Nebraska |
Texas |
 Nebraska Statistics
Nebraska Schedule
Nebraska Roster
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Texas Statistics
Texas Schedule
Texas Roster
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| Coaches |
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Frank Solich -- second year, 19-5 overall. His record is 11-4 in the Big 12; 0-2 vs. Texas. Solich bleeds Cornhusker red. He was a former player and a long time assistant coach, now head coach.
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Mack Brown -- 16th year, 103-80-1 overall; 18-6 at Texas; 12-4 in Big 12. He guided the Longhorns to their best record as a first-year coach since Fred Akers.
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| Advantage: Texas |
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| Playing Field |
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Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Surface: Turf. Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CST.
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| Advantage: Nebraska |
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| Last Meeting |
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Oct. 23: Texas defeated Nebraska once again, this time in Austin, 24-20. This was the Longhorns third consecutive win over the Huskers, dating back to the first ever Big XII Championship Game in 1996.
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| Advantage: Texas |
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| Last Game |
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Nebraska blew a 27-3 lead in the 4th quarter, then watched as Colorado barely missed what should have been the winning field goal no the last play of the game. NU went on to win 33-30 in overtime.
For the first three quarters, Nebraska dominated Colorado. But something happened in the final fifteen minutes. The Buffs expoled for 24 points and 293 yards. The Huskers went cold on offense in the second half, gaining only 4 first downs. Dan Alexander had a career game, rushing for 180 yards and three touchdowns. NU continued its ball handling troubles, losing five of its eight fumbles.
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The Longhorns faced their rival Aggies in College Station, losing 20-16 in an emotionally charged game. Heralded freshman QB Chris Simms started his first game, spelling Major Applewhite who was sick with a stomach virus. Simms lead Texas to a 16-6 lead, but couldn't produce any more on offense. With A&M rallying, Applewhite entered the game in the fourth quarter, but was unable to overcome the emotional Aggie defense. Kwame Cavil had 10 receptions (giving him 95 for the season) for 82 yards, while Hodges Mitchell added 102 yards on 24 carries.
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| Advantage: Even |
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| Offense |
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Still vintage Nebraska. Quarterback Eric Crouch is the key. He will run the option, use the play action pass, or rush up the middle on a quarterback draw to keep the defense guessing. Dan Alexander has come into his own this season, but needs to stop fumbling. Bobby Newcombe has not really gotten untracked this season, touching the football once in the last game. The Huskers rank No. 1 in Big 12 rushing, with 260 yards/game, and No. 4 in total offense. TE Tracey Wistrom and WR Matt Davison are Crouch's go-to receivers.
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QB Major Applewhite, RB Hodges Mitchell and WR Kwame Cavil are Texas' tripple threat. Given time and protection, Applewhite can pick apart any defense and open up the seams for Mitchell to exploit. Applewhite has 21 touchdown passes and is the No. 2 passer in the Big 12. Mitchell is ranked second in the conference, while Cavil is the dominate No. 1 (95 receptions for 1,098 yards). Texas has scored 23 touchdowns through the air and another 27 on the ground.
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| Advantage: Texas |
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| Defense |
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The Blackshirts! Led by rover Mike Brown, DB Ralph Brown, DT Steve Warren and LB Tony Ortiz, they are the No. 2 defense in the nation. This defense can score points, while keeping the opposition off the score board. They are fast, fierce and have a score to settle against the Longhorns of Texas.
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Casey Hampton (305 lbs.) and Shaun Rogers (315 lbs.): The two
D-Tackles. They are, folks, the real deal. No one-on-one blocks here.
This opens up defensive end Aaron Humphrey & linebacker Everick Rawls.
Added all up, they are a Big headache for offensive coordinators. The "D" must key in on Crouch and disrupt Nebraska's rhythm on offense. This is something for which the No. 2 defense in the Big 12 is capable.
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| Advantage: Nebraska |
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| Special Teams |
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Bobby Newcombe and Dan Hadenfeldt. Newcombe is a threat to break one open at any time, returning punts for touchdowns. This should give Nebraska great field position. Hadenfeldt has been superb punting the ball. He had 6 of 7 for over 50 yards against CU; while also pinning the Buffs inside their own 20, five times. On the defensive side, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch has made a name for himself blocking kicks.
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Kris Stockton is second in the Big 12, making 20-28 field goal attempts. Ryan Long averages 39 yards/punt.
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| Advantage: Nebraska |
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| Game Plan: |
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First for Nebraska, establish their defensive presence. Disrupt Appliewhite and the Texas offense. This means blitz, blitz, blitz. Force Texas into a one dimensional attack, then let the NU offense run up the score. Which leads to Crouch. He is the leader of the offense and he needs to lead. But, he cannot do it alone. His wide receivers must step up and the running game must be effective, which means no fumbling. Turnovers will be crucial -- Nebraska must win this battle. Throw in special teams and Nebraska will be looking for short fields and quick scores.
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Texas must first stop Crouch, cause turnovers and give Applewhite ample protection to run the Longhorn offense. If Applewhite opens up the passing lanes, Mitchell can exploit NU on the ground. Cavil must have another big day receiving. Defensively, bottle up Crouch and force Alexander to run the ball, or make Crouch pass. Texas must win the battle of the trenches and control the line of scrimage, if they are to have a chance at a fourth straight victory over the Huskers.
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| Advantage: Nebraska |
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| Outcome: |
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Can Texas (or anyone) beat Nebraska four straight times? Both teams have progressed throughout the season, but faced setbacks in their final regular season games. Nebraska must be focused, but hungry -- unsatisfied after three straight defeats by the Longhorns and the end to nurmerous records. Texas must maintain its composure and not get cocky, looking past Nebraska to a BCS bowl berth. Finally, both teams matchup well, but Nebraska edges Texas in defense and special teams. Look for Nebraska to rid this monkey from its back in a close one. Nebraska by five, a second Big 12 Championship and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.
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| RealAudio: |
Frank Solich, Nebraska coach:
Coach Solich on playing in the Big 12 Championship game and the Colorado game
Solich discusses getting his team ready for the next game
Solich remarks on quarterback Eric Crouch
Solich talks about the performance of the secondary, Craver
Solich on being named Coach of the Year
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Mack Brown, Texas Coach:
Coach Brown on playing in the Big12 Championship game and playing Nebraska
Brown discusses quarterback Major Applewhite
Brown remarks on Texas being a 2-quarterback team
Brown talks about the regular season victory over Nebraska
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