Maher continued Nebraska's long line of outstanding kickers and punters over the past two seasons. Maher completed his Husker career in 2012, and he left a significant mark in the NU record book with his performance the past two seasons. A Kearney native, Maher was one of five former walk-ons who were awarded a scholarship for the 2012 season. Maher made 20-of-27 field goals, while connecting on all 59 of his PAT attempts. His 20 field goals as a senior are second on the NU season chart, bettering his 2011 total by one. Maher scored 119 points to set a Nebraska record for most points scored in a season by a kicker. He ranked third overall in the Big Ten in scoring and first among kickers. In 2012, Maher had four games with three field goals, giving him six games with three or more field goals in his career. He also connected on three field goals beyond 50 yards this season, giving him six career field goals of at least 50 yards. Maher's efforts as a kicker earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight season and also the Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker-of-the-Year Award for the second straight season. Maher also handled the punting duties the past two seasons and averaged 41.8 yards per punt in 2012. He placed 18 punts inside the opponent 20, while also booming 17 punts of at least 50 yards. He was a second-team All-Big Ten choice as a punter by the coaches. Maher also handled kickoff duties and had 57 touchbacks in 96 kickoffs in 2012.
Maher put together an impressive senior year at Kearney High School under Coach Brandon Cool. Maher went 41-for-46 kicking extra points and 8-for-14 on field goals, while averaging 41.2 yards per punt. Along with his kicking duties, Maher played wide receiver where he had 775 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions. For his efforts on the field, Maher earned first-team all-state honors from both the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star, while playing for the North Squad in the 2008 Shrine Bowl. He was also an honorable-mention Class A all-state pick in basketball. Maher capped his senior season with a state championship in the long jump at the state track meet, while also winning the pole vault and setting a state record. Maher turned down offers from Ohio and Colorado State to walk on at Nebraska.
The son of Brian and Peggy Maher, Brett was born on Nov. 21, 1989. Maher is majoring in secondary education-mathematics. He was a second-team academic All-Big 12 pick in 2009, and a member of the 2009 Big 12 Commissioners Spring Honor Roll. Maher has been one of Nebraskas most active players in the community in the past year and was named to the 2012 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team. He has volunteered his time as a guest speaker at numerous elementary schools, with hospital visits and the Husker Hotline. Mahers sister, Maggie, is a junior on the Nebraska track and field team, and his older sister, Lindsey, was a member of the track team from 2007 to 2010.
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