Yancy 47 DE RF Justin Baumgartner 56 LS S Jon Damkroger 27 P/PK SO Alex Henery 90 PK SO y Adi Kunalic 20 PK SO Brett Maher 96 P/PK F T.J. O'Leary 82 LS S David Pillen 33 LS F Dan Titchener 97 P S Jake Wesch 37 PK S http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=2008 January 16, 2011 Bo Pelini   1st season   2nd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Ohio State Shawn Watson   2nd season as OC/QB coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Southern Illinois Carl Pelini   1st season as DC/DL coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Youngstown State Tim Beck   1st season as RB coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Central Florida Ron Brown   1st season as TE coach   18th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Brown Barney Cotton   1st season as AHC/OL coach   2nd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Mike Ekeler   1st season as LB coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Kansas State Ted Gilmore   1st season as AHC/Rec coach   4th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Wyoming John Papuchis   1st season as DE/ST coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Virginia Tech Marvin Sanders   1st season as Sec coach   2nd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska James Dobson   1st season as S&C coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Wisconsin Curt Baldus   1st season as GA coach   2nd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: St. Cloud State Ross Watson   1st season as GA coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Mount Union Pro-Set 4–2 Yes No Yes Joe Ganz Patrick Witt Marlon Lucky Roy Helu Quentin Castille Thomas Lawson Hunter Teafatiller Nate Swift Menelik Holt Todd Peterson Niles Paul Mike McNeil Dreu Young Mike Smith Jaivorio Burkes Keith Williams Mike Huff Jacob Hickman Mike Caputo Matt Slauson D.J Jones Lydon Murtha Marcel Jones Tyler Wortman Colton Koehler WILL Cody Glenn Phillip Dillard Blake Lawrence MIKE Matt O'Hanlon Rickey Thenarse Matthew May Larry Asante Major Culbert Eric Hagg D-Lance Thorell NICKEL Anthony West Prince Amukamara Armando Murillo Alfonzo Dennard Pierre Allen Shukree Barfield Ndamukong Suh Terrence Moore Ty Steinkuhler Jared Crick Zach Potter Clayton Sievers Alex Henry Dan Titchener Niles Paul Nate Swift T.J. O'Leary 110 86 No Game summaries Western Michigan Western Michigan at Nebraska [box score] Western Michigan Nebraska 0 10 7 7 14 20 10 3 August 30 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 6:00 p.m. CST 84,485 Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Rich Baldinger (Color), & Stacy Paetz (Sideline) FSN PPV Nebraska opened the season with expectations below average after finishing 5–7 in 2007. However, there was a buzz in the air as first year head coach Bo Pelini returned to Lincoln to improve a maligned defense and to re-energize the program. Nebraska played very well as the defense seemed much improved from 2007. LB Cody Glenn was the bright spot on defense and seemed to be in on almost every play. The offense continued to be as productive as usual with Joe Ganz at quarterback, en route to a 47–24 win. San José State San José State at Nebraska [box score] San Jose State Nebraska 6 3 0 3 14 0 0 21 September 6 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 11:30 a.m. CST 84,146 Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Dave Lapham (Color), & Joel Goldberg (Sideline) FSN PPV thumb|left|200px|The Husker spirit groups on the field. Nebraska came into its second game of the year with a little more certainty. San Jose State quickly put a stop to that. The Spartans marched all over Nebraska's defense on the first drive with Kyle Reed scoring on a 12-yard run. Nebraska scored two touchdowns to recapture the lead going into the second quarter. The game turned mostly defensive with San Jose State scoring field goals in the second and fourth quarters. After San Jose State's field goal in the fourth quarter, Niles Paul returned the kickoff 85 yards for a Nebraska touchdown. The return sparked the Cornhuskers as they scored three more touchdowns sealing the game. New Mexico State New Mexico State at Nebraska [box score] New Mexico State Nebraska 0 0 0 7 7 14 14 3 September 13 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 6:00 p.m. CST 84,821 Ron Thulin (Play-by-play) & Matt Davison (Color) FSN PPV Nebraska, entering the game 2–0, felt confident going against the New Mexico State Aggies who were playing their first game of the season. On their second drive, the Aggies went down the field with ease only to have their field goal kick blocked by Zach Potter. Nebraska's offense finally looked like it came together, scoring 35 points. The scoring included Marlon Lucky taking a toss and throwing it downfield to quarterback Joe Ganz and then Ganz running 33 yards on an option play. Virginia