​A former Maverick helped extend Nebraska's Super Bowl streak to 26 years.
Lincoln Pius X grad Greg Zuerlein kicked the tying and winning field goals to lead the Los Angeles Rams to a 26-23 win over the New Orleans Saints in overtime. His 57-yard kick was the longest winning field goal in NFL playoff history.
Nebraska All-American Ndamukong Suh, who will be playing in his first Super Bowl, had four tackles, including one for a loss, and 1½ sacks.
A second Rams defensive linemen with local ties will also be playing in his first Super Bowl. Matt Longacre was an All-Nebraska football standout at Millard West and an MIAA defensive player of the year at Northwest Missouri.
Former Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead had two rushing touchdowns, one in the fourth quarter and the winning score in overtime, to help the Patriots reach back-to-back Super Bowls and his second overall. He finished with 12 carries for 41 yards and four receptions for 23 yards.
The Husker streak, which is the longest of any program, includes those on the active roster, practice squad or injured reserve.
Another Nebraskan will play a prominent role at the Super Bowl.Â
Maroon 5 is playing the halftime show alongside rappers Big Boi and Travis Scott. James Valentine, Maroon 5's guitarist, was born in Nebraska. He went to Lincoln Southeast. He graduated from UNL.
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Photos: Nebraska football's Super Bowl streak
There has been at least one former Husker on a Super Bowl roster for 26 straight years, the longest streak in the nation. Some players like Neil Smith, Grant Wistrom and Scott Shanle played big roles in the Super Bowl, while other years the streak was kept alive by players on the practice squad or injured reserve. Here's a look back at all the ex-Nebraska players on Super Bowl rosters dating back to the streak's start during the 1993 season.
Super Bowl LIII
Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots; Ndamukong Suh, Los Angeles Rams
Burkhead had seven carries for 43 yards and two catches for 15 in the Patriots' 13-3 victory. Burkhead's long run of 26 yards led to a fourth-quarter field goal. Suh had two tackles and a quarterback hit. Another former Husker, Zac Taylor, was on the sidelines as the Rams' quarterback coach.
Super Bowl LII
Nate Gerry, Philadelphia Eagles; Rex Burkhead and Vincent Valentine, New England Patriots
Gerry played special teams for Philadelphia during its 41-33 win. Vincent Valentine was out with injury and Rex Burkhead had three rushes for 18 yards and a 46-yard reception for the Patriots.
Super Bowl LI
Vincent Valentine, New England Patriots
Valentine played as a reserve defensive lineman and on special teams but did not record any stats in New England's victory against Atlanta.
Super Bowl 50
Zaire Anderson, Denver Broncos
Anderson was a member of Denver's practice squad during the Broncos' Super Bowl championship season.
Super Bowl XLIX
Alfonzo Dennard and Eric Martin, New England Patriots
Dennard (pictured) missed the entire playoffs because of injury. Martin was a member of New England's practice squad.
Super Bowl XLVIII
Stewart Bradley, Denver Broncos
Bradley was placed on injured reserve before the start of the season and never played in a game for the Broncos.
Super Bowl XLVII
Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens
Koch made the play that essentially sealed the victory for Baltimore. With a 34-29 lead and 11 seconds remaining, Koch received the snap on fourth down in his own end zone and took an intentional safety that left San Francisco with only four seconds on the ensuing safety punt. The 49ers weren't able to score, and the Ravens won, 34-31.
Super Bowl XLVI
Prince Amukamara, New York Giants
Amukamara recorded one tackle in the Super Bowl victory over New England, capping a rookie season hampered by a broken foot suffered in training camp.
Super Bowl XLV
Brandon Jackson, Green Bay Packers
Jackson did not record a rushing attempt in the Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh, but he did have one catch for 14 yards.
Super Bowl XLIV
Carl Nicks and Scott Shanle, New Orleans Saints; Cody Glenn, Indianapolis Colts
Both Shanle (linebacker) and Nicks (left guard) started for the Super Bowl-winning Saints. Shanle recorded six tackles and defended a pair of passes. Nicks and the Saints' offensive line surrendered one sack but paved the way for only 51 rushing yards. Glenn played primarily on special teams for the Colts but did not record any stats.
Super Bowl XLIII
Ralph Brown, Arizona Cardinals
Brown recorded one tackle in the loss to Pittsburgh, but he almost saved the victory for Arizona. Ben Roethlisberger's game-winning touchdown throw to Santonio Holmes went just over Brown's fingertips.
