offense (national rank) nebraska football coaching staff · brandon koch, c kurt mann, wr terrence...

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N E B R A S K A F O O T B A L L ' 0 5S P R I N G P R O S P E C T U S

2005 Nebraska ScheduleDate Opponent....................................Site ..............................Stadium .....................................TimeSept. 3 Maine .........................................Lincoln, Neb. ...............Memorial Stadium...................... TBASept. 10 Wake Forest...............................Lincoln, Neb. ...............Memorial Stadium...................... TBASept. 17 Pittsburgh ..................................Lincoln, Neb. ...............Memorial Stadium...................... TBAOct. 1 Iowa State# ................................Lincoln, Neb. ...............Memorial Stadium...................... TBAOct. 8 Texas Tech# (HC)........................Lincoln, Neb. ...............Memorial Stadium...................... TBAOct. 15 at Baylor# ...................................Waco, Texas..................Floyd Casey Stadium................... TBAOct. 22 at Missouri#................................Columbia, Mo.. .............Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field... TBAOct. 29 Oklahoma# .................................Lincoln, Neb. ...............Memorial Stadium...................... TBANov. 5 at Kansas# .................................Lawrence, Kan..............Memorial Stadium ...................... TBANov. 12 Kansas State# ............................Lincoln, Neb. ...............Memorial Stadium...................... TBANov. 26 at Colorado# ...............................Boulder, Colo. ...............Folsom Field................................ TBADec. 3 Big 12 Championship (ABC) .......Houston, Texas .............Reliant Stadium...................... 7 p.m.# Big 12 Conference Games

Table of ContentsQuick Facts, Schedule................................................... 1Returning Lettermen/Spring Depth and Roster.... 2-5Nebraska Coaching Staff .......................................... 6-9Spring Notes/Position Outlook ............................10-15Player Biographies ................................................16-262005 Signees ........................................................ ...27-322004 Recap/Statistics ......................................... ...33-47Spring Game Results/Records................................... 48

Huskers Briefly in 2004Record: 5-6Big 12 Record: 3-5Home: 4-2, Away: 1-4Total Attendance: 741,052Average Attendance: 67,368 Home Attendance: 466,153Average Home Attendance: 77,692

Offense (National Rank)Yards Rushing/Game: 176.3 (34)Yards Rushing/Att.: 4.7Passing Yards/Game: 186.9 (81)Passing Yards/Att./Comp.: 322/156/23Total Net Yards/Game: 363.2 (69)Total Net Yards/Att.: 5.4Points/Game: 25.0 (58)Turnover Margin/Game: -1.09 (110)

Defense (National Rank)Yards Rushing/Game: 104.0 (11)Passing Yards/Game: 267.6 (110)Total Net Yards/Game: 371.6 (56)Points/Game: 27.1 (71)Pass Efficiency Defense: 118.9 (48)

General InformationLocation: Lincoln, Neb., 68588-0123Population: 235,594Founded: 1869Enrollment: 25,000Football Stadium/Field: Memorial Stadium (1923)/ Tom Osborne Field (1998)Capacity: 73,918Surface: FieldTurf (1999)Nickname: Cornhuskers or HuskersColors: Scarlet and CreamConference: Big 12Chancellor: Harvey S. Perlman, J.D.Institutional Rep.: Josephine Potuto, J.D.Athletic Director: Steve PedersonSports Information Director/Football Contact: Keith MannSports Information Director of Operations: Jeff GrieschAssistant SIDs: Shamus McKnight, Jerry TrickieDesign Specialist: Megan McLaughlinSID Office Administrative Assistant: Vicki CartwrightAssociate A.D./Communications: Chris AndersonAthletic Department Photographer: Scott BruhnIntern: Matt SmithGraduate Assistant: Andy AndersonStudent Assistants: Stacy Cervantes, Marcus Dawson, David Graff, Brandon Gries, Kelli Kremlacek, Nate Rohr, Bonnie Ryan, Abbie Steenson

AdministrationPresident: J.B. MillikenBoard of RegentsRandy Ferlic, M.D., OmahaChuck Hassebrook, WalthillHoward Hawks, OmahaDavid Hergert, ScottsbluffJim McClurg, Ph.D, LincolnDrew Miller, Ph.D., PapillionKent Schroeder, J.D., KearneyCharles S. Wilson, M.D., Lincoln Student RegentsBrett Chloupek, UN-KearneyKatie Weichman, UN-LincolnNicholas Behrendt, UNMCElizabeth Kraemer, UN-Omaha

Nebraska Football Coaching StaffHead Coach: Bill Callahan (Illinois Benedictine, 1978); Record: 5-6 in one seasonAssistant Coaches: Kevin Cosgrove (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers); Jay Norvell (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks); John Blake (Defensive Line); Bill Busch (Safeties/Special Teams Coordinator); Scott Downing (Tight Ends/Specialists/Recruiting Coordinator); Phil Elmassian (Cornerbacks); Ted Gilmore (Receivers); Randy Jordan (Running Backs); Dennis Wagner (Offensive Line); Tim Cassidy (Associate A.D./Football Operations); Dave Kennedy (Head Strength Coach); Angus McClure (Graduate Assistant/Offense); Aaron Stamn (Graduate Assistant/Defense)

2004 Nebraska Schedule and Results (5-6, 3-5 Big 12)Date Opponent Site Television Attendance Result Sept. 4 Western Illinois Lincoln, Neb. Fox PPV 77,471 W, 56-17 Sept. 11 Southern Miss Lincoln, Neb. ABC 77,887 L, 17-21 Sept. 18 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa. ABC 40,133 W, 24-17 Oct. 2 Kansas# Lincoln, Neb. Fox PPV 77,637 W, 14-8 Oct. 9 at Texas Tech# Lubbock, Texas TBS 52,594 L, 10-70Oct. 16 Baylor# Lincoln, Neb. 77,881 W, 59-27Oct. 23 at Kansas State# Manhattan, Kan. 52,234 L, 21-45Oct. 30 Missouri# Lincoln, Neb. FSN 77,616 W, 24-3Nov. 6 at Iowa State# Ames, Iowa 45,022 L, 27-34Nov. 13 at Oklahoma# Norman, Okla. FSN 84,916 L, 3-30Nov. 26 Colorado# Lincoln, Neb. ABC 77,661 L, 20-26#-Big 12 Conference game

Final 2004 Big 12 Conference ResultsNo. North Big 12 Overall Bowl Opponent, Result1. Colorado 4-4 8-5 def. UTEP in Houston Bowl, 33-282. Iowa State 4-4 7-5 def. Miami (Ohio) in Independence Bowl, 17-133. Nebraska 3-5 5-64. Missouri 3-5 5-65. Kansas 2-6 4-76. Kansas State 2-6 4-7

No. South Conf. Overall1. Oklahoma+ 8-0 12-1 lost to USC in Orange Bowl, 55-192. Texas 7-1 11-1 def. Michigan in Rose Bowl, 38-373. Texas A&M 5-3 7-5 lost to Tennessee in Cotton Bowl, 38-74. Texas Tech 5-3 8-4 def. California in Holiday Bowl, 45-315. Oklahoma State 4-4 7-5 lost to Ohio State in Alamo Bowl, 33-76. Baylor 1-7 3-8+-Big 12 Champion; Big 12 Championship Game: Oklahoma 42, Colorado 3 (Kansas City, Mo.)

Nebraska's 2005 Non-Conference Opponent RecordsTeam Overall Bowl Opp., ResultsMaine 5-6Wake Forest 4-7Pittsburgh 8-4 lost to Utah in Fiesta Bowl, 35-7


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Husker Experience Returning and Lost

Lettermen Returning (40)/Lost (30)STARTERS LOST in Caps (Number of 2004 starts)

Offense (18 Lettermen Returning/7 Starters)WR: Isaiah Fluellen** (2) Mark LeFlore*** (3) Grant Mulkey** (2) TERRENCE NUNN* (6) Santino Panico* Matt Schroeder* OL: Greg Austin** SEPPO EVWARAYE** (11 at RT) BRANDON KOCH** (11 at LG) KURT MANN* (11 at C) Gary Pike*TE: MATT HERIAN*** (8) Josh Mueller* J.B. Phillips* (1)QB: JOE DAILEY** (11)FB: Dane Todd**IB: Brandon Jackson* CORY ROSS*** (11)

(16 Lettermen Lost/4 Starters)WR: Willie Amos*** Andy Birkel* Joel Jackson* Kade Pittman* Jack O'Holleran** ROSS PILKINGTON*** (9) Kiffin Wigert* Ben Zajicek***OL: JAKE ANDERSEN*** (11 at RG) Darren DeLone* MIKE ERICKSON**** (11 at LT) Nick Povendo***TE: Dusty Keiser** (6)QB: Garth Glissman*FB: STEVE KRIEWALD**** (10)IB: David Horne***

Defense(19 Lettermen Returning/5 Starters)DE: ADAM CARRIKER** (8) Jay Moore* (4) Wali Muhammad*DT: TITUS ADAMS*** (10) Jared Helming* Le KEVIN SMITH*** (11)LB: STEWART BRADLEY** (10 at SLB) Lance Brandenburgh* Adam Ickes* Bo Ruud*CB: Donald DeFrand* Tierre Green* (1 at IB) Cortney Grixby* (2)

Experience Returning and Lost BrieflyTotal Starters Returning: 13 (7 offense, 5 defense, 1 kicker)Total Starters Lost: 11 (4 offense, 6 defense, 1 kicker)Offensive Starters Returning: 7 (QB Joe Dailey, OT Seppo Evwaraye, TE Matt Herian, OG Brandon Koch, C Kurt Mann, WR Terrence Nunn, IB Cory Ross)Offensive Starters Lost: 4 (OG Jake Andersen, OT Mike Erickson, FB Steve Kriewald, WR Ross Pilkington) Defensive Starters Returning: 5 (DT Titus Adams, SLB Stewart Bradley, SS Daniel Bullocks, DE Adam Carriker, DT Le Kevin Smith)Defensive Starters Lost: 6 (FS Josh Bullocks, CB Lornell McPherson, MLB Barrett Ruud, WLB Chad Sievers, DE Benard Thomas, CB Fabian Washington) Starting Kickers Returning: 1 (P Sam Koch)Starting Kickers Lost: 1 (PK Sandro DeAngelis)Starting Specialists Returning: 4 (KOR Brandon Jackson, KOR Tierre Green, PR Santino Panico, LS Lane Kelly) Starting Specialists Lost: 1 (Holder Kellen Huston)Total Lettermen Returning: 40 (18 offense, 19 defense, 3 specialists)Total Lettermen Lost: 30 (16 offense, 13 defense, 1 specialist)

Husker 2004 Statistical LeadersRushing G/S Att. Yds. YPC YPG Long TDCory Ross, IB 11/11 207 1,102 5.3 100.2 86 6Brandon Jackson, IB 10/0 85 390 4.6 39.0 24 6Tierre Green, IB 11/3 44 284 6.5 25.8 34 2Joe Dailey, QB 11/11 53 55 1.0 5.0 17 4Steve Kriewald, FB 10/4 3 54 18.0 5.4 48 0 Passing G/S Att-Cmp-Int Pct. Yds YPG TDs Joe Dailey, QB 11/11 310-153-19 .494 2,025 184.1 17Beau Davis, QB 1/0 8-1-4 .125 12 12.0 0

Receiving G/S No. Yds YPR YPG Long TDsRoss Pilkington, WR 11/9 27 337 12.5 30.6 41 2Matt Herian, TE 8/8 24 308 12.8 38.5 43 3Cory Ross, IB 11/11 21 262 12.5 23.8 74 2Grant Mulkey, WR 11/2 19 244 12.8 22.2 38 2Terrence Nunn, WR 11/6 16 218 13.6 19.8 55 0

Scoring TDs PAT1 PAT2 FG Saf. TPCory Ross, IB 8 0 0 0 0 48Sandro DeAngelis, PK 0 33-34 0 4-9 0 45Brandon Jackson, IB 6 0 0 0 0 36

Punting G No. Yds Avg. Net LongSam Koch 11 63 2,600 41.3 38.4 65

Punt Returns G No. Yds YPR Long TDsSantino Panico 10 22 68 3.1 9 0

Kickoff Returns G No. Yds YPR Long TDsTierre Green 11 26 498 19.2 28 0Brandon Jackson 10 17 359 21.1 59 0

Interceptions G/S No. Yds YPR Long TDsDaniel Bullocks, SS 11/11 5 187 37.4 58 0Fabian Washington, CB 11/11 3 23 7.7 19 0 Tackles G/GS UT TOT TFL Sacks PBU Int.-YdsBarrett Ruud, MLB 11/10 86 143 18-30 3-7 3 0Stewart Bradley, SLB 11/10 38 67 11-26 0 2 0Josh Bullocks, FS 11/11 43 63 2-2 0 7 2-38Daniel Bullocks, SS 11/11 38 58 4-19 1-12 9 5-187returnees in bold

Blake Tiedtke*FS: Andrew Shanle** Mike Stuntz**SS: DANIEL BULLOCKS*** (11) Brandon Rigoni* Shane Siegel*** (1)

(13 Lettermen Lost/6 Starters)DE: Jeff McBride* BENARD THOMAS**** (10)DT: Nathan Krug* Brandon Teamer**LB: Mark Brungardt* Ira Cooper**** (3) BARRETT RUUD**** (11 at MLB) CHAD SIEVERS*** (9 at WLB)CB: Kellen Huston** (1) LORNELL McPHERSON**** (9) FABIAN WASHINGTON*** (11)FS: JOSH BULLOCKS*** (11) Dan Burrow*

Kickers (2 Lettermen Returning/1 Starter)PK: David Dyches** (2) Punter: SAM KOCH** (11)

(1 Lettermen Lost/1 Starter)PK: SANDRO DeANGELIS*** (9)

Specialists (4 Lettermen Returning/4 Starters)KO Returns: TIERRE GREEN* BRANDON JACKSON*Punt Returns: SANTINO PANICO*Snapper: LANE KELLY**

(1 Lettermen Lost/1 Starter)Holder: KELLEN HUSTON**


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OffenseTE (Y): 11 MATT HERIAN***, 6-5, 240, Sr., Pierce, Neb. 85 J.B. Phillips*, 6-3, 260, Colleyville, Texas

LT: 77 SEPPO EVWARAYE**, 6-5, 330, Sr., Laurel, Neb. 54 Chris Patrick, 6-4, 280, So., Ithaca, Mich. LG: 75 BRANDON KOCH**, 6-4, 315, Sr., Gothenburg, Neb. 62 Andy Christensen, 6-3, 300, RFr., Bennington, Neb.

C: 50 KURT MANN*, 6-4, 290, Jr., Grand Island, Neb. 59 Brett Byford, 6-3, 305, So., Hartselle, Ala.

RG: 65 Greg Austin**, 6-1, 295, Jr., Cypress, Texas 56 Gary Pike, 6-4, 330, Sr., Pueblo, Colo.

RT: 79 Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas, 6-5, 335, Sr., Honolulu, Hawaii 61 Mike Huff, 6-4, 300, RFr., Ralston, Neb.

WR (X): 9 Mark Leflore***, 5-11, 195, Sr., Omaha, Neb. 28 Isaiah Fluellen**, 6-0, 185, Jr., Ramstein, Germany

WR (Z): 83 TERRENCE NUNN*, 6-0, 190, So., Houston, Texas 84 Grant Mulkey**, 5-11, 180, Jr., Arlington, Texas

FB: 41 Dane Todd*, 5-10, 240, Jr., Lincoln, Neb. 33 Grant Miller, 6-0, 225, Jr., Peabody, Mass.

IB: 4 CORY ROSS***, 5-6, 195, Sr., Denver, Colo. 32 Brandon Jackson*, 5-11, 210, So., Horn Lake, Miss. QB: 12 JOE DAILEY**, 6-1, 205, Jr., Jersey City, N.J. 13 Zac Taylor, 6-2, 210, Jr., Norman, Okla.

SpecialistsPK: 27 David Dyches**, 6-1, 180, Jr., Spring, Texas 91 Eric Lueshen, 6-2, 195, So., Pierce, Neb.

P: 37 SAM KOCH**, 6-1, 230, Sr., Seward, Neb. 97 Dan Titchener, 6-0, 200, RFr., Cheyenne, Wyo.

LSNAP: 92 LANE KELLY**, 6-4, 265, Jr., Omaha, Neb. 82 Jake Peetz, 5-10, 185, Sr., O'Neill, Neb.

KOR: 32 Brandon Jackson*, 5-11, 210, So., Horn Lake, Miss. 30 Tierre Green*, 6-1, 200, So., Omaha, Neb.

Key: *indicates letters earned; returning lettermen are in boldface; players in ALL CAPS are returning starters; year listed is for fall 2005.

DefenseDE (O): 44 Jay Moore*, 6-4, 275, Jr., Elkhorn, Neb. 48 Adam Blankenship, 6-2, 240, RFr., Tulsa, Okla.

DT: 96 TITUS ADAMS***, 6-3, 300, Sr., Omaha, Neb. 94 Barry Cryer, 6-2, 275, Jr., Marrero, La.

NT: 66 Le KEVIN SMITH***, 6-2, 305, Sr., Macon, Ga. 54 Ola Dagunduro, 6-2, 290, Jr., Inglewood, Calif.

DE (B): 90 ADAM CARRIKER**, 6-6, 280, Jr., Kennewick, Wash. 55 Wali Muhammad*, 6-1, 255, Sr., Bloomfield, N.J.

SAM: 34 STEWART BRADLEY**, 6-4, 240, Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah 49 Adam Ickes*, 6-2, 225, Sr., Page, Neb.-and- 58 Dontrell Moore, 6-2, 225, Jr., Thibodaux, La.

MIKE: 13 Corey McKeon, 6-1, 225, So., Naperville, Ill. -and- 40 Lance Brandenburgh*, 6-1, 230, So., Overland Park, Kan. 56 Trevor Neemann, 6-2, 235, So., Lincoln, Neb.

