Huskers and Spartans Clash at Memorial Stadium By Matt Smith, NU Media Relations After an impressive performance in a season-opening 47-24 win over Western Michigan, the Cornhuskers take the field for the second time in 2008 today against the San Jose State Spartans. Under new Head Coach , Nebraska’s Blackshirt defense displayed glimpses of dominance while putting together a solid overall performance last Saturday night. While the defense showed signs of improving upon last year’s disappointing season, the Husker offense picked up right where it left off under the direction of senior quarterback Joe Ganz. Ganz threw for 345 yards and four scores in the win over Western Michigan, while adding 38 yards on the ground. A native of Palos Heights, Ill., Ganz has been superb since coming off the bench to make his first career start at Kansas last season. In four games since being elevated to the starting position, Ganz has thrown for 1,744 yards, an average of 436 yards per game. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his first four career starts, becoming the only Husker quarterback ever to post four 300-yard passing games in a career. More importantly, Ganz has helped lead a scoring explosion for the Husker offense. Ganz tossed four touchdown passes last Saturday and has now thrown for 19 scores Senior quarterback Joe Ganz completed 20-of-36 passes for 345 yards and four in his first four career starts. With Ganz starting under center, Nebraska has averaged touchdowns in the Huskers’ season-opening 47-24 win against Western Michigan. 52.5 points per game, scoring at least 39 points in every game. Ganz has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his first four career starts, Defensively, Nebraska was hurt by some big plays in the season-opening win, but becoming the first Husker ever to post four 300-yard passing games in a career. showed dramatic improvement in several facets of the game. The Husker defense allowed Western Michigan to rush for only eight yards while limiting the Broncos to just Quick-Strike Offense 0.3 yards per carry, a far cry from last year’s effort, which saw opponents rush for Under the continued direction of Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson and senior more than 230 yards per game and better than five yards per carry. quarterback Joe Ganz, the Husker offense solidified its place among the nation’s most The defense also produced two turnovers and allowed Western Michigan to convert potent attacks with a 47-point outburst against Western Michigan. Since Ganz took only 6-of-17 third-down conversions. Over the final seven games of the 2007 season, the reins of the Husker offense last November, NU has produced consecutive point the Huskers forced only one turnover, but against Western Michigan, Nebraska totals of 39, 73, 51 and 47 while averaging more than 52 points per game, including recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and had a second interception nullified by a 60 points per game at Memorial Stadium. penalty. The third-down defense was also a drastic contrast from last year’s effort, as The Huskers scored on eight of their first 10 possessions last week, including NU ranked 117th in third-down conversion defense a season ago. seven straight from the first to the third quarter. Of Nebraska’s nine scoring drives, The complete effort on both sides of the ball led Nebraska to its nation-leading 23rd five ended in touchdowns. The touchdown drives covered an average of more than consecutive season-opening win. Pelini, who entered this season with a 1-0 career 65 yards, but it took the Huskers an average of just 4.4 plays and only 1:38 to find record at NU following a 2003 Alamo Bowl victory as interim head coach, became the the end zone. fifth straight Nebraska head coach to win his season opener dating back to 1957. The Four of NU’s five touchdown drives took less than two minutes, including each Huskers also improved to 11-0 all-time in the month of August while winning for the of the final three TD drives, when Nebraska found the end zone in 47, 37 and 37 42nd time in their last 44 non-conference home games. seconds, respectively. It took the Huskers four plays or less to find the end zone in four of their five touchdown drives, including a two-play, 74-yard scoring sprint on their Glenn Impressive in Linebacking Debut final touchdown drive. Senior linebacker Cody Glenn recorded a tackle for a three-yard loss on Western Ganz has been the engineer behind Nebraska’s quick-strike offense, as he has Michigan’s first offensive play last Saturday and added a pass breakup two plays now directed the Husker offense to seven touchdown drives under one minute in his later to jump-start an impressive defensive debut. Making his first career start on last two games. Overall, the senior has guided his offense to 10 touchdown drives defense, the converted running back led Nebraska with 12 tackles, three tackles for under one minute in his first four career starts, while the average length of Nebraska’s loss and three pass breakups. Glenn’s three breakups were just one shy of the Husker touchdown drives over that stretch is just 2:05. linebacker record.

