Senior Day - A look back at the guys we're seeing for the last time

[knapplc]

This is always a poignant day for college sports fans - the inevitable day when players you have come to know and love leave the team. The relationship fans have with these players is made all the more special because we know it will end.

 

Saturday we honor our seniors, many of whom were involved in Bo's first recruiting class and have been with the program for five years. Others, like Rex, have been here far too short of a time, and many of them, again like Rex, have had what little time they've been here cut short by injury.

 

I present to you the 2012 Husker Football Senior Class. And I can't help but think that "class" is one of the best ways to describe this group:

 

70 Anderson, Kenny DT 6-2 260 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)

39 Blatchford, Justin S 6-1 200 Sr. Ponca, Neb. (Ponca)

22 Burkhead, Rex IB 5-11 210 Sr. Plano, Texas (Plano Senior High)

7 Carter, Joseph DE 6-5 265 Sr. Jackson, S.C. (Chaffey College) (Silver Bluff)

77 Choi, Seung Hoon OL 6-2 295 Sr. Lincoln, Neb. (Christian)

51 Compton, Will LB 6-2 230 Sr. Bonne Terre, Mo. (North County)

81 Cotton, Ben TE 6-6 255 Sr. Ames, Iowa (Ames)

31 Dean, Jase CB 6-0 200 Sr. Bridgeport, Neb. (Bridgeport)

87 Dixon, Taylor WR 5-11 195 Sr. Wauneta, Neb. (Wauneta-Palisade)

42 Fisher, Sean LB 6-6 230 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Millard North)

85 Hyland, KC WR 6-6 215 Sr. Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X)

72 Jackson, Justin OL 6-3 280 Sr. Roca, Neb. (Norris)

44 Kreikemeier, Micah LB 6-3 220 Sr. West Point, Neb. (Central Catholic)

96 Maher, Brett P/PK 6-0 185 Sr. Kearney, Neb. (Kearney)

92 Mangieri, P.J. LS 6-4 240 Sr. Peoria, Ill. (Dunlap)

49 Manninger, Matt LB 6-1 220 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)

6 Marlowe, Tim WR 5-10 175 Sr. Youngstown, Ohio (Cardinal Mooney)

46 Martin, Eric DE 6-2 250 Sr. Moreno Valley, Calif. (Rancho Verde)

89 McDermott, Conor TE 6-2 245 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)

34 Meredith, Cameron DE 6-4 260 Sr. Huntington Beach, Calif. (Mater Dei)

12 Osborne, Courtney S 6-3 200 Sr. Garland, Texas (South Garland)

21 Osborne, Steven WR 6-4 205 Sr. Garland, Texas (South Garland)

25 Reed, Kyler TE 6-3 230 Sr. Shawnee, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

13 Smith, P.J. S 6-2 210 Sr. River Ridge, La. (John Curtis)

3 Stafford, Daimion S 6-1 205 Sr. Norco, Calif (Chaffey College) (Norco)

55 Steinkuhler, Baker DT 6-6 290 Sr. Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)

38 Stoddard, Graham FB 6-2 230 Sr. Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)

79 Thompson, Brandon OL 6-6 300 Sr. The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands)

45 Whaley, Alonzo LB 6-1 230 Sr. Madisonville, Texas (Madisonville)

 

 

Look at this list. Think of these guys over the past four or five years. Think of the plays, the fun, the hair-pulling and the thrill we've had watching these guys. They're almost all household names. Many of them have made plays that either won games or put us ahead in critical moments, stopped drives or saved crucial touchdowns.

 

Kenny Anderson - Hasn't been more than a blip on the roster during his time here, but he's been a Scout Team co-MVP (2009) and his bio page is littered with academic honors. Remember that time Kenny Anderson got in trouble with the law and embarrassed the team? Yeah, me neither. He's just a good, hard-working kid from Omaha, here making the team better any way he can. I'll gladly hoot and holler for a guy like that.

 

Justin Blatchford - will leave Lincoln with modest stats, but remember when he burst onto the scene against Baylor in 2009? Eric Martin blocked a punt, Blatch fielded it cleanly and ran it in for his only career TD. And all of Husker Nation was going, "Who the heck is Justin Blatchford?"

