Wisconsin punishes Nebraska

Wisconsin embarrasses Nebraska in Big Ten debut. 

Red vs Red Play of the Year 2011

This year's Red vs Red Play of the Year came in the record-setting comeback victory over Ohio State in Lincoln on October 8, 2011.  

In the third quarter with a 27-6 lead, Ohio States Braxton Miller was proving to be the most athletic player on the field.  Miller was exposing all the weak points of the Blackshirt defense and gaining positive yardage with every play.  Then, after rushing up the middle for a five yard gain, Miller was attacked from behind by Nebraska's Lavonte David. David stripped the ball from Miller and recovered the fumble for the Huskers.  Nebraska capitalized on the momentum David created, rallying for 28 unanswered points and a huge conference victory.  

This play probably saved the Huskers season.  If Nebraska had started the Big Ten Conference games with two loses, it would have been ugly in Lincoln.  David's play set the tone for the Blackshirt defense that didn't lose steam until the Northwestern debacle.

Keep an eye out for this year's Red vs Red Player of the Year Award.    

Red vs Red Links

The Bowl Season is Upon Us from John Brandon Grantland

Caputo set to appear from Omaha.com

Penn State's new coach Pelini?

Nebraska 8-3 in non-conference play

Nebraska basketball finished 8-3 in non-conference play, winning their last three games.  The Huskers open conference play against Wisconsin on Tuesday night.

Red vs Red Top Seniors 2011

Nebraska finished the 2011 regular season with at 9-3 over and 5-3 in the conference.  They beat some good teams in Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Iowa.  They lost to some better teams in Wisconsin and Michigan.  The one that got away was when Northwestern upset the Huskers at home.  It wasn't a bad season considering this was their first year in the Big Ten Conference and they had the 11th toughest schedule in the country.

Over the next few weeks, Red vs Red will be highlighting a few this season's best Husker players.  Starting with the senior class that sits at a 38-15 record in the last four years.  They can finish with a third straight 10 win season with a win over South Carolina in the Capitol One Bowl on January 2nd.  That's quite a few more wins than losses but never did they win more than a division title, losing in consecutive conference title games.

TOP SENIORS -  Without these guys, no one knows where the parties at.

DE Jared Crick - After being sidelined for a pectoral muscle tear against Ohio State, Crick has been on the sideline coaching, you could see him giving impassioned speeches to his teammates.  His presence was invaluable for the young Blackshirt line.

CB Alfonzo Dennard - Dennard sat out the first four games and the Huskers pass defense suffered.  When Dennard returned he brought a certain swagger that had been missing, and the defensive backfield improved.  He played the primary role in Nebraska's shut down of the conferences top two receivers in Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham and Iowa's Marvin McNutt.

LB Lavonte David - Personal accolades continue to pile up for David.  He was the best overall player on a talented Husker defense.  His tackle-strip-fumble-recover play on Braxton Miller in the Ohio State game was probably the best play of the season.  Expect David to be highly sought after at the next level for his rare awareness for the game of football.

SS Austin Cassidy - The defensive spokesman.  The prime example of the value of a walk-on program.  As a senior, Cassidy rarely missed an assignment and lead the secondary in tackles.

C Mike Caputo -  Playing in 38 games, Caputo proved himself to be one tough son of a bitch during his career.  He's another product of the walk-on program.

OL Jermarcus Hardrick - A vocal leader in the locker room, Hardrick proved his toughness on the field, playing hurt or injured in more than one game this season.  Nebraska's run game was based on following Hardrick into the second level.  He's a huge character guy.

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Lavonte David earns AFCA All-American honors

Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David was selected to the nations All-American team.  He was the only Nebraska player selected.  Five other member of the Big Ten Conference were selected: Wisconsin's OL Kevin Zeitler, C Peter Konz, RB Montee Ball, Michigan State's DT Jerel Worthy, and Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus.

David finished the year with 122 tackles, two interceptions, two fumbles caused, two fumbles recovered, 11 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.  David won the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year Award and is a finalist for the National Butkus award.

Big Ten Championship Game

The first Big Ten Championship game features a rematch of Michigan State and Wisconsin.  Wisconsin has looked good all season with a couple of unlucky breaks.  Michigan State has been red hot and should put up a good fight tonight.  Story here.

Carl Pelini to leave Nebraska for FAU

The news is Carl Pelini will be leaving NU for a head coaching job at FAU.  Interesting move for Carl.