In Bob Devaney's debut as Nebraska's head coach, the Huskers opened the 1962 season by pounding undermanned South Dakota, 53-0, at Memorial Stadium. With eight different players scoring TDs, the Huskers led 19-0 at halftime, and then added 20 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth.Nebraska had 27 first downs to the Coyotes' six.
H’MAX NOTES: It was the Huskers' highest point total since 1945, when Nebraska beat South Dakota by the same score. … A few minutes after he returned an interception for NU's first second-half touchdown, halfback Dave Theisen set up Nebraska's next score with a 30-yard punt return. …
South Dakota's biggest weapon came in a small package. Halfback Dick Scott, 5-foot-5 and 151 pounds, netted 73 yards on 16 carries, including a long of 25 yards. … South Dakota got all six of its first downs in the final 20 minutes of play. … NU's third and fourth strings played the entire fourth quarter. … Starting right end Jim Huge suffered a concussion. …
The Omaha paper observed the new coach's style: “In contrast to the confusion which has appeared to keep the Cornhusker bench in turmoil during recent seasons, all was in order and businesslike. … Players remained on the bench instead of roaming the sidelines. Devaney gave the orders and his assistants carried them out. The new coach spoke to the players as they left the field – a word of encouragement, advice or an occasional verbal whip.”
