THE HUSKERS

77 Toniu Fonoti All-American/Outland Finalist America first-team lists by CNNSI, ABC Sports Online and Offensive Guard CBS.SportsLine.com, the only Husker to garner the accolade. He earned 6-4 4 340 consensus first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2001. Junior Fonoti is the latest in an unmatched string of outstanding linemen under Husker Offensive Line Coach Milt Tenopir, who guided the careers Two Letters of 21 All-Americans (25 awards), six Outland and two Lombardi Trophy Hauula, Hawaii winners. When speaking of Fonoti, Tenopir said: “He is blessed with all (Kahuku) the physical ability in the world. He is special.” The fifth Husker to record more than 300 pancakes in a career, Fonoti set the NU all-time mark against Colorado, finishing the season with 201 pancakes to give him 379 in his career. He broke the previous mark of 377 4 2001 First-Team All-American (AP, Walter Camp, FWAA, Sporting pancakes set by 1997 winner Aaron Taylor (35 games News, Football News, CNNSI.com, ABC Sports Online) from 1995 to 1997). Fonoti’s career average of 10.8 pancakes also bettered 4 2001 Outland Finalist (1 of 3) Taylor’s career average (10.7). Fonoti has had 356 pancakes in his last 23 4 2001 Lombardi Semifinalist (1 of 12) regular-season games and averaged 20.8 pancakes per game over the final 4 2001 First-Team All-Big 12 (AP, Coaches, Kansas City Star, Dallas six games in 2001, totaling 125 knock-down blocks in that span. He did Morning News, Fort Worth Star Telegram, San Antonio News not allow a sack or receive a penalty in 2001. Express, Waco Tribune Herald) Fonoti also broke his own school single-season record this year with 4 2001 Midseason All-American (CNNSI, ABC Sports Online, 201 pancakes in 12 games, 46 more than his record-total 155 in 11 games CBS.SportsLine.com) last season. He is the only player in Husker history to record more than 4 2000 Outland Trophy Watch List 150 pancakes in a season, and has done it in back-to-back years. Fonoti 4 2000 First-Team All-Big 12 (Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star also smashed his school single-season record pancake average, picking Telegram) up 16.8 per game this season to surpass the 14.1 pancakes per game he 4 2000 Second-Team All-Big 12 (AP, Coaches) established last season. The previous single-season best before Fonoti 4 Set Nebraska School Single-Game Record for Pancakes (32 vs. Texas Tech, 2001) 4 Set Nebraska School Records for Most Pancakes in a Season O-Line All-Americans Under Coach Milt Tenopir (201 in 2001) and highest average per game (16.8 in 2001) Counting 2001 first-team All-American Toniu Fonoti, Nebraska 4 Set Nebraska Career Records for Most Pancakes (379) and Offensive Line Coach Milt Tenopir has now coached 21 first-team Career Average (10.8) All-Americans (who have earned a total of 25 All-America certificates) since joining the Nebraska staff in 1974. Tenopir has also coached six First-team All-America left guard Toniu Fonoti (pronounced Tone- Outland Trophy winners, two winners and 17 players YOU Foe-no-TEA) has become one of the most dominant Husker linemen who have played in the . in school history since taking over the starting duties last year as a sophomore. In 2001, he led a Husker offensive line that powered Nebraska 1974—Rik Bonness, C 1988—Jake Young, C to an 11-1 record and its 15th NCAA rushing title with 314.7 yards per 1974—Marvin Crenshaw, OT 1989—Jake Young, C game. Fonoti, along with left tackle Dave Volk, were the only two returning 1975—Rik Bonness, C 1989—Doug Glaser, OT starters from the 2000 offensive line that led Nebraska to the NCAA 1977—Tom Davis, C 1992—Will Shields, OG rushing title. 1978—Kelvin Clark, OT 1994—, OT Fonoti led the Huskers in pancakes in 2001, averaging 16.8 per game, 1980—Randy Schleusener, OG 1994—Brenden Stai, OG to earn a spot as one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy. A first- 1981—, C 1995—Aaron Graham, C team All-American by the Associated Press, The Sporting News, Football 1982—Dave Rimington, C 1996—Aaron Taylor, C Writers Association of America, Football News and Walter Camp, Fonoti 1983—Dean Steinkuhler, OG 1997—Aaron Taylor, OG was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, along with John Henderson (DT, 1984—Harry Grimminger, OG 2000—Dominic Raiola, C Tennessee) and winner Bryant McKinnie (OT, Miami), and was one of 1984—Mark Traynowicz, C 2000—Russ Hochstein, OG 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, one of just three offensive 1985—Bill Lewis, C 2001—Toniu Fonoti, OG players named to the list. Fonoti was also chosen to the midseason All- 1987—John McCormick, OG Career Statistics and Personal Bests Fonoti’s Career Pancakes 2001 Pancackes (Knock-down