10. Mark Pelini - Nebraska

Mark Pelini - 56    Nebraska    6-0 290


2014: Pelini started the first 11 games of the season at center and was a key part of an offensive line that powered several record-setting performances. The Nebraska offense opened the season with a Big Ten modern-era record of 784 yards of total offense, including 498 rushing yards. The line pounded the defenses of both Miami and Illinois as the Huskers rushed for 343 and 458 yards, respectively, and Ameer Abdullah topped 200 yards in both contests. The line paved the way for Abdullah’s fourth 200-yard rushing game of the season against Rutgers.
2013: Pelini played in all 13 games at center, including starts against Michigan State and Penn State. He played behind senior Cole Pensick most of the season, before Pelini’s role increased greatly in the second half of the season with numerous injuries to Husker offensive linemen. His
play helped running back Ameer Abdullah post 1,690 rushing yards, the most by a Husker since 1997. The line also solidified an offense that featured three starting quarterbacks. His play helped running back Ameer Abdullah post 1,690 rushing yards, the most by a Husker since 1997. The line also solidified an offense that featured three starting quarterbacks.
2012: Pelini played in seven games, including three non-league games and the final four contests. He took over in the first quarter at Iowa when Justin Jackson was injured, then split time at center with Pensick in the Big Ten title game and saw action against Georgia in the Capital One Bowl.
2011: Pelini provided depth at center in 2011, but did not see game action.
2010: A walk-on, Pelini redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2010.
High School: Pelini was a standout at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio. His play on the offensive line helped Mooney to a perfect 15-0 record and a Divsion III Ohio state title in 2009.
Personal: Mark is the son of Vince and Diane Pelini, and he was born on Aug. 27, 1991. Pelini has been named to the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll each of the past six semesters. Pelini was also named to both the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in 2014 for his community outreach work. Pelini has volunteered his time with School is Cool Week, Husker Heroes, Husker Hotline, Super Hero Day, NFL Fuel Up to Play 60, and local school and hospital outreach activities.