Nebraska Football: Top 5 running backs of the 2000s

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMPER 6: Running back Ameer Abdullah #8 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs past defensive back Brent Spikes #6 and the McNeese State Cowboys during their game at Memorial Stadium on September 6, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Abdullah broke off a 58 yard touchdown run with 20 seconds remaining in a tie game. Nebraska defeated McNeese State 31-24. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /

5 of 6

(Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /

Roy Helu Jr.

Roy Helu Jr. had the type of career where it started off slow, but finished strong. With a strong backfield in his first two years in Lincoln, he made the most of his opportunities in his junior and senior years.

The fact that he was going to have a strong 2009 season was quite literally evident from the get-go. He put on a monstrous performance against Florida Atlantic. Rushing 16 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns, he averaged 9.5 yards per carry. He followed that performance up two weeks later against Virginia Tech. He carried the ball 28 times for 169 yards. After cooling off a little bit in the middle parts of the season, he went to the Midwest and completely dominated.

There was a particular two-game stretch that saw him absolutely tear things up. On November 7 against Oklahoma, he ran the ball 20 times for 138 yards. He followed that up on November 14 when he put together a 28-carry 156-yard performance that included three touchdowns, one of them a fumble recovery in the end zone.

He would finish his successful Nebraska career with 3,404 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. He truly brought explosiveness to the field every time he stepped onto it. He was fun to watch on Saturdays, and he certainly set the pace for the rest of the Nebraska offense.

Home/Nebraska Football