The team was coached by Bo Pelini and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Despite this performance and significant fan support, Pelini was passed over as Solich's permanent replacement in favor of Bill Callahan.

However, there was a buzz in the air as first year head coach Bo Pelini returned to Lincoln to improve a maligned defense and to re-energize the program.

The game turned mostly defensive with San Jose State scoring field goals in the second and fourth quarters.

After San Jose State's field goal in the fourth quarter, Niles Paul returned the kickoff 85 yards for a Nebraska touchdown.

The Hokies controlled the game for most of the night, until senior Nate Swift returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The penalties put Virginia Tech near the end zone and continued the Hokies' drive, which resulted in Taylor scoring a touchdown to ice the game.

After a close first quarter which saw Nebraska tie the game, the Tigers pulled away, building a three touchdown halftime lead.

Nebraska managed to make the final score a little more respectable with a late touchdown and by stopping Missouri on fourth down earlier in the quarter.

In overtime, the Red Raiders scored a touchdown but had their extra point blocked, opening the door for Nebraska to win.

Kansas State scored only twice more one on a methodical drive by backup Carson Coffmann and a kickoff return by Brandon Banks.

This time, Colorado's Jimmy Smith picked off the flip in mid-air and returned it 58 yards to tie the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Nebraska trailed 31–30 and had the ball deep in the Buffalo's territory when Patrick Mahnke sacked Joe Ganz for a 15-yard loss, setting up a 4th & 25.

With 1st and goal to go and about two minutes remaining on the clock, the Blackshirts made their stand, resulting in a 16-yard sack and three Clemson incomplete passes to seal the game.

Head Coach Bo Pelini's overall career record improved to 10–4 (.714), 5–3 in conference, and 2–0 in bowl games.

Pelini's 2008 regular season record of 9–4 was the highest among all 28 Division 1A teams with new head coaches and staffs that year.