Going for two: Darlington thankful for new role

By Brian Rosenthal / Huskers.com

Zack Darlington came to Lincoln from Apoka, Florida, with a reputable history as a dual-threat quarterback.

Yet he couldn’t beat a stinking punter in a three-cone drill – not once, not twice, and not in three attempts.

“I’m thinking, ‘How in the world is this punter beating me?’ I’m supposed to have all these rankings and whatnot, be this dual-threat kid,” Darlington said, “and this punter is just whooping me.”

Darlington, who’d arrived early on campus in January of 2014 to get a head start on his freshman season, was understandably miffed.

In fact, he was so frustrated that some teammates noticed he was getting down on himself.

So they explained.

“They’re like, ‘Dude, don’t worry, he’s a freak athlete, he came in as a wide-out, happened to punt,’ ” Darlington said.

Somewhat comforted and definitely inspired, Darlington thus began a competitive relationship with Sam Foltz.

“Having someone like that, the reason I enjoyed being around him is he pushed me continuously, whatever it was we were doing,” Darlington said. “It’s different to have someone who has the mindset to be a leader, but then to have someone who has the physical capabilities to compete versus you and lead you and push you? It brings it to a whole other level.”

Darlington, who redshirted and is now a sophomore, reflects on Foltz, who tragically died in an automobile accident on July 23, as he dutifully fills one of his late teammate’s roles on special teams.

Nebraska (2-0) hosts Oregon (2-0) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (ABC) at Memorial Stadium, a game in which most folks figure to see many points.

Some, perhaps, of the two-point variety.

Oregon has long been known for attempting two-point conversions on a whim out of its swinging gate formation.

Now, thanks initially to Foltz, and now Darlington, the Huskers’ holder on PATs and field goals, Nebraska has a similar threat.

“It was definitely designed for Foltz,” Darlington said of Nebraska’s two-point conversion option from a swinging gate formation. “It was definitely up his alley and he had the ability to do it.

“We had fake punts where he just ran it, and even when he ran then, it didn’t look like a punter running.”

Darlington, who moved to wide receiver last season, said his goal is to “leave my little thumbprint with the two-point conversion” throughout his career.

He’s off to good start, having kept the ball and darting across the goal line for a two-point conversion in the season opener against Fresno State.

“I’m so blessed to have this role. I just wanted to have any role, honestly,” Darlington said. “I just wanted something to call my own on the team, something that can just kind of be my spot, something no one has to worry about, ‘Somebody’s going to take his spot.’

“It’s one of those things you just have to stay consistent. It’s clockwork. It all happens so fast. You don’t have any reads. You don’t have to worry about screwing anything up too bad.”

Darlington had experience running the swinging gate PAT in high school. In fact, he said it’s very similar to what Oregon does, which is deliver a direct snap from center to the wing, rather than the holder.

“(In high school) we looked out there at their numbers, and if they didn’t have guys on the outside, we’d run sweep left, and if they didn’t have guys in the middle, you’d just throw it to him and he runs power,” Darlington said. “Just basic math stuff. Nothing too crazy or fancy.”

Not everybody is a fan of Oregon’s untraditional approach to PATs. 

Darlington is, though.

It’s not just because he’s a potential two-point conversion dude now, either. Frankly, he’s always seen the benefit.

“It’s a weapon. I don’t really see why you wouldn’t,” Darlington said. “It’s one of those things, if you get the look, you might as well take it, because you don’t want to hold out for anything.

“You can’t take any team lightly. You got to make sure that every time you get on the field you get the maximum out of your team that you can. With the two-point conversion, I think it’s a good idea. If they go out there and they have the right look, it’s just more points. It gives the other team something to prepare for.”

Darlington spends the first three periods of each practice with the special teams units before joining the wide receiving corps.

Well, except this past week, anyway.

Coaches asked the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Darlington to join the offensive scout team and play the role of Oregon dual threat quarterback Dakota Prukop.

“It was like opening up the yearbook. It’s just like riding a bike,” Darlington said. “You’re surprised at how quickly it comes back to you. It was just natural for me to step back into it. It’s always fun to get out there and compete.

“It’s nice to know (the coaches) know the skill level you have. Some people might be offended to go ask and work scout team, but that’s a compliment for them to say, ‘Look, we need you, because who we’re preparing for, it’s a really good team, and we need to have something.’

"I take pride in that. I like knowing that they think I have something that can help our defense get ready for the game on Saturday.”

Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter @GBRosenthal.