Ameer?s Band Wagon Picking up Passengers

Randy York’s N-Sider

Bo Pelini is a smart football coach and perhaps an even smarter man. Even though Ameer Abdullah likely could have padded his Heisman Trophy resume Saturday night in Lincoln, Pelini applied the brakes on Ameer’s Energy Bus early in the third quarter of the Huskers’ 45-14 Homecoming win over Illinois.  With his third career 200-yard rushing day already in the record book and an impending date against 2014 Rose Bowl Champion Michigan State Saturday at 7 p.m. CT in East Lansing, Pelini said he “pulled the plug” on Ameer’s playing time because it was “the right thing to do.”

Pelini, of course, is right for two simple reasons: 1) Ameer’s Band Wagon picked up passengers from all over the globe Saturday night, thanks to the “Pride of All Nebraska” Marching Band executing a classic “Fear Ameer” formation in its popular and even more highly publicized halftime show; and 2) We all know the stakes get exponentially higher Saturday night when Nebraska, now ranked 17th in the Coaches’ Poll and 19th in the AP Poll, plays the 10th-ranked Spartans on ABC national television.  The 5-0 Huskers have a timely psychological lead-up to a showdown that brings Nebraska into a legitimate Top Ten conversation, and since the Spartans  already have lost to Oregon this season, Michigan State views this game as a must-win in terms of qualifying for the College Football Playoff.  However the drama unfolds, one thing is certain: the Fear Ameer movement attracted positive attention over the weekend from two Nebraska Heisman Trophy winners as well as from two former Husker teammates who now play for Washington in the NFL.

 

Rich Glover and Johnny Rodgers wave to Husker fans Saturday night at Memorial Stadium

Johnny Rodgers: Heisman Trophy a Team Honor

Judging by the outpouring of cheers when legendary Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers and Outland Trophy winner Rich Glover were introduced during Saturday night's game, listen closely to what "The Jet" strongly believes.  "Heismans are a team award as much as they're an individual award," Johnny told me.  "We have to beat the teams we're supposed to beat and we have to beat some teams we're not supposed to beat, like Michigan State.  Great players have to make big plays in big games, and their teammates have to eliminate mistakes.  I won the Heisman because my teammates didn't make mistakes, and that allowed me to do what I do best.  Back then, the Big Eight was the best conference in America.  Now, we have to really showcase what we have.  I thought Ameer and Imani (Cross) both played great Saturday night, and I thought the offensive line has become very confident in accomplishing what they're trying to accomplish.  It's team, team, team.  Everybody has to sell out to win.  Mistakes have to stop.  It's not enough to be physically tough.  You have to be mentally tough, too, just like Ameer.  He sets the example and gets in a zone.  People in front of him and around him have to get in the same zone he's in.  They have to think the way he thinks.  They have to rise to the occasion and be able to produce when it matters most.  Ameer will be ready for Michigan State, and he needs everyone else to be ready, too."

Like Rodgers, Eric Crouch sees Ameer's sense of energy needing to broaden in every aspect of championship football.  "Ameer is the most explosive and determined running back I've seen play this year," Crouch told me.  "His toughness and speed were difficult for Illinois to defend.  I noticed that his energy is what hurts defenses the most.  Ameer gets tackled by three defenders, yet he's the first to get back up on his feet and give the ball to the referee, then jogs back to his position.  I'm very impressed with his energy level."  My translation: That benchmark level of energy must be pervasive for Nebraska to win its first conference championship since 1999, and Ameer will lead that quest in every possible way.

Will Compton, Spencer Long and Jake Long talk to former teammate and offensive guard Seung Hoon Choi.

