Dixon was 'ready to come in'
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By BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star
This Kevin Dixon fella is one of those young men grandmothers would love.
Television cameras were lined up around the Nebraska defensive tackle Saturday following the Huskers’ 52-10 victory against Nevada.
Reporters wanted to know how Dixon’s first-career interception felt. And how a 6-foot-3, 295-pound junior tackle got one this season before Grixby or Bowman or Ruud.
With most responses, Dixon added, “Yes, sir.” He often spoke with a twinkle in his eye that couldn’t have been hidden with sunglasses.
Yes, sir, Dixon came up with a mighty big play when he tipped the pass of Nevada’s Nick Graziano and snared the ball for an interception midway through the third quarter. Many Husker fans were reaching for the roster to find out who exactly this No. 97 was.
Meet Kevin Dixon. He reached the NU campus just before preseason camp began, after needing to wrap up some coursework, and comes to Nebraska via Garden City (Kan.) Community College. The Vero Beach, Fla., product jokes how he just keeps getting farther from home.
Dixon entered the game after starting tackle Ty Steinkuhler went down with a knee injury early in the first quarter. He was ready, though.
“I expected to get some playing time, but when my boy Ty fell down with the injury I was just ready to come in, and tried to make an impact right away,” Dixon said.
Most would agree it was mission accomplished, what with the defense not missing a beat, and Dixon adding a solo tackle.
Then there’s Dixon’s interception. It was the only turnover Nebraska forced on the day, and resulted in a field goal when NU was turning another opener into a rout.
Dixon was charging toward the quarterback, got his hands up like coach preaches and got his mitt on it. He’s probably watched the highlight a dozen times by now. Heck, Dixon says it felt as if he could have watched a short film why the ball was still in the air.
“It took forever to come down,” Dixon said. “Once I tipped it, the ball was just hanging in the sky and I just had to go get it.”
Was it a pretty great feeling, the voices behind those TV cameras kept asking.
“Yes, sir,” Dixon said. “Very, very good feeling.”
The moment didn’t seem real until later on the sideline, Dixon said. Teammates kept congratulating him. Dixon wants them to know he appreciates how he’s been able to become one of the guys so quickly.
Once the lights went off, though, Dixon was itching to bust out the door and call his mother, Tonya McCoy.
“She’s going to be excited; she’ll be yelling on the phone,” Dixon said.
He had to play well Saturday, Dixon said. He’s not been here long, but long enough to know the defensive line had its doubters. Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove was pleased, though, and said Dixon was a part of that success.
Being new to the program, Dixon knew he’d have to work for everything he got. Nobody in Lincoln was going to give a hoot about his 42 tackles, two forced fumbles, and his knack for finding his way into the backfield in juco ball last season.
Never did Dixon doubt that he could play here, though.
“I played two years in junior college, and although it’s not D-I football, I worked really hard to get here,” Dixon said. “I wanted to make sure once I was here, I was giving it my all.”
It remains to be seen what Steinkuhler’s injury means for the Huskers. But Saturday was an indication that those who can make plays will see the field.
Dixon, of course, assures you he’ll be ready whenever his number is called next.
“Yes, sir.”
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.
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