NU Set to Open Second Season of Callahan Era By Jerry Trickie, NU Media Relations The Nebraska football team opens the 116th season of its storied history tonight when it takes on Division I-AA Maine in both team’s season opener. The contest will be the first meeting between the teams, and the first of five straight home contests for the Huskers to open the year. Nebraska will see its NCAA record sellout streak extend to 269 games tonight when the Huskers take the field. The last time Nebraska failed to play in front of a capacity crowd at home came against Kansas State in 1962. Tonight’s crowd will easily be the biggest a Maine squad has ever seen. The largest crowd the Black Bears have ever competed before was 43,486 last season when it pulled an upset of Mississippi State, 9-7, in Starkville. One of the winningest programs in college football history, the Huskers look to rebound from last season’s 5-6 campaign. Nebraska is hungry to pick up its 42nd winning season in the past 44 years. Tonight’s contest will also open the second season of the Bill Callahan era. Just three years removed from guiding the Oakland Raiders to an appearance in the Super Bowl, Callahan will try to help Nebraska return to a bowl game for the 36th time in 37 seasons. With a year in the West Coast Offense under its belt, Nebraska looks to break out this season and fight for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. Nebraska returns six starters on offense, including senior I-back Cory Ross who rushed for A preseason all-conference pick, Cory Ross looks to run into elite company when he more than 1,100 yards last year. reaches the 2,000-yard plateau. Ross needs 139 rushing yards to reach the mark. The Blackshirt defense also returns five starters and will look for marked improvement over last season’s performance. NU to pace the Huskers and will set his sights on becoming only the lost three starters from its secondary, including two taken in the eighth player in Nebraska history to rush for at least 1,000 yards first two rounds of the NFL Draft, but boasts one of the deepest twice in a career. The last Husker to top the century mark twice defensive line units in the nation. was Ahman Green in 1995 (1,086 yards) and 1997 (1,877). Nebraska will be looking for its 20th consecutive win in a Nebraska plans to utilize Ross, who owns 1,861 career rushing season opener. The Huskers last lost the first game of the yards to rank 26th all-time at NU, all around the field, as he also season in 1985, when Florida State took a 17-13 victory in provided a boost in the passing game last season. The 5-6, 195- Memorial Stadium. pounder recorded 21 receptions for 262 yards to rank third on the team in each category. Ross Leads Capable Stable of Backs Ross will not be alone in competing for time in the Huskers’ A preseason first-team All-Big 12 performer, I-back Cory Ross backfield, as the I-back position is likely the deepest offensive hopes to guide the Huskers back into the postseason while running position for Nebraska. Joining Ross in the rotation this season into the Nebraska record books. could be sophomore Brandon Jackson, along with talented The Denver, Colo., native rushed for 1,102 yards last season freshmen Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn. 2005 Nebraska Schedule Tonight’s Band Performance 2005 Maine Schedule Date Opponent (TV) Time/Result# Pregame: Date Opponent Time/Result# Percussion Solo Sept. 3 Maine 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at Nebraska 6 p.m. Nebraska fanfares/Dear Old Nebraska U Sept. 10 Wake Forest (TBS) 6 p.m. Visitor’s Fight Song Sept. 10 William Penn 5 p.m. Sept. 17 Pittsburgh (ABC) 2:30 p.m. The Star Spangled Banner Sept. 17 Richmond 5 p.m. Mister Touchdown USA/The University of Nebraska March Oct. 1 Iowa State TBA Oct. 1 Albany 5 p.m. March Grandioso Oct. 8 Texas Tech TBA March of the Cornhuskers Oct. 8 at James Madison 12:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Baylor TBA Hail Varsity Oct. 15 at Hofstra 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Missouri TBA Halftime: Oct. 22 Massachusetts 1 p.m. Oct. 29 Oklahoma TBA Our Favorite Things: Music of Richard Rogers Oct. 29 Delaware 11 a.m. Nov. 5 at Kansas TBA My Favorite Things Fanfare Nov. 5 at Northeastern 11:30 a.m. Johnny One Note Nov. 12 Kansas State TBA Slaughter on 10th Avenue Nov. 12 Rhode Island 1 p.m. Nov. 25 at Colorado (ABC) 2:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at New Hampshire 11 a.m. #for complete opponent results, see page 92. For more information on the marching band, see page 159. 