The 2003 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. After the Colorado game, Solich was fired as head coach. Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini served as interim head coach for the Alamo Bowl.
Schedule
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Rank |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
August 30 |
2:30 pm |
No. 24 Oklahoma State
|
|
|
ABC |
W 17–7 |
78,058 |
September 6 |
11:30 am |
Utah State*
|
No. 23 |
- Memorial Stadium
- Lincoln, NE
|
FSN |
W 31–7 |
77,284 |
September 13 |
7:00 pm |
Penn State*
|
No. 18 |
- Memorial Stadium
- Lincoln, NE
|
ABC |
W 18–10 |
78,008 |
September 25 |
6:45 pm |
at Southern Miss*
|
No. 15 |
|
ESPN |
W 38–14 |
36,125 |
October 4 |
12:30 pm |
Troy State*
|
No. 12 |
- Memorial Stadium
- Lincoln, NE
|
|
W 30–0 |
77,825 |
October 11 |
6:00 pm |
at Missouri
|
No. 10 |
|
TBS |
L 24–41 |
68,349 |
October 18 |
11:30 am |
Texas A&M
|
No. 18 |
- Memorial Stadium
- Lincoln, NE
|
FSN |
W 48–12 |
77,604 |
October 25 |
11:30 am |
Iowa State |
No. 14 |
- Memorial Stadium
- Lincoln, NE
|
PPV |
W 28–0 |
77,483 |
November 1 |
11:00 am |
at No. 16 Texas
|
No. 12 |
|
ABC |
L 7–31 |
83,308 |
November 8 |
2:30 pm |
at Kansas
|
No. 19 |
|
FSN |
W 24–3 |
50,107 |
November 15 |
2:30 pm |
Kansas State |
No. 18 |
- Memorial Stadium
- Lincoln, NE (rivalry)
|
ABC |
L 9–38 |
78,014 |
November 28 |
11:00 am |
at Colorado
|
No. 25 |
|
ABC |
W 31–22 |
53,434 |
December 29 |
8:00 pm |
vs. Michigan State*
|
No. 22 |
|
ESPN |
W 17–3 |
56,229 |
- *Non-conference game
-
Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Central time
|
Roster and coaching staff
2003 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team roster
|
Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
G
|
71
|
Jake Andersen
|
Jr
|
TE
|
|
Matt Ankerson
|
Fr
|
C
|
65
|
Greg Austin
|
Fr
|
WR
|
38
|
Brandon Biodrowski
|
Jr
|
WR
|
19
|
Andy Birkel
|
Fr
|
OL
|
|
Aaron Burbach
|
Fr
|
G
|
59
|
Brett Byford
|
Fr
|
QB
|
12
|
Joe Dailey
|
Fr
|
FB
|
4
|
Judd Davies (C)
|
Sr
|
IB
|
1
|
Josh Davis
|
Sr
|
G
|
67
|
Darren DeLone
|
Jr
|
WR
|
|
Dan Erickson
|
Fr
|
G
|
78
|
Mike Erickson
|
Jr
|
WR
|
28
|
Isaiah Fluellen
|
RFr
|
QB
|
17
|
Garth Glissman
|
So
|
IB
|
30
|
Tierre Green
|
Fr
|
G
|
72
|
Tim Green
|
Sr
|
FB
|
6
|
DeAntae Grixby
|
Sr
|
C
|
58
|
Justin Haney
|
RFr
|
IB
|
36
|
Ben Hansen
|
Fr
|
TE
|
11
|
Matt Herian
|
So
|
TE
|
|
Sean Hill
|
Fr
|
IB
|
9
|
David Horne
|
So
|
OT
|
51
|
Richie Incognito
|
So
|
WR
|
31
|
Joel Jackson
|
Jr
|
TE
|
|
Patrick Johnson
|
Fr
|
TE
|
47
|
Dusty Keiser
|
Jr
|
WR
|
49
|
Tyler Kenney
|
RFr
|
TE
|
46
|
John Knopp
|
So
|
G
|
75
|
Brandon Koch
|
So
|
FB
|
45
|
Steve Kriewald
|
Jr
|
WR
|
|
Chris LeFlore
|
Fr
|
WR
|
10
|
Mark LeFlore
|
So
|
G
|
66
|
Jermaine Leslie
|
RFr
|
WR
|
13
|
Tim Liley
|
Sr
|
C
|
63
|
Jack Limbaugh
|
Sr
|
QB
|
15
|
Brett Lindstrom
|
Sr
|
OT
|
74
|
Newton Lingenfelter
|
RFr
|
OT
|
76
|
Chris Loos
|
Sr
|
QB
|
5
|
Jammal Lord (C)
|
Sr
|
C
|
64
|
Kurt Mann
|
