2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

The 2010 Cornhuskers took to the field on Saturday, September 4, 2010, against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Cornhuskers carried on despite losing a handful of key personnel losses to graduation after 2009, especially Heisman-candidate and #2 overall NFL draft pick DT Ndamukong Suh. The Nebraska coaching staff remained intact for the third straight year, since the return of Bo Pelini to the program.

During the spring of this year, several NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams began publicly discussing potential conference changes, which ultimately gained enough momentum to set off a chain reaction of university conference affiliation changes. On June 11, 2010, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln announced that its regents unanimously voted to end the university's affiliation with the Big 12 Conference, and would be joining the Big Ten Conference. The Big Ten Conference unanimously approved Nebraska's official application just hours later, and Nebraska announced that the Cornhusker athletic programs would transition into the Big Ten conference play schedule effective July 1, 2011. This is Nebraska's last year playing in the Big 12 Conference.{{cite news|title=Perlman Hopes to Begin Big Ten Athletics by 2011 |first=Brian |last=Christopherson |url=http://my.journalstar.com/post/Husker_Extra_Group/Husker_Extra/blog/perlman_hopes_to_begin_big_athletics_by_2011.html |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |date=June 10, 2010 |access-date=June 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614045019/http://my.journalstar.com/post/Husker_Extra_Group/Husker_Extra/blog/perlman_hopes_to_begin_big_athletics_by_2011.html |archive-date=June 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}{{cite news |title=Huskers' Big Ten Move Official|first=Leslie|last=Reed|url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20100611/SPORTS/306119924/1141#nebraska-to-the-big-ten|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614171831/http://omaha.com/article/20100611/SPORTS/306119924/1141#nebraska-to-the-big-ten|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 14, 2010|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|date=June 11, 2010|access-date=June 11, 2010}}{{cite news|title=It's Unanimous: Nebraska to the Big Ten|url=http://huskerextra.com/articles/2010/06/11/football/doc4c127efa8ecb6120679491.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711015922/http://huskerextra.com/articles/2010/06/11/football/doc4c127efa8ecb6120679491.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2012|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|date=June 11, 2010|access-date=June 11, 2010}}

Nebraska's preseason #8 AP ranking was the highest starting rank for Nebraska since Eric Crouch's 2001 Heisman trophy season, which ultimately saw the Cornhuskers playing Miami in the BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl.

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=yes|collapse=yes|year=2010}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Walker Ashburn|position=DE|hometown=River Ridge, Louisiana|highschool=John Curtis|feet=6|inches=3|weight=245|40=4.74|commitdate=September 8, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=3|espn grade=77|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Kenny Bell|position=ATH|hometown=Boulder, Colorado|highschool=Fairview|feet=6|inches=2|weight=173|40=4.45|commitdate=January 5, 2010|scout stars=3|rivals stars=3|espn grade=76|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Brion Carnes|position=QB|hometown=Bradenton, Florida|highschool=Manatee|feet=6|inches=1|weight=181|40=4.64|commitdate=February 3, 2010|scout stars=3|rivals stars=4|espn grade=77|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Corey Cooper|position=S|hometown=Maywood, Illinois|highschool=Proviso East|feet=6|inches=2|weight=203|40=4.38|commitdate=February 3, 2010|scout stars=4|rivals stars=4|espn grade=79|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Jake Cotton|position=OL/DL|hometown=Lincoln, Nebraska|highschool=Lincoln Southeast|feet=6|inches=7|weight=265|40=4.75|commitdate=November 9, 2009|scout stars=2|rivals stars=2|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Lavonte David|position=LB|hometown=Miami, Florida|highschool=Fort Scott|feet=6|inches=1|weight=214|40=4.55|commitdate=December 9, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=4|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Quincy Enunwa|position=WR|hometown=Moreno Valley, California|highschool=Rancho Verde|feet=6|inches=2|weight=200|40=4.58|commitdate=October 26, 2009|scout stars=2|rivals stars=3|espn grade=76|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Ciante Evans|position=CB|hometown=Arlington, Texas|highschool=Juan Seguin|feet=5|inches=11|weight=170|40=4.5|commitdate=September 8, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=3|espn grade=76|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Tyler Evans|position=ATH|hometown=Waverly, Nebraska|highschool={{Alternate links|Waverly High School (Nebraska)|Waverly School District 145|title=Waverly}}|feet=6|inches=2|weight=180|40=4.48|commitdate=August 5, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=2|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Jay Guy|position=DT|hometown=Aldine, Texas|highschool=Eisenhower|feet=6|inches=1|weight=300|40=5.1|commitdate=November 8, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=3|espn grade=78|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Jermarcus Hardrick|position=OT|hometown=Batesville, Mississippi|highschool=Fort Scott|feet=6|inches=7|weight=315|40=5|commitdate=December 9, 2009|scout stars=4|rivals stars=4|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Chase Harper|position=TE|hometown=Pflugerville, Texas|highschool=Navarro JC|feet=6|inches=6|weight=248|40=|commitdate=November 11, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=4|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Braylon Heard*|position=RB|hometown=Youngstown, Ohio|highschool=Cardinal Mooney|feet=5|inches=11|weight=180|40=4.4|commitdate=December 29, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=4|espn grade=79|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Harvey Jackson|position=S|hometown=Missouri City, Texas|highschool=Hightower|feet=6|inches=2|weight=185|40=4.6|commitdate=September 6, 2009|scout stars=4|rivals stars=3|espn grade=76|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Bronson Marsh|position=ATH|hometown=Omaha, Nebraska|highschool=Millard South|feet=6|inches=1|weight=200|40=4.5|commitdate=January 26, 2010|scout stars=2|rivals stars=2|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Joshua Mitchell|position=CB|hometown=Corona, California|highschool={{Alternate links|Eleanor Roosevelt High School (California)|Corona-Norco Unified School District|title=Eleanor Roosevelt}}|feet=5|inches=11|weight=165|40=4.4|commitdate=November 8, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=3|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Mike Moudy|position=OT|hometown=Castle Rock, Colorado|highschool=Douglas County|feet=6|inches=7|weight=291|40=5|commitdate=April 18, 2009|scout stars=4|rivals stars=3|espn grade=77|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Tobi Okuyemi|position=DE|hometown=Plymouth, Minnesota|highschool=Wayzata|feet=6|inches=3|weight=250|40=4.68|commitdate=November 8, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=3|espn grade=77|espn stars=3}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Andrew Rodriguez|position=OT|hometown=Aurora, Nebraska|highschool=Aurora|feet=6|inches=6|weight=298|40=4.75|commitdate=November 25, 2008|scout stars=4|rivals stars=4|espn grade=80|espn stars=4}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Chase Rome|position=DE|hometown=Columbia, Missouri|highschool=Rock Bridge|feet=6|inches=3|weight=290|40=4.73|commitdate=October 9, 2009|scout stars=4|rivals stars=4|espn grade=79|espn stars=4}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry|recruit=Donovan Vestal|position=DE|hometown=Arlington, Texas|highschool=Bowie|feet=6|inches=5|weight=240|40=4.8|commitdate=August 22, 2009|scout stars=3|rivals stars=3|espn grade=|espn stars=}}

