The Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award (1)

Retired Jersey #7

All-American, 2001

2001 Heisman Trophy 

2001 Walter Camp Player of the Year

2001 Davey O'Brien QB Award 

2001 Sporting News National Offensive Player of the Year

2001 ABC/Chevrolet National Player of the Year

 

 

 

 

2001: Eric Crouch, Quarterback (1998-2001)

Omaha, NE

 

     In his final year as one of the best option quarterbacks in college football history, Eric Crouch won three major national awards, including the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year award and the Davey O'Brien quarterback award. Crouch led Nebraska to the Bowl Championship Series national title game in the Rose Bowl against Miami. Against the Hurricanes, the All-American capped his career with 114 yards rushing on 22 carries to lead all rushers, while adding 62 yards on five completions through the air. Crouch played the bowl game with his degree in hand after graduating in December 2001.

     He went on to be drafted as a wide receiver in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams with the 95th overall pick. Crouch led Nebraska on the field as one of five team captains, the first quarterback to earn the honor in a decade. He also shared the Guy Chamberlain Trophy with Tracey Wistrom for play, contributions and dedication to the Nebraska football team.

     Crouch ended his NU career by holding 32 school records. He was one of three quarterbacks in NCAA history to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards in a career, while becoming just the 13th quarterback in NCAA history to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in the same season in 2001.  He was voted First Team All-American by the AP, AFCA, The Sporting News, and ABC Sports.

 

Rushing

Year

G/S

Att.

Gain

Loss

Net

Y/A

Y/G

Long

TDs

1998

8/5

96

544

85

459

4.8

57.4

59 vs. UAB

5

1999

12/10

180

1,026

137

889

4.9

74.1

62 vs. A&M

16

2000

11/11

169

1,119

148

971

5.7

88.3

62 vs. ND

20

2001

12/12

203

1,261

146

1,115

5.5

92.9

95 vs. MU

18

Totals

43/38

648

3,950

516

3,434

5.3

79.9

95 vs. MU

59

 

Rushing

Year

G

Att.

Cmp.

Int.

Pct.

Yds.

Y/A

Y/G

LP

TD

Eff.R.

1998

8

101

49

4

48.5

601

5.95

75.1

45

4

103.65

1999

12

160

83

4

51.9

1,269

7.93

105.8

70

7

127.93

2000

11

156

75

7

48.1

1,101

7.06

100.1

52

11

121.66

2001

12

189

105

10

55.6

1,510

7.99

125.8

78

7

124.31

Totals

43

606

312

25

51.5

4,481

7.39

104.2

70

29

121.14

 

Total Offense

Year

G

Att.

Yards

Y/A

Y/G

TDs

1998

8

197

1,060

5.4

132.5

9

1999

12

340

2,158

6.3

179.8

23

2000

11

325

2,072

6.4

188.4

31

2001

12

392

2,625

6.7

218.8

25

Total

43

1,254

7,915

6.3

184.1

88

 

Crouch's Records

*- NCAA record for career rushing TDs by a QB (59)
*-13th player in NCAA history to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in a season (1,115 rushing, 1,510 passing)
*-One of three quarterbacks in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards in a career
*-Tied an NCAA record by scoring a TD via run, pass, reception in the same game (vs. Cal, 1999)
*-Longest run in NU history (95 yards) at Missouri, Sept. 29, 2001
*-Owns NU career record for total-offense yards with 7,915, including a school and Big 12 record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (3,434).
*-School record holder with 88 total-offense touchdowns
*-Set school records for most total-offense attempts in a season (392, 2001); total-offense yards (2,625); and broke NU single-game record with 360 yards of total offense at CU.
*-Tied school records for most TD passes in a game (5 vs. Iowa, 2000); most rushing TDs in a game by a quarterback (4 vs. Kansas and Iowa State, 2001); and set a QB record for most rushing TDs in a season (20, 2000)
*-Set school records for most rushing attempts in a season for a QB (203, 2001); most total-offense yards by a sophomore (2,158); tied school record for most rushing attempts in a game for a QB (27 vs. KSU, 1999)