Nebraska Cornhuskers
Big Ten
The Cornhuskers had another up and down season in the Big Ten. Through an easy early slate Nebraska began 5-1, with their lone loss coming against UCLA. After the relatively strong start, Coach Bo Pelini’s squad went 3-3. In a rare feat for Nebraska, three of their four losses came at home. They had some decent road wins, most notably at Michigan and Penn State, but this team was not good enough to defend their home turf against any decent team.
2013 Record: 8-4, 5-3
Coach: Bo Pelini
Coach Bowl Record: 3-3
Big Wins: 11/9 at Michigan (17-13), 11/23 at Penn State (23-20)
Bad Losses: 10/26 at Minnesota (23-34), 11/29 Iowa (17-38)
Strengths:
Running back Ameer Abdullah had another solid season, rushing for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns. Abdullah seemed a bit unspectacular at times, but part of that was due to fellow back Imani Cross taking away ten touchdown runs. Between Abdullah and Cross, the Cornhuskers do have a strong run game. The defense has had spurts of productivity when healthy too. Randy Gregory tallied 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles-for-loss. He has been a consistent presence in the opposing backfield. Ciante Evans and Stanley Jean-Baptiste are experienced senior corners who picked off four passes each.
Weaknesses:
However, Nebraska has struggled on both sides of the ball due to injuries. Quarterback Taylor Martinez only played in four games all year long. In those four contests he threw for ten touchdowns and was on his way to having another big year before injuries hit. Ron Kellogg and Tommy Armstrong have split snaps in Martinez’s absence with mixed success. Kenny Bell and Quincy Enunwa are both big time receivers, but only when somebody can get them the ball. On the other side of the ball, the injuries wore down the defense by the end of the year. In the second half of the season Nebraska allowed 34 points against Minnesota, 41 against a usually anemic Michigan State offense and 38 against Iowa.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Ameer Abdullah, RB, 1,568 yards
Passing: Ron Kellogg, QB, 919 yards
Receiving: Quincy Enunwa, WR, 624 yards
Tackles: Corey Cooper, S, 81; David Santos, LB, 81
Sacks: Randy Gregory, DE, 9.5
Interceptions: Ciante Evans, CB, 4; Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, 4
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 221.7 (19th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 199.5 (91, 10)
Total Offense: 421.2 (60, 6)
Scoring Offense: 32.6 (47, 5)
Rushing Defense: 161.2 (61, 8)
Pass Defense: 205.8 (21, 4)
Total Defense: 367.0 (37, 5)
Scoring Defense: 25.3 (56, 6)
Turnover Margin: -1.0 (118, 12)
Sacks: 2.92 (11, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.33 (27, 5)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Capital One Bowl Georgia (31-45)
2011 Capital One Bowl South Carolina (13-30)
2010 Holiday Bowl Washington (7-19)
2009 Holiday Bowl Arizona (33-0)
2008 Gator Bowl Clemson (26-21)
2006 Cotton Bowl Auburn (14-17)
*all team stats through 11/30