 

Rex Burkhead - He'll easily get the biggest ovation from the fans, especially if he's suited up to play. What needs to be said about Rex? Superman, Mr. Everything, the heart and soul of the team. Remember that time Rex did something that was in any way troublesome... at all? Yeah, me neither. The guy has been the epitome of class and respect, and just so happens to be a hell of a football player. Ignore the records, the TDs, the on-field heroics - Rex is the very mold from which we wish all Husker players could start. He represents the Nebraska football ideal better than almost anyone in a generation. As Winston Churchill once quipped about Claire Chennault, the leader of America's Flying Tigers fighting against the Japanese in mainland China, "God Almighty, I'm glad he's on our side!"

 

Joe Carter - I'm going to miss the depth he provides at DE. Never, not one time, have I ever felt concern seeing him out there. A smattering of sacks, TFL and tackles dot Joe's stat sheet, but the fact is I can't remember a time when he was badly beaten or abused on a play. When he came in, the dropoff was minimal, if not nonexistent. That's a guy I'll miss.

 

Seung Hoon Choi - He's a senior already? It was only a year ago when we were learning his name, but the oft-described "strongest man on the team" has been a joy to watch these past two years. No, he hasn't been perfect, but the guy's only played organized ball for a few years. I'd gladly take another two years of Choi out there at Guard.

 

Will Compton - through all the adversity, through all the doubt created when LaVonte David went to the NFL last year, all Will Compton has done is anchor the 2012 defense, make reads, make plays, shore up the line, plug holes, and generally wreak havoc throughout the field. There were many people concerned about a Compton-led defense this year. I've been one of them. But if Compton hasn't more than allayed those fears there's nothing he ever could have done to put them to rest for you. Yet another quality, classy individual who just so happens to be a heck of a football player.

 

Ben Cotton - I wonder how those people who so openly griped about Ben Cotton being on scholarship feel about that today? Tough as nails, a hell of a blocker, a team leader and a surprisingly good receiver, if Ben Cotton still has critics, they must not watch college football. He's left a legacy that his two brothers will have a hard time living up to. Filling his shoes will be one tough order for next year's TEs.

 

Jase Dean - he of the gnarly beard, has been a somewhat quiet member of the team these past five years. But if you've looked at a field goal this year and said to yourself "Nice hold!" on a wobbly/errant snap, you were talking about Dean. Another contributor to Nebraska's ongoing legacy of solid academics, Dean has been on the honor roll twice in his career.

 

Taylor Dixon - I have to admit, without Dixon's Husker bio page, I'd have nothing here. A quick glance shows yet another story of yet another walk-on (from Wauneta, NE) who has done nothing but solid work in the classroom (three-time Big XII Honor roll). The Taylor Dixons are the backbone of Nebraska's walkon program. Without these guys, we have a far weaker team. Thanks for being a Husker, Taylor.

 

Sean Fisher - A personal note about Sean Fisher. I met him, just once, this Fall. It was a Sunday after a particularly bruising game, and Mr. Fisher was enjoying some quiet time. I congratulated him on earning a Blackshirt and left it at that, but I couldn't help but notice the limp with which he walked. Fisher had recorded several tackles the day before, including two TFL, and he was clearly hurting as a result. The guy is giving up his body to play balls-out this year. Yeah, he's a bit slower out there than many would like. But he's a warrior. He's a Safety playing linebacker, and he's not once shown any hesitation to stick his head in the ballcarrier's midsection and drive him to the ground - despite a badly broken leg just two years ago. The week after this, Fisher had another half-dozen tackles and played another crucial role in a Husker win. Throughout this bruising season, during which we've played a stretch of the six best teams in the Big Ten back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back, Fisher has gutted out game after game, often despite open griping by the fans. And on top of that, the guy is a classroom warrior. I'm not going to bother listing all of his academic honors - I don't have time - but go look it up. And tell me a guy like Sean Fisher is someone we need to be griping about.

 

KC Hyland - Yet another guy on this roster we can look up to, and not only because he's taller than most of us. Hyland will finish his career appearing in less than five games. To date, he hasn't recorded a catch. But he's been a volunteer at the People's City Mission, he's twice been on the Academic Honor Roll, and he's a been a good man to have in the locker room, if the rumors I hear are true.

