Nebraska Football: Heroes and Ghosts of Spring Games Past

With the spring game fast approaching, I thought I’d take a peek at the past few games and see who dazzled, who disappointed and who dialed it up for a day.

2011 - Jamal Turner Flips Into the End Zone

The quarterback turned wide receiver always dazzled with his potential.

2012 - Mother Nature is Undefeated

Nebraska 2012 Spring Game Cancelled Due To Weather - Corn Nation
For the first time since 1950, Nebraska will not play a spring football game. The annual Red-White spring game was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Of course, next year’s game made up for the disappointment in a big way...

2013 - Jack Hoffman

I still love watching this clip. I especially love how Jack runs faster and faster as the play unfolds.

2014 - The Circle of Life

A Husker offensive lineman proposed to his girlfriend

Video: Sirles' proposal another touching moment in Husker spring game | Big Red Today blog | omaha.com
Late in Saturday’s spring game, former Husker Jeremiah Sirles broke up the game action with another emotional moment made at the Red-White game.

Oh, you thought I was referring to this when I said “circle of life”...

2015 - Enter Mike Riley

The first spring game under Mike Riley was, well, boring. You can check out the huskers.com highlights video if you want. It does include a punt by Sam Foltz who ended up having to also make the tackle on returner De’Mornay Pierson-El. RIP Sam.

Nebraska Spring Game Highlights - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
The 2015 Nebraska football spring game...

2016 - Kyle Kasun becomes the ultimate walk-on spring game hero

Kyle Kasun: From Husker tryout to a 'lifetime-memory' play | Football | journalstar.com
"This is embarrassing, but I don't," the senior linebacker said when asked he if knew the name of the player who made the biggest play of Saturday's Red-White Spring Game.

2017 - Where’s the Defense?

This spring game was most notable for what we didn’t see...newly minted DC Bob Diaco didn’t unveil the long-awaited 3-4 defense. In his game recap, Brian said “Bob Diaco didn’t lie when he said you’re not going to see much today”.

Unfortunately, that held true for the entire 2017 season as well.

2018 - The Prodigal Son Returns

Most fans would have been perfectly content if this was the entire spring game.

By the end of the game, a player wearing #2 gave fans a lot to look forward to in the fall. He might have been a rare case of a player dazzling in the spring game, but being even better during the regular season.

What’s your favorite spring game memory? Let us know in the comments!