Larry Asante has an unusual calling card.
His victims wake up the next day with pain shooting through their arms and upper body. Their torso is dotted black and blue. The bruises are a final reminder of the damage caused by a relentless attacker.
For the opposition, Asante is a man to be feared. He guards his territory and protects his end zone. Before this season, Nebraska's oft maligned safety was thought to be a weakness that teams could exploit. Now, Asante is the last figure many Big 12 receivers see before their eyes close while bracing for the impact he's about to bring.
"When receivers come and line up, they always look to see where I am at," Asante said. "I think I'm in a lot of receivers' heads. That's what we are trying to enforce. Guys have to think twice before they come across the middle."
Over the past month, Asante has put together some highlight-reel hits. Against Kansas State, he hit Keithen Valentine so hard and square it popped the ball loose and saved a potential touchdown.
But not every blow has earned Asante rave reviews. He's come under fire recently for his aggressive style and physical play.
Asante made his presence felt during Nebraska's 10-3 win over Oklahoma. During the second quarter, Asante broke up a long pass from OU quarterback Landry Jones to wide receiver Adron Tennell. Instead of a simple deflection, Asante launched his body into Tennell and knocked the intended receiver straight off of his feet. After the blow, Asante stood up and played to the crowd. On the ground next to him, Tennell lay in a crumpled heap. The training staff came over, and Tennell remained sprawled out on the turf for five minutes.
Asante said he regrets showing off after the hit.
"I just got hyped, and I didn't know the guy was even hurt," Asante said. "It was just out of excitement. I'm happy he came back to the game."
Two weeks ago against Kansas, ABC announcer Ron Franklin wanted Asante tossed from the game for a late hit on quarterback Todd Reesing after the Jayhawk had slid to the ground ending a scramble. The hit resulted in a 15-yard penalty on Asante.
"I'm sorry, but looking at that one, that should be expulsion," Franklin said during the broadcast. "There is no place for that. None."
Then, last Friday, Franklin and broadcast partner Ed Cunningham again called for his ejection when the safety was called for another 15-yard penalty. This time, he drilled running back Rodney Stewart on a pass along the sidelines after the ball had sailed over his head.
Franklin has covered several of Nebraska's televised games this year. His comments in these games have annoyed Asante's teammates, specifically linebacker Phillip Dillard.
"If they were actually paying attention, instead of on the fact that he got the penalty, they would have saw he was first running full speed, and he was slowing down and then hit the guy," Dillard said.
Asante said it was obvious that he wasn't trying to smash the receiver.
"You can see it on film," Asante said. "When I'm coming to hit him, I am letting up on him, and he's a really small guy, and I gave him a little bump, and he flew out of bounds."
Initially, Asante thought his hit might inject energy into his teammates' play, but then he saw the flag. He said it didn't change his mentality.
"I'm mad I got my team a penalty," Asante said. "I have to be aggressive back there. I can't let guys run loose."
Dillard said the penalty and the announcers' reaction is just "baby talk," and he said it is aggravating as a defensive player.
"Back in the day, you didn't get all these hitting helmet-to-helmet penalties," Dillard said. "That's baby talk. It's just rules they made, and it takes the physicality out of football"
Asante said his coaches have been supportive. They want him to remain aggressive and not let up.
It was Asante's hawkish play in junior college that caught Nebraska's eye and earned him his nickname — "The Assassin."
In 2006, assistant coach Bill Busch watched Asante play a game for Coffeyville Community College. Busch told Asante then that he played like an assassin, and the nickname has followed the defensive back ever since.
Now, at Nebraska, the senior's physical play has endeared him to his teammates.
"He's being real physical, and he is coming up hitting," Dillard said. "I like it."
Dillard said it excites him to see Asante level the opposition.
"It just gets you hyped when guys behind you are coming up hitting," Dillard said. "And that's the defensive mentality, and I don't think you can ever take that out of football."
Dillard added that nothing feels as good to a defensive player as landing a good shot on someone.
"It's just an amazing feeling, and I want to get up and do it again," Dillard said. "It's legal. You get to take your anger out on people legally."
Both Dillard and Asante are seniors with only two more games to play, but that doesn't mean their love for vicious hits won't live on. Asante appointed Dejon Gomes as his apprentice. It's a role that Gomes wants to perfect.
"I want to be The Assassin No. 2, man," Gomes said. "I am going to take notes from him because he's going to be gone next year."
michaelschaefer@dailynebraskan.com
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