WILL: 15 Steve Octavien, 6-0, 235, Jr., Naples, Fla.-and- 51 Bo Ruud*, 6-3, 230, So., Lincoln, Neb. 47 Andy Kadavy, 5-11, 225, Jr., Seward, Neb.

LCB: 2 Cortney Grixby*, 5-9, 165, So., Omaha, Neb. 30 Tierre Green*, 6-1, 200, So., Omaha, Neb.

FS: 8 Andrew Shanle**, 6-1, 205, Jr., St. Edward, Neb. 15 Tyler Fisher, 5-11, 195, Sr., Grand Island, Neb.

SS: 14 DANIEL BULLOCKS***, 6-2, 210, Sr., Chattanooga, Tenn. 23 Shane Siegel***, 6-3, 220, Sr., Grand Island, Neb.

RCB: 6 Donald DeFrand*, 6-0, 175, Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 21 Titus Brothers, 5-11, 190, So., San Antonio, Texas

2005 Pre-Spring Depth Chart (March 21, 2005)


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2005 Husker Spring RostersAlphabetical RosterLettermen in Bold; *-Indicates Letters EarnedNo. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthday Yr. Hometown (High School/College) 7 Adams, Jordan QB 6-3 200 6/7/84 So. Santee, Calif. (West Hills/Grossmont College) 96 *** Adams, Titus DL 6-3 300 1/28/83 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)87 Andersen, Chase DL 6-1 230 7/26/83 Jr. Lincoln, Neb. (East)65 ** Austin, Greg OL 6-1 295 11/19/84 Jr. Cypress, Texas (Cypress-Fairbanks)48 Blankenship, Adam DE 6-2 240 6/17/85 RFr. Tulsa, Okla. (Union) 34 * Bradley, Stewart LB 6-4 240 11/2/83 Jr. Salt Lake City, Utah (Highland)40 * Brandenburgh, Lance LB 6-1 230 8/4/85 So. Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas) 21 Brothers, Titus CB 5-11 190 6/5/85 So. San Antonio, Texas (Judson)65 Bryant, Chris DL 6-3 275 3/4/84 Jr. Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hills)14 *** Bullocks, Daniel SS 6-2 210 2/28/83 Sr. Chattanooga, Tenn. (Hixson)59 Byford, Brett OL 6-3 305 8/9/84 So. Hartselle, Ala.90 ** Carriker, Adam DE 6-6 280 5/6/84 Jr. Kennewick, Wash. 62 Christensen, Andy OL 6-3 300 6/24/86 RFr. Bennington, Neb. 94 Cryer, Barry DL 6-2 275 9/19/84 Jr. Marrero, La. (John Ehret/Dodge City CC) 54 Dagunduro, Ola DL 6-2 290 1/6/84 Jr. Inglewood, Calif. (Compton CC)12 ** Dailey, Joe QB 6-1 205 11/19/83 Jr. Jersey City, N.J. (St. Peter’s)15 Davis, Beau QB 6-4 185 7/15/85 So. Venice, Calif. 6 * DeFrand, Donald CB 6-0 175 2/4/82 Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan/Dodge City CC)27 ** Dyches, David PK 6-1 180 10/16/84 Jr. Spring, Texas (Westfield)46 Eisenhart, Ben SS 5-11 200 3/10/84 So. Culbertson, Neb.26 Erickson, Dan WR 6-0 190 4/26/85 So. Omaha, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista)77 ** Evwaraye, Seppo OL 6-5 330 6/1/82 Sr. Laurel, Neb. (Laurel-Concord)17 Fisher, Tyler FS 5-11 195 11/17/82 Sr. Grand Island, Neb. (Wayne State)28 ** Fluellen, Isaiah WR 6-0 185 6/11/84 Jr. Ramstein, Germany (Ramstein America)79 Fuamatu-Thomas, Cornealius OL 6-5 335 2/4/83 Sr. Honolulu, Hawaii (College of San Francisco) 57 Furtwengler, Adam LB 6-1 225 8/18/85 RFr. Corpus Christi, Texas (W.B. Ray) 8 Ganz, Joe QB 6-1 200 12/6/85 RFr. Palos Heights, Ill. (Amos Alonzo Stagg)18 Gingery, Travis CB 5-10 180 3/31/85 So. Lincoln, Neb. (East) 6 Goodman, Ryan FS 6-2 190 10/15/85 So. Egg Harbor City, N.J. (Absegami)30 * Green, Tierre CB 6-1 200 2/4/85 So. Omaha, Neb. (Benson) 2 * Grixby, Cortney CB 5-9 165 2/14/86 So. Omaha, Neb. (Central)73 Helming, Jared DL 6-3 300 12/23/82 Sr. Springfield, Mo. (Kickapoo)11 *** Herian, Matt TE 6-5 240 10/7/83 Sr. Pierce, Neb. 86 Hill, Sean TE 6-3 265 11/12/84 So. Lisle, Ill. (Naperville North)43 Hohlen, Brian TE 6-3 240 9/27/84 So. Juniata, Neb. (Adams Central)61 Huff, Mike OL 6-4 300 8/23/85 RFr. Ralston, Neb. 49 * Ickes, Adam LB 6-2 225 6/20/82 Sr. Page, Neb. (Orchard)32 * Jackson, Brandon IB 5-11 210 10/2/85 So. Horn Lake, Miss. (Horn Lake)47 Kadavy, Andy LB 5-11 225 10/10/83 Jr. Seward, Neb. 92 ** Kelly, Lane LS 6-4 265 4/12/84 Jr. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep) 89 Kenney, Tyler WR 6-1 185 4/13/84 Jr. Kearney, Neb. (Amherst)19 Kester, Tyler P 6-1 200 3/20/85 So. Clearwater, Neb. 75 ** Koch, Brandon OL 6-4 315 11/14/82 Sr. Gothenburg, Neb. (Gothenburg)37 ** Koch, Sam P 6-1 230 8/13/82 Sr. Seward, Neb.36 Lawson, Thomas IB 6-0 230 4/14/86 RFr. Parker, Colo. (Ponderosa) 35 LeFlore, Chris CB 5-10 210 8/23/85 So. Omaha, Neb. (Central) 9 ** LeFlore, Mark WR 5-11 195 2/25/84 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Central)74 Lingenfelter, Newton OL 6-5 280 9/8/83 Jr. Plainview, Neb. 91 Lueshen, Eric PK 6-2 195 8/1/84 So. Pierce, Neb.89 Luhrs, Kevin DE 6-1 255 9/29/84 So. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)50 * Mann, Kurt OL 6-4 290 8/17/83 Jr. Grand Island, Neb.42 McCray, Marque IB 5-9 190 8/9/83 Jr. East Palo Alto, Calif. (College of San Mateo) 13 McKeon, Corey LB 6-1 225 8/29/84 So. Naperville, Ill. (North) 5 McKoy, Shamus WR 6-1 195 4/28/82 Sr. Raleigh, N.C. (Enloe/Scottsdale CC)33 Miller, Grant FB 6-0 225 12/23/83 Jr. Peabody, Mass. (Veterans Memorial)58 Moore, Dontrell LB 6-2 225 9/17/84 Jr. Thibodaux, La. (Coffeyville CC)44 * Moore, Jay DE 6-4 275 8/16/83 Jr. Elkhorn, Neb.

Numerical RosterNo. Let. Name ..............................Pos. 2 * Cortney Grixby................CB 4 *** Cory Ross.......................IB 5 Shamus McKoy............. WR 6 Donald DeFrand.............CB 6 Ryan Goodman............... FS 7 Jordan Adams ................ QB 8 * Andrew Shanle ..............FS 8 Joe Ganz......................... QB 9 *** Mark LeFlore .............. WR 11 *** Matt Herian .................. TE 12 ** Joe Dailey ......................QB 13 Corey McKeon ................LB 13 Zac Taylor ...................... QB 14 *** Daniel Bullocks.............SS 14 * Matt Schroeder........... WR 15 Beau Davis..................... QB 15 Steve Octavien ................LB 16 ** Mike Stuntz....................FS 17 Tyler Fisher..................... FS 17 Todd Peterson............... WR 18 Travis Gingery ................CB 18 * Santino Panico ........... WR 19 Tyler Kester....................... P 19 * Joey Robison.................CB 21 Titus Brothers.................CB 23 *** Shane Siegel...................SS 24 * Brandon Rigoni ............SS 25 * Blake Tiedtke................CB 25 Mike Sampogna...............IB 26 Dan Erickson................ WR 27 ** David Dyches................PK 28 ** Isaiah Fluellen............ WR 30 * Tierre Green..................CB 32 * Brandon Jackson...........IB 33 Grant Miller .................... FB 33 Matt O'Hanlon .................SS 34 ** Stewart Bradley............ LB 35 Chris LeFlore ..................CB 36 Thomas Lawson ..............IB 37 ** Sam Koch .........................P 40 * Lance Brandenburgh .. LB 41 * Dane Todd..................... FB 42 Marque McCray ...............IB 42 Matt Senske ....................LB 43 Brian Hohlen ..................TE 43 Ty Steinkuhler ................DE 44 * Jay Moore ......................DE 45 Will Otto ......................... FB 46 Ben Eisenhart ..................SS 47 Andy Kadavy ..................LB 48 Adam Blakenship ...........DE 48 Andy Sand ......................TE 49 * Adam Ickes ................... LB 50 * Kurt Mann .................... OL 51 * Bo Ruud ........................ LB 52 Mark O'Shea ...................LB 53 Tyler Wortman................LB 54 Ola Dagunduro ...............DL 54 Chris Patrick...................OL


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81 * Mueller, Josh TE 6-5 265 8/28/84 So. Columbus, Neb. (Lakeview)57 * Muhammad, Wali DE 6-1 255 4/17/83 Sr. Bloomfield, N.J. (Bloomfield/Coffeyville CC)84 ** Mulkey, Grant WR 5-11 180 4/19/84 Jr. Arlington, Texas76 Murtha, Lydon OL 6-7 315 11/13/85 RFr. Hutchinson, Minn. 56 Neemann, Trevor LB 6-2 235 4/1/84 So. Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)83 * Nunn, Terrence WR 6-0 190 7/25/86 So. Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls)33 O'Hanlon, Matt SS 5-11 200 10/5/85 Fr. Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue East)52 O'Shea, Mark LB 5-11 220 5/25/84 Jr. Dallas, Texas (Jesuit College Prep/Iona)95 O’Shea, Matt DL 6-0 295 10/5/82 Sr. Dallas, Texas (Jesuit College Prep)15 Octavien, Steve LB 6-0 235 11/25/84 Jr. Naples, Fla. (Lely/W.R. Harper College) 45 Otto, Will FB 5-11 240 10/5/83 Jr. Fullerton, Calif. (Troy/Fullerton College)18 * Panico, Santino WR 6-0 190 2/7/86 So. Libertyville, Ill.54 Patrick, Chris OL 6-4 280 8/22/84 So. Ithaca, Mich.82 Peetz, Jake LS 5-10 185 4/5/83 Sr. O’Neill, Neb. (O’Neill St. Mary’s)17 Peterson, Todd WR 6-4 205 10/26/85 RFr. Grand Island, Neb. (Central Catholic)85 * Phillips, J.B. TE 6-3 260 5/23/85 So. Colleyville, Texas (Heritage) 56 * Pike, Gary OL 6-4 330 11/15/82 Sr. Pueblo, Colo. (Centennial)86 Poulosky, Andy DE 6-2 240 5/14/84 So. Ponca, Neb.85 Rice, Thomas DE 6-1 235 1/15/85 So. Lincoln, Neb. (East)24 * Rigoni, Brandon SS 5-6 180 3/8/83 Jr. Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)19 * Robison, Joey CB 5-9 180 4/10/82 Sr. Bertrand, Neb. 4 *** Ross, Cory IB 5-6 195 9/22/82 Sr. Denver, Colo. (Thomas Jefferson)51 * Ruud, Bo LB 6-3 230 9/2/84 So. Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)25 Sampogna, Mike IB 5-10 195 4/14/86 RFr. Chicago, Ill. (Mt. Carmel) 48 Sand, Andy TE 6-2 225 6/21/84 So. Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)14 * Schroeder, Matt WR 6-4 215 10/18/82 Sr. Belden, Neb. (Laurel-Concord)42 Senske, Matt LB 6-3 225 4/19/85 RFr. Bellevue, Neb. (East) 8 ** Shanle, Andrew FS 6-1 205 3/9/83 Jr. St. Edward, Neb.23 *** Siegel, Shane SS 6-3 220 8/30/82 Sr. Grand Island, Neb.88 Sievers, Clayton TE 6-4 240 1/13/86 RFr. Elkhorn, Neb. 66 *** Smith, Le Kevin DL 6-2 305 7/21/82 Sr. Macon, Ga. (Stratford Academy)43 Steinkuhler, Ty DE 6-3 255 9/11/85 RFr. Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)16 ** Stuntz, Mike FS 6-1 200 11/23/82 Sr. Council Bluffs, Iowa (St. Albert)84 Sullivan, Tony DE 6-3 235 7/12/85 So. Wahoo, Neb. (Bishop Neumann)87 Swift, Nate WR 6-2 195 8/24/85 RFr. Hutchinson, Minn. 13 Taylor, Zac QB 6-2 210 5/10/83 Jr. Norman, Okla. (Norman/Butler County CC)25 * Tiedtke, Blake CB 5-10 190 6/24/82 Sr. Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Jefferson)97 Titchener, Dan P 6-0 200 1/24/86 RFr. Cheyenne, Wyo. (East)41 * Todd, Dane FB 5-10 240 8/8/83 Jr. Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)98 Wesch, Jake PK 6-1 185 10/1/85 RFr. North Bend, Neb. 53 Wortman, Tyler LB 6-3 215 6/13/86 RFr. Grand Island, Neb. (Central Catholic)

55 * Wali Muhammad..........DE 56 Trevor Neeman ...............LB 56 * Gary Pike ...................... OL 57 Adam Furtwengler..........LB 58 Dontrell Moore ...............LB 59 Brett Byford ....................OL 61 Mike Huff .......................OL 62 Andy Christensen ...........OL 65 ** Greg Austin ................... OL 65 Chris Bryant ...................DL 66 *** Le Kevin Smith.............DL 73 Jared Helming.................DL 74 Newton Lingenfelter.......OL 75 ** Brandon Koch .............. OL 76 Lydon Murtha............... OL 77 ** Seppo Evwaraye ........... OL 79 Cornealius Thomas ........OL 81 * Josh Mueller.................. TE 82 Jake Peetz........................ LS 83 * Terrence Nunn............ WR 84 ** Grant Mulkey.............. WR 84 Tony Sullivan ..................DE 85 * J.B. Phillips ................... TE 85 Thomas Rice...................DE 86 Sean Hill .........................TE 86 Andy Poulosky................DE 87 Chase Andersen..............DL 88 Clayton Sievers ...............TE 89 Tyler Kenney................. WR 89 Kevin Luhrs ....................DE 90 ** Adam Carriker .............DE 91 Eric Lueshen...................PK 92 ** Lane Kelly ......................LS 94 Barry Cryer.....................DL 95 Matt O'Shea ....................DL 96 *** Titus Adams..................DL 97 Dan Titchener................... P 98 Jake Wesch ......................PK


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Nebraska Coaching StaffBill Callahan

Head CoachSecond Season

Less than a year after guiding his NFL team to the Super Bowl – the pinnacle of professional football – Bill Callahan took control of one of the nation’s elite college football programs. Since taking over the Nebraska program he has worked with the mission of pushing the Cornhuskers back to the top of the college game. The 48-year-old Callahan is entering his second season on the Nebraska sideline and his 28th season overall in coaching. He was named Nebraska's 27th head coach on Jan. 9, 2004, just the fourth head coach in the storied Cornhusker program since the start of the 1962 season. More than a year into his tenure at Nebraska, Callahan's lofty goals have not changed. He maintains a vision of adding to Nebraska's championship legacy on both the Big 12 and national levels. Callahan's second Husker team enters spring practice on a surge of momentum from a strong winter conditioning program and an outstanding recruiting class. Callahan and his Nebraska staff put together a class of prospects ranked among the nation's best by every national recruiting service. The strong recruiting class was the most recent indication that Callahan's plan for the Cornhusker program reaching national prominence is on track. In his first year in Lincoln, Callahan has put strong systems for success in place both on and off the field. Nebraska finished the 2004 season with a 5-6 record, but strides were made in many areas. The West Coast Offense Callahan installed accomplished the objective of a balanced attack capable of moving the ball both through the air and on the ground. Nebraska generated 52 percent of its offense through the air and 48 percent via the run. Under Callahan, the Huskers are maintaining and improving their tradition of success in the classroom. The football team entered the spring with a collective cumulative grade-point average nearing the 3.0 mark, the best academic standing ever for the football team entering a semester. Callahan's first recruiting class, signed just three weeks after his hiring, excelled in its first semester on campus. Sixteen members of the class posted better than a 3.0 grade-point average in the fall semester, and as a group, the freshmen had a 3.165 GPA in the fall. The football program has continued to make a strong impression in the Nebraska community under Callahan. Husker players spend hours of time in local communities speaking with youth and visiting Nebraska fans. Twice in the past five months the entire Husker team has taken a half-day to visit with patients at hospitals in both Lincoln and Omaha. The commitment to giving back to the community comes directly from Callahan's leadership. Shortly after being named Nebraska's head coach, Callahan set up Coach Callahan Charities. Under the organization's direction, Callahan and his football staff presented Football 101 for Women last summer. The clinic gave female Husker fans an opportunity to learn more about the game of football and the Nebraska program. In its first year Football 101 drew more than 1,000 participants and raised $35,000 for breast cancer research. Later in the summer, Coach Callahan's 5K Fun Run/Walk for Resources had more than 800 participants and raised $5,000 each for Juvenile Diabetes and the University Libraries. All told, Coach Callahan Charities donated nearly $50,000 to charity in its first year. Callahan has also given his time as a guest speaker and spokesperson for several local organizations. He is the Honorary Chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's "Share our Magic Campaign", he was the keynote speaker at the Omaha American Heart Association Breakfast and was the keynote speaker at the Nebraska Special Olympics Breakfast of Champions. The plan Callahan has implemented in his first year at Nebraska is the product of three decades of coaching experience and expertise. Having coached on every level during his career, Callahan is one of five coaches to take a collegiate head coaching job after previously guiding a team to the Super Bowl. He brought a wealth of experience to Nebraska from the NFL and collegiate ranks. A natural leader, Callahan has also worked with young men at the beginning of their formative years, serving as a high school coach and teacher for two years. A Chicago native, Callahan not only returned home to the Midwest, but also to his first love – college football. Callahan has 27 years of coaching experience, with 16 years at the college level, nine in the NFL and two years in high school coaching. Highly respected throughout the coaching ranks, Callahan used his ties to quickly assemble a championship coaching staff in Lincoln.

