Ndamukong Suh's Heisman-Caliber Season: A Game-by-Game Breakdown

Much has been said concerning Ndamukong Suh, the 6-foot-4, 300 lb, soft-spoken giant from Portland, Ore.

Gentle and introspective off the field, he is a master of chaos and controlled violence on gameday, routinely fighting through double- and triple-teams to redefine the standard of excellence at the defensive tackle position.

Every week, more people become familiar with this one-man wrecking crew, whose name comes from the Ngema tribe in Cameroon and means "House of Spears."

Those who didn't know who he was at the beginning of the season surely know him now.

Not only has the man become an instant legend at Nebraska——where his name will be included among the university's many great players——but he is virtually guaranteed to build upon his college legacy in the NFL.

Numerous scouting experts list him as the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.

As Cornhusker fans (and fans of exceptional football, no matter the team), let's celebrate Mr. Suh's invitation to the 75th Heisman Trophy award presentation in New York City by taking a look at a game-by-game retrospective of his amazing season.

Season Opener: Florida Atlantic

As Nebraska's season began, Husker fans were thrilled to have No. 93 return for his senior year.

Suh was tabbed as the preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

He didn't disappoint, tallying seven tackles, one of them for a loss. His four solo stops were a team best.

He also batted down a pass and was credited with a quarterback hurry as Nebraska cruised, 49-3.

(Photo credit: Dave Weaver-AP)

Game No. 2: Arkansas State

During a 38-9 victory over Arkansas State, Suh recorded his first sack, as well as splitting one with fellow defensive tackle Jared Crick.

He ended up with five tackles, including three for losses, costing the Red Wolves 18 yards of real estate.

His effort also included another quarterback hurry.

(Photo credit: Grand Island Independent)

Game No. 3: Virginia Tech

In a nationally-televised heartbreaker, ending in a 16-15 Hokie win, Suh had a monster day.

He had a team-leading eight tackles (one for loss) to add to his total.

He also left Blacksburg with another half-sack and a quarterback hurry.

What was most remarkable about his effort was his four pass breakups, a single-game record for Nebraska defensive linemen.

(Photo credit: Steve Helber-AP)

Game No. 4: Louisiana-Lafayette

Nebraska celebrated its 300th consecutive home-sellout in style with throwback unis and a 55-0 pasting of the Ragin' Cajuns.

Suh celebrated with six tackles (putting him in a tie for the team lead), one tackle for a loss, and another pass breakup.

The pass breakup, his sixth in the '09 season, tied him for the Huskers' season and career records for defensive linemen.

(Photo credit: Grand Island Independent)

Game No. 5: Missouri

Pelted by a rainstorm not fit for man nor beast, Suh had a game for the ages.

Six tackles (five solo, one for loss), a team-leading three quarterback hurries, another pass breakup, a forced fumble that resulted from a ferocious sack of Blaine Gabbert and, finally, an interception which led to Nebraska's go-ahead score.

For his amazing contribution to the Huskers' dramatic 27-12 come-from-behind win, Suh was rewarded with the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week (the second of his career), Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week and Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week honors.

(Photo credit: Jeff Roberson-AP)

Game No. 6: Texas Tech

Though the Red Raiders shocked the Huskers 31-10, Ndamukong Suh had another strong game.

Suh helped hold Texas Tech to 25 yards rushing with four solo tackles (two for a total of 10 lost yards) and a career-high four quarterback hurries.

Nebraska put themselves out of the game early, but Ndamukong and his defensive teammates refused to surrender.

They held Tech to just 47 yards in the second half and their lowest offensive yardage total since Mike Leach's first game as the Red Raiders' head coach.

(Photo credit: redraiders.com)

Game No. 7: Iowa State

Eight turnovers doomed the Huskers in a bizarre 9-7 loss vs. the Cyclones.

However, Mr. Suh apparently didn't get the memo that Nebraska was fated to lose.

With eight tackles (six solo), a sack (ensuring that he would have double-digit tackles-for-loss in consecutive seasons), and three pass breakups he helped keep Nebraska in the game.

On top of that, he also had two blocked kicks (a FG and a PAT), which brought his career total to five and kept the Huskers within striking distance.