Compton, Long: Ameer Deserves Heisman Consideration

Former Nebraska teammates Will Compton and Spencer Long had a bye week over the weekend, so both made a special trip to Lincoln to celebrate Homecoming and watch Nebraska's juggernaut rushing game.  "I bought an Ameer No. 8 jersey at Nebraska Book Store this afternoon and asked Ameer if he'd sign it," Compton told me after he and Long were introduced to Saturday night's Memorial Stadium crowd.  "I'm proud of Ameer, man.  I've seen how much he's put into all this.  We were workout partners, and he won the Lifter of the Year Award two years in a row," Compton said.  "He's done it; he gets it; he knows what it's all about.  He inspired me and motivated me and still inspires and motivates me.  We fed off each other in the weight room.  I looked up to him.  He helped me maximize my own abilities and get to the NFL.  When I look at him and see what he's accomplishing now, I know the process he's embraced.  It's all about the way he goes about his everyday business.  It's unbelievable how much he's put into it.  When people ask me about Ameer, I tell them he's an incredible athlete, but an even better person.  He's Heisman material, no doubt about it."

Spencer Long, who delayed his career in medicine to make Washington's roster after being drafted in the third round last spring, agrees with Compton.  "For a guy who works as hard as Ameer has worked off the field, it's bound to show up on the field," Long told me.  "A year later, he's the same guy we've always known.  Everything's rolling, and that's because of his character.  What we're seeing now is the payoff for everything he's put into this.  He goes about his business the same way everyday.  No shortcuts.  He approaches every day the same and leaves it all out there.  You love watching guys put that much into it.  Great discipine ... hard-working ... everything he does seems to translate into what he does on the field.  That's just the type of guy Ameer has always been.  It is absolutely no surprise to me to see him in position to compete for a Heisman Trophy.  With Ameer, it's never been about me; it's been about we. All that stuff comes in at the end because everything he does is for the team, not himself.  He's an ideal role model and the best kind of  leader."

During last Saturday's Unity Walk into Memorial Stadium, Kenny Bell must have had a premonition that he was going to score.

Bell's 63-Yard TD Gave Huskers a Huge Advantage

Kenny Bell is a gifted athlete who can be a huge factor in Ameer's Heisman Trophy candidacy because he can stretch a defense consumed with defending Nebraska's unrelenting rushing game.  Saturday, the Huskers' senior wide receiver sneaked behind the Illinois secondary and made an easy 63-yard touchdown that gave the Huskers a 28-7 second-quarter lead.  According to our media relations team, each of Bell's last 15 touchdown receptions have covered at least 20 yards.  His 17 career touchdown receptions rank third on Nebraska's all-time list.  Last year, Bell caught a 38-yard third-quarter touchdown pass from Tommy Armstrong in Nebraska's 41-28 loss to Michigan State in Lincoln.  Two years ago, Ameer caught a short pass for Nebraska's first touchdown in the Huskers' 28-24 win at Michigan State.  Abdullah and Bell are a major challenge for any defense that lines up across from them on the line of scrimmage. 

Nate Gerry's first career interception resulted in an exciting 54-yard return to set up a Husker touchdown.

Gerry's First Husker Career Interception Memorable

In the second quarter of Saturday night's win over Illinois, Nate Gerry, a sophomore safety from Sioux Falls, S.D., became a household word in Big Red Nation.  In recording his first career interception at Nebraska, he not only outdueled the receiver for the ball, but returned it 54 yards to set up a Husker touchdown from the 2-yard line.  The experience was memorable in more ways than one.  Instead of celebrating, Gerry headed for the nearest trash can because he said had "no gas left in the chamber".  He told Nebraska reporters that yes, he found a trash can in time, so someone else didn't have to deal with the mess.

Tim Miles Loves Being Where the Action Is

Whenever possible, Nebraska Basketball Coach Tim Miles (pictured above) loves being where the action is, and Saturday night, during  Nebraska's win over Illinois, he had an immediate reaction on the southeast sideline.  Instinct spurred him to let everyone know that a pass had just been ruled incomplete.  Call it his alter ego to respond as a fan like he can't as a coach on the hardwoods.  Energy knows no bounds.

 

Jeff Kinney Jr., a former Illinois backup quarterback, took time out during pregame with daughter Julia, 9.

