Friday, September 3rd, 2010
By Chris Michener
This is the first part of a five-part series counting down the best jersey numbers in the history of Nebraska football. Contrary to what I usually do, I didn’t use any objective numbers or statistics; I just went off of personal opinion. Star power and depth were equally important in determining the rankings.
Coming in at No. 5: #7
Not much needs to be said about Crouch for him to be mentioned here. He was Nebraska’s third Heisman Trophy winner and he single-handedly carried the Nebraska offense for a couple of years. Crouch was easily one of the best athletes to ever wear scarlet and cream.
Scott Frost was never far from the center of conversations among Husker fans during his time at QB. While he had a rough start in 1996 against Arizona State that caused a multitude of jokes (“Why are they making Memorial Stadium a dome? To keep Frost out!”), a stellar performance against the Washington Huskies in 1997 turned his standing around and jump-started Tom Osborne’s final national championship team. Like Crouch, Frost was also an incredible athlete. In high school, he was the 1993 Nebraska all-class state shot put champion.
After transferring from Kilgore Junior College, Demorrio started 24 games in two seasons for the Huskers. He was a tackling machine. Under then-defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, he racked up 128 tackles in 2003, which ranks him sixth on the all-time Nebraska single season list. He also had 11 sacks the same year and was named First-Team All Big 12 by the AP. He is now a starting linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Reggie won two national championships at Nebraska as a starting split end. The 5’8” in-state athlete from Bellevue, Nebraska was part of a fabulous string of in-state prospects utilized in the 1990s that panned out well for the Huskers. Baul also had a 34-yard touchdown reception in the 1994 Orange Bowl in which the Big Red came up just short against the FSU Seminoles.
We’ll be releasing Nos. 4, 3, 2, and 1 one-by-one over the next couple of weeks. Any guesses as to which jersey numbers can top #7?
Tags: bo pelini, demorrio williams, eric crouch, reggie baul, scott frost
I will predict that # 30 with Mike Rozier, Ahman Green and Mike Brown has got to be on top.
Mike Brown only wore #30 in the NFL. He wore #21 with Huskers as did Derek Brown, Damon Benning, and now Prince Amukamara.
a few other nice combo’s are number 15 with Tommy Frazier and Vince Ferragamo. Number 35 with Rick Burns, Steve Damkroger, and Jeff Kinney. #12 with David Humm, Jarvis Redwine, and Turner Gill.
One additional #7 worth mentioning might be McCathorn Clayton… Starting QB throughout a 1985 during which NU exceeded Dr. Tom’s expectations by going 9-3 and earning a bid to the Fiesta Bowl.. After the emergence of Steve Taylor, he moved to DB, but was still key to whatever success NU had in 1985 (along with a TB Doug Dubose and FB Tom Rathman, that is..)
Mike Brown wore No. 21
Interesting topic. My first thought was that the number 7 would be first. So, I am looking forward to the next 4 articles. But, why space them out a week apart?
I’m happy to report that Mr. Michener has decided to speed that process up a bit.
Very cool!
Any word on when the next one is coming?
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