The Nebraska Huskers' Star Running Back
Connor Strange
Co-Editor-in-Chief
The Huskers have begun to bloom with senior running back Ameer Abdullah leading the charge. In past years the offense was average at best, and even worse in some seasons before head coach Bo Pelini was hired. But it seems that the Huskers have found their footing with a dynamic halfback in the huddle.
Abdullah’s college career began as a backup to Rex Burkhead (now playing for the Cincinnati Bengals), a powerful and aggressive back. After Burkhead graduated and Abdullah became the first-string running back, his speed and finesse showed a new side to the Huskers offense.
Though Nebraska’s offense is traditionally focused on running in the first place, Ameer Abdullah’s sheer talent has led to an even larger emphasis - and for good reason.
Abdullah’s success in the season and a couple of games in which he’s started has shown some serious skill. The Huskers haven’t lost a game this season with the swift halfback at the helm.
He’s up there in numbers with Nebraska greats like Heisman winner Mike Rozier and former Green Bay Packer Ahman Green whose padded prowess led the Huskers to a stunning 13-0 season. One record he’s already shattered is that of Johnny Rogers for most all-purpose yards. Rogers had 5,586 total yards under his belt, but Abdullah surpassed that in a game against the Miami Hurricanes earlier this season.
In 2013 Abdullah ran for nearly 1700 yards, the fourth most in the UNL football program’s history. After only a handful of games this year, he’s on track to break that with three games in excess of 200 personal yards - pretty darn impressive.
With all that ridiculous running, Abdullah is projected by some as one of the top candidates for the ever-prestigious Heisman Trophy this year, given to the perceived best player in the entire league.
It’s been over a decade since the Huskers were able to boast a star as bright as Abdullah, and they’ve utilized him for an impressive victory streak at the beginning of the 2014 season. Their next challenge to face is on the road, against the formidable Michigan State Trojans on Oct. 4.