Including Callahan, four Nebraska coaches have experience in the Super Bowl, including three as coaches and one as a player. The staff includes coaches who have won championships in seven major conferences. The diverse background and strong ties to different areas of the country allowed Nebraska to attract a top-25 national recruiting class in 2004 despite Callahan being hired less than a month before National Signing Day. In their first full year together the staff showed its recruiting prowess, pulling together a group of 31 players that was ranked No. 1 nationally by recruiting expert Tom Lemming in 2005.

Callahan Finds First-Year Success with Raiders Callahan came to Nebraska after two seasons as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and 2003. Hired by Raiders owner Al Davis in March of 2002, Callahan led the Raiders to the AFC West title and Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002 to become just the fourth rookie head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl. He led Oakland to an 11-5 regular-season record in his first year and went 4-12 in 2003, when the Raiders were hit hard by injuries. With their Super Bowl appearance in 2002, the Raiders set an NFL record by appearing in Super Bowls in four different decades. In the process, Callahan became the third first-year Raiders head coach to lead the team to an AFC West title and into the conference championship game, joining Art Shell (1990) and John Madden (1969). Callahan’s rookie season as head coach confirmed his leadership qualities and coaching ability and highlighted the diversity of the West Coast offensive system Callahan teaches. For the first time in franchise history, the Raiders led the NFL in passing in 2002 (279.7 ypg), and also led the league in total offense (398.8 ypg) for just the second time. Callahan was recognized for his role in the success, as he was named the NFL Coach of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus and the NFL Rookie Coach of the Year by Football Digest. Callahan's Raiders operated out of the West Coast Offense and exploited opposing defenses with a multiple attack. In fact, in a three-season span, the Oakland offense went from leading the NFL in rushing (2000) to placing first in the league in passing (2002). In 2002, the Raiders became the first team to win games in the same season while rushing at least 60 times (60 attempts on Dec. 28 vs. Kansas City, 24-0) and passing at least 60 times (65 attempts on Sept. 15 at Pittsburgh, 30-17). The Raiders capped the 2002 season with an impressive run through the AFC playoffs. Oakland opened the postseason with a 30-10 victory over the New York Jets and captured the AFC crown with a 41-24 win over the Tennessee Titans, before losing to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII. Callahan joined the Raider organization in 1998, when Jon Gruden took over as head coach. Callahan served as Oakland’s offensive coordinator for each of Gruden’s four seasons as head coach, also tutoring the Raider tight ends in 1998 and the offensive line from 1999 to 2001. Under Callahan’s tutelage, the Silver and Black offensive line allowed a team-record low 28 sacks in 2000, a mark that was surpassed in 2001 with just 27 sacks allowed. In addition, the Raiders led the NFL in rushing in 2000, averaging 154.4 yards per game. The Raiders won the AFC West title in each of Callahan’s final two seasons as offensive coordinator and made it three straight division crowns in 2002. Callahan’s offensive players at Oakland made regular Pro Bowl appearances. From 1999 to 2001, Raider offensive standouts made eight Pro Bowl appearances, while five Raiders, including four offensive

Bill Callahan is one of just five coaches who have guided teams to the Super Bowl and returned to the college ranks. Callahan is in his 17th year of college coaching and his 28th season overall in the coaching ranks.


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Callahan Enters Second Year as Husker Head Coachstandouts, were named to the Pro Bowl in Callahan’s first season as head coach. Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon made four straight trips to Hawaii from 1999 to 2002. He was twice named the MVP of the Pro Bowl (2000, 2001) and also earned 2002 NFL regular-season MVP honors. Before his six-year stint with the Raiders, Callahan was an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Eagles for Head Coach Ray Rhodes. With Philadelphia, Callahan worked alongside Gruden, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. In his first two years with Philadelphia, the Eagles ranked second in the NFC in rushing and made the playoffs both seasons. During that time, former Husker Irving Fryar made two Pro Bowl appearances.

Callahan Built Impressive Background in College Ranks Although he spent almost a decade in the National Football League, Callahan was no stranger to the college game upon his hiring at Nebraska. He spent 15 years in the college ranks from 1980 to 1994, including 12 seasons in the Big Ten Conference, at two strong academic institutions. He was regarded as one of the game’s best offensive line mentors and developed a reputation as one of college football’s top recruiters. Callahan was not only ranked as one of the top 10 recruiters in the country by Tom Lemming in 1992, he was listed as one of the top 10 recruiters of all-time by Lemming in 2001, based on Lemming’s recruiting ratings over the past 20 years. "I've dealt with hundreds of coaches over the past 22 years," Lemming said. "and whenever I've ranked coaches who combine coaching and recruiting skills, Coach Callahan always ended up in the Top 10." Callahan began his collegiate career as a graduate assistant at Illinois under Head Coach Mike White, who later coached the Raiders. Callahan was promoted to a full-time position in 1981, coaching the tight ends, and stayed at Illinois through the 1986 season, coaching the offensive line, quarterbacks and special teams. While Callahan was on staff at Illinois, the Illini participated in three bowl games, including a trip to the Rose Bowl following the 1983 season, when they won the Big Ten title with a perfect 9-0 conference record. Illinois finished fourth or better in the Big Ten in five of Callahan’s six years as a full-time assistant. After seven years at Illinois, Callahan coached the offensive line at Northern Arizona (1987, 1988) and served as offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois in 1989. He moved to a second Big Ten school, joining former Husker Barry Alvarez (1965 to 1967) at Wisconsin in 1990 to coach the offensive line. Seven Badger offensive linemen earned All-Big Ten honors under Callahan, including center Cory Raymer, who was a consensus All-American in 1994. The 1993 Wisconsin team captured the school’s first conference title in 31 years, defeated UCLA in the Rose Bowl and finished sixth in the final Associated Press poll. In Callahan’s final year in Madison, the Badgers finished 8-3-1 and defeated Duke in the Hall of Fame Bowl, marking the first time in more than a decade that UW played in bowls in consecutive years. The Wisconsin staff Callahan served on also included Nebraska’s offensive and defensive coordinators, Jay Norvell and Kevin Cosgrove.

Commitment, Belief, Trust and Love Callahan brings a disciplined approach to the Husker program. In addition to reaching out to Husker fans in the past year, Callahan has developed a bond with his team. Commitment, Belief, Trust and Love – those are the core values Callahan and his staff embrace. The team has enjoyed several outings with the staff and has already developed a bond with the new coaches. Whether they are bowling, playing softball, attending a Husker basketball game, or just studying or working out together, it’s easy for the Husker squad to see that Coach Callahan is right at home in the college ranks. “What I appreciate more than anything,” Callahan said, “is the opportunity to make a real difference in a young man’s life. I feel I am in a great position to help student-athletes be successful, in school and in their college football careers. In addition, I know that when they leave here, they will be well-prepared for post-collegiate football lives, including those who hope to advance in the professional football ranks, and those who are wanting to make their mark on the world in a totally different avenue.”

Chicago Native Has Roots in Midwest Callahan grew up on the south side of Chicago playing quarterback as a prepster at Mendel Catholic High School. He was a three-year starter at quarterback at NAIA Illinois Benedictine (now Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill.) from 1975 to 1977, earning honorable-mention All-America honors his last two seasons. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from Illinois Benedictine College in 1978, majoring in physical education. Callahan began his coaching career in the prep ranks. While serving as a substitute teacher, he coached at Oak Lawn High School in 1978 and then moved to De La Salle in 1979 where he was an instructor and assistant football coach. Callahan and his wife Valerie have four children, Brian (20), Daniel (19), Cathryn (13) and Jaclyn (12). Brian is a junior at UCLA, where he serves as a backup quarterback and Daniel is a freshman at Nebraska.

Callahan's Coaching CareerYears Team Coaching ResponsibilityCollege2004-present Nebraska Head Coach1990-94 Wisconsin Offensive Line1989 Southern Illinois Offensive Coordinator1987-88 Northern Arizona Offensive Line1981-86 Illinois Quarterbacks, Offensive Line, Special Teams1980 Illinois Graduate Assistant

National Football League2002-03 Oakland Raiders Head Coach1998-2001 Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator (1998, Tight Ends; 1999- 2001, OL)1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Line

Callahan's Head Coaching RecordYear Record .Pct PostseasonOakland Raiders2002 13-6 .684 2-1; Won AFC Championship, lost to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII2003 4-12 .250 NoneNFL Totals 17-18 .486 One playoff appearance

Nebraska2004 5-6 .455 None

Callahan Profile Briefly: Callahan is in his second season as Nebraska's head coach and is the 27th head coach in Cornhusker history. Callahan has 24 years of full-time coaching experiene, including nine years in the National Football League. He was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2002-03 and guided the Raiders to the Super Bowl in his first season. He previously served as the Raiders' offensive coordinator under Jon Gruden for four seasons and was on Ray Rhodes' Philadelphia Eagles staff from 1995 to 1997. Callahan was a full-time collegiate assistant for 14 seasons, including stints at Wisconsin (1990-94), Southern Illinois (1989), Northern Arizona (1987-88) and Illinois (1981-86). Callahan was named head coach by Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson on Jan. 9, 2004. Playing Career: High school—Played football at Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago. College—Started at quarterback for three seasons (1975-77) at Illinois Benedictine (Lisle, Ill.), earning honorable-mention All-America honors in 1976 and 1977.Education: Illinois Benedictine, 1978 (Bachelor of Arts, Physical Education)Born: July 31, 1956Childhood: Chicago, Ill.Family: Wife, Valerie; Children, Brian (20), Daniel (18), Cathryn (13) and Jaclyn (12).

From the Super Bowl to CampusFive coaches have taken a collegiate head coaching job after previously guiding their team to a Super Bowl appearance. In addition to Callahan, Bobby Ross accepted the Army head coaching job this spring, after guiding San Diego to the Super Bowl in 1994.Coach NFL Team Super Bowls CollegeBill Callahan Oakland Super Bowl XXXVII NebraskaBobby Ross San Diego Super Bowl XXIX ArmyBill Walsh San Francisco Super Bowls, XVI, XIX, XXII Stanford Forrest Gregg Cincinnati Super Bowl XVI SMUGeorge Allen Washington Super Bowl VII Long Beach State


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Nebraska Coaching Staff

Kevin CosgroveDef. Coordinator/Linebackers

Second Season(Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 1980)

Jay NorvellOff. Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Second Season(Iowa, 1986)

John BlakeDefensive LineSecond Season

(Oklahoma, 1986)

Bill BuschSafeties/Special Teams Coord.

Second Season(Nebraska Wesleyan, 1988)

Scott DowningTight Ends/Specialists

Third Season(Sterling College, 1979)

Phil ElmassianCornerbacks

Second Season(William & Mary, 1974)

Ted GilmoreReceivers

First Season(Wyoming, 1991)

Randy JordanRunning BacksSecond Season

(North Carolina, 1993)

Dennis WagnerOffensive LineSecond Season

(Utah, 1980)

Tim CassidyAssociate A.D./Football

(Nebraska-Omaha, 1981)

Bill Callahan Head Coach

Second Season(Illinois Benedictine, 1978)

Angus McClure Graduate Assistant Coach

Offense(Sacramento State, 1995)

Aaron StamnGraduate Assistant Coach

Defense(Minnesota State-Mankato, 2002)

Michael ChristiansonAdmin. Assistant/Technology

(Western Oregon, 1992)

Bryan HeardAdmin. Assistant/Recruiting

(Trinity University, 2002)

Dave KennedyHead Football Strength Coach

(Nebraska, 1985)


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Huskers Set for 15 Spring Drills The Nebraska football team began its 2005 spring practice session on Wednesday, March 23, with the first of 15 practices. During the first week of spring workouts Nebraska will practice on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The next two weeks the Huskers will work out on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, then will work out on Thursday rather than Friday the last week of spring ball. Coach Bill Callahan's second Husker team welcomes back 13 regular starters from last fall, including seven regular starters on the offensive side of the football. Five defenders return to their starting position, along with senior punter Sam Koch. Callahan believes his second Husker team is prepared to make large strides during spring practice. Unlike a year ago, Nebraska players are familiar not only with Nebraska's offensive and defensive systems, but also the practice and meeting schedule and the coaching staff. "There is a comfort level any time you establish experience in a program," Callahan said. "We have a year under our belt here and there is an opportunity to collect data, pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses and rectify our errors." Callahan is pleased with where Nebraska stands heading into spring practice, but recognizes the need to get a great deal accomplished in a short period of time. "Our plan for the spring is refinement and the discipline of details," Callahan said. "We are confident in the systems we have in place. Everything is in--now it is just a matter of going back and getting good at it. That is our major goal going into the spring." Callahan also stressed that the Huskers plan a more physical approach to spring practice in 2005. Last spring Nebraska focused on installation of new offensive and defensive systems and because of time limitations could not devote much time to full-contact drills. Nebraska will close spring ball with the Red-White Game on Saturday, April 16 at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers open their 2005 regular season with five consecutive home games, beginning with a Sept. 3 matchup against Maine. The 2005 schedule features five teams that played in bowl games in 2004, with four of those matchups set for Lincoln, highlighted by an Oct. 29 visit from defending Big 12 Champion Oklahoma.

April 16 Red-White Game to Highlight Spring Ball Nebraska will look for another large crowd at its April 16 Red-White Spring Game. Kickoff for the contest is set for 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Last season, Nebraska set a record with 61,417 fans for its spring game, which unofficially marked the beginning of the Bill Callahan era and ushered in the Huskers' West Coast Offense. For the first time in more than a decade, the entire stadium will be available for the spring game in 2005. Portions of Memorial Stadium have been closed for renovations for the spring game in recent years. Husker fans are encouraged to buy their tickets for the Spring Game on-line at Huskers.com. They can also purchase tickets by calling the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-8-BIG RED. Club-level seating in West Stadium is available for $10, with general admission tickets available for $5 for adults, and $3 for youth (high school and under) and seniors (60 and over). UNL students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with their UNL identification. Children six and under are also free, as are all youth willing to take a Drug Free pledge on the Memorial Stadium FieldTurf at halftime.

Like home football Saturdays in the fall, the Husker Nation Pavilion will be available for Husker fans at the spring game. In addition, Nebraska expects more than a dozen of its current NFL players to be in attendance at the spring game.

Gilmore Added to Husker Coaching Staff Callahan had just one change on his coaching staff during the off-season. Long-time NU assistant Turner Gill left the program and has joined the Green Bay Packers organization. Gill was replaced on the Nebraska staff by former Colorado assistant Ted Gilmore, who will assume Gill's duties as the Huskers' wide receivers coach. Gilmore has familiarity with the West Coast Offense, serving as Colorado's receivers coach each of the past two seasons. A former receiver at Wyoming, Gilmore also has coaching stints at Wyoming, Houston, Kansas and Purdue. Gilmore served on the same coaching staff as Nebraska assistant Scott Downing at both Wyoming and Purdue. The appointment of Gilmore is the only change to Nebraska's offensive staff. Jay Norvell is in his second season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, while Downing (tight ends), Randy Jordan (running backs) and Dennis Wagner (offensive line) continue in their roles. The Huskers also made a minor adjustment in the defensive coaching responsibilities. Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove will coach all three linebacker positions in 2005, after handling the WILL and MIKE positions a year ago. Bill Busch, who formerly coached Nebraska's SAM linebackers, will now tutor Nebraska's safeties, while Phil Elmassian will concentrate on Nebraska's cornerbacks after coaching the entire secondary a year ago. Defensive line coach John Blake continues to handle Nebraska's defensive front four. Busch remains as Nebraska's special teams coordinator, but the special teams coaching duties will be divided more in 2005. Downing will continue to coach Nebraska's specialists and will also coordinate the Husker punt unit. Jordan takes charge of the kickoff return unit, while Wagner will handle the offensive PAT unit. The 2005 season marks the first time since 2002 that Nebraska has not had at least six new assistant coaches to start spring practice.

Position, Terminology Changes Nebraska enters spring practice with its most stability since before the start of the 2002 season. In addition to 13 returning starters, Nebraska has eight of nine assistant coaches returning to the staff and will employ the same offensive and defensive systems this fall. Husker fans will notice a few position changes this spring. On offense, senior tackle Seppo Evwaraye moves from the right side to left tackle, where he will be asked to anchor the NU offensive line. The other changes on the offensive side of the football are minor. Junior Marque McCray moves to I-back after redshirting as a wide receiver last season. Thomas Lawson will focus on I-back in the spring, but is also still likely to see repetitions at fullback. I-back Tierre Green will spend the majority of his spring on the NU defense at cornerback. Callahan has stated that Green, Nebraska's fastest player, will continue to be used on offense in special packages and situations. Fifth-year senior Mike Stuntz has moved to free safety from quarterback, while sophomore Ryan Goodman will also try his hand at free safety after serving as a backup signal caller last season. Versatile defensive back Blake Tiedtke will try his hand at cornerback this spring after spending most of his career as a safety. Defensive tackle Jared Helming moved back to defense late last fall after moving to offense last spring and will remain with Coach John Blake's defensive front this spring. The Husker depth chart will also feature some minor terminology changes. In 2004, the interior defensive linemen were both labeled defensive tackles. This season, one position is a nose tackle, with the other listed as defensive tackle. Also on the defensive front, the Husker ends will be referred to as "base" and "open side" ends.

