College Football
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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