- Two-Time Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2004, 2005)
- Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2005, 2006)
- Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004)
- Two-Time Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2005, 2006)
2006 (Senior)
Senior offensive guard Greg Austin completed a courageous Nebraska career in the 2007 Cotton Bowl. Austin struggled with injuries throughout his Nebraska career and the 2006 season was no different. He suffered a sprained knee against Iowa State, forcing him to miss the following game at Kansas State. Near the end of the Oklahoma State game, Austin again suffered a knee injury and missed the following four games before seeing limited action against Auburn in the Cotton Bowl.
The 6-1, 295-pound Austin played a key role in Nebraska’s offensive success in 2006. He helped pave the way for a resurgent NU running game that ranked among the nation’s top 25, and an offensive attack that finished 14th in total offense. Despite missing several games, Austin was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 pick by the Associated Press.
Austin started eight of the first nine games at left guard before knee injuries slowed him near season’s end. He missed the final four games of the regular season, but returned to play in the Cotton Bowl. Austin helped Nebraska average nearly 415 yards per game in total offense, its highest total in five seasons. The Huskers produced five games with 200 or more rushing yards, all with Austin in the lineup. The offensive line also played a key role in senior quarterback Zac Taylor’s record-setting passing season.
2005 (Junior)
Austin played in all 12 games as a junior with starts at left guard in the season’s first 10 games. The play of the offensive line helped an improved Nebraska offense register the two best passing games in school history–431 yards vs. Iowa State and 392 yards at Colorado. In league games, the Huskers ranked second in the conference in passing yards at nearly 270 yards per game. The work of the offensive line also aided first-year starting quarterback Zac Taylor in setting Nebraska’s single-season passing record with 2,653 yards.
2004 (Sophomore)
Austin played in all 11 games as a backup offensive guard and served on the Huskers' PAT and field-goal units. Austin was Nebraska's top reserve guard, rotating behind starters Brandon Koch and Jake Andersen. The play of the offensive line helped Nebraska post the first two 300-yard passing games in school history, while junior I-back Cory Ross topped the 1,000-yard rushing barrier.
2003 (Freshman)
Austin was in Nebraska's regular offensive guard rotation against Troy State, Texas A&M, Iowa State and Texas. He suffered a knee injury the week of the Kansas game and was lost for the season.
Before Nebraska (Cypress-Fairbanks HS)
Austin was one of six Texans in the 2003 recruiting class, the most Nebraska had signed from the Lone Star State in 13 years. He starred for a Cy-Fair team that was 7-4 in 2002, earned the tri-district championship and qualified for the Class 5-A (largest) state playoffs. Austin played offensive guard for Coach Ronny Peacock’s squad as a senior after lining up at tackle as a junior.
Austin earned honorable-mention all-district honors in 2002, despite missing half of the season with an injury. Austin graded out at 90 percent in Cy-Fair’s offensive line system. SuperPrep ranked Austin as the No. 66 prospect in the state of Texas. Austin attended Big Red Football School in 2002. He took his only visit to Nebraska.
Personal
Austin was born on Nov. 19, 1984, and is the son of Greg Sr. and Jacqueline Austin. Greg is majoring in management, and is a two-time second-team academic All-Big 12 honoree. Austin was a member of the 2005-06 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and will be the 2006-07 Vice-President of Nebraska’s Your Degree First program. Austin has volunteered his time with the Special Olympics and as a visitor to several local hospitals and elementary schools, earning him recognition on the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team.
Austin’s Career Numbers
Games Played–27 (4 in 2003, 11 in 2004, 12 in 2005)
Games Started–10 (10 in 2005)
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Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations
