Husker Football: ‘Special Teams Play Episode IV: A New Hope’

It’s difficult to describe how putrid Husker football’s return game was in 2013, but here’s an analogy to help the casual reader catch a whiff of the stench.

Imagine one of those Discovery Channel documentaries where they zoom in on some hungry lion taking down a gazelle and…well, the aftermath isn’t pretty. Now place a Nebraska helmet on the gazelle.

You get approximately the same visual; a lot of futile thrashing about and wasted effort leading to a painful and humiliating end.

Nebraska finished the year No. 123 when it came to return yards, two spots from dead last. With their three-yard return average, the Huskers had left fans so desensitized to the horror of it all, that when 2014’s season opener against Florida Atlantic came around, fair catches and fumbles didn’t even phase anyone.

The Big Red didn’t fumble into its end zone for a touchdown so…great game!

Enter De’Mornay Peirson-El and highlight the game he had at Fresno State. There had been whispers that he could be a difference maker on special teams early in the fall. At the very least, he certainly had the confidence necessary to make a difference.

"“They didn’t kick it to me in high school.” Pierson-El said. “The coaches told kickers to kick it out of bounds; don’t kick it to me.  There was a 50 percent chance of me taking it back.  I didn’t get too many shots, but when I did, I tried to take it back to the house.” – Lincoln Journal Star"

After going so long without a real threat in the return game, all but the most ardent Kool-Aid drinkers were still pretty skeptical, but what a difference one game makes in the hyperbolic world of Husker sports. Pierson-El gained more yards in Nebraska’s blowout of Fresno State than the 2013 squad did during its entire season.

At 216 total punt return yards, Pierson-El leads the nation, according to ESPN. He also has the longest punt return and is No. 10 in return yards averaged. In short, he looks like a stud. However, before Husker fans anoint the lad as their pigskin-returning messiah, here are a couple of things to chew on:

Last year’s special teams debacle was so bad that Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini decided to personally oversee the unit this year. In case nobody has noticed, the blocking on special teams has been darned good. Pierson-El would be the first to tell you that.

"“The punt return team set up excellent blocks…” – Daily Nebraskan"

Truly, credit is due for the boys laying the wood up front.

Also, Nebraska has yet to play an opponent with the kind of deep, talented roster it takes to challenge a program of the Huskers’ caliber for four quarters. That’s something that will change this weekend when Miami comes to town.

Has Pierson-El looked great? The answer is a resounding yes.

However, as Nebraska gears up to play more talented opponents, fans are going to get to see if he can make plays regardless of the competition. All it takes is one playmaker wearing different colors to spoil a great return.

Again, Pierson-El said it best:

"“Make one dude miss and go score. That’s it. Just don’t get hit,” – Lincoln Journal Star"

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