Link: Full Game Notes (Huskers.com)
FORDHAM (0-0) at NEBRASKA (0-1)
When: Saturday, September 4 | 11:00 AM (CT)
Where: Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, Nebraska
TV: BTN (Mark Followill, Matt Millen, Elise Menaker)
Radio: Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Matt Davison, Jeremiah Sirles)
HUSKERS
Record: 0-1, 0-1 Big Ten
Last Game: at Illinois (L 22-30)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Scott Frost (12-21, 4th year at NU | 31-28, 6th year overall)
vs. Fordham (0-0)
RAMS
Record: 0-0, 0-0 Patriot League
2021 Spring Record: 2-1
Last Game: at Bucknell (W 31-17)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Joe Conlin (8-18, 4th year at Fordham, 4th year overall)
vs. Nebraska (0-0)
Numbers to Know
1 - Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin Jr. became the first true freshman to start at running back in a season opener against Illinois. He is one of just seven true freshmen position players in the modern era to start for the Huskers in a season opener.
12 - Nebraska is a perfect 12-0 in school history against FCS opponents. Saturday's game with Fordham marks the Huskers' first matchup with an FCS opponent since a win over Bethune-Cookman in 2018
3 - Nebraska junior receiver Oliver Martin caught a touchdown pass at Illinois, marking the third Big Ten school Martin has recorded at touchdown catch. He also had TD catches at Michigan and Cockeye. Martin set career-highs with six receptions and 103 yards at Illinois
The Matchup
Nebraska will welcome fans to Memorial Stadium for the first time in two seasons on Saturday when the Huskers take on Fordham in the 2021 home opener. Game time in Lincoln is set for 11 a.m. CT with BTN providing television coverage.
Nebraska heads into the contest with an 0-1 record, following a 30-22 season-opening loss at Illinois last Saturday. The Huskers fell behind by three touchdowns midway through the third quarter before their strong late rally fell a touchdown short.
After opening with a Big Ten Conference game, the Huskers will now settle into their non-conference slate over the next three weeks. The matchup with Fordham is the first of two straight games at Memorial Stadium, followed by a trip to Oklahoma on Sept. 18.
Fordham will be opening its 2021 season on Saturday in Lincoln. After having its 2020 fall schedule postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fordham played three games during an abbreviated spring season, posting a 2-1 record. Coach Joe Conlin is entering his fourth season as the Rams' head coach.
The matchup between the two schools was added to the 2021 schedule this spring, after Nebraska's season-opening trip to Ireland was canceled. Nebraska was originally slated to have an open week this Saturday, but replaced a November game against Southeastern Louisiana with this week's game against Fordham.
Series History
Saturday's game is the first all-time meeting between Nebraska and Fordham. It will mark Nebraska's 13th game all-time against an FCS foe (at time of game), with the Huskers holding a 12-0 record in those contests.
- Nebraska last faced a FCS opponent in 2018 when the Huskers defeated Bethune-Cookman 45-9 in Lincoln.
- All of Nebraska's games against FCS opponents have occurred since 1992, including facing an FCS opponent for five straight seasons from 2010 to 2014. Nebraska will open its 2022 home schedule against FCS foe North Dakota
- The matchup with Fordham is Nebraska's first game against an opponent from the state of New York since a 1984 game at Syracuse
- Nebraska will play back-to-back opponents from New York with the University of Buffalo coming to Memorial Stadium on Sept. 11. The last time Nebraska played consecutive non-conference games against opponents from the same state was 2006 matchups against Louisiana Tech and Nicholls State.
Nebraska vs. FCS Opponents (last five games)
Sept. 3, 2011: Nebraska 40, Tennessee-Chattanooga 7
Sept. 22, 2012: Nebraska 73, Idaho State 7
Sept. 21, 2013: Nebraska 59, South Dakota State 20
Sept. 6, 2014: Nebraska 31, McNeese State 24
Oct. 27, 2018: Nebraska 45, Bethune-Cookman 9
Husker History in Home Openers
Nebraska opens its seven-game home schedule on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers have won two of three home openers under Scott Frost. Overall, Nebraska has been victorious in 33 of its past 35 home openers.
- Aside from the 2020 shortened pandemic season when Nebraska opened with two straight road games, this season marks the first time Nebraska did not open its season at home since 1999. In that season, Nebraska opened with a win at Cockeye before defeating Cal in the home opener.
