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

With their loss to Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl, the Huskers streak of 40 straight winning seasons came to an end.

Earlier, a loss to Iowa State knocked the Huskers out of the AP Poll for the first time since October 11, 1981.

Nebraska finished in 4th place in the Big 12 North Division and tied for 8th conference-wide, with a final record of 7-7 (3-5).

[2] The following Nebraska players who participated in the 2002 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.