Update: As of 5:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, the Huskers’ Super Bowl streak has been extended. Ndamukong Suh and the Los Angeles Rams are headed to the Super Bowl with a 26-23 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints.
And as of 9:15 p.m. CT, former Husker Rex Burkhead seals the deal for the Patriots. Two former Huskers in the Super Bowl.
The fate of Nebraska’s 25-year Super Bowl Streak rests in the hands of two former Cornhuskers: running back Rex Burkhead and nose tackle Ndamukong Suh.
When the NFL playoffs began, 11 former Huskers were still in the running to take their teams to the big game. After two weeks, the four teams that remain are the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. Burkhead is with the Pariots, while Suh is with the Rams.
A former Husker has been on a Super Bowl roster every year since 1993. It’s the longest streak of any collegiate program at this time.
Additionally, Nebraska has had 61 former players make 78 appearances in the Super Bowl, dating back to Super Bowl II following the 1967 season. Of the 52 Super Bowls to date, former Huskers have appeared in 40.
But back to the looming Super Bowl streak. Will it continue in 2019? Let’s take a look at Suh and Burkhead, the two with a chance to keep the streak alive.
#Huskers in Conference Championships. #ProBigRed #GBR pic.twitter.com/zVjns1BtFa
— Nebraska FB Recruiting (@NEB_Recruiting) January 16, 2019
Rex Burkhead
Running Back | New England Patriots
Burkhead spent four seasons with the Cincinatti Bengals before signing with the New England Patriots on March 14, 2017.
Burkhead injured his neck during Week 3 of this season against the Detroit Lions. He was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 26 and was placed back on the active roster on Nov. 26. In the final five games of the year, Burkhead had 100 rushing yards, 100 reception yards and one touchdown.
In the Patriots’ 41-28 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Divisional matchup, Burkhead scored his first career postseason touchdown on a 6-yard run. He ended the day with 12 yards on four carries.
Next up: Patriots vs. Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 20 at 5:40 p.m. CT on CBS
Result: Patriots defeated the Chiefs, 37-31
Ndamukong Suh
Nose Tackle | Los Angeles Rams
Suh was drafted second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He spent five seasons with Detroit before signing with the Miami Dolphins in 2015. After three seasons in Miami, he signed a one-year deal worth $14 million with the Los Angeles Rams on March 26, 2018.
Suh started all 16 games for the Rams in 2018. Prior to the playoffs, he had 57 tackles and 4.5 sacks on the season. As for the NFC Divisional matchup with the Rams, he added another four tackles. That includes one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits. He helped lead the Rams to a 30-22 victory over the Cowboys.
Next up: Rams vs. Saints, Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2:05 p.m. CT on FOX
Result: Rams defeated the Saints, 26-23
Erin is the Deputy Editor and Digital Marketing Strategist for Hail Varsity. She has covered Nebraska athletics since 2012, which has included stops at Bleacher Report, Cox Media Group’s Land of 10, and even Hail Varsity (previously from 2012-2017). She has also been featured on the Big Ten Network, NET’s Big Red Wrap-Up, and a varsity of radio shows nationwide. When not covering the Huskers, Erin is probably at Chipotle.
