2006 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill Callahan
and played their home games at Memorial Stadium
in Lincoln, Nebraska
.
and defensive back Daniel Bullocks
, they did retain offensive lynchpin Zac Taylor
(QB) and talented kicker Jordon Congdon. The team also hoped to play I-back Marlon Lucky
(who excelled on kick returns as a freshman) as their starting running back. Terrence Nunn
, the top kick-returner in the Big 12 last season, also returned and was intended to be the Huskers' featured receiver.
On defense, the Blackshirts include DE Adam Carriker
, among others. The Ruud name returned to Lincoln, with Bo Ruud
playing weakside linebacker.
, Notre Dame
, Texas
, and now Nebraska.
ranked 16 in both human polls and 19 in the computer rankings, for a total BCS ranking of 17th. Coming into the game, Texas was the third winningest program in college football, with 800 wins. Nebraska was fourth, having won their 800th game the previous weekend vs Kansas State. Only four teams have won 800 or more games: Michigan
, Notre Dame
, Texas
, and now Nebraska. The game marked the first time for Texas to face a 800-win program since Texas broke through the 800 win barrier. The 2006 football season also marked the first time for four 800-win programs to face off against each other, with Notre Dame and Michigan having played each other earlier in the season.
In terms of winning percentage, Texas ranked third at 71.52% while Nebraska ranked seventh at 70.57%. The Cornhuskers claimed five national championships on top of Texas' four. The environment at Lincoln has been considered one of the most hostile for an opposing team, due in part to the noise of the crowd.
Austin American-Statesman
columnist Kirk Bohls predicted that Nebraska might pull off an upset against the Longhorns. Among the reasons he gave were that "Texas isn't a great running team (only a good one).." that "Texas' pass defense is very suspect..." and that Longhorn kicker Greg Johnson had only kicked one field goal all year. Bohls also speculated that Nebraska might have more motivation because "Texas has had Nebraska's number for a while,... [Texas] knocked off the Huskers in the inaugural Big 12 football championship game at St. Louis to deprive Nebraska of a shot at another national title in 1996." In 1998, freshman quarterback Major Applewhite
led the Longhorns to a victory over the seventh ranked Cornhuskers, snapping their 47-home game winning streak. they also ended the Cornhuskers new streak at 26 in 2002. Coming into the 2006 game, Texas was the only team in the Big Twelve Conference with a winning record vs. Nebraska, with a 6-4 lead. Texas leads the series 5-1 since the formation of the Big Twelve, and they are 4-1 against Nebraska since Mack Brown came to Texas.
Prior to the game, the betting line in Las Vegas casinos was Texas by 5½ points. The game set a new stadium attendance record crowd of 85,187, the 280th consecutive sell-out at Nebraska. The game featured 36-degree temperatures, winds out of the north at 20 miles per hour, rain, and snow flurries
Texas got the ball to start the game and Quan Cosby
returned the kick-off to within the Nebraska 10 yard line. The Longhorns were unable to score a touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. Nebraska scored a first quarter touchdown. Texas scored 14 points in the second quarter, but kicker Greg Johsnon had one of the two extra points blocked, so the score at half-time had Texas ahead 16 to 7. Johnson also missed 2 field goals during the game. Neither team scored in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Nebraska took a 20-19 lead with 4 minutes 54 seconds left in the game. After Texas was forced to punt, Nebraska only had to run out the clock to ensure victory. Nebraska ran a passing play on third down and NU receiver Terrence Nunn
was able to pick up the first down but fumbled the ball. The fumble was recovered by Texas safety Marcus Griffin
at the Nebraska 44 yard-line with 2:17 left. Colt McCoy led the Longhorns through the snow flurries to the Nebraska 5. With less than a minute remaining, and the Horns facing fourth down, Texas needed a field-goal to win.
Johnson had already missed three kicks (2 field goals and an extra point) and he told Coach Brown late in the game that his leg was tightening up. Brown looked to walk-on Sophomore Ryan Bailey to give the Longhorns the win. Bailey had made only 10 kicks as a high-school kicker from Anderson High School in Austin, Texas and he had never attempted a kick for the Longhorns. The trip at Nebraska was only the second time he had ever been included in the travel roster, which is limited to 64 players. Before the kick, Brown told him "You're the luckiest guy in the world. You've got a chance to be Dusty Mangum
on your first kick." Mangum had scored the game winning field goal as time expired to lift the Longhorns to victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the 2005 Rose Bowl.
