Nebraska's offense is ranked 92nd in the country, but the Huskers may have a new weapon. Freshman running back Rex Burkhead rushed for 100 yards on 18 carries in their last game against Colorado, his first 100-yard rushing game in college. After missing five games earlier this season to a broken bone in his foot, Burkhead returned to play in the last two games against Kansas State and Colorado.
Burkhead became a Texas football legend with his play at Plano Senior High School. He put up nearly idential stats his junior and senior seasons: 1700+ rushing yards, 500+ receiving yards and 30+ touchdowns. And some of his best games came in the playoffs, at Texas Stadium. With Saturday's Big 12 Title game to be played at the Cowboys' home field, Burkhead should feel right at home.
Burkhead has played seven career games at Texas Stadium. Take out the two he played as a freshman (very little playing time), and here's what he averaged in 5 games as a junior and senior: 26 carries, 149 rushing yards, 5 catches, 58 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns. And that's his average game. Against Rockwall in 2007 (a 42-35 win) he rushed for 179 yards and 5 touchdowns. Against Duncanville in 2008 (a 42-15 win), he rushed for 125 yards and 2 TD's and also had 162 receiving yards and 2 TD's.
Plano was knocked out of the playoffs in both seasons by Trinity, but Burkhead was great against them too: 157 rushing yards in '07, and 161 yards and 2 touchdowns in '08.
The stats speak for themselves, but to watch Burkhead play was another thing. He was a beast. He ran hard. I remember a couple games in which he was brought in to play defense near the end of the game, to solidify the win. And when he was a sophomore, Burkhead was the starting quarterback for Plano, rushing for 1030 yards and 8 touchdowns, and throwing for 673 yards and a couple scores. This guy was an all-around football player, and one of the best.
We'll be featuring Burkhead during our pre-game show before Satudray's game; the show starts at 6:30 live at Cowboys Stadium with Dale Hansen.
