# 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 30–13.

## Before the season

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

### Recruiting
#### Scholarship recruits

College recruiting information :
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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. |||||||
* Note: Bubba Starling opted to play professional baseball with the Kansas City Royals rather than play baseball and football with Nebraska.

#### Walk-on recruits

College recruiting information :
| 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 | |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 | |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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 |
| Star ratings: 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: "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 19, 2011. |||||||

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | 2:30 p.m. | Chattanooga* | No. 10 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska | BTN | W 40–7 | 84,883 |
| September 10 | 6:00 p.m. | Fresno State* | No. 10 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska | BTN | W 42–29 | 85,101 |
| September 17 | 2:30 p.m. | Washington* | No. 11 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska | ABC/ESPN | W 51–38 | 85,110 |
| September 24 | 6:30 p.m. | at Wyoming* | No. 9 | War Memorial StadiumLaramie, Wyoming | Versus | W 38–14 | 32,617 |
| October 1 | 7:00 p.m. | at No. 7 Wisconsin | No. 8 | Camp Randall StadiumMadison, Wisconsin (College GameDay) | ABC | L 17–48 | 81,384 |
| October 8 | 7:00 p.m. | Ohio State | No. 14 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska | ABC | W 34–27 | 85,426 |
| October 22 | 2:30 p.m. | at Minnesota | No. 13 | TCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis | ABC/ESPN2 | W 41–14 | 49,187 |
| October 29 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 9 Michigan State | No. 13 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska | ESPN | W 24–3 | 85,641 |
| November 5 | 2:30 p.m. | Northwestern | No. 9 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska | BTN | L 25–28 | 85,115 |
| November 12 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 12 Penn State | No. 19 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, Pennsylvania | ESPN | W 17–14 | 107,903 |
| November 19 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 20 Michigan | No. 17 | Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, Michigan | ESPN | L 17–45 | 113,718 |
| November 25 | 11:00 a.m. | Iowa | No. 22 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska (Heroes Game) | ABC | W 20–7 | 85,595 |
| January 2, 2012 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. No. 10 South Carolina* | No. 21 | Citrus BowlOrlando, Florida (Capital One Bowl) | ESPN | L 13–30 | 61,351 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Roster and coaching staff

Defense :
* NICKEL
* Ciante Evans
* Lance Thorell
* FS
* Damian Stafford
* Courtney Osborne
| MIKE | WILL |
| Will Compton | Lavonte David |
| Graham Stoddard | Sean Fisher Alonzo Whaley |
* SS
* Austin Cassidy
* P.J. Smith
* CB
* Alfonzo Dennard
* Josh Mitchell
| DE | DT | DT | DE |
| Cameron Meredith | Baker Steinkuler | Jared Crick Terrence Moore | Jason Ankrah |
| Joseph Carter | Chase Rome | Josh Williams | Eric Martin |
* CB
* Andrew Green
* Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Offense :
* WR
* Kenny Bell
* Tim Marlowe
* WR
* Brandon Kinnie
* Jamal Turner
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
| Jermarcus Hardrick | Seung Hoon-Choi Andrew Rodriguez | Mike Caputo | Spencer Long | Marcel Jones |
| Jeremiah Sirles | Brandon Thompson | Cole Pensick | Brent Qvale | Tyler Moore |
* TE
* Kyler Reed Ben Cotton
* Jake Long
* WR
* Quincy Enunwa
* Khiry Cooper
* QB
* Taylor Martinez
* Brion Carnes
* Key reserves
* FB Tyler Legate
* FB C.J Zimmerer
* Special teams
* PK Brett Maher
* P Brett Maher
* KR Ameer Abdullah
* PR Ameer Abdullah
* LS \
* RB
* Rex Burkhead
* Ameer Abdullah
* Aaron Green Braylon Heard

## Game summaries
### Chattanooga

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chattanooga | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| • #10 Nebraska | 10 | 13 | 17 | 0 | 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Fresno State | 14 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 29 |
| • #10 Nebraska | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 42 |
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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Washington | 7 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 38 |
| • #11 Nebraska | 10 | 10 | 17 | 14 | 51 |
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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • #9 Nebraska | 7 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 38 |
| Wyoming | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #8 Nebraska | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| • #7 Wisconsin | 7 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ohio State | 10 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
| • #14 Nebraska | 3 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 34 |
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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • #13 Nebraska | 10 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 41 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #9 Michigan State | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| • #13 Nebraska | 10 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Northwestern | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| #9 Nebraska | 0 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 25 |
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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • #19 Nebraska | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| #12 Penn State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #17 Nebraska | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| • #20 Michigan | 10 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 45 |

### Iowa

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Iowa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| • #22 Nebraska | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |

### South Carolina–Capital One Bowl

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #21 Nebraska | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| • #10 South Carolina | 9 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 30 |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | 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 | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 13 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 19 | 20 | Not released |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 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