Cornhusker Marching Band On the Cover At Today’s Game Corporate Sponsor Percussion Solo Halftime: Featured on the cover of today’s The Scholarship The corporate sponsor for Nebraska Fanfares Sentimental Journey game program is one of the classic will be presented during today’s today’s game is Valentino’s. icons of Nebraska football: the game. Today is also Alumni Band There Is No Place Like Sentimental Journey Nebraska helmet. The Huskers switched to Day. Over the past few years, Moonlight Serenade the classic ‘N’ on the side of the between 150 and 200 former Visitor’s Opus One/Boogie Star Spangled Banner helmet in 1970, and the helmet has members have returned for Alumni Woogie Bugle Boy Mr. Touchdown USA/ remained virtually unchanged over Band Day at Memorial Stadium. Univ. of Nebraska March Medley the last 39 years. (medley) There Is No Place Like March Grandioso/ Nebraska March of the Cornhusker Big Noise from Winnetka TODAY’S CROWD MARKS THE NCAA-RECORD 291st CONSECUTIVE (medley) SELLOUT AT MEMORIAL STADIUM, DATING BACK TO 1962

 NEBRASKA GAMEDAY Kickers Remain Perfect NU Offense a Touchdown Machine 2008 Big 12 Standings Sophomore place-kicker Alex Henery tied a Memorial The Husker offense scored five touchdowns in its (complete schedules are on page 149; as of Aug. 31) North Overall Record Big 12 Record Stadium record last Saturday, as he booted four field season-opening 47-24 victory over Western Michigan Iowa State 1-0 0-0 goals in the Huskers’ 47-24 victory over Western last Saturday. Nebraska has scored five or more Kansas 1-0 0-0 Michigan. The four field goals, each of which came touchdowns in each of its last four games, while Kansas State 1-0 0-0 from 44 yards out, not only tied the Memorial Stadium scoring at least 39 points in each contest. Missouri 1-0 0-0 record, but Henery became the first kicker in school The last time Nebraska scored at least five Nebraska 1-0 0-0 history to make four 40-yard field goals in a game. touchdowns in four straight games was during the 2001 Colorado 0-0 0-0 Henery hit all four of his field goal attempts last season, when the offense was directed by Heisman Saturday and was also a perfect 5-of-5 on extra- North Overall Record Big 12 Record Trophy winner . The Huskers’ current streak Oklahoma 1-0 0-0 point tries. In his career, Henery has made all 12 of includes the only four starts of quarterback Joe Ganz’s Oklahoma State 1-0 0-0 his field-goal attempts, while connecting on 50-of-50 career. Texas 1-0 0-0 PATs. Fellow sophomore place-kicker Adi Kunalic has During the current streak, Nebraska has scored Texas Tech 1-0 0-0 enjoyed the same success rate, as he has made his a whopping 27 touchdowns, averaging nearly seven Baylor 0-1 0-0 only career field-goal and extra-point attempt. Kunalic is touchdowns per game. That marks the Huskers’ best Texas A&M 0-1 0-0 also among the nation’s best kickoff specialists, as five production since NU scored 29 touchdowns in its of his 10 kickoffs went for touchbacks last week. first four games during the 2000 Henery and Kunalic have combined to connect on season. 2008 Nebraska Schedule 51-of-51 career extra-point tries and 13-of-13 field-goal Date Opponent (TV) Time/Result Aug. 30 Western Michigan (FSN PPV) W, 47-24 attempts. Overall, Nebraska kickers have made 82 Nine Huskers Make First Career Start Sept. 6 San Jose State (FSN PPV) 11:30 a.m. consecutive kicks dating back to 2006, including 15 Nine Huskers earned their first career start last Sept. 13 New Mexico State (FSN PPV) TBA straight field goals and 67 consecutive PATs. Saturday against Western Michigan, while two true Sept. 27 Virginia Tech TBA freshmen saw the first action of their careers in the Oct. 4 Missouri* TBA Swift Moving Up NU Receiving Chart 47-24 victory. Oct. 11 at Texas Tech* TBA Wide receiver Nate Swift has been a key component Oct. 18 at Iowa State* TBA Offensively, Nebraska came out in a two tight-end Oct. 25 Baylor* TBA in the Husker passing game since 2005, and he began formation, allowing both Mike McNeill and Dreu Young Nov. 1 at Oklahoma* TBA his senior season in grand fashion last Saturday,. Swift to earn their first career starts. On the offensive line, Nov. 8 Kansas* TBA caught five passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns Mike Smith and Marcel Jones each started for the first Nov. 15 at Kansas State* TBA against Western Michigan. The impressive performance time in a Nebraska uniform. Nov. 28 Colorado* (ABC) 2:30 p.m. included a career-long 61-yard touchdown grab for the Defensively, the majority of the first-time starters *Big 12 Conference game Hutchinson, Minn., native. were in the back eight. Linebacker Cody Glenn, a Swift is arguably the Huskers’ most seasoned converted running back, earned the first start of Career Records Watch performer, having played in 39 games with 17 starts. his career at any position. In the secondary, Prince Nebraska Career Rushing Swift burst onto the scene in 2005, when he caught Amukamara, Eric Hagg and Anthony West all earned Rk. Player, Years Yards a Nebraska freshman-record 45 passes, including their first career starts at cornerback, while safety Matt 1. , 1981-83...... 4,780 seven touchdown grabs. He added 22 catches as a O’Hanlon also started for the first time in his career. 2. Ahman Green, 1995-97...... 3,880 sophomore and grabbed 36 receptions for 520 yards Two true freshmen eliminated the possibility of -- last season. redshirt seasons against the Broncos, as linebacker 10. Derek Brown, 1990-92...... 2,699 Swift enters today’s game with 108 receptions to Sean Fisher and safety Mason Wald both saw action -- rank fourth on the Nebraska career receptions list. By in the win. 20. Jarvis Redwine, 1979-80...... 2,161 season’s end, both he and Marlon Lucky (111 catches) -- could pass current NU record holder Coaches Tab Four as Game Captains 25. Joe Orduna, 1967-70...... 1,968 (143 catches) and move to the top of the Husker The 2008 season will feature new captains for each 26. , 1992-95...... 1,955 receptions list. Swift also has 14 career touchdown game with permanent captains selected at the end of 27. Marlon Lucky, 2005-present...... 1,919 receptions, leaving him three touchdowns shy of sole the season. The captains will be selected by the team. possession of second place on the NU career TD For the season opener against Western Michigan, Joe Nebraska Career Receptions catches list. Swift has caught at least one pass in 33 Ganz (offense), Matt Slauson (offense), Dan Titchener Rk. Player, Years Yards of 39 career games. (special teams) and Barry Turner (defense) were 1. Johnny Rodgers, 1970-72...... 143 selected as captains. 2. Terrence Nunn, 2004-07...... 136 3. Marlon Lucky, 2005-present...... 111 On Radio/TV Huskers.com Up Next 4. Nate Swift, 2005-present...... 108 Every remaining game during the Husker fans around the world can Today’s game marks the second 5. Matt Davison, 1997-2000...... 93 2008 season will be heard around the keep up with the latest information of five straight home games for the nation on the Husker Sports Network on their favorite team by checking Huskers. NU hosts New Mexico Nebraska Career Touchdown Receptions and Sirius Satellite radio. Fans in and the official website of Nebraska State next Saturday. That game will Rk. Player, Years Touchdowns around Memorial Stadium can get all athletics, Huskers.com. be televised on a pay-per-view basis 1. Johnny Rodgers, 1970-72...... 25 the pregame news, live game action Fans can find complete roster by Fox Sports Net. 2. Maurice Purify, 2006-07...... 16 and postgame coverage here in and biographical information on The 2008 season marks just the Lincoln on 1400 AM KLIN, along with all student-athletes and coaches, sixth time in school history and the 3. Jon Bostick, 1989-91...... 15 state affiliates 1110 AM KFAB and along with the latest statistics and first time since 2002 that Nebraska 4. Nate Swift, 2005-present...... 14 880 AM KRVN. Listen to the Husker historical content. Live in-game audio will play eight home games. Todd Millikan, 1985-88...... 14 broadcasts and hear all the latest from the Husker Sports Network and Nebraska is the only Football Bowl news and updates on the team from live game stats are available right at Subdivision team to open 2008 with the Husker Sports Network. your fingertips. five consecutive home games.

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