If you are a fan of college football, you might have heard of two quarterbacks named Crouch: Chayce and Eric. Both of them played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, although in different eras. Chayce Crouch was a backup quarterback for the Cornhuskers from 2014 to 2017, while Eric Crouch was a star quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 2001. But are they related? Many fans have wondered if there is a family connection between the two Crouches, especially since they share the same last name and played for the same team. In this article, we will explore the truth behind the rumors and find out if Chayce Crouch is related to Eric Crouch.
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Chayce Crouch’s Career at Nebraska
Chayce Crouch was born on June 4, 1996, in Newark, Ohio. He attended Newark Catholic High School, where he was a two-time All-State selection and a Parade All-American as a quarterback. He also played basketball and baseball in high school. He committed to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2013, choosing them over other offers from Illinois, Kentucky, and Toledo.
Crouch redshirted his freshman year at Nebraska in 2014. He made his debut in 2015 as a backup to Tommy Armstrong Jr., appearing in four games and completing 5 of 9 passes for 95 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. His most notable performance came against Minnesota, when he replaced an injured Armstrong and led the Cornhuskers to a 48-25 victory with two rushing touchdowns.
In 2016, Crouch played in six games as a backup to Armstrong again, completing 8 of 18 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 37 attempts. He started his first game against Illinois, but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the fourth quarter.
In 2017, Crouch transferred to Illinois as a graduate student, hoping to compete for the starting job under new head coach Lovie Smith. However, he struggled to adapt to the new offense and lost his spot to Jeff George Jr. after four games. He finished his senior year with 443 passing yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions on 66 attempts. He also rushed for 80 yards on 32 carries.
Crouch announced his retirement from football after the 2017 season, citing injuries and lack of passion for the game as his reasons. He graduated from Illinois with a degree in communication.
Eric Crouch’s Career at Nebraska
Eric Crouch was born on November 16, 1978, in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Millard North High School, where he was a two-time All-State selection and a Parade All-American as a quarterback. He also ran track and field, placing second and fourth in the state championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, respectively.
Crouch committed to play for his hometown team, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in 1997. He redshirted his freshman year due to an ankle injury. He made his debut in 1998 as a backup to Bobby Newcombe, appearing in nine games and completing 24 of 40 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 459 yards and five touchdowns on 79 carries.
In 1999, Crouch became the starter for the Cornhuskers, leading them to a 12-1 record and a Big 12 championship. He threw for 1,269 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 attempts, while rushing for a team-high 1,460 yards and 19 touchdowns on 180 carries. He was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
In 2000, Crouch continued his stellar play, guiding Nebraska to a 10-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl appearance. He passed for 1,101 yards and seven touchdowns on 131 attempts, while running for 971 yards and 20 touchdowns on 169 carries. He was again named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
In 2001, Crouch had his best season ever, leading Nebraska to an 11-2 record and a national championship game berth against Miami. He threw for 1,510 yards and seven touchdowns on 189 attempts, while rushing for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns on 203 carries. He won several major awards, including the Heisman Trophy, the Davey O’Brien Award, and the Walter Camp Award. He was also named a consensus All-American and had his jersey number (7) retired by Nebraska.
Crouch finished his college career as Nebraska’s all-time leader in total offense (7,915 yards), rushing touchdowns (59), and total touchdowns (88). He also set an NCAA record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (59).
Are Chayce Crouch and Eric Crouch Related?
Despite their similarities in name, team, and position, Chayce Crouch and Eric Crouch are not related. They are not brothers, cousins, or even distant relatives. They just happen to share a common surname and a passion for football.
According to ESPN, Chayce Crouch said that he was often asked if he was related to Eric Crouch when he was at Nebraska, but he always denied any family ties. He said that he admired Eric Crouch as a player and a person, but he never met him in person. He also said that he did not choose Nebraska because of Eric Crouch, but because of the tradition and culture of the program.
Eric Crouch also confirmed that he was not related to Chayce Crouch in an interview with the Omaha World-Herald. He said that he followed Chayce Crouch’s career at Nebraska and Illinois, and wished him well. He also said that he was proud to share his last name with another Cornhusker quarterback.
Conclusion
Chayce Crouch and Eric Crouch are two quarterbacks who played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but they are not related. They have different backgrounds, careers, and achievements, but they both share a love for football and a respect for each other. They are both part of the Nebraska football family, but not by blood.