Nebraska in Home Openers Last Six Seasons
Nov. 14, 2020: Nebraska 30, Penn State 23
Aug. 31, 2019: Nebraska 35, South Alabama 21
Sept. 8, 2018: Colorado 33, Nebraska 28
Sept. 2, 2017: Nebraska 43, Arkansas State 36
Sep. 3, 2016: Nebraska 43, Fresno State 10
Sept. 5, 2015: BYU 33, Nebraska 28
Husker Streaks Continue into 2021 Season
A pair of impressive team streaks carry over into the 2021 season, while a legendary streak could resume following a one-year hiatus in 2020.
- Nebraska has sold out 375 consecutive games at Memorial Stadium, dating from the next-to-last home game of the 1962 season through the 2019 season. The Huskers' legendary sellout streak -- an NCAA record -- was paused during the 2020 season.
- The Huskers have scored in 316 consecutive games. The streak is the longest in school history, the seventh-longest in FBS history and the fifth-longest active streak. The last time Nebraska was shut out was a 19-0 loss at No. 17 Arizona State on Sept. 21, 1996.
- Nebraska has also scored in 344 consecutive home games, a school record. The last time the Huskers were shut out at home came on Nov. 9, 1968 against Kansas State in a 12-0 loss.
- Nebraska is 252-0 all-time when scoring 35 or more points at home. Scott Frost is also 22-0 in his head coaching career when his team scores at least 35 points.
Ervin Jr. Makes History in Season Opener
True freshman running back Gabe Ervin Jr. was in the starting lineup for Nebraska's season opener at Illinois. Ervin finished the game with 12 carries for 33 yards in his collegiate debut.
Ervin's role as the starting running back in the season opener was notable. He his the first Husker true freshman running back to start a season opener in the modern era. In fact, Ervin is just the seventh position player in the modern era to earn a starting job in a Husker season opener.
True Freshman to Start Nebraska Season Openers
2021: Gabe Ervin Jr. (RB) - at Illinois
2019: Wan'Dale Robinson (WR) - vs. South Alabama
2018: Adrian Martinez (QB) - vs. Colorado
2015: Dedrick Young (LB) - vs. BYU
2011: Tyler Moore (OT) - vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga
2004: Terrence Nunn (WR) - vs. Western Illinois
1996: Ralph Brown (CB) - vs. Michigan State
About Fordham Football
Fordham has fielded a football team since 1882 but it did not play its first season in the FCS (I-AA) until 1989 (the school was an NCAA Division III member prior to 1989). The Rams have made the FCS playoffs five times, most recently in 2015. Fordham boasts a winning all-time record and has won more than 500 games in program history and have won three Patriot League championships (2002, 2007, 2014).
First Year: 1882
All-Time Record: 509-472-46
Bowl Record: 1-1
Conference Titles: 3
National Titles: 0
Stadium: Jack Coffey Field
Capacity: 7,000
Location: New York, New York
Enrollment: 6,981
School Colors: Maroon & White
Nickname: Rams
Conference: Patriot League
About 2021 Fordham Football
Fordham kicks off its 2021 season on Saturday. Last season, the Rams saw their fall season postponed due to COVID-19. Fordham played a shortened season in the spring, finishing with a 2-1 record.
The Rams return starting quarterback Tim DeMorat, the 2020-21 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. He led the league in passing yards (1,049) and passing touchdowns (5) last season. He enters 2021 ranked 10th among active FCS quarterbacks in career passing yards (5,356) and 23rd in career passing efficiency (127.44).
On defense, Fordham must replace its leading tackler from last season, but the Rams do return five of their top six tacklers overall. Linebacker Ryan Greenhagen returns as the leading tackler after he made 22 tackles last season, when he was named the 2021-21 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Greenhagen enters this fall ranked second among active FCS players with an average of 1.37 tackles for loss per game in his 26 career games.
About Fordham Coach Joe Conlin
Joe Conlin enters his fourth season as the head coach of Fordham football and his fourth season overall as a collegiate head coach, sporting a record of 8-18. He begins his 19th season as a collegiate coach, including stops as an assistant coach at Yale (2012-17), Harvard (2011), New Hampshire (2004-10) and West Virginia Tech (2003).
Conlin is in the midst of his first head coaching job after coming from Yale where he served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator in the final four seasons of a six-year stint with the Bulldogs. Prior to Yale, Conlin coached the offensive line in his lone season at Harvard. He coached three different positions -- the offensive line, defensive line and defensive backs -- during his time at New Hampshire. Conlin got his start in coaching as the defensive line coach for West Virginia Tech. He won two Ivy League championships as an assistant coach for Harvard in 2011 and Yale in 2017.
