Honors & Awards
- 2008 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Associated Press)
- 2007 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches)
- 2007 First-Team Academic All-Big 12
- Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2004, 2006, 2007)
- 2007 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll
2008 (Senior)
Offensive tackle Lydon Murtha was a fixture on the Husker offensive line for four seasons and was a large part of Nebraska’s offensive success in 2008. Injuries limited Murtha to eight starts during his senior season, but the Minnesota native made a big impact when healthy.
The 6-7, 315-pound Murtha teamed with senior guard Matt Slauson to form an impressive right side to the Husker line, helping propel the Huskers to top-20 national rankings in total offense and passing. Nebraska improved throughout the season offensively and was a physical unit in the second half of the season. Nebraska averaged better than 210 rushing yards per game over the second half of the regular season and scored 30 or more points 10 times in 2008.
Murtha and his line mates also allowed quarterback Joe Ganz to set Nebraska school records for season passing yards and total offense. Despite missing four games, Murtha’s play was recognized, as he was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 choice by the Associated Press.
2007 (Junior)
Murtha started the first eight games of 2007 at right tackle before being sidelined by injury for the final four games. Nebraska averaged 468.2 yards per game, its best offensive total in 10 seasons, while averaging a school-record 323.8 passing yards per contest.
The offensive line allowed quarterbacks Joe Ganz and Sam Keller to post four of the top five passing days in school history. I-back Marlon Lucky also flourished on the ground, rushing for 1,019 yards, while posting the best all-purpose season by a Husker in 10 years. Murtha also played a key role in protecting the quarterback and Nebraska finished the year by allowing just 18 sacks in 296 pass attempts.
2006 (Sophomore)
Murtha played in all 14 games, and drew starting assignments at left tackle against Missouri, Colorado and Auburn. He was part of a Nebraska offensive line that made major improvements and helped the Huskers rank 14th nationally in total offense and in the top 25 in all four major offensive statistical categories. Murtha helped protect quarterback Zac Taylor, who set Nebraska single-season records with 3,197 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.
The offensive line also helped pave the way for four Husker I-backs who gained more than 2,400 yards and ran for 26 touchdowns as a group. In addition to his play at tackle, Murtha also was a member of the Huskers’ PAT and field goal units.
2005 (Redshirt Freshman)
Murtha played in nine games, including three starts at left tackle. Murtha provided depth behind Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas before moving into the starting lineup against Oklahoma. Late in the season, Murtha split time with Chris Patrick after Fuamatu-Thomas was lost for the year with an injury. The play of the offensive line helped Nebraska post the then top two passing efforts in school history in 2005.
2004 (Redshirt)
Murtha was looked at to possibly play as a true freshman, but suffered a leg injury early in fall camp and subsequently redshirted.
Before Nebraska (Hutchinson HS)
Murtha joined high school teammate Nate Swift in becoming the first players from Minnesota to sign with Nebraska since 1995. In 2003, Murtha helped Hutchinson and Coach Andy Rostberg to a 9-4 record and a state runner-up finish in Class 4A (second-largest). Murtha helped pave the way for Swift to rush for more than 2,000 yards as a senior tailback. Murtha was a first-team all-state selection by several outlets, including the Associated Press. He was an all-metro pick in the Minneapolis area each of his final two seasons and was named the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003. A three-year starter, he helped Hutchinson to the state semifinals as a junior in 2002, after making a trip to the playoffs as a sophomore in 2001.
Murtha was ranked as the nation's No. 1 offensive tackle prospect by ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. Murtha was one of three 2004 Husker recruits who participated in the U.S. Army All-American Game.
Murtha was also one of Minnesota's top shot putters. In his first year of track competition in 2003, he finished third at the state meet with a throw of 57-6, before finishing fifth in 2004. Off the athletic fields, Murtha was an Honor Roll member his final two years and was a youth leader at his church.
Personal
The son of Bill and Kim Murtha, Lydon was born in Homestead, Fla., on Nov. 13, 1985. He is majoring in economics, and was a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick in 2007. He is also a four-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection. Murtha has volunteered his time with local hospital visits and at the Legacy Retirement Center.
Murtha's Career Statistics
Games Played - 40 (9 in 2005, 14 in 2006, 8 in 2007, 9 in 2008)
Games Started -Â 23 (3 in 2005, 3 in 2006, 8Â in 2007, 9 in 2008)