Tommy Armstrong Jr. Born to Lead, Ready to Deliver

Huskers Host Fresno State for 2016 Opener

Riley, Four Players Meet the Press Monday

2016 Captains: Westerkamp, Utter, Banderas, Gerry

Randy York’s N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

One of six 2015 Nebraska football captains, Tommy Armstrong Jr. was like everyone else last week. He had one vote for a 2016 captain and chose roommate Jordan Westerkamp.

Nebraska Coach Mike Riley appreciated his quarterback “spreading the wealth and the vote, so to speak,” especially when the decision was made to name two fewer captains.

At Monday’s press conference inside Memorial Stadium, Riley said he gave Armstrong a heads up before he told the team. “I didn’t want him to be surprised. It was kind of a blunt announcement, so I just let him know. He is absolutely still a leader on this team and he is really well respected. And we can attest to that with the votes that we got.”

Another year under Armstrong’s belt “is a big, big deal,” Riley said. “Even through last year, Tommy learned, progressed, and played better probably in the last month. He took that as a springboard into opportunity to grow and play even better this year.

“Tommy’s got a lot of skills,” Riley said, acknowledging that there’s one very obvious area that everybody knows that must reduce dramatically –  interceptions.

Mike Riley: When Tommy Armstrong Jr. Has the Ball, He’s Very Dangerous

Practices have focused on learning and decision making. “We hope we eliminated that and have given Tommy the chance to have the ball more,” Riley said, “because when he has the ball, he’s very dangerous.”

As a team, the Huskers are “a lot more confident going into the season this year than we were last year,” said Riley, who is well aware that Nebraska has won five national football championships, four of which did not have a quarterback as a captain. Jerry Tagge was the only quarterback captain to lead the Huskers to a national title in 1971.

Throughout winter and summer conditioning, Armstrong Jr. polished his craft and opened new opportunities. “We’re a lot more confident going into the season this year than we were last year,” Armstrong said, praising Riley’s decision to move offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf and offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh from the sidelines to the press box booth to sharpen the Huskers’ offensive diagnoses and focus.

Armstrong Jr. Sees Others Stepping Up and Making Sacrifices in the Offseason

“I think captains are chosen, but leaders are born,” Armstrong said. “From day one, I’ve been a leader here, so I’m going to continue to do what I’m doing and lead this team in the right way.”

Armstrong Jr. (pictured above) is ready to deliver and lead Nebraska to its first conference championship in 17 seasons. “We have a bunch of guys that are leaders on this team,” he said. “A lot of guys that stepped up this year made some sacrifices to help the team, and it showed a lot this off-season.”

In effect, “I just want to get out there and show those guys that I’m willing to do anything and everything to make us better and show them I’m ready to play,” Armstrong said, adding that the Huskers have four worthy captains and a force still with the entire team – Sam Foltz, the late All-Big Ten punter, whose No. 27 will honor his memory when Nebraska hosts Fresno State Saturday night in the season opener.

Huskers Will Wear No. 27 Decals on Helmets Throughout the 2016 Season

The Huskers will wear No. 27 decals on their helmets throughout the 2016 season to honor Foltz, who was killed in an auto accident on July 23. The game is set for national television on BTN with kickoff shortly after 7 p.m. CT.

Count Armstrong Jr. among those eager to honor Foltz. “Sam was a great person, great teammate and great friend,” Armstrong said. “He represented us the right way.”

A stadium tribute not only features Foltz, but the community. “If you look at the tribute, it shows a lot about Sam,” Armstrong said. “There’s not a single picture where you see just him. You see him with people around the community. There’s a lot of pictures out there that are posted with him and people all across the world.”

With 33 career starts, Armstrong Jr. has four more than safety Nathan Gerry, seven more than placekicker Drew Brown and nine more than tight end Cethan Carter. Two years ago, Armstrong Jr. accumulated 325 yards of total offense and threw three touchdown passes in a 55-19 win over Fresno State in California. Below is a chart showing how Armstrong Jr. continues to climb to the top of Husker career records.

Tracking Tommy Armstrong Jr.: No. 4 Closing in on Four School Records

In three seasons at the Husker helm, Armstrong Jr. has posted one of the most productive careers among all active FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) players. After setting one NCAA record and more than a dozen Nebraska records, here are four key records that No. 4 is pursuing to overtake the all-time records set by Taylor Martinez (above right with Armstrong):

1)    Armstrong Jr.’s 53 touchdown passes are three short of Martinez.

2)    His 6,691 passing yards are 567 shy of Martinez’s career mark.

3)    Armstrong Jr.’s 474 completions are 101 behind the leader’s 575.

4)    His 7,998 yards of total offense trails Martinez’s 10,233 by 2,235.

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