Unfortunately, the mistake-prone offense couldn't capitalize on the efforts of Suh and his defensive peers.

However, Suh was rewarded for his efforts by winning the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week for the second time in the 2009 Husker campaign.

(Photo credit: Lincoln Journal Star)

Game No. 8: Baylor

It was a lackluster 20-10 Husker road win over Baylor, but Suh managed to collect five tackles (three solo).

His three tackles for a loss (including one sack) moved him up in the Nebraska record book to third in career tackles-for-loss and seventh in career sacks.

Two more quarterback hurries added to his team best total of 14.

(Photo credit: Grand Island Independent)

Game No. 9: Oklahoma

Nebraska prevailed in a defensive slugfest, thanks in part to Suh's harassment of the Sooners.

With three QB hurries, a pass breakup, which led to one of Landry Jones' interceptions, and four tackles, he was a thorn in OU's side.

He also added another blocked field goal, which added to his Nebraska career and season records.

(Photo credit: Lincoln Journal Star)

Games No. 10 and 11: Kansas and Kansas State

The Jayhawks did a good job against Suh, limiting him to three tackles and two quarterback hurries in a game won by Nebraska, 31-17.

The following week, though, Suh was back to his normal disruptive self against Kansas State, fighting for the Big 12 North crown.

With a then-season-high nine tackles (two for losses), one-and-a-half sacks, two passes broken up, and his 20th QB hurry of the season, he was awarded the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week for the third time in '09.

The honor made him the only player to receive the award three times in a single season.

Nebraska won, 17-3.

(Photo credit: William Lauer-LJS)

Game No.12: Colorado

Against the Buffaloes, Suh had five solo tackles, two quarterback hurries, and one sack for a 17 yard loss.

Not a bad way to end his last regular-season game, especially on the road in Boulder.

Though Colorado would score late, much to Bo Pelini's displeasure, Nebraska left Buffalo country with a 28-20 win.

(Photo credit: Ted Kirk-LJS)

Game No.13: Texas (Big XII Championship)

Ndamukong Suh saved his best performance of the season for last against Texas in the Big XII Championship in Arlington, Texas (though he still has a bowl game to play).

The stat line is truly mind-boggling:

12 tackles (tying his career-high);

4.5 sacks (more sacks against Colt McCoy than any other TEAM and one half-sack shy of a NU record held by linemate Jared Crick, a beneficiary of all the attention paid to Suh);

Seven tackles for loss and two for no gain; and

Two quarterback hurries.

Despite his Herculean effort, Nebraska was denied the championship by a single point (and a single second) in a game that will be forever marred by controversy.

Final Totals and Awards (So Far)

Suh finished the season (minus the Holiday Bowl) with 82 tackles (19.5 for a loss), 12 sacks (for 77 total yards lost), 19 QB hurries, 10 passes broken up and three blocked kicks.

Monday, Suh received the Bronko Nagurski Award, awarded to the nation's best defensive player, and was named as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Also, Suh is a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lombardi Award, the Lott Trophy, the Outland Trophy, and the Walter Camp National Player of the Year.

In addition to the Nagurski honor, Suh has already been named the 2009 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, the 2009 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a 2009 AFCA First-Team All-American.

What will happen on Dec. 11 in New York City?

Will Ndamukong Suh become the first interior lineman and only the second defensive player to win the coveted Heisman Trophy?

I don't know, but instead, I'll ask some questions of my own.

In the absence of any clear choice on offense, in a season of good performances by the other candidates and mediocre ones by the initial frontrunners, has any single player electrified colege football this season like Ndamukong Suh?

Have the others shown lethal quickness and brutal power, even with two or three opponents in their face, all while keeping a calm and focused demeanor?

Have they been men of quiet character, not stepping into the spotlight, but instead steadfastly supporting their teammates without bursts of tears, brash comments, or curt answers?

Have they not only excelled at their position, but also carried it to the rarefied air of unimaginable heights?

If any of your answers are "no," then your final answer to the Heisman question should be Ndamukong Suh.

The true Heisman candidate.

(Photo credit: Lincoln Journal Star)