Raising a Husker: Kurt Mann, sophomore center

He began the hunting adventures before he was even in kindergarten.


Kurt Mann would trudge through the fields with his father, Kent, perhaps a few loyal dogs trailing their wake.


One time while hunting deer, when Kurt was about 11 or 12, the father and son hunkered in the tall grass to scout the field. Action must have been slow, because after a while, both were engaged in a mid-afternoon slumber.


It's memories like those that stick with the father just as much as seeing his son get a big block for the Nebraska football team.


"We had so many good times together out there in the wild," said Kent, who's the principal at Grand Island High School.


The wild has always been soft-spoken Kurt's getaway place. And never was a place to escape more welcomed than the last couple weeks when the sophomore was thrown in the spotlight. The Husker center was suddenly a headline when he became a starter in lieu of Richie Incognito being suspended indefinitely.


"I think Kurtis was concerned about a couple things, and is still concerned about what will happen to Richie and what's best for the team," Kent said. "Right now, football's a real important part of his life. He's probably had as much stress these past few weeks as he's had in years."


That's what made last Saturday so important to Kent and his wife, Cindy.


They sensed Kurt's nervousness during phone conversations as the Western Illinois game approached. They showed up prior to the game to see the team get off the bus and see how he looked.


"When I saw him, I could just tell he was fine. I was still nervous for him. After the first series, I gave a big sigh after that first touchdown," Cindy said. "But I don't think I was breathing that entire first series."


Kent said it was one of the most nerve-racking games he's watched his son play. But everything went great in the 56-17 win, save for one play — Kurt was called for holding on a 65-yard first-quarter touchdown pass to Willie Amos.


Said Kent: "I saw my son had a great comment when asked if he held after the game. He said, ‘No comment.' So, as his father, I'm going to back him and plead the fifth."


Kent's always been there for Kurt, though there were times when the son tried to ignore the father. It's not easy having your dad as principal of your high school, after all.


"He always managed to find me when he needed a buck or two, though," Kent said with a laugh.


Kurt also managed to find good grades. He ended his high school senior year with a 4.03 GPA, locked in a 21-way tie for tops in his class. He also won a shot put state championship as a senior, to go with another state gold he claimed as a member of the Islander basketball team.


Those medals are great, but nothing compares with those hunting days in the open air, the worries of football and school left in the city.


After the Southern Miss game today, Kurt plans to travel to Blue Springs — where his grandfather lives — to hunt. His father will likely join him, and maybe so will Kurt's two dogs — Buck (chocolate lab) and Winnie (German shorthair).


And perhaps this week, Kent will settle a score with Kurt. See, last weekend, Kurt may have gotten a holding penalty, but he also went dove hunting. And on that hunt, Kurt shot his limit and brought home more birds than his dad.


And really. Who was to care about 65-yard touchdowns then?


— Brian Christopherson