{{College Athlete Recruit End|40=yes|year=2010|rivals ref title=Yahoo! Sports: Rivals.com 2010 Nebraska Commitments|scout ref title=Scout.com 2010 Nebraska Commitments|espn ref title=ESPN 2010 Nebraska Commitments|rivals school=nebraska|scout s=204|espn schoolid=158|scout overall=23|rivals overall=22|accessdate=September 26, 2010|collapse=yes}}

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 2010

| poll = AP

| timezone = Central

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 4

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = Western Kentucky

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, Nebraska

| tv = FSN PPV

| score = 49–10

| attend = 85,555

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 11

| time = 11:30 a.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 6

| opponent = Idaho

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, Nebraska

| tv = FSN PPV

| score = 38–17

| attend = 85,732

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 18

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = Washington

| site_stadium = Husky Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle

| tv = ABC/ESPN2

| score = 56–21

| attend = 72,876

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 25

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| homecoming = y

| rank = 6

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2010|school=South Dakota State University|team=South Dakota State Jackrabbits|title=South Dakota State}}

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, Nebraska

| tv = FSN PPV

| score = 17–3

| attend = 85,573

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 7

| time = 6:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 7

| opponent = Kansas State

| site_stadium = Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium

| site_cityst = Manhattan, Kansas

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = ESPN

| score = 48–13

| attend = 51,015

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 16

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| rank = 5

| opponent = Texas

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, Nebraska

| tv = ABC/ESPN

| score = 13–20

| attend = 85,648

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 23

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 14

| opponent = Oklahoma State

| opprank = 17

| site_stadium = Boone Pickens Stadium

| site_cityst = Stillwater, Oklahoma

| tv = ABC

| score = 51–41

| attend = 55,935

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 30

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| rank = 14

| opponent = Missouri

| opprank = 7

| gamename = rivalry

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, Nebraska

| tv = ABC/ESPN

| score = 31–17

| attend = 85,907

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 6

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 9

| opponent = Iowa State

| site_stadium = Jack Trice Stadium

| site_cityst = Ames, IA

| tv = ABC

| score = 31–30

| overtime = OT

| attend = 51,159

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 13

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| rank = 9

| opponent = Kansas

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, Nebraska

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = FSN PPV

| score = 20–3

| attend = 85,587

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 20

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| rank = 9

| opponent = Texas A&M

| opprank = 18

| site_stadium = Kyle Field

| site_cityst = College Station, Texas

| tv = ABC

| score = 6–9

| attend = 90,079

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|November 26, 2010}}

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| rank = 16

| opponent = Colorado

| gamename = rivalry

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, Nebraska

| tv = ABC

| score = 45–17

| attend = 85,646

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 4

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| neutral = y

| rank = 13

| opponent = Oklahoma

| opprank = 10

| gamename = Big 12 Championship Game) (rivalry

| site_stadium = Cowboys Stadium

| site_cityst = Arlington, Texas

| tv = ABC

| score = 20–23

| attend = 78,802

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|December 30, 2010}}

| time = 9:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 18

| opponent = Washington

| gamename = Holiday Bowl

| site_stadium = Qualcomm Stadium

| site_cityst = San Diego, California

| tv = ESPN

| score = 7–19

| attend = 57,921

}}

}}

{{cite web |title=Football – 2010 Schedule/Results|url=http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2010|publisher=University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Athletics|access-date=January 5, 2010}}

{{Clear}}

{{American football roster/Header|year=2010|team=Nebraska Cornhuskers|teamcolors=y

|offensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Nick|last=Ash|num=70|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Robert|last=Barry|num=82|pos=TE|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kenny|last=Bell|num=80|pos=WR|class=F|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Joe|last=Broekemeier|num=9 |pos=WR|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Rex|last=Burkhead|link=y|num=22|pos=IB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Caputo|num=58|pos=OL|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brion|last=Carnes|num=16|pos=QB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brandon|last=Chapek|num=51|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Seung Hoon|last=Choi|num=77|pos=OL|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jesse|last=Coffey|num=72|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Khiry|last=Cooper|num=1 |pos=WR|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ben|last=Cotton|num=81|pos=TE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Scott|last=Criss|num=67|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Taylor|last=Dixon|num=87|pos=WR|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Quincy|last=Enunwa|num=18|pos=WR|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tyler|last=Evans|num=88|pos=WR|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Curenski|last=Gilleylen|num=11|pos=WR|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Cody|last=Green|num=17|pos=QB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jermarcus|last=Hardrick|num=50|pos=OL|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Roy|last=Helu Jr.|num=10|pos=IB|class=S|link=y|dab=Roy Helu|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ricky|last=Henry|num=74|pos=OL|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Will|last=Henry|num=8 |pos=WR|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ryan|last=Hill|num=33|pos=TE/FB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mitch|last=Hron|num=34|pos=FB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Keegan|last=Hughes|num=45|pos=WR|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=KC|last=Hyland|num=85|pos=WR|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Stanley|last=Jean-Baptiste|num=83|pos=WR|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Rob|last=Jensen|num=55|pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Austin|last=Jones|num=28|pos=IB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=D.J.|last=Jones|num=73|pos=OL|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dwight|last=Jones|num=52|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Marcel|last=Jones|num=78|pos=OL|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ron|last=Kellogg III|num=12|pos=QB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=J.T.|last=Kerr|num=89|pos=TE|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ty|last=Kildow|num=4 |pos=WR|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brandon|last=Kinnie|num=84|pos=WR|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Zac|last=Lee|num=5 |pos=QB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tyler|last=Legate|num=48|pos=FB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Luke|last=Lingenfelter|num=75|pos=OL|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jake|last=Long|num=41|pos=TE|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Spencer|last=Long|num=61|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tim|last=Marlowe|num=6 |pos=WR|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jay|last=Martin|num=35|pos=FB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Taylor|last=Martinez|num=3 |pos=QB|class=RF|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mychael|last=McClure|num=86|pos=TE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=McNeill|num=44|pos=TE/WR|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Moudy|num=57|pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brodrick|last=Nickens|num=69|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Collins|last=Okafor|num=29|pos=IB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Steven|last=Osborne|num=21|pos=WR|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Niles|last=Paul|num=24|pos=WR|class=S|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mark|last=Pelini|num=56|pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Cole|last=Pensick|num=62|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brent|last=Qvale|num=76|pos=OL|class=RF|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kyler|last=Reed|num=25|pos=TE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dontrayevous|last=Robinson|num=27|pos=IB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Andrew|last=Rodriguez|num=63|pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dillon|last=Schrodt|num=43|pos=WR|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeremiah|last=Sirles|num=71|pos=OL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jacob|last=Smith|num=39|pos=WR|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Smith|num=65|pos=OL|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kody|last=Spano|num=7 |pos=QB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Zach|last=Taylor|num=40|pos=RB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brandon|last=Thompson|num=79|pos=OL|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brian|last=Thorson|num=59|pos=OL|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Lester|last=Ward|num=14|pos=IB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Latravis|last=Washington|num=15|pos=QB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brett|last=Wells|num=47|pos=TE|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Keith|last=Williams|num=68|pos=OL|class=S|link=y|dab=Keith Williams (offensive lineman)}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tyler|last=Wullenwaber|num=26|pos=WR|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dreu|last=Young|num=49|pos=TE|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=C.J.|last=Zimmerer|num=31|pos=FB|class=RF}}

|defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Pierre|last=Allen|num=95|pos=DE|class=S|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Prince|last=Amukamara|num=21|pos=CB|class=S|link=y|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kenny|last=Anderson|num=70|pos=DE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Ankrah|num=9 |pos=DE|class=RF|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Walker|last=Ashburn|num=47|pos=DE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Josh|last=Bart|num=40|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Antonio|last=Bell|num=2 |pos=CB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Justin|last=Blatchford|num=39|pos=DB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Anthony|last=Blue|num=14|pos=CB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Austin|last=Cassidy|num=8 |pos=S|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Will|last=Compton|num=51|pos=LB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Corey|last=Cooper|num=6 |pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jake|last=Cotton|num=96|pos=DT|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jared|last=Crick|num=94|pos=DT|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Lavonte|last=David|num=4 |pos=LB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jase|last=Dean|num=31|pos=CB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Alfonzo|last=Dennard|num=15|pos=CB|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jim|last=Ebke|num=32|pos=S|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ciante|last=Evans|num=17|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tyrone|last=Fahie|num=92|pos=DE|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Joey|last=Felici|num=25|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Sean|last=Fisher|num=42|pos=LB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Derek|last=Foster|num=30|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Andy|last=Gdowski|num=80|pos=DE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=DeJon|last=Gomes|num=7 |pos=DB|class=S|link=y|dab=Dejon Gomes}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Andrew|last=Green|num=11|pos=DB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Thomas|last=Grove|num=41|pos=LB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jay|last=Guy|num=99|pos=DL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Eric|last=Hagg|num=28|pos=DB|class=S|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Andrew|last=Holt|num=35|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Harvey|last=Jackson|num=26|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Justin|last=Jackson|num=58|pos=DT|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Seth|last=Jameson|num=29|pos=DB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Faron|last=Klingelhoefer|num=85|pos=DT|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Micah|last=Kreikemeier|num=44|pos=LB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tyrone|last=Lewis|num=37|pos=LB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Matt|last=Manninger|num=49|pos=LB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Eric|last=Martin|num=46|pos=LB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mathew|last=May|num=36|pos=LB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Colin|last=McDermott|num=65|pos=DE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Conor|last=McDermott|num=89|pos=DE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tyson|last=McGill|num=33|pos=LB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Marcus|last=Mendoza|num=32|pos=CB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Cameron|last=Meredith|num=34|pos=DE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Lazarri|last=Middleton|num=2 |pos=CB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Josh|last=Mitchell|num=18|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Josh|last=Molek|num=68|pos=DT|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=J.C.|last=Moore|num=52|pos=DE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Terrence|last=Moore|num=90|pos=DT|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brent|last=Moravec|num=43|pos=DB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tobi|last=Okuyemi|num=48|pos=DE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Courtney|last=Osborne|num=12|pos=S|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Devin|last=Paulsen|num=56|pos=LB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Thaddeus|last=Randle|num=53|pos=DL|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Wil|last=Richards|num=19|pos=DB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Trevor|last=Roach|num=54|pos=LB|class=F|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chase|last=Rome|num=97|pos=DT|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=P.J.|last=Smith|num=13|pos=S|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Colby|last=Starkebaum|num=59|pos=LB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Baker|last=Steinkuhler|num=55|pos=DT|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Graham|last=Stoddard|num=38|pos=LB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Rickey|last=Thenarse|num=3 |pos=S|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kevin|last=Thomsen|num=37|pos=DE|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Lance|last=Thorell|num=23|pos=DB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeff|last=Uher|num=61|pos=DL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Donovan|last=Vestal|num=91|pos=DE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Yusef|last=Wade|num=38|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dijon|last=Washington|num=10|pos=CB|class=RF}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Adam|last=Watson|num=16|pos=DB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Anthony|last=West|num=5 |pos=DB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Alonzo|last=Whaley|num=45|pos=LB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Austin|last=Williams|num=24|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Josh|last=Williams|num=98|pos=DE|class=SO}}

|special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jon|last=Damkroger|num=27|pos=P/PK|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Dann|num=97|pos=PK/P|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Beaux|last=Greenfield|num=66|pos=LS|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Alex|last=Henery|num=90|pos=PK/P|class=S|link=y|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Adi|last=Kunalic|num=1 |pos=PK|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brett|last=Maher|num=96|pos=P/PK|class=SO|link=y|dab=Brett Maher (gridiron football)}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=P.J.|last=Mangieri|num=92|pos=LS|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Sam|last=Meginnis|num=67|pos=LS/LB|class=SO}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=2010|accessdate=January 10, 2011

|head_coach=

• Bo Pelini{{small|
     3rd season
     4th year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Ohio State}}

|asst_coach=

• Shawn Watson{{small|
     4th season as OC/QB coach
     5th year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Southern Illinois}}
• Carl Pelini{{small|
     3rd season as DC/DL coach
     3rd year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Youngstown State}}
• Tim Beck{{small|
     3rd season as RB coach
     3rd year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Central Florida}}
• Ron Brown{{small|
     3rd season as TE coach
     20th year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Brown}}
• Barney Cotton{{small|
     3rd season as AHC/OL coach
     4th year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Nebraska}}
• Mike Ekeler{{small|
     3rd season as LB coach
     3rd year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Kansas State}}
• Ted Gilmore{{small|
     3rd season as AHC/Rec coach
     6th year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Wyoming}}
• John Papuchis{{small|
     3rd season as DE/ST coach
     3rd year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Virginia Tech}}
• Marvin Sanders{{small|
     3rd season as Sec coach
     4th year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Nebraska}}
• James Dobson{{small|
     3rd season as S&C coach
     3rd year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Wisconsin}}
• Curt Baldus{{small|
     3rd season as GA coach
     4th year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: St. Cloud State}}
• Ross Watson{{small|
     3rd season as GA coach
     3rd year at Nebraska
     Alma mater: Mount Union}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.huskermax.com/coaches.html|title=Nebraska head coaches|access-date=December 27, 2009|work=HuskerMax}}{{cite web|url=http://www.huskermax.com/coaches/assistants.html|title=Assistant coaches|access-date=December 27, 2009|work=HuskerMax}}{{cite web|url=http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?spid=22&spsid=2&db_oem_id=100|title=Football Coaches|access-date=April 5, 2010|publisher=University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415192749/http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?spid=22&spsid=2&db_oem_id=100|archive-date=April 15, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Pelini Names 8 of 9 Full-Time Assistants|first=Brian|last=Christopherson|url=http://journalstar.com/sports/football/college/article_c58f7401-016a-5443-96a8-4663fca187e2.html|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|date=December 17, 2007|access-date=June 21, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=1353332|title=Pelini Announces Husker Coaching Staff|access-date=June 21, 2010|publisher=University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics}}

