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Crouch's last chance Senior QB hoping to continue Huskers' title tradition
By Travis Richmond, CNNSI.com DALLAS -- Eric Crouch knows this is it. After three years as Nebraska's starting quarterback, Crouch has taken his place among the great Huskers at the position by setting career records for rushing yards, attempts and touchdowns by a quarterback. He has led Nebraska to two consecutive bowl wins, including a dominating 66-17 blowout of Northwestern in last year's Alamo Bowl, and a 22-3 record over the past two seasons. But there is one category where Crouch has a big zero: national championships. And for Crouch to end his career in style, he must lead the Huskers to the Rose Bowl and a shot at their sixth national title. "As a senior, there is a sense of urgency that I didn't know before," Crouch said at the Big 12's annual preseason media conference in Dallas. "Thinking about that makes it definitely a goal of mine to be in Pasadena this year. I don't feel a lot of pressure, just that it is my job as the quarterback to lead this team." The two quarterbacks who preceded Crouch under center for the Huskers, Tommie Frazier and Scott Frost, each led the team to the national title during their senior year. Nebraska head coach Frank Solich said that while all three are built to run and pass the football, he is hesitant to compare them. "I learned a long time ago as a running backs coach that you don't compare running backs, and that carries over to quarterbacks," said Solich, who like Crouch is still searching for his first national championship in his fourth season. "All three are extremely talented guys and they have the same makeup, and they all have the ability to produce national championship teams." Crouch, who Solich labeled "the fastest quarterback we have ever had at Nebraska," was able to guide the team to a 7-0 start last season, but an October showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners changed everything. The Huskers began the year ranked No. 1 in the nation and were sitting atop both polls when they rolled into Norman, Okla., on Oct. 28. After scoring two quick touchdowns, the Huskers appeared to be on their way, but OU rallied for 24 points in the second quarter and went on to a 31-14 win, knocking Nebraska out of the top spot and maintaining its own course for the national title. "Last year, we had the pressure of being preseason No. 1, it was difficult for the team to deal with," Crouch said. "Our players got used to that and took things for granted. Just because we had that red 'N' on our helmet, people thought we would win and that's not the case." Those same expectations are not there for the Huskers in 2001, as both Oklahoma and Texas are frequently mentioned not only as candidates for the Big 12 title but also the national title. "This year we will be able to climb the ladder," Crouch said. "We know if we are fifth or sixth we know we can get better. When you are No. 1 there is only one place to go." A one-point loss to Kansas State prevented Nebraska from getting a rematch with Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, and consequently the Huskers fell all the way to the Alamo Bowl as the Big 12's No. 4 bowl choice. There, they pounded Big Ten co-champion Northwestern. "The Alamo Bowl was a big statement for us, that Nebraska would be in the running for the national championship this year," said Crouch, who rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more as the Huskers set a record for points in a bowl game. For his efforts, Crouch was named the game's MVP. Crouch was also considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy and All-America honors last year after sharing the Big 12's Offensive Player of the Year award in 1999. But such individual accolades matter little to the Omaha, Neb., native. "I remember someone telling me about the Heisman Trophy one time, and I told them I didn't want to win," Crouch said. "They said I must be crazy, but there are a lot of things that can distract you from winning football games. I still want to go out every Saturday and win games for this program." Once again expected to be included in the Heisman hype on a weekly basis, Crouch said he has been able to deal with the attention better this offseason. "It was something I noticed last year. A lot of things you see on covers of magazines or write-ups can distract you from your goal, so stay focused on what I can do training-wise, in the weight room, studying film and things of that nature," Crouch said. "Those are things that once they are brought up, they go in one ear and out the other." Though he didn't miss any games, Crouch was bothered by an injured right (throwing) shoulder all of last season, as he completed just 48 percent of his passes. Following the year, Crouch had his second surgery on the shoulder and said he is completely healthy for the 2001 season. "The thing I learned by having another surgery was to be patient," Crouch said. "The doctors told me to go a little less than I did last year, and that has helped me a lot. I still want to go out there and throw everyday and it has been hard for me to back off of it, but in the long run it is going to help me a lot." After having shoulder surgery following his sophomore year, Crouch was anxious to prove to his teammates that he was fully recovered and ready to put the memories of a disappointing 9-4 season behind him. He was throwing 150 footballs a day, which he now admits was too much too soon for his shoulder. "At this time last year, I always told myself it was 100 percent, but once you get through the year and you take a beating it wears on you," Crouch said. "The thing last year was I was a little impatient, but this year, I have done all the right things. Last year I wanted to practice no matter what to show I was tough and I came back too fast." To prevent a similar condition from bothering him this season, Crouch sat out Nebraska's spring workouts. That time away from competition gave him plenty of opportunity to consider the possibilities of a schedule laced with eight home games, including OU and Kansas State, both road losses in 2000. "This is my grand finale, my opportunity to go out on top," Crouch said. "The last two years I have been a disappointment to myself as I have not been able to lead us to the championship. I know that it would be something great for the program, my career and whatever type of legacy I leave behind, but I do realize that it would be important for this whole team to win a national championship." And it will be up to Crouch to lead them.
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