Before Bailey could attempt the kick, Nebraska coach attempted to ice the kicker by using his coach's challenge to have the officials review the preceding third down play. The play was reviewed and allowed to stand as an incomplete pass, as called on the field. Brown gave Bailey a swat on the helmet and Bailey jogged onto the field and calmly made the kick. Nebraska had time for two shots at the end-zone but both passes were broken up, and Texas won the game by 2 points, 22-20.
The win was Texas' 16th straight road game victory, extending a school record, and 19th consecutive win in conference play. The latter streak is the second longest in the country, following the conference game winning-steak of USC. The game was the first time for Colt McCoy to lead the Longhorns to a come-from-behind victory in the fourth quarter.
The Longhorns had several injuries during the game. Defensive starters Derek Lokey and Robert Killebrew both had to leave the game due to leg injuries. Cornerback Tarell Brown was seen limping badly after the game and kicker/punter Greg Johnson aggravated a previous injury on his fourth-quarter field goal.
Former Longhorn quarterback Vince Young
was on the sidelines for the first time since going to the NFL and he went to the Longhorn locker-room afterwards to congratulate the team on the win. Representatives from the Fiesta Bowl
, the game that normally takes the Big 12 Conference champion, were also on hand.
There has been media speculation that Nebraska and Texas will win their respective conference divisions to play again in the Big 12 Conference Championship. This possibility was echoed in post-game interviews as both teams voiced respect for the other. Texas coach Mack Brown
said, "Nebraska is back, For them to keep coming back and back and back — they made big plays throughout the game to put themselves in a position to win." He continued, "As soon as they back away from it, they'll see that their program is back on track, one of the best in the country. And they'll be excited about a chance to go play somebody in (the Big 12 championship game). Hopefully, if we can keep playing, it might be us." Nebraska cornerback Cortney Grixby said of Texas, "They kept their composure. That's the mark of a champion. And that's what they are."
. Played every Thanksgiving weekend for 71 years (from 1927 to 1998), this contest produced many memorable games; including the Game of the Century in 1971. The rivalry has cooled somewhat since the creation of the Big 12 as Bill Callahan
's Nebraska Cornhuskers and Stoops's Oklahoma Sooners now split a home-and-home two of every four years.
This is only the fourth time that the teams have met at a neutral site. The last time was the 1979 Orange Bowl where the Sooners won 31-24. Oklahoma holds the lead in the all-time series 42 to 37 with 3 ties and has never lost to Nebraska on neutral turf (one 7-7 tie in 1919 in Omaha
). Bob Stoops is 3-1 against Nebraska and has a two game winning streak; Callahan has never beaten Oklahoma.
This is the first time the two teams have met in the Big 12 Championship Game to determine the Big 12 Conference champion. Nebraska played in the championship game three of the first four years, winning in 1997 and '99, but had not made it back since. Oklahoma missed the first four games but represented the south four of the next six years, topping the conference in 2000, '02, and '04. Oklahoma has both the most appearances in the championship game (5) and conference titles (3) of any team in the Big 12.
Nebraska received the ball to start the game but Maurice Purify
fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Oklahoma recovered the ball at the Nebraska 2 and scored a touchdown to take the lead 7-0 with 48 seconds expired off the clock. It was the fastest score in Big 12 Championship Game history. With 5:35 left in the first quarter, Oklahoma executed a touchdown pass to Malcolm Kelly
to go up 14-0.
With 4:37 left in the first half, Nebraska's Zac Taylor threw a touchdown pass and the extra point shaved Oklahoma's lead to 14-7, which was still the score as the game went to half-time.
At the start of the half, Oklahoma started with the ball but were unable to advance, as Nebraska recorded their first quarterback sack
of the game and caused Oklahoma to go three-and-out and punt
. Later in the third quarter, Oklahoma used 11 plays, 3 minutes and 21 seconds, to go 99 yards and score a touchdown with 1:25 left in the third quarter.