Tech Virginia Tech at Nebraska [box score] Virginia Tech Nebraska 9 9 10 7 7 3 7 13 September 27 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 7:00 p.m. CST 85,831 Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color), & Erin Andrews (Sideline) ABC Nebraska, 3–0, headed into the Virginia Tech game looking for a win over a ranked team in the first year of Bo Pelini's first year. Virginia Tech got on the board first, blocking a Dan Titchner punt for a safety. The Hokies controlled the game for most of the night, until senior Nate Swift returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Cornhuskers needed a big defensive stop and seemed to have got it on a 3rd down run by Tyrod Taylor. Taylor was tackled out of bounds, but Nebraska defense tackle Ndamukong Suh appeared to have leaped on top of Taylor, prompting an official to throw a flag for a late hit. Bo Pelini, obviously upset, berated the official about the call until the official threw another flag for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Coach Pelini. The penalties put Virginia Tech near the end zone and continued the Hokies' drive, which resulted in Taylor scoring a touchdown to ice the game. Missouri Missouri at Nebraska [box score] Missouri Nebraska 14 17 21 0 7 3 0 7 October 4 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 8:00 p.m. CST 85,372 Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Chris Spielman (Color), & Rob Stone (Sideline) ESPN Missouri came into this game having not won in Lincoln since 1978. That streak was broken as Missouri won by a wide margin, scoring in bunches. After a close first quarter which saw Nebraska tie the game, the Tigers pulled away, building a three touchdown halftime lead. The Cornhuskers were set back by 14 penalties for 101 yards. Tigers on the other hand were not forced to punt in the game. Nebraska managed to make the final score a little more respectable with a late touchdown and by stopping Missouri on fourth down earlier in the quarter. Texas Tech Nebraska at Texas Tech [box score] Nebraska Texas Tech 0 7 3 21 0 7 10 7 7 6 October 11 Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas 2:00 p.m. CST 53,449 Joel Meyers (Play-by-play), Gary Reasons (Color), & Jim Knox (Sideline) FSN After being routed by Missouri, Nebraska was expecting more of the same against Texas Tech. Instead, they found themselves in the midst of a battle. Todd Peterson caught a touchdown pass with :29 left to tie the game at 31 forcing it into overtime. In overtime, the Red Raiders scored a touchdown but had their extra point blocked, opening the door for Nebraska to win. However, on 2nd down, Joe Ganz' pass was intercepted by cornerback Jamar Wall, ending the game. This was Nebraska's first overtime loss in school history. Iowa State Nebraska at Iowa State [box score] Nebraska Iowa State 7 14 0 14 0 0 7 0 October 18, 2008 Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa 11:30 a.m. CST 48,794 Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Glenn Parker (Color), & Lindsay Soto (Sideline) Versus Playing Iowa State was the trick for Nebraska to solve their three-game losing streak. Nebraska roared to a 21–0 lead at halftime. Iowa State stifled Nebraska's offense for the third quarter and scored a touchdown of their own, but going into the fourth, Nebraska took back momentum, scoring twice to finish off the Cyclones. Baylor Baylor at Nebraska [box score] Baylor Nebraska 14 6 0 0 7 10 7 8 October 25 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 11:30 a.m. CST 85,104 Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (Color), & Lewis Johnson (Sideline) Versus Nebraska let Baylor jump on them for a 20–17 lead going into the half. Nebraska came back from a halftime deficit for the first time since 2003, scoring 15 points in the third and fourth quarters including a safety and a 9-yard touchdown catch by Nate Swift, a catch that broke Johnny Rodgers' record for career catches. Oklahoma Nebraska at Oklahoma [box score] Nebraska Oklahoma 0 14 7 7 35 14 13 0 November 1 Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 7:00 p.m. CST 85,212 Mike Patrick (Play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (Color), & Holly Rowe (Sideline) ESPN Nebraska ran into an offensive explosion in Norman and in a matter of minutes was down 35–0. Three first-quarter turnovers doomed the Cornhuskers as Oklahoma capitalized on all of them. Nebraska fought through the circumstances to put up a respectable 28 points as the Cornhuskers looked to regroup. Kansas Kansas at Nebraska [box score] Kansas Nebraska 7 7 7 14 7 7 10 21 November 8 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 1:30 p.m. CST 85,486 Dan McLaughlin (Play-by-play), Matt Davison (Color), & Stacy Paetz (Sideline) FSN PPV Nebraska vowed the start of a new season heading into this game, one that consisted of three games. Needing