Husker Tickets

The game we've been waiting for

This is the game of the year many fans with Husker tickets have been waiting for – Nebraska vs. Iowa.
Ever since news of Nebraska's switch from the Big 12 to the Big Ten Conference became public knowledge, the talk between fans of Nebraska and Iowa has been, shall we say, intensified. For years, fans of the two teams could do little more than talk – with most Husker fans touting their team's history and Hawkeye fans pointing to comparisons of the two teams' success in recent years.
That all changed in the summer of 2010, and now that we're here, Iowa is coming to Lincoln this weekend to take on the Huskers in an annual matchup that is being called the "Heroes Classic" by officials from both schools (we prefer "Farmageddon," "The Corn Bowl" or something that more closely resembles the shared interests in agriculture between the two schools).
The two teams have had similar levels of success this year, as both are 4-3 in B1G play. Nebraska went undefeated in non-conference play this year, while Iowa lost an overtime matchup to in-state rival Iowa State.
Nebraska has faced some tough competition in the conference this year, with road losses at Wisconsin and Michigan (both ranked foes) and an upset loss at home to Northwestern. Iowa's three losses in the conference are to teams Nebraska has beaten this year, including Michigan State, Penn State and Legends Division doormat Minnesota.
Historically, Nebraska has had the upper hand in their battles with Iowa, and one couldn't blame the Hawkeyes from wanting to avoid the neighbors to the west, having turned down numerous requests by Nebraska officials to make the Huskers-Hawkeyes game an annual affair in the days before Nebraska's move to the Big Ten. Nebraska had beaten Iowa in five of six games during the years Tom Osborne and Frank Solich were head coaches. The Huskers had won games over Iowa by convincing margins almost every time, save a 24-21 win in the team's first matchup in recent times in 1979. Iowa's only win was a 10-7 decision in the 1981 season opener. Other than that, it's been all Huskers (57-0 in 1980, 42-7 in 1982, 42-7 in 1999 and 42-13 in 2000).
While some were hoping that this game would decide the Legends Division title and a trip to the B1G Championship Game, the fact that it brings two football neighbors who don't respect each other much will make it an exciting game to watch. Get your tickets to see Nebraska take on Iowa now at Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.

Michigan plays host to Nebraska in key battle

If you've got Husker tickets this week, you're set up for what should be an outstanding football game as Nebraska travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., to take on the University of Michigan.
A look at some of the statistics compiled by both teams shows that this should be a great matchup as Michigan and Nebraska battle for a spot in the Big Ten Conference championship game.
Both teams have scored more than 32 points a game this year, but Michigan's defense has been a bit stingier than Nebraska's giving up almost a touchdown a game less than the Huskers.
Michigan is led by its junior quarterback, Denard Robinson, who has proven to be a dual threat in running and throwing the football. The elusive signal-caller leads the team in rushing, racking up 910 yards in 10 games and averaging more than 5.7 yards every time he carries the ball.
Robinson is also a threat to throw the ball for Michigan, passing for 1,709 yards and 13 touchdowns. His effectiveness as a passer is a little shaky, however, as he has also thrown 13 interceptions this season while completing 53.5 percent of his attempts.
Michigan has a stable of quality receivers for Robinson to connect with. Junior Hemingway has been the Wolverines' leading receiver so far this year, catching 28 balls for an average of almost 20 yards per catch. Jeremy Gallon has caught 25 passes for an average of 16 yards per connection, and Kevin Kroger is the team's leading receiver in touchdowns, hauling in three scores so far this season. Both he and Roy Roundtree are big-play threats for the Wolverines.
Defensively, Kenny Demens is the leading tackler for Michigan, and has proven to be quite a defensive threat with his ability to force fumbles and get to the quarterback. Thomas Gordon has a nose for the football and has recovered a team-leading four fumbles this season while forcing two more.
Michigan has recorded 21 quarterback sacks this season and are led by Craig Roh (four sacks), Ryan VanBergen (3.5), Jordan Kovacs (three) and Mike Martin (three).
Michigan started out the season in fine form, posting a win over Notre Dame as part of a 6-0 start that included their first five games at home. They opened Big Ten Conference play with a 58-0 shutout of Minnesota and have wins over Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois. They have lost games to Michigan State and Iowa, both Legends Division foes that have hurt their chances of winning the division title outright. Michigan will need to finish with wins against Nebraska and arch rival Ohio State and get a little help in order to win the division title. Nebraska will also need to win its final two games and get some assistance, as they are also one game behind Michigan State but own a head-to-head tie-breaker by virtue of their 24-3 win over the Wolverines three weeks ago.
It should be a great matchup between two of the game's all-time legendary programs. Don't miss out on a great matchup between Michigan and Nebraska. Get your Husker tickets now at Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.

