Nebraska's Most Improved Special Teams Player (Spring, 2004)
Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
2006 (Senior)
Brandon Rigoni continued his career as a special teams standout in 2006. One of the Huskers’ leaders on the field, he was voted one of three captains prior to the season by his teammates. Rigoni played in every game for the second straight season in 2006 and ranked among the special teams’ tackling leaders. A walk-on, Rigoni was awarded a scholarship prior to the start of his senior seson.
Rigoni made six tackles in 2006 while appearing on several of NU’s special teams units, including kickoff coverage, PAT/field goal block and punt team. The 5-6, 185-pound Rigoni was often the first Husker down the field while serving as a gunner on punt coverage. A Lincoln native, Rigoni had single tackles in four games in 2006 before adding a pair of stops at Texas A&M. He also recovered his first career fumble against Troy.
2005 (Junior) Rigoni continued his stellar special teams play as a junior. He played in all 12 games and led Nebraska’s special team units with 15 tackles, including seven solos. He had a career-high four tackles, including two solos and his first career tackle for loss of 18 yards on a botched field goal attempt by Oklahoma.
He added three tackles in NU’s season-opening win over Maine, and recorded at least one tackle in each of the Huskers’ final six games. He also forced two fumbles on coverage units. With Rigoni’s assistance the NU kickoff coverage unit ranked as the Big 12’s best, and the Huskers were also No. 2 nationally in net punting.
2004 (Sophomore)
Rigoni played in nine games and finished the year with seven tackles on special teams. He made a season-high three tackles against Kansas and had two tackles at Pittsburgh, with one tackle each against Texas Tech and Baylor. He was hampered by injury late in the season and missed the Missouri and Colorado contests.
2003 (Redshirt Freshman)
Rigoni was a reserve safety, and appeared late in Nebraska's victory over Texas A&M, but did not have a tackle.
2002 (Redshirt)
A walk-on, Rigoni redshirted in his first season with the Huskers.
Before Nebraska (Lincoln Southeast HS)
Rigoni was a standout defensive back, receiver and running back for Lincoln Southeast, a powerhouse in the Nebraska prep ranks. His efforts helped Coach Chuck Mizerski's team reach the state semifinals during Rigoni’s senior year, after the Knights captured the Class A title in 2000. For his efforts, Rigoni earned super-state honors from the Lincoln Journal Star. Rigoni also earned a spot in the 2002 Shrine Bowl. In addition to earning four football letters, Rigoni picked up one letter each in basketball and track.
Personal
The son of Chuck and Monica Rigoni, Joseph Brandon Rigoni was born on March 8, 1983. He has been selected to the past two academic All-Big 12 teams and is an eight-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection. Rigoni has volunteered his time with the LPS Ventures in Partnership Program, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as local hospital visits.
Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations
