Thursday, December 30
Hadenfeldt surprised with defensive designation
Associated Press
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Nebraska punter Dan Hadenfeldt, who was
fourth in the nation in punting and sent a school record with an
average of nearly 45 yards per punt, is finishing his college
career as a "blackshirt," officially making him a member of the
Cornhuskers' defense.
Hadenfeldt received the coveted black jersey from defensive
coordinator Charlie McBride the day after the Huskers arrived in
Arizona to prepare for the Fiesta Bowl.
"It was a surprise. I knew that there was a tradition of
seniors on defense getting a blackshirt, but it definitely caught
me off guard," Hadenfeldt said.
The senior who walked on from Valley High School in West Des
Moines, Iowa, made his only solo stop, and he admits it wasn't much
to look at.
Hadenfeldt stopped Oklahoma State's Terance Richardson on a
38-yard punt return in Nebraska's 38-14 win Oct. 2. The 5-foot-11,
195-pound Hadenfeldt stepped in front of Richardson, then hung on
with both arms to finally drag down Richardson. Hadenfeldt, who was
run over on the play, knocked the ball out of Richardson's hand
well after the whistle.
"I don't think that (the tackle) helped my cause," Hadenfeldt
said with a laugh. "I feel like I've contributed to the defense.
It's great to be one of the guys."
Hadenfeldt's season average of 44.98 yards per punt just topped
the record of 44.9 set by Bill Lafleur last season. Hadenfeldt also
handled kickoffs for the Huskers, booting 27 of his 75 kickoffs for
touchbacks.
Wistrom update
A month off wasn't quite enough to get Nebraska completely
healthy before Sunday's Fiesta Bowl against Tennessee.
The No. 3 Cornhuskers are making plans to play without All-Big
12 tight end Tracey Wistrom, who has been out since late November
with a knee injury.
Wistrom sat out practices Wednesday and Thursday and Nebraska
coach Frank Solich said it was unlikely he would play.
"When you really start to add it all up, the amount of practice
time that he's lost, even if the knee was in good shape, probably
he's not quite where he needs to be," Solich said.
Wistrom, a 6-5, 220-pound sophomore, was third in catches for
Nebraska this season with 16.
Happy to be here
Tennessee's losses to Florida and Arkansas this season cost the
Volunteers a chance at repeating as national champions.
But it did give Tennessee, which won the national title in last
year's Fiesta Bowl, a chance at redemption against Nebraska, which
beat Tennessee 42-17 in the Orange Bowl two years ago.
"You could break both my legs. I wouldn't miss this game for
the world," Tennessee linebacker Raynoch Thompson said. "I feel
wonderful. I'm loving the atmosphere and enjoying being back here.
Another crack at Nebraska is almost better than going to the Sugar
Bowl."
Close call
Tennessee running back Jamal Lewis said he was a phone call away
from playing Sunday's Fiesta Bowl in a scarlet jersey.
Lewis, a junior who rushed for 816 yards and seven touchdowns
this season, said Tennessee and Nebraska were his final two choices
coming out of Douglas High School in Atlanta. After Tennessee
offered a scholarship first, Lewis decided playing closer to home
and in an I-formation rather than Nebraska's option offense made
the Vols a better choice.
But what if former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne had called first
with an offer?
"I'd be on the other side of the field. That's just how it
worked," Lewis said.
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