Eight Bright Spots Honor No. 8, a True Leader

Randy York’s N-Sider

It’s Sunday, October 5th, a day to find the silver lining in a dark cloud that hovered over Spartan Stadium for three quarters Saturday night in East Lansing, Michigan.  For those who gave up or shut down, you missed a fourth quarter in which the Huskers outscored the Spartans, 19-0, and came oh-so close to finishing a comeback on the road that would have been even greater than the Huskers’ 2011 rally that overtook Ohio State in Memorial Stadium – the biggest home field resurgence in Nebraska history.

For the record, the Huskers trailed 27-3 early in the fourth quarter and nearly completed the largest overall comeback (21 points) and largest fourth-quarter comeback (12) in school history. Nebraska drove to the Michigan State 37-yard line in the final minute before the Spartans sealed the win with an interception at its 20-yard line with 30 seconds remaining. At that point, a good chunk of the national television audience may have moved on to other priorities, but  the good thing about being on an ABC telecast is ESPN bounces around enough to keep you informed even if you have moved on.

For the benefit of those who took a shower or went to bed before the game ended, Nebraska lost, 27-22, but found some fire, a lot of humility, a ton of pride and a certain level of respect that matches and honors the leader they all still look up to – No. 8, Ameer Abdullah.  In fact, in my opinion, as tough a game as Ameer experienced trying to break free from a constant swarm of green, I believe this remarkable Husker comeback materialized in honor of the class, dignity and resolve that No. 8 carries in his lunch pail every day he reports to work.  To solidify my premise, The N-Sider offers up eight bright spots to honor No. 8, a true leader.

Bright Spot No. 1: Hope for the rest of the season.  Check out the celebration shot above.  It’s the Nebraska sideline in the waning moments of a grueling battle against a Top 10 team that not only is the reigning Rose Bowl champion, but entrenched in a “must win every game” for the rest of the season. The Spartans are big, tough and talented and they remain focused on their vision to qualify for the first-ever College Football Playoff. Once Nebraska picked itself up in the fourth quarter, the Huskers have now set their sights on getting a chance for redemption against the Spartans in the Big Ten Championship.

Bright Spot No. 2: Senior Trevor Roach’s inspiring spirit and keen sense of accountability.  A few weeks ago, this senior walk-on linebacker, above, was hiding in anonymity before seizing his opportunity to climb on the main stage. Roach, No. 43 in your program and No. 1 in your heart, finished the game with a career-high 18 tackles, 11 more than any other Husker Saturday night and 11 more than his previous career best against Tennessee-Chattanooga in 2011.   Nine were solo stops, and nine were assists.  Four of his tackles resulted in nine lost yards.  Hopefully, Roach, a native of Elkhorn, Neb., lit the torch that can elevate the fire in everyone around him.

Bright Spot No. 3: Sophomore Jordan Westerkamp expanding his repertoire as a go-to receiver.  Husker fans across America and around the world winced when Kenny Bell left the playing field in the second quarter never to return.  The Huskers already have a small fleet of sidelined receivers, so what does Westerkamp, above,do to help the cause?  He records career highs of nine catches and 158 receiving yards. His nine receptions are tied for eighth in Nebraska history and were the most by a Husker since Bell had nine catches against Minnesota in 2012.  Westerkamp’s 158 receiving yards tied Maurice Purify (2007 at Kansas) for the fifth-highest total in school history.

Bright Spot No. 4: Freshman De’Mornay Pierson-El turning the electricity on again.  With 3:22 to play and Nebraska trailing 27-16, Pierson-El (No. 15 above) returned a fourth-quarter punt 62 yards for a touchdown, marking his second career punt return touchdown as a bookend to his 86-yard punt return at Fresno State. Pierson-El’s two punt returns for 95 yards against the Spartans increased his season total to 19 returns for 334 yards, which already rank as the eighth-highest single-season total in Nebraska history.  Yes, there are hints of Johnny the Jet-like magic in this Alexandria, Va., native's legs, head and heart, not to mention hints of an emerging household name.

Bright Spot No. 5: Sophomore Tommy Armstrong Jr.’s courage, leadership, tenacity and talent:  The pride of Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas,Tommy went into the game with a 12-1 career record as the Huskers’ starting quarterback.  That record now reads 12-2, but let the record show how tough an injured Armstrong was re-entering the lineup and directing a near miracle that was just one knocked receiver away from reality.  Both of Armstrong’s losses have come against Michigan State.  Lost in the avalanche of a lopsided game that flirted with a shocking ending, Armstrong Jr. set career highs with 20 completions and 273 passing yards in a losing effort. 

Bright Spot No. 6: Sophomore Alonzo Moore’s emergence as a playmaker that can run, separate and catch in the clutch: Moore's career-long 43-yard reception gave Nebraska a chance to complete the comeback in the final minute. His only reception of the game was the longest of his career and helped him set a career high 43 receiving yards.  Who can forget Moore’s athletic effort (above) to snag a 37-yard pass in the corner of the end zone on a damp night after MSU fans had prematurely left to celebrate a win? It's encouraging to see sophomores like Westerkamp and Moore benchmarking and learning from Kenny Bell, who needs just 10 receptions to become NU's all-time career leader.

