Password: Ndamukong
6 comments so far
December 9, 2009 by
Growing up in the Osborne era and before the great 1994-1997 run, you sort of felt like the Huskers were cursed. No matter how good they were, they seemed doomed to never win the title. This year was somewhat similar as the Virginia Tech, Iowa State, and Texas games all seemed like bad luck losses more than the Nebraska being outclassed on the field. As a result, this team hasn't had the kind of national attention it would have gotten at 12-1. But maybe that's OK. It makes Husker fans virtually the the only ones to witness the amazing year that Ndamukong Suh put together.
A study came out in recent years suggesting that sports fans were less happy on average than non-fans. That's kind of understandable when you consider that unless your team wins a national championship, you experience some measure of disappointment. So you have to find ways to enjoy the experience, even in defeat, to avoid being punished for loving college football. Thankfully, Suh gave us plenty of reasons to admire, appreciate, and enjoy an otherwise painful season.
Barry Sanders put together the most dominant season by a college running back in history. Forget what you think you know about Ricky Williams, Ron Dayne, Reggie Bush, Marshall Faulk, or Herschel Walker. When it comes to seasons by an NCAA running back, there is Sanders and there is everyone else. Yet many people simply don't know this in part because the Cowboys were not a nationally prominent team and thus the only people privileged to see Sanders great season were Oklahoma State fans. They didn't win a conference or national title that year, but they were rewarded in a way that they'll probably never forget.
You can regard 2009 the same way. Only lately has the national media really come to understand what a special player Suh is. He at least had his moment last weekend to show the college football world what he could do. But the rest of this magnificent season belongs to the Nebraska fans. We alone got to appreciate a talent that might only come along once in a lifetime. If there were any justice, he'd win the Heisman. But thankfully, the NFL scouts everybody. They know what Suh can do, which is why he'll be an early draft pick (if not the top one), just like Sanders was.
For Husker fans, trading memories of Suh will become like a secret handshake. Sure, some people may claim to be fans (especially if Nebraska get's back to the national championship game) but if they don't gush at the mention of Suh, you know they aren't really in the club. They don't really know. But the die-hards will never forget the name Ndamukong, because we've never seen better.
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WyHuskerFan Dec 09 09
Of all the past Blackshirts, Suh reminds me most of Neil Smith who was also extremely athletic for a big man. Many previous Blackshirts that dominated in college fizzled in the pros. While I look at the two levels of competition differently, there's little doubt having stellar NFL careers does wonders for your college program. Suh will lead a generation of defensive stars into Lincoln if he dominates in the pros the way Smith did. Go Big Suh! Bring home the Heisman.
Dwayne Dec 09 09
That's just it. Suh doesn't remind me of any past Husker nor any past college player on the defensive front ever. He is a very special player. Gill has always been my favorite Husker player of all time and now I really have to consider where Suh rates in all of this. The bottom line about both of them is that they both seem to be really great individual people. Of all the bad press that NU has gotten over the years, it's players like these which really make me proud to be a Husker fan. Here's another question I pose: Could any of the other Heisman candidates be as effective on the game if they were placed on the other side of the ball? Or, how many other positions could the other candidates possibly play effectively? Look at what NU's defense did against Clemson last year and their running game (Spiller) led by Suh. Honestly, Spiller may be an even better player than Ingram.
PSW Dec 09 09
Suh will go down as one of the all time greats...for me he ranks up there with Gill, Frazier, Glover and a few others. Special special player. The only guy Suh reminds me of in the NFL is Reggie White. Not only was it the way White dominated opposing defenses but the way he carried himself off the field. Suh is a beast to be reckoned with and he should be the guy this Saturday carrying home the bronze statue without question...
AustinHusker Dec 09 09
Great article and thanks for reminding us why college athletics are so special.
For me personally I was able to see 3 games in person, everyone of them I could not help but follow Suh on every play, I was afraid I would miss something special and not be able to see the replay. It was truly incredible.
Unfortunately he wont win the Heisman but probably every other award possible.
I hope the team recovers in time for the Holiday bowl and he can put on one more display. I am not sure if I can.
GO BIG RED
WA Husker Fan Dec 10 09
This is exactly how I feel about this season. It was so hard watching our offense, but Suh, Crick, Turner, Amukamara, and the supporting cast really gave us the Blackshirt season effort I felt like I had not seen since Barrett Ruud was playing.
So many people had no idea who Suh was. Or if they did, they had no idea how good he really was prior to the Big 12 game.
I just wish Ndamukong could stick around for another year. But he will be fun to watch in the NFL. Maybe I'll see him playing with Ruud in Tampa.
WA Husker Fan Dec 10 09
This is exactly how I feel about this season. It was so hard watching our offense, but Suh, Crick, Turner, Amukamara, and the supporting cast really gave us the Blackshirt season effort I felt like I had not seen since Barrett Ruud was playing.
So many people had no idea who Suh was. Or if they did, they had no idea how good he really was prior to the Big 12 game.
I just wish Ndamukong could stick around for another year. But he will be fun to watch in the NFL. Maybe we'll see him playing with Ruud in Tampa.