Nebraska safety Byerson Cockrell is third on the team with 55 tackles and tied for first in pass breakups with six despite missing the Purdue game to attend the funeral of a cousin. A former star athlete in Columbus, Mississippi (pop. 23,500), Cockrell says he feels fortunate to be playing big-time college football in Lincoln.
(HOW MUCH DIFFERENT IS COLUMBUS THAN LINCOLN?)
"I think Columbus is a lot more country. There's not big buildings and nice stores. It's a whole different vibe. On top of that, the culture is a lot different, especially where I come from.