 

Justin Jackson - If, like me, you were concerned that we didn't have a clear-cut starter set to take over for Mike Caputo last year, and if, like me, you were more than concerned to find out that converted defensive lineman Justin Jackson had been given the job, then you, like me, would have been very, very wrong in that concern. Jackson's play at Center this year has been nothing short of remarkable, and I'm more than pleased to say that my concerns were wholly unfounded. I would love nothing more than another year or two of Jackson at Center. His calls and road-grading blocks have anchored an offensive line that, frankly, had been light-years away from the legendary Pipeline of the glory days. If Jackson had big shoes to fill in replacing the warrior Mike Caputo, whoever wins the Center job next year will have even bigger shoes to fill. It's not hyperbolic to state that Jackson's play at Center could be a harbinger of the return of the Pipeline. This could be where it starts. Gonna miss this guy, big-time.

 

Micah Kreikemeier - Kreikemeier's career may not have had the impact on the stat sheet we look for in legendary players, but he does have the distinction of being the very first Husker commit in the Bo Pelini Era. A Husker Legacy, Micah is the son of Keith Kreikemeier, a Husker walk-on in the early 80s. All Micah has done throughout his career is kick ass in the classroom, putting the student in "student athlete." He'll graduate in December with a Civil Engineering degree, and he's earned a 3.81 GPA.

 

Brett Maher - Yet another home-grown Husker, Maher had the unenviable task of replacing Alex Henery, one of the all-time greats in Husker lore. Last year Maher vied for national honors in both kicking and punting, and while he's had an up-and-down year this season, many, many times when we've needed it most, Maher has booted a key field goal or boomed an impressive punt. Maher's latest heroics came just last weekend when he pinned Penn State at their two yard line while Nebraska was clinging to a one-score lead. The 69-yarder he ripped off led directly to the ensuing Safety the Blackshirts forced just two plays later.

 

PJ Mangieri - Many Husker fans don't know his name, and that's fine - that's one of the hallmarks of a good long-snapper. You only know a long-snapper's name, typically, if they screw up. All PJ has done in his career is contribute to one of the nation's leading Special Teams units. In his 41 games, Mangieri's kickers have hit 87% of their field goals, 99% of their PATs, and went 31 straight games without missing a field goal inside 50 yards. That's the sign of a good long-snapper. People joked for a while about the long-snapper, but PJ's replacement is an incoming freshman - on scholarship. He filled an important role, filled it well, and did it without a lot of glory. And he recorded three tackles on punt coverage. Not a bad career.

 

I'll just toss in the last few guys I know nothing about:

Matt Manninger

Conor McDermott

Graham Stoddard

Brandon Thompson

 

I know these guys contributed in different ways, and Stoddard in particular has played significantly on Special Teams, but I don't have personal anecdotes on all these guys. Read their bios, and cheer for them when they shake Bo's hand Saturday. Thanks for being Huskers, guys.

 

Tim Marlowe - The last time we saw Tim Marlowe he was fumbling a punt away to Penn State at a crucial part of the game. Marlowe's career has been somewhat jaded, as it seems like fans like to focus on what he's not. Marlowe isn't Jamal Turner's highlight reel, and everyone knows this. But all Tim Marlowe has done is catch passes for first downs his entire career. Last season I went back through all of his catches and posted something about how many times he's caught a first-down reception on a crucial third down. I don't have those stats anymore (sadly), but suffice it to say that an approximate number of times Marlowe has caught a pass that resulted in a first down, throughout his career: A LOT. The dude has been a warrior for us these past four years. He's gotten more flak than he deserves, and he's been more valuable to this team than most give him credit for. He's not flashy, but he's effective. I'm going to miss his stabilizing presence out there.

 

Eric Martin - How many times have I posted "FREE ERIC MARTIN" these past two years? Many, many times. Finally, his senior year, E-Mart gets a chance to shine. And you know what? All he's done is lead the Big Ten in sacks for more than half the year and he's up there near the top in TFL. I don't know the inner workings of Bo Pelini's mind, or why certain players play and others sit, but frankly, I would have loved to see this guy on the field more these past two years. I look forward to four more games of The Caveman wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

 

Cameron "Camstache" Meredith - It's been a long career for The Stache. He's had his highs and lows. He's been alternately lauded and lambasted by the fans. But one thing's for sure - we may never see a more glorious moustache than the one Cameron sported in 2010. Thanks for all the memories, Mr. Meredith. May your mustache ever grow gloriously. Click me for fun.

