Bo Pelini’s Top Five Wins as Nebraska Football’s Head Coach

4. 2011 Michigan State

This 24-3 victory followed another on this very list. It’s also the win that resulted in Pelini awarding his defense the coveted black jerseys. 2011 was an exciting year for the program. A new conference, new scenery and an uppercut to the jaw by the welcome wagon from Madison, WI.

After being decked 48-17 by Wisconsin on the road, the Huskers needed to regroup, and that they did. Another defense-heavy affair, Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins (dude to the right. Cleans up nice, doesn’t he?) went 11-27 for a grand total of 86 yards and no touchdowns.

He did throw a pass to Husker defensive back Lance Thorell, though. That was neighborly of him.

Even running backs Le’Veon Bell and Edwin Baker couldn’t make a dent in the Big Red’s front seven. Bell finished the day with 12 carries for 61 yards while Baker struggled to tally 40 yards on 10 carries.

Several Blackshirts had excellent performances including Lavonte David (13 tackles, 6 solo) and Eric Martin (3 tackles, 1 solo, 2 tackles for loss and 2 sacks). Defensive backs Alfonzo Dennard and Daimion Stafford gave their men no room to breathe with three passes defended apiece.

Even 1996 Nick Saban shook his head in disgust that day.