With 8:53 left in the game, Nebraska threw what was almost a touchdown pass, but Nick Harris made a diving catch to intercept the ball in the end-zone for a touchback
. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, so Oklahoma won the game 21-7. It was their fourth Big 12 Conference football championship, which is the most for any team in the conference (Nebraska and Texas each have two).
. Since they lost, they went to the Cotton Bowl Classic; the Big 12 Conference announced before the Championship Game that the loser would receive a Cotton Bowl Classic invitation. The Cotton Bowl Classic was played on New Year's Day
.
in 2003 for what Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson perceived as a failure to recruit top players, Nebraska hired Callahan, who promptly introduced the West Coast offense
, a marked shift from Nebraska's traditional I-formation option
attack. The offense took time to register with the players as the Huskers struggled to adapt, posting a 5-6 season in 2004, Nebraska's first losing season in over 40 years. However, in 2005 the Huskers started fast, going 4-0 to start the season before being defeated at home by Texas Tech
34-31. After a rebound win over a weak squad, the next few games were some that Huskers fans would want to forget: a 41-24 loss away to Missouri
, a home loss to Oklahoma
, and a crushing road defeat at Kansas
, which had not defeated Nebraska since 1968. However, the season ended on a higher note, as the Huskers dominated the Colorado
30-3 in Boulder.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill Callahan
Bill Callahan (football coach)
William E. Callahan is the Assistant Head Coach for the New York Jets. He was formerly the head coach of the Oakland Raiders for the 2002-2003 seasons and for the University of Nebraska for the 2004-2007 seasons....
and played their home games at Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, Lincoln
Memorial Stadium is located on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. It is the home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team....
in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
.
Before the season
While the Huskers lost talented running back Cory RossCory Ross
Cory Ross is an American football running back for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:Ross attended Thomas Jefferson High School. While in high...
and defensive back Daniel Bullocks
Daniel Bullocks
Daniel Bullocks is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
, they did retain offensive lynchpin Zac Taylor
Zac Taylor
Zac Taylor in an American football quarterback. From 2005 to 2006, he was the starting quarterback for Cornhuskers football team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He was recruited late in the 2004-2005 off-season by the Huskers, being a described "lucky break" due to the Huskers lack of...
(QB) and talented kicker Jordon Congdon. The team also hoped to play I-back Marlon Lucky
Marlon Lucky
Marlon Lucky is an American football running back for the Omaha Beef of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:...
(who excelled on kick returns as a freshman) as their starting running back. Terrence Nunn
Terrence Nunn
Terrence Nunn is an American football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as a street free agent in 2009...
, the top kick-returner in the Big 12 last season, also returned and was intended to be the Huskers' featured receiver.
On defense, the Blackshirts include DE Adam Carriker
Adam Carriker
Adam Eugene Carriker, , is a professional American football defensive end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:Carriker attended Kennewick High...
, among others. The Ruud name returned to Lincoln, with Bo Ruud
Bo Ruud
Bo Ruud is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
playing weakside linebacker.
Schedule
Roster and coaching staff
Louisiana Tech
Nicholls State
USC
Troy
Kansas
Iowa State
Kansas State
Nebraska won their 800th football game with a win over Kansas State on 14 October 2006. Only four teams have won 800 or more games: MichiganMichigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, Texas
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
, and now Nebraska.
Texas
The Cornhuskers entered the game against the 2006 Texas Longhorn football team2006 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2006 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head football coach was Mack Brown, who received the 2006 Paul "Bear" Bryant Award for "Coach of the Year". The Longhorns play their home games in...
ranked 16 in both human polls and 19 in the computer rankings, for a total BCS ranking of 17th. Coming into the game, Texas was the third winningest program in college football, with 800 wins. Nebraska was fourth, having won their 800th game the previous weekend vs Kansas State. Only four teams have won 800 or more games: Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, Texas
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
, and now Nebraska. The game marked the first time for Texas to face a 800-win program since Texas broke through the 800 win barrier. The 2006 football season also marked the first time for four 800-win programs to face off against each other, with Notre Dame and Michigan having played each other earlier in the season.
In terms of winning percentage, Texas ranked third at 71.52% while Nebraska ranked seventh at 70.57%. The Cornhuskers claimed five national championships on top of Texas' four. The environment at Lincoln has been considered one of the most hostile for an opposing team, due in part to the noise of the crowd.
Austin American-Statesman
Austin American-Statesman
The Austin American-Statesman is the major daily newspaper for Austin, the capital city of Texas. It is an award-winning publication owned by Cox Enterprises. The Newspaper places focus on issues affecting Austin and the Central Texas region....
columnist Kirk Bohls predicted that Nebraska might pull off an upset against the Longhorns. Among the reasons he gave were that "Texas isn't a great running team (only a good one).." that "Texas' pass defense is very suspect..." and that Longhorn kicker Greg Johnson had only kicked one field goal all year. Bohls also speculated that Nebraska might have more motivation because "Texas has had Nebraska's number for a while,... [Texas] knocked off the Huskers in the inaugural Big 12 football championship game at St. Louis to deprive Nebraska of a shot at another national title in 1996." In 1998, freshman quarterback Major Applewhite
Major Applewhite
Major Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007...
led the Longhorns to a victory over the seventh ranked Cornhuskers, snapping their 47-home game winning streak. they also ended the Cornhuskers new streak at 26 in 2002. Coming into the 2006 game, Texas was the only team in the Big Twelve Conference with a winning record vs. Nebraska, with a 6-4 lead. Texas leads the series 5-1 since the formation of the Big Twelve, and they are 4-1 against Nebraska since Mack Brown came to Texas.
Prior to the game, the betting line in Las Vegas casinos was Texas by 5½ points. The game set a new stadium attendance record crowd of 85,187, the 280th consecutive sell-out at Nebraska. The game featured 36-degree temperatures, winds out of the north at 20 miles per hour, rain, and snow flurries
Texas got the ball to start the game and Quan Cosby
Quan Cosby
Quantwan Cosby better known as Quan Cosby is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns...
returned the kick-off to within the Nebraska 10 yard line. The Longhorns were unable to score a touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. Nebraska scored a first quarter touchdown. Texas scored 14 points in the second quarter, but kicker Greg Johsnon had one of the two extra points blocked, so the score at half-time had Texas ahead 16 to 7. Johnson also missed 2 field goals during the game. Neither team scored in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Nebraska took a 20-19 lead with 4 minutes 54 seconds left in the game. After Texas was forced to punt, Nebraska only had to run out the clock to ensure victory. Nebraska ran a passing play on third down and NU receiver Terrence Nunn
Terrence Nunn
Terrence Nunn is an American football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as a street free agent in 2009...
was able to pick up the first down but fumbled the ball. The fumble was recovered by Texas safety Marcus Griffin
Marcus Griffin
Marcus Kevin Griffin was born on January 4, 1985 in Austin, Texas. Griffin entered the 2008 NFL Draft, however he went unselected. Griffin was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings on April 28, 2008. Griffin was subsequently waived on June 30, 2008...
at the Nebraska 44 yard-line with 2:17 left. Colt McCoy led the Longhorns through the snow flurries to the Nebraska 5. With less than a minute remaining, and the Horns facing fourth down, Texas needed a field-goal to win.
Johnson had already missed three kicks (2 field goals and an extra point) and he told Coach Brown late in the game that his leg was tightening up. Brown looked to walk-on Sophomore Ryan Bailey to give the Longhorns the win. Bailey had made only 10 kicks as a high-school kicker from Anderson High School in Austin, Texas and he had never attempted a kick for the Longhorns. The trip at Nebraska was only the second time he had ever been included in the travel roster, which is limited to 64 players. Before the kick, Brown told him "You're the luckiest guy in the world. You've got a chance to be Dusty Mangum
Dusty Mangum
Dustin Ross Mangum is a former placekicker for the University of Texas at Austin's college football team from 2001 to 2004. Mangum, who began his college football career as a walk-on, is best known for capping UT's 2004-2005 season with a 37-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in the...
on your first kick." Mangum had scored the game winning field goal as time expired to lift the Longhorns to victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the 2005 Rose Bowl.
Before Bailey could attempt the kick, Nebraska coach attempted to ice the kicker by using his coach's challenge to have the officials review the preceding third down play. The play was reviewed and allowed to stand as an incomplete pass, as called on the field. Brown gave Bailey a swat on the helmet and Bailey jogged onto the field and calmly made the kick. Nebraska had time for two shots at the end-zone but both passes were broken up, and Texas won the game by 2 points, 22-20.