Husker Spring ScheduleSpring Practice ScheduleWeek 1–March 23, 25, 26Week 2–March 28, 30, April 1, 2Week 3–April 4, 6, 8, 9Week 4–April 11, 13, 14, 16

Coaches ClinicFriday-Saturday, April 8-9

Spring GameSaturday, April 16, 12:30 p.m.

Tentative Fall ScheduleMonday, Aug. 8-First practiceSaturday, Aug. 20–Fan Day, Memorial StadiumMonday, Aug. 22–First Day of ClassesSaturday, Sept. 3–Season Opener vs. Maine

2005 Nebraska Cornhuskers Spring Notes


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Newcomers Join Huskers at SemesterNebraska has a 98-man roster for the start of spring football, including several

players who joined the Husker program for the second semester. Five members of Nebraska's highly touted 2005 signing class arrived in Lincoln in January and will participate in spring drills.

On offense, quarterback Zac Taylor is expected to join the battle for the starting position. Taylor joined the NU program after one season at Butler County CC in Kansas, following a year at Wake Forest. Four scholarship defenders also joined the program in January. Linebackers Steve Octavien and Dontrell Moore and defensive linemen Barry Cryer and Ola Dagunduro are all expected to push for playing time this spring. Two walk-ons joined the program at semester. Fullback Will Otto and linebacker Mark O'Shea were added to the NU roster this winter.

Talented Recruiting Class Set to Arrive in FallThe five junior-college transfers who have joined the Husker program in time

for spring practice are just a part of one of the nation's top-ranked 2005 recruiting classes. In all, Callahan and his staff inked 31 players to National Letters of Intent on Feb. 2. The class was ranked among the nation's best by nearly every recruiting analyst, including a No. 1 national ranking by Tom Lemming.

Nebraska's 2005 class features outstanding depth, balance and diversity of background. The class features players from 13 states, including nine players from California. Four players from the state of Florida will join the program, while the class also features three home-grown Nebraskans and three players each from Texas and Oklahoma.

Among Nebraska's 2005 recruiting class are nine high school players who were ranked in the top 20 at their respective positions, led by the nation's No. 2 ranked running back Marlon Lucky, the No. 3 pro-style quarterback Harrison Beck and top-ranked kicker Jordan Congdon. Eleven of Nebraska's prep signees in the 2005 class were ranked among the top 10 players in their respective state.

Nebraska's class includes 12 junior-college players, including cornerback Zack Bowman who is ranked as the No. 2 overall junior-college player. The Huskers inked three other junior-college signees ranked among the top 50 overall JUCO transfers in the country.

NU Balances Offense in 2004, Looks for Ball Security in '05 Nebraska featured the offensive balance Bill Callahan promised from the West

Coast Offense in 2004. The Huskers rushed the ball on 412 of 734 (56.1 percent) offensive attempts in 2004, and picked up 48.5 percent of its offense via the ground, against 51.5 percent through the air. The offense was Nebraska's most balanced attack since 1972. It also held true with the principles of the West Coast Offense that Raider teams Callahan was a part of exhibited. In Oakland, Callahan's offenses exhibited outstanding balance, efficiency and flexibility, including... 4 In 2000 with Callahan as offensive coordinator, Oakland led the NFL in rushing by averaging 154.4 yards per game. Two seasons later, the flexibility of the West Coast Offense allowed the Raiders to lead the NFL in passing at 279.7 yards per game in Callahan's first season as head coach. 4In 2002, Oakland became the first team to win games in the same season while rushing at least 60 times and passing at least 60 times. 4 Coach Callahan’s 2002 Raiders completed better than 67 percent of their pass attempts en route to an AFC Championship. 4 The Raiders averaged nearly 4.5 yards per rush in 2002, and scored 21 rushing touchdowns,while ranking second in the NFL in scoring at more than 28 points per game. The 2004 Husker offense clicked at times, but was held back primarily by one factor--turnovers. Nebraska threw 23 interceptions and lost 10 fumbles in 2004. The Husker defense gained 21 turnovers of its own, but NU was a minus-12 in turnover margin, and ranked 110th nationally in that category. Callahan said stressing better ball security will remain Nebraska's top offensive focus during spring practice and into the fall.

Passing Records Fall in Year One of West Coast OffenseNebraska fans saw a glimpse of things to come with the West Coast Offense

in last year's Spring Game. The Huskers threw a deep ball on the first play of the spring game, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd. Quarterback Joe Dailey threw 49 passes in the contest and tossed four touchdown strikes.

Dailey and the Huskers continued to break passing records throughout the season, beginning with Dailey's four touchdown passes in the opening half of the Huskers' 56-17 season-opening victory over Western Illnois. Among the other passing milestone set in 2004 were...4 Dailey completed 13-of-20 passes for 342 yards in a 59-27 victory over Baylor. The 342 passing yards shattered Nebraska's previous passing record of 297 yards, a record that had stood for more than 30 years. Dailey threw for 306 yards in the season finale against Colorado and owns the only two 300-yard passing games in school history.4 Dailey tied a school record with five touchdown passes against Baylor. 4 The 55 passing attempts by Dailey against Colorado easily eclipsed the previous individual and team passing attempts record. Dailey had tied the previous record of 42 attempts against Iowa State and Southern Miss earlier in the year.4Dailey finished the season with 2,025 passing yards, just the fourth 2,000-yard passing season in school history.

Ross Poised for Another Big Season in BackfieldNebraska senior I-back Cory Ross proved last season he was an ideal fit in

the West Coast Offense. The 5-6, 195-pound Ross was a workhorse as a runner, and was also adept at catching the ball out of the Nebraska backfield.

Ross posted the first 1,000-yard rushing season by a Nebraska I-back since the 2001 campaign, finishing the 11-game slate with 1,102 yards. Ross rushed for a career-high 194 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-3 win over Missouri. He topped the century mark six times last season and was the only back in 2004 to rush for 100 yards against Oklahoma.

A senior season with similar numbers would put Ross in elite company on the Husker rushing charts at year's end. Ross is just 712 yards from reaching the top 10 on Nebraska's career rushing list, and if he were to match his 1,100-yard season from 2004, Ross would finish sixth on the Husker career charts.

Ross also caught 21 passes for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns last fall. His 74-yard touchdown reception against Baylor was the longest by a Nebraska running back since 1978 and his 21 catches were the most in a decade by a Husker back.

Nebraska Career RushingPlayer, Years Yards1. Mike Rozier, 1981-83 4,7802. Ahman Green, IB, 1995-97 3,880...10. Jammal Lord, QB, 2000-03 2,57311. Correll Buckhalter, IB, 1997-00 2,52212. Keith Jones, IB, 1984-87 2,48813. Dan Alexander, IB, 1997-00 2,45614. Rick Berns, IB, 1976-78 2,44915. Roger Craig, IB, 1979-82 2,44616. Jeff Kinney, HB, 1969-71 2,24417. Doug DuBose, IB, 1982-85 2,20518. Bobby Reynolds, HB, 1950-52 2,19619. Jarvis Redwine, IB, 1979-80 2,16120. Tony Davis, IB/FB, 1973-75 2,15321. Steve Taylor, QB, 1985-88 2,12522. Monte Anthony, IB, 1974-77 2,07723. Jeff Smith, IB, 1980-84 1,99224. Joe Orduna, HB, 1967-70 1,96825. Tommie Frazier, QB, 1992-95 1,95526. Cory Ross, IB, 2002-present 1,861

Senior I-back Cory Ross racked up six 100-yard games last season, including a 194-yard effort against Missouri. He finished the season with 1,102 rushing yards.


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Healthy Herian a Key for HuskersNebraska senior tight end Matt Herian suffered a broken leg last season against

Missouri on Oct. 30. Herian is questionable for spring practice as he continues to recover from the injury.

The 6-5, 240-pound Herian is a major threat in Nebraska's offense. Despite missing most of the last four games of the season, Herian finished second on the team in receiving with 24 catches for 308 yards. He caught three touchdown passes, including two in the season opener.

Herian continued his big-play ability with five receptions of 20 yards or more. A 2003 semifinalist for the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end, Herian averages better than 20.6 yards per reception in his career and has 13 receptions of 28 yards or longer.

When Herian returns to health this fall, he is likely to make a significant dent on the NU tight end record book. With 53 receptions, he is just eight catches shy of the school record for catches by a tight end, held by Jerry List who had 61 catches from 1970 to 1972. Herian's 1,093 career receiving yards is just 57 yards shy of Tracey Wistrom's career tight end receiving yardage record of 1,150 yards, while his 10 touchdowns is four short of the NU school record for TD catches by a tight end.

Huskers Excel in Classroom in Fall SemesterNebraska continued its long-standing tradition of academic excellence and

honors last fall. Nebraska seniors Chad Sievers and Kellen Huston were the latest Huskers to earn CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.

Sievers, who completed his undergraduate work with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, was selected as a first-team academic All-American. Huston, Sievers' defensive teammate, was chosen as a second-team academic All-American. The selection of the two Nebraska defenders gave the Husker football program 83 all-time academic All-Americans, a nation-leading total. The Husker athletics program as a whole also leads the nation with 219 academic All-America selections across all teams and all sports. Nebraska also placed 54 players on the Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll last semester. The honor roll recognizes all student-athletes who earned a 3.0 grade-point average or better in the previous semester. Nine members of the football team produced 4.0 grade-point averages last fall, including Sievers, junior center Kurt Mann who maintains a perfect grade-point average through five semesters of college and freshman receiver Todd Peterson. Sievers and Mann were among the 24 Huskers who were named to the academic All-Big 12 squad last fall. Eighteen Huskers were named to the first-team, while another six players earned second-team honors. The Husker football program entered the spring semester with a 2.919 cumulative grade-point average, the best academic standing ever for the football team entering a semester. Nebraska's 2004 scholarship freshmen excelled in their first semester on campus with 16 members of the class posting better than a 3.0 grade-point average in the fall semester. As a group, the freshmen had a 3.165 GPA in the fall.

Football Team Sets Pace in NU Life Skills Contest The Huskers have had anything but an off-season since facing Colorado on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In addition to the winter conditioning program of Head Strength Coach Dave Kennedy, many Huskers spent countless hours giving back to the community. The community involvement of the football student-athletes has placed the Husker football program in the lead of the annual Life Skills Contest. The contest measures the outreach work of all of Nebraska's athletic teams. The most recent community activity of the football team as a whole occurred on Friday, March 4. The Huskers split into two groups and visited Omaha's Children's and Veteran's Hospitals before returning to Lincoln. Former Huskers Willie Amos and Garth Glissman were recently part of Nebraska's Spring Break Tour of Excellence, forgoing their own vacation for the opportunity to speak to and interact with youth throughout the state of Nebraska.

The Head CoachNebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan Coach Bill Callahan (Illinois Benedictine, 1978) became the 27th head coach in Nebraska history on Jan. 9, 2004. In his first season as the Huskers' head coach Callahan posted a 5-6 record. Callahan assembled NU's highest-ranked recruiting class in 20 years this off-season, putting together a standout group of signees that was ranked as the nation's No. 1 class by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. Callahan was named Nebraska's head coach after two seasons as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, and six years in the Raider organization. Callahan compiled a 17-18 record as the Raiders' head coach, and led the Silver and Black to an AFC Championship in his rookie season. Before returning to the college ranks, Callahan spent nine years in the National Football League, beginning his pro coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995 to 1997. Callahan brought a strong background in college football to Nebraska. Before moving into the professional ranks, Callahan served as the offensive line coach at Wisconsin for five seasons and also had assistant coaching stints at Illinois, Northern Arizona and Southern Illinois. A native of Chicago, Callahan earned his bachelor's degree from Illinois Benedictine in 1978. He was an NAIA honorable-mention All-America selection as a quarterback in each of his final two seasons.

The Huskers in 2004Season Recap... The Huskers opened the 2004 season with victories in three of their first four games, including a 56-17 pasting of Western Illinois in Bill Callahan's debut as head coach. NU also picked up a September victory at eventual Big East Champion Pittsburgh, and posted an impressive October victory over Big 12 North contender Missouri. The Huskers dropped their final three games of the season, ending NU's bid for a North Division title. Nebraska saw a streak of 35 consecutive bowl trips and 42 consecutive winning regular seasons end with a 5-6 mark in 2004. The Huskers' 3-5 conference record left them just a game out of first place in a jumbled North Division race, behind Colorado and Iowa State. Senior linebacker Barrett Ruud had a record-breaking 2004 campaign, compiling 143 total tackles to push his career total to 432 tackles. Ruud's total shattered the old Nebraska record for career tackles and is the second-most in Big 12 history.

Ruud Headlines 2004 Husker Honorees Senior linebacker Barrett Ruud was rewarded for his outstanding play in 2004. Ruud led the Big 12 Conference in tackles with 143 stops and finished his Nebraska career with 432 career tackles. For his efforts, Ruud was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection and was chosen as Nebraska's Defensive MVP. Ruud was Nebraska's lone first-team All-Big 12 pick, but five Huskers earned second-team honors by at least one media service. On offense, Cory Ross was a second-team pick by both the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, while Matt Herian was a second-team selection by the Dallas Morning News. Defensively, three members of the secondary were second-team all-league picks, including free safety Josh Bullocks (Coaches), strong safety Daniel Bullocks (Dallas Morning News) and cornerback Fabian Washington (Austin American-Statesman). Three others--offensive tackle Mike Erickson (AP), defensive tackle Le Kevin Smith (AP) and center Kurt Mann (Coaches) were honorable-mention all-Big 12 picks.

NCAA Record 268 Consecutive Sellouts Nebraska boasts an incredible NCAA-record 268 consecutive sellouts at Memorial Stadium. The sellout streak dates back to Hall of Fame Coach Bob Devaney's first year in 1962 (vs. Missouri on Nov. 3). Notre Dame is second in all-time consecutive sellouts with 179, 89 fewer than Nebraska. The Huskers are 237-31 during the 268 sellouts. The mark includes a 38-20 record against ranked teams. Nebraska is 5-0 in the five milestone sellouts during that period (50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th sellouts), including a 24-7 win over No. 2 Colorado on Oct. 29, 1994 (No. 200) and a 44-13 victory over Utah State on Sept. 7, 2002 (No. 250). The fan support at Memorial Stadium has led to a dominant home advantage for the Huskers. Nebraska has won at least six home games in 17 of the past 18 seasons and is a remarkable 149-15 at home since 1981. Eight of the losses in the span have come against teams that finished in the top eight of the final AP poll. Nebraska's record sellout streak is set to reach 275 by the end of the 2005 season with seven home games scheduled this fall.


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two years. Fullback Steve Kriewald was a starter as a senior and was a significant contributor for four consecutive seasons. Wide receiver Ross Pilkington has also departed after leading Nebraska in receptions in 2004. The following is a position-by-position look at the Husker offense heading into spring practice.

Offensive Line... Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning... JAKE ANDERSEN*** (11 at RG) Greg Austin** Darren DeLone* SEPPO EVWARAYE** (11 at RT) MIKE ERICKSON**** (11 at LT) BRANDON KOCH** (11 at LG) Nick Povendo*** KURT MANN* (11 at C) Gary Pike*

The Offensive Line in Brief...Nebraska returns three starters from an offensive line that was a solid unit in 2004. Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner will welcome back senior offensive tackle Seppo Evwaraye, senior guard Brandon Koch and junior center Kurt Mann. Evwaraye made a successful switch from defensive tackle to the offensive line last fall, and started all 11 games at right tackle. Evwaraye is blessed with outstanding size and good athleticism, and this spring will flip to the left side where he is expected to anchor the offensive line. "Seppo is a very big man, but he is very quick and he moves well," Callahan said. "He is an experienced player, he is smart and he is tough. He can anchor the left side of the line for us." Koch played extensively as a sophomore in 2003, then started all 11 games at left guard a year ago. The 6-4, 315-pounder is expected to line up in the same position, and he and Evwaraye should provide a good base for the offensive front. Mann was thrust into the starting center position during fall camp, but made steady progress throughout the year. The 6-4, 290-pounder earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors and started every game in 2004. Mann will have a slightly different look this fall, wearing No. 50 after Nebraska permanently retired the No. 64 in honor of former Husker Bob Brown, a Pro and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Mann will be backed at center by sophomore Brett Byford. While Mann, Evwaraye and Koch appear set at their spots, the other two starting positions are up for grabs entering the spring. Junior Greg Austin has earned two letters in his first two seasons in Lincoln, but has battled injuries. He goes into spring listed as the top right guard. Joining Austin on the right side are a pair of touted offensive tackles. Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas has a huge frame (6-6, 335) and is in much better shape entering the spring after arriving from junior college at the start of fall camp. Other players who could figure into NU's tackle plans are redshirt freshmen Lydon Murtha and Mike Huff and junior Newon Lingenfelter. Murtha and Huff are two of three highly touted redshirt freshmen. The third is guard Andy Christensen, who is one of two top backups at guard heading into spring along with Gary Pike.

Looking Ahead to 2005The 2005 Schedule Nebraska completed its 2005 schedule just before Christmas with the addition of non-conference opponents Maine and Wake Forest to open the season. The matchups are the first of five consecutive home games to open the 2005 season. Since World War II, Nebraska has opened the season with five games at Memorial Stadium just one other time. In 1975, Nebraska won five straight home games to start the season en route to a 10-0 start. Nebraska has played its first four games at Memorial Stadium four times since 1975. Callahan said the Huskers need to take advantage of being at home early in the 2005 season. "The five consecutive home games to start the season is a huge advantage for us," Callahan said. "That is an opportunity early in the season we have to capitalize on. Our first goal is always to win at home, and this affords us the chance to build momentum by doing that." The Huskers will open Bill Callahan's second season as Nebraska head coach on Sept. 3 against Division I-AA Maine at Memorial Stadium. Maine has a strong tradition at the I-AA level, reaching the national quarterfinals in both 2001 and 2002. Last season Maine posted a 9-7 victory at Mississippi State. The remainder of Nebraska's 2005 non-league schedule includes home dates with Wake Forest and Pittsburgh. The Demon Deacons finished 4-7 in 2004, but six of Wake's losses were by a touchdown or less. The matchup in Lincoln is the first in a two-game series with Wake Forest, as NU will visit Winston-Salem, N.C., on Sept. 8, 2007. Pittsburgh is one of five 2004 bowl teams on the Nebraska schedule after winning the Big East title and earning a BCS spot in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Nebraska defeated Pittsburgh 24-17 last season at Heinz Field. Nebraska opens Big 12 Conference action on Oct. 1 against Iowa State in Lincoln, before finishing a five-game season-opening homestand against Texas Tech on Oct. 8. The matchup with Texas Tech is Homecoming in Lincoln. The Huskers' other two Big 12 home contests are against defending league champion Oklahoma (Oct. 29) and Kansas State (Nov. 12). The Huskers face four road contests in 2005, including a two-game road swing at Baylor (Oct. 15) and Missouri (Oct. 22). NU also travels to Kansas (Nov. 5) and Colorado (Nov. 25). For the second straight season, Nebraska does not face Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State as part of the Big 12's schedule rotation.