 

Courtney & Steven Osborne - Yeah, it's cheating to combine these guys, but they're twins, they have mirrored numbers (21/12) and they've had somewhat similar careers: Both have splashed on the scene at times, both have lived in obscurity at times. Many is the time fans have lamented Courtney's injuries, which have prevented him from having a bigger impact throughout his career. The man has made several plays for us and has a decent highlight reel to savor as he moves forward in life, but we're all left with a little bit of "what might have been" when it comes to his career. It's a contact sport, and sometimes that contact has consequences. If you know nothing else about Courtney Osborne, know this: He was on the 2011 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team. Courtney is the guy, you may recall, whose blitz dislodged the ball from Blaine Gabbert in 2010's Missouri Massacre - the call where it was ruled no fumble because Gabby's "forward progress had been stopped." That's a good man, that is. Steven Osborne has toiled in relative obscurity throughout his career, until this year, when he was called upon in several games this year, and when needed, he delivered. He's hauled in 8 catches for 81 yards and two scores this year as a member of what is becoming, situationally, a potent Husker passing attack. I've had the pleasure of meeting Steven (twice a member of the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team), and he's a fine example of what we want our players to be. He represents Husker Nation very well, and we're lucky to have had both Steven and Courtney on the team.

 

Kyler Reed - If, like me, you were lucky enough to be in attendance at the 2009 Spring Game, and you saw this dude go streaking down the sideline for a 60- or 70-something yard touchdown and you wondered who the heck that was, you were just getting your first glimpse of one of Nebraska's fastest TEs ever. Reed was, unfortunately, hampered by injury the last two years, and is doing his best this year. Injuries have sidelined or slowed far too many of our budding stars, but even as injured as he's been, Kyler has been a bright spot on offense throughout his career. Like Rex, like fellow TE Cotton, Reed's departure via graduation is bittersweet.

 

PJ Smith - PJ earned playing time at a sometimes excruciatingly slow pace, with fans often begging/demanding more PT for the younger PJ Smith. But this year, he's been a key cog in the Blackshirt machine, and should double his career tackles totals this year alone, along with a smattering of TFL, sacks and INTs. PJ is the guy, you may recall, whose blitz dislodged the ball from Blaine Gabbert in 2010's Missouri Massacre - the call where it was ruled no fumble because Gabby's "forward progress had been stopped." PJ has had a nice career at Nebraska and it's been a lot of fun watching him grow in the system. He's on pace to earn his degree in Child, Youth & Family Sciences this December. If you have the chance, and if you can find him, I highly recommend begging for a sample of PJ's dad's crawdad boil. It's one of the highlights of my tailgating experiences over the past few years.

 

Daimion Stafford - The hair, the smile, the joking around all belie the fire that burns inside Daimion. We've seen it as recenlty as the over-hyped discussion between Stafford and Bo on Saturday, but we saw it early last year when Stafford burst (literally) onto the scene with THIS HIT. Stafford had big shoes to fill with the departure of guys like Gomes, Hagg and O'Hanlon, but overall he's done more than enough to fill them. His pick against Penn State helped seal the win, and he's got four more games to cement his legacy. I doubt we've seen the last Daimion Stafford highlight.

 

Baker Steinkuhler - For a guy legitimately playing out of position his entire Husker career, Baker has been a quiet but steady force on the D Line. He's burdened with the expectations fans developed watching Ndamukong Suh and Jared Crick tear up offensive lines, and that's hardly fair - in Bo's system, those guys are outliers and Baker is the norm. Despite this, he's been routinely eating up two offensive linemen through the past two years, and he's getting stronger as the year goes on. It's a little odd to say, but the best of Baker's career may still be ahead of him. Don't be surprised to see this Husker legacy take over one of our remaining games. Here's hoping we have another Steinkuhler to root for in about twenty years. Baker has done the family name proud.

 

Alonzo Whaley - Last but not least, Alonzo Whaley. Whaley, perhaps, best personifies what this team has become. 2011 saw Whaley start the season off the 105-man roster, a victim of poor choices that he has owned and overcome. Whaley is the prime example of a guy who could have given up, but instead rolled up his sleeves, humbled himself, and busted his butt to get where he wanted. This team, these seniors, have all done this. We've had some pretty disappointing finishes to the last two years. A couple of near-misses in the conference championship games in our final two years in the Big XII. Like Alonzo Whaley, the team needed to figure out what it wanted, and learn how to get there. Whaley persevered. He worked his way back onto the roster, back into contention for playing time, and today he's going to go to practice wearing a Blackshirt - a Blackshirt nobody gave him, a Blackshirt he earned. You may recall some highlights of Whaley's 2012 campaign - a forced fumble against Penn State as they were driving deep in Husker territory, at a time when the game could have gotten out of hand. Or another fumble - this one against Montee Ball, which sealed the win vs. Wisconsin. Through all the trials, all the hardship, Whaley and this team have learned and grown. It's fun to watch guys grow up before your very eyes. Whaley is one such guy. He's going to be missed.

