$Nebraska Football\'s Top 10 Plays of 2014$

Nebraska Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

By brookshooley

Nebraska Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Nebraska Cornhuskers Football — Nebraska started hot in 2014, going 8-1 in their first nine games. They would go on to lose three of their last four games, however, including a 45-42 loss to USC in a wild Holiday Bowl. This list has Nebraska’s 10 best plays from last season.

10. De'Mornay Pierson-El's Touchdown Pass To Tommy Armstrong vs. Northwestern

Tommy Armstrong nebraska cornhuskers

10. De'Mornay Pierson-El's Touchdown Pass To Tommy Armstrong vs. Northwestern

Tommy Armstrong nebraska cornhuskers — Northwestern held a 14-7 lead just before the half in Evanston, but Nebraska used trickery to even the score. Wide receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El took a reverse pitch from running back Ameer Abdullah and hit a wide open Tommy Armstrong Jr. for six. This sparked a 24-3 Nebraska scoring run that led to a 38-17 victory.

9. Jordan Westerkamp's Long Touchdown Reception vs. USC

Jordan Westerkamp nebraska cornhuskers

9. Jordan Westerkamp's Long Touchdown Reception vs. USC

Jordan Westerkamp nebraska cornhuskers — USC was beginning to pull away from Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. With two minutes left in the third quarter, the Trojans scored to lengthen their lead to 45-27. Nebraska immediately responded. Armstrong Jr. connected with wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp for a 65-yard strike to keep Nebraska close.

8. Nate Gerry's Long Blocked Field Goal Return vs. Minnesota

Nate Gerry nebraska cornhuskers

8. Nate Gerry's Long Blocked Field Goal Return vs. Minnesota

Nate Gerry nebraska cornhuskers — The Huskers took control early against Minnesota. Down 14-7 midway through the second quarter, Minnesota lined up for 30-yard field goal. Ryan Santoso’s kick was blocked, and defensive back Nate Gerry picked it up and raced 85 yards down the sideline to put Nebraska up 21-7. Unfortunately, this would be the Huskers’ last touchdown in the heartbreaking 28-24 home loss to the Gophers.

7. Kenny Bell's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Miami (FL)

Kenny Bell nebraska cornhuskers

7. Kenny Bell's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Miami (FL)

Kenny Bell nebraska cornhuskers — Miami came to Lincoln in late September hoping to spoil Nebraska’s last non-conference home game. The Hurricanes struck early with a two-yard touchdown run from Duke Johnson. But Nebraska responded on their ensuing possession when Armstrong lofted a beautiful pass over the middle of the field to wide receiver Kenny Bell to even the score at seven. Nebraska went on to win 41-31.

6. De'Mornay Pierson-El's Long Punt Return vs. Michigan State

De'Mornay Pierson-El nebraska cornhuskers

6. De'Mornay Pierson-El's Long Punt Return vs. Michigan State

De'Mornay Pierson-El nebraska cornhuskers — Nebraska entered the fourth quarter down 27-3 to the Spartans in East Lansing. That’s when the furious comeback began. The Huskers trailed 27-16 with a little over four minutes left when Michigan State punted to Pierson-El at his own 38. Pierson-El made a few defenders miss and took it 62 yards to pay dirt to make it 27-22. Much to the chagrin of the Huskers, that would be the final score.

5. Ameer Abdullah's Long Touchdown Reception vs. McNeese State

Ameer Abdullah nebraska cornhuskers

5. Ameer Abdullah's Long Touchdown Reception vs. McNeese State

Ameer Abdullah nebraska cornhuskers — Desperation set in as Nebraska struggled to put away FCS opponent McNeese State in Week 2. Tied at 24 with less than a minute left in regulation, Armstrong Jr. dumped the ball off to Abdullah, who broke a few tackles and dashed 58 yards for the game-winning touchdown, thus creating pandemonium in a previously restless Memorial Stadium.

4. Josh Mitchell's Long Fumble Return vs. Miami (FL)

Josh Mitchell nebraska cornhuskers

4. Josh Mitchell's Long Fumble Return vs. Miami (FL)

Josh Mitchell nebraska cornhuskers — Late in the third quarter, Nebraska was in a tight game with Miami. The Hurricanes trailed 24-21 and were driving when cornerback Josh Mitchell scooped up a Duke Johnson fumble and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown to stretch the lead. Miami didn’t get any closer than seven points for the rest of the game.

3. Ameer Abdullah's First Touchdown Run vs. Rutgers

Ameer Abdullah nebraska cornhuskers

3. Ameer Abdullah's First Touchdown Run vs. Rutgers

Ameer Abdullah nebraska cornhuskers — Nebraska gave up a huge play to Rutgers to close out the first quarter. Scarlet Knight receiver Leonte Carroo hauled in a 71-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gary Nova to tie the game at seven. But on Nebraska’s next possession, Abdullah broke free around the right end for 53 yards to begin a Nebraska scoring rampage. He added a 48-yard run on the following possession as well. The Huskers sent Rutgers back to Piscataway with a 42-24 loss.

2. De'Mornay Pierson-El's Long Punt Return vs. Iowa

De'Mornay Pierson-El nebraska cornhuskers

2. De'Mornay Pierson-El's Long Punt Return vs. Iowa

De'Mornay Pierson-El nebraska cornhuskers — The Huskers trailed Iowa 24-14 going into the fourth quarter in Iowa City. After a Kenny Bell touchdown catch to bring Nebraska within three, Iowa failed to move the ball on the ensuing possession and was forced to punt. Big mistake. Pierson-El fielded the punt at his own 20-yard line and left Hawkeye defenders in his wake on his way to the end zone to give the Huskers their first lead of the game.

1. Kenny Bell's Touchdown Reception In Overtime vs. Iowa

Kenny Bell nebraska cornhuskers

1. Kenny Bell's Touchdown Reception In Overtime vs. Iowa

Kenny Bell nebraska cornhuskers — Pierson-El’s heroics put the Huskers in position to win at Iowa, but both teams were knotted at 31 at the end of regulation. Iowa mustered only a field goal in their overtime possession, so Nebraska had life yet again. On first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Armstrong Jr. rolled out to his right on play action to buy time and hit Bell in the front corner of the end zone for the game-ending touchdown, thus silencing a raucous Kinnick Stadium.

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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