DeMorrio Williams, Leroy Etienne, Lee Kunz and Mike Croel put up a fight, each getting between 21-33% of the votes as underdogs, but ultimately all of the top seeds prevailed.
If you are an aficionado of Husker football history, this is definitely a bracket for you to do some poking around the Googles. There are some amazing players coming from parts of Husker history that are really fun to read about!
There are also some really hard choices to make in the polls. I remain undecided on a couple of them...
From Dr. Bracket, BrewCityHSKR
This one was undoubtedly the hardest to seed. Seeds 4 – 14 is a crapshoot, but will make some really good matchups every round. This is also probably the bracket that has the most big names off of it (sorry, Terrell Farley, Mike Knox, and Jim Wightman). There have been a lot of good linebackers at Nebraska. The ’70s were absolutely stacked. Again, there were a number of LBs included in the Rush End bracket, so some of the best Husker LBs were precluded from this list.
Key - AA = All-American; cAA = consensus AA, AC = all-conference
For what it’s worth, I think Murtaugh and Damkroger have the best linebacker scowls in their bio pictures. Novak’s and Pillen’s ain’t bad either.
Round Two
Polls close early Monday morning.
1) Jerry Murtaugh – AA, 2X AC. Mr. Husker set records for total tackles, tackles in a season, and tackles in a game. Stifled LSU to secure Nebraska’s first NC. (Huskers.com bio)
v
8) Clete Pillen – AC. One of only 3 players to log two top-ten all time tackle seasons (125, ’75 & 129, ’76). Holds top two spots for tackles in a game (30 & 27). (Huskers.com bio)
Poll
Who is the ultimate Husker linebacker?
This poll is closed
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90%
Jerry Murtaugh
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9%
Clete Pillen
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2) Lavonte David – cAA, 2X AC. Set record for tackles in a season. Logged 17 tackles vs Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. (Huskers.com bio)
v
7) Tom Novak – 4X AC. This guy again?!? Yes, one of Nebraska’s best O lineman is also one its best LBs. Novak logged 11 INTs on defense!! That’s better than all but 4 DBs in Husker history. (Huskers.com bio)
Poll
Who is the ultimate Husker linebacker?
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3) Barrett Ruud – AC. First in tackles, first in double-letters. His junior and senior tackle totals stand as #2, and #3, all time, respectively. (Huskers.com bio)
v
6) Marc Munford – 3X AC. The only WLB to earn 3 All Conference selections. Arrested by New Orleans cops who were clearly trying to give LSU an advantage in the ’86 Sugar Bowl (Final: NU 30 – LSU 15). (Huskers.com bio)
Poll
Who is the ultimate Husker linebacker?
This poll is closed
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83%
Barrett Ruud
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16%
Marc Munford
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4) Ed Stewart – cAA, AC. 3 year starter’s career culminates with a National Title. Top ten in total tackles. (Huskers.com bio)
v
5) Carlos Polk – AA, 2X AC. No Husker LB has cost the opponent more yards than Polk (134). (Huskers.com bio)
Poll
Who is the ultimate Husker linebacker?
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