Husker Football: Record Books Will Be Rewritten in 2014

There is no question that 2014’s edition of Husker football will be record-breaking in some form or fashion.

On the national level, there are a few easy ones that I’m comfortable saying will continue.

The sell-out streak, perhaps the record Husker fans have most pride in, will continue and best the current number of 333. Based on the latest numbers released from the athletic department, 340 consecutive will happen.

It’s not much of a stretch to say the nation-leading 107 Academic All-American number will grow, either.

What about the school records? Which of those season-long or career-long marks currently held in Husker history will be toppled in 2014?

Offense

Nebraska’s All-Conference, All-American and Heisman contender at runningback, Ameer Abdullah, is not just running away from defenders, he’s also running towards numerous records.

The Husker I-Back sits at No. 8 on the career rushing list, but a season of just over 1,800 yards will thrust him to the top, surpassing Mike Rozier. Abdullah had nearly 1,700 in 2013, so this is definitely within the realm of possibility.

To do it, he would need to break another record he’s in contention for: 100-yard rushing games in a career. Rozier tops the list with 26, but Ameer is sitting at No. 3 with 17.

The Alabama native’s potential records don’t just stop with rushing the football.

If none of the aforementioned rushing records get surpassed by Abdullah, there is one I’d feel comfortable putting some money on falling: career rushing attempts.

Rozier toted the rock 668 times in his Husker football career and Abdullah is sitting at 549.

If the last two seasons are any indication, Ameer will reach the mark about halfway through the season. He’s hit 226 and 281 carries (just five off from the single season record held by Lawrence Phillips) in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

The Alabama native’s potential records don’t stop with rushing the football. He is only 672 yards from breaking the all-purpose career mark set by Mike Rozier.

If he claims that spot, he’ll certainly cement himself as one of the best all-around backs in Husker history.

There’s one more senior leader on offense who can firmly plant his name at the top of the Husker football record books.

Kenny Bell is within reach of picking up the top spots for career yardage, career receptions and career touchdowns. The yardage and touchdown records are held by another Heisman winner, Johnny Rodgers. ‘The Jet’ had 2,479 yards and Bell is just 575 yards and 10 scoring snags behind him.

On the receptions chart, Bell is only 32 behind record holder Nate Swift’s 166.

Both records will likely be held by Mr. Bell at some point in 2014. They are well deserved for a man who has become a fan favorite and mega producer for Husker football.

Defense

While it seems unlikely that any of the career marks on defense will be overtaken by any of the current Blackshirts, I’ll make the (not so) bold prediction that Randy Gregory will contend for the single season sacks mark.

In 2013, Gregory collected 10.5 spread across seven games.

The current single season record stands at 15 held by Jim Skow (1985) and Trev Alberts (1993).

Last season, Stanford’s Trent Murphy led the nation with 15. Obviously, if No. 4 for Bo Pelini’s Blackshirts can notch 15 sacks, he’ll not only hold the school record, he’ll be in contention for some major individual award hardware.

Another single season benchmark within Gregory’s grasp is the 25 tackles for loss record also held by Skow. Gregory had 19 this past season.

Special Teams

While they certainly haven’t been so ‘special’ recently, the Husker special teams unit has a chance this year if incoming freshman kicker Drew Brown can live up to the hype.