blocks)–*201 (*16.8 per game) Year Total Avg. Team Rank Career Pancake Best–*32 against Texas Tech, 2001 (21 vs. Northwest- 1999 23 1.9 Fifth ern, 2000 Alamo Bowl) 2000 155 14.1 First Double-Digit Pancake Games–21; 0 in 1999, 10 in 2000, 11 in 2001 2001 201* 16.8* First *school records Fonoti’s Pancakes Game-by-Game Total 379* 10.8* UI Cal SM MU OS IS UT KU AM KS CU UT Tot. Avg. 1999 2 5 0 4 3 3 0 0 5 1 0 0 23 1.9 Games Played–37 (13 in 1999, including 2000 , 12 in 2000, SJS ND IU MU IS TT BU OU KU KS CU Tot. Avg. including 2000 Alamo Bowl; 12 in 2001) 2000 15 17 16 17 16 19 13 10 15 7 10 155 14.1 Games Started–24; 12 in 2000 (including 2000 Alamo Bowl), 12 in 2001 TCU TSU ND RU MU ISU BU TT OU KU KS CU Tot. Avg. 1999 Pancakes (Knock-down blocks)–23 (1.9 per game) 2001 10 6 18 15 16 11 20 32* 13 16 25 19 *201 *16.8 2000 Pancakes (Knock-down blocks)–155 (14.1 per game) *school record

860 2001 NEBRASKA BOWL MEDIA GUIDE NEBRASKA’S 33RD CONSECUTIVE THE HUSKERS started rewriting the record books was 140 pancakes in 12 games (11.67 per game) by Outland and Lombardi finalist Dominic Raiola in 1999. Top 5 Pancake Games Fonoti set the NU single-game record with 32 pancakes against Texas 1. 32 Toniu Fonoti vs. Texas Tech, 2001 Tech, easily breaking the previous record of 23. Fonoti has recorded at 2. 25 Toniu Fonoti vs. Kansas State, 2001 3. 23 Russ Hochstein at Notre Dame, Sept. 9, 2000 least 20 pancakes in a contest three times this season, with 32 vs. Texas 23 Josh Heskew at California, Sept. 9, 1998 Tech, 25 vs. Kansas State and 20 vs. Baylor. Entering the year, there had 5. 20 Toniu Fonoti at Baylor, 2001 been just four 20-pancake performances in NU history, with those efforts 20 Dave Volk vs. Kansas State, 1999 coming by Russ Hochstein (23 vs. Notre Dame, 2000), Josh Heskew (23 20 John Garrison vs. Kansas State, 2001 vs. California, 1998), Dave Volk (20 vs. Kansas State, 1999) and Fonoti Bowl Game (21 vs. Northwestern, 2000 Alamo Bowl). 21 Toniu Fonoti vs. Northwestern, Dec. 30, 2000, Alamo Bowl Last season, Fonoti earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram and was a second- Top 5 Pancake Seasons team honoree by the league coaches and AP. 1. 201 Toniu Fonoti, 2001 (12 games) 2001: A two-year starter at left guard, Fonoti led Nebraska with a school 2. 155 Toniu Fonoti, 2000 (11 games) single-season record 201 pancakes (16.8 ppg) in 12 games, helping the 3. 145 Dominic Raiola, 2000 (11 games) 4. 143 Russ Hochstein, 2000 (11 games) Huskers lead the nation in rushing offense at 314.7 ypg. He also set the 5. 140 Dominic Raiola, 1999 (12 games) Nebraska single-game mark this season with 32 pancakes against Texas Tech. TCU: Fonoti had 10 pancake blocks, while helping the Huskers to Top 5 Pancake Careers 310 yards total offense. It marked his 12th career game with double-figure 1. 379 Toniu Fonoti, 1999-2000-01 (35 games) pancakes. Troy State: Fonoti had six pancakes while helping the offense 2. 377 Aaron Taylor, 1995-96-97 (35 games) churn out 330 rushing yards and 457 yards total offense. It was just the 3. 361 Dominic Raiola, 1998-99-00, (35 games) second time in two seasons that he had recorded less than 10 pancakes in 4. 346 Russ Hochstein, 1997-98-99-00 (40 games) a contest. Notre Dame: Fonoti recorded a team-high 18 pancakes against 5. 343 Dave Volk, 1998-99-00 (47 games) the 17th-ranked Fighting Irish. His efforts helped NU rush for 182 yards and produce 270 yards of total offense. Rice: Fonoti recorded his second straight double-figure pancake effort with 15 knock-down blocks against helping NU gain 552 yards of total offense against the No. 14 Buffaloes. the Owls. He helped NU rush for 292 yards and gain nearly 500 yards total The 19 pancakes gave him 379 in his career, passing Outland Trophy offense, as the offensive line recorded its highest single-game pancake total winner Aaron Taylor’s school-record total of 377. His blocking also (92) of the season. Missouri: Fonoti led NU in pancakes for the second helped shatter the NU single-game total-offense consecutive game, recording 16 knock-down blocks. It was his third record, as Crouch gained 360 yards (198 passing, 162 rushing). straight double-figure performance and fourth of the season. Fonoti helped 2000: In his first year as NU’s starting left guard, Fonoti led the Huskers NU gain 532 total-offense yards, including 412 yards rushing. Iowa State: to a No. 1 ranking in rushing offense (349.3 ypg) and top-six rankings in Fonoti led NU with 11 pancakes, recording his fourth consecutive double- both total offense (459.0 ypg, sixth) and scoring offense (41.5 ppg, fourth). figure pancake game. Nebraska rushed for 359 yards, including 232 yards Behind Fonoti and an offensive line that also featured