Lincoln Native, Former Huskers will Play Integral Roles in Super Bowl LIII

Rams placekicker Greg Zuerlein used his leg. For Patriots running back Rex Burkhead, it was his legs. Los Angeles defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh used his arms, spiraling New Orleans’s Drew Brees into the turf on Sunday. Also, Zac Taylor guided his protégée, Jared Goff, to his first Super Bowl.

Three former Huskers and one Lincoln native all played a key role in sending their teams to Atlanta. With the appearance of Suh and Burkhead, the University of Nebraska has now had a player represented in the Super Bowl 26 years in a row.

Zuerlein, a Lincoln Pius alumnus, played for UNO before their program was shuttered. He then played out the rest of his collegiate career at Missouri Western. According to Rival’s Sean Callahan, Zuerlein attempted to transfer to Nebraska to play division 1 football; however the NCAA did not allow him to do so. Besides kicking the overtime winner, Zuerlein hit a 48 yarder at the end of regulation to extend the game on Sunday.

When Zuerlein tried to go to Nebraska for his sixth year (NCAA said no), he told me at that time he was just as good or better than Alex Henery. I’ll never forget that. Kid has always been confident.

— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) January 20, 2019

Taylor, who was the Husker’s starting quarterback for two seasons in 2004 and 2005, is reportedly going to be named the next head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been widely lauded for his work with Goff, one of the league’s best quarterbacks. In the regular season, Goff threw for 4,688 yards and 32 touchdowns, earning himself a selection to the Pro Bowl.

Suh, who finished fourth place in the Heisman voting his senior season at Nebraska, will be heading to his first Super Bowl. The five time Pro Bowler was named the NFL defensive Rookie of the Year back in 2010. This is his first year with the Rams, having played for the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions previously.

Burkhead was drafted by the Bengals in the 6th round back in 2013 but joined New England in 2017. On 12 carries Sunday, Burkhead had 41 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including the game clinching TD.