Lucky wants to finish strong
BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Don’t forget that piece of paper.
A college diploma, family members reminded Marlon Lucky, is better in the long run than the National Football League.
“You’re not guaranteed in the league,” Lucky said.
There also are no guarantees of balleyhooed senior seasons with gaudy offensive numbers and increased NFL stock.
To that end, Lucky, the senior running back who bypassed the NFL Draft after his junior season at Nebraska, said he’s second-guessed that decision.
“I don’t know what to say. Last year’s gone,” Lucky said. “I probably would’ve left, but I can’t say.”
If the decision has been based solely on football, Lucky said, “I probably would’ve left.”
But his family — in particular, his uncle — convinced him of the importance of a college degree. Lucky, after this semester, will have to complete 24 hours to receive his degree in sociology.
“I gave it a lot of thought,” Lucky said, “and chose this route.”
It’s not led to the destination Lucky had expected.
Draft experts last season projected Lucky as a fourth- or fifth-round pick. After a season in which his total offensive production is less than half of what it was a year ago, Lucky will need a strong showing in front of scouts to keep his name as high on the draft board.
One opportunity will be at the East-West Shrine All-Star Game. Lucky said he’s received an invitation and will likely play.
“I’m thinking I’ve just got to finish the season out, and the last bowl game, I’ve got to finish strong, train hard, go to the All-Star Game, and just do me, play my ‘A’ game,” he said. “(And the NFL) Combine, if I do go to the combine, come back for pro day and run some good times.”
A year after he compiled 1,724 yards of total offense under former coach Bill Callahan, Lucky has produced 792 total yards this season — 517 rushing, 275 receiving.
Those school-record 75 passes he caught last season? Lucky has only 22 this year — partly because of a different offensive system under coach Bo Pelini and coordinator Shawn Watson, and partly because quarterback Joe Ganz, unlike Sam Keller last season, progresses through reads and doesn’t check down immediately to his running back.
Lucky has also been bothered the last month by a turf toe injury. He missed his final home game, against Colorado, saying he was available only if absolutely needed.
“It was tough, because I ain’t ever missed a game in football since I’ve been playing,” Lucky said. “It was hard, sitting out, but I thought about it a lot and told myself I had one more game out there (in the bowl game), and I can’t risk it for the Colorado game.”
In the meantime, sophomore Roy Helu has emerged with three 100-yard rushing performances in Nebraska’s last four games. He’s the Huskers’ leading rusher, with 804 yards on 120 carries — 6.7 yards per carry.
“Roy, he’s a heck of a back,” Lucky said. “He opened my eyes in the spring. I didn’t know he had so much explosiveness. He brought it this year. I give it to him. He brought it.”
Lucky came to Nebraska from North Hollywood, Calif., as one of the most hyped recruits in school history, judging by the five stars he received from recruiting services.
He tried living up to those expectations his freshman season.
“I tried. I tried to do that. But I couldn’t do it,” Lucky said. “There are certain things you can do, certain things you can’t do. You’ve just got to play your game.
“(Fans) probably saw me as a Reggie Bush-type, gash ’em. But it’s college football, man. It’s a different speed.”
Lucky convinced himself he had to play his game, not somebody else’s, and said he focused on progressing each season.
“I can’t just come in thinking I’m Darren McFadden and run the ball all over the field, throw the ball all over the field,” Lucky said. “That’s not me. I just came back my sophomore year, junior year, and played me.”
Is Lucky happy he came to Nebraska?
“Yeah. Heck, yeah. I love this place, man,” he said. “They help you with everything — with school, football, everything.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or
brosenthal@journalstar.com
BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Don’t forget that piece of paper.
A college diploma, family members reminded Marlon Lucky, is better in the long run than the National Football League.
“You’re not guaranteed in the league,” Lucky said.
There also are no guarantees of balleyhooed senior seasons with gaudy offensive numbers and increased NFL stock.
To that end, Lucky, the senior running back who bypassed the NFL Draft after his junior season at Nebraska, said he’s second-guessed that decision.
“I don’t know what to say. Last year’s gone,” Lucky said. “I probably would’ve left, but I can’t say.”
If the decision has been based solely on football, Lucky said, “I probably would’ve left.”
But his family — in particular, his uncle — convinced him of the importance of a college degree. Lucky, after this semester, will have to complete 24 hours to receive his degree in sociology.
“I gave it a lot of thought,” Lucky said, “and chose this route.”
It’s not led to the destination Lucky had expected.
Draft experts last season projected Lucky as a fourth- or fifth-round pick. After a season in which his total offensive production is less than half of what it was a year ago, Lucky will need a strong showing in front of scouts to keep his name as high on the draft board.
One opportunity will be at the East-West Shrine All-Star Game. Lucky said he’s received an invitation and will likely play.
“I’m thinking I’ve just got to finish the season out, and the last bowl game, I’ve got to finish strong, train hard, go to the All-Star Game, and just do me, play my ‘A’ game,” he said. “(And the NFL) Combine, if I do go to the combine, come back for pro day and run some good times.”
A year after he compiled 1,724 yards of total offense under former coach Bill Callahan, Lucky has produced 792 total yards this season — 517 rushing, 275 receiving.
Those school-record 75 passes he caught last season? Lucky has only 22 this year — partly because of a different offensive system under coach Bo Pelini and coordinator Shawn Watson, and partly because quarterback Joe Ganz, unlike Sam Keller last season, progresses through reads and doesn’t check down immediately to his running back.
Lucky has also been bothered the last month by a turf toe injury. He missed his final home game, against Colorado, saying he was available only if absolutely needed.
“It was tough, because I ain’t ever missed a game in football since I’ve been playing,” Lucky said. “It was hard, sitting out, but I thought about it a lot and told myself I had one more game out there (in the bowl game), and I can’t risk it for the Colorado game.”
In the meantime, sophomore Roy Helu has emerged with three 100-yard rushing performances in Nebraska’s last four games. He’s the Huskers’ leading rusher, with 804 yards on 120 carries — 6.7 yards per carry.
“Roy, he’s a heck of a back,” Lucky said. “He opened my eyes in the spring. I didn’t know he had so much explosiveness. He brought it this year. I give it to him. He brought it.”
Lucky came to Nebraska from North Hollywood, Calif., as one of the most hyped recruits in school history, judging by the five stars he received from recruiting services.
He tried living up to those expectations his freshman season.
“I tried. I tried to do that. But I couldn’t do it,” Lucky said. “There are certain things you can do, certain things you can’t do. You’ve just got to play your game.
“(Fans) probably saw me as a Reggie Bush-type, gash ’em. But it’s college football, man. It’s a different speed.”
Lucky convinced himself he had to play his game, not somebody else’s, and said he focused on progressing each season.
“I can’t just come in thinking I’m Darren McFadden and run the ball all over the field, throw the ball all over the field,” Lucky said. “That’s not me. I just came back my sophomore year, junior year, and played me.”
Is Lucky happy he came to Nebraska?
“Yeah. Heck, yeah. I love this place, man,” he said. “They help you with everything — with school, football, everything.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or
brosenthal@journalstar.com