A Look at the 2005 Huskers Nebraska returns 13 starters from last year's team, including seven starters on offense, five on defense and its starting punter. The returning starters on offense include senior offensive tackle Seppo Evwaraye, senior guard Brandon Koch and junior center Kurt Mann. In the backfield, quarterback Joe Dailey returns after starting all 11 games last season. He is joined by I-back Cory Ross who topped the 1,000-yard barrier last season. In the receiving corps, tight end Matt Herian returns for his third season as a starter and wideout Terrence Nunn is back after earning a starting spot in his rookie year. Herian is likely to miss much of spring practice after suffering a broken leg against Missouri last fall. Defensively, three starters return on the front four. Nose tackle Titus Adams and defensive tackle Le Kevin Smith return on the interior, while defensive end Adam Carriker returns to his end position. SAM linebacker Stewart Bradley was Nebraska's second-leading tackler in 2004, and returns for his junior season, while fifth-year senior Daniel Bullocks will anchor the NU secondary from strong safety. Senior punter Sam Koch had a solid 2004 campaign in his first year as a starter and will attempt to continue a long tradition of outstanding Nebraska punters.

2005 Huskers by Position 2004 starters in caps, number of 2004 regular-season starts in ( ); *denotes letters earned; lists include returning lettermen only.

The Offense Nebraska returns seven starters for 2005, in addition to a number of other players who drew starts last fall. A pair of veteran offensive line starters have graduated, including tackle Mike Erickson and guard Jake Andersen. Erickson started all 38 Husker games in the past three seasons, while Andersen was a regular the past

Senior Seppo Evwaraye had a solid first season as a starter in 2004, and will move to left tackle this spring.


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Receivers and Tight Ends... Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning...TE: Dusty Keiser** (6) MATT HERIAN*** J.B. Phillips* Josh Mueller *WR: Willie Amos*** Isaiah Fluellen** (2) Andy Birkel* Mark LeFlore*** (3) Joel Jackson* Grant Mulkey** (2) Kade Pittman* TERRENCE NUNN* (6) Jack O'Holleran** Santino Panico* ROSS PILKINGTON*** (9) Matt Schroeder* Kiffin Wigert* Ben Zajicek*** The Receivers and Tight Ends in Brief...New wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore will welcome back six returning lettermen to the wideout positions, including four players who drew starting assignments last season. Sophomore Terrence Nunn started six games as a rookie, and was in the starting lineup in the opener. Nunn finished the year with 16 catches and enters spring as NU's top "Z" receiver. Junior Grant Mulkey finished fourth on the team with 19 receptions and is the top backup at the "Z" spot. Mulkey is also in the lineup when Nebraska goes to a three-receiver set. A pair of experienced veterans top the chart at the "X" receiver spot. Senior Mark LeFlore started three games last season and finished the year with 12 receptions, including a 74-yard touchdown grab. Junior Isaiah Fluellen is blessed with great speed, but was hampered with injuries last season. He caught nine passes for an average of 17.6 yards per catch and caught two touchdowns. Senior Matt Schroeder played a key reserve role last season, while sophomore Santino Panico could also figure into the mix after lettering last season as a punt returner. Sophomore Dan Erickson, senior Shamus McKoy and redshirt freshman Nate Swift could also push for playing time in 2005. Senior Matt Herian is one of the nation's top tight ends when healthy. The 6-5, 240-pound Herian caught 24 passes last season, before being lost for the year with a broken leg. Herian will be a primary target for the Huskers again this fall. Sophomore J.B. Phillips is a physical blocker who was powerful for Nebraska in short-yardage and running sets last season. Fellow sophomore Josh Mueller provides a large target (6-5, 265) and should push for additional playing time this season. Redshirt freshman Clayton Sievers and sophomore Sean Hill could also see action at tight end.

Running Backs... Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning...IB: David Horne*** CORY ROSS*** (11) Brandon Jackson*FB: STEVE KRIEWALD**** (10) Dane Todd** The Running Backs in Brief...Nebraska lost its starting fullback in four-year letterman Steve Kriewald. However, junior Dane Todd has seen extensive action the past two seasons at the position and is primed to take charge of the spot. Junior Grant Miller will back up Todd and is set to push for the first extensive action of his Nebraska career. At I-back senior Cory Ross returns after an outstanding season in which he rushed for better than 1,100 yards and also caught 21 passes for the Huskers. Ross is a complete back who figures to push for all-conference honors this season. Sophomore Brandon Jackson provided Nebraska with a change-of-pace back last season and is listed as Ross' top backup at the start of spring. Jackson rushed for 390 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman last fall. Redshirt freshman Thomas Lawson also lines up at I-back, while former wide receiver Marque McCray will get a look at I-back this spring, and could give the Huskers another situational option at the position. Tierre Green lettered at I-back last fall, but will focus on cornerback this spring.

Quarterbacks... Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning...QB: Garth Glissman* JOE DAILEY** (11) The Quarterbacks in Brief...The quarterback position will be under the microscope during spring practice. Junior Joe Dailey started all 11 games last fall

and broke several Nebraska passing records. He threw for better than 2,000 yards and had a Nebraska single-game record 342 yards passing against Baylor. Dailey also struggled at times in NU's West Coast Offense, throwing 19 interceptions against 17 touchdowns. Dailey will enter spring practice as the No. 1 quarterback. Junior Zac Taylor played last season at Butler County Community College in Kansas, but joined the NU program at semester and is set for spring drills. He and sophomore Jordan Adams figure to be Dailey's top challengers. Husker coaches did not get an opportunity to get a full look at Adams last fall, as he had his spleen removed during fall camp and sat out as a redshirt. Sophomore Beau Davis saw action as a backup to Dailey last fall and also figures in the mix, along with redshirt freshman Joe Ganz who was Nebraska's Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 2004. "All of our quarterbacks will get an opportunity this spring," Callahan said. "We will evaluate all of the quarterbacks in all of the drills. It is a very competitive position heading into spring practice."

The Defense Five starters return on the Nebraska defense, including three starters on the front four. Defensive end Benard Thomas is the only starter from 2004 lost to graduation on the defensive front. The NU linebacking corps was hit hard by graduation, as All-Big 12 MIKE linebacker Barrett Ruud has graduated after becoming Nebraska's all-time leading tackler. Chad Sievers also graduated after serving as the starting WILL linebacker in 2004, and versatile reserve linebacker Ira Cooper also graduated. Three of Nebraska's four starters in the secondary are gone. Cornerback Lornell McPherson completed his eligibility in 2004. Fellow cornerback Fabian Washington and free safety Josh Bullocks both opted to forgo their senior seasons and enter the NFL Draft. Washington and Bullocks each started for three seasons and are among the top four players on NU's career interceptions list.

Defensive Line... Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning...DE: Jeff McBride* ADAM CARRIKER** (8) BENARD THOMAS**** (10) Jay Moore* (4) Wali Muhammad* DT: Nathan Krug* TITUS ADAMS*** (10) Brandon Teamer** Jared Helming* Le KEVIN SMITH*** (11)

Note: Senior Jared Helming spent most of the 2004 season on the offensive line before moving to defensive tackle late in the year. Helming played defensive line in his first three seasons at Nebraska. The Defensive Line Briefly...Nebraska returns both of its starters on the interior. Seniors Titus Adams and Le Kevin Smith both have extensive experience for the Huskers, lettering each of the past three seasons. Smith enters spring listed atop the depth chart at the nose tackle spot. Last year he made 11 tackles for loss and 43 total tackles. Adams started 10 games last season and finished the year with eight stops behind the line of scrimmage. Adams is listed No. 1 at the defensive tackle position heading into spring practice. The Huskers' other returning lettermen is senior Jared Helming who is listed behind Adams at defensive tackle heading into spring ball. A pair of junior-college transfers joined the Nebraska program at the start of the spring semester and will get a long look this spring. Barry Cryer is an athletic defensive tackle, who is listed as a reserve to Smith, while Ola Dagunduro is a powerful force who will compete at nose tackle. Nebraska returns three defensive ends with extensive playing experience. Junior Adam Carriker battled an ankle injury for much of last season, but has exhibited flashes of dominance. Carriker enters spring as the top player at Nebraska's base end position. Senior Wali Muhammad displayed excellent pass rushing skills, picking up three sacks and leading the team with 16 quarterback hurries. He is listed behind Carriker heading into spring ball. Junior Jay Moore had a solid first season of action in 2004 and heads into spring practice atop the depth chart at the open end. Talented redshirt freshmen Adam Blankenship and Ty Steinkuhler also figure to get a long look at end during spring practice.


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Linebackers... Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning... Mark Brungardt* STEWART BRADLEY** (10 at SAM) Ira Cooper**** (3) Lance Brandenburgh* BARRETT RUUD**** (10) Adam Ickes* CHAD SIEVERS*** (9) Bo Ruud*

The Linebackers Briefly...The linebacker positions will be closely watched during spring ball. The Huskers lost three seniors with a combined 11 letters, but return four lettermen and also had two junior-college standouts join the program in January. SAM linebacker Stewart Bradley is Nebraska's lone returning starter in the linebacking corps. Bradley finished second on the team last fall with 67 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss. Adam Ickes has made an impact as a special teams standout and heads into spring as a top backup to Bradley, along with junior-college transfer Dontrell Moore, who starred at Coffeyville CC last fall. Sophomore Bo Ruud is the younger brother of Barrett Ruud and has switched to the WILL spot, where he is expected to battle junior-college transfer Steve Octavien for the top spot. Special teams standout Andy Kadavy also figures in the mix at the WILL position. Sophomores Corey McKeon and Lance Brandenburgh will get the first shot at filling Barrett Ruud's shoes in the middle. Brandenburgh had an outstanding debut on special teams last season, while McKeon was a reserve behind Ruud. Converted defensive end Trevor Neemann also figures in the picture at middle linebacker.

Secondary... Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning...CB: Kellen Huston** (1) Donald DeFrand* LORNELL McPHERSON**** (9) Tierre Green* FABIAN WASHINGTON*** (11) Cortney Grixby* (2) Blake Tiedtke*FS: JOSH BULLOCKS*** (11) Andrew Shanle** Dan Burrow* Mike Stuntz**SS: None DANIEL BULLOCKS*** (11) Brandon Rigoni* Shane Siegel*** (1)

Note: Green moved to cornerback this spring after playing at I-back as a freshman in 2004. Both Stuntz and Ryan Goodman moved to free safety from quarterback.

The Secondary Briefly...The graduation of a fifth-year senior and the early departure of two talented juniors to the National Football League leaves questions in the secondary. However, the answers to those questions could come in the form of several talented, but relatively inexperienced players. In a coaching adjustment, Bill Busch will tutor the NU safeties, while Phil Elmassian will concentrate his duties on the Husker corners. Senior strong safety Daniel Bullocks returns

for his third season as a starter. Bullocks intercepted a team-high five passes last season and returned his interceptions for 187 yards, while also making 58 tackles. The 6-2, 210-pound Bullocks will play the 2005 season without the shadow of his All-America brother, Josh, and is a strong candidate for national honors of his own. Bullocks has a tested backup in senior Shane Siegel who has earned three letters as a key reserve in the NU secondary. Junior Brandon Rigoni will also line up at strong safety. Rigoni was Nebraska's Special Teams Player of the Year last fall. Junior Andrew Shanle is the frontrunner at free safety after providing outstanding backup work behind Josh Bullocks in 2004. One of Nebraska's fastest players, Shanle has made big plays on special teams each of the past two seasons. Senior Tyler Fisher and a pair of converted quarterbacks--sophomore Ryan Goodman and senior Mike Stuntz also will get a look at free safety. Both starting cornerback spots will feature new starters. Sophomore Cortney Grixby figures to make a strong push for one of the positions. He opens spring ball as the No. 1 player at the left corner spot. Tierre Green, one of Nebraska's speediest players, exhibited his big-play potential at I-back last fall, but will concentrate on cornerback this spring. He is listed behind Grixby on the left side, but is expected to make a push for playing time. Green could also be utilized in certain offensive sets. Senior Donald DeFrand entered spring practice listed No. 1 on the right side, but will see strong competition from senior Blake Tiedtke and sophomore Titus Brothers during spring ball.

Kickers/Return/Specialists Lettermen Lost... Lettermen Returning...PK: SANDRO DeANGELIS*** (9) David Dyches** (2)Punter: None SAM KOCH** (11)Holder: KELLEN HUSTON** (11)Snapper: None LANE KELLY** PR: SANTINO PANICO* KOR: TIERRE GREEN* BRANDON JACKSON*

The Specialists Briefly...Nebraska has consistently boasted one of the nation's top special teams units and Callahan plans to focus additional time on the area this spring. With that in mind, Callahan has divided some of the special teams coaching duties, with Bill Busch still serving as special teams coordinator.

Scott Downing handles the Nebraska kickers and returns senior Sam Koch to his starting punter position. Koch had a solid 2004 season, averaging nearly 42 yards per punt, while seeing 27 of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Koch will focus on better consistency this spring. Redshirt freshman Dan Titchener and sophomore Tyler Kester will also get a look at punter during spring practice.

Junior place-kicker David Dyches started the majority of his freshman season in 2003. A year ago, he backed up Sandro DeAngelis for the majority of the season, before re-assuming his starting role in the final two games of the year. Dyches connected on 2-of-3 field goals last season. Sophomore Eric Lueshen and redshirt freshman Jake Wesch will battle behind Dyches this spring.

Sophomores Tierre Green and Brandon Jackson both excelled as kickoff returners last season and are expected to play a key role in the return game again this year. Santino Panico served as the Huskers' top punt returner for the majority of last season and will be utilized in that area again this fall. Cortney Grixby, Marque McCray and Cory Ross could also be evaluated as return men this spring.

Lane Kelly has done a solid job as Nebraska's long snapper each of the past two seasons, while the Huskers will be looking for a holder to replace graduated senior Kellen Huston.

Senior Daniel Bullocks picked off a team-high five passes last season and will be a contender for All-America honors in 2005.


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#12 Joe DaileyQuarterback6-1 4 205 4Junior 4Two LettersJersey City, N.J. (St. Peter's Prep)

4 Nebraska Single-Game Record Holder for Passing Yards (342 vs. Baylor, 2004), Pass Attempts

(55 vs. CU, 2004) and Completions (29 vs. CU, 2004)4 Tied Nebraska Record for Passing Touchdowns in a Game (5 vs. Baylor)4 Tied Nebraska Record for Total Touchdowns in a Game (6 vs. W. Illinois)4 2004 Second-Team Academic All-Big 124 2003 Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll4 2004 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team

Quarterback Joe Dailey was charged with the difficult duty of running Nebraska’s West Coast Offense as a sophomore last fall. The 6-1, 205-pound Dailey started all 11 games in 2004 and shattered several Nebraska passing records in the process. Dailey enters spring practice as Nebraska's No. 1 signal caller, but will face a strong push from several players. Dailey established a Nebraska single-game passing record last season with 342 yards in a 59-27 victory over Baylor. He completed 13-of-20 passes in the game and threw for five touchdowns to tie another school record. Dailey also topped 300 yards (306) vs. Colorado, the only two 300-yard passing games in school history, and finished with five games of 200 yards or more through the air. In addition to his two 300-yard games, Dailey also topped 200 yards passing against Western Illinois, Southern Miss and Iowa State. In the game against Colorado, Dailey attempted a school-record 55 passes attempts, completing an Nebraska record 29 passes. In addition to his five-touchdown effort against Baylor, Dailey threw for four scores and rushed for two others against Western Illinois, and his six total touchdowns tied a Nebraska record. Dailey finished the season with 2,025 yards passing, the third-best season total in school history. He also passed for 17 touchdowns, but did throw 19 interceptions on the year. Dailey finished the 2004 season with a 49.4 completion percentage, while averaging 184.1 yards per game through the air. Dailey was Nebraska’s No. 2 quarterback as a true freshman in 2003, and played in eight games as Jammal Lord’s top backup. Dailey passed for 117 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 122 yards.

Dailey's Career StatisticsPassing Year G Att. Cmp. Int. Pct. Yds. Y/A Y/G LP TD Eff.R.2003 8/0 14 9 2 .643 117 8.4 14.6 29 2 153.062004 11/11 310 153 19 .494 2,025 6.5 184.1 74 17 110.06Totals 19/11 324 162 21 .500 2,142 6.61 112.7 74 19 111.92

Single-Game Bests: Pass Attempts–55 vs. Colorado, 2004 (school record)Pass Completions–29 vs. Colorado, 2004 (school record)Passing Yards–342 yards vs. Baylor, 2004 (school record)Passing Touchdowns–5 vs. Baylor, 2004 (tied school record)Long Pass–74 yards to Mark LeFlore, at Texas Tech, 2004; 74 yards to Cory Ross vs. Baylor, 2004Rushing Attempts–15 vs. Iowa State, 2003Rushing Yards–55 vs. Iowa State, 2003Long Rush–23 yards vs. Utah State, 2003

RushingYear G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs2003 8/0 33 157 35 122 3.7 15.2 23 vs. Utah St. 02004 11/11 53 191 136 55 1.0 5.0 17 vs. Pitt. 4Totals 19/11 86 348 171 177 2.1 9.3 23 vs. Utah St. 4

Returning Starters–Offense(Year listed is for Fall, 2005)

#77 Seppo EvwarayeOffensive Tackle6-5 4 330 4Senior 4Two LettersLaurel, Neb. (Laurel-Concord)

42004 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll4Nebraska's Most Improved Offensive Player (Spring, 2004)

Senior Seppo Evwaraye (pronounced SEP-oh Ev-vwah-AYE-yea) made a successful transition from the defensive to offensive line last season. The native of Finland started all 11 games at right tackle and helped Nebraska make the transition to the West Coast Offense. Evwaraye will make a less difficult switch this season, switching to left tackle where Husker coaches feel his size, strength and athleticism will make him an excellent fit.