Northwestern having up-and-down season

Northwestern comes into Memorial Stadium this week off a high-scoring win at Indiana, and fans with Husker tickets will be looking for the Blackshirts defense to bring the Wildcats' offense back down to earth when they meet Saturday in Memorial Stadium.
Northwestern jumped on the Hoosiers in the first half. Dan Persa threw three touchdown passes in the second period to help the Wildcats to a 38-21 halftime lead, and Kain Colter threw two touchdown passes, one in each half, to help Northwestern to the high-scoring win.
Northwestern racked up 616 yards in total offense against Indiana on Saturday, so it will be interesting to see how a team that put up those kinds of numbers will do against a Blackshirt defense that held a good Michigan State offense to less than 200 yards in last week's 24-3 victory in Memorial Stadium.
Northwestern likes to mix up their quarterbacks. Persa was an impressive 16-of-20 for 261 yards and three touchdowns in last week's win over Indiana, while Colter completed two of three passes, both for touchdowns.
Colter is also a receiver for the Wildcats. He caught six balls for 115 yards in the win over Indiana, while Northwestern standout Drake Dunsmore had seven catches for 112 yards, four of those going for touchdowns.
Northwestern has a balanced offensive attack. Jacob Schmidt led the Wildcats ground game Saturday with 110 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. The Wildcats had 330 yards rushing on 56 carries, averaging almost six yards a carry against the Hoosiers.
The Wildcats got off to a good start this year, as Northwestern beat Boston College and Eastern Illinois to start the season. The last few weeks were rough, though, as they lost five consecutive games, including a tough loss at Army and conference losses to Illinois, Michigan, Iowa and Penn State, before bouncing back for their big win over last-place Indiana.
Northwestern's offense has averaged almost 432 yards per contest, but their defense has given up only one yard fewer than the offense has generated. Indiana finished with 488 yards in total offense, which should make things interesting after the Huskers were able to move the ball effectively against a tough Spartans defense.
The player to watch out for on the Northwestern team is Colter. The 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore is a threat as a runner, passer and receiver. He is the team's leading rusher with 459 yards and a 5.6 yards-per-carry average, and is the team's third-leading receiver while averaging almost 35 yards per game. He is also the backup quarterback, having completed 66.7 percent of his throws for 531 yards and four scores.
Nebraska fans will be able to see Northwestern take on the Huskers on the Big Ten Network, but great seats for Saturday's matchup are also available now at Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.

Time to look ahead to Michigan State

Fans with Husker tickets have a few weeks to relax before Michigan State makes an appearance in Lincoln to face the Huskers on Saturday, Oct. 29.
The two teams will have undergone two different roads to this matchup in Memorial Stadium. Nebraska has the week off this week before heading to Minneapolis next week to face Legends Division doormat Minnesota. Michigan State, meanwhile, will have played home games against in-state rival Michigan and conference leader Wisconsin before they make the trip to Lincoln to face the Huskers.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools since the 2003 season, when a rising young star in the coaching ranks got his chance to show his stuff on the national stage. At the end of that regular season, Nebraska had fired Frank Solich as head coach, and a young defensive coordinator by the name of Bo Pelini took the reins and led the Huskers to a 17-3 win over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl.
While it would be five more years before Pelini would get his chance as a full-time head coach, the Husker football program has since moved into the Big Ten Conference and now will face Michigan Stateon an annual basis as part of the Legends Division.
Michigan State is coming off its best season in school history, going 11-2 last year. Although they were soundly beaten by Alabama 49-7 in the Capitol One Bowl, last year gave the Spartans some much-needed momentum and they are off to a 4-1 start, the lone loss a 31-13 defeat at Notre Dame.
Michigan State hangs its hat on its defense, and they Spartans' defensive unit has responded quite well, limiting opponents to just more than 10 points per game. While not flashy, the offense has performed well, averaging about 400 yards and 28 points per contest.
The Michigan State offense has a balanced attack. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has completed 68 percent of his passes for almost 1,200 yards and six touchdowns, with B.J. Cunningham the Spartans' top receiver, averaging more than 15 yards a catch. Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker are the top two running backs for the Spartans, with each averaging around 50 yards per game.
Michigan State's defense is solid, led by Max Bulough, Isaiah Lewis, Denicos Allen and Chris Norman. Allen and Norman have combined for five quarterback sacks this year, and the Spartans' defense has created 10 turnovers this season, including seven interceptions.
Michigan State has never beaten Nebraska in four matchups between the two teams, but it does have a connection with the Husker football program. In the 1950's, Spartans coach Duffy Daugherty had an assistant on his team who would go on to have some success as a head coach. The name – Bob Devaney, who left Michigan State to become head coach at Wyoming for several years before changing the fate of the Husker football program by taking the reins in 1962.
You can get great seats to see Michigan State take on Nebraska in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29. Get your seats now at Ticket Express – where no Husker game is ever sold out.

