No. 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers

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Bo Pelini is an Ohio native and an Italian with about as good a chance of finding authentic meatballs and gravy in Lincoln as Bill Callahan does getting elected governor of Nebraska. But in one year with the Huskers, Pelini did what Callahan couldn’t — give the Husker faithful the sense that a return to prominence was possible.

By winning nine games and knocking off Clemson in the Gator Bowl, Pelini fulfilled the mandate given to him by AD, former Congressman and resident legend Tom Osborne to make Nebraska football matter again. Pelini embraced the school’s long-time walk-on policy. He committed to running the football and playing nasty, Blackshirt defense. None of that West Coast offense stuff for him.

The ’08 Huskers won six of their last seven and enter this year expecting even more. For that to happen, they must find a quarterback, continue to improve a defense that lacks proven linebackers and develop some playmakers at receiver.

Pelini had a great first year, but nine-win seasons don’t inspire the red-clad faithful to confer deity status upon coaches. Nebraska has to win conference titles and play in major bowl games for that.

This and That

Sea Of Red Nebraska’s NCAA record for consecutive sellouts at Memorial Stadium will reach 300 when the Huskers play UL Lafayette on Sept. 26.

Self-Inflicted Wounds Nebraska was its own worst enemy at times last season, breaking school single-season records for penalties (94) and penalty yardage (800).

Reaching 40 Nebraska scored 40 points or more in three straight Big 12 games (Kansas, Kansas State, Colorado) late last season for the first time since 2001.

Trophy Hogs Ndamukong Suh, the first defensive lineman to lead the Cornhuskers in tackles since 1973, could be an Outland candidate, depending on the team’s success. Nebraska has produced more Outland Trophy winners than any other school — seven, with Dave Rimington winning the award twice (1981, 1982).

Nebraska Superlatives

DT Ndamukong Suh is named Second-Team All-America and First-Team All-Big 12.

K Alex Henery is named First-Team All-Big 12.

TE Mike McNeill and OL Jacob Hickman are named Second-Team All-Big 12.

RB Roy Helu Jr. (pictured) and DL Pierre Allen join the All-Big 12 Third Team.

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