2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
Encyclopedia
The 2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
. The team was coached by Frank Solich
and played their home games in Memorial Stadium
in Lincoln, Nebraska
.
The events which took place at the end of the season put a strain on the system of college rankings and polls. The Cornhuskers lost their final regular season game to 36-62, leaving both tied for 1st place in the Big 12 North Division. As Colorado won the head-to-head contest, Colorado then participated in the Big 12 Championship and defeated 39-37. Despite Colorado's accomplishments, Nebraska's strength-of-schedule component in the Bowl Championship Series selection system resulted in the Cornhuskers being selected to play in the 2002 Rose Bowl
for the BCS National Championship Game
against Miami
, despite the fact that Nebraska had not played in its own conference championship game and technically had not even won its own division.
Nebraska then fell to Miami 14-37 in the Rose Bowl, but the controversy of these events led to more modifications to the BCS formula, which followed a pattern of seasonal tweaks dating back nearly to when the BCS system was implemented.
Senior Cornhusker quarterback Eric Crouch
was the 2001 recipient of the Walter Camp Award
, the Davey O'Brien Award
, and the Heisman Trophy
. Coach Solich was also selected Big 12 Football Coach of the Year.
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 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis...
. The team was coached by Frank Solich
Frank 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...
and played their home games in 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....
.
Schedule
Roster and coaching staff
TCU
Troy State
Notre Dame
Rice
Missouri
Iowa State
Baylor
Texas Tech
Oklahoma
Kansas
Kansas State
Colorado
Miami
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 | Wk 15 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Coaches | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| BCS | Not released | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | N/A | |||||||
After the season
Nebraska finished in a tie for 1st place in the Big 12 North Division and also tied for 1st conference-wide, with a final record of 11-2 (7-1).The events which took place at the end of the season put a strain on the system of college rankings and polls. The Cornhuskers lost their final regular season game to 36-62, leaving both tied for 1st place in the Big 12 North Division. As Colorado won the head-to-head contest, Colorado then participated in the Big 12 Championship and defeated 39-37. Despite Colorado's accomplishments, Nebraska's strength-of-schedule component in the Bowl Championship Series selection system resulted in the Cornhuskers being selected to play in the 2002 Rose Bowl
2002 Rose Bowl
The 2002 Rose Bowl, played on January 3, 2002, was a college football bowl game. It was the 88th Rose Bowl game and was the BCS National Championship Game of the 2001 college football season...
for the BCS National Championship Game
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
against Miami
2001 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team was the national champion of the 2001 college football season and is considered by many to be the greatest team in college football history.-Pre-season motivation:...
, despite the fact that Nebraska had not played in its own conference championship game and technically had not even won its own division.
Nebraska then fell to Miami 14-37 in the Rose Bowl, but the controversy of these events led to more modifications to the BCS formula, which followed a pattern of seasonal tweaks dating back nearly to when the BCS system was implemented.
Senior Cornhusker quarterback Eric Crouch
Eric Crouch
Eric Eugene Crouch is an American quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks. He also is a TV sports analyst and recreational equipment vendor....
was the 2001 recipient of the Walter Camp Award
Walter Camp Award
The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
, the Davey O'Brien Award
Davey O'Brien Award
The Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
, and the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
. Coach Solich was also selected Big 12 Football Coach of the Year.