}}

{{CFB Team Depth Chart

| OScheme = Single Set Back

| DScheme = 4-2

| SpecialTeams = Yes

| KeyReserves = Yes

| 3Deep = Yes

| QB_Starter = Taylor Martinez

| QB_Backup = Cody Green

| QB_Third = Zac Lee

| RB1_Starter = Roy Helu

| RB1_Backup = Rex Burkhead

| RB1_Third = Dontrayevous Robinson

| WR1_Starter = Niles Paul

| WR1_Backup = Joe Broekemeier

| WR2_Starter = Mike McNeil

| WR2_Backup = Quincy Enunwa

| WR3_Starter = Brandon Kinnie

| WR3_Backup = Will Henry

| TE1_Starter = Kyler Reed
Ben Cotton

| TE1_Backup = Jake Long

| LT_Starter = Jeremiah Sirles

| LT_Backup = Jermarcus Hardrick

| LG_Starter = Keith Williams

| LG_Backup = Andrew Rodriguez

| C_Starter = Mike Caputo

| C_Backup = Cole Pensick

| RG_Starter = Ricky Henry

| RG_Backup = Brent Qvale

| RT_Starter = D.J Jones

| RT_Backup = Marcel Jones

| WLB_Starter = Eric Martin
Will Compton {{injured}}

| WLB_Backup = Alonzo Whaley

| WLB_SchoolName = WILL

| SLB_Starter = Lavonte David

| SLB_Backup = Mathew May

| SLB_SchoolName = MIKE

| FS_Starter = DeJon Gomes

| FS_Backup = D-Courtney Osborne

| FS_Third = Anthony West

| SS_Starter = Austin Cassidy
Rickey Thenarse

| SS_Backup = D-P.J Smith

| S_Starter = Eric Hagg

| S_Backup = Austin Cassidy

| S_SchoolName = NICKEL

| DB1_Starter = Alfonzo Dennard

| DB1_Backup = Antonio Bell

| DB2_Starter = Prince Amukamara

| DB2_Backup = Ciante Evans

| RDE_Starter = Cameron Meredith

| RDE_Backup = Josh Williams

| RDT_Starter = Baker Steinkuler

| RDT_Backup = Terrence Moore

| LDT_Starter = Jared Crick

| LDT_Backup = Thad Randle

| LDE_Starter = Pierre Allen

| LDE_Backup = Jason Ankrah

| Key_Reserve_1 = FB Tyler Legate

| Key_Reserve_2 = FB C.J Zimmerer

| Key_Reserve_3 = FB Ryan Hill

| Kickoff = Adi Kunalic

| PK_Starter = Alex Henery

| P_Starter = Alex Henery

| Kick_Returner = Niles Paul

| Punt_Returner = Niles Paul

| Long_Snapper = P.J. Mangieri

| ColWidth = 110

| Autosize =

| RowHeight =

| FontSize = 85

| Debug = No

}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Western Kentucky at Nebraska

| Visitor = Western Kentucky

| Host = #8 Nebraska

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 3| V4 = 7

| H1 = 14| H2 = 7| H3 = 14| H4 = 14

| Date = September 4

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime = 6:10 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:04

| Attendance = 85,555

| Weather = Sunny, {{convert|78|F}}, Wind S@{{convert|12|mph|abbr=on}}, 52% Humidity

| Referee = Cooper Castleberry

| TVAnnouncers = Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Rich Baldinger (Color) & Brent Stover (Sideline)

| TVStation = FSN PPV

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

This was the first ever meeting of the Hilltoppers and Cornhuskers. Redshirt Freshman QB Taylor Martinez was not revealed as the starter for Nebraska until kickoff, and subsequently became the first freshman quarterback to open a Nebraska season in the history of the program. On his first carry, Martinez rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown, allowing for Nebraska to extend its ongoing NCAA record of consecutive season-opening victories to 25. Martinez's 129 rushing yards on the day also marked the first time a Nebraska QB exceeded 100 yards on the ground since 2003, and this was accomplished while sharing snaps with the second and third string quarterbacks. The 2010 Blackshirts debut was marred somewhat when they allowed the Western Kentucky squad, which had lost their last 20 games in a row prior to this game, to accumulate 299 all-purpose yards, mostly during a second-half defensive letdown.{{cite web |title=Dashing Debut: Marcinez, Huskers Run to Win|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=1&SPID=22&ATCLID=204988449&DB_OEM_ID=100|publisher=University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics|date=September 4, 2010|access-date=September 6, 2010}}{{cite web |title=Nebraska vs. Western Kentucky 2010|url=http://huskermax.com/games/2010/western_ky10.html|work=HuskerMax|date=September 4, 2010|access-date=September 6, 2010}}{{cite web |title=Taylor Martinez Shreds W. Kentucky for 3 TDs; No. 8 Nebraska Wins Laugher|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302470158|publisher=ESPN|date=September 4, 2010|access-date=September 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907193644/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302470158|archive-date=September 7, 2010|url-status=dead}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Idaho at Nebraska

| Visitor = Idaho

| Host = #6 Nebraska

| V1 =0| V2 =3| V3 =7| V4 =7

| H1 =3| H2 =28| H3 =7| H4 =0

| Date = September 11

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime = 11:39 a.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 2:57

| Attendance = 85,732

| Weather = Sunny, Clear, {{convert|73|F}}, Wind WNW@{{convert|5|-|10|mph|abbr=on}}

| Referee = Dan Romeo

| TVAnnouncers = Dave Armstrong (Play-by-play), Gary Reasons (Color) & Brent Stover (Sideline)

