Thank you, Kansas.

The Jayhawks took down Mizzou today, leaving the Tigers with a 5-3 record in conference play, same as Nebraska. That’s a share of Big 12 North title. Mizzou plays in the title game since they beat us (badly), but we’ll take the tie and catch up with them in Columbia next fall.

This post-game commentary from Ndamukong Suh really shows how completely bought in to Pelini’s culture these guys are. And since Pelini’s culture is Nebraska’s culture, this is a beautiful thing.

Down by a point, the game was hanging by a thread in the waning moments of the 4th quarter. Bo Pelini asked kicker, Alex Henery, if he could nail a 57 yard field goal for the win. Henery said, “Yes.” The rest is history.

Here’s a link to Alex Henery’s post-game interview.

[UPDATE] Relive the play on YouTube.

With 1:50 left on the clock, Memorial stadium was standing in shock at facing 4th and 25 at the Colorado 40 and trailing 30-31.

Time wasn’t on the Husker’s side. Punt or go for the 25 yards needed for the first down. I don’t think the thought of a field goal attempt went through anyone’s mind those 60 seconds of the time out, but when the whistle blew, out comes the Nebraska field goal unit with Alex Henery getting ready to attempt something that had never happened with the Huskers, a 57 yard field goal. In fact, the Ganz’s sack two downs prior took Nebraska 15 yards outside of the Henery’s range - up until that point.

A perfect snap, and a perfectly measured 58 yard kick that started out at the right upright and tucked nicely inside for the field goal gave Nebraska the 33-31 lead and etched Henery’s name firmly in the Husker record book.

If the game ended at that point, the fans in the stadium probably would have still been standing there in shock five minutes later - 30 seconds in gametime - when a tipped pass by Colorado’s Cody Hawkins found its way in to the mitts of Ndamukong Suh, who then rumbled and stumbled 30 yards, running over Cody Hawkins in the process, to find pay dirt and cementing the win.

This game was rife with blunders by the Huskers, including coverage blunders that put them down 14-0 after four minutes. The coaching staff was also to blame with an ill-timed fake field goal late in the second that resulted in a picked off pitch by Colorado’s Jimmy Smith who ran it 58 yards untouched for a Buffalo touchdown.

Big plays continue to be the bane of the Husker defense as they gave up a 68 yard passing touchdown and a 36 yard rushing touchdown. Two plays that if they were off the books, would have meant seen the Buffalo’s manage a paltry 187 yards of total offense on the day. Two plays that made up nearly one third of the Colorado offense.

Despite the errors, and a game that should have been lopsided in favor of Nebraska scores, this may have just been one of the most exciting ends to a Husker game that I’ve ever seen as Nebraska finishes the regular season 8-4.

Husker Extra is running a bunch of bowl scenarios by us, all of which sound pretty enticing.

El Paso or bust? The smart money says yes, but two other bowl possibilities seem to remain for the Huskers — the Gator Bowl and the Alamo Bowl.

Of the three bowls, the Gator has first choice, followed by the Alamo and then the Sun.

The Gator Bowl, played on New Year’s Day in Jacksonville, Fla., does have the option of taking a Big 12 team and has expressed interest in NU, an appealing prospect for Big Red fans who for so long were accustomed to their team playing on Jan. 1.

But Notre Dame also has the Gator Bowl’s attention and a knack for drawing big TV ratings. Whether rooting for them or rooting against them, people watch the Irish.

The popular speculation is that the Gator Bowl would take a 7-5 Notre Dame team over an 8-4 Nebraska team, but speculation is where it ends at this point.

The interesting thing about football is the game is played on the field. Notre Dame isn’t 7-5 just yet. They could go 8-4 or 6-6. For that matter, we’re not 8-4 yet.

I’m about to get into my Crush the Buffs stance. Are you with me?

The Blackshirts were on the prowl today in Manhattan, Kansas, while the offensive unit continued to roll. NU tallied 610 yards to Kansas State’s 247.

According to Lincoln Star Journal, representatives from the 2008 Brut Sun Bowl were on hand in the press box.

The long awaited issuance of Blackshirts was big news in Huskerland this week.

But not everyone is celebrating their good fortune. Matt O’Hanlon, for instance. According to NE State Paper, O’Hanlon, despite starting nine games and being fourth on the team in tackles, is still practicing in his red No. 33.

He’s locked in a late-season battle with now-healthy junior Rickey Thenarse for the starting free safety spot, and that battle, according to O’Hanlon and secondary coach Marvin Sanders, is what keeps either player from earning a Blackshirt.

“I’ve worked hard and to not get one, it’s tough,” O’Hanlon said. “I guess it’s for a good reason. Me and Rick still have to compete. I’m sure eventually one of us will get one. They’re trying to motivate us.

“It’s still a competition, and nothing’s clear cut, so we don’t really deserve them.”

The article also points out that O’Hanlon has been singled out for unfair criticism on certain fan message boards. That’s lame. My rule of thumb on that is don’t say it online if you wouldn’t say it to the person’s face.

The Kansas City Star is running a glowing article on Bo Pelini and how much we all love him. There’s not much new in it, but I do appreciate the way the story ends.

“I’m trying to focus on what needs to happen day by day to get our program where it needs to be, and we’re never satisfied,” he said. “We had higher expectations than (this year so far).”

History — and guys like Frank Solich — remind you that Pelini’s answer is a good one. Because in Nebraska, the honeymoons can be short and, if you’re not chasing championships, your time is often limited.

“Is he doing well overall?” asked booster Roger Brown. “Hell, doing well, he’s doing terrible! He hasn’t gone undefeated yet.”

Then the booster laughed. He was joking.

Sort of.

On the same day as news of Cody Glenn’s suspension spread throughout Big Red Country, it was the second story of the day that brought some cheer.

Blackshirts were quietly hung in lockers during team meetings according to an ESPN report.

Huskers receiving the famed blackshirts were:
Zach Potter
Pierre Allen
Clayton Sievers
Ndamukong Suh
Ty Steinkuhler
Tyler Wortman
Phillip Dillard
Anthony West
Armando Murillo
Eric Hagg
Larry Asante

If Cody Glenn finds his way back to the team - it was labeled a suspension and not a dismisal - I wonder if he’ll be joining the list as well.

A little video goodness to the history of the Blackshirts:

Breaking news out of Lincoln this afternoon. The Omaha World Herald is reporting that Cody Glenn has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.

A press release has been issued stating Cody Glenn has been suspended and no further comment of the matter would be available.

This is certainly a blow to the defense. Cody Glenn, Senior Linebacker, has made a name for himself this season after his switch from the crowded running back position to linebacker with 51 tackles on the season.

More information if I can find it. If anyone has any insight, feel free to comment or email to huskers@huskerzone.com.