All-Americans in the first half. Baylor: Fonoti had a team-high 20 pancakes, as NU rushed Dominic Raiola and Russ Hochstein, NU averaged more than six yards per for 641 yards, the second-highest single-game rushing total in school carry, an average that led Division I-A, and recorded 45 rushing touchdowns. history. The 20 knock-down blocks surpassed his previous regular-season He set then-NU single-season records with 155 pancakes and an average career high of 19 against Texas Tech last year. Fonoti helped four Huskers of 14.1 per game. Fonoti led the Huskers in pancakes four times, including rush for 100 yards apiece, tying an NCAA record. Texas Tech: Fonoti 19 in the victory over Texas Tech, and had double-figure pancake totals crushed the Texas Tech defensive front for the second straight year (he had in all but one game. Fonoti broke his right hand in the Huskers’ loss to a then-career-high 19 pancakes against TTU in 2000), shattering the school Oklahoma, but played the final three regular-season games with a cast. single-game record with 32 pancakes, including an amazing 10 pancakes With the cast removed, he had a team-leading 21 pancakes vs. Northwestern in the first 13 plays of the second half. Fonoti, who helped NU rush for in the Alamo Bowl, as NU rushed for an Alamo Bowl-record 476 yards. 335 yards, bettered the previous record of 23 pancakes. His total against 1999: Fonoti became only the third Husker to earn playing time on the the Red Raiders also surpassed his career high of 21 pancakes set in the offensive line as a true freshman, joining former All-Americans Jake 2000 Alamo Bowl. Fonoti is the first Husker to record at least 20 pancakes Young (1986) and Will Shields (1989). Fonoti played in all 13 games and in a regular-season game on two separate occasions–with those coming in was a member of the Huskers’ first-team PAT and field goal units. He back-to-back contests for a total of 52 pancakes, easily the best two-game totaled 23 pancakes (1.9 per game), helping the Huskers to a Big 12 total in Husker history. The 32 pancakes represented one-quarter of his rushing title (265.9 yards per game). He had a season-best five twice, vs. season total to that point (128). He was NU’s nominee for Big 12 Offensive California and Texas A&M. Fonoti saw extensive playing time in the Player of the Week after grading out to a 1.97 on a 2.0 scale while helping 2000 Fiesta Bowl vs. Tennessee, helping NU to 321 yards against the the offensive line to a season-high 1.947 grade and 80 percent perfect plays. nation’s seventh-ranked rush defense in the 31-21 victory over the Vols. Oklahoma: Fonoti led NU by recording 13 pancakes against the No. 2 At Kahuku HS: Fonoti graduated from Kahuku High School and Sooners. Facing one of the nation’s toughest defensive front lines, Fonoti played his senior year for Coach Siuaki Livai, leading his team to the led the Huskers to 164 rushing yards and 329 total-offense yards in the state runner-up finish and a No. 18 national ranking. Fonoti earned first- victory over the No. 1 team in the BCS standings. Kansas: Fonoti recorded team all-state honors from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and the Honolulu 16 pancakes, as NU rushed for 284 yards and gained 448 yards of total Advertiser as an offensive lineman and was ranked No. 19 among offensive offense. Fonoti broke his own single-season school record, as he improved linemen in the West Region. Fonoti lettered in basketball four years and his team-leading total to 157 pancakes through 10 games. It marked the twice in track and field. He attended El Camino High School in Oceanside, second straight season Fonoti has recorded more than 150 pancakes. Calif., his junior year, earning honorable-mention all-state honors playing Kansas State: Fonoti recorded double-figure pancakes for the ninth for Coach Herb Meyer in 1997. consecutive game with 25 knock-down blocks in a 31-21 victory over Personal: Toniuolevaiavea Satele “Toniu” Fonoti was born on Nov. KSU. The 25 pancakes rank second on the NU single-game chart-only 26, 1981, in American Samoa to Fonoti Satele-Fonoti and Emaline Fonoti. behind his school-record 32 pancakes against Texas Tech–and marked the He is one of three Huskers who call Hawaii home, along with second time this season he topped the previous school record of 23 Tony Tata and defensive tackle Junior Tagoa’i. Fonoti majors in pancakes. Fonoti helped NU to 239 rushing yards and 276 total-offense communication studies and is a member of the 2001 Unity Council. He yards. Colorado: Fonoti picked up a team-leading 19 pancakes, while also has volunteered at the Village Manor Nursing Home.

NEBRASKA’S 33RD CONSECUTIVE NINE-WIN SEASON 2001 NEBRASKA BOWL MEDIA GUIDE 617