only one win to become bowl eligible, Nebraska played exceptional on a frigid day in Lincoln. Nebraska and Kansas went blow for blow until the fourth quarter when a 52-yard touchdown run by Roy Helu Jr. and a 2-yard touchdown catch by Ndamukong Suh opened up the game for Nebraska. Kansas State Nebraska at Kansas State [box score] Nebraska Kansas State 14 21 0 21 7 7 7 7 November 15 Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas 2:35 p.m. CST 48,444 Dan McLaughlin (Play-by-play), Rich Baldinger (Color), & Joel Goldberg (Sideline) FSN PPV Nebraska felt confident heading into Manhattan against Kansas State as lame-duck coach Ron Prince had never beaten them, nor had former Nebraska commit, Josh Freeman. Also, Nebraska's defense got their blackshirts back for the first time this season. Nebraska made a crucial mistake early allowing a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown. Barring that play and a long touchdown pass by Freeman, Nebraska played sparkling defense in the first half. Kansas State scored only twice more one on a methodical drive by backup Carson Coffmann and a kickoff return by Brandon Banks. Colorado Colorado at Nebraska [box score] Colorado Nebraska 14 10 7 0 14 10 3 13 November 28 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 2:30 p.m. CST 85,319 Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color), & Jack Arute (Sideline) ABC Colorado came into this game fighting for bowl eligibility at 5–6. Nebraska had already secured a spot in a bowl game, but a win would help improve where they would be headed. Colorado would have none of it, taking an early 14–0 lead. Nebraska came back taking a 24–17 edge and was looking to add on going into the half. On a fake field goal play, holder Jake Wesch was supposed to flip it over his head and kicker Alex Henery was supposed to catch it and throw it, a play that was made against Kansas. This time, Colorado's Jimmy Smith picked off the flip in mid-air and returned it 58 yards to tie the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Nebraska trailed 31–30 and had the ball deep in the Buffalo's territory when Patrick Mahnke sacked Joe Ganz for a 15-yard loss, setting up a 4th & 25. It looked like Nebraska was out of Alex Henery's field goal range with the kick being 57 yards. Bo Pelini sent his kicker out anyway after Henery told him he could do it. With 1:55 left, he kicked the 57 yarder, giving Nebraska the 33–31 lead. On Colorado's next drive, Cody Hawkins pass was deflected by Zach Potter and intercepted by Ndamukong Suh who stiff armed Hawkins and rumbled 30 yards for a touchdown, icing the game at 40–31 and sending Colorado home with no bowl. Nebraska finished the regular season 8–4 and Big 12 North Co-Division Champions with Missouri. Clemson Nebraska vs Clemson [box score] Nebraska Clemson 0 3 20 3 0 14 7 0 January 1 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida 12:00 p.m. CST 67,282 Craig Bolerjack (Play-by-play), Steve Beuerlein (Color), & Dan Fouts (Color)/Frank Frangie (Play-by-play), Gino Toretta (Color), & Mike Dempsey (Sideline) CBS/TD Sports thumb|left|200px|The 2009 Gator Bowl in the fourth quarter Nebraska defeated Clemson in a come-from-behind 26–21 finish at the 2009 Gator Bowl on January 1, 2009. All 21 of Clemson's points came following Nebraska turnovers. The outcome remained in doubt until the end, as Clemson marched from their own 23 to the Nebraska 10. With 1st and goal to go and about two minutes remaining on the clock, the Blackshirts made their stand, resulting in a 16-yard sack and three Clemson incomplete passes to seal the game. The game was played only days after head coach Bo Pelini and defensive coordinator Carl Pelini returned from their father's funeral in Ohio. Rankings 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings 15 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 4 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 7 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Statistics Team Nebraska Opponent Total scoring 460 365   Points per game 35 28   Total 1st quarter scoring 98 113   Total 2nd quarter scoring 126 107   Total 3rd quarter scoring 81 93   Total 4th quarter scoring 155 52   Total overtime scoring 0 6 First downs 295 228   Rushing first downs 113 85   Passing first downs 171 115   Penalty first downs 11 28 Rushing yards 2210 1540 Rushing attempts 487 420   Yards per rush 5 4 Rushing touchdowns 27 24   Net rushing yards gained 2512 1921   Net rushing yards lost 302 381 Passing yards 3650 3008   Passing completions 294 220   Passing attempts 432 383   Interceptions 11 12   Yards per pass attempt 8 8   Yards per pass completion 12 14 Passing touchdowns 27 19 Total yards offense 5860 4548 Total plays offense 919 803   Average offensive yards per play 6 6 Fumbles – lost 32–18 17–5 Penalties – yards 94–800 64–477 Nebraska Opponent Punts – yards 48–1850 