2006 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 March 2012 football 2006 Nebraska Cornhuskers Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg 100 Logo of the Nebraska athletic teams 2004– Big 12 Conference North Division Big 12 9–5 6–2 Bill Callahan 3rd Jay Norvell 3rd Kevin Cosgrove 3rd West Coast 4–3 Memorial Stadium Big 12 North Division champion Cotton Bowl Classic L 14–17 vs. Auburn Big 12 Championship Game L 7–21 vs. Oklahoma The 2006 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill Callahan and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before the season While the Huskers lost talented running back Cory Ross and defensive back Daniel Bullocks, they did retain offensive lynchpin Zac Taylor (QB) and talented kicker Jordon Congdon. The team also hoped to play I-back Marlon Lucky (who excelled on kick returns as a freshman) as their starting running back. Terrence Nunn, the top kick-returner in the Big 12 last season, also returned and was intended to be the Huskers' featured receiver. On defense, the Blackshirts include DE Adam Carriker, among others. The Ruud name returned to Lincoln, with Bo Ruud playing weakside linebacker. Schedule 2006 AP Central September 2 2:30 pm w y 20 Louisiana Tech Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE FSN 49–10 85,181 September 9 12:30 pm w y 21 Nicholls State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 56–7 84,076 September 16 7:00 pm l y y 19 USC 4 College GameDay Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 10–28 92,000 September 23 6:00 pm w y 23 Troy Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE FSN 56–0 84,799 September 30 6:00 pm w 21 Kansas rivalry Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE FSN 39–32 OT 85,069 October 7 7:00 pm w y 22 Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium Ames, IA rivalry ABC 28–14 55,338 October 14 7:00 pm w y 21 Kansas State rivalry Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS FSN 21–3 50,723 October 21 11:00 am l 17 Texas 5 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC 20–22 85,187 October 28 2:30 pm l y 20 Oklahoma State Boone Pickens Stadium Stillwater, OK ABC 29–41 40,108 November 4 11:00 am w y Missouri rivalry Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC 34–20 85,197 November 11 2:30 pm w y Texas A&M 24 Kyle Field College Station, TX ABC 28–27 85,336 November 24, 2006 2:30 pm w 23 Colorado rivalry Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC 37–14 85,800 December 2 7:00 pm l y 19 Oklahoma 8 Big 12 Championship) (rivalry Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, MO ABC 7–21 80,031 January 1, 2007, 2007 10:30 am l y y 22 Auburn 10 Cotton Bowl Classic Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX FOX 14–17 66,777 Football – 2006 Schedule/Results http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&Q_SEASON= https://web.archive.org/web/20121022232307/http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&Q_SEASON= dead October 22, 2012 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics May 13, 2009 Rankings 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings AP 0 15 20 21 19 23 21 22 21 17 20 RV RV 24 23 19 22 RV Coaches Poll 0 15 22 21 19 24 21 22 20 16 20 RV 25 22 19 18 22 RV Harris 4 14 21 21 19 16 20 NR 25 23 22 20 22 BCS 7 14 17 22 NR NR 23 22 20 23 Roster and coaching staff 2006 Nebraska Cornhuskers y Greg Austin 65 OL S Cruz Barrett 66 OL F Bergland Dennis 57 OL F Chris Brooks 1 WR SO Brett Byford 59 OL J Wes Cammack 82 WR RF Andy Christensen 62 OL SO Beau Davis 15 QB SO Dan Erickson 26 WR J Paul Farino 47 FB RF Joe Ganz 12 QB SO Dan Glassman 39 TE F Cody Glenn 34 IB SO y Victory Haines 75 OL J Frantz Hardy 7 WR J Will Henry 9 WR F Matt Herian 11 TE S Jacob Hickman 67 OL F Brian Hildebrand 8 QB SO Sean Hill 86 TE J Menelik Holt 4 WR F Mike Huff 61 OL SO Brandon Jackson 32 IB J y Brandon Jackson (American football) D.J. Jones 73 OL F Sam Keller 5 QB S Patrick Kitzul 30 WR F Colton Koehler 40 FB RF Thomas Lawson 36 RB SO Newton Lingenfelter 74 OL S