# Luke Lindenmeyer's hidden stat

> Nebraska's tight end tracks knockdowns instead of catches, a metric that reveals his true impact.
- Title: Luke Lindenmeyer's hidden stat · Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI
- Summary: Nebraska's tight end tracks knockdowns instead of catches, a metric that reveals his true impact. Lindenmeyer measures his value through knockdowns and…
- Keywords: luke lindenmeyer, nebraska cornhuskers, tight end, knockdowns, blocking, ron brown, anthony colandrea, screen game, offensive line, 2026 season, sports, Luke
- Source: Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI — https://si.com/college/nebraska/football/luke-lindenmeyer-s-catches-are-down-but-he-s-just-as-focused-on-a-stat-that-doesn-t-show-up-in-the-box-score
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:50:05+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: luke lindenmeyer, nebraska cornhuskers, tight end, knockdowns, blocking, ron brown, anthony colandrea, screen game, offensive line, 2026 season, sports
## Lindenmeyer's catches are down
The fifth-year tight end has just four catches for 38 yards through two games, down from 29 catches and 312 yards in 2025.
## But he's tracking knockdowns
Lindenmeyer has 28 knockdowns on the season, a roughly 31% knockdown rate on any given play that he takes great pride in.

> "A lot," Lindenmeyer said Tuesday. "It's something that we've tracked ever since I've been here."
## A stat that goes unnoticed
Knockdowns are tracked by Nebraska's program but rarely make it onto official stat sheets or get public recognition.

> "It's just something that sometimes just goes unnoticed."
## Coach Brown keeps his own count
Tight ends coach Ron Brown tracks Lindenmeyer's knockdowns separately, and the two numbers don't always match.
## Brown counts after-catch blocks
Coach Brown's knockdown total is sometimes higher because he includes blocks that happen after the catch is made.

> "I think he counts for after the catch, too, if you knock anybody down after the catch."
## Knockdowns lead to scores
Lindenmeyer has already created a scoring opportunity this season when his knockdown sprung a teammate loose for a touchdown.
## Celebrating with the tight ends
When a teammate scores off his knockdown, Lindenmeyer runs to the sideline to celebrate with the other tight ends.

> "It's kind of a cool thing that we can all watch together."
## Screen game working early
Both of Lindenmeyer's catches against Ohio went for first downs, driven by strong blocking from Nebraska's linemen.
## Fast linemen, good perimeter blocking
Nebraska's screen success comes from playmakers with the ball and linemen who get out quickly to block on the perimeter.

> "We just got playmakers with the ball, and then our linemen are fast."
## Colandrea commands the huddle
Quarterback Anthony Colandrea sets the tone with confidence and leadership that the offense trusts completely.

> "He's got a lot of juice. He commands the huddle."
## No panic after mistakes
Nebraska's offense stayed calm after an interception on the opening drive, a shift from how past Husker teams have reacted to early mistakes.

> "Nobody was worried at all, which, honestly, in years past, people would kind of freak out on the sideline."
## A different story emerges
Lindenmeyer's low catch total masks his real impact through knockdowns, first-down grabs, and the offense's steady confidence.
## Key takeaway

Lindenmeyer measures his value through knockdowns and blocking rather than receiving stats, showing how players evaluate their own contributions beyond the box score.