Conlin is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he played defensive tackle from 1997 to 2001. The 42-year-old is a native of Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
FORDHAM (0-0) at NEBRASKA (0-1)
| FORDHAM RAMS (0-0) | NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS (0-1) |
| 
|
When: Saturday, September 4 | 11:00 AM (CT)
Where: Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, Nebraska
TV: BTN (Mark Followill, Matt Millen, Elise Menaker)
Radio: Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Matt Davison, Jeremiah Sirles)
HUSKERS
Record: 0-1, 0-1 Big Ten
Last Game: at Illinois (L 22-30)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Scott Frost (12-21, 4th year at NU | 31-28, 6th year overall)
vs. Fordham (0-0)
RAMS
Record: 0-0, 0-0 Patriot League
2021 Spring Record: 2-1
Last Game: at Bucknell (W 31-17)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Joe Conlin (8-18, 4th year at Fordham, 4th year overall)
vs. Nebraska (0-0)
Numbers to Know
1 - Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin Jr. became the first true freshman to start at running back in a season opener against Illinois. He is one of just seven true freshmen position players in the modern era to start for the Huskers in a season opener.
12 - Nebraska is a perfect 12-0 in school history against FCS opponents. Saturday's game with Fordham marks the Huskers' first matchup with an FCS opponent since a win over Bethune-Cookman in 2018
3 - Nebraska junior receiver Oliver Martin caught a touchdown pass at Illinois, marking the third Big Ten school Martin has recorded at touchdown catch. He also had TD catches at Michigan and Cockeye. Martin set career-highs with six receptions and 103 yards at Illinois
The Matchup
Nebraska will welcome fans to Memorial Stadium for the first time in two seasons on Saturday when the Huskers take on Fordham in the 2021 home opener. Game time in Lincoln is set for 11 a.m. CT with BTN providing television coverage.
Nebraska heads into the contest with an 0-1 record, following a 30-22 season-opening loss at Illinois last Saturday. The Huskers fell behind by three touchdowns midway through the third quarter before their strong late rally fell a touchdown short.
After opening with a Big Ten Conference game, the Huskers will now settle into their non-conference slate over the next three weeks. The matchup with Fordham is the first of two straight games at Memorial Stadium, followed by a trip to Oklahoma on Sept. 18.
Fordham will be opening its 2021 season on Saturday in Lincoln. After having its 2020 fall schedule postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fordham played three games during an abbreviated spring season, posting a 2-1 record. Coach Joe Conlin is entering his fourth season as the Rams' head coach.
The matchup between the two schools was added to the 2021 schedule this spring, after Nebraska's season-opening trip to Ireland was canceled. Nebraska was originally slated to have an open week this Saturday, but replaced a November game against Southeastern Louisiana with this week's game against Fordham.
Series History
Saturday's game is the first all-time meeting between Nebraska and Fordham. It will mark Nebraska's 13th game all-time against an FCS foe (at time of game), with the Huskers holding a 12-0 record in those contests.
- Nebraska last faced a FCS opponent in 2018 when the Huskers defeated Bethune-Cookman 45-9 in Lincoln.
- All of Nebraska's games against FCS opponents have occurred since 1992, including facing an FCS opponent for five straight seasons from 2010 to 2014. Nebraska will open its 2022 home schedule against FCS foe North Dakota
- The matchup with Fordham is Nebraska's first game against an opponent from the state of New York since a 1984 game at Syracuse
- Nebraska will play back-to-back opponents from New York with the University of Buffalo coming to Memorial Stadium on Sept. 11. The last time Nebraska played consecutive non-conference games against opponents from the same state was 2006 matchups against Louisiana Tech and Nicholls State.
Nebraska vs. FCS Opponents (last five games)
Sept. 3, 2011: Nebraska 40, Tennessee-Chattanooga 7
Sept. 22, 2012: Nebraska 73, Idaho State 7
Sept. 21, 2013: Nebraska 59, South Dakota State 20
Sept. 6, 2014: Nebraska 31, McNeese State 24
Oct. 27, 2018: Nebraska 45, Bethune-Cookman 9
Husker History in Home Openers
Nebraska opens its seven-game home schedule on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers have won two of three home openers under Scott Frost. Overall, Nebraska has been victorious in 33 of its past 35 home openers.
- Aside from the 2020 shortened pandemic season when Nebraska opened with two straight road games, this season marks the first time Nebraska did not open its season at home since 1999. In that season, Nebraska opened with a win at Cockeye before defeating Cal in the home opener.
