As if losing (at the time of this posting) 35-16 to a really bad Purdue football team isn’t bad enough, one of Nebraska’s most talented offensive players could be sidelined for the foreseeable future for good measure.
Early in the second quarter, a Ryker Fyfe 20-yard touchdown pass pulled the Cornhuskers to within a score of the Boilermakers at 14-9 (the extra point was blocked). At the end of the play, and as is the case all across the college football landscape, De’Mornay Pierson-El celebrated the score with his teammates.
Unfortunately, as Pierson-El was jumping around, he landed awkwardly -- very, very awkwardly -- in the midst of the celebration, with his left leg bending in a way God never intended.
The injury. pic.twitter.com/2yRcJ8onc8
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) October 31, 2015
While the severity of the injury isn’t known, Pierson-El was taken off the field on a cart and was then seen walking with the aid of crutches and a significant brace seeming to envelop his entire left leg. Starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong, who is not playing due to injury, offered a Twitter shout-out to his fallen teammate.
Prayers for my brother @DontPunt_15 !!! Keep your head up!!!
— Tommy Armstrong Jr. (@Tommy_Gun4) October 31, 2015
Pierson-El missed the first four games of the season after sustaining a foot injury during summer camp in mid-August. The last five games, including today, he caught 12 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. He’s also returned four punts for 48 yards.
As a true freshman last season, Pierson-El started six games, catching 23 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns. His 17.9 yards per punt return was good for second nationally, while his three returns for touchdowns was tied for tops in the country.
He was a consensus Freshman All-American.