Evwaraye and his offensive line teammates helped Nebraska feature a balanced offensive attack that averaged 176.3 yards per game on the ground and picked up 186.9 yards per contest through the air. Despite Nebraska throwing 322 passes last season, the offensive line allowed just 16 sacks. Evwaraye's quick transition to offense earned him recognition as Nebraska's Most Improved Offensive Player during the spring of 2004. Evwaraye was expected to make a strong impact on the defensive line, but battled injuries early in his Nebraska career. He played in five games as a reserve defensive tackle in 2003, and appeared in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2002, totaling three tackles.

Evwaraye's Career NumbersGames Played–20 (4 in 2002 as DT, 5 in 2003 as DT, 11 in 2004) Games Started–11 (11 in 2004)

#11 Matt HerianTight End6-5 4 240 4Senior 4 Three LettersPierce, Neb.

42004 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Dallas Morning News) 42004 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP, Coaches) 42004 SI.com Mid-Season Honorable-Mention All-American

4One of Three Nebraska Tight Ends with 1,000 Career Receiving Yards42004 Rotary Lombardi and John Mackey Award Watch Lists42003 John Mackey Award Semifinalist42003 First-Team All-Big 124Nebraska Single-Game Tight Ends Receptions Record (8 vs. Southern Miss)42002 First-Team Freshman All-Big 12 (The Sporting News)4Nebraska Freshman Record for Receiving Yards (301 in 2002)

The Nebraska offense suffered a big blow last October when tight end Matt Herian was lost for the season with a fractured left leg. Herian's injury ocurred in game eight against Missouri. Before being injured the 6-5, 240-pounder continued to flash his All-America ability and showed he was an excellent fit in Nebraska's West Coast attack. Herian is expected to be full speed for his senior season, but will likely be limited during spring practice. Once healthy, Herian provides the Husker quarterbacks with a rangy target with excellent speed and big-play potential. A year ago, Herian caught 24 passes before being injured, including three touchdown catches. He established a single-game record for receptions by a tight end with eight catches for 71 yards against Southern Miss. That effort came on the heels of a seven-catch, 98-yard effort in the opener vs. Western Illinois. Herian’s 15 combined receptions in the first two games were the most by a Husker in a two-game stretch in 33 seasons. Herian is poised to break several Nebraska career tight end records in 2005. He moved past 1,000 career receiving yards last fall against Texas Tech, one of just


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three Husker tight ends to reach that milestone. Herian has 1,093 career receiving yards and is just 57 yards shy of Tracey Wistrom's career tight end receiving yardage record of 1,150 yards, while Herian's 10 touchdowns are four short of the NU record for TD catches by a tight end.With 53 career receptions, Herian is only eight catches shy of the school record for receptions by a tight end, held by Jerry List who had 61 catches from 1970 to 1972. Herian's 53 career receptions are tied for 19th among all Huskers. As a sophomore, Herian was one of eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award, as he averaged 22.0 yards per reception on 22 catches and scored three touchdowns. He began his career in strong fashion in 2002, averaging 43.0 yards on his seven receptions, including four touchdown catches. Herian, who averages 20.7 yards per reception in his career, has 13 receptions of 25 yards or longer, including nine receptions that covered 40 or more yards. Herian has caught a pass in 18 of 21 games since the start of the 2003 campaign.

Herian's Career StatisticsReceiving Year G/GS No. Yards Y/R Y/G Long TD2002 12/0 7 301 43.0 25.1 80 42003 13/13 22 484 22.0 37.2 77 32004 8/8 24 308 12.8 50.3 43 3Total 33/21 53 1,093 20.7 33.2 80 10 Single-Game Bests: Receptions–8 vs. Southern Miss, 2004Receiving Yards–110 vs. Troy State, 2003Long Reception–80 vs. Colorado, 2002TD Receptions–2 vs. Western Illinois, 2004Number of Career Catches of 25-Plus Yards–13; 6 in 2002; 6 in 2003; 1 in 2004

#75 Brandon KochOffensive Guard6-4 4 315 4Senior 4Two LettersGothenburg, Neb.

42004 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 42003 First-Team Academic All-Big 12 4Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

42003 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll42003 Honorable-Mention Brook Berringer Citizenship Team

Senior offensive guard Brandon Koch (pronounced COE) is one of three returning starters on the Husker offensive line. Koch started all 11 games at left guard in 2004, after playing a key reserve role in his sophomore campaign. This spring fellow senior Seppo Evwaraye will move to the left tackle spot, giving offensive line coach Dennis Wagner an experienced and talented duo on the left side. The efforts of Koch and his fellow offensive linemen eased Nebraska's transition to the West Coast Offense. The Huskers featured an extremely balanced attack, picking up nearly 52 percent of their offense via the pass and just under 49 percent on the ground. The linemen adapted quickly to pass protection, yielding just 16 sacks in 11 games. Koch was a key member of the Husker offensive line in 2003, playing in all 13 games as Nebraska's top backup at both guard spots. He earned starts against Troy State and Colorado. As a sophomore, Koch played in every game and helped Nebraska to a No. 7 national ranking in rushing offense at nearly 240 yards per game. He also started on Nebraska's PAT and field-goal units. Koch played in six games in 2002, including each of the first three contests and against McNeese State, Kansas and Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl. A former walk-on, Koch redshirted in his first season at Nebraska. Koch is also a standout in the classroom, as he was a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick in 2003, a second-team selection in 2004, and is a five-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll.

Koch’s Career NumbersGames Played–30 (6 in 2002, 13 in 2003, 11 in 2004)Games Started–13 (2 in 2003, 11 in 2004)

#50 Kurt MannCenter6-4 4 290 4Junior 4One LetterGrand Island, Neb.

42004 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches)42004 CoSIDA Academic All-District VII42004 First-Team Academic All-Big 12

4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2003, 2004)4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor (2003, 2004)

Junior center Kurt Mann returns for his second season as Nebraska's starting center and the anchor of the NU offensive line. Mann was thrust into a starting role during fall camp in 2004 and quickly picked up the duties as Nebraska transitioned to a new offense. The 6-4, 290-pound Mann started all 11 games last season at center and performed well. He was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 selection by the conference coaches and helped Nebraska allow just 16 sacks. Mann was one of three new starters on the offensive line in 2004. Mann played in five games as a backup center to Josh Sewell in 2003, helping Nebraska average nearly 240 yards per game on the ground. Mann redshirted in 2002. The Grand Island, Neb., native is accomplished in the classroom, carrying a perfect 4.0 grade-point average through five semesters of college football. He will be a leading candidate to add to Nebraska's nation-leading list of Academic All-Americans in the next two seasons.

Mann’s Career NumbersGames Played–16 (5 in 2003, 11 in 2004)Games Started–11 (11 in 2004)

#83 Terrence NunnWide Receiver6-0 4 190 4Sophomore4One LetterHouston, Texas (Cypress Falls)

Sophomore wide receiver Terrence Nunn made a quick impression on the Nebraska coaching staff during fall camp in 2004. Nunn's impressive performance during training camp earned him a starting role in the season

opener, marking the first time since World War II an NU offensive player started the first game of his true freshman season.

This spring, Nunn will enter spring practice as one of six returning lettermen at the receiver spots. He is listed as the No. 1 "Z" receiver heading into spring practice, and is expected to be a key player for first-year receivers coach Ted Gilmore.

Nunn went on to start six games as a freshman last fall, appearing in the starting lineup against Western Illinois, Baylor, Missouri, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Colorado. He finished his freshman season as Nebraska's fifth-leading receiver with 16 receptions for 218 yards. Nunn finished strong in 2004, registering five-catch efforts against both Iowa State and Colorado. He hauled in a season-long 55-yard catch to set up a touchdown against Kansas State.

Nunn's Career StatisticsReceiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs2004 11/6 16 218 13.6 19.8 55 at Kansas State 0


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Returning Starters-Defense

#96 Titus AdamsNose Tackle6-3 4 300 4 Senior 4Three LettersOmaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)

42004 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team42003 First-Team Academic All-Big 1242002 Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Honor Roll

42003 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll

Senior Titus Adams stepped into the starting lineup last season and teamed with Le Kevin Smith to give the Husker Blackshirts a solid interior defense. Adams is one of five returning starters on the defense for 2005, including three on the defensive line. Adams enters spring practice as the Huskers' No. 1 player at defensive tackle. The 6-3, 300-pound Adams played in all 11 games last season, including 10 starting assignments. He finished the season with 37 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and added nine quarterback hurries. He was a key part of a defense that ranked 11th nationally against the rush, allowing 104.0 yards per game. Adams had a season-high five tackles against both Western Illinois and Baylor, and made three tackles for loss against the Leathernecks in the season opener. Adams had four tackles each against Southern Miss and Pittsburgh. The Omaha native was a versatile performer for the Huskers in his first two seasons of action. Adams played inside at tackle in 2002, then split time between end and tackle in 2003 and excelled as a pass rusher. Adams moved back inside to defensive tackle last spring and earned a Blackshirt at the start of fall camp. Adams played in all 13 games in 2003, and totaled 27 tackles on the year, including 11 solo stops. He showed a nose for the football with two interceptions, including a three-yard touchdown against Texas A&M, and two fumble recoveries. He also earned limited time on offense, lining up in a tight end spot in a power set, and was the intended receiver on a goal-line play at Colorado. He played in 13 games in 2002 and had 21 tackles, with a season-high five stops against Utah State. Adams had three tackles for 18 yards in losses, including two sacks for 17 yards and six quarterback hurries. Adams redshirted in 2001.

Adams’ Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2001 Redshirted2002 13/0 6 15 21 3-18 2-17 0-0 0 0 0 6 22003 13/1 11 16 27 0-0 0-0 0-2 0 1 2-6 3 02004 11/10 17 20 37 8-9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 9 0Totals 37/11 34 51 85 11-27 2-17 0-2 0 1 2-6 18 2

2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, none2003 Alamo Bowl vs. Michigan State: Tackles, 1 AT, 1 TT

#34 Stewart BradleyLinebacker6-4 4 240 4 Junior 4 One LetterSalt Lake City, Utah (Highland)

42003 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll42003 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll

Junior Stewart Bradley had a strong first season as a starter in 2004, and is the lone returning starter in the Nebraska linebacking corps this spring. The 6-4, 240-pound Bradley enters spring ball atop the depth chart at the SAM linebacker position, where he started 10 games a year ago.

Bradley finished second on the team in tackles in 2004, with 67 total stops, including 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, also second on the Blackshirt defense. Bradley added five quarterback hurries on the year.

Bradley recorded six games with seven or more tackles last fall, including a season-high 12 tackles against Kansas. He had nine tackles against Missouri and

#4 Cory RossI-Back5-6 4 195 4Senior 4Three LettersDenver, Colo. (Thomas Jefferson)

4 2004 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram)4 2004 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP, Coaches)

42004 Nebraska Offensive MVP

I-back Cory Ross had a breakout 2004 season in his first year in the Huskers' West Coast attack. Ross quickly showed he was an outstanding fit for the offensive scheme, not only as a runner, but as a receiver out of the backfield. Ross heads into spring practice as the Huskers' No. 1 back, and is poised to contend for conference and national honors this fall.

Ross moved into the starting lineup late in his sophomore season, but had a breakout junior campaign in 2004. He became the first Husker I-back to top 1,000 yards since 2001, rushing for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns en route to second-team All-Big 12 honors, as well as Team Offensive MVP honors.

The 5-6, 195-pound Ross put together six 100-yard rushing games in 2004, including a career-high 194 yards on 19 carries in a 24-3 victory over Missouri. He also topped 100 yards against Western Illinois (13-125), Southern Miss (27-169), Kansas (19-107), Iowa State (19-126) and Oklahoma (30-130). He was the only back to top 100 yards against Oklahoma last fall.

Ross was a workhorse for the Huskers despite battling a series of injuries in the second half of the season. His 1,102-yard season was the 27th 1,000-yard effort in school history and the 18th-most productive single-season rushing total in school hisotry. Ross finished the season averaging 100.2 rushing yards per game, a total that ranked fifth in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally. Ross proved to be an all-around back, catching 21 passes, including a pair of touchdowns, out of the Husker backfield. His 21 receptions were the third-most on the team and the most by a Nebraska running back since Lawrence Phillips had 22 catches in 1994. The 262 yards receiving by Ross were the most by a back since 1969. Ross had his first career touchdown reception against Kansas, then had a 74-yard touchdown reception against Baylor, the longest reception by a Nebraska back since 1978. Ross played sparingly early in the 2003 season, before coming off the bench in the second half at Kansas and rushing for 108 yards. He followed that with 100-yard outings against Colorado (103) and Michigan State (138), and carried a school-record 37 times against the Spartans in the Alamo Bowl. Ross rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2002. He ranks 26th on the Nebraska career rushing list with 1,861 yards and is 712 yards from cracking the top 10 on the Husker career chart.

Ross' Career StatisticsRushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs2001 Redshirted2002 12/1 35 188 4 184 5.3 15.3 34 vs. ASU 22003 13/3 130 596 21 575 4.4 44.2 23 vs. CU 42004 11/11 207 1,141 39 1,102 5.3 100.2 86 vs. MU 6Totals 36/15 372 1,925 64 1,861 5.0 51.7 86 vs. MU 12 Receiving: 28-337-2 total; 5-39-0 in 2002; 2-36-0 in 2003; 21-262-2 in 2004

Single-Game Bests: Rushing Attempts–37 vs. Michigan State, 2003 Alamo Bowl (School Record)Rushing Yards–194 vs. Missouri, 2004 (19 carries)Long Rush–86 vs. Missouri, 2004 (TD)Rushing Touchdowns–2 vs. Michigan State, 2003 Alamo Bowl, vs. Missouri, 2004Pass Receptions–5 vs. Southern Miss, 2004Receiving Yards–77 vs. Baylor, 2004Long Pass Reception–74 yards vs. Baylor, 2004 (TD)


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had seven-tackle efforts against Southern Miss, Baylor, Kansas State and Colorado. Bradley had a season-high three tackles for loss at Kansas State and had a pair of stops behind the line against both Baylor and Iowa State. He racked up his tackle totals against Baylor before leaving with a minor injury at halftime, and was Nebraska's Defensive Player of the Game for his effort.

Bradley redshirted in 2002, then made a big impression as a Mike linebacker during spring camp in 2003. He was moved to defensive end in the fall of 2003, and played a key role on Nebraska's special teams, and made six tackles.

Bradley’s Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2002 Redshirted2003 13/0 4 2 6 3-4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 4 02004 11/10 38 29 67 11-26 0-0 1-0 0 2 0 5 0Totals 24/10 42 31 73 14-30 0-0 1-0 0 2 0 9 0

#14 Daniel BullocksStrong Safety6-2 4 210 4Senior 4Three LettersChattanooga, Tenn. (Hixson)

42004 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Dallas Morning News) 42004 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP, Coaches) 42003 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12

412th Nationally in Interceptions in 2004 (0.45 pg) Strong safety Daniel Bullocks returns for his senior season as the veteran leader of a youthful Nebraska secondary. Bullocks enters spring practice atop the depth chart at the strong safety spot and is poised to earn a starting job for the third consecutive season. Bullocks has outstanding size (6-2, 210), speed and is a physical defender who will contend for conference and national honors this fall. Bullocks is the lone returning starter in the secondary, following the graduation of Lornell McPherson and the early departures to the NFL of Fabian Washington and Bullocks' twin brother, Josh. The older of the twins by one minute, Daniel Bullocks was a force in the NU secondary last fall, leading the Huskers in interceptions and providing numerous big plays for the Blackshirts. In the process he was chosen as a second-team All-Big 12 pick by the Dallas Morning News. Bullocks led Nebraska with five picks last season, and returned the interceptions 187 yards (37.4 ypr), including a 58-yard return against Western Illinois. Bullocks had an interception in each of Nebraska's first two games, and also recorded picks against Texas Tech, Baylor and Iowa State. Bullocks ranked second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally in interceptions per game. He also broke up nine passes. Bullocks ranked among Nebraska's tackle leaders with 58 total stops, fourth on the team. He made a season-high eight tackles in each of the final three games of the season, had four tackles for loss on the year, including a sack against Pittsburgh. Bullocks scored his first career touchdown at Kansas State when he returned a botched Kansas State punt attempt 10 yards for a third-quarter touchdown. Bullocks has been a key part of a talented Nebraska secondary each of the past three seasons. In 2003, he earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors, while compiling 69 tackles, the most among Nebraska defensive backs. He also picked off two passes. As a redshirt freshman, Bullocks made one start and played in 12 games with 16 total tackles. He enters his senior year with 143 total tackles, and is 57 tackles from becoming just the third NU defensive back to reach 200 career tackles.

Bullocks' Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2001 Redshirted2002 12/1 5 11 16 0-0 0-0 1-0 0 0 0 1 02003 13/9 44 25 69 4-5 0-0 1-1 0 3 2 3 02004 11/11 38 20 58 4-19 1-12 0-1 0 9 5 5 0Totals 36/21 87 56 143 8-24 1-12 2-2 0 12 7 9 0

2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 AT, 1 QB Hurry2003 Alamo Bowl vs. Michigan State: Tackles, 1 UT, 1 INT, 1 PBU

#90 Adam CarrikerDefensive End6-6 4 280 4 Junior 4Two LettersKennewick, Wash.