Nebraska in Home Openers Last Six Seasons
Nov. 14, 2020: Nebraska 30, Penn State 23
Aug. 31, 2019: Nebraska 35, South Alabama 21
Sept. 8, 2018: Colorado 33, Nebraska 28
Sept. 2, 2017: Nebraska 43, Arkansas State 36
Sep. 3, 2016: Nebraska 43, Fresno State 10
Sept. 5, 2015: BYU 33, Nebraska 28
Husker Streaks Continue into 2021 Season
A pair of impressive team streaks carry over into the 2021 season, while a legendary streak could resume following a one-year hiatus in 2020.
- Nebraska has sold out 375 consecutive games at Memorial Stadium, dating from the next-to-last home game of the 1962 season through the 2019 season. The Huskers' legendary sellout streak -- an NCAA record -- was paused during the 2020 season.
- The Huskers have scored in 316 consecutive games. The streak is the longest in school history, the seventh-longest in FBS history and the fifth-longest active streak. The last time Nebraska was shut out was a 19-0 loss at No. 17 Arizona State on Sept. 21, 1996.
- Nebraska has also scored in 344 consecutive home games, a school record. The last time the Huskers were shut out at home came on Nov. 9, 1968 against Kansas State in a 12-0 loss.
- Nebraska is 252-0 all-time when scoring 35 or more points at home. Scott Frost is also 22-0 in his head coaching career when his team scores at least 35 points.
Ervin Jr. Makes History in Season Opener
True freshman running back Gabe Ervin Jr. was in the starting lineup for Nebraska's season opener at Illinois. Ervin finished the game with 12 carries for 33 yards in his collegiate debut.
Ervin's role as the starting running back in the season opener was notable. He his the first Husker true freshman running back to start a season opener in the modern era. In fact, Ervin is just the seventh position player in the modern era to earn a starting job in a Husker season opener.
True Freshman to Start Nebraska Season Openers
2021: Gabe Ervin Jr. (RB) - at Illinois
2019: Wan'Dale Robinson (WR) - vs. South Alabama
2018: Adrian Martinez (QB) - vs. Colorado
2015: Dedrick Young (LB) - vs. BYU
2011: Tyler Moore (OT) - vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga
2004: Terrence Nunn (WR) - vs. Western Illinois
1996: Ralph Brown (CB) - vs. Michigan State
About Fordham Football
Fordham has fielded a football team since 1882 but it did not play its first season in the FCS (I-AA) until 1989 (the school was an NCAA Division III member prior to 1989). The Rams have made the FCS playoffs five times, most recently in 2015. Fordham boasts a winning all-time record and has won more than 500 games in program history and have won three Patriot League championships (2002, 2007, 2014).
First Year: 1882
All-Time Record: 509-472-46
Bowl Record: 1-1
Conference Titles: 3
National Titles: 0
Stadium: Jack Coffey Field
Capacity: 7,000
Location: New York, New York
Enrollment: 6,981
School Colors: Maroon & White
Nickname: Rams
Conference: Patriot League
About 2021 Fordham Football
Fordham kicks off its 2021 season on Saturday. Last season, the Rams saw their fall season postponed due to COVID-19. Fordham played a shortened season in the spring, finishing with a 2-1 record.
The Rams return starting quarterback Tim DeMorat, the 2020-21 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. He led the league in passing yards (1,049) and passing touchdowns (5) last season. He enters 2021 ranked 10th among active FCS quarterbacks in career passing yards (5,356) and 23rd in career passing efficiency (127.44).
On defense, Fordham must replace its leading tackler from last season, but the Rams do return five of their top six tacklers overall. Linebacker Ryan Greenhagen returns as the leading tackler after he made 22 tackles last season, when he was named the 2021-21 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Greenhagen enters this fall ranked second among active FCS players with an average of 1.37 tackles for loss per game in his 26 career games.
About Fordham Coach Joe Conlin
Joe Conlin enters his fourth season as the head coach of Fordham football and his fourth season overall as a collegiate head coach, sporting a record of 8-18. He begins his 19th season as a collegiate coach, including stops as an assistant coach at Yale (2012-17), Harvard (2011), New Hampshire (2004-10) and West Virginia Tech (2003).
Conlin is in the midst of his first head coaching job after coming from Yale where he served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator in the final four seasons of a six-year stint with the Bulldogs. Prior to Yale, Conlin coached the offensive line in his lone season at Harvard. He coached three different positions -- the offensive line, defensive line and defensive backs -- during his time at New Hampshire. Conlin got his start in coaching as the defensive line coach for West Virginia Tech. He won two Ivy League championships as an assistant coach for Harvard in 2011 and Yale in 2017.
Conlin is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he played defensive tackle from 1997 to 2001. The 42-year-old is a native of Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
