Football
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Ben Gessford Season 1994

PositionOL
Weight214 lbs
Height6-2
ClassFreshman
HometownLincoln, Neb.

Honors & Awards

  • University of Nebraska Graduate (May, 1999)
  • Member of Three Nebraska National Championship Teams (1994, 1995, 1997)
  • GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII (1998)
  • Two-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (1996, 1998)
  • Honorable-Mention Academic All-Big 12 (1997)
  • Two-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Semester Academic Honor Roll (1996, 1997)

Career

Ben Gessford appeared in 28 games throughout his Husker career. He earned a scholarship in January of 1998 after having walked-on to the team. Gessford finished with 79 "pancakes" (knock-down blocks) and was a member of all three of Nebraska's national championship teams in the 1990's.

1998 (Senior)

A groomed fifth-year senior, Gessford took over the starting right guard duties from graduated senior and fellow Lincoln East alum Jon Zatechka. Gessford started 10 games -- nine at guard and one at tackle. He was one of four new starters on the offensive line and one of two starters from Lincoln (also cornerback Erwin Swiney). Gessford recorded 62 "pancakes" on the year, an average of 5.2 a game. He saw playing time in the 1998 Holiday Bowl against Arizona.

1997 (Junior)

Gessford played in nine games, plus the Orange Bowl against Tennessee, for the Huskers, backing up Zatechka and Matt Hoskinson at right guard. He had 17 pancakes on the year, with a best of eight against Baylor.

1996 (Sophomore)

Gessford played in three games as a backup tackle.

1995 (Freshman)

Gessford played in four games as a backup tackle.

1994 (Redshirt)

A walk-on, Gessford redshirted his first year at Nebraska.

Lincoln East High School

An honorable-mention Super-Stater, Gessford was also named academic all-state for the Lincoln Journal Star and earned Spartan scholar-athlete awards for three years in football. He was the lifter-of-the-year for East and the school pentathlon champion.

Personal

The son of James and Judi Gessford, Ben was born Aug. 12, 1976. Ben majored in psychology and earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in May of 1999. His father, James, was a standout tight end at Hastings (Neb.) College, made the Kansas City Chiefs opening day roster, then played in the World Football League for the Chicago Fire and the Chicago Win in 1974-75.

Gessford’s Career Statistics
Games Played/Started -- 28/10 (including bowl games)
1997 "Pancakes" -- 62 (5.2 average)
1998 "Pancakes" -- 17 (1.9 average)
"Pancake" Best -- 8 vs. Baylor, 1997