Huskers big-play capability is exciting

Nebraska fans with Husker tickets have always enjoyed "the big one" – a play that breaks for big yards and creates a level of excitement that makes the game fun to watch.
This year's Husker football team has shown the capability of making the big play. In fact, according to the Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska's offense this season has produced more big plays than the combined total of the top five teams in the SEC.
That's right – combined.
On eight occasions this season, the Nebraska offense has racked up a play that went for 40 or more yards. In the Huskers' 42-29 win over Fresno State last week, Nebraska's final play of the night came when Taylor Martinez took off on a 46-yard option play for the game's final touchdown.
While Nebraska's offense has shown big-play capability, the concern is that it might not be able to create long, sustained drives that chew up clock and are more likely to wear down opposing defenses. On half of Nebraska's offensive plays so far this season, they have gained two yards or less.
To give you an idea of where Nebraska's offense is, consider this – Nebraska ranks 31st among 120 teams in college football's highest division in points per game, but is 97th in first downs and an incredible 110th in time of possession.
Offensive coordinator Tim Beck said a lot of the Huskers' success in their win over the Bulldogs came against a defense that loaded the front line with linebackers and safeties. While that takes away Nebraska's ability to control the line of scrimmage and wear down opponents, it also creates the opportunity for Nebraska to break "the big one" – something that will always bring Husker fans to their feet.
You can check out the Huskers this weekend as they take on Washington in Nebraska's final non-conference home game. Get great Husker tickets now at Ticket Express – where no Husker football game is ever sold out.

Fall camp soon to give way to season opener

It won't be long now before the Nebraska Cornhuskers kick off the 2011 season, and fans with Husker tickets are getting excited for the team's Sept. 3 season opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga.
The Husker football team has been practicing in full pads the last few days, getting accustomed to the heat and humidity that is an August tradition in Nebraska. The team has yet to work on their game plan for the Mocs, and there are a number of positions that are being fought for by several players as the team continues its pre-season preparation.
It will be a busy month of September for the Huskers. Home games with Tennessee-Chattanooga, Fresno State and Washington, along with a road battle at Wyoming, will help get the Huskers prepared for their first season in the Big Ten Conference. And Nebraska's initiation into the big club won't be easy, with several tough games scheduled in conference play this year, capped off with the season finale against Missouri River neighbor Iowa at Memorial Stadium.
You don't want to miss out on any of the action during the 2011 Husker football season. Get great seats to all the Nebraska games, both home and away, at Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.

Nebraska's quarterback is leading by example

With football just around the corner, Husker tickets should be a hot item once again this year, thanks in no small part to a returning quarterback who is exhibiting the mark of a leader.
Last year, Taylor Martinez became a freshman sensation with his dazzling breakaway speed and ability to drive defenses crazy. A midseason injury slowed the California native down and left a lot of critics wondering if he was capable of leading a high-profile program like Nebraska into its first year in the Big Ten Conference.
Martinez was undoubtedly one of the fan favorites at Friday's Fan Day festivities in Memorial Stadium, and he's also drawing praise from his teammates, who say they saw a new and improved version of Martinez in preparation for the upcoming 2011 season.
Martinez has become a more outspoken leader and has encouraged teammates to work more in the offseason. Players have talked about how much he pushes people to work hard, even during times where they might not be excited about it.
"He's stepped up a lot and it's shown," said Husker receiver Brandon Kinnie. "And when your quarterback's confident, the whole offense is confident."
Martinez has warmed up to the expectations that Husker fans have for their football program. There were a lot of critics out there at the end of last season, a season where Martinez started out with such a bang that he was quickly given Heisman Trophy consideration before an injury against Missouri slowed him down and rubbed some of the luster off what was otherwise a pretty good freshman campaign.
Martinez appears to be the man who will run the Husker offense this fall, and Husker fans will get to see Martinez and Nebraska in action when they open the season at home on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Tennessee-Chattanooga in Memorial Stadium.
You can get great seats to all the Husker football games, both home and away, right now at Ticket Express -- where no Nebraska football game is ever sold out.

