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Danny Langsdorf calling the fullback trap. How awesome is that?Chatelain: As Husker fullback Andy Janovich rumbles, the old-schoolers roar
Column by Dirk Chatelain / World-Herald staff writer POSTED: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 8:00 PM | UPDATED: 12:20 PM, MON SEP 28, 2015.
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Janovich’s only prior carries came in garbage time against Idaho State in 2012. Back then, he looked capable of following the great tradition of Husker fullbacks. Then he disappeared from the offense, a victim of the spread offense era. “It’s a dinosaur,” offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said of the fullback position. “It’s a dying breed.”
“They’re hard to find because no one uses them, even in high school. ... But we continue to look for them and we want to keep it alive in our system.”
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Critics say Nebraska, like the fullback position, is a football dinosaur. And this final score won’t quiet them. But the current state of the program only enhanced the joy of seeing Janovich burst into the open field. The scene took you back to an era when Nebraska didn’t have to worry about teams like Southern Miss. The Huskers could show up, put up 400 rushing yards and get home in time for supper.
If Janovich had joined the Huskers 20 years ago, he might have been a legend like Rathman and Schlesinger. Instead, he didn’t even get an FBS scholarship offer. His influence has mostly been limited to special teams; Mike Riley calls him one of the best he’s been around.
Maybe he deserves more.
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