| TVStation = FSN PPV

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

File:NebraskatunnelwalkvsIdaho.jpg

For the sixth straight year, Nebraska opened the season 2–0. The 38–17 defeat of the Idaho Vandals in the first ever meeting of these teams improved the Cornhuskers to 22–1 against WAC opponents all-time. The Nebraska defense held the Vandals to just 60 yards on the ground and 279 total yards, while notching seven sacks for 80 yards lost. The Blackshirts intercepted five passes, three of which were converted into scores. A 28–3 scoring output in the 2nd quarter allowed the Cornhuskers to run away with the game and play some reserve personnel, which allowed the Vandals to outscore Nebraska 14–7 in the second half. The Nebraska offense recorded 471 all-purpose yards. The home field win was Nebraska's 375th at Memorial Stadium, and the 500th home win in Lincoln all-time. Nebraska redshirt freshman QB Taylor Martinez had a second straight 100-yard rushing game, and his 67-yard second-quarter touchdown was the longest by a Nebraska QB since a 70-yard dash by Eric Crouch against Colorado in 2001. Cornhusker PK Alex Henery accounted for eight points on the day, which was enough to make him the fifth Nebraska player to ever exceed 300 career points. Despite the win, Nebraska slipped from #6 to #8 in the AP Poll following the game.{{cite web |title=Big Red Eruption|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3&MSMD=22&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=204992341|publisher=University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics|date=September 11, 2010|access-date=September 13, 2010}}{{cite web |title=Nebraska vs. Idaho 2010|url=http://huskermax.com/games/2010/idaho10.html|work=HuskerMax|access-date=September 13, 2010}}{{cite web |title=Nebraska's D Picks off Idaho 5 Times, Records 7 Sacks|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302540158|publisher=ESPN|date=September 11, 2010|access-date=September 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914130617/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302540158|archive-date=September 14, 2010 |url-status=dead}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Washington

| Visitor = #8 Nebraska

| Host = Washington

| V1 =14| V2 =14| V3 =21| V4 =7

| H1 =7| H2 =7| H3 =7| H4 =0

| Date = September 18

| Location = Husky Stadium, Seattle

| StartTime = 2:37 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:06

| Attendance = 72,876

| Weather = Scattered Clouds, {{convert|66|F}}, Wind: Variable

| Referee = Jack Wood

| TVAnnouncers = Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Shelley Smith (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The game against Washington was led by Steve Sarkisian, who took over in 2009. This was Nebraska's first road game of the 2010 season. The game featured redshirt freshman Martinez QB Washington QB Jake Locker.

File:NebraskafansatWasginfton.jpg

Washington received the ball to start the game but gave up an interception four plays later, just 1:35 into the game. Shortly thereafter Nebraska scored a touchdown and never gave up the lead for the rest of the game. The Cornhuskers finished the day with 533 all-purpose yards, more than double Washington's totals in each category. This included three Nebraska players totaling over 100 yards of rushing, an accomplishment not met since 2001 and only the fourth time ever in program history. It was also the first time Washington had ever allowed three opponent players to exceed 100 rushing yards. The Cornhusker offense managed over 13 yards per pass attempt and over 7 yards per rush attempt, while the 56 total Nebraska points was the most points ever scored by a non-conference opponent in Husky Stadium's 90-year history, also tying the most points ever scored there by a Washington conference opponent. An 80-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter by Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez was the longest TD run by a freshman QB, and the second-longest run by any Nebraska QB, in program history. The Blackshirts coverage prevented the Huskies from ever getting consistent momentum, and Locker ended the day only 4 of 20 in the air for 70 yards and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a Nebraska TD by junior CB Alfonzo Dennard. Washington did manage to end Nebraska's 10-game streak of holding opponents to 20 points. Nebraska took over the series by moving to 4–3–1 against Washington all time.{{cite web |title=Mystery Analyst Gives Martinez an A-Plus, Relishes NU's Return to Power Football|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=204997215&DB_OEM_ID=100|publisher=University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics|date=September 18, 2010|access-date=September 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923005241/http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=204997215&DB_OEM_ID=100|archive-date=September 23, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Nebraska vs. Washington 2010|url=http://huskermax.com/games/2010/washington10.html|work=HuskerMax|date=September 18, 2010|access-date=September 19, 2010}}{{cite web |title=Taylor Martinez Accounts for 4 TDs as Nebraska Runs Over Washington|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302610264|publisher=ESPN|date=September 18, 2010|access-date=September 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921110053/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302610264|archive-date=September 21, 2010|url-status=dead}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = South Dakota State at Nebraska

| Visitor = {{cfb link|year=2010|school=South Dakota State University|team=South Dakota State Jackrabbits|title=South Dakota State}}

| Host = #6 Nebraska

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 3| V4 = 0

| H1 = 0| H2 = 14| H3 = 0| H4 = 3

| Date = September 25

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime = 6:08 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 2:55

| Attendance = 85,573

| Weather = Sunny, {{convert|64|F}}, Winds ENE@{{convert|10|mph|abbr=on}}

| Referee = Rick Loumiet

| TVAnnouncers = Ron Thulin (Play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (Color) & Jim Rose (Sideline)

| TVStation = FSN PPV

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Meeting for the first time since a 58–7 Nebraska victory in 1963, the FCS South Dakota State Jackrabbits entered the game at 0–2. The 307th consecutive sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium was the largest crowd that the Jackrabbits team had ever played in front of, and the last two teams to hold Nebraska to fewer than 17 points had been the #20 Oklahoma Sooners and #3 Texas Longhorns. The game was closer than the 17–3 score would indicate, as the Jackrabbits had two touchdowns nullified by penalties, one of them on an interception returned 66 yards to the end zone. Both teams suffered two interceptions each and Nebraska offered up four fumbles on the day, losing one of them to a fumble-free South Dakota State. Nebraska held the time of possession edge on the game by 11 seconds, and converted four of thirteen third downs. Cornhusker head coach Pelini summed up the Nebraska effort after the game, saying "We were a bad team." Nonetheless, the win moved the Cornhuskers to 2–0 over the Jackrabbits all time, and put Nebraska at 4–0 for the first time since 2005.{{cite news |title=Hanging Tough: TD Penalties Prevent SDSU Upset of Huskers|url=http://www.argusleader.com/article/20100926/SPORTS02/9260336/1002/sports|newspaper=Argus Leader|location=Sioux Falls|date=September 26, 2010|access-date=September 26, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite web |title=Jacks Battle, but Fall at Nebraska|url=http://www.gojacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=64624&SPID=7153&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205001117&DB_OEM_ID=15000|publisher=South Dakota State University Department of Athletics|date=September 25, 2010|access-date=September 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928225451/http://www.gojacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=64624&SPID=7153&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205001117&DB_OEM_ID=15000|archive-date=September 28, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Blackshirts Lead Huskers Past Jacks|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=1&SPID=22&ATCLID=205000453&DB_OEM_ID=100|publisher=University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Athletics|date=September 25, 2010|access-date=September 26, 2010}}{{cite web |title=Nebraska off to Best Start Since 2005 Despite Taylor Martinez's Three Turnovers|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302680158|publisher=ESPN|date=September 25, 2010|access-date=September 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927181135/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302680158|archive-date=September 27, 2010|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://huskermax.com/games/2010/sdakota_state10.html|title=Nebraska vs. South Dakota State 2010|work=HuskerMax|date=September 25, 2010|access-date=September 26, 2010}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Kansas State

