19 seniors played at Memorial Stadium on game day for the last time on Saturday. After grinding out a 9-6 win over Michigan State, not a single one of them could be spotted without a smile on their face. It isn’t as if they wouldn’t have good reason to be frustrated. This senior class has experienced more turnover and heartbreak than the vast majority of other Husker classes in recent memory. Three coaching staffs. Two consecutive seasons without a bowl game. The devastating loss of a beloved teammate.
Luke Gifford for the last time.
pic.twitter.com/buvbzO52h6
— KLIN Husker Hour (@KLINHuskers) November 17, 2018
But that’s not what this group is focused on. It’s the future. “I know it’s senior night, going out with that win, (but) it’s the young guys,” wide receiver Stanley Morgan said. “The young guys played for us. That’s amazing to see youth in your brothers. That’s amazing.”
Jerald Foster for the last time. pic.twitter.com/aeRw5mRd4O
— KLIN Husker Hour (@KLINHuskers) November 17, 2018
Linebacker and captain Luke Gifford largely echoed Morgan’s comments. “I think it kind of shows where this program is going and I’m super excited for these guys. They’re going to win a lot of games, we got a big one next week that we are excited for so we still have another one left, but there are going to be a lot of won games in the future here.”
After starting out the season 0-6, Nebraska has now won four of their last five. The senior leadership is a big reason for that turnaround. Another big reason? The senior playmakers stepping up.
Devine Ozigbo reached the single season 1,000-yard mark on Saturday. The last Husker to do that was Ameer Abdullah back in 2014. Also, with his four catches on Saturday, Morgan passed up former Husker receiver Kenny Bell in career receptions in team history, with 182.
Devine for the last time pic.twitter.com/5DjW7WiFyx
— KLIN Husker Hour (@KLINHuskers) November 17, 2018
But their performances weren’t the most heralded of the day. It was freshman Barret Pickering, the plucky place kicker who made three field goals in the fourth, who received all the accolades. Pickering quite obviously has fine use of his legs, but that didn’t prevent the seniors from picking him up and carrying him into the locker room on their shoulders.
That’s the way the seniors would want it to be, with the spotlight on the future. As head coach Scott Frost put it this past Thursday, these seniors are laying a foundation for what’s to come. It’s just a shame it couldn’t have come sooner.
Mick Stoltenberg for the last time. pic.twitter.com/fy9YSOUEks
— KLIN Husker Hour (@KLINHuskers) November 17, 2018
(Photo by Kenny Larabee)
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