LINCOLN — The chances of Chris Brooks catching a touchdown toss weren't incredibly high during the initial moments of a second-quarter goal-line pass play.

Brooks, lined up in the slot, was 4 yards into his route and two linebackers had instantly covered him up. The play didn't seemed to be designed for Brooks, either. There were at least four other receiving targets, and quarterback Zac Lee was fixated on Curenski Gilleylen.

But what transpired next was a quintessential portrayal of persistence paying off, an old adage that's beginning to define Brooks' senior season.

Brooks never quit working on that third-down play from the 4-yard line Saturday. He maneuvered his way past the linebackers and trotted along the back of the end zone, eventually catching his first touchdown of the season.

He finished with two career highs — three catches and 50 yards. But he proved that his hard-working approach in practice is carrying over to game days.

“I'm one of those guys (who's) more depended on,” Brooks said. “It feels good to be in that situation. I'm glad that Coach can close his eyes and know that I can get the job done.”

He has spent the past four years competing for his chance to contribute consistently.

Brooks, rated highly by several recruiting services in high school, has always been labeled as one of the team's most devoted practice players. But his on-the-field results had been minimal.

Brooks caught one pass as a sophomore, a 4-yarder in the season opener. He played in 11 games last year, finishing with two receptions.

But this year, Brooks has emerged as a reliable option.

One of his catches in the 55-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette went for 24 yards on third down. Against Virginia Tech, no NU wide receiver had more than one reception except for Brooks, who finished with two 8-yard catches.

Through four games, Brooks has eight receptions, a total that ranks fifth among the Huskers and is three short of the leaders.

It seems as if Brooks may have figured things out. Maybe it's maturity, or maybe it's opportunity.

Brooks, though, is acting as if he has been expecting it for some time.

“That's what I'm supposed to do,” he said Saturday after the game. “Can't make too much of it. That's why I'm on scholarship. That's what they brought me here to do.”

It just took a while for Brooks to get his chance.

The St. Louis standout unintentionally grabbed the attention of Husker fans before he came to Lincoln. He had been nearly invisible on the box scores since.

But Brooks always made a positive impression in practice, exactly the reason why teammates, such as Lee, speak so highly of him. Lee said he is pleased that Brooks is getting rewarded.

“I know how hard he's worked,” Lee said. “I know how badly he wants to do well. I know how much this team means to him. It was good to see him succeed.”

Contact the writer:

402-473-9585, jon.nyatawa@owh.com