42004 Nebraska Lifter of the Year42003 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll

Junior defensive end Adam Carriker is one of three returning starters on the Nebraska defensive line and Husker coaches expect him to be a disruptive force this season. At 6-6, 280 pounds, Carriker has the size and strength to be a dominant player from the end position. He enters spring ball listed No. 1 at Nebraska's base end position. Carriker earned Nebraska's 2004 Lifter-of-the-Year Award and was primed for a big season a year ago, but was slowed for much of the year by a high ankle sprain suffered against Southern Miss. Carriker missed only one game and made eight starts, finishing the year with 36 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and three sacks. He made a season-high nine tackles against Kansas State and recorded two sacks in the opener against Western Illinois. Carriker also had seven quarterback hurries. His size allowed Carriker to play defensive tackle when the Blackshirts used pass-defense personnel. Carriker played in nine games as a redshirt freshman, as a backup defensive end in 2003. He suffered an ankle injury against Utah State that limited him throughout the year. He finished the year with three tackles and three quarterback hurries, all in the regular-season finale at Colorado. He also had a sack against the Buffs. Carriker redshirted in his first season at Nebraska. He doubled as a quarterback in high school in Kennewick, Wash.

Carriker’s Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2002 Redshirted2003 9/0 2 1 3 1-9 1-9 0-0 0 0 0 3 02004 10/8 19 17 36 7-23 3-18 0-0 0 0 0 7 0 Totals 19/8 21 18 39 8-32 4-27 0-0 0 0 0 10 0

2003 Alamo Bowl vs. Michigan State: Tackles, none

#66 Le Kevin SmithDefensive Tackle6-2 4 305 4Senior 4Three LettersMacon, Ga. (Stratford Academy)

42004 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP)42003 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll42002 Freshman All-Big 12 ( The Sporting News)

Le Kevin Smith (pronounced Leh-KEE-vin) returns for his senior season and his third year as a Blackshirt. Smith has started 23 games over the past two seasons at nose tackle and is listed No. 1 at the position heading into the start of spring ball. He teams with fellow senior Titus Adams on the defensive interior to give Nebraska a pair of experienced tackles. Smith started all 11 games last season at defensive tackle and finished the year with 43 tackles, the most among Nebraska defensive linemen. He had 11 tackles for loss, tied for second among Husker defenders and had 2.5 sacks for 14 yards. Smith had a season-high seven tackles against Southern Miss and made six tackles in two other games. He had two tackles for loss on three occasions (Southern Miss, Missouri, Colorado). Smith's play was a key factor in Nebraska ranking 11th nationally in rush defense at 104.0 yards per game. The native of Macon, Ga., started 12 games in 2003 and finished the season with 44 tackles, including 20 solo stops and six tackles for loss. He also had four quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Smith had a career-high 10 tackles, including seven solo stops at Missouri. He added five tackles in three other contests. The Husker defense ranked in the top 15 nationally in four major defensive categories and was second nationally in takeaways. Smith recovered a fumble in the third quarter vs. Texas A&M, one of Nebraska's eight takeaways on the day.


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Other Offensive Returning Lettermen to Watch

#65 Greg AustinOffensive Line6-1 4 295 4Junior4Two LettersCypress, Texas (Cypress-Fairbanks)

42004 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004)

Junior Greg Austin looks to play a key role on the Nebraska offensive line this fall as he returns to full strength after major knee surgery in 2004. The 6-1, 295-pound Austin enters spring practice as the Huskers' No. 1 right guard.

Austin played in all 11 games last season as a backup offensive guard and also served on the Huskers' PAT and field-goal units. He made it back to the field last fall after major knee surgery on his right knee in the fall of 2003.

As a true freshman Austin worked his way into the offensive line rotation and played in four games before being lost for the season with a knee injury.

Austin’s Career NumbersGames Played–15 (4 in 2003, 11 in 2004)

#28 Isaiah FluellenWide Receiver6-0 4 185 4Junior 4Two LettersRamstein, Germany (Ramstein America)

42004 Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll42003 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches)42003 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll

Isaiah Fluellen will be a key cog in the Nebraska receiving corps for the third straight season in 2005. The speedy Fluellen was limited for part of last season with a leg injury, but still showed flashes of his big-play potential, averaging nearly 18 yards per catch on nine receptions, including a pair of touchdowns. Fluellen enters spring practice listed as the No. 2 receiver at the "X" position. Fluellen played in 10 games in 2004, and started contests against Iowa State and Oklahoma. He caught nine passes on the season for 158 yards (17.6 ypr) and caught a pair of touchdowns against Baylor. Fluellen had two receptions for a season-high 72 yards against the Bears, and had a season-high four receptions for 64 yards at Iowa State. He added three catches against Oklahoma. Fluellen finished the 2003 season as Nebraska's fourth-leading receiver with 15 receptions, including a pair of touchdowns, a 43-yarder against Southern Miss and a 29-yard grab vs. Troy State. He also averaged 10 yards per carry on 12 rushing attempts. Fluellen's play did not go unnoticed, as he was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 pick by the league's coaches. Fluellen played in NU's final 11 games and started the last four games of the year. Fluellen had a strong performance in NU's Alamo Bowl victory over Michigan State with four catches for 84 yards, including a career-long 58-yard catch. Fluellen rushed five times for 78 yards against Iowa State, including a 39-yard touchdown. His 78 rushing yards were the most by an NU receiver in 17 seasons and the first time a receiver had led NU in rushing since 1979. Fluellen redshirted in his first season in 2002, and has also spent time with the NU track team during his career.

Fluellen's Career StatisticsReceiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs2003 11/4 15 287 19.1 26.1 58 vs. Michigan State 22004 10/2 9 158 17.6 15.8 45 vs. Baylor 2Totals 21/6 24 445 18.5 21.2 58 vs. Michigan State 4Rushing: 12-120-1 in 2003, 39-yard TD vs. Iowa State

2003 Alamo Bowl vs. Michigan State: Receiving, 4-84-0

Smith played in all 14 games in 2002 and finished with 42 tackles, including 16 solo stops. He added six tackles for loss, a sack and five hurries. He capped his freshman year with five tackles, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries in the Independence Bowl. Smith underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL shortly after arriving in Lincoln in the fall of 2001 and sat out his first season as a redshirt.

Smith’s Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2001 Redshirt2002 14/0 16 26 42 6-11 1-6 0-0 0 0 0 5 02003 12/12 20 24 44 6-18 0-0 0-1 0 2 0 4 12004 11/11 18 25 43 11-29 2.5-14 0-0 0 0 0 4 0Totals 37/23 54 75 129 23-58 3.5-20 0-1 0 2 0 13 1

2002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Tackles, 1 UT, 4 AT, 5 TT; 1-1 TFL, 2 QB Hurries2003 Alamo Bowl vs. Michigan St.: Tackles, 1 UT, 1 TT; 1-6 TFL, QB Hurry (INT caused)

Returning Starters-Kickers

#37 Sam KochPunter6-1 4 230 4Senior 4Two LettersSeward, Neb.

Senior Sam Koch (pronounced Cook) returns for his senior season after a strong first year as NU's starting punter. The former walk-on was awarded a scholarship before last season and enters the spring as the No. 1 punter

on the depth chart and could also be a candidate to handle kickoff duties. Koch faced the tough task of replacing 2003 All-American Kyle Larson as the

starting punter. Koch handled the task extremely well, averaging 41.3 yards on 63 punts, with a long of 65 yards. Koch had 40 punts that traveled 40 yards or more on the season. He had 27 of his punts downed inside the opponent 20-yard line and saw another 15 of his attempts end in fair catches. The punting of Koch aided Nebraska to a No. 16 national ranking in net punting at 38.39 yards per attempt.

Koch backed up Larson in 2002 and 2003, but did not attempt at punt. He did play a key role in the second half of the 2003 season as the Huskers' kickoff specialist. Koch booted 18 of his 32 kickoffs for touchbacks, and in his final six games in that role, opponents had just 10 returns for 165 yards. Koch did not see game action in 2002, and redshirted in 2001.

Koch’s Career StatisticsPunting Year G/S No. Yds. Avg. I20 Long2002 0/0 0 0 0,0 0 02003 7/0 0 0 0.0 0 02004 11/11 63 2,600 41.3 27 65 vs. MissouriTotals 18/11 63 2,600 41.3 27 65 vs. Missouri

Senior punter Sam Koch averaged 41.3 yards per punt last season, and had 27 of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line.


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#84 Grant MulkeyWide Receiver5-11 4 180 4Junior 4Two LettersArlington, Texas

Junior Grant Mulkey became a key receiver last season in Nebraska's West Coast Offense and should be a major part of the receiving corps again in 2005. Mulkey finished last season as Nebraska's fourth-leading receiver.

He enters spring practice as the No. 2 player at the "Z" receiver position and is listed as the Huskers' No. 1 "E" or third receiver.

Mulkey played in all 11 games last season and was in the starting 11 when Nebraska opened in three-receiver sets against Western Illinois and Iowa State. He caught 19 passes for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season and regularly showed the toughness to make catches in the middle of the field.

Mulkey had a season-high four catches against both Southern Miss and Colorado. He caught his first career touchown against Southern Miss, then grabbed his second touchdown of the year on a 38-yard catch and run against Baylor. Mulkey had a career-best 75 receiving yards on three catches against Baylor, and his 38-yard reception was the play that allowed Joe Dailey to establish a Nebraska single-game passing record.

A native of Arlington, Texas, Mulkey played in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2003, but did not have a catch. He redshirted in 2002.

Mulkey's Career StatisticsReceiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs2002 Redshirt2003 4/0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 02004 11/2 19 244 12.8 22.2 38 vs. Baylor 2Totals 15/2 19 244 12.8 22.2 38 vs. Baylor 2

#85 J.B. PhillipsTight End6-3 4 260 4Sophomore 4One LetterColleyville, Texas (Heritage)

42004 First-Team Academic All-Big 124Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004)42004 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll

Sophomore J.B. Phillips developed into a situational player at tight end last season, and figures to play a more prominent role in 2005. At 6-3 and 260 pounds, Phillips provides a physical blocking presence at the point of attack and was used as a lead blocker in many of the Huskers' rushing packages. With senior Matt Herian limited this spring while recovering from a broken leg, Phillips figures to get a great opportunity to earn more playing time.

Phillips played in all 11 games and drew his first career start in the regular-season finale against Colorado. He did not have a reception, but was a solid blocker late in the season in various Husker rushing sets.

Phillips redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2003.

Phillips' Career NumbersGames Played–11 (11 in 2004)Games Started–1 (1 in 2004)

#32 Brandon JacksonI-Back5-11 4 2104Sophomore4One LetterHorn Lake, Miss. (Horn Lake)

42004 Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll

I-back Brandon Jackson had an outstanding true freshman season for the Huskers in 2004, and will be

counted on to play a key role again this fall. The 5-11, 210-pound Jackson enters spring practice listed second behind senior Cory Ross at I-back and provides an excellent change of pace and a physical running presence in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Jackson played in 10 games last season and finished the year with 390 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Jackson quickly established himself as a rushing threat, picking up 79 yards on 13 carries in the opener against Western Illinois. He had three games with two rushing touchdowns against Baylor, Kansas State and Iowa State. In the win over the Bears he rushed a season-high 18 times for a season-best 89 yards. He had 57 yards on 11 carries at Kansas State.

Jackson also played a major role as one of Nebraska's top two kickoff return men. He finished the year with 17 returns for 359 yards, an average of 21.1 yards per return, fifth in the Big 12. Jackson had a season-long 59-yard return against Baylor, when he had five returns for 158 yards. Jackson had 247 all-purpose yards against the Bears, the 10th-most in school history and the second-best ever by a NU freshman.

Jackson's Career StatisticsRushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs2004 10/0 85 396 6 390 4.6 39.0 24 vs. Baylor 6

#9 Mark LeFloreWide Receiver5-11 4 195 4 Senior 4 Three LettersOmaha, Neb. (Central)

Wide receiver Mark LeFlore has been a steady factor in Nebraska's passing game each of the past three seasons. This fall the Omaha Central graduate will

look to complete his Nebraska career with a strong senior season. LeFlore enters spring practice listed No. 1 at the "X" receiver position and is one of six returning lettermen at receiver for 2005.

LeFlore played in nine games last season with three starts and finished as NU's sixth-leading receiver with 12 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown. LeFlore averaged 17.3 yards per reception, including a 74-yard touchdown reception at Texas Tech and a 46-yard catch at Iowa State. LeFlore was slowed early in the season by a foot injury, but had 11 of his 12 receptions in a four-game stretch from games three through six, including five catches for 110 yards at Texas Tech.

LeFlore played in all 13 games in 2003 with five starting assignments. He was third on the team with 19 receptions for 197 yards and two touchdowns, one each against Missouri and Kansas State. LeFlore had a breakout game against the Tigers, hauling in a career-high six passes for 76 yards, including his first career touchdown reception, a 55-yarder in the first quarter.

As a freshman, LeFlore played in every game except the season opener against Arizona State and finished the season with six receptions for 24 yards. He rushed four times for 80 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown against McNeese State the first time he touched the ball as a Husker.

LeFlore’s Career StatisticsReceiving Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs2002 13/1 6 24 4.0 1.8 9 at Kansas State 02003 13/5 19 197 10.4 15.2 55 at Missouri 22004 9/3 12 208 17.3 23.1 74 at Texas Tech 1Totals 35/9 37 429 11.6 12.3 74 at Texas Tech 3

Rushing: 6-101-1 total; 4-80-1 TD in 2002, 64-yard TD vs. McNeese St.; 2-21, 20032002 Independence Bowl vs. Ole Miss: Receiving, 1-(-2); 2003 Alamo Bowl: Receiving, none


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#41 Dane ToddFullback5-10 4 240 4 Junior 4One LetterLincoln, Neb. (Southeast)

42004 CoSIDA Academic All-District VII42004 First-Team Academic All-Big 124Two-Time Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2003, 2004)

4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2003, 2004)4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004)

Junior Dane Todd enters 2005 spring practice in line to take over as the starter at the Huskers' fullback spot. Todd was a key backup behind senior Steve Kriewald in 2004 and saw action in all 11 games. Like Kriewald, Todd possesses the skills to excel in the West Coast Offense, including the flexibility to both run the football and catch out of the backfield, as well as providing outstanding blocking skills.

Todd played in all 11 games last season in Nebraska's balanced offensive attack. He did not have a rushing attempt, but did catch two passes for four yards out of the NU backfield, one each against Western Illinois and Kansas.

The 5-10, 240-pound Lincoln native played in five games as a reserve fullback in 2003. He carried twice for six yards on the season. He redshirted in 2002.

Todd is one of Nebraska's top students, with better than a 3.9 grade-point average. Todd was a first-team All-District VII selection last season and was also a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick.

Todd's Career StatisticsRushing Year G/S No. Yds. Y/R Y/G Long TDs2002 Redshirted2003 5/0 2 6 3.0 1.1 4 vs. Troy State 02004 11/0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0Totals 16/0 2 6 3.0 0.4 4 vs. Troy State 0Receving: 2-4-0 total; 2-4-0 in 2004

Other Defensive Returning Lettermen to Watch

#40 Lance BrandenburghLinebacker6-1 4 230 4Sophomore 4One LetterOverland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

42004 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll

Sophomore Lance Brandenburgh showed flashes of his potential last fall and enters spring practice in the mix

for significant playing time in 2005. Brandenburgh and fellow sophomore Corey McKeon are listed as the top two players at MIKE linebacker heading into spring practice, the position vacated by the graduation of Nebraska's all-time leading tackler and first-team All-Big 12 selection Barrett Ruud.

Brandenburgh sat out the first game last season while Husker coaches debated on a redshirt season for the Overland Park, Kan., native. However, he played the final 10 games of the season as a key member of Nebraska's kick coverage units. He finished the year with three tackles, making one stop each against Kansas State, Iowa State and Colorado. He made a key open-field tackle of Kansas State's Darren Sproles on a punt return. Brandenburgh was a highly touted recruit out of the Kansas City area, where he was a three-year starter as a quarterback and linebacker.

Brandenburgh’s Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2004 10/0 1 2 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0

#6 Donald DeFrandCornerback6-0 4 175 4Senior 4One LetterFort Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan/Dodge City CC)

Cornerback Donald DeFrand has faced injuries throughout his first two years at Nebraska, stopping

him from reaching his full potential. DeFrand is hopeful of overcoming his injury issues this season and contending for playing time at cornerback. Nebraska lost both starting cornerbacks in the off-season and the race for starting spots should be spirited during spring practice. DeFrand enters the spring listed first at right cornerback.

DeFrand played in 10 games last season primarily on Nebraska's special teams units. He also saw increased playing time in the Nebraska secondary as the year progressed. He finished the season with three tackles and a pair of pass breakups, including a key fourth-quarter pass breakup in the Huskers' 24-3 victory over Missouri.

DeFrand saw special teams action in four games in 2003, but did not record a tackle. He came to Nebraska from Dodge City Community College, where he had three interceptions and 17 pass breakups in 2001.

DeFrand's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2003 4/0 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 02004 10/0 2 1 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 2 0 0 0Totals 14/0 2 1 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 2 0 0 0

Junior fullback Dane Todd is set to take over the starting position, after seeing significant time as a backup to senior Steve Kriewald in 2004.


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#30 Tierre GreenCornerback6-1 4 200 4Sophomore 4One LetterOmaha, Neb. (Benson)

Sophomore Tierre Green is one of the most gifted athletes on Nebraska's roster, and will try those talents on the other side of the football this spring. A significant

contributor at I-back as a redshirt freshman, Green has moved to cornerback this spring where he will compete for a starting position. The Huskers lost both 2004 starting cornerbacks, one to graduation and one to an early NFL departure.

Green's speed and talent with the football will continue to be used on kickoff returns and in specialty offensive packages, where he could line up at I-back or receiver.

