Stai Gets a Surprise to Go With a National Title : Football: Nebraska guard walks in on intimate gathering of 60 well-wishers, organized by his mother.

Surprising 300-pounders, who often have bad dispositions, can be risky business indeed--but moms have that right.

So startled was Brenden Stai Friday night by his mother’s ability to pull a fast one on him, the All-American offensive lineman for national champion Nebraska appeared ready to topple any second. The Cornhuskers’ opponents should have been so lucky.

“I had no idea,” said Stai, moments after being greeted by cheers and hugs from family, friends and former Esperanza High teammates at the home of his girlfriend’s parents.

“This is really special to come to something like this where people care about you. When I heard the music that we come out to the games (at Nebraska) playing it was like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s going on in there? Then it was like, ‘Oh, God, I’ve been had.’ ”

Yes, and extremely well.

The gathering was a combination welcome-home, good-job-throughout-a-fine-career and graduation party. Stai, 6 feet 5 and 300 or so very-muscular pounds, picked up a degree in criminal justice in Lincoln on Dec. 17.

Oh yeah, they were also celebrating that national championship Nebraska won with a 24-17 victory over Miami on Jan. 1 in the Orange Bowl.

Stai’s mother, Sharon Kelly, began planning the festivities after then third-ranked Nebraska’s 24-7 pummeling of then second-ranked Colorado on Oct. 29. No need for a separate graduation get together, Kelly figured. Just have one big blast after the Cornhuskers won the title she knew they would.

“There was no doubt in our minds,” said Kelly, beaming, “and Brenden never let us down. He’s something else.”

About 60 of the most meaningful people in Stai’s life were there, including his father, Chris Stai, and older brother, Heath Stai. It was definitely a friendlier crowd than the Hurricanes he battled a few nights ago.

“With a minute left (in the game) we were just kneeling on the ball, and my body started tingling,” said Stai, 22. “Everything I’ve done in my life, I’ve never won something major like that.”

Stai returned home Thursday and is driving back to Lincoln today. He will enroll in graduate classes while waiting for the NFL draft April 24-25.

Some experts rate Stai, who set a Cornhusker bench-press record with 505 pounds, as the top guard in the draft. He’s being represented by Dallas-based agent Vic Vines.

Stai’s final opportunity to impress NFL decision-makers comes Jan. 21 in the Senior Bowl at Mobile, Ala. Stai seems relaxed about the important showcase opportunity, which is the demeanor you would expect from a guy who has wrestled with the nation’s best defensive linemen--and won.

“I’m excited just to take in the national championship right now,” Stai said. “It’s unbelievable. Not everybody gets to do it. I’m just so very proud I played for the Huskers and for a great coach like T.O. (Tom Osborne).”