| Visitor = #7 Nebraska

| Host = Kansas State

| V1 =7| V2 =10| V3 =21| V4 =10

| H1 =0| H2 =3| H3 =3| H4 =7

| Date = October 7

| Location = Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

| StartTime = 6:30 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:11

| Attendance = 51015

| Weather = Clear, {{convert|79|F}}, Winds E@{{convert|7|mph|abbr=on}}

| Referee = Randy Christal

| TVAnnouncers = Rece Davis (Play-by-play), Craig James (Color), Jesse Palmer (Color) & Jenn Brown (Sideline)

| TVStation = ESPN

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Nebraska met Kansas State in Manhattan to open the final Cornhusker Big 12 Conference slate and the 95th time the teams had met. Redshirt freshman Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez bounced back from his lackluster appearance in the previous contest against South Dakota State, rushing for four touchdowns and 241 yards to set a new all-time Cornhusker quarterback single-game rushing record. His 370 total yards on the day were the most all-purpose yards set by a Cornhusker freshman at any position in nineteen years. Martinez's efforts helped Nebraska to tally more yards against Kansas State than any other opponent in twenty one years. The Wildcat offense seemed to have success to start the game, marching down the field on their first possession, until they were stopped on a 4th-and-2 in the Nebraska red zone with no points to show for it. The Blackshirts subsequently took control of the game defensively, notching their 13th straight game holding an opponent to 21 points or less and helping the Cornhuskers to hand Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder a home field loss, in the stadium named after him, on his 71st birthday. The Nebraska win moved the Cornhuskers to 5–0 for the first time since 2003, and the series between the programs drew to a close with a Nebraska advantage of 78–15–2.{{cite web |title=Purple Pounding: Martinez, Huskers Roar Past 'Cats|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=1&SPID=22&ATCLID=205008409&DB_OEM_ID=100|publisher=University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics|date=October 7, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010}}{{cite web |title=Taylor Martinez Rushes for 241 Yards, 4 TDs in Huskers' Win|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302802306|publisher=ESPN|date=October 7, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008133555/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302802306|archive-date=October 8, 2010|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Martinez, Huskers Pound Cats|first=Austin|last=Meek|url=http://cjonline.com/sports/football/2010-10-07/martinez_huskers_pound_cats|newspaper=The Topeka Capital-Journal|date=October 7, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010113638/http://cjonline.com/sports/football/2010-10-07/martinez_huskers_pound_cats|archive-date=October 10, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |title=Nebraska Romps Past K-State 48–13|first=Kellis|last=Robinett|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/07/2289742/nebraska-romps-past-k-state-48.html|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|date=October 7, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010165458/http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/07/2289742/nebraska-romps-past-k-state-48.html|archive-date=October 10, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Nebraska vs. Kansas State 2010|url=http://huskermax.com/games/2010/ksu10.html|work=HuskerMax|date=October 7, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Texas at Nebraska

| Visitor = Texas

| Host = #5 Nebraska

| V1 =10| V2 =7| V3 =3| V4 =0

| H1 =0| H2 =3| H3 =3| H4 =7

| Date = October 16

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime = 2:34 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:16

| Attendance = 85,648

| Weather = Sunny, {{convert|75|F}}, Winds NNE@{{convert|8|mph|abbr=on}}, Humidity 39%

| Referee = Greg Burks

| TVAnnouncers = Sean McDonough (Play-by-play), Matt Millen (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC/ESPN

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The teams came head-to-head for the 14th time with Texas defeating #5 Nebraska in Lincoln. The loss left Nebraska with a 4–10 record against Texas all time, and just 1–9 in the last ten attempts. With Nebraska's departure from the Big 12 Conference following this season, this was the last regular season league meeting of these teams.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Oklahoma State

| Visitor = #14 Nebraska

| Host = #17 Oklahoma State

| V1 =14| V2 =17| V3 =10| V4 =10

| H1 =13| H2 =14| H3 =7| H4 =7

| Date = October 23

| Location = Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma

| StartTime = 2:30 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:34

| Attendance = 55,935

| Weather = Fair and Cloudy, {{convert|64|F}}, Winds SSW@{{convert|16|mph|abbr=on}}

| Referee = Tom Walker

| TVAnnouncers = Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Jeannine Edwards (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Cornhuskers traveled to Stillwater following a disappointing loss to Texas the week prior, hoping to bounce back against their first ranked opponent of the year, the #17 Oklahoma State Cowboys. Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez eclipsed the 300-yard mark through the air for the first time in his career, passing for 323 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 112 yards on the ground.

Nebraska's victory improved the Cornhuskers' series lead to 37–5–1, but was only Nebraska's second win in the last five matches between the squads. Their first win in Stillwater since 1995. With Nebraska's departure from the Big 12 Conference following this season, this was the last league meeting of these teams in a series that dates back to when the Cowboys briefly joined the MVIAA from 1925 to 1928. Oklahoma State later returned to the league for good in 1958, leading the conference to be known as the "Big 8" for the first time.

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{{AFB game box start

| Title = Missouri at Nebraska

| Visitor = #7 Missouri

| Host = #14 Nebraska

| V1 =0| V2 =7| V3 =10| V4 =0

| H1 =24| H2 =0| H3 =7| H4 =0

| Date = October 30

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime = 2:36 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime =3:26

| Attendance = 85,907

| Weather = Clear, {{convert|67|F}}, Winds NE@{{convert|12|mph|abbr=on}}

| Referee = Randy Christal

| TVAnnouncers = Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Jeannine Edwards (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC/ESPN

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

File:NebraskMissouri2010.jpg

{{See also|Missouri–Nebraska football rivalry}}#7 Missouri arrived in Lincoln to take on Nebraska for the 104th contest between the schools since 1892, trying to make progress to catch up to Nebraska in the series. The Tigers trail behind the Cornhuskers 36–65–3 all-time.

Nebraska's withdrawal from Big 12 play after this year ends a historical league affiliation with the Tigers that dates to 1892, when these two programs joined with Kansas and Iowa to form the Western Interstate University Football Association (WIUFA). Though the WIUFA disbanded after six seasons, all four WIUFA teams came together again with the formation of the MVIAA in 1907. The conclusion of the 2010 season will mark the end of a 103-year continuous conference partnership, and leaves the fate of the Victory Bell in question.