Awards
| Award | Name(s) |
|---|---|
| Heisman Trophy Heisman Trophy The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial... |
Eric Crouch Eric Crouch Eric Eugene Crouch is an American quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks. He also is a TV sports analyst and recreational equipment vendor.... |
| Walter Camp Award Walter Camp Award The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;... |
Eric Crouch |
| Davey O'Brien Award Davey O'Brien Award The Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The... |
Eric Crouch |
| Sporting News Player of the Year | Eric Crouch |
| ABC/Chevrolet Player of the Year | Eric Crouch |
| Big 12 Coach of the Year | Frank Solich Frank 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... |
| All-American 1st Team | Toniu Fonoti Toniu Fonoti Toniuolevaiavea Satele "Toniu" Fonoti is a gridiron football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft... , Keyuo Craver, Eric Crouch |
| All-American 2nd Team | Chris Kelsay Chris Kelsay Christopher Kelsay is an American football outside linebacker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft and was the 6th defensive end selected in the draft. He played collegiately at... |
| All-American 3rd Team | Tracey Wistrom |
| All-Big 12 1st team | Toniu Fonoti, Eric Crouch, Keyuo Craver, Dahrran Diedrick Dahrran Diedrick Dahrran Diedrick is a Canadian football running back for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003 and drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in the third round of the 2002 CFL Draft... |
| All-Big 12 2nd team | Dave Volk, Chris Kelsay, Jamie Burrow |
| All-Big 12 3rd team | Tracey Wistrom, Jeremy Slechta, DeJuan Groce DeJuan Groce DeJuan Anthony Groce is an American football cornerback in the NFL who is a free agent. He was drafted in the 2003 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. Groce has also played for the New Orleans Saints, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Toronto Argonauts... , Kyle Larson Kyle Larson Kyle Larson is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Nebraska.-Early years:... |
NFL and Pro Players
The following Nebraska players who participated in the 2001 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Demoine Adams | Edmonton Eskimos Edmonton Eskimos The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895... |
| Titus Adams Titus Adams Titus Adams is an American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
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... |
| Ryon Bingham Ryon Bingham Ryon Jeffry Bingham was an American football defensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers. He attended Alta High School located in Sandy, Utah. Ryon Bingham graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Crimininal Justice. Bingham was released from the Chargers defensive line on Sept... |
San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Josh Brown | Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... |
| 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.... |
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... |
| Josh Bullocks Josh Bullocks Josh Bullocks is the best football player to ever walk this earth.Josh Bullocks is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.Bullocks has also been a member... |
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 .... |
| Eric Crouch Eric Crouch Eric Eugene Crouch is an American quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks. He also is a TV sports analyst and recreational equipment vendor.... |
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,... |
| Keyuo Craver | 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 .... |
| Josh Davis | 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... |
| Clint Finley | 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... |
| Toniu Fonoti Toniu Fonoti Toniuolevaiavea Satele "Toniu" Fonoti is a gridiron football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Aaron Golliday | Scottish Claymores Scottish Claymores The Scottish Claymores were an American football team from Scotland. The franchise played in the World League of American Football between 1995 and 2004, initially playing all home games at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh and latterly sharing home games with Hampden Park, Glasgow... |
| DeJuan Groce DeJuan Groce DeJuan Anthony Groce is an American football cornerback in the NFL who is a free agent. He was drafted in the 2003 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. Groce has also played for the New Orleans Saints, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Toronto Argonauts... |
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,... |
| T. J. Hollowell T. J. Hollowell Thomas Anthony Hollowell is a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Nebraska HuskersHollowell entered the National Football League in 2004, signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants. He played on special teams for four games with the Giants his rookie season... |
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... |
| Richie Incognito Richie Incognito Richard Dominick Incognito, Jr. Richard Dominick Incognito, Jr. Richard Dominick Incognito, Jr. (born July 5, 1983 in Englewood, New Jersey is an American football guard for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL... |
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,... |
| Trevor Johnson Trevor Johnson Trevor Johnson is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.Johnson has also played for the New Orleans Saints and St... |
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... |
| Patrick Kabongo Patrick Kabongo Watshidimba "Patrick" Kabongo is an Offensive lineman for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He also played Defensive Tackle for the University of Nebraska.-External links:***... |
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... |
| Chris Kelsay Chris Kelsay Christopher Kelsay is an American football outside linebacker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft and was the 6th defensive end selected in the draft. He played collegiately at... |
Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Kyle Larson Kyle Larson Kyle Larson is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2004. 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... |
| Jammal Lord Jammal Lord Jammal Alberto Lord was an American football safety. He was selected with the tenth pick of the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Nebraska by the Houston Texans... |
Houston Texans Houston Texans The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Bobby Newcombe | Montreal Alouettes Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions... |
| Jerrell Pippens | 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... |
| Cory Ross Cory 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... |
Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... |
| Barrett Ruud Barrett Ruud Barrett James Ruud is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.... |
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... |
| Scott Shanle Scott Shanle -St. Louis Rams:Shanle made his NFL debut against the New York Giants on September 7, 2003. He also saw special teams action in six games for St. Louis. He was waived by the Rams on December 9, 2003.-Dallas Cowboys:... |
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,... |
| Jeremy Slechta | 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... |
| Le Kevin Smith Le Kevin Smith Le Kevin Smith is an American football defensive lineman of the National Football League, who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
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... |
| Erwin Swiney Erwin Swiney Erwin Swiney is a former cornerback in the National Football League. He was a member of the Green Bay Packers for three seasons, though he did not see any playing time with the team in a regular season game during his final season. He also played with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe in... |
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... |