Marlon Lucky 20 IB SO y Kurt Mann 50 OL S Mike McNeill 44 TE F Josh Mueller 81 TE J Lydon Murtha 76 OL SO y Carl Nicks 77 OL J y Carl Nicks (American football) Terrence Nunn 83 WR J y Will Otto 45 FB S Chris Patrick Chris Patrick (gridiron football) 54 OL J y Todd Peterson 17 WR SO J.B. Phillips 85 TE J Jordan Picou 69 OL J Maurice Purify 16 WR J y Chad Roark 79 OL F Xavier Rucker 84 WR F Andy Sand 48 FB J Matt Senske 42 FB J Matt Slauson 70 OL SO y Nate Swift 87 WR SO Ben Tasa 46 TE F Zac Taylor 13 QB S C y Hunter Teafatiller 89 TE SO Dane Todd 41 FB S Keith Williams 68 OL F y Keith Williams (offensive lineman) Kenny Wilson 27 IB J Dreu Young 49 TE F Jordan Adams 7 S J Pierre Allen 95 DL F Zackary Bowman 1 CB S y Stewart Bradley 34 LB S y Stewart Bradley (American football) Lance Brandenburgh 40 LB J Titus Brothers 21 DB J Adam Carriker 90 DE S C y Nick Covey 45 LB RF Barry Cryer 94 DL S Major Culbert 6 DB F y Ola Dagunduro 54 DL S Phillip Dillard 52 LB SO y Ben Eisenhart 46 DB J Isaiah Fluellen 28 CB S Ryan Ford 27 DB F Tierre Green 30 S J Cortney Grixby 2 CB J y David Harvey 80 DE RF Zach Jepson 71 DT F Seth Jensen 91 DT F Brandon Johnson 96 DT J Andre Jones 25 DB J Andy Kadavy 47 LB Sr Kevin Luhrs 89 DL J Ben Martin 63 DE F Corey McKeon 13 LB J Andy McNeil 58 LB F Jay Moore 44 DE S y Kyle Moore 38 LB F Matt O'Hanlon 33 DB RF Mark O'Shea 50 LB S Steve Octavien 15 LB J y Zach Potter 98 DE SO y Andy Poulosky 86 DE J Thomas Rice 85 DE J Brandon Rigoni 24 FS S C Craig Roark 55 DL RF Bo Ruud 51 LB J y Andrew Shanle 8 S S y Clayton Sievers 88 LB SO Mike Smith 97 DE F Ty Steinkuhler 43 DL SO Ndamukong Suh 93 DL RF y Tony Sullivan 84 DE Jr Tyrell Spain 18 CB Jr Rickey Thenarse 3 DB F Barry Turner 99 DE SO Adam Watson 4 S F Anthony West 22 DB F Bryan Wilson 9 CB J Tyler Wortman 53 LB SO Corey Young 23 DB F Justin Baumgartner 56 LS F Bryan Benzel 52 LS RF Jordan Congdon 29 PK SO Zach Egger 94 PK F Tyler Kester 19 P J Nathan McBride 55 LS RF T.J. O'Leary 82 LS SO Michael Such 91 P F Dan Titchener 97 P SO Jake Wesch 37 PK SO http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=2006 January 16, 2011 Bill Callahan   3rd season   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Benedictine Jay Norvell   3rd season as OC/QB coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Iowa Kevin Cosgrove   3rd season as DC/LB coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: UW-Oshkosh John Blake   3rd season as DL coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Oklahoma Bill Busch   3rd season as ST/S coach   7th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Wesleyan Phil Elmassian   2nd season as CB coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: William & Mary Ted Gilmore   2nd season as WR coach   2nd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Wyoming Randy Jordan   3rd season as RB coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: North Carolina Dennis Wagner   3rd season as OL coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Utah Shawn Watson   1st season as TE coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Southern Illinois Dave Kennedy   3rd season as S&C coach   10th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Keith Heckendorf   1st season as GA coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: St. Cloud State Jon Osterhout   1st season as GA coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Sacramento State Depth chart Pro-Set 4–3 Yes No Yes Zac Taylor Joe Ganz Brandon Jackson Marlon Lucky Cody Glenn Kenny Wilson Dana Todd Matt Senske Terrence Nunn Nate Swift Todd Peterson Maurice Purify Frantz Hardy Matt Herian Josh Mueller J.B Phillips Chris Patrick Carl Nicks Greg Austin Andy Christensen Brett Byford Kurt Mann Mike Huff Jacob Hickman Matt Slauson Lydon Murtha Bo Ruud Steve Octavien WILL Corey McKeon Lance Brandenburgh MIKE Stewart Bradley Clayton Sievers SAM Tierre Green Major Culbert Ben Eisenhart Andrew Shanle Bryan Wilson Cortney Grixby Corey Young Andre Jones Rickey Thenarse Jay Moore Barry Turner Ola Dagunduro