When it was over, Mohamed Barry gave thanks for every part of it – both the successes and the heartaches, and the mistakes that come with growing as a player and a person while so many eyes are peering at you through that lens.
He gave thanks for everyone around this Husker community. He wants everything they want for Nebraska football, and wishes so much it had happened while he was here.
“Everything has molded me into the man I am today and the people around me who have put their arms around me and have helped craft me into the guy I am now,” he said. “I love my bros. You know, the Blackshirts I’ve played with, the friends I’ve made, they’re best friends to lifelong friends I’ve created here. I will always be thankful for this program.”
On his last play wearing a Nebraska uniform, Barry drove his body as hard as he could into a future first-round draft pick, trying to move A.J. Epenesa, and hoping. “I was just hoping they missed, man.”
The kicker did not miss, and that was that, a 27-24 win for Iowa that seemed cruel to Husker seniors like Barry, but also true to the story that has been for Nebraska football.
Close to something better. Closer than those on the outside think. They truly believe that. But not … quite … there.
These are the hard parts. You don’t want to put the uniform away after a game like that. The seasons