About 90 members of the 1994 national championship team will be in Lincoln on Saturday for a 10-year reunion.

Don't expect all of them to be wearing red.

Ed Stewart, a captain on that NU team that finished 13-0 with a 24-17 victory over Miami in the Orange Bowl, is an associate athletic director for Missouri — the Huskers' opponent this weekend.

A reception is planned for Friday night at Memorial Stadium, and team members will be honored on the field during pregame ceremonies Saturday.

Other captains of the 1994 team were Zach Wiegert, Rob Zatechka and Terry Connealy.

GATOR TALK: If Steve Spurrier returns as Florida's head coach, he would be interested in hiring Bo Pelini as defensive coordinator, ESPN reported Tuesday. The report said Florida officials have contacted Spurrier to gauge his interest in the position. Pelini, Nebraska's defensive coordinator last season, was asked Tuesday about the ESPN report. "I don't deal in speculation," Pelini told The Daily Oklahoman.

POSITIVE PERFORMANCES: Not everything was bad for the Nebraska offense against Kansas State, NU offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said. He singled out the play of I-backs Cory Ross and Brandon Jackson, and also said offensive tackle Seppo Evwaraye had his best all-around game of the year. "He's a very explosive big guy, strong," Norvell said of Evwaraye. "He's starting to understand the principles and techniques we're asking him to do, and there were a lot of times in that game where he does everything exactly the way he's supposed to do it."

TURNOVERS, ANYONE? Last year, Nebraska set a school record by forcing 47 turnovers in 13 games, helping NU lead the nation in turnover margin. This season, the Huskers are on a pace to force about 24 turnovers in 11 games. Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, noting that collecting turnovers sometimes goes in cycles, said the team continues to work on trying to force them. "We've had our opportunities," Cosgrove said. "Dropped interceptions, (we) didn't get on fumbles. Sometimes the ball bounces your way, and sometimes it doesn't. But we have had opportunities to get more turnovers."

QUIET TARGETS: Matt Herian and Ross Pilkington are widely regarded as Nebraska's two main receiving threats, but neither player caught a pass in the Kansas State game. As a matter of fact, Pilkington, a junior wide receiver, hasn't caught a pass in NU's last two games. Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said Pilkington has been bothered by foot and hamstring injuries. "He has played through some real, real tough injuries, unbeknownst to a lot of people out there," Callahan said. As for Herian, Callahan said NU simply wasn't able to get him the ball against K-State, despite efforts. Callahan downplayed notions that defenses are giving extra attention to Herian, who leads NU with 23 receptions. "It would be really tough, I think, to just focus on just one player," Callahan said. "With all due respect to the other defenses that are defending us, I think they have other things to be concerned with as well."

COUNT ON A BIG PLAY: In each of their last eight games against Missouri, the Huskers have recorded at least one play from scrimmage or one return of 50 yards or more, including plays of 89 yards or more in three of the last four meetings. NU also has had plays of 55 yards or more in each of its last three games this season, all passes.

FACING PRESSURE: Callahan and Norvell noted Missouri's strong defense, from physical safeties to quick corners to a line that shows a lot of movement, stunts and slants. "They're very sound," Norvell said. "They give you some problems. They pressure your protections, come after you, and force you to protect the blitz and throw against the blitz. We've got to do a great job of protecting the quarterback." Nebraska has allowed eight sacks this season. Missouri has collected 18 sacks.

DEFENSIVE SPARK: Callahan said the coaching staff must do a better job of helping the defense create and feed off energy, especially at the start of games. How can a defense get fired up? Callahan told reporters of how Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis went "through this rant and rave" in front of the Oakland bench prior to the AFC championship game in 2000, when Callahan was with the Raiders. "It's an intimidating process," Callahan said. "What you see is a frenzy of sharks getting ready to go play. They're all dialed in, and they fed off of each other. That's what we've got to get to. That's where we've got to go. We tried to transmit that on Saturday, and it didn't transfer as well."

ETC.: Players of the game for the Kansas State game were Cory Ross (offense), Barrett Ruud (defense), Lance Brandenburgh (special teams), and Nathan Krug and Kade Pittman (scout teams). … Cosgrove said safety Josh Bullocks should be "a full go" for Saturday's game after missing much of the K-State game with a shoulder injury. … Norvell said NU's goal is to convert at least 50 percent of the time on third-down plays. NU is converting at a 34 percent rate. … Missouri is a 3-point favorite over Nebraska according to Harrah's Odds.

— Brian Rosenthal