Honors & Awards
- Member of Two Nebraska National Championship Teams (1994, 1995)
- University of Nebraska Graduate (May, 1996)
- GTE/CoSIDA Second-Team Academic All-American (1995)
- GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII (1994)
- Phillips 66 Academic All-Big Eight (1995)
- Three-Time Phillips 66 Academic All-Big Eight Hnor Roll (1993, 1994, 1995)
Career
Steve Ott was a four-year letterman for Nebraska as an offensive guard from 1992 to 1995.
Senior (1995)
The 6-4, 290-pounder from Henderson, Neb., started all 12 games for the Cornhuskers at right guard in 1995, helping Nebraska to its 12th NCAA rushing title. The Huskers rolled to a nation-leading 399.8 yards per game on the ground on their way to their second straight national championship. Ott and his linemates did not allow a sack on the season and were flagged for just six penalties the entire year.
Ott finished his senior season with 99 pancakes (knock-down blocks), including a career-best 14 against Michigan State and 12 against Kansas.
Junior (1994)
Ott was the seventh man in on the offensive line (behind five starters and Bill Humphrey at center) and played in the first seven games behind left guard Joel Wilks. Ott had his junior season come to an abrupt end when he broke his left foot (lower fibula) during the Kansas State game. The injury required surgery on Oct. 16. Although Ott had his pins removed on Dec. 6, he did not see action in the 1995 Federal Express Orange Bowl. Before his injury, Ott aided NU to its third rushing title in the last four years averaging 340 yards per game. He was also a repeat selection to the Phillips 66 Academic Honor Roll.
Sophomore (1993)
Ott earned his second letter as a sophomore after playing in six regular-season games (North Texas, Texas Tech, Colorado State, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Iowa State). He did not play in the Federal Express Orange Bowl. Ott helped lead the Huskers to a No. 3 final national ranking with 287.9 yards rushing per game. He was also named to the Phillips 66 Academic Honor Roll.
Freshman (1992)
Ott claimed his first varsity letter at Nebraska by competing in four regular-season games on the Husker offensive line. He helped NU capture the NCAA rushing title with 328.2 yards per game.
Redshirt (1991)
A scholarship athlete, Ott opted to redshirt his first year at Nebraska
Before Nebraska (Henderson High School)
Ott was a two-time all-state selection and Super-State honoree as an offensive tackle for Coach Galen Kronhofman at Henderson High, the school of former Husker scholarship punter John Kroeker (1986-88). A three-time all-conference pick, Ott also played nose guard and inside linebacker. He played in the 1991 Nebraska Shrine Game. He earned 10 prep letters while completing in football, basketball and track. Ott qualified for the Nebraska state high school track meet in both the shot put and discus and finished third in the Class C shot with a throw of 52-9 1/2 as a senior.
Personal
The son of Walt and Marlene Ott, Steve was born Aug. 6, 1972, and has a wife, Michele. He was a biological sciences major at Nebraska, posting a 3.5 grade-point average in his career before earning his bachelor's degree in May of 1996. Steve was a volunteer with the Husker Teammates program, the SCIP Drug Free Program, UNL Career Night and was a member of the Mortar Board at Nebraska.
Ott's Career Statistics
Games Played – 29 (including bowls)
Games Started – 12 (including bowls)
Career Pancake Best – 14 vs. Michigan State, 1995