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Photos from Husker Football Season Openers, 2009-2019

aaronbabcock · October 25, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Sam Hahn #73 points to the sky in honor of deceased teammate Sam Foltz as Nebraska takes an intentional delay of game during Nebraska’s 43-10 win over Fresno State at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. on Sept. 3, 2016. Photo by Aaron Babcock, Hail Varsity

While watching Nebraska’s 2020 season opener against Ohio State, I realized this was the first opening game I had missed in over a decade. Next thing I knew, I was rummaging through the archives. So I picked a few images from each of those games to share. So here are a few photographs to jog your memory of Nebraska’s recent season debuts.

Tip: hover over the gallery and you can scroll through the images for each gallery.

2009 vs. Florida Atlantic

Nebraska opened the 2009 season with a 49-3 win over Florida Atlantic. Roy Helu Jr. paced the offense with 152 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Menelik Holt also grabbed a 28-yard touchdown pass from Zac Lee.

Ndamukong Suh
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2010 vs. Western Kentucky

The Taylor Martinez era opened with a convincing 49-10 win over Western Kentucky, thanks to the QB’s 3 rushing touchdowns and 127 rushing yards. He also completed 9-of-15 for 136 yards with no interceptions. Niles Paul caught 5 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

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2011 vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga

In Nebraska’s first game as a member of the Big Ten Conference, Taylor Martinez rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-7 victory. Brett Maher added four field goals in his debut for the Huskers.

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Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers races 43 yards for a touchdown while Ryan Consiglio #45 of the Chattanooga Mocs gives pursuit in Nebraska's season opener at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Sept. 3, 2011.
Spinning Rex
Darting for Daylight
One and Done

2012 vs. Southern Miss

Junior Taylor Martinez became the first Husker to start three consecutive season openers and did so in record fashion. He threw for a career-high 354 yards while tying his best with 5 touchdown passes to five different receivers as Nebraska defeated Southern Miss 49-20.

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Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers races 43 yards for a touchdown while Ryan Consiglio #45 of the Chattanooga Mocs gives pursuit in Nebraska's season opener at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Sept. 3, 2011.
Spinning Rex
Darting for Daylight
One and Done

2013 vs. Wyoming

Nebraska’s offense piled up 530 yards, including 375 yards on the ground, but Wyoming took advantage of a couple of late turnovers to put a scare into Husker Nation before Nebraska held on to a 37-34 win. Ameer Abdullah rushed for 114 yards and Imani Cross added two touchdowns and 105 yards in the win.

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2014 vs. Florida Atlantic

Nebraska had everything working in a 55-7 win over Florida Atlantic, paced by a 232-yard performance from Ameer Abdullah. Jordan Westerkamp’s seven catches for 125 yards day provided the highlight of the day, thanks to his dazzling behind-the-back catch along the sideline.

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2015 vs. BYU

BYU’s Tanner Mangum completed a 42-yard Hail Mary as time expired to hand the Huskers a 33-28 loss in Mike Riley’s debut as head coach. Tommy Armstrong Jr. completed 24-of-41 passes for 319 yards and 3 TDs to lead the Husker offense.

Nate Gerry #25 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers returns an interception in the second half of Nebraska's 33-28 loss to BYU on Sept. 5, 2015. Photo by Aaron Babcock
Jordan Westerkamp #1 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers breaks a tackle to score a touchdown in the first quarter of Nebraska's 33-28 loss to BYU on Sept. 5, 2015. Photo by Aaron Babcock
Brandon Reilly #87 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers races down the field after his fourth quarter catch during Nebraska's 33-28 loss to BYU on Sept. 5, 2015. Photo by Aaron Babcock
Nebraska head coach Mike Riley paces on the sidelines during Nebraska's 33-28 loss to BYU on Sept. 5, 2015. Photo by Aaron Babcock
Vincent Valentine #98 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers walks off the field following Nebraska's 33-28 loss to BYU on Sept. 5, 2015. Photo by Aaron Babcock

2016 vs. Fresno State

Devine Ozigbo turned in a pair of touchdowns and his first career 100-yard rushing game to lead Nebraska to a 43-10 win over Fresno State. Tommy Armstrong became the second player in school history to surpass 8,000 yards in total offense. The evening was punctuated by a tribute to Sam Foltz, who was killed in a car accident before the start of fall camp.

Nebraska vs. Fresno State
Nebraska vs. Fresno State
Nebraska vs. Fresno State
Nebraska vs. Fresno State
Nebraska vs. Fresno State

2017 vs. Arkansas State

Nebraska escaped with a 43-36 win over Arkansas State, thanks to 192 rushing yards from sophomore Trey Bryant and a 99-yard kickoff return from J.D. Spielman. Quarterback Tanner Lee earned the win in his first Husker start after completing 19-of-32 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

JD Spielman #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers returns a kickoff 99 yards on the first touch of his career during Nebraska's game against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017. Photo by Aaron Babcock, Hail Varsity
Stanley Morgan Jr. #8 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers catches a touchdown pass during Nebraska's game against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017. Photo by Aaron Babcock, Hail Varsity
Tanner Lee during Nebraska's game against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017. Photo by Aaron Babcock, Hail Varsity
Head coach Blake Anderson of the Arkansas State Red Wolves and Mike Riley after Nebraska's game against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017. Photo by Aaron Babcock, Hail Varsity
Deontre Thomas, Freedom Akinmoladun #91 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during Nebraska's game against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017. Photo by Aaron Babcock, Hail Varsity

2018 vs. Akron

In one of the biggest letdowns in school history, weather spoiled Head Coach Scott Frost’s debut as the game was rained out.

during Nebraska's rained out season-opener against Akron at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018. © Aaron Babcock
during Nebraska's rained out season-opener against Akron at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018. © Aaron Babcock
during Nebraska's rained out season-opener against Akron at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018. © Aaron Babcock
during Nebraska's rained out season-opener against Akron at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018. © Aaron Babcock
during Nebraska's rained out season-opener against Akron at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018. © Aaron Babcock

2019 vs. South Alabama

The Blackshirts capitalized on five South Alabama turnovers en route to a 35-21 victory. Along with two scores by the defense, J.D. Spielman added a 76-yard punt return.

Scott Frost leads the team out prior to Nebraska’s 35-21 win over South Alabama at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 31, 2019. 

© Aaron Babcock
Ben Stille #95 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during Nebraska’s 35-21 win over South Alabama at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 31, 2019. 

© Aaron Babcock
Collin Miller #31 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers pressures Cephus Johnson #2 of the South Alabama Jaguars during Nebraska’s 35-21 win over South Alabama at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 31, 2019. 

© Aaron Babcock
Lamar Jackson #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during Nebraska’s 35-21 win over South Alabama at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 31, 2019. 

© Aaron Babcock
Jack Stoll #86 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during Nebraska’s 35-21 win over South Alabama at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 31, 2019. 

© Aaron Babcock

gallery, Nebraska Football Ameer Abdullah, Brett Maher, Devine Ozigbo, football, Imani Cross, J.D. Spielman, Menelik HOlt, Mike Riley, Roy Helu Jr., Sam Hahn, season opener, Tanner Lee, Taylor Martinez, Tommy Armstrong Jr., Zac Lee

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