 

 

 

And that's a wrap. A huge senior class this year, a group of fine young men, men that I'm proud to have had on the team. They may leave Lincoln, they may be playing for other teams in the next few years, but they'll always be Huskers.

 

Thanks for everything, Seniors. I'll be there Saturday. I'll be the one in red, applauding you as you take the field at Memorial Stadium one final time. Your legacy isn't written yet, though - you've got a chance to win your conference and a BCS game. I know you'll make us proud.

 

 

EDIT - OK, so it was Courtney Osborne that hit Blaine Gabbert in 2010 for the "non-fumble." But seriously - PJ Smith's dad makes freakin' awesome crawdad boil. One of the highlights of the last coupla years for me was sucking crawdad heads with the elder Mr. Smith.

[QMany]

Great write up.

 

Thanks for everything, Husker seniors. You will be missed.

[HuskerNationNick]

And that's a wrap. A huge senior class this year, a group of fine young men, men that I'm proud to have had on the team. They may leave Lincoln, they may be playing for other teams in the next few years, but they'll always be Huskers.

 

Thanks for everything, Seniors. I'll be there Saturday. I'll be the one in red, applauding you as you take the field at Memorial Stadium one final time. Your legacy isn't written yet, though - you've got a chance to win your conference and a BCS game. I know you'll make us proud.

 

Great write-up like usual knapp! I honestly can't complain about any of these guys performances. Whaley has been the only person I was harsh on, and simply, he has stepped his game up, admitted his faults when it wasn't asked for, and made himself into a better man and player.

 

I have liked Fisher for a long time, and I have gotten hell for it too. There is something about that kid that I admire as a fan. Maybe its his will, not to give up, no matter how much is against him. He has been a force to reckon with on these past few games, and I don't think he will be doing a Medical Hardship. He has fulfilled what he wanted, now its time for him to go be what he wants to be, a Plastic Surgeon.

 

All of these guys will be missed, and I am sure, they have helped the ones under them know the position so there isn't much to fill in. Character is the best way to describe these guys.

[trouble]

Holy crap, I didnt realize how many starters we are losing this year. Lot of good people in that class. Best of luck to them in the future.

[tsimo3381]

That was a great write up. Thanks for doing that. Sometimes you take for granted what these kids have put into the program and into the classroom. Like you said this is the epitome of class. I will miss these guys and hope the underclassmen will step up in the coming years to fill their shoes.

[NUance]

Senior Day - A look back at the guys we're seeing for the last time

 

Incredible write-up in that OP Knap. Of all the many threads you've started this is one of the best. Too bad I can only give you a single +1. I'd give more if I could. :

[ladyhawke]

Thanks Knappic-well done. These young men will be missed but I'm so thankful that we had the opportunity to watch them grown both as football players and as young men of character.

[knapplc]

I meant to toss this in - half those guys (14/29) are from Nebraska.

[tschu]

I am not prepared to live in a world where Eric Martin is no longer a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

I am not prepared to live in a world where Eric Martin is no longer a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.

Doesn't appear so!

 

Thanks for everything seniors you'll be missed, but you're a Husker forever! GO BIG RED!

[Hooked on Huskers]

knappic, your great! Fantastic write-up.

 

I hope BTN broadcast will show the entire senior day march, of course live in color

 

Already stocked up Kleenex product

 

Just wondering....lineup order thing. Alphabetical order or jersey numbers or random list?

[mrandyk]

I did not realize how our defense was so senior heavy. I feel like I'm just getting to know most of them.

[whateveritis1224]

Good write up Knapp, except it was Courtney Osborne who caused the non fumble against Missouri. 2010 was a good year for him, unfortunately it seems like he hasn't been able to keep healthy since then.

[knapplc]

Good write up Knapp, except it was Courtney Osborne who caused the non fumble against Missouri. 2010 was a good year for him, unfortunately it seems like he hasn't been able to keep healthy since then.

 

Wow. I really hate to prove you wrong so publicly, but that was PJ Smith that hit Blaine Gabbert in 2010. Here's the video:

 

 

I apologize for posting the video which shows that you were incorrect. But right is right.

 

+1 to you for the correction. The memory isn't what it used to be!

[zoogs]