The win was Texas' 16th straight road game victory, extending a school record, and 19th consecutive win in conference play. The latter streak is the second longest in the country, following the conference game winning-steak of USC. The game was the first time for Colt McCoy to lead the Longhorns to a come-from-behind victory in the fourth quarter.
The Longhorns had several injuries during the game. Defensive starters Derek Lokey and Robert Killebrew both had to leave the game due to leg injuries. Cornerback Tarell Brown was seen limping badly after the game and kicker/punter Greg Johnson aggravated a previous injury on his fourth-quarter field goal.
Former Longhorn quarterback Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
was on the sidelines for the first time since going to the NFL and he went to the Longhorn locker-room afterwards to congratulate the team on the win. Representatives from the Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
, the game that normally takes the Big 12 Conference champion, were also on hand.
There has been media speculation that Nebraska and Texas will win their respective conference divisions to play again in the Big 12 Conference Championship. This possibility was echoed in post-game interviews as both teams voiced respect for the other. Texas coach Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
said, "Nebraska is back, For them to keep coming back and back and back — they made big plays throughout the game to put themselves in a position to win." He continued, "As soon as they back away from it, they'll see that their program is back on track, one of the best in the country. And they'll be excited about a chance to go play somebody in (the Big 12 championship game). Hopefully, if we can keep playing, it might be us." Nebraska cornerback Cortney Grixby said of Texas, "They kept their composure. That's the mark of a champion. And that's what they are."
Oklahoma State
Missouri
Texas A&M
Colorado
Oklahoma
Called "The Battle of the Big Reds", the rivalry between the University of Oklahoma and Nebraska University was one of the most heated contests of the old Big Eight ConferenceBig Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
. Played every Thanksgiving weekend for 71 years (from 1927 to 1998), this contest produced many memorable games; including the Game of the Century in 1971. The rivalry has cooled somewhat since the creation of the Big 12 as Bill Callahan
Bill Callahan (football coach)
William E. Callahan is the Assistant Head Coach for the New York Jets. He was formerly the head coach of the Oakland Raiders for the 2002-2003 seasons and for the University of Nebraska for the 2004-2007 seasons....
's Nebraska Cornhuskers and Stoops's Oklahoma Sooners now split a home-and-home two of every four years.
This is only the fourth time that the teams have met at a neutral site. The last time was the 1979 Orange Bowl where the Sooners won 31-24. Oklahoma holds the lead in the all-time series 42 to 37 with 3 ties and has never lost to Nebraska on neutral turf (one 7-7 tie in 1919 in Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
). Bob Stoops is 3-1 against Nebraska and has a two game winning streak; Callahan has never beaten Oklahoma.
This is the first time the two teams have met in the Big 12 Championship Game to determine the Big 12 Conference champion. Nebraska played in the championship game three of the first four years, winning in 1997 and '99, but had not made it back since. Oklahoma missed the first four games but represented the south four of the next six years, topping the conference in 2000, '02, and '04. Oklahoma has both the most appearances in the championship game (5) and conference titles (3) of any team in the Big 12.
Nebraska received the ball to start the game but Maurice Purify
Maurice Purify
Maurice Purify is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Oklahoma recovered the ball at the Nebraska 2 and scored a touchdown to take the lead 7-0 with 48 seconds expired off the clock. It was the fastest score in Big 12 Championship Game history. With 5:35 left in the first quarter, Oklahoma executed a touchdown pass to Malcolm Kelly
Malcolm Kelly
Malcolm Kelly is a professional American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He played college football at The University of Oklahoma.-Early years:Kelly attended Longview High School in...
to go up 14-0.
With 4:37 left in the first half, Nebraska's Zac Taylor threw a touchdown pass and the extra point shaved Oklahoma's lead to 14-7, which was still the score as the game went to half-time.
At the start of the half, Oklahoma started with the ball but were unable to advance, as Nebraska recorded their first quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
of the game and caused Oklahoma to go three-and-out and punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
. Later in the third quarter, Oklahoma used 11 plays, 3 minutes and 21 seconds, to go 99 yards and score a touchdown with 1:25 left in the third quarter.
