Nebraska Football’s All-Time Top 5 Fullbacks

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eNov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers mascot Herbie Husker performs with the band prior to the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

George Sauer

It’s possible that George Sauer is the gold standard for fullbacks in the Nebraska football program. He played for Dana X Bible back when the program was just getting off the ground in the 1903’s.

In fact, Sauer likely set the gold standard for players, period when it came to the Huskers. He was someone who not only carried the ball, but also threw it from time to time (700 career passing yards) and was even the team’s punter.

Bible once gave a ton of praise to the star player, saying he was likely the best player to ever play for the coach. He was even a heck of a defender who played in the 1933 New Year’s Day All-Star game as a senior. In that game, he intercepted a couple of passes and scored the game’s only touchdown. That season, he was also named an All-American.

Sauer had a heck of a career post-Huskers as well. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and played three years, retiring after the team won the 1936 NFL championship. He then went into coaching and had stints at New Hampshire, Kansas, Navy, and Baylor. At the last three schools, he compiled a record of 56-37-8.

In 1961, he was hired as general manager for the New York Titans (soon to be Jets) and was the man who brought Joe Namath on board.

Next: Tom Rathman

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