Best Nebraska football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore

When Eric Crouch first arrived at Nebraska, he only played in eight games as a freshman but still showed some glimpses of his dual-threat talent. In his first season, Crouch rushed for 459 yards and five touchdowns while throwing for 601 yards and four touchdowns. Of course, he would go on to dwarf all of those numbers in the following years.

Taking over as the starter in the 1999 campaign, the quarterback presented a nightmare for opposing defenses. He rushed for 889 yards and 16 scores while also catching a receiving score. He also threw for 1,269 yards and seven touchdowns. The following year, he had another big year with 971 rushing yards, 20 rushing scores, 1,101 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Of course, it was in his senior season in 2001 that Crouch was able to capture the Heisman Trophy as he enjoyed his most productive and lethal year as a dual-threat quarterback. He threw for 1,510 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, along with 1,115 rushing yards and 18 scores and a 63-yard touchdown reception as well.

Though Crouch was never the most gifted passer nor the fastest player, he was near impossible for college defenses to stop. He ended his career eighth all-time in passing yards, fourth all-time in rushing yards, first all-time in rushing touchdowns and the career leader in total touchdowns with 61. You can’t argue with getting into the end zone that often.