Is there a better college football player in the country than Nebraska's overpowering defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh? Okay ... if we are talking fully healthy players, he's got to be it.
Despite facing constant double-teams, the tireless Suh makes his presence felt on nearly every play. Wide-eyed NFL scouts are seen drooling where ever he goes.
Thursday night at Missouri, he not only had six tackles and forced a fumble while sacking Tiger quarterback Blaine Gabbert (pictured), he also made the play of the game, intercepting a Gabbert pass at near point-blank range in the fourth quarter.
Prior to that turning point, Nebraska appeared well on its way to an 18th consecutive loss to a ranked opponent on the road.
But Suh changed the mood on a miserable rainy night at Faurot Field and the Cornhusker offense cashed in the turnover two plays later on a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zac Lee to wide receiver Niles Paul, putting Nebraska ahead for the first time, 13-12, with 12:59 remaining.
On Missouri's ensuing possession, Gabbert, who played on a gimpy right ankle for most of the game due to his first fumble-causing run in with Suh, threw another interception on his next attempt.
Prior to those two throws he hadn't thrown an interception in his young collegiate career. But, of course, Gabbert hadn't come across Suh before.
Nebraska's offense, which was completely dormant during the first three quarters, made the Tigers pay once again, this time with Lee hitting tight end Mike McNeill from eight yards out.
When was the last time you could say with any degree of certainty that a defensive tackle was the difference in a 27-12 come-from-behind victory? Well ... such was the case on this night in Columbia.
That is the best you can come up with for Suh? This guy has been the cornerstone for the past year and a half. This guy has the best football instincts of any defensive player in the NCAA... period. He is a leader and a person of great character. I look forward to watching him on Sundays next year, I just wish he could be a Husker another couple years.
The broadcast team had it right, it's Mr. Suh to you, me and the rest.
He is so good it is scary. Even scarier, Pelini thinks he won't reach his potential until he's played on Sunday for a number of years. Wow!
He lead a gritty performance by the front four - is there a better front four in college football?
According to Husker great DT Jason Peter, Mr. Suh would have been an All-American as a freshman if he and Grant Wistrom had been around to teach him.
Go Huskers. Sky's the limit.
Well said jrs1956... I have not had this feeling in my gut about the Huskers in awhile... if it wasn't for that one... stupid... play... frigin' Va Tech.
That was a fun game to watch. Suh is fantastic and probably will be the first non QB drafted in April. I'm so happy for us college football fans that the Huskers are becoming a great team again. Pellini is an Ohio guy and Ohio guys are the best coaches in college football.
"Suh is fantastic and probably will be the first non QB drafted in April."
If I were the person in charge of the team holding the No 1 overall pick in the next draft, he'd be the first player selected period.
Wow, what a force.
I am a Husker/Chiefs fan. With the sorry state of the latter, I'm already starting to fantasize about Suh in Kansas City next year. I wouldn't even mind an 0-16 season if it meant I could root for Big Suh for like 10 more years.