2003 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team


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

Roster and coaching staff

Game summaries

Oklahoma State

Utah State

Penn State

Southern Miss

Troy State

Missouri

Texas A&M

Iowa State

Texas

Kansas

Kansas State

Colorado

Michigan State

Rankings

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. Prior to the season, Head Coach Frank Solich was feeling pressure to perform after a 7-7 record the previous year, 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 were also fired.
Pelini would later return as Callahan's replacement in 2008.

Awards

AwardName
All-America 1st teamJosh Bullocks, Kyle Larson
All-America honorable mentionRichie Incognito, Demorrio Williams
All-Big 12 1st teamJosh Bullocks, Matt Herian, Richie Incognito, Kyle Larson, Demorrio Williams
All-Big 12 2nd teamRyon Bingham, Barrett Ruud
All-Big 12 3rd teamFabian Washington
All-Big 12 honorable mentionDaniel 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.
NameTeam
Titus AdamsNew York Jets
Ryon BinghamSan Diego Chargers
Stewart BradleyPhiladelphia Eagles
Daniel BullocksDetroit Lions
Josh BullocksNew Orleans Saints
Adam CarrikerSt. Louis Rams
Josh DavisNew York Jets
Aaron GollidayScottish Claymores
T. J. HollowellNew York Giants
Richie IncognitoSt. Louis Rams
Trevor JohnsonNew York Jets
Patrick KabongoDetroit Lions
Sam KochBaltimore Ravens
Kyle LarsonCincinnati Bengals
Jammal LordHouston Texans
Jay MooreSan Francisco 49ers
Chris PatrickNew York Giants
Jerrell PippensChicago Bears
Andy PouloskySioux City Bandits
Cory RossBaltimore Ravens
Barrett RuudTampa Bay Buccaneers
Bo RuudNew England Patriots
Le Kevin SmithNew England Patriots
Fabian WashingtonOakland Raiders
Demorrio WilliamsAtlanta Falcons