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{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Iowa State

| Visitor = #9 Nebraska

| Host = Iowa State

| V1 =0| V2 =7| V3 =17| V4 =0| VOT =7

| H1 =0| H2 =10| H3 =0| H4 =14| HOT =6

| Date = November 6

| Location = Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA

| StartTime = 2:30 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:18

| Attendance = 51,159

| Weather = Mostly Sunny, {{convert|54|F}}, Winds SSE@{{convert|15|mph|abbr=on}}

| Referee = Greg Burks

| TVAnnouncers = Dave Pasch (Play-by-play), Bob Griese (Color), Chris Spielman (Color) & Quint Kessenich (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Second-year Iowa State Head Coach Paul Rhoads hosted Nebraska in Ames for the first time, as the squads come together for their 105th contest. With Nebraska leaving Big 12 play after this season, this game marked the end of a historical series and conference relationship dating back to 1896, almost as far back as the Nebraska-Missouri series. Nebraska, who leads the all-time series 86–17–2, avenged last year's 7–9 loss, which was Iowa State's first win in Lincoln in 34 years. Nebraska and Iowa State traded scores in the 4th quarter before Nebraska led 31–24 in the final minutes. Iowa State scored a touchdown to make the score 31–30 Nebraska leading. ISU Head Coach Paul Rhoads called a 2-point conversion. With the game on the line, ISU QB Austen Arnaud threw a pass that got intercepted by Nebraska DB Eric Hagg to give Nebraska the overtime win in Ames.

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{{AFB game box start

| Title = Kansas at Nebraska

| Visitor = Kansas

| Host = #9 Nebraska

| V1 =0| V2 =0| V3 =3| V4 =0

| H1 =7| H2 =7| H3 =3| H4 =3

| Date = November 13

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime = 6:09 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 2:37

| Attendance = 85,587

| Weather = Clear, {{convert|34|F}}, Winds NNW@5-{{convert|10|mph|abbr=on}}, Humidity 84%

| Referee = Karl Richins

| TVAnnouncers = Dave Armstrong (Play-by-play), Gary Reasons (Color) & Jim Rose (Sideline)

| TVStation = FSN PPV

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Kansas traveled to Lincoln to play the 105th and last game in the NCAA-record longest consecutive season series in all of college football. This game marked the 117th time overall that the teams have come together to settle things on the field. Nebraska's victory leaves the series closed for now with a decisive Cornhusker advantage of 91–23–3. It was the first meeting between Kansas and Nebraska since the Jayhawk program was taken over by former legendary Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill.

The departure of Nebraska from the Big 12 marked this game as the probable last game of one of the longest continuous series in the history of NCAA college football, as Kansas and Nebraska have met on the field every year without interruption since 1903, and failed to meet in only two seasons overall since 1892.

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{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Texas A&M

| Visitor = #9 Nebraska

| Host = #18 Texas A&M

| V1 =3| V2 =0| V3 =0| V4 =3

| H1 =0| H2 =3| H3 =0| H4 =6

| Date = November 20

| Location = Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

| StartTime = 7:12 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:05

| Attendance = 90,079

| Weather = {{convert|70|F}}, Winds SE@{{convert|9|mph|abbr=on}}, Humidity 71%

| Referee = Greg Burks

| TVAnnouncers = Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color) & Heather Cox (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

With Nebraska's departure from the Big 12 Conference following this season, this was the last league meeting of these two teams. The Cornhuskers were penalized 16 times for 145 yards and lost the game 9–6. Several of the calls were controversial, and played key role in the outcome of the game.{{Cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/526036-dan-beebe-corruption-vengeance-injustice-rule-pro-texasanti-nebraska-big-12|title=Dan Beebe, Corruption, Vengeance, Injustice Rule Pro-Texas/Anti-Nebraska Big 12|website=Bleacher Report}} For example, Texas A&M player Tony Jerod-Eddie grabbed and squeezed the testicles of Nebraska player Ben Cotton when he recovered a fumble, and Cotton was flagged 15 yards when he tried to protect himself.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Tale_of_the_Tape_Between_AM_and_NU_Causing_More_Commotion_109993189.html |title=Tale of the Tape Between A&M and NU Causing More Commotion |access-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013050336/http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Tale_of_the_Tape_Between_AM_and_NU_Causing_More_Commotion_109993189.html |url-status=dead }}

Following the Cornhuskers' defeat by the Aggies, Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Carl Pelini was involved in an incident with Brandon Jones, a co-owner of a Texas A&M sports site, TexAgs. The photographer stated that Pelini had seized Brandon's camera and broken several pieces from it before throwing them to the ground. Video shows Pelini rushing towards the photographer and camera.{{cite news |title=Nebraska Assistant, Cameraman Tangle|first=Brent|last=Zwerneman|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/big_12/article/Nebraska-assistant-cameraman-tangle-825222.php|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|date=November 21, 2010|access-date=December 17, 2010}}

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{{AFB game box start

| Title = Colorado at Nebraska

| Visitor = Colorado

| Host = #15 Nebraska| V1 = 0 | V2 = 3 | V3 = 14 | V4 = 0

| H1 = 3 | H2 = 14 | H3 = 21 | H4 = 7

| Date = November 26

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime = 2:37 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:11

| Attendance = 85,646

| Weather = Sunny, {{convert|49|F}}, Winds WNW@{{convert|17|mph|abbr=on}}, Humidity 37%

| Referee = Rick Loumiet

| TVAnnouncers = Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (Color) & Jeannine Edwards (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC

}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time=5:13 |Team=NEB |Event=Alex Henery 42-yard field goal |Score= NEB 3–0}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time=13:47 |Team=NEB |Event=Rex Burkhead 2-yard run (Alex Henery kick) |Score= NEB 10–0}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time=10:22 |Team=COL |Event=Aric Goodman 22-yard field goal |Score= NEB 10–3}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time=0:49 |Team=NEB |Event=Brandon Kinnie 26-yard pass from Rex Burkhead (Alex Henery kick) |Score= NEB 17–3}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter= 3|Time=11:58 |Team=NEB |Event=Brandon Kinnie 16-yard pass from Cody Green (Alex Henery kick) |Score= NEB 24–3}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time=10:53 |Team=NEB |Event=Kyler Reed 4-yard pass from Rex Burkhead (Alex Henery kick) |Score=NEB 31–3}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time=8:19 |Team=COL |Event=Paul Richardson 50-yard pass from Cody Hawkins (Aric Goodman kick) |Score= NEB 31–10}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time=3:38 |Team=NEB |Event=Kyler Reed 1-yard pass from Cody Green (Alex Henery kick) |Score= NEB 38–10}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time=0:00 |Team=COL |Event=Will Jefferson 29-yard pass from Cody Hawkins (Aric Goodman kick) |Score= NEB 38–17}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=4 |Time=12:55 |Team= NEB|Event=Cody Green 1-yard run (Alex Henery kick) |Score= NEB 45–17|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|Colorado–Nebraska football rivalry}}

Colorado traveled to Lincoln as both teams closed their regular seasons. Nebraska steadily pulled away for the win to clinch the Big 12 Conference North Division Title and a berth in the Big 12 Championship game. Colorado was denied a sixth win for the season and did not attain bowl eligibility, making this the final game of their 2010 season. As 2010 was the final year for both teams in the Big 12, the long-running series has drawn to a close with Nebraska in command at 49–18–2.