Ndamukong Suh Barry Cryer Ty Steinkuhler Adam Carriker Zach Potter Jordan Congdon Dan Titchener Brandon Jackson Marlon Lucky Terrence Nunn Brandon Rigoni \ 110 90 No Game summaries Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech at Nebraska [box score] Louisiana Tech Nebraska 0 10 0 0 7 14 7 21 September 2, 2006 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 2:30 p.m. CST 85,181 Bill Land (Play-by-play), Dave Lapham (Color), & Emily Jones (Sideline) FSN Nicholls State Nicholls State at Nebraska [box score] Nicholls State Nebraska 0 0 0 7 14 14 14 14 September 9, 2006 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 12:30 p.m. CST 84,076 USC Nebraska at USC [box score] Nebraska USC 3 0 0 7 7 7 7 7 September 16, 2006 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 7:00 p.m. CST 92,000 Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Bob Davie (Color), Kirk Herbstreit (Color), & Lisa Salters (Sideline) ABC Troy Troy at Nebraska [box score] Troy Nebraska 0 0 0 0 14 14 14 14 September 23, 2006 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 6:00 p.m. CST 84,799 Greg Sharpe (Play-by-play), Matt Davison (Color), & Dan McLaughlin (Sideline) PPV Kansas Kansas at Nebraska [box score] Kansas Nebraska 0 10 9 13 0 17 7 0 8 7 September 30, 2006 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 6:00 p.m. CST 85,069 Joel Meyers (Play-by-play), Dave Lapham (Color), & Jim Knox (Sideline) FSN Iowa State Nebraska at Iowa State [box score] Nebraska Iowa State 7 14 0 7 0 7 0 7 October 7, 2006 Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa 7:00 p.m. CST 55,338 Dan Fouts (Play-by-play), Tim Brant (Color), & Jack Arute (Sideline) ABC Kansas State Nebraska at Kansas State [box score] Nebraska Kansas State 7 7 7 0 0 0 3 0 October 14, 2006 Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas 7:00 p.m. CST 50,723 Dan McLaughlin (Play-by-play), Rich Baldinger (Color), & Brent Stover (Sideline) PPV Nebraska won their 800th football game with a win over Kansas State on October 14, 2006.Texas Longhorn Game Notes Mack Brown Texas Football http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/2006_texas_nebraska_notes.pdf October 21, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061028015721/http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/2006_texas_nebraska_notes.pdf October 28, 2006 dead mdy-all Only four teams have won 800 or more games: Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, and now Nebraska. Texas Texas at Nebraska [box score] Texas Nebraska 3 13 0 6 7 0 0 13 October 21, 2006 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 11:00 a.m. CST 85,187 Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Bob Davie (Color), & Lisa Salters (Sideline) ABC The Cornhuskers entered the game against the 2006 Texas Longhorn football team ranked 16th in both human polls and 19th in the computer rankings, for a total BCS ranking of 17th.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/BCSStandings BCS Standings, October 15, 2006 ESPN October 15, 2006 October 16, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061102051646/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/BCSStandings November 2, 2006 dead Coming into the game, Texas was the third-winningest program in college football, with 800 wins. Nebraska was fourth, having won their 800th game the previous weekend vs Kansas State. Only four teams have won 800 or more games: Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, and now Nebraska. The game marked the first time for Texas to face an 800-win program since Texas broke through the 800-win barrier. The 2006 football season also marked the first time for four 800-win programs to face off against each other, with Notre Dame and Michigan having played each other earlier in the season. In terms of winning percentage, Texas ranked third at 71.52% while Nebraska ranked seventh at 70.57%. The Cornhuskers claimed five national championships on top of Texas' four. The environment at Lincoln has been considered one of the most