Lucky's Husker Legacy Needs Muscle

I heard some radio chatter last week about the yardage that Marlon Lucky will end up with when he's finished his Husker career. The guys were referring to the Husker media guide, which says, quote---"Lucky enters his final season on pace to finish in the Nebraska career top five in rushing, receptions, receiving yards and all-purpose yards." The banter then went on to ask the rhetorical question of whether Marlon Lucky is indeed a "Top 5" Husker running back.

I think that's a fair question. And I've been mulling my Old Husker Fan memory for why I think it's a fair question.

After all--numbers are numbers, right? Big yards are big yards, right? Right? RIGHT?

Well, after cogitatin' around, I have to say, "No. Big yards are not big yards. It's all about when they happen." And, here's where Mr. Lucky comes up a bit short. His big-output games have in large part come in games that, in the big picture, don't matter. That's unfortunate, and is in large part a product of how down the program has been in the past 4 years. But it's true.

You know the Marlon Lucky play that sticks in my mind--when he took off on a long run that got some attention? It was a play that didn't even count--a 90-some yard kickoff return in the KU game in 2005, which at the time, would have tied the score. The TD was nullified because of a penalty (special teams gaffe in the Callahan era--go figure). But that's it. I know he's had a couple halfback TD passes--but, c'mon--those are gadget plays.

After all---is anyone's first memory of Mike Rozier being the TD pass to Anthony Steels during the Orange Bowl after the 1981 season? You know what the answer is to that one.

Here's what I want out of Marlon Lucky this season. I want some hits. I want some tacklers being dragged for another 2-3 yards. I want a stiff-arm or two. THAT'S what defines a Husker running back.

Let's review. We could go back to the '60s, but let's start with the '70s. That's long enough ago.

'70s--Jeff Kinney. Shirt getting torn off by OU during the Game of the Century.
Rick Berns. Blasting off-tackle in the blood-and-guts thriller against Mizzou (even though Nebr lost--what a game. Anyone who wouldn't take THAT in the past 4 years??)
I.M. Hipp. Blood on the jersey against Iowa State in 1978. (After ISU had beaten Nebr 2 years in a row)

'80s--Roger Craig. Against Mizzou in 1980, he whacked so many guys that Mike Corgan, the running back coach, said, "He finally ran like he was boss." Grr!!
Rozier. Hip injury vs Mizzou in 1982 and he still runs for almost 130 yards. Plus beat the snot out of practically any D-back who ever got in his way.
Jeff Smith. Came close to helping Nebr come back against Miami in the '84 Orange Bowl.
Doug DuBose. Same type as Craig and Rozier, with an ACL and pre-arthroscopic days surgery ending his career.

'90s--Lawrence Phillips. L.P. vs K-State in 1994 is maybe the best example of what I'm talking about. When everyone in 2 states knew what the plays were with both Frazier and Berringer out, L.P. still gained yardage.
Ahman Green. Slugged it out many times in 3 championship-caliber seasons.

THAT'S what I'm talking about regarding "muscle" in the legacy. And that's what I want to see from Marlon Lucky this season.

Go Big Red!

The Old Husker Fan