The 2003 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln

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 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season

2003 NCAA Division I-A football season

The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate....

. 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

Oklahoma State

Utah State

Penn State

Southern Miss

Troy State

Missouri

Texas A&M

Iowa State

Texas

Kansas

Kansas State

Colorado

Michigan State

Rankings

Ranking Movement

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	NR	23	18	15	15	12	10	19	14	12	19	18	23	25	23	22	19
Coaches																	18
BCS	Not released								11	9	18	17	22	23	21	20	N/A

After the season

Nebraska finished in 2nd place in the Big 12 North Division and tied for 4th conference-wide, with a final record of 10-3 (5-3). Prior to the season, Head Coach Frank Solich was feeling pressure to perform after a 7-7 (3-5) record the previous year (the first non-winning season since 1961), and had significantly revamped his coaching staff for 2003.

Despite the sweeping changes and the improvements they brought, which helped Nebraska to another 9-win season, Solich was fired at the conclusion of the regular season. Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini

Bo Pelini

Mark "Bo" Pelini is the head football coach at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He had previously been defensive coordinator for the LSU Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers...

 was named Interim Head Coach and led the Huskers to a 17-3 Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State. When new Head Coach Bill Callahan was announced in later weeks, most of the existing assistants (including Pelini) were also fired.

Pelini would later return as Callahan's replacement in 2008.

Awards

Award	Name(s)
All-America 1st team	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... , 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:...
All-America honorable mention	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... , Demorrio Williams Demorrio Williams Demorrio Dwain Williams is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
All-Big 12 1st team	Josh Bullocks, Matt Herian, Richie Incognito, Kyle Larson, Demorrio Williams
All-Big 12 2nd team	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... , 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....
All-Big 12 3rd team	Fabian Washington Fabian Washington -Oakland Raiders:During his rookie year he played all 16 games with 11 starts and recorded 40 tackles. In his second season with the Raiders, Washington started in all 14 games he played in and had 43 tackles and four interceptions . During his third season with the Raiders in 2007 he played in 15...
All-Big 12 honorable mention	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.... , Josh Davis, Mike Erickson, Isaiah Fluellen, 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... , 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... , 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... , Josh Sewell Josh Sewell Josh Sewell is an American football center and interior offensive lineman. He currently plays for Team Alabama of the All American Football League... , Dan Vili Waldrop

NFL and Pro Players

The following Nebraska players who participated in the 2003 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.

Name	Team
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...
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...
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 ....
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,...
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...
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...
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...
Sam Koch Sam Koch Sam David Koch [pronounced Cook] is an American football punter for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...	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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
Fabian Washington Fabian Washington -Oakland Raiders:During his rookie year he played all 16 games with 11 starts and recorded 40 tackles. In his second season with the Raiders, Washington started in all 14 games he played in and had 43 tackles and four interceptions . During his third season with the Raiders in 2007 he played in 15...	Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Demorrio Williams Demorrio Williams Demorrio Dwain Williams is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...	Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...