hostile for an opposing team, due in part to the noise of the crowd.December 2013 Austin American-Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls predicted that Nebraska might pull off an upset against the Longhorns. Among the reasons he gave were that "Texas isn't a great running team (only a good one).." that "Texas' pass defense is very suspect..." and that Longhorn kicker Greg Johnson had only kicked one field goal all year.Texas is Ripe for an Upset – Huskers Are Out for Some Payback Today http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/10/21/21bohls.html Austin American-Statesman October 21, 2006 October 21, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061107173422/http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/10/21/21bohls.html November 7, 2006 dead Bohls also speculated that Nebraska might have more motivation because "Texas has had Nebraska's number for a while, ... [Texas] knocked off the Huskers in the inaugural Big 12 football championship game at St. Louis to deprive Nebraska of a shot at another national title in 1996." In 1998, freshman quarterback Major Applewhite led the Longhorns to a victory over the seventh-ranked Cornhuskers, snapping their 47-home game winning streak.Can McCoy Duplicate What Applewhite Did Against Nebraska Suzanne Halliburton http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/21/21texfoot.html Austin American-Statesman October 20, 2006 October 21, 2006 July 2011 They also ended the Cornhuskers new streak at 26 in 2002.Longhorns Ride Into Cornfields Ryan Killian http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/10/20/Sports/Longhorns.Ride.Into.Cornfields-2379431.shtml?norewrite200610220023&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com The Daily Texan University of Texas at Austin October 20, 2006 October 21, 2006September 2016 medicmedic Coming into the 2006 game, Texas was the only team in the Big Twelve Conference with a winning record vs. Nebraska, with a 6–4 lead. Texas leads the series 5–1 since the formation of the Big 12, and they are 4–1 against Nebraska since Mack Brown came to Texas. Prior to the game, the betting line in Las Vegas casinos was Texas by 5 ½ points.http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html NCAA sports line October 20, 2006 October 20, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061016033124/http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html October 16, 2006 live The game set a new stadium attendance record crowd of 85,187, the 280th consecutive sell-out at Nebraska.Texas Pulls Out Win Over Nebraska – First-Ever Kick by Ryan Bailey Puts Texas on top 22–20 http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/22/22texfoot.html Austin American-Statesman October 21, 2006 October 21, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061109182520/http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/22/22texfoot.html November 9, 2006Notebook – Vince Sighting, Injury Report, Lincoln Success Rate http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/22/22texnotes.html Austin American-Statesman October 22, 2006 October 22, 2006September 2016 medicmedic The game featured 36-degree temperatures, winds out of the north at 20 miles per hour, rain, and snow flurries. Texas got the ball to start the game and Quan Cosby returned the kick-off to within the Nebraska 10 yard line. The Longhorns were unable to score a touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. Nebraska scored a first-quarter touchdown. Texas scored 14 points in the second quarter, but kicker Greg Johnson had one of the two extra points blocked, so the score at half-time had Texas ahead 16 to 7. Johnson also missed two field goals during the game. Neither team scored in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Nebraska took a 20–19 lead with 4 minutes 54 seconds left in the game. After Texas was forced to punt, Nebraska only had to run out the clock to ensure victory. Nebraska ran a passing play on third down and NU receiver Terrence Nunn picked