• Postgame analysis with Jon Nyatawa:
LINCOLN — It seemed that everywhere you went before kickoff Saturday, the same question was asked.
Where's Owa?
Five-star defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa was one of eight official NU visitors. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Odighizuwa, out of Portland, Ore., is the highest-rated prospect by rivals.com to take an official visit to Lincoln this season.
“Owa'' has offers from some of the nation's top programs, and is said to be still considering California, Florida, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA and Southern California, along with the Huskers. Saturday's official visit was his third after stops at California in early October and at UCLA two weeks ago. He's planning to visit top-ranked Florida next weekend.
Odighizuwa stood with NU defensive line pledge Chase Rome on the opposite sideline from the other recruits, watching intently as the Huskers' defensive front unit warmed up before kickoff.
He was also standing close by when Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, from the Portland area as well, was introduced during the Senior Day ceremony. Odighizuwa looked up and smiled at the fans' call of “Suuuuuh.”
While most of the buzz was about Owa, three players from the nation's top-ranked junior college, Fort Scott Community College (Kansas), looked the part of major college prospects, too. LSU pledge Jermarcus Hardrick and teammates Lavonte David and Anthony White were in attendance.
Hardrick is a four-star offensive tackle who made it clear last week that he was just visiting with David and White to see the game. The 6-1, 214-pound David is a four-star recruit and considered the top junior college linebacker prospect in the country. White, a defensive tackle, did not yet have an offer from the Huskers.
All three stopped by and got high fives and hugs from Brandon Kinnie, a Husker sophomore and former Fort Scott receiver.
The other official visitors Saturday were four-star quarterback and NU pledge Tyler Gabbert, cornerback Jonathan Mack and athlete prospect Tyler Evans out of Waverly, Neb. Gabbert was in town for the first time since the Texas Tech game. He reportedly is still considering Missouri, where older brother Blaine is the starting quarterback.
Also in attendance was three-star athlete Kenny Bell, from Boulder, Colo. The 6-2, 173-pound Bell got a kick out of the NU Tunnel Walk, turning to Evans and getting an earful of the crowd when the Huskers came onto the field. Bell has offers from Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State, Idaho, Minnesota and Texas Tech.
A good number of Nebraska high school prospects were also at the game, including Millard South quarterback Bronson Marsh, who will be back in Memorial Stadium on Monday night when his Patriots play for the Class A state championship against Millard West.
Smokeless next time?
Balloons are one thing. But fireworks?
A bottle rocket came roaring out of the Nebraska student section after Mike McNeill's second-quarter touchdown catch.
The only problem was a trail of smoke that led police to the area it came from. After a few minutes, three officers ushered one male from the student section and out of the stadium.
Where's Ekeler?
Notice a little less spunk on the Husker sideline Saturday?
That's because NU linebackers coach Mike Ekeler was up in the press box for the first time this season. The energetic Ekeler is regularly seen bouncing around and celebrating with players, something noticeably absent Saturday.
New yell leader
Even Eric Martin didn't seem as if he was expecting to hear himself through the Memorial Stadium public-address system.
The freshman linebacker was caught on tape during last week's victory at Kansas leading a chant of “Gooooo Big Red,” with NU faithful. The video production staff put together a video, starting with Martin screaming out the words.
Nebraska fans responded after each of the three cheers with a “Gooooo Big Red,” themselves.
Listen up, boys
Class was in session after the first Kansas State drive of the night, and Bo Pelini was the teacher.
Pelini sat on the Nebraska bench as the Husker offense started its first drive, giving an impromptu linebacker lesson.
Around him were linebackers Will Compton, Phillip Dillard, Colton Koehler and Sean Fisher, looking on as Pelini went over something he saw on K-State's 10-play, 58-yard drive that resulted in a 44-yard field goal.
Standing room only
Oh, how it must be nice to be tall.
Nebraska basketball players Jorge Brian Diaz (6--11) and Christian Standhardinger (6-8) stood behind a crowd of people behind the NU bench. The two were head and shoulders taller than everyone there, enjoying an unobstructed view.
Diaz scored a career-high 22 points on 9 of 10 shooting as the Huskers beat TCU 90-77 earlier Saturday at the Devaney Center.
Nice blazers
Representatives from the Holiday and Alamo Bowls were in attendance Saturday. Both bowls have Big 12 affiliations. ... NU wrestling coach Mark Manning and Husker basketball coach Doc Sadler were two of three honorary assistant coaches Saturday. ... Nebraska's men's outdoor track and field team was introduced with its Big 12 trophy to the Memorial Stadium crowd during a break in the action.
— Nick Rubek
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