Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David was named one of twelve semifinalists for the Butkus Award, handed out yearly to the nation’s best linebacker. The senior leads the Huskers in tackles with 64, including seven tackles for a loss. He is the only Big Ten linebacker to be named a semifinalist, and the first Husker linebacker to be so honored since Demorrio Williams in 2003. The last, and only, Husker to win the Butkus Award was Trev Alberts in 1993. David and the Huskers began preparations yesterday for this Saturday’s clash with Michigan State at Memorial Stadium. The 11^th-ranked Spartans completed a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown to stun Wisconsin at the gun in East Lansing on Saturday. ESPN will televise the game nationally, with the kickoff scheduled for 11 AM.