Nebraska has added a matchup with Troy University to its lineup of future non-conference football games, the schools announced on Tuesday.

The Trojans will come to Lincoln on Sept. 15, 2018, marking the fifth time Troy has visited Memorial Stadium. Nebraska and Troy previously met in Lincoln four times between 2001 and 2006, with the Huskers winning each of the four matchups.

Troy has opened the 2013 season with a 2-0 record, and has been one of the top programs in the Sun Belt Conference since making the transition to the FBS ranks in 2002. Troy won conference championships in five straight seasons from 2006 to 2010, including outright titles in 2008 and 2009.

The Trojans have also won at least eight games six times since making the transition to the FBS level. Coach Larry Blakeney’s teams also appeared in bowl games five times between 2004 and 2010, with bowl victories in 2006 and 2010.

The first meeting between Nebraska and Troy took place in 2001, when the Huskers won 42-14, before a 31-16 win in 2002 at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska has pitched shutouts in the two most recent meetings between the schools, defeating the Trojans 30-0 in 2003, and 56-0 in 2006.

The matchup between Nebraska and Troy is the second scheduled game on Nebraska’s 2018 non-conference schedule. The Huskers are also scheduled to host Colorado on Sept. 8, 2018, in the first of a four-game series with the Buffaloes.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini doesn’t mind if his Huskers have some extra incentive going into Saturday’s game against No. 16 UCLA.

Last year, the Huskers lost 36-30 in Los Angeles and gave up 653 yards — the second-most ever against aNebraska defense.

Pelini said Monday he’s sure his team is always motivated.

The No. 23 Huskers said they were caught off-guard by the 2012 Bruins, who had a new coach in Jim Mora and new quarterback in Brett Hundley.

Senior defensive back Ciante Evans said besides Ohio State’s Braxton Miller, Hundley is the best quarterback he’s faced.

Lincoln, Neb.-  The Nebraska football team started its game three preparations for its showdown against UCLA Saturdayafternoon during a 90-minute practice held inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields. The Huskers practiced in shorts and helmets Monday afternoon.

Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media after practice, noting that Monday marked a good start to the week for the NU football team.

“We had a really good practice today. I was pleased with how the guys came out today and we got some of the base stuff we wanted to look at today done,” Beck said.

Much has been said about the Saturday showdown versus the Bruins, in a rematch of last year’s 36-30 loss in Pasadena. Beck mentioned that he wants the Huskers to do the little things right, and he believes if they do that they should be victorious.

“The biggest thing that I want to try and avoid is making it bigger than it is,” Beck said. “We just have to do what we do and fall back on our training. Just do the little things right, like hang onto the football, finish our blocks, finish our runs, see our throws and make good decisions. As long as we do those things, I think we will be OK.”

As for what has stuck with Beck since the loss, he mentioned that there were some crucial errors that could have been avoided, especially in the second half, which could have helped seal the victory against the Bruins last year.

“We just didn’t finish the game last year. We made some crucial errors that put our defense in some tough situations in the second half.”

Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez has impressed Beck so far in this young season. Beck noted that he has really liked how Martinez has taken care of the ball.

“I think he has been pretty consistent, I like his decision making.” Beck said, “I don’t think he has really forced any bad throws, he has been able to tuck the ball and scramble and make some big plays at times, and I like that.”

Beck also noted that as a whole, the Nebraska football family’s thoughts and prayers were with the family of Nick Pasquale and the UCLA football program, following the tragic death of the Bruins’ redshirt freshman receiver.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the whole football program at UCLA. It is hard to put yourself in their shoes with what they are going through.” Beck said, “Obviously little sentimental for them, you hate to see that happen.”

Nebraska will continue preparations Tuesday as the team moves closer to its third game of the year. NU will face the UCLA Bruins on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcasted nationally on ABC.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska freshmen Josh Banderas and Nathan Gerry took ownership of starting linebacker jobs against Southern Mississippi and plan to keep them when 16th ranked UCLA visits the Number 23 Cornhuskers this week.

Banderas (Ban-DARE’-us) is playing middle linebacker, a spot that requires him to be a vocal leader who can relay calls and communicate adjustments. Defensive coordinator John Papuchis says Banderas’ toughness and outgoing personality make him an ideal candidate.

Gerry (Gary) is listed as the weakside linebacker, but he acts as a linebacker-safety hybrid in the dime defense, which the Huskers often use against the spread offenses they regularly see.

Banderas and Gerry will be tested against UCLA, which rolled up 653 yards in a 36-30 win in Los Angeles last year.

The Big Ten Conference and BTN announced on Monday morning that Nebraska’s Sept. 21 home game against South Dakota State will be televised by BTN. Kickoff for the contest from Memorial Stadium has been set for 2:30 p.m. CDT.

The BTN contest will be Nebraska’s third in four games on BTN, after opening the season with prime-time games on the network against Wyoming and Southern Miss. This week’s matchup with UCLA in Lincoln is set for an 11 a.m. kickoff with the game televised nationally by ABC.

Game times have also been set for Nebraska home games against Illinois (Oct. 5) and Iowa (Nov. 29). Both games will kick off at 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium. Game times for the remainder of Nebraska’s contests will be set six to 12 days in advance.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Ciante Evans returned first-quarter interceptions for touchdowns and No. 22 Nebraska made quick work of Southern Mississippi in a 56-13 victory on Saturday night.

Taylor Martinez threw for three touchdowns and Ameer Abdullah ran for two more for the Cornhuskers (2-0), who now turn their attention to next week’s home game against Number 18 UCLA.

Jean-Baptiste jumped in front of Rickey Bradley Junior just as Allan Bridgford’s pass arrived on the third play of the game and ran it back 43 yards.

Evans put the Huskers up 21-3 with the first of his two interceptions, catching a ball tipped by Tyre’oune Holmes and going 22 yards to the end zone.

It was a solid rebound for a Nebraska defense that surrendered 602 yards in a 37-34 win over Wyoming last week.

The Golden Eagles (0-2) lost their 14th straight, the longest losing streak in the FBS.