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Merry Christmas From Corn Nation

By Brian Towle
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

It's December 25th, and we're in an interesting time here on the site.  While we're enjoying the holiday season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and UCLA Bruins get at in in just over 24 hours at the Foster Farms Bowl in Frisco.

Yes, we're gonna take it easy today, but here's the links you want to read as your in-laws drive you nuts before you eat 3 meals today.

Steve Sipple/LJS: Among NU assistants, Bray shined brightest

Only Josh Banderas played a significant role on regular downs in 2014. Consequently, new Husker linebackers coach Trent Bray lacked a good feel for his personnel. And, really, there wasn't much personnel to begin with because of insufficient depth across the board.

"Those were the biggest issues," Bray said this week as Nebraska prepared for Saturday's Foster Farms Bowl.

Bray somehow made it all work to such a degree that midway through the season, Nebraska's linebacker corps established itself as a fairly reliable part of the defense — nothing close to the disaster many seemed to anticipate.

For once, I do agree with Sipple. It's not only shown on the field, but also in recruiting. Bray's been the one that has seemed to be the best closer in the staff. Remember, they sent Bray to finish on Jordan Stevenson when they were trying to get him to become a Husker. Even thought that didn't work out, it was pretty good to go H2H with a few other schools.

That doesn't also measure that Bray took a trainwreck of a crew the last couple of years, add in injuries, and make them a serviceable group. They still have a fair amount to grow for sure, but you don't have to worry too much anymore about a LB looking in the backfield as a Wisconsin RB runs by them.

Nebraska spent the morning at Alcatraz, the former federal prison off the Bay of San Francisco. Some folks had some fun with it.

The Huskers practiced after seeing some sights at Laney College on Christmas Eve. They are scheduled to do a walk-through tomorrow at Levi's Stadium in the mid-afternoon. They are also scheduled to do some community help at St. Anthony's Dining room in the morning.

This is the third time in the history of the bowl (San Francisco, Fight Hunger & Emerald Bowl) that UCLA is participating, playing in 2006 and 2011. They did not win either game. The Big Ten is 2-1 in the history of the bowl game, with a 1-1 mark with Maryland, while Illinois won the only appearance they made.

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In other College Football news, Oklahoma gets stronger at the QB role with the signing of former Texas A&M Quarterback Kyler Murray on Thursday.

- Western Michigan used a big 4th Quarter to beat Middle Tennessee State in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl for their first bowl victory in program history.  #ROWTHEBOAT

- The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl wasn't really a contest as Cincinnati without Gunner Kiel couldn't do much against San Diego State.

- Former BYU Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer will leave the Austin, Texas HS ranks to become the BYU QB/Offensive Coordinator.

- Mike Locksley, who led Maryland after they canned Randy Edsall, won't be staying on with DJ Durkin's new staff.

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Tell us below how you're spending the Holiday below. Merry Christmas to you all.

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