Wednesday, December 3, 2008

GATOR BOWL BOUND- CLEMSON vs. NEBRASKA




NEBRASKA'S RECORD Nebraska is 8-4 this season and like the Tigers, come in riding a three game winning streak. The Cornhuskers' four losses came against very tough opponents: #8 Texas Tech in OT, #4 Oklahoma, ACC Coastal division winner Virginia Tech and #19 Missouri. The wins came against Western Michigan, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado.


NEBRASKA'S OFFENSE During the current three game winning streak, the Cornhuskers have scored 141 points for an average of 47 points per game. Nebraska seems to have no problem scoring points even against quality opponents: They put up 31 against Texas Tech, 28 against Oklahoma and 30 against Virginia Tech. They have averaged a little more than 36 points per game over the entire season. Nebraska's QB Joe Ganz has thrown for 3332 yards, completed 69.3% of his passes and has 23 TD's and 10 INT's. The Huskers' top two rushers are Roy Helu and Marlon Lucky, who have combined for 1321 yards and have 7 TD's each. Lucky has suffered from turf toe of late but is expected to play. The top receiver is 6'2 Nate Swift with 60 catches for 909 yards and 9 TD's, including 4 games in which he had 100+ yards. Swift is also the career receptions record holder at Nebraska. Todd Peterson is a 6'4 WR with 58 receptions for 690 yards and 3 TD's. Peterson's stats seem to indicate that he plays best in the "big" games. TE Mike McNeill has scored 6 TD's, one shy of the Nebraska school record. Kicker Alex Henery is solid at 14 out of 17 FG's and booted a record setting 57 yarder in the last game.


NEBRASKA'S DEFENSE The good news for Clemson is that Nebraska's defense is nearly giving up the same number of points as the offense is scoring, to the tune of almost 30 points per game. The Cornhuskers' defense is led by nose tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is the top tackler with 68. Suh also has 15 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 INT's both of which he returned for TD's and a forced fumble. 6'7, 280 lb. DE Zach Potter is also a key defensive player whose stats with the exception of tackles almost mirror Suh's: 43 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 INT's and a forced fumble. DE Pierre Allen's stats are impressive as well: 50 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and a forced fumble. The Cornhuskers have 30 total sacks on the year and forced 15 turnovers.
MORE ON THE GATOR BOWL MATCHUP COMING SOON

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