Brett Neilon on the 'Neilon Nudge'
USC’s game-winning touchdown came with 1:13 left in the game, but the game-winning play might have come five snaps earlier. With USC facing a 4th-and-6, trailing 14-10 and 2:51 left on the clock, quarterback Caleb Williams dropped back to pass. Sensing pressure, Williams stepped up and immediately took off scrambling. He was stopped by two Oregon State defenders short of the line to gain until center Brett Neilon provided the most important assist since the Reggie “Bush Push” got quarterback Matt Leinart into the endzone to beat Notre Dame in 2005.
Neilon spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice and broke down what he remembers about the play, which earned the “Neilon Nudge” moniker on social media following the game.
“I just remember kind of pass pro-ing,” Neilon said of his initial responsibility on the play. “I saw Caleb kind of get held up. Didn’t really, honestly know how close the first down was. I just kind of looked at him and I think he looked at me. I just ran full speed and hit him.”
Neilon said he assumed Williams was close to the marker because there was no whistle and both Williams and the tacklers were fighting to move forward and backward.
“I hit him pretty hard,” Neilon said. “Maybe the hardest hit of my life…I channeled my inner sumo and just kind of belly-bumped him.”
Neilon said he didn’t know until he saw a video of the play after the game that it was his push (along with help from fellow linemen Jonah Monheim and Andrew Vorhees) that got Williams over. He said in the moment he thought maybe Williams was already over and the push earned the Trojans an extra yard or two.
Neilon ceded the “Bush Push” as likely the bigger play, considering the stakes. But he’s taking advantage of the attention the play is earning him. Neilon tweeted Tuesday that he’ll be signing his playing cards with the “Neilon Nudge” inscription, available at brettneilon62.com.
Following the Play
The win over Oregon State probably isn’t possible without that push. And that push might not have come without consistent reminders from the coaches. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch consistently wants his defense to get 11 players to the football. The same teaching points are made by offensive line coach Josh Henson.
“Coach really hammered run to the ball,” Neilon said. “And when you do, nothing but good things can happen.”
It’s also a very literal example of the way these USC players have talked about becoming a cohesive unit.
“I think that’s just our team,” Neilon said. “How we’ve come together. We’re just going to fight for each other and fight for every inch.”
Just Providing a Push
Last season, it was Williams making a heads up play on a key fourth-down play. Oklahoma was leading Kansas 28-23 with 3:27 remaining in the game and facing a 4th-and-1. The Jayhawks stopped running back Kennedy Brooks short of the first down line. But before the play could be blown dead, Williams pulled the ball away from Brooks and scrambled for the first down.
Neilon said that level of involvement didn’t cross his mind.
“No, I wouldn’t be too good with that,” Neilon said with a laugh. “I’ll just do what I do best and go hit someone and try to push them.”
Neilon and the USC offensive line have been pretty good at that this season. The Trojans rank No. 32 in the nation in rushing offense, with 195.5 yards per game. USC ranks No. 16 nationally in yards per rush attempt.