Bright Spot No. 7: Nebraska’s defense keeps improving day-by-day and game-by-game.  Yes, the Huskers fell short, but revisit the almost unimaginable scenario.  After outscoring Michigan State 19-0 in the fourth quarter, Nebraska lost by just five points – a setback that snapped the Huskers’ nation-leading 10-game winning streak in games decided by seven or fewer points.  It was indeed theater of the absurd, especially so for national announcers who kept insisting the game was over in the third quarter.  The defense gave Nebraska the chance to think the unthinkable and almost pull off the ridiculous.  Who knows?  Maybe something good is destined to happen in Indianapolis.

Bright Spot No. 8 is No. 8:  The selflessness of a Heisman-caliber player who exemplifies what it takes to be a champion.  Senior I-back Ameer Abdullah (No. 8 above) rushed 24 times for 45 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns.  While those are hardly Heisman numbers, consider that Abdullah increased his career rushing total to 3,855 yards, moving him within 25 yards of Ahman Green for second place on Nebraska’s all-time rushing chart. Think about that.  Ameer is less than three 9-yard runs away from moving ahead of a player who is the all-time leading rusher in the history of the Green Bay Packers.  Ameer also surpassed Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier Saturday night as the Huskers’ career leader in rushing attempts.  Abdullah also had 22 receiving yards and 48 yards on kickoff returns, giving him 115 all-purpose yards. That enabled Abdullah to pass Michigan’s Anthony Thomas and rank sixth all-time in Big Ten all-purpose yards with 6,089. Ameer was limited to 67 yards from scrimmage Saturday night, ending a nation-leading streak of 18 straight games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage. 

The Huskers rushed for a season-low 47 yards, their fewest since rushing for 31 yards against USC in 2007.  But here’s the only cool thing about the angst of posting such non-Nebraska-like numbers:  Ameer Abdullah, during and after the toughest running day of his life, pointed the thumb at himself when he fell 5.4 yards per carry below his career average.  He told reporters that he “didn’t hit the creases” when he needed to and “that’s on me.”  That statement is highly debatable, but reflects why we honor No. 8 with seven bright spots, plus one for him.  Anyone who watched Ameer’s keynote speech at the Big Ten Media Days last summer knows that he isn’t in football to win a Heisman Trophy.  He’s at Nebraska for two reasons: 1) to earn a degree; and 2) to win a championship.  The first goal is certain and the second goal is viable, especially if an increasing number of Nebraska players do what Trevor Roach did Saturday night – sell out every day and every play for the team.  When that happens, miracles tend to happen, too.

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Voices from Husker Nation

I would like to comment on the No.8 article. What we witnessed on Saturday night was a group of young men performing beyond the playing field. On this night, this Pelini-coached team played with the heart of those teams coached by Devaney, Osborne and Solich before them. They played like the ‘83, ‘94 and 2001 teams, never acknowledging the deficit they were in, only recognizing the goal they needed to complete. Trevor Roach played with Lavonte David/Barrett Ruud-like passion and urgency, and the front four masked the tenacity and forcefulness in a Suh/Wistrom/Peter-like manner.  Although the offense was stymied for most of the game, Tommy A came back like Tommie F, never accepting defeat and leading his young receivers to more than just a possible victory.  What we witnessed was a group of young men, led by No 8, reaching down deep and willing something that will last longer than a comeback victory.  What we saw was character and an identity that’s growing and resembling that of the great teams and players before them.  It’s something they will have with them long beyond their playing years.  This team has arrived. Coach Pelini and his staff have done extremely well, and the football community needs to take note that Fear Ameer is more than a Heisman slogan. Fear Ameer goes well beyond his ability on the field.  Fear Ameer revolves around his character and the leadership he shows for his team.  GBR!!  Jeff Michaels, Pensacola, Florida.

Amazing article and spot on.  Thanks for expressing what all of us saw in the fourth quarter except those who decided to tune out.  Jeremy Boe, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank, Singapore

Great article! Loved it! Eight Bright Spots got me fired up! And then I realized the Huskers have this weekend off, which might be good news. Get healthy, have 13 or 14 of the most focused practices of the season and play your hearts and souls out the rest of the season. After this Michigan State game, I have NO doubt we will meet them again in Indianapolis! But DO NOT look that far ahead...ONE Saturday at a time, boys! Loved the effort and the heart of this team, and Mr. York, you are exactly right...it all starts with #8, Mr. Ameer Abdullah!  Todd Schweiger

As a season ticket holder from Northern Minnesota, I travel 9½ hours to Lincoln for home games. Today at work, I was still sitting on the edge of my seat.  I’m not disappointed, even in defeat because as my boys say, we don’t go out like punks.  Watch the sidelines during games while the defense is on the field and you will see players gravitate to #8 and #80.  I watch Ameer and Kenny with binoculars and see them engage each other and always be among the first to encourage others.  When I played football, I wanted to be by someone positive, someone who didn’t blame players, refs, or coaches.  That’s why I think Ameer and Kenny tend to be by each other.  Ray Hawk, Virginia, Minnesota

Thank you for your article with 8 bright spots after Saturday's game! You are right on! I just drove from the middle of the state to Omaha listening to two different radio talk shows. Although both shows briefly talked a few positives, they were basically negative nasties about how bad our team played. I didn't have the opportunity to call in but I wanted to say, wait a minute, our Huskers played a very, very good Michigan State team. Their D-line is awesome and, of course, there'll be struggles against a line that good.  But our players kept fighting and they know never, never, never, never, never give up. I love that about our team which, by the way, is a reflection of a coach who believes the game isn't over ‘til it's over! Thank you for being specific in the bright spots! Go Big Red!  Pam Davis, Omaha, Nebraska