Where: At Jacksonville, Fla.
When: 11 a.m., today.
TV: KCNC-4.
Series record: Clemson leads 1-0.
Last meeting: 1982, Clemson 22-15.
What’s at stake: Under first-year coach Bo Pelini, Nebraska won five of its final six games, including a win against rival Colorado, and made the program’s fourth January bowl in the last 11 seasons. Dabo Swinney was made Clemson’s interim head coach Oct. 13 when Tommy Bowden stepped down in his 10th season. The Tigers won four of their final fiveand are playing on New Year’s Day for the first time in five years. Swinney got the “interim” tag removed from his job status Dec. 1.
Key matchup: The Cornhuskers averaged 458 yards and 36 points this season, ranking 12th in the country in total offense. The Tigers allowed 295 yards and 17 points in the Atlantic Coast Conference and ranked 17th in the nation in total defense and 10th in scoring defense.
Players to watch: Nebraska — Roy Helu Jr. has 510 yards rushing and five touchdowns in the last four games, averaging more than 7 yards a carry. Clemson — S Michael Hamlin does it all for the Tigers. He has played a team-high 757 snaps, leads the team with six interceptions and ranks second with 102 tackles.
Facts and figures: The teams last played 27 years ago in the Orange Bowl, when QB Homer Jordan and a stifling defense led the Tigers to their only national championship. … Nebraska is 4-11 in bowl games against teams currently in the ACC. The Cornhuskers also lost their only game against the ACC this season, falling 35-30 against Virginia Tech in late September.
The Associated Press
