Huskers have to look to Alfonzo Dennard for the Superbowl
By Kelli Anne
If you include the practice squads, there are currently 29 former Huskers on the NFL roster. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the 21 game Husker Superbowl streak ** is in danger. Out of the 4 teams playing in the AFC and NFC Championship, only 1 Husker remains. That is cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. (and he is on injured reserve)
Aug 22, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (37) during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
You will remember him as the imposing Blackshirt that logged in 97 tackles over his career with the Huskers. He had 21 pass breakups and 4 interceptions. He also helped hold Big Ten QBs to a conference low 51% completion percentage in 2011.
The Husker superbowl “streak” started in 1993 when Nate Turner, a running back, was on the Bills’ roster. To be technical, he didn’t end up “playing” in it. To be completely honest, in 2007 Mike Brown, safety for the Chicago Bears, was on the inactive injured reserve roster but details are just annoying anyway and I put an asterisk on the 21 game streak. And I might as well confess Steward Bradley got hurt in August so he wasn’t so much on the Bronco roster for the Superbowl which was turned in to the officials.
Sep 14, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Will Compton (51) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
If the Patriots don’t make it to the Superbowl, it will be a year without a Huskers on the roster anywhere. Huskers had been involved with the Superbowl a total of 36 of the 48 matchups. In 2010 Superbowl there were 3 Huskers involved. Scott Shanle and Carl Nicks with the New Orleans Saints versus Cody Glenn with the Indianapolis Colts played against each other that year. 2004 Superbowl also hosted 3 Huskers as Russ Hochstein with the NE Patriots went against Mike Minter and Mike Rucker of the Carolina Panthers.
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Oct 6, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Roy Helu (29) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
A trio of Huskers played in 1972 also which included a Washington Redskin heavy lineup of Pat Fischer, Ron McDole and Ted Vactor. (Coincidentally, there are currently 4 former Huskers on the Redskins team: Will Compton, Roy Helu Jr., Spencer Long and Paul Niles.)
As much as I don’t want to say it, I’m going to have to smile a little if the Patriots and Dennard do make it to the 49th Superbowl. Otherwise I’ll have to scour the coaches and trainers and equipment mangers to find a connection. In the meantime, GO BIG RED!!!