RFr
|
WR
|
18
|
Mike McLaughlin
|
So
|
FB
|
30
|
Grant Miller
|
RFr
|
IB
|
21
|
Robin Miller
|
Sr
|
QB
|
|
Zach Miller
|
Fr
|
TE
|
81
|
Josh Mueller
|
Fr
|
WR
|
84
|
Grant Mulkey
|
RFr
|
G
|
61
|
Brian Nelson
|
Sr
|
WR
|
24
|
Jack O'Holleran
|
Jr
|
TE
|
86
|
Adam O'Rourke
|
RFr
|
WR
|
8
|
Ryan Ommert
|
Sr
|
OL
|
|
Charlie Peacock
|
Fr
|
TE
|
82
|
Phil Peetz
|
Sr
|
TE
|
85
|
J.B. Phillips
|
Fr
|
OT
|
56
|
Gary Pike
|
So
|
WR
|
2
|
Ross Pilkington
|
So
|
WR
|
25
|
Kade Pittman
|
Fr
|
OT
|
69
|
Nick Povendo
|
Jr
|
IB
|
22
|
Cory Ross
|
So
|
TE
|
|
Andy Sand
|
Fr
|
G
|
54
|
Carson Schott
|
So
|
WR
|
14
|
Matt Schroeder
|
So
|
OT
|
70
|
Ryan Schuler
|
Fr
|
TE
|
83
|
Chris Septak
|
Jr
|
C
|
79
|
Josh Sewell
|
Sr
|
TE
|
80
|
Alex Shada
|
Jr
|
FB
|
|
Scott Siegel
|
Fr
|
OL
|
|
Jeff Speichinger
|
Fr
|
WR
|
35
|
Dusty Stamer
|
Jr
|
WR
|
17
|
Seth Starkebaum
|
RFr
|
QB
|
16
|
Mike Stuntz
|
Jr
|
G
|
55
|
Junior Tagoa'i
|
Sr
|
OT
|
57
|
Cory Timm
|
RFr
|
FB
|
41
|
Dane Todd
|
RFr
|
OT
|
68
|
Dan Vili Waldrop
|
Sr
|
OT
|
53
|
Cody Volk
|
Sr
|
OT
|
73
|
Sam Wells
|
Jr
|
WR
|
20
|
Kiffin Wigert
|
Jr
|
FB
|
34
|
Andy Wingender
|
Sr
|
TE
|
44
|
Matthew Woodward
|
So
|
WR
|
3
|
Ben Zajicek
|
Jr
|
|
Defense
|
Special teams
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
PK
|
22
|
Sandro DeAngelis
|
Jr
|
PK
|
27
|
David Dyches
|
Fr
|
PK
|
32
|
Dale Endorf
|
Sr
|
P
|
|
Tyler Kester
|
Fr
|
P
|
37
|
Sam Koch
|
So
|
P
|
19
|
Kyle Larson
|
Sr
|
PK
|
|
Eric Lueshen
|
Fr
|
PK
|
|
Jared Nielsen
|
Fr
|
LS
|
|
Jake Peetz
|
Fr
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
-
(C) Team captain
-
(S) Suspended
-
(I) Ineligible
-
Injured
-
Redshirt
Roster Last update: January 16, 2011
|
Depth chart
Defense
|
FS
|
Josh Bullocks
|
Jerrell Pippens
|
⋅
|
|
WEAK
|
MIDDLE
|
STRONG
|
Demorrio Williams
|
Barrett Ruud
|
T.J. Hollowell
|
Chad Buller
|
Chad Sievers
|
Ira Cooper
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
|
SS
|
Daniel Bullocks
|
Shane Siegel
|
⋅
|
|
CB
|
Fabian Washington
|
Terrell Butler
|
⋅
|
|
|
DE
|
DT
|
DT
|
DE
|
Benard Thomas
|
Ryon Bingham
|
Le Kevin Smith
|
Trevor Johnson
|
Titis Adams
|
Patrick Kabongo
|
Brandon Teamer
|
Adam Carriker
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
|
|
CB
|
Pat Ricketts
|
Lornell McPherson
|
⋅
|
|
Offense
|
WR
|
Mark LeFlore Isaiah Fluellen
|
Jack O'Holleran
|
⋅
|
|
|
LT
|
LG
|
C
|
RG
|
RT
|
Richie Incognito
|
Mike Erickson
|
Josh Sewell
|
Jake Andersen
|
Dan Vil Waldrop
|
Nick Povendo
|
Tim Green
|
Kurt Mann
|
Brandon Koch
|
Darren DeLone
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
⋅
|
|
TE
|
Matt Herian
|
Phil Peetz
|
Dusty Keiser
|
|
WR
|
Ross Pilkington
|
Tim Liley
|
⋅
|
|
|
QB
|
Jammal Lord
|
Joe Dailey
|
⋅
|
|
|
|
RB
|
Cory Ross Josh Davis
|
David Horne
|
⋅
|
|
|
FB
|
Judd Davies
|
Steve Kriewald
|
⋅
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Game summaries
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State at Nebraska [box score]
|
Utah State