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{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska vs. Oklahoma

| Visitor = #13 Nebraska

| Host = #9 Oklahoma

| V1 = 10| V2 = 10| V3 =0| V4 =0

| H1 = 0| H2 =17| H3 =3| H4 =3

| Date = December 4

| Location = Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

| StartTime = 7:06 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:37

| Attendance = 78,802

| Weather = (indoors)

| Referee = Scott Novak

| TVAnnouncers = Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color) & Holly Rowe (Sideline)

| TVStation = ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|2010 Big 12 Championship Game|Nebraska–Oklahoma football rivalry}}

For the second year in a row, Nebraska appeared in the Big 12 football championship game. The team would play their final game as members of the Big 12 against Oklahoma in Arlington, Texas. Nebraska led 17–0 at one point in the first half, before Oklahoma reeled off 17 points of their own. A field goal just before halftime sent Nebraska into halftime with a 20–17 lead. In the second half, Oklahoma held Nebraska scoreless for the first time of the season and managed two field goals in each of the latter periods to win 23–20. Nebraska had 4 turnovers in the game and Oklahoma held a 453–293 yard disadvantage.

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{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska vs. Washington

| Visitor = #18 Nebraska

| Host = Washington

| V1=0|V2=7|V3=0|V4=0

| H1=10|H2=0|H3=7|H4=2

| Date = December 30

| Location = Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

| StartTime = 9:15 p.m.

| TimeZone = CST

| ElapsedTime = 3:16

| Attendance = 57,921

| Weather = Partly cloudy, {{convert|48|F}}, Winds NNW@{{convert|5|mph|abbr=on}}

| Referee = Land Clark

| TVAnnouncers = Chris Fowler (Play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (Color) & Erin Andrews (Sideline)

| TVStation = ESPN

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|2010 Holiday Bowl}}

Following Nebraska's loss to Oklahoma, Nebraska was selected as the Big 12's representative at the 2010 Holiday Bowl, which also chose the Washington squad beaten by Nebraska in September, now 6–6, to appear as the final opponent in the Cornhuskers 2010 season. This was Nebraska's second straight Holiday Bowl appearance. Washington had rebounded from a 3–6 start and the demoralizing early season loss to Nebraska, winning out the rest of their season to earn a bowl bid. The Huskies held Nebraska to a single first-half touchdown on their way to winning 19–7.

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{{See also|2010 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings}}

{{NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

| finalpollweek = 15 | harrisfirstweek = 6 | bcsfirstweek = 7

| AP_pre = 8

| coaches_pre = 9

| AP_1 = 6

| coaches_1 = 7

| AP_2 = 8

| coaches_2 = 8

| AP_3 = 6

| coaches_3 = 7

| AP_4 = 6

| coaches_4 = 6

| AP_5 = 7

| coaches_5 = 6

| AP_6 = 5

| coaches_6 = 4 (2)

| harris_6 = 5

| AP_7 = 14

| coaches_7 = 13

| harris_7 = 34

| bcs_7 = 16

| AP_8 = 14

| coaches_8 = 12

| harris_8 = 14

| bcs_8 = 14

| AP_9 = 9

| coaches_9 = 10

| harris_9 = 11

| bcs_9 = 7

| AP_10 = 9

| coaches_10 = 8

| harris_10 = 9

| bcs_10 = 8

| AP_11 = 9

| coaches_11 = 9

| harris_11 = 9

| bcs_11 = 8

| AP_12 = 16

| coaches_12 = 15

| harris_12 = 15

| bcs_12 = 15

| AP_13 = 13

| coaches_13 = 13

| harris_13 = 13

| bcs_13 = 13

| AP_14 = 17

| coaches_14 = 16

| harris_14 = 17

| bcs_14 = 18

| AP_15 = 20

| coaches_15 = 19

}}

Although there were high hopes for the year, three major goals were not achieved and resulted in a season that ended with a note of disappointment. After the last-second, one-point loss to Texas in the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game, the squad looked forward to a chance to avenge the loss against the Longhorns and to return to the league title game for the final Big 12 conference championship. The 2010 Big 12 Championship game was the last league title game for the foreseeable future, as the departure of Nebraska and Colorado from the league dropped the number of members to ten, which is not enough to hold a title game under NCAA rules.

Texas started the season flat and had to face unbeaten Nebraska in Lincoln, which led many media analysts to predict an easy Nebraska win. Instead, Texas took advantage of Cornhusker mistakes to deny Nebraska a win in the final foreseeable match between the teams. The Cornhuskers remained on track for an appearance in the Big 12 championship game, clinching an appearance against historical rival Oklahoma. The Cornhuskers started strong and led 17–0 in the second quarter before the Sooners rallied for 23 points while holding Nebraska to just one more field goal. Having also lost to Texas A&M in the regular season, the 10–3 Nebraska team was invited to the Holiday Bowl for a rematch with Washington.

Head coach Bo Pelini, 3–0 in bowls all time, was handed his first ever bowl loss at the hands of an inspired Husky squad, and Nebraska suffered its third loss in the previous four games, a mark last seen since the first part of 2008. Nonetheless, Pelini's overall record improved on the season, to 30–12 (.714) overall, and 17–7 (.708) in the Big 12, and his team won the Big 12 North Division title in each of his three seasons at the helm so far. This was not as successful a start as the programs of successful former head coaches Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne, or Frank Solich, but was a dramatic improvement over the first three years of his immediate predecessor, Bill Callahan. Callahan managed to get to just 22–15 (.595) overall and 13–11 (.542) in the league, with only a single division championship. Although 2010 ended on a disappointing note following Pelini's 2009 proclamation that "Nebraska was back", it was apparent that Nebraska's fortunes had improved since Pelini's 2007 arrival.

• Prince Amukamara, 2011 1st–round pick of the New York Giants
• DeJon Gomes, 2011 5th–round pick of the Washington Redskins
• Eric Hagg, 2011 7th–round pick of the Cleveland Browns
• Roy Helu, 2011 4th–round pick of the Washington Redskins
• Alex Henery, 2011 4th–round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles
• Ricky Henry, 2011 UFL 1st–round pick of the Hartford Colonials
• D.J. Jones, 2011 UFL 6th–round pick of the Omaha Nighthawks
• Niles Paul, 2011 5th–round pick of the Washington Redskins
• Mike Smith, 2011 UFL 5th–round pick of the Omaha Nighthawks
• Keith Williams, 2011 6th–round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers

The 2010 Cornhuskers were referenced in the season 6 Better Call Saul episode Nippy. Protagonist Saul Goodman discusses the team's fortunes with a mall security guard to distract him while an acquaintance robs a clothing store.{{Cite web |last=Bojalad |first=Alec |date=2022-07-27 |title=Better Call Saul: How Nebraska Football Clarifies the Gene Timeline |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/better-call-saul-how-nebraska-football-clarifies-the-gene-timeline/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Nebraska football scores biggest win in years with Better Call Saul shoutout |url=https://fansided.com/2022/07/26/nebraska-football-better-call-saul-bo-pelini-taylor-martinez/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=FanSided |language=en-US}}

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