By Nolan Alexander, Director of Broadcast Media

LINCOLN, Neb. -  The odds were never in Uriel Hernandez's favor to shine in front of the NCAA record 366^th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., this past Saturday. From being by far the shortest in his family, to an 11^th hour scholarship offer to become the first male to attend college in his family, Hernandez has gleefully blazed a path unlike any other.
 
"Growing up there were things my parents couldn't provide for us. Playing sports was a gateway to leave my city and go onto bigger things, see new places and states, and this weekend will forever live with me," Hernandez said. "This game gave some extra 'oomph' to close out my college career." 
 
But that's just the latest trend for Bethune-Cookman's All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference kicker and new social media phenom.
 
Hernandez became a new fan-favorite in front of nearly 90,000 when the Wildcat kicker nailed a 28-yard field goal, and then was thrust into punting duties and coffin-cornered the Huskers inside the five. His ensuing celebration was caught on the Big 10 Network's broadcast, and Twitter took care of the rest.
 

This is what an elite athlete in his prime looks like pic.twitter.com/kYwDZ4wz3B

— Barstool Sports (@barstooltweetss) October 27, 2018

Uriel Hernandez for president. https://t.co/9sghtzNCEm

— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) October 27, 2018

BCU's punter is 5' 4" and has flair pic.twitter.com/kZSNiSPTWV

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) October 27, 2018

 
But why celebrate when the team faces a large second half deficit?
 
"When we do something positive on the field, our special teams coach [Aashon Larkins] says that it is a game-changer. I was excited to pin Nebraska down in the five, and it gave the Wildcat defense an opportunity to hold and give the ball back to our offense with good field position."
 
In a game that wasn't initially ever supposed to happen, it was only fitting the unlikely star was one whose college career probably wasn't supposed to follow the trek it has.
 
One of eight children to Reynaldo and Jovita Hernandez, Uriel has always been the smallest. His brothers are relatively tall and lean, stand around 5'10" and 150 lbs., and have dazzled with the "other" football. His older brother, Salvador, even drew strong interest to travel with the Mexican national team. Heck, even his juvenile nephews tower over him at Christmas gatherings.
 
Currently listed on the BCU roster at 5'4", 209 lbs., his stature is a good part of the reason Nebraska fans became so enamored with the joyful specialist. 
 
"I've always been big boned. I've never been skinny. I guess I got the bad genes," said Hernandez. "According to my mom, when a kid is chunky and husky, the kid is healthy. So, I guess you could say I'm healthy."
 
The husky Homestead native first got an inkling for the gridiron in fifth grade when he watched Salvador hit a game-winning field goal to propel Homestead over rival South Dade. However, Uriel did not muster up the courage to try out until the start of the regular season his freshman year.
 
After a few games with Homestead's junior varsity, Uriel was told on a Wednesday that he was needed to kick for the varsity unit in 48 hours. Against traditional power Miami Central, his Broncos did what no other team could do that season by hanging with Rockets in a narrow 10-6 loss. Hernandez was called on to kick an extra point, but it was blocked. It did, however, set the stage for the young kicker to develop a calm mindset and rise to the occasion when thrust into duty.
 
Fast forward seven fall seasons and Hernandez was approached by Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Terry Sims in the first quarter to perform double duty after Nebraska took a quick 14-0 lead on a 77-yard punt return.
 
"He came with not anger, but passion," recalled the Wildcat specialist. "This isn't the first time it happened, but I know when my name is called, it's for me go in and capitalize and I felt like I did."
 
The senior finished with six punts, two of which landed inside the 20, a season-long of 54 yards, a well-placed 41-yard pooch kick, and of course, the field goal. The accolades didn't stop there. Afterward, he posed for selfies and gave high-fives to dozens of Nebraska fans that surrounded the team's walkway to the locker room.
 
His phone hasn't stop buzzing since. He's raked in hundreds of followers across Instagram and Twitter, and his post-punt finger flashes and bow-and-arrow celebrations have in total been viewed over a million times across various posts. With two more nationally televised games remaining, will there be an encore?
 
"Usually I have a handshake with my holder and long snapper. Maybe that," said Hernandez. "It depends on the atmosphere and what's going on. Whatever comes to mind and feels right.
 
So maybe the extensive celebrations stay in Lincoln, where Hernandez gained a red sea of new fans and became one himself.
 
"Saturday was special in part because of the fanbase. 90,000 screaming, roaring, and the stadium being loud. The fans showed good sportsmanship and that's something that I haven't seen from any other school I've played. They showed a lot of support," he said. "I will be following Nebraska the rest of the year and on."
 
It all capped a day that will be remembered for the rest of his life - a life that hasn't let his unique build hold him back from becoming the most decorated athlete in his family's history - and in this spring become the first Hernandez male to graduate from college.
 
"It doesn't matter how big or small you are, or how you look. When you put your mind to do something, you can do it no matter what. There will always be obstacles, but that's what life comes with. When you overcome those, you'll see good in yourself and others."
 

Shout out to @urielh_33 for the pic pic.twitter.com/RmGfpeoGds

— Young Sheck Brand (@B3nn3t07) October 27, 2018