Green played in all 11 games last season, sharing the No. 2 I-back position with true freshman Brandon Jackson. He earned starts against Pittsburgh, Kansas State and Colorado, when NU opened in multiple-back sets. He finished the season with 44 carries for 284 yards, an average of 6.5 yards per carry. Green rushed seven times for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the opener vs. Western Illinois, including a season-long 34-yard run for a touchown. The 112 rushing yards was the most by a Husker in a varsity debut since 1973. Green added 11 carries for 66 yards against Southern Miss.

Green teamed with Jackson to give Nebraska a dangerous kickoff return team. Green finished the year with 26 returns for 498 yards, an average of 19.2 yards per return. Green redshirted in 2003. He came to Nebraska from Omaha Benson High School, where he earned first-team Class A all-state honors as a defensive back.

Green's Career StatisticsRushing Year G/S Att. Gain Loss Net Y/A Y/G Long TDs2003 Redshirted2004 11/3 44 298 14 284 6.5 25.8 34 vs. W. Illinois 2

#2 Cortney GrixbyCornerback5-9 4 165 4Sophomore 4One LetterOmaha, Neb. (Central)


Sophomore Cortney Grixby will be expected to play a major role in a new-look Husker secondary in 2005.

Grixby enters spring practice listed No. 1 at Nebraska's left cornerback position, one of three secondary spots that will feature new starters in 2005. Nebraska lost three experienced veterans from last year's defensive backfield in corners Fabian Washington and Lornell McPherson and All-America free safety Josh Bullocks. Grixby's speed and elusiveness could also be utilized on Nebraska's kick return units.

Grixby stands just 5-9, but has outstanding speed and jumping ability to make up for size disadvantages on the perimeter. A year ago, Grixby immediately ended any talk of a redshirt, playing in all 11 games. He earned significant playing time throughout the year and drew starts against Pittsburgh and Kansas when McPherson was sidelined with an injury.

A gradute of Omaha Central, Grixby finished the season with 21 total tackles, including 14 solo stops. He had a tackle for loss against Southern Miss, and added four pass breakups on the season.

Grixby was a standout defensive back and quarterback at Central High School before joining the Husker program.

Grixby's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2004 11/2 14 7 21 1-0 0-0 0-0 0 4 0 0 0

#49 Adam IckesLinebacker6-2 4 225 4Senior 4One LetterPage, Neb. (Orchard)

4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2003, 2004)4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2004)

Linebacker Adam Ickes (pronounced ICK-kiss) has played an important reserve role for Nebraska the past three seasons, but hopes to push for much more significant playing time in his senior season. Ickes will continue to be a key performer on the Husker special teams units, but may be a factor at linebacker in 2005. He enters spring practice listed No. 2 at SAM linebacker behind returning starter Stewart Bradley. Ickes played in all 11 games last season, primarily on Nebraska's special teams, while also serving as a backup at the SAM 'backer position. He finished the year with five total tackles, including three solo stops. Ickes made headlines against Missouri. He scooped up a punt blocked by Andrew Shanle and raced 16 yards for a touchdown to give NU a 10-3 second-quarter lead. In the third quarter, Ickes forced a fumble by the Missouri punter that Shanle recovered and NU scored one play later to take control of the game. Ickes played in three games in 2003, and had one unassisted tackle. He appeared in five games in 2002 and made a pair of unassisted tackles against Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl. A walk-on, Ickes redshirted in his first season at Nebraska.

Ickes' Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2001 Redshirted2002 5/0 2 0 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 02003 3/0 1 0 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 02004 11/0 3 2 5 0-0 0-0 1-0 0 0 0 0 0Totals 19/0 6 2 8 0-0 0-0 1-0 0 0 0 0 0 Touchdown: 16-yard blocked punt return vs. Missouri, 2004

Sophomore Cortney Grixby saw extensive action last fall and is expected to compete for a starting spot at cornerback in 2005.


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#24 Brandon RigoniStrong Safety5-6 4 180 4Junior 4One LetterLincoln, Neb. (Southeast)

42004 First-Team Academic All-Big 1242004 Nebraska Special Teams Most Valuable Player4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic

Honor Roll (2002, 2003, 2004)4Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004)4Nebraska's Most Improved Special Teams Player (Spring, 2004)

Junior Brandon Rigoni exemplified a special teams player last season for Nebraska. Rigoni racked up seven special teams tackles and was a disruptive force on Nebraska's coverage units. Rigoni will continue in a key special teams role this season and also enters spring as the No. 3 strong safety behind seniors Daniel Bullocks and Shane Siegel.

Rigoni's outstanding special teams play earned him recognition as Nebraska's Special Teams MVP. He first made an impression on the NU coaching staff during spring ball, when he was named the Most Improved Special Teams Player. Rigoni made a season-high three tackles against Kansas and had two tackles at Pittsburgh. He was hampered by injury late in the season and missed the Missouri and Colorado contests. Rigoni's work on NU coverage units helped Nebraska rank 16th nationally in net punting.

Rigoni played in one game in 2003, after redshirting the previous year.

Rigoni's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2002 Redshirted2003 1/0 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 02004 9/0 4 3 7 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0Totals 10/0 4 3 7 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0

#51 Bo RuudLinebacker6-3 4 230 4Sophomore 4One LetterLincoln, Neb. (Southeast)

42004 Second-Team Academic All-Big 1242004 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll42003 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll

Nebraska faces the task of filling a large void in its linebacking corps with the graduation of the school's all-time leading tackler Barrett Ruud. While he will not step in to Barrett's MIKE linebacker spot, younger brother Bo Ruud will attempt to keep the family name prominent on the NU defense this fall. Ruud enters spring practice listed as sharing the No. 1 WILL linebacker spot with junior-college transfer Steve Octavien.

Ruud played in all 11 games as a reserve at the SAM linebacker spot, and also played a key role on Nebraska's special teams units. Ruud finished the year with 17 total tackles, including 12 solo stops and added two quarterback pressures. Ruud had three games with a season-high three tackles, including the season opener against Western Illinois, along with games vs. Texas Tech and Baylor.

Ruud joined the Nebraska program after a standout prep career at Lincoln Southeast. He redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2003.

Ruud's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2003 Redshirted2004 11/0 12 5 17 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 0

#44 Jay MooreDefensive End6-4 4 275 4Junior 4One LetterElkhorn, Neb.

42004 First-Team Academic All-Big 1242004 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll42003 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll

4Nebraska's Most Improved Defensive Player (Spring, 2004)

Defensive end Jay Moore returns for his junior season after earning a Blackshirt and seeing action as a part-time starter in 2004. Moore will be counted on for a bigger role this fall, and he enters spring practice listed atop the depth chart at Nebraska's open side defensive end.

Moore played in all 11 games and made four starts, including three on the right side and one on the left side last season. Moore was part of a four-man defensive end rotation, along with returnees Adam Carriker and Wali Muhammad and graduated senior Benard Thomas.

Moore finished the season with 21 total tackles, including 11 solo stops. He had seven tackles for loss, including three sacks for 16 yards, while hurrying the quarterback eight times. Moore also recovered a pair of fumbles and forced another while breaking up two passes. Moore made a season-high six tackles against Kansas.

Moore was a reserve end in 2003, but did not see game action, after redshirting in 2002. He remains strong in the classroom, earning first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors last season.

Moore's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2002 Redshirted2003 0/0 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 02004 11/4 11 10 21 7-25 3-16 1-2 0 2 0 8 0Totals 11/4 11 10 21 7-25 3-16 1-2 0 2 0 8 0

#55 Wali MuhammadDefensive End6-1 4 255 4Senior 4One LetterBloomfield, N.J. (Bloomfield/Coffeyville CC)

Defensive end Wali Muhammad established himself as a playmaker on the Nebraska defense in 2004. A significant part of Nebraska's defensive line rotation, Muhammad

led Nebraska in quarterback pressures and was among the team leaders in tackles for loss and sacks. Muhammad enters spring practice listed second behind junior Adam Carriker at the base end position.

Muhammad played in all 11 games last season as part of NU's defensive end rotation. He recorded 18 total tackles on the season, with eight of those resulting in losses (25 yards). He added three sacks and had a team-high 16 quarterback hurries. Muhammad also forced two fumbles, broke up three passes and had an interception against Pittsburgh.

Muhammad's top game came on the road against the Panthers. He made three tackles in the game and helped NU jump to an early lead, with his pressure on the quarterback and a big play in pass coverage. Muhammad intercepted a Tyler Palko pass and returned it four yards to the Panther 2. NU scored a touchdown and grabbed a 10-0 lead after the turnover. Muhammad recorded a season-high four tackles in the opener against Western Illinois.

Muhammad did not play in his first season at NU as a result of a back injury.

Muhammad's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2003 Did Not Play2004 11/0 8 10 18 8-25 3-15 2-0 0 3 1-4 16 0Totals 11/0 8 10 18 8-25 3-15 2-0 0 3 1-4 16 0


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#23 Shane SiegelStrong Safety6-3 4 220 4Senior 4Three LettersGrand Island, Neb.

4Three-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12(2002, 2003, 2004)4Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic

Honor Roll (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2003, 2004)

Strong safety Shane Siegel has provided a steady force as a reserve in the secondary for each of the past three seasons, playing in all 38 games for the Huskers. The senior enters spring ball listed second at strong safety behind two-year returning starter Daniel Bullocks. Siegel also plays a role on the NU special teams and could see significant action in Nebraska's specialty defensive packages.

Last season Siegel played in all 11 games with a starting assignment against Texas Tech when Nebraska opened with six defensive backs. He finished the season with 13 tackles, including nine solo stops. He had a season-high seven tackles in the game at Texas Tech. Siegel recorded a 12-yard sack against Kansas, thwarting a KU first-half scoring threat. Siegel also had a pair of quarterback hurries on the season.

Siegel made eight tackles while playing in all 13 games as a backup at strong safety in 2003. He had a season-high three tackles against Iowa State. Siegel played in all 14 games as a backup cornerback in 2002, and saw significant time when Nebraska put extra defensive backs on the field. Siegel started the season opener against Arizona State and finished the year with 14 total tackles, including a season-high five tackles against Kansas. Siegel redshirted in 2001.

Siegel's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2001 Redshirted2002 14/1 7 7 14 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 02003 13/0 4 4 8 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 02004 11/0 9 4 13 1-12 1-12 0-0 0 0 0 2 0Totals 38/1 20 15 35 2-13 1-12 0-0 0 0 0 2 0

#25 Blake TiedtkeCornerback5-10 4 190 4Senior 4One LetterCedar Rapids, Iowa (Jefferson)

4Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)4Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring

Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2003, 2004)

Senior defensive back Blake Tiedtke has seen limited action throughout his Nebraska career, but could be asked to step into a more significant role in 2005. Tiedtke played safety last season, but will start spring practice at cornerback where he is listed among the leading contenders at right cornerback. Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan has compared Tiedtke to 2004 senior Kellen Huston who played as a reserve corner and was NU's No. 1 nickel back.

Tiedtke played in two games last season, but did not have a tackle. He saw action in two games as a reserve defensive back in 2003. In 2002, he played in four games as a reserve corner and on special teams and had an assisted tackle against Kansas. Tiedtke redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2001.

Tiedtke's Career NumbersGames Played–8 (4 in 2002, 2 in 2003, 2 in 2004)Tackles–1 assisted tackle vs. Kansas, 2002

#8 Andrew ShanleFree Safety6-1 4 205 4Junior 4Two LettersSt. Edward, Neb.

42004 First-Team Academic All-Big 124Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004)

42003 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll

Junior free safety Andrew Shanle faces one of the more difficult tasks this spring, as he is charged with taking over for departed All-American Josh Bullocks. Shanle appears more than capable of the responsibility after impressive play as Bullocks' backup last season and outstanding off-season work in Nebraska's winter conditioning program.

Shanle played in all 11 games last season as a reserve in the secondary, and also as a member of most of Nebraska's special teams units. He finished the season with 19 total tackles, including 16 solo stops. He also had two tackles for loss, and recorded a 10-yard sack against Kansas State. Shanle played the majority of the game against the Wildcats with Bullocks battling a shoulder injury. Shanle was impressive in relief, recording a career-high seven tackles in addition to his sack.

Shanle also recovered a pair of fumbles on the season (Missouri, Kansas State) and blocked a punt in Nebraska's 24-3 victory over Missouri. Shanle burst through the Tiger line on a second-quarter punt attempt for a block that was scooped up for a score by teammate Adam Ickes. Later in the game, Ickes caused a fumble on a Tiger punt attempt and Shanle recovered deep in MU territory. The Huskers converted to take a comfortable 17-3 lead.

Shanle played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman and finished the year with nine tackles, including a 14-yard sack against Iowa State. He redshirted in his first season in 2002.

Shanle's Career StatisticsDefense ( -------Tackles------ ) Fum. QB Int.Year G/S UT AT TT TFL Sacks C-R BK PBU PI Hry. Csd.2002 Redshirted2003 12/0 6 3 9 1-14 1-14 0-0 0 0 0 0 02004 11/0 16 3 19 2-11 1-10 0-2 1 0 0 0 0Totals 23/0 22 6 28 3-25 2-24 0-2 1 0 0 0 0

Junior Andrew Shanle has excelled on special teams the past two seasons, including a blocked punt against Missouri in 2004. This spring, Shanle will look to win a starting spot in the Husker secondary at free safety.


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#92 Lane KellyLong Snapper6-4 4 265 4Junior 4Two LettersOmaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)

42004 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12

Junior Lane Kelly has become a fixture as Nebraska's starting long snapper for both punting and place-kicking

attempts and enters spring practice No. 1 on the depth chart at that position. Kelly was brought into 2003 fall camp as part of Nebraska's 105-man roster. He won the short snapping job immediately and by mid-season handled the punt chores.

Last season, Kelly did a solid job as Nebraska broke in a new starting punter in Sam Koch. The execution between Kelly and Koch helped Nebraska rank 16th nationally in net punting. The Huskers also connected on 6-of-12 field-goal attempts and 34-of-35 extra-point tries. Kelly also made four tackles on the punt coverage team, including a pair of unassisted stops.

Kelly played in all 13 games in 2003, and his efforts were essential to the success of freshman place-kicker David Dyches, who connected on 14-of-21 field goal attempts and all 32 of his extra points. Kelly's efforts also assisted Nebraska to a 40.1-yard net punting average, tops in the Big 12 and ninth nationally. Kelly made an unassisted tackle on a punt return at Missouri.

#18 Santino PanicoReturn Specialist/Wide Receiver6-0 4 190 4Sophomore4One LetterLibertyville, Ill.


Santino Panico stepped into the role as Nebraska's punt returner just one game into his college career in

2004. He enters spring practice as one of the leading contenders to serve as a return specialist for Nebraska in 2005. He is also a reserve wide receiver on offense, and hopes to battle his way up the depth chart this spring.

After the Huskers had a couple miscues in the return game, Nebraska coaches inserted the sure-handed Panico into the return spot against Southern Miss. Panico handled the return chores for each of the season's final 10 games and he had 22 returns for 68 yards, an average of 3.1 yards per return. Panico had a long return of nine yards twice on the season (Southern Miss, Missouri).

Panico was one of 10 first-year players to see action for the Huskers last fall. He also had an outstanding first semester in the classroom, being named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll.

Panico's Career StatisticsPunt Returns Year G No. Yds. Y/R Long TD2004 10 22 68 3.1 9 vs. So. Miss, Missouri 0

Other Returning Specialists to Watch

#27 David DychesPlace-Kicker6-1 4 200 4Sophomore 4One LetterSpring, Texas (Westfield)

42003 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week (Penn State)42003 Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll

4Nebraska Freshman Record for Field Goals in a Season (14 in 2003)42003 Honorable-Mention Freshman All-American (Rivals.com)

Place-kicker David Dyches flashed the form of his freshman season late in the 2004 campaign and heads into the spring as Nebraska's top place-kicker. Dyches had an outstanding rookie season in 2003, but lost his starting job to senior Sandro DeAngelis for most of last season. He regained the starting job for the final two games of 2004, and will look to keep the role as a junior. Despite seeing limited place-kicking action, Dyches played in five games as he split kickoff duties with DeAngelis. Dyches did connect on 2-of-3 field goals, making a career-long 46-yarder at Texas Tech and a 39-yard attempt on the game's final play at Oklahoma, helping NU avoid a shutout. Dyches missed a 51-yard attempt against Colorado. He also made his only two PAT attempts of the season. The native of Spring, Texas quickly moved to the top of Nebraska's depth chart as a true freshman in 2003. He did not play in the opener, but took over the kicking duties against Utah State and had an outstanding season. Dyches finished 2003 with 14-of-21 accuracy on field goals and was perfect on 32 PAT attempts. His 14 field goals tied the Nebraska freshman record, set by Josh Brown in 1999. Dyches led the Huskers in scoring with 74 points and his average of 1.17 field goals per game placed him 35th nationally. Dyches was honored for his performance as Rivals.com named him an honorable-mention freshman All-American. Dyches connected on four field goals in each of his first two games (Utah State, Penn State). He became just the third Husker kicker (five total games) and first freshman to connect on four or more field goals in a game. His perfect PAT season was Nebraska's eighth since 1985, but the first in that span by a freshman.

Dyches' Career StatisticsScoring Field Goal RangeYear G/S PAT FG TP PPG 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ Lg2003 12/11 32-32 14-21 74 6.16 1-1 6-9 4-7 3-4 0-0 412004 5/2 2-2 2-3 8 1.60 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 46Totals 17/13 34-34 16-24 82 4.82 1-1 6-9 5-8 4-5 0-1 46

Field Goal Sequence: 2004, Texas Tech (46), Oklahoma (39), Colorado (51-miss); 2003, Utah State (23, 20, 29, 26); Penn State (36, 35, 41, 34-blocked, 32); Southern Miss (40); Troy State (40, 29-miss, 33-miss); Missouri (30); Texas A&M (47-miss); Texas (21-blocked); Kansas (28); Kansas State (30-blocked); Colorado (19); Michigan State (29, 26-miss)

offense (national rank) nebraska football coaching staff · brandon koch, c kurt mann, wr terrence...

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