Utah State at Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Utah State
|
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
• Nebraska
|
6 |
9 |
13 |
3 |
31 |
|
Penn State
Penn State at Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Penn State
|
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
• Nebraska
|
3 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Southern Miss
Nebraska at Southern Miss [box score]
|
Troy State
Troy State at Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Troy State
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
• Nebraska
|
3 |
7 |
13 |
7 |
30 |
|
Missouri
Nebraska at Missouri [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Nebraska |
7 |
3 |
14 |
0 |
24 |
• Missouri
|
7 |
7 |
0 |
27 |
41 |
|
Texas A&M
Texas A&M at Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Texas A&M
|
3 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
12 |
• Nebraska
|
20 |
0 |
14 |
14 |
48 |
|
Iowa State
Iowa State at Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Iowa State
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
• Nebraska
|
21 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
28 |
|
Texas
Nebraska at Texas [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Nebraska |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
• Texas
|
7 |
7 |
3 |
14 |
31 |
|
Kansas
Nebraska at Kansas [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Nebraska
|
3 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
24 |
Kansas
|
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Kansas State
Kansas State at Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Kansas State
|
7 |
0 |
10 |
21 |
38 |
Nebraska |
0 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
|
Colorado
Nebraska at Colorado [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Nebraska
|
7 |
14 |
0 |
10 |
31 |
Colorado
|
7 |
9 |
6 |
0 |
22 |
|
Michigan State
Michigan State vs Nebraska [box score]
|
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes
|
Week |
Poll |
Pre |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
Final |
AP |
RV |
RV* |
23 |
18 |
15 |
15 |
12 |
10 |
19 |
14 |
12 |
19 |
18 |
23 |
25 |
23 |
22 |
19 |
Coaches Poll |
RV |
RV |
24 |
18 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
7 |
14 |
11 |
9 |
16 |
15 |
23 |
23 |
21 |
21 |
18 |
BCS |
Not released |
11 |
9 |
18 |
17 |
22 |
23 |
21 |
20 |
Not released |
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 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, Kyle Larson
|
All-America honorable mention
|
Richie Incognito, Demorrio Williams
|
All-Big 12 1st team
|
Josh Bullocks, Matt Herian, Richie Incognito, Kyle Larson, Demorrio Williams
|
All-Big 12 2nd team
|
Ryon Bingham, Barrett Ruud
|
All-Big 12 3rd team
|
Fabian Washington
|
All-Big 12 honorable mention
|
Daniel Bullocks, Josh Davis, Mike Erickson, Isaiah Fluellen, T. J. Hollowell, Trevor Johnson, Jammal Lord, Josh Sewell, 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.