Super Bowl XLII
Le Kevin Smith, New England Patriots
Smith did not record any stats serving as a reserve defensive lineman in New England's loss to the Giants.
Super Bowl XLI
Mike Brown, Chicago Bears
Brown was on injured reserve for Chicago's Super Bowl loss to Indianapolis after suffering a Lisfranc fracture during Week 6 of the regular season.
Super Bowl XL
Josh Brown and Grant Wistrom, Seattle Seahawks
Brown (pictured) made a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter but missed on attempts of 54 and 50 yards later in the game. Wistrom started at defensive end and recorded two tackles, including an eight-yard sack, but Seattle lost to Pittsburgh, 21-10.
Super Bowl XXXIX
Russ Hochstein, New England Patriots
Hochstein was a backup offensive lineman in the Patriots' victory against Philadelphia.
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Russ Hochstein, New England Patriots; Mike Minter and Mike Rucker, Carolina Panthers
Hochstein started at left guard on a New England offensive line that didn't allow a sack and led the way for 127 rushing yards. He was also on the field for Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal. Minter (strong safety) and Rucker (defensive end) both also started for the Panthers. Minter (pictured) had nine tackles and five passes defended. Rucker recorded two tackles.
Super Bowl XXXVII
Eric Johnson and Adam Treu, Oakland Raiders
Johnson (pictured) recovered a blocked punt and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown. Treu started at center, but Oakland's offensive line gave up five sacks in the loss to Tampa Bay.
Super Bowl XXXVI
Grant Wistrom, St. Louis Rams
Wistrom started at defensive end and recorded five tackles, including a four-yard sack.
Super Bowl XXXV
Christian Peter, New York Giants
Peter had two tackles as a backup defensive lineman in New York's loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Super Bowl XXXIV
Grant Wistrom, St. Louis Rams; Doug Colman, Tennessee Titans
Wistrom (pictured) started at defensive end and recorded three tackles for the victorious Rams. Colman did not record any stats as a backup linebacker for the Titans.
Super Bowl XXXIII
Neil Smith, Denver Broncos; Michael Booker, Atlanta Falcons
Smith (pictured) recorded one tackle as a backup defensive lineman for the winning Broncos. Booker started at corner for Atlanta.
Super Bowl XXXII
Neil Smith and Tony Veland, Denver Broncos; Tyrone Williams, Green Bay Packers
Smith (pictured) started at defensive end and recovered a fumble in the Denver victory. Veland served as a backup defensive back. Williams started at corner for Green Bay and also recovered a fumble.
Super Bowl XXXI
Tyrone Williams and Calvin Jones, Green Bay Packers
Both Williams (defensive back, pictured) and Jones (running back) served as backups in Green Bay's victory over New England.
Super Bowl XXX
Donta Jones and Brenden Stai, Pittsburgh Steelers
Stai started at right guard, and Jones (pictured) was a backup linebacker in Pittsburgh's loss to Dallas.
Super Bowl XXIX
John Parrella, San Diego Chargers
Parrella was a backup defensive lineman in San Diego's loss to the 49ers.
Super Bowl XXVIII
John Parrella and Nate Turner, Buffalo Bills
Both Parrella and Turner (pictured) were in their rookie seasons with Buffalo but neither recorded any stats in the Bills' Super Bowl loss to Dallas.
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(5) comments
UNO once had a football team? This article needs to be resubmitted to the Ministry of Truth and reissued with a former Husker making the kick along with a picture of him doing it. All false rumors that UNO and Creighton once had football teams must be assiduously rooted out as sabotage by the thought criminal Goldstein and his minions who are a threat to Big Red and its latest appointed savior, Scott Frost. I am certain that the WH will hear about this major breach of decorum tomorrow when its owners in Lincoln are informed of it.
Congrats to both Zuerlein and Suh. They both played extremely well yesterday and were more than instrumental in helping their teams to victory. The refs helped them as well.
AP should get their facts right before posting. Look at the Pat's Official Box Score in re to Rex Burkhead's carries, receptions and yards.
To the OWH Sports staff. Between now and the Super Bowl, call the UNO Ath Dept. to ask how many national reporters want to talk to the UNO Football coach to get more info on Zuerlein
I am sure there UNL grad AD (who got such a "good deal" for UNO with the full blessing of the WH) has rehearsed and drilled his staff on how to deflect such troublesome inquiries. They will probably just play tape recordings of Dr. Tom's favorite things.
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