Best of Nebraska: Nominations for Best I-Back

by Husker Mike on Jun 7, 2010 5:00 AM CDT in Nebraska Husker Football

The summer time is the slow time for a college sports blog traditionally. (Though this week looks like the exception with conference realignment on the frontburner.) With that in mind, CornNation will be sponsoring a series of threads to determine the "Best of Nebraska". We'll look at things both on the field as well as things off the field. We'll start each topic off with a nomination thread, and we'll seed the process with a few nominations. That's where you come in, as we'll want the CornNation community to not only add nominees, but also start the debate. Later this week, we'll actually post the vote and determine who wins each week's category.

The first category is "Best I-Back". Nebraska's had a history of great I-back's throughout the modern era. But who was the best of the bunch? Here are my initial suggestions.

Jeff Kinney
When you think of the 1971 Cornhuskers, you think of Johnny Rodgers and his punt return against Oklahoma. Or maybe quarterback Jerry Tagge. But perhaps you should think about I-back Jeff Kinney, who had an all-American season to lead the Huskers. Big players come up big in big games, and in that "Game of the Century", Kinney rushed for 171 yards and four touchdowns. He went on to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bobby Reynolds

Maybe his career numbers don't hold up, but considering that his season records from his sophomore season lasted well into Osborne era, Bobby Reynolds deserves at least a mention. His final touchdown run against Missouri in 1950 is the stuff of legends, as he reversed field three times (covering well over 100 yards) enroute to scoring the winning touchdown. For that, he was an all-American in 1950. Shoulder, leg, and eye injuries limited him after that season, so he won't get the credit he otherwise deserved.

Mike Rozier

Mike Rozier's 1983 season is the stuff that legends are made of. 2,148 yards. 29 touchdowns. Oh, and the Heisman Trophy. He elected to go to the USFL, and so his NFL accomplishments pale in comparison to what he did in Lincoln. But that doesn't diminish what he did in Lincoln. Especially that 3 yard run against UCLA.

Ahman Green

As a season ticketholder since 1992, I didn't see as many games before that. Back then and prior to that, the Huskers only showed up two or three times a year on television, though I did enjoy them for years thanks to Kent Pavelka and Lyle Bremser on the radio. But in the years since, Ahman Green was the best I-back I personally saw in Lincoln. He just had the entire package of speed and power in his running. I remember that opening touchdown against Oklahoma State in 1995. He literally ran through a Okie State safety, sending him reeling. Certainly his 12 year NFL career vouches for that.

So who'd I miss? What's your take? If you're not a member yet, just click the "Sign Up" link at the left side of the page.

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Lawerence Phillips

These guys were all great tailbacks. For me, the hard part about voting for the “best” is that you can think of things in 2 ways. The majority of people will just add up statistics and/or accolades, but if you look at who had the most skill…that doesn’t always match up.

Lawerence Phillips was the most talented I-Back that Nebraska has ever had, in my opinion. He had it all. Of course he also had that little problem with discipline, which was the one opponent he couldn’t shake. I’ll never forget that little shuffle step he had, which gave him the ability to change directions without losing momentum. Delivered beat-downs on (and off) the field, and had the perfect blend of destructive power, and graceful agility.

I would have hated tackling Lawerence. Just a bad-ass. His thug-life upbringing out in Cali obviously forged an outlook that gave him both monster success on the field, as well as the career-ending trouble off of it. Overlooked by the more squeaky-clean Eddie George in a national sense, and even Tommie Frazier team-wise…but only because half of the public hated him for his behavior.

I think TO knew the real deal when it came to Phillips’ ability, which is why he stuck behind him for so long despite the issues. Dick Vermeil did the same in the NFL. A damn shame in my opinion, as he could have done more than Green or Rozier with his playing career. 4 years with this guy and the right “image”, and we could have seen a Heisman Trophy. He did grab 2 Natl. Champs while leading the nation in rushing during the 1994 title run. In the end, he doesn’t really fit what it means to be a Husker, but just thought it warranted discussion that the “best” isn’t always the most obvious.

This video sums it up pretty good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPonBp7fxeM

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"

GO BIG RED!

by Brian Speers on Jun 7, 2010 6:28 AM CDT reply actions

No idea why that comment was in bold...

Sorry, it doesn’t mean anything. I couldn’t change it for some reason. Damn this laptop…

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"

GO BIG RED!

by Brian Speers on Jun 7, 2010 6:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Phillips

The guy was a beast. When I think of Nebraska I-Backs, I can only come up with 4 names: Roger Craig, Mike Rozier, Lawrence Phillips and Ahman Green.

Talent wise, I believe Phillips was the best of the bunch. Mentally…well, not so much.

He is the perfect candidate for what I have called “The Million Dollars Worth Of Talent, Ten Cent Brain” club. He may have been a head case but he was sure fun to watch.

The Minnesota Vikings - Undefeated in the Playoffs at Lambeau Field!

by BaldViking on Jun 7, 2010 10:47 AM CDT reply actions

Rozier

I’d give LP a close second for sheer ability, but honestly, I think Mike Rozier remains the best of the NU I-backs. The man was almost unstoppable for two seasons. Plenty of vids of his best runs available on YouTube for your perusal.

A few others I’d add into the mix, though:
1. Doug DuBose, who would have been a favorite for the Heisman in 1986 if he hadn’t blown an ACL.
2. Ken Clark
3. Keith “End Zone” Jones.

"...when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to."
— Martin Luther

by Go Big Rev on Jun 7, 2010 2:27 PM CDT reply actions

Clark was next up on my list...

He would have been fifth on my list.

Lawrence Phillips would have been 6th. I still think Ahman Green was a better back than Lawrence Phillips, primarily based on how well Green as a true freshman did when he took over for Phillips after the incident. Of course, on that 1995 Husker team, I probably could have gained positive yardage surrounded by that talent.

by Husker Mike on Jun 7, 2010 9:55 PM CDT reply actions

LP

Lawrence Phillips was definitely the best back Nebraska has ever had. They guy was just about unstoppable.

Against Kansas State in 1994 Tommie Frazier couldn’t play because of blood clots and Brook Berringer was playing through a collapsed lung. K-State knew LP was coming on every play and they still couldn’t stop him. There is no way Nebraska would have won the 1994 title without LP.

Unfortunately the guy was a head case. The only person that could stop LP was LP.

by WayneM on Jun 8, 2010 3:37 PM CDT reply actions