up the first down but fumbled the ball. The fumble was recovered by Texas safety Marcus Griffin at the Nebraska 44 yard-line with 2:17 left. Colt McCoy led the Longhorns through the snow flurries to the Nebraska 5. With less than a minute remaining, and the Horns facing fourth down, Texas needed a field goal to win. Johnson had already missed three kicks (two field goals and an extra point) and he told Coach Brown late in the game that his leg was tightening up. Brown looked to walk-on sophomore Ryan Bailey to give the Longhorns the win. Bailey had made only 10 kicks as a high-school kicker from Anderson High School in Austin, Texas and he had never attempted a kick for the Longhorns. The trip at Nebraska was only the second time he had ever been included in the travel roster, which is limited to 64 players. Before the kick, Brown told him "You're the luckiest guy in the world. You've got a chance to be Dusty Mangum on your first kick." Mangum had scored the game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Longhorns to victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the 2005 Rose Bowl. Before Bailey could attempt the kick, Nebraska's coach attempted to "ice the kicker" by using his coach's challenge to have the officials review the preceding third-down play. The play was reviewed and allowed to stand as an incomplete pass, as called on the field. Brown gave Bailey a swat on the helmet and Bailey jogged onto the field and calmly made the kick. Nebraska had time for two shots at the end-zone but both passes were broken up, and Texas won the game by 2 points, 22–20.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262940158 https://archive.today/20130102230335/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262940158 dead January 2, 2013 Texas Longhorns at Nebraska Cornhuskers ESPN Associated Press October 21, 2006 October 21, 2006 The win was Texas' 16th straight road game victory, extending a school record, and 19th consecutive win in conference play. The latter streak is the second longest in the country, following the conference game winning steak of USC. The game was the first time for Colt McCoy to lead the Longhorns to a come-from-behind victory in the fourth quarter. The Longhorns had several injuries during the game. Defensive starters Derek Lokey and Robert Killebrew both had to leave the game due to leg injuries. Cornerback Tarell Brown was seen limping badly after the game and kicker-punter Greg Johnson aggravated a previous injury on his fourth-quarter field goal. Former Longhorn quarterback Vince Young was on the sidelines for the first time since going to the NFL and he went to the Longhorn locker room afterwards to congratulate the team on the win. Representatives from the Fiesta Bowl, the game that normally takes the Big 12 Conference champion, were also on hand.Turning Point Slips Through NU's Fingers Mitch Sherman http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2265814 https://archive.today/20061030190959/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2265814 dead October 30, 2006 Omaha World-Herald October 22, 2006 October 21, 2006 There had been media speculation that Nebraska and Texas would win their respective conference divisions to play again in the Big 12 Conference Championship.December 2013 This possibility was echoed in post-game interviews as both teams voiced respect for the other. Texas coach Mack Brown said, "Nebraska is back, For them to keep coming back and back and back – they made big plays throughout the game to put themselves in a position to win." He continued, "As soon as they back away from it, they'll see that their program is back on track, one of the best in the country. And they'll be excited about a chance to go play somebody in (the Big 12 championship game). Hopefully, if we can keep playing, it might be us." Nebraska cornerback Cortney Grixby said of Texas, "They kept their composure. That's the mark of a champion. And that's what they are."Huskers Let 'Horns Off the Hook Rich Kaipust