2 Nebraska Football Game Day Nebraska Football Game Day 3 Jackson was slowed early in the spring is more of a pocket passer than a On the Cover preseason while returning from an injury, rushing quarterback. Today’s cover features Nebraska head coach Bill but proved last year that he is capable of Junior transfer Zac Taylor seemed to Callahan, along with Hall of Fame Inductee Aaron putting up solid numbers in the Husker be the man to beat entering preseason Graham and former Husker Jim Skow. Also pictured offense. Jackson recorded 390 rushing training camp after posting impressive are the Greatest Fans in the Country, who will help yards to rank second on the squad as a numbers in the Red/White Spring Game. Nebraska celebrate its continuing NCAA record with rookie in 2004, and played a major role in Taylor connected on 20-of-27 pass the 269th consecutive sellout of Memorial Stadium tonight against Maine. the return game as he returned 17 kickoffs attempts for 357 yards in the contest. for a team-high average of 21.1 yards Also in the mix are redshirt-freshman Joe Next Up per return, including a season team-best Ganz and true freshman Harrison Beck, The Cornhusker football team will return to action 59 yarder. along with sophomores Jordan Adams next week in the second of five straight home contests to and Beau Davis. open the season. NU will take on Wake Forest in a 6 p.m. O-Line Pulls Together contest that will be carried nationally by TBS. The game will also feature the Alumni Band at halftime. Entering last season, there were many Smith, Adams Set to Push Blackshirts questions surrounding the vaunted Husker Despite losing several key starters from In Memory Of . offensive line, but the group gelled quickly last year’s defense, the Blackshirts have The Nebraska Athletic Department would like to and produced at a higher level than regrouped and hope to lead Nebraska take a moment to remember an individual who played expected. Overall, the Huskers allowed back into the win column thanks in part a prominent role in shaping the state’s governing body just 16 sacks last year, among the lowest to one of the most talented defensive line for nearly 30 years. Jim Exon, who served two terms as in the Big 12 Conference. units in the country. governor and spent three terms in the U.S. Senate for Nebraska, passed away on June 10. He was 83. This year, Nebraska’s line returns three Leading the way will be defensive starters in tackle Seppo Evwaraye, guard tackles Le Kevin Smith and Titus Adams, Nebraska Athletic Department Calendar Brandon Koch and center Kurt Mann. both returning senior starters. Adams Here is a quick look at Husker athletic events over Add in several returning redshirts and and Smith have both lettered each of the the next couple weeks: newcomers, and the expectations will past three years, two of just six three-year Sept. 5 again be high for the Husker O-line, letterwinners returning for Nebraska this w Volleyball at Minnesota, 1 p.m. which has helped Nebraska post at least season. Sept. 6 w Soccer vs. San Diego State one 1,000-yard rusher in four of the past Smith returns after posting 11 tackles Nebraska Soccer Field, 5 p.m. five years. for loss and 43 total tackles in his second Sept. 9 season as a starter in 2004. Adams, who w Soccer vs. Colorado College Offense Looks for Guidance started 10 games last season, totaled eight Nebraska Soccer Field, 5 p.m. For the third time in four years, the tackles behind the line of scrimmage and w Volleyball vs. Pepperdine (Players Challenge) Nebraska offense will be breaking in a new ranked third on the team in quarterback NU Coliseum, 6 p.m. quarterback when the season begins. But hurries. Sept. 10 w Volleyball vs. Pacific (Players Challenge) unlike past seasons, the newcomer who On the end of the line, the Huskers return Devaney Center, 2 p.m. junior Blackshirts Adam Carriker and Jay seized the reins of the offense during the w Football vs. Wake Forest Moore, who combined for 57 Memorial Stadium, 6:30 p.m. (ABC) tackles while recording seven Sept. 11 tackles for loss and three sacks w Soccer vs. Rice apiece. Nebraska Soccer Field, Noon w Volleyball vs. Penn State (Players Challenge) Continuing A Family Tradition NU Coliseum, 3 p.m. Sept. 12 After playing alongside his w Men’s golf at Fairway Club Invitational twin brother, Josh, for the Firethorn Golf Course, TBA past three seasons, strong Sept.