Carlson, Brown, Brinson, Saalfeld and Warren Set For Hall of Fame Induction

Five former Nebraska football players ? including one from the 1960s, two from the ?70s, one from the ?80s and one from the ?90s ? will be inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame on Sept. 4 in Lincoln, where they also will be honored the next night prior to the Huskers’ season-opener against Florida Atlantic.

Irving Veitzer, president of the Nebraska Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, announcing the following recipients:

Dennis Carlson, who was an All-Big Eight offensive tackle in 1965. That team finished the regular season 10-0 before losing to Alabama in the Orange Bowl and finishing third nationally. The Huskers also led the nation in rushing that season, and they were No. 1 in total offense in the Big Eight in Carlson’s junior and senior seasons.

Kenny Brown, a four-year letterman as a wingback and return specialist in 1975 as well as 1977-78-79. A high school All-American in both football and basketball, Brown also was offered a pro baseball contract by his hometown Cincinnati Reds before becoming a Cornhusker. Brown was an All-Big Eight performer in his last two seasons as a Husker.

Kelly Saalfeld,a 1975 walk-on from Columbus who went on to letter in 1977-78-79 at center and become a first-team Academic All-American. Like Brown, Saalfeld started on the 1978 team that beat California, Alabama and Penn State in the non-conference season and then went on to upset No. 1-ranked Oklahoma, 17-14, in Lincoln.

Dana Brinson, who played from 1985-88 and became the Huskers’ first Georgia recruit since the mid-1950s. With a 4.37 time in the 40, Brinson was one of the fastest Huskers ever, and he was a pivotal performer at wingback and as a return specialist on teams that played in two Fiesta Bowls, one Sugar Bowl and one Orange Bowl.

Steve Warren,a four-year letterman at defensive lineman/nose tackle from 1996-99. One of six true freshmen to play for the Huskers in ’96, Warren went on to make 21 career starts and to earn All-Big 12 honors in 1999. During his career, the Huskers won 45 games and lost only seven. Warren led the Blackshirts in total tackles in 1999, finishing with 45, including 23 unassisted.

In addition, Veitzer announced that three special awards will be given at the 2009 induction banquet at Memorial Stadium.

Walter and Suzanne Scott and family of Omaha were named recipients of the Chapter’s Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award for the support of the University and the Nebraska Athletic program.

The Fischer football brothers ? Cletus, Kenneth, Rex and Pat and their families ? will receive the Chapter’s Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award.

The Special Recognition Hall of Fame Honoree will be Zach Wiegert, the Huskers’ All-America offensive tackle who won the 1994 Outland Trophy and was inducted into the Hall of Fame the following year. A captain on Nebraska’s 1994 national championship team, Wiegert also was named UPI’s top offensive lineman and the Touchdown Club’s Lineman of the Year.