66–2544   Average yards per punt 39 39   Average net yards per punt 32 32   Punts inside 20 yard line 14 18   Punts over 50 yards 4 9   Punt touchbacks 5 4   Punt fair catches 6 9 Kickoffs – yards 88–5613 71–4435   Average yards per kickoff 64 62   Average net yards per kickoff 42 42   Kickoff touchbacks 29 10 Punt returns – yards – TDs 31 – 376 – 1 22 – 208 – 0   Average net punt return yards 12 9 Kickoff returns – yards – TDs 58 – 1245 – 1 58 – 1383 – 1   Average net kickoff return yards 21 24 Interceptions – yards – TDs 12 – 202 – 2 11 – 249 – 3 Fumble recoveries – yards – TDs 2 – 14 – 0 5 – 150 – 2 Average total time of possession 34:01 25:59   Average 1Q time of possession 08:49 06:11   Average 2Q time of possession 08:40 06:20   Average 3Q time of possession 08:35 06:25   Average 4Q time of possession 07:57 07:03 3rd down conversions – attempts 84–178 57–169 4th down conversions – attempts 5–13 10–21 Scored from red zone – attempts 54–62 37–49 Sacks – yards 35–272 21–128   Average yards per sack 8 6 PATs – attempts 56–57 45–49 FGs – attempts 18–21 10–17 Longest rush 58 67 Longest pass 69 68 Longest punt 58 69 Longest field goal 57 48 After the season The reputation of the Blackshirts, whose trademark black jerseys quietly disappeared during the disappointing 5–7 (2–6) 2007 season, was restored with emphasis during 2008 as the coveted black jerseys were once again distributed to defensive starters on November 11The Blackshirts Are Back! http://www.huskerlocker.com/blogs/view/bid/338/i/the_blackshirts_are_back https://web.archive.org/web/20110712231927/http://www.huskerlocker.com/blogs/view/bid/338/i/the_blackshirts_are_back 2011-07-12 dead May 25, 2009 following a key emotional win over the Kansas Jayhawks. The season concluded January 1, 2009 with a come-from-behind 26–21Blackshirts help Nebraska beat Clemson http://www.huskerlocker.com/blogs/view/bid/625/i/blackshirts_stand_tall_turn_back_clemson https://web.archive.org/web/20110712231950/http://www.huskerlocker.com/blogs/view/bid/625/i/blackshirts_stand_tall_turn_back_clemson 2011-07-12 dead May 25, 2009 Nebraska victory over the Clemson Tigers in the 2009 Gator Bowl. Nebraska finished as co-division Champions of the Big 12 North Division, with a final record of 9–4 (5–3). Head Coach Bo Pelini's overall career record improved to 10–4 (.714), 5–3 in conference, and 2–0 in bowl games. Pelini's 2008 regular season record of 9–4 was the highest among all 28 Division 1A teams with new head coaches and staffs that year.The Red, White, Green and Vanilla Husker Spring Game http://www.huskermax.com/huskerdan/20090424dan.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090428092920/http://www.huskerpedia.com/huskerdan/20090424dan.html April 28, 2009 live May 25, 2009 Awards 2008 Husker Honors http://www.huskermax.com/honors/honors_2008.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100102025829/http://huskerpedia.com/honors/honors_2008.html January 2, 2010 live May 25, 2009 Award Name(s) All-American honorable mention Ndamukong Suh All-Big 12 1st team Ndamukong Suh, Matt Slauson, Nate Swift All-Big 12 2nd team Alex Henery All-Big 12 honorable mention Larry Asante, Roy Helu Jr., Jacob Hickman, Lydon Murtha, Nate Swift, Zach Potter, Ty Steinkuhler All-Bowl team Ndamukong Suh Draft picks, signees, or other future professional players Prince Amukamara, 2011 1st–round pick of the New York Giants Larry Asante, 2010 4th–round pick of the Cleveland Browns Chris Brooks, 2010 free agent signee of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Phillip Dillard, 2010 4th–round pick of the New York Giants Joe Ganz, 2009 free agent signee of Washington Redskins Cody Glenn, 2009 5th–round pick of the Washington Redskins Eric Hagg, 2011 7th–round pick of the Cleveland Browns Roy Helu, 2011 4th–round pick of the Washington Redskins Alex Henery, 2011 4th–round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles Ricky Henry, 2011 UFL 1st–round pick of the Hartford Colonials D.J. Jones, 2011 UFL 6th–round pick of the Omaha Nighthawks Marlon Lucky, 2009 free agent signee of Cincinnati Bengals Lydon Murtha, 2009 7th–round pick of the Miami Dolphins Matt O'Hanlon, 2010 free agent signee of Carolina Panthers Niles Paul, 2011 5th–round pick of the Washington Redskins Todd Peterson, 2009 free agent signee of Jacksonville Jaguars Zach Potter, 2009 free agent signee of New York Jets Matt Slauson, 2009 6th–round pick of the New York Jets Mike Smith, 2011 UFL 5th–round pick of the Omaha Nighthawks Ty Steinkuhler, 2009 free agent signee of New York Jets Ndamukong Suh, 2010 1st–round pick of the Detroit Lions Nate Swift, 2009 free agent signee of Denver Broncos Barry Turner, 2010 free agent signee of Detroit Lions Keith Williams, 2011 6th–round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Category:Gator Bowl champion seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football