Could the Cornhuskers bounce back after the title-bearing defeat by Missouri? The question was answered in amazing fashion as Nebraska completely demoralized a fine Kansas team, exploded for a 40-0 lead in the third quarter and coasted to a 40-16 victory.
It was Willie Ross leading the attack — scoring three TDs and, with 111 yards rushing, almost equaling KU’s total ground production — with massive support from the Scarlet line.
An interesting sidelight to an unexpected lopsided contest: All seven TDs were followed by two-point conversions. (The season's success rate for major schools was .450.)
H’MAX NOTES: The Lawrence Journal-World reported: "In less than 20 minutes, Nebraska had built up a 32-0 lead without once resorting to its highly regarded aerial game. … Nebraska ran only three plays outside the ends in that wild first half. The rest were slashes inside, with the visiting line just manhandling and trapping the bewildered Jayhawks."…
John Faiman, the Huskers' PAT kicker and No. 2 quarterback, broke a leg in practice earlier in the week. Also, Dennis Claridge and Bill "Thunder" Thornton had been considered doubtful because of ankle injuries. … On the KU sideline was assistant coach Bill Jennings, the former Nebraska head coach. … The Jayhawks never advanced beyond their own 45 yard line in the first half. … The Huskers were underdogs by 8 to 10 points. … The Jayhawks entered the game as the nation's No. 2 rushing team at 279.9 yards per game, but the Huskers tripled them in ground yardage, 369-122. …
It was Nebraska's highest point total in a game in eight years, and the 40 points exceeded NU's scoring