With 8:53 left in the game, Nebraska threw what was almost a touchdown pass, but Nick Harris made a diving catch to intercept the ball in the end-zone for a touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, so Oklahoma won the game 21-7. It was their fourth Big 12 Conference football championship, which is the most for any team in the conference (Nebraska and Texas each have two).
Auburn (Cotton Bowl Classic)
If Nebraska had won the Big 12 Conference Championship Game, they would have gone to the Fiesta BowlFiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
. Since they lost, they went to the Cotton Bowl Classic; the Big 12 Conference announced before the Championship Game that the loser would receive a Cotton Bowl Classic invitation. The Cotton Bowl Classic was played on New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
.
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 20 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 20 | NR | NR | 24 | 23 | 19 | 22 | NR |
| Coaches | 22 | 21 | 19 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 20 | NR | 25 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 22 | NR |
| Harris | Not released | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 20 | NR | 25 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | N/A | |||
| BCS | Not released | 17 | 22 | NR | NR | 23 | 22 | 20 | 23 | N/A | ||||||
After the season
After the acrimonious firing of Frank SolichFrank Solich
Frank Solich is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Ohio University, a position he has held since the 2005 season...
in 2003 for what Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson perceived as a failure to recruit top players, Nebraska hired Callahan, who promptly introduced the West Coast offense
West Coast offense
In American football, "West Coast Offense" refers to two similar but distinct offensive-strategic-systems of play: the "Air Coryell" system; or more commonly the pass play system popularized by Bill Walsh...
, a marked shift from Nebraska's traditional I-formation option
Option offense
The option offense is a generic term that is used to describe a wide variety of offensive systems in American football. Option offenses are characterized as such due to the predominance of option running plays employed in these schemes. Option offenses have traditionally relied heavily upon running...
attack. The offense took time to register with the players as the Huskers struggled to adapt, posting a 5-6 season in 2004, Nebraska's first losing season in over 40 years. However, in 2005 the Huskers started fast, going 4-0 to start the season before being defeated at home by Texas Tech
2006 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
The 2006 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the college football season of 2006–2007. The team was coached by Mike Leach. The Red Raiders played their home games at Jones SBC Stadium in Lubbock, Texas....
34-31. After a rebound win over a weak squad, the next few games were some that Huskers fans would want to forget: a 41-24 loss away to Missouri
2006 Missouri Tigers football team
The 2006 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season.-Schedule:...
, a home loss to Oklahoma
2006 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 2006 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 2006-2007, winning the Big 12 Conference Championship...
, and a crushing road defeat at Kansas
2006 Kansas Jayhawks football team
The 2006 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season.-Schedule:...
, which had not defeated Nebraska since 1968. However, the season ended on a higher note, as the Huskers dominated the Colorado
2006 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 2006 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The previous year's team won the Big 12 North Conference. That marked the fourth Big 12 North championship for the Buffs in the past 5 years. The team has...
30-3 in Boulder.
Awards
| Award | Name(s) |
|---|---|
| Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year | Zac Taylor Zac Taylor Zac Taylor in an American football quarterback. From 2005 to 2006, he was the starting quarterback for Cornhuskers football team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He was recruited late in the 2004-2005 off-season by the Huskers, being a described "lucky break" due to the Huskers lack of... |
| Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year | Adam Carriker Adam Carriker Adam Eugene Carriker, , is a professional American football defensive end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:Carriker attended Kennewick High... |
| All-Big 12 1st team | Zac Taylor, Adam Carriker, Dane Todd, Bo Ruud Bo Ruud Bo Ruud is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.... , Brandon Jackson |
| All-Big 12 2nd team | Maurice Purify Maurice Purify Maurice Purify is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008... , Jay Moore Jay Moore -San Francisco 49ers:On September 1, 2007, Moore was placed on the San Francisco 49ers' injured reserve list after suffering a severe high-ankle sprain in the final game of the pre-season.... , Matt Slauson Matt Slauson -2009:The New York Jets selected Slauson with their sixth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan previously coached Slauson at Nebraska who was considered versatile, athletic and durable. Slauson was signed to a four year deal by the team in May... , Marlon Lucky Marlon Lucky Marlon Lucky is an American football running back for the Omaha Beef of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:... |
| All-Big 12 honorable mention | Stewart Bradley Stewart Bradley Stewart Bradley is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... , Brett Byford, Cortney Grixby Cortney Grixby Cortney Grixby is an Indoor Football League cornerback who is currently playing for the Omaha Beef of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Nebraska.Grixby has also been a member of the St. Louis Rams... , Corey McKeon, Andrew Shanle, Kurt Mann, Greg Austin, Tierre Green |