http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2263258 https://archive.today/20061030190901/http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2263258 dead October 30, 2006 Omaha World-Herald October 21, 2006 October 21, 2006 Oklahoma State Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score] Nebraska Oklahoma State 10 13 0 6 0 20 0 21 October 28, 2006 Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma 2:30 p.m. CST 40,108 Dave Barnett (Play-by-play), Ray Bentley (Color), & Vince Welch (Sideline) ABC Missouri Missouri at Nebraska [box score] Missouri Nebraska 0 6 7 7 10 17 0 7 November 4, 2006 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 11:00 a.m. CST 85,197 Gary Thorne (Play-by-play), Andre Ware (Color), & Dave LaMont (Sideline) ABC Texas A&M Nebraska at Texas A&M [box score] Nebraska Texas A&M 7 14 0 7 7 3 3 14 November 11, 2006 Kyle Field, College Station, Texas 2:30 p.m. CST 85,336 Eric Collins (Play-by-play), David Norrie (Color), & Stacey Dales (Sideline) ABC Colorado Colorado at Nebraska [box score] Colorado Nebraska 7 0 7 0 7 7 7 16 November 24, 2006 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 2:30 p.m. CST 85,800 Mark Jones (Play-by-play), David Norrie (Color), & Stacey Dales (Sideline) ABC Oklahoma Nebraska vs Oklahoma [box score] Nebraska Oklahoma 0 7 0 0 14 0 7 0 December 2, 2006 Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 7:00 p.m. CST 80,031 Mike Patrick (Play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (Color), & Holly Rowe (Sideline) ABC Called "The Battle of the Big Reds",http://oklahomasports.com/Sooners/Football/2001season/Game%208%20Forget%20Baylor%20Focus%20on%20Huskers.htm Forget Baylor, Let's Focus on the Huskers! OklahomaSports.com Jason Waganer October 21, 2001 December 2, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061028005640/http://www.oklahomasports.com/Sooners/Football/2001season/Game%208%20Forget%20Baylor%20Focus%20on%20Huskers.htm October 28, 2006 livehttps://huskers.com/news/2005/10/29/big-red-review-another-classic-battle Big Red Review: Another Classic Battle Nebraska Football October 29, 2005 December 2, 2006 April 20, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060420183951/http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=209214 live the rivalry between Nebraska and Oklahoma was one of the most heated contests of the old Big Eight Conference. Played every Thanksgiving weekend for 71 years (from 1927 to 1998), this contest produced many memorable games; including the Game of the Century in 1971. The rivalry has cooled somewhat since the creation of the Big 12 as Bill Callahan's Nebraska Cornhuskers and Stoops's Oklahoma Sooners now split a home-and-home two of every four years. This is only the fourth time that the teams have met at a neutral site. The last time was the 1979 Orange Bowl where the Sooners won 31–24. Oklahoma holds the lead in the all-time series 42 to 37 with 3 ties and has never lost to Nebraska on neutral turf (one 7–7 tie in 1919 in Omaha). Bob Stoops is 3–1 against Nebraska and has a two-game winning streak; Callahan has never beaten Oklahoma. This is the first time the two teams have met in the Big 12 Championship Game to determine the Big 12 Conference champion. Nebraska played in the championship game three of the first four years, winning in 1997 and '99, but had not made it back since. Oklahoma missed the first four games but represented the south four of the next six years, topping the conference in 2000, '02, and '04. Oklahoma has both the most appearances in the championship game (5) and conference titles (3) of any team in the Big 12.http://admin.xosn.com//pdf6/53405.pdf Nebraska 2006 Football University of Nebraska–Lincoln December 1, 2006 July 9, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110709141102/http://admin.xosn.com//pdf6/53405.pdf deadhttp://admin.xosn.com//pdf4/53406.pdf Game 13 – Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship – Dec 2, 2006 University of Oklahoma December 1, 2006 October 