Fan Day scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5

Fans looking for Husker tickets for the 2011 season will get their first opportunity to meet the Nebraska football team with the annual Fan Day at Memorial Stadium.
Fan Day has become a traditional event for Husker fans to interact with players and coaches. Fans wait in long lines on the turf at Memorial Stadium for a chance to get a picture or an autograph of their favorite players and coaches. It's also an opportunity for those fans to talk with the players and coaches and get a feel for what the team will be like this coming season.
In past years, Fan Day always fell on the first Saturday or Sunday of August, but with the start of Husker football camp coming on Saturday, Aug. 6, the annual Fan Day event is being moved back one day earlier.
Fan Day activities will run from 2-3:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Coach Bo Pelini, the assistant coaches and all of the Husker players will be at the stadium to meet with fans.
After that, the hard work begins for the 2011 season, which kicks off Saturday, Sept. 3 when the Huskers host Tennessee-Chattanooga.
It's also the first year for Nebraska as a member of the Big Ten Conference, so Husker fans will have a lot of exciting opportunities to see the Huskers in action this coming season.
Don't miss out on Fan Day, and get your Husker tickets for the upcoming season now at Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.

Goodbye Big 12, Hello Big Ten

Today is a big day for fans who enjoy Husker tickets, as Nebraska says goodbye to the Big 12 Conference and hello to its new home, the Big Ten Conference.
It was shocking news a little more than a year ago when the Big Ten Conference announced that it was adding Nebraska to its lineup. Nebraska was a cornerstone member of the Big Eight Conference, which morphed into the Big 12 Conference in the mid 1990's, so the news that Nebraska was jumping ship was, to say the least, shocking.
The Husker athletics program felt it was being slighted in the BIg 12, a conference where it felt one member –- the University of Texas –- had flexed its muscles and had all but taken over the conference agenda.
Nebraska's sports programs experienced a rather acrimonious farewell on some campuses, with the likes of Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado – athletic programs  that were regularly dominated by Nebraska in many sports, most notably football – providing not-so-subtle going-away parties when Nebraska visited their schools in some sports.
The Husker athletic program's departure puts them in some pretty fast company. Traditional athletic powers such as Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State –- teams that the Husker football team might see only in a bowl game setting –- have become annual foes that will develop a new tradition of rivalries as the schools' sports teams battle for conference titles and national honors.
The move also gives Nebraska a new natural rival, as the University of Iowa will now become a regular opponent on the Husker schedule. This has football fans for both teams, in particular, excited about the annual battle for area bragging rights.
Whether it's football, basketball, volleyball or baseball, you can get great seats to see the Huskers in action as the newest members of the Big Ten Conference. Get your Husker tickets now at Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.

Huskers add more Cotton to lineup

If you've been a longtime fan with Husker tickets, the name Cotton should be familiar with you.
Barney Cotton was a standout for the Huskers more than a generation ago, and now the youngest of his three sons will be joining the Nebraska lineup as a member of Nebraska's 2012 recruiting class.
Sam Cotton, a tight end from Lincoln Southeast, announced recently that he has verbally committed to play on the same team as his father, who now serves as the Huskers' offensive line coach.
Sam, a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com, is the third known commitment to the 2012 Huskers recruiting class, joining Kansas City linebacker Michael Rose and Lobard, Ill., linebackerer Jordan Westkamp. But he won't be the first of the Cotton boys to strap it on for the Big Red.
Cotton will join his two older brothers, Ben and Jake, when he makes the move official in February. Ben is currently a junior at UNL and plays tight end, while Jake is coming off his redshirt season as an offensive lineman.
You can see the Cotton family, and the rest of the Husker football team, in action this fall with great tickets from Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.