As Super Bowl XXXIX nears, some of the Husker gear at J.J. Benji's in downtown Hartington has been moved and stacked to make room for New England Patriots clothing.

"We're seeing a lot of Pats stuff this week," said Rob Dump, editor, publisher, advertising manager and everything else at the Cedar County News.

Corey Hochstein said he's starting to see more of the "Russ Hochstein Day" shirts around town,  but has even seen them as far away as California and Oregon.

"Russ' teammates have seen the shirts pop up at road games and they give him some grief, ‘Hey, is this going to be an annual Russ Hochstein Day?'"

For Russ Hochstein — right guard, left guard, center, left tackle, fullback and tight end for the Patriots — the attention is still humbling.

This year, there's no Warren Sapp dogging the former Husker lineman as being on the same blocking level with sportswriters Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon.

There are no columnists at the Los Angeles Times, New York Times or anywhere else writing that they were cheering for Hochstein because he did not take the bait of the Sapp blast.

Preparing for his second Super Bowl is all that matters right now for the 1996 Hartington Cedar Catholic grad and the 2000 NU  grad.

"I'm here and they want me here and that's pretty much what matters right now," said Hochstein.

The former All-Big 12 guard has been Mr. Everything for New England this year.

"I've started a few games at guard and tackle, and lately, I got to play fullback (and) have a chance to touch the ball in a game for the first time since junior high," he said.

Hochstein has been used as the mobile blocking tight end and fullback when the Pats need short yardage. He's been perfect in blowing holes for Corey Dillion on third-and-short situations four times this season, including last week against the Steelers.

"It's funny. Here's Russ at tight end and fullback in the pros and he's telling me how I was the quarterback and the running back all my life and he wasn't good enough to carry the ball in high school and college," said Russ' older brother Corey.

"Hey, he's the big kid in the family," Corey said. "He said he reminded Bill Belichick (New England head coach) that he could play quarterback if they need him there."

Low-key, quiet and modest, Russ Hochstein is still the same guy who played at Nebraska, was a high school basketball and football star and was a waterboy for the Cedar Catholic teams when he was growing up.

"There's no real change in his personality," Corey said. "He's got a house near Boston, a couple of roommates — guys who may not be with the Pats next year — and he's dating a school teacher from the Boston area.

"But he's going to be back in Nebraska a week after the Super Bowl visiting friends, maybe helping dad (Gayle) at the concrete business and being the Russ we all know."

Ross Hochstein said he hasn't changed much even though he's spent a little more time with the receivers and the running backs this year.

He still wants to be a permanent starter on the offensive line. He still wants to win this Super Bowl and play in more Super Bowls in the future.

He's been helpful to former Huskers getting into the NFL for the first time. Hochstein spent time advising Trevor Johnson (New York Jets) and Chris Kelsay (Buffalo Bills) and he's taken time to visit Lincoln and former teammates.

"It seems everybody on our team is unselfish, team-oriented, and I've just joined in with that philosophy," he said. "It's as close to college as a pro team can be.

"It makes playing pro football fun, beyond a business, which it is," he said.

According to a column by Jonathan Comey of the Standard Times (Mass.), Hochstein was recently part of a prank played by quarterback Tom Brady. The two-time Super Bowl MVP put some dye powder in Hochstein's socks, in the gloves of center Dan Koppen and guard Joe Andruzzi, and the sneakers of tackle Matt Light.

After some linemen blamed each other, Brady approached and asked if there was a problem. After the discovery, Hochstein said, "It looks like World War III is on."

"Sure, there are jokes,' Hochstein said. "There are a lot of light moments that keep us all going. You  can't help but be happy with this team."

And for the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday, "I think we're going to have a good time and play football the way we know how to play. They'll do the same and we'll have a great game.

"That's what it's all about. It's always been that way for me."

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or at khambleton@journalstar.com.