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081010181235/http://admin.xosn.com//pdf4/53406.pdf dead Nebraska received the ball to start the game but Maurice Purify fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Oklahoma recovered the ball at the Nebraska 2 and scored a touchdown to take the lead 7–0 with 48 seconds expired off the clock. It was the fastest score in Big 12 Championship Game history.Big 12 Championship Game ABC December 2, 2006 With 5:35 left in the first quarter, Oklahoma executed a touchdown pass to Malcolm Kelly to go up 14–0. With 4:37 left in the first half, Nebraska's Zac Taylor threw a touchdown pass and the extra point shaved Oklahoma's lead to 14–7, which was still the score as the game went to half-time. At the start of the half, Oklahoma started with the ball but were unable to advance, as Nebraska recorded their first quarterback sack of the game and caused Oklahoma to go three-and-out and punt. Later in the third quarter, Oklahoma used 11 plays, 3 minutes and 21 seconds, to go 99 yards and score a touchdown with 1:25 left in the third quarter. With 8:53 left in the game, Nebraska threw what was almost a touchdown pass, but Nick Harris made a diving catch to intercept the ball in the end-zone for a touchback. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, so Oklahoma won the game 21–7. It was their fourth Big 12 Conference football championship, which is the most for any team in the conference (Nebraska and Texas each have two). Auburn (Cotton Bowl Classic) Nebraska vs Auburn [box score] Auburn Nebraska 7 7 3 0 7 7 0 0 January 1, 2007 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas 10:30 a.m. CST 66,777 Pat Summerall (Play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (Color), & Krista Voda (Sideline) FOX If Nebraska had won the Big 12 Conference Championship Game, they would have gone to the Fiesta Bowl. Since they lost, they went to the Cotton Bowl Classic; the Big 12 Conference announced before the Championship Game that the loser would receive a Cotton Bowl Classic invitation. The Cotton Bowl Classic was played on New Year's Day. After the season Awards 2006 Husker Honors http://www.huskermax.com/honors/honors_2006.html https://web.archive.org/web/20081011075942/http://huskerpedia.com/honors/honors_2006.html October 11, 2008 live May 13, 2009 mdy Award Name(s) Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Zac Taylor Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Adam Carriker All-Big 12 1st team Zac Taylor, Adam Carriker, Dane Todd, Bo Ruud, Brandon Jackson All-Big 12 2nd team Maurice Purify, Jay Moore, Matt Slauson, Marlon Lucky All-Big 12 honorable mention Stewart Bradley, Brett Byford, Cortney Grixby, Corey McKeon, Andrew Shanle, Kurt Mann, Greg Austin, Tierre Green All-Big 12 Freshman 1st team Ndamukong Suh NFL and pro players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 2006 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.All Time NFL Huskers http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090815013540/http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html August 15, 2009 live May 13, 2009 mdy Name Team Zackary Bowman Chicago Bears Stewart Bradley Philadelphia Eagles Adam Carriker St. Louis Rams Joe Ganz Washington Redskins Cody Glenn Washington Redskins Cortney Grixby Carolina Panthers Brandon Jackson Green Bay Packers D.J. Jones Omaha Nighthawks Marlon Lucky Cincinnati Bengals Jay Moore San Francisco 49ers Lydon Murtha Detroit Lions Carl Nicks New Orleans Saints Terrence Nunn New England Patriots Steve Octavien Kansas City Chiefs Chris Patrick New York Giants Todd Peterson Jacksonville Jaguars Zach Potter New York Jets Andy Poulosky Sioux City Bandits Maurice Purify Cincinnati Bengals Bo Ruud New England Patriots Andrew Shanle Chicago Bears Matt Slauson New York Jets Mike Smith Omaha Nighthawks Ty Steinkuhler New York Jets Nate Swift Denver Broncos Zac Taylor Tampa Bay Buccaneers Keith Williams Pittsburgh Steelers Kenny Wilson Sioux City Bandits References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football