Nebraska stars
by Jeff Dantzler
Number 8 Ameer Abdullah, IB
5-9, 185 Soph. Homewood, Alabama (Homewood H.S.)
Nebraska’s offense is loaded with stars. The “I-Back” duo of Ameer Abdullah and Rex Burkhead is the
headlining duo, along with standout quarterback Taylor Martinez, wide receiver Kenny Bell, and All-American
guard Spencer Long. Burkhead missed half the season with injury so Abdullah stepped in the primary
“I-Back” role and thrived. He carried 219 times 1,089 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, and
chalked up eight touchdowns. He’s a slasher with some jets. Burkhead is the classic pounder and Martinez
can take it all the way. Georgia’s run defense will be severely tested. The Bulldogs got carved up
by Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and Nebraska will lean heavily on its strength. With a month
to get ready, there’s a chance Georgia could see the Cornhuskers put Abdullah and Burkhead on the field
at the same time.
Number 22 Rex Burkhead, IB
5-11, 210 Sr. Plano, Texas (Plano H.S.)
Nebraska has had a slew of great “I-Backs,” highlighted by 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier, and
mid-to-late 1990’s national champion All-Americans Lawrence Phillips and Ahman Green. Rex Burkhead
is a different style back, but the Big Red faithful rightfully consider him one of their most beloved runners
ever. He’s cut a bit from the cloth of Larry Czonka and Earl Campbell. He’s a bruiser with power
who is extremely tough to bring down. Trying to arm tackle him or coming in with a high pad level is a
losing proposition. If there’s a back from the SEC he resembles, it is Alabama’s slammer Eddie Lacy, Most
Valuable Player of the SEC Championship Game. He missed half the season with injury, but came back
late and was big in Nebraska’s division clinching win over Iowa. Burkhead should be close to 100 percent
for Orlando and anxious to show what he can do against an SEC foe.
Number 3 Taylor Martinez, QB
6-1 Jr. Corona, California (Centennial H.S.)
One of the Big Ten’s top two-way threats, Taylor Martinez is one of three headliners in a potent Cornhusker backfield. A quarterback who is a dangerous runner and thrower is especially lethal when teamed with an outstanding tailback, or in Nebraska’s famed case, “I-Back.” Well Nebraska has two. Powerhouse Rex Burkhead and the shifty Ameer Abdullah combine to give Nebraska big time big play options. Martinez was one of the Big Ten’s top rushers, running for 1,241 yards (sacks and losses cut his net gain to 973 yards), and ten touchdowns, with an average of 5.6 per carry. Martinez worked hard on his throwing mechanics in the off-season and had his beat year throwing, hitting of 212 of 341 passes for 2,667 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His top target is wide receiver Kenny Bell, who hauled in 46 passes for 803 yards and eight touchdowns. When that running game is rolling, Martinez thrives with Bell in man-to-man coverages.
Tagged: jeff dantzler, georgia sports news, sec football, georgia football, uga football, ameer abdullah, rex burkhead, taylor martinez