Jeff Kinney Jr. Watched Saturday's Game in Silence

Of the more than 91,000 fans inside Memorial Stadium Saturday night, Jeff Kinney Jr. had to be the most stoic.  He also had to be one of the two most perplexed people in the stadium.  Why?  Because his dad is Jeff Kinney Sr., Nebraska’s All-America I-back who scored four touchdowns in the Game of the Century.  No wonder Jeff Kinney Jr. gets a double take sitting in the Illinois section of the stadium wearing his alma mater’s navy blue-and-orange colors.  “I have never seen my brother at a Nebraska game where he just sat in his seat without applauding even once, for either team,” said Kristin Holdhusen, Jeff Jr.’s sister, who was wearing red, along with her husband and their four children from Overland Park, Kan.  Jeff Kinney Jr. grew up a devout Big Red fan.  His father played on two national championship teams before the Kansas City Chiefs made him their first-round draft choice in 1972. 

At Illinois, Jeff Kinney Jr. was a backup quarterback behind Jeff George and relished the five years he spent in Champaign before graduating in 1993.  “We went to bowl games all five years I was there and finished in the Top Ten twice,” Jeff Jr. told me. “I wore Illinois colors Saturday night out of respect for my former teammates.”  He did not, however, cheer for or against either team.  He just sat there, as stoic as Tom Osborne, processing the puzzling predicament in the only way he knew how.

Jeff Jr.’s family also wore scarlet and cream to the game, including three of their four children – 14-year-old son Walker, 12-year-old son Bo and 9-year-old daughter Julia.  Their oldest daughter, 16-year-old Caroline, was celebrating Homecoming at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kan. Christine Kinney, her mother, Jeff Jr.'s wife and also an Illinois graduate, stayed home with her oldest daughter.  “Nebraska was my all-time favorite team growing up and still is,” Jeff Jr. said, admitting he did get a lump in his throat when he saw his dad show up in HuskerVision’s newest version of the Tunnel Walk Saturday night.  He likes the way Nebraska communicates and reflects its culture.  “Illinois fans couldn’t believe how many people welcomed them to Lincoln,” Jeff Jr. said.  “They understand Nebraska's tradition.”

Jeff Kinney Jr. wasn’t the only person in the stadium Saturday night with mixed emotions.  The same could be said of Bob Westerkamp, father of Hail Mary/Behind-the-Back receiver Jordan Westerkamp.  Bob played on Illinois’ 1983 Big Ten Championship team, but made it clear that he would not pressure his son to follow in his footsteps.  Jordan chose Nebraska over Notre Dame and dozens of other offers, including his home state of Illinois, plus Iowa, Michigan State and Northwestern.  He has built his own foundation for legendary status.  In a round of good-nature kidding leading up to Saturday’s split loyalty night, Bob Westerkamp ribbed Jordan about wearing his Rose Bowl jersey to Saturday night’s game. He even hinted he might sit on the Illinois side of the field.  Let the record show that Bob Westerkamp left his jersey at home and has no issues whatsoever cheering for his son's 5-0 team.

Saturday Was Teammates Day at Memorial Stadium

Congratulations to a special group of mentors and mentees who were introduced on Tom Osborne Field on the northeast 20-yard line shortly after the Huskers left the field before Saturday night's kickoff.  The group also had the privilege to "huddle up" with Coach Osborne, who co-founded the mentoring organization with his wife, Nancy.

Softball Team Recognized for Big Ten Championship

The Nebraska Softball Team was recognized on the field during the first quarter Saturday night for sharing the 2014 Big Ten Conference regular-season championship.  The photo above reflects the thrill of waving to more than 90,000 Husker football fans.

Even More Fans Are Waiting to Congratulate Ameer

The secret is out.  Now that Ameer Abdullah has made it a habit to thank Husker fans who inspire him to reach for new heights, a small army of Big Red faithful wait patiently in the tunnel when he returns to the locker room.  If Nebraska keeps winning and Ameer's Heisman stock continues to rise, the postgame lines most likely will get even bigger.

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