2008-2009
College Football Season
Gator Bowl
Post-Game

'Huskers Stuff Clemson Running Game

by Mike Mitchell
January 1, 2009

Nebraska stormed back from a 14-3 halftime deficit with a 21-point barrage in the 3rd quarter as the Cornhuskers beat Clemson 26-21 in the Gator Bowl.

The Tigers marched to the 'Husker 10-yard line with under two minutes left in the game but came away empty.

Nebraska QB Joe Ganz threw two TD passes to atone for his first quarter fumble that was returned for a Clemson touchdown, and Alex Henery kicked four field goals.

The Tigers were held to just 4 net yards rushing and 210 yards of total offense.

The bowl win capped a huge turnaround for Nebraska under first-year head coach Bo Pelini who guided Nebraska to a 9-4 season after missing the bowl season last year with a 5-7 record under Bill Callahan.

The 'Huskers will go into 2009 on a 4-game winning streak. They won six of their last seven games to close the 2008 season.

Clemson dropped to 7-6 with its third straight bowl loss.

Dabo Swinney, named Clemson's interim head coach when Tommy Bowden stepped down after a 3-3 start, finished 4-3. He had the interim label removed after guiding the Tigers to four wins in their last six regular season games, including a regular season finale victory over rival South Carolina.