The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Notably, quarterback Eric Crouch won the Heisman Trophy that season, which culminanted in a national championship appearance.

The events which took place at the end of the season put a strain on the system of college rankings and polls.

The Cornhuskers lost their final regular season game to Colorado 36–62, leaving both tied for 1st place in the Big 12 North Division.

[2] The following Nebraska players who participated in the 2001 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.