| All-Big 12 Freshman 1st team | Ndamukong Suh Ndamukong Suh Ndamukong Suh is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions 2nd overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.... |
NFL and Pro Players
The following Nebraska players who participated in the 2006 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Zackary Bowman Zackary Bowman Zackary Bowman is an American football cornerback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Stewart Bradley Stewart Bradley Stewart Bradley is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Adam Carriker Adam Carriker Adam Eugene Carriker, , is a professional American football defensive end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:Carriker attended Kennewick High... |
St. Louis Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
| Joe Ganz | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
| Cody Glenn Cody Glenn Cody Glenn is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.... |
Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
| Cortney Grixby Cortney Grixby Cortney Grixby is an Indoor Football League cornerback who is currently playing for the Omaha Beef of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Nebraska.Grixby has also been a member of the St. Louis Rams... |
Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... |
| Brandon Jackson | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
| D.J. Jones | Omaha Nighthawks Omaha Nighthawks The Omaha Nighthawks are a professional American football team based in Omaha, Nebraska, which plays in the United Football League, joining the league as an expansion team in 2010. For their first season, the Nighthawks played their home games at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to TD... |
| Marlon Lucky Marlon Lucky Marlon Lucky is an American football running back for the Omaha Beef of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:... |
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... |
| Jay Moore Jay Moore -San Francisco 49ers:On September 1, 2007, Moore was placed on the San Francisco 49ers' injured reserve list after suffering a severe high-ankle sprain in the final game of the pre-season.... |
San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
| Lydon Murtha Lydon Murtha Lydon J. Murtha is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
| Carl Nicks Carl Nicks (American football) Carl Nicks, Jr. is an offensive guard for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
| Terrence Nunn Terrence Nunn Terrence Nunn is an American football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as a street free agent in 2009... |
New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
| Steve Octavien Steve Octavien Steven Octavien is an American football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Nebraska.... |
Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
| Chris Patrick Chris Patrick Chris Patrick is an American football offensive tackle for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007... |
New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Todd Peterson | Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Zach Potter Zach Potter Zach Potter is an American football tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009... |
New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Andy Poulosky | Sioux City Bandits Sioux City Bandits The Sioux City Bandits are a professional indoor football team, currently a member of the American Professional Football League. They play their home games at the Tyson Events Center.... |
| Maurice Purify Maurice Purify Maurice Purify is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008... |
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... |
| Bo Ruud Bo Ruud Bo Ruud is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.... |
New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
| Andrew Shanle Andrew Shanle Andrew Shanle is an American football cornerback and safety currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Nebraska.... |
Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Matt Slauson Matt Slauson -2009:The New York Jets selected Slauson with their sixth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan previously coached Slauson at Nebraska who was considered versatile, athletic and durable. Slauson was signed to a four year deal by the team in May... |
New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Mike Smith | Omaha Nighthawks Omaha Nighthawks The Omaha Nighthawks are a professional American football team based in Omaha, Nebraska, which plays in the United Football League, joining the league as an expansion team in 2010. For their first season, the Nighthawks played their home games at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to TD... |
| Ty Steinkuhler | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Nate Swift Nate Swift Nate Swift is an American football player who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nate was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota, on August 24, 1985. He played wide receiver for the University of Nebraska, where he set a school record for career receptions and finished second in season receiving yardage ,... |
Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Zac Taylor Zac Taylor Zac Taylor in an American football quarterback. From 2005 to 2006, he was the starting quarterback for Cornhuskers football team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He was recruited late in the 2004-2005 off-season by the Huskers, being a described "lucky break" due to the Huskers lack of... |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
| Keith Williams Keith Williams (offensive lineman) Keith Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. He was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:... |
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
| Kenny Wilson | Sioux City Bandits Sioux City Bandits The Sioux City Bandits are a professional indoor football team, currently a member of the American Professional Football League. They play their home games at the Tyson Events Center.... |