Resurgent Clemson meets rebuilding Nebraska in Gator Bowl

Jan 1, 2009 - 2:03 PM Clemson (7-5) vs. Nebraska (8-4), 1:00 pm EST

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Clemson certainly failed to live up to its lofty preseason expectations this year.

But the Tigers can conclude their disappointing season on a positive note with a victory over Nebraska in the Gator Bowl on Thursday.

The prohibitive favorite to win the ACC and ranked ninth nationally in the preseason, Clemson (7-5) lost three of its first six games, resulting in the firing of longtime coach Tommy Bowden.

A two-time ACC Coach of the Year, Bowden was replaced by Dabo Swinney, who lost in his debut as Clemson's interim coach - a 21-17 defeat to Georgia Tech on October 18.

But that loss seemed to be the turning point for the Tigers, who won four of their last five games, leading to Swinney being named head coach on a permanent basis.

"(Swinney) took over in a very difficult situation for the last six games and showed me what type of coach and leader he is," Clemson athletic director Don Phillips said.

Clemson, which ended its regular season with a 31-14 rout of rival South Carolina, boasts an outstanding defense that ranked first in the ACC in opponents' scoring (16.6 points per game) and fourth in yardage (294.8 ypg).

The Tigers' defense next will take on a Nebraska offense that scored 36.2 points and racked up 458.3 yards per game in the pass-happy Big 12 Conference.

The Cornhuskers (8-4), who won their last three regular-season games, are led by first-year head coach Bo Pelini and senior quarterback Joe Ganz, who passed for 3,332 yards and 23 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions.

"Nebraska is one of the great college football programs," Swinney said. "Coach Pelini has done an outstanding job with the Cornhuskers and has an experienced staff. I know our players and staff are excited about this matchup. It will be an opportunity to see how we stack up against a quality Big 12 opponent."

Pelini, the defensive coordinator last year for reigning national champion Louisiana State, certainly showed signs of progress at a Nebraska program reeling from a 5-7 record in 2007.

After losing consecutive games to powerhouses Virginia Tech, Missouri and Texas Tech to fall to 3-3, the Cornhuskers won five of their final six contests en route to a 5-3 record in Big 12 play.

Now Nebraska will aim for its first postseason win since a thrilling 32-28 victory over Michigan in the 2005 Alamo Bowl.

"Our players have worked extremely hard throughout the season, and the opportunity to play in a New Year's Day Bowl is a great reward for our program," Pelini said. "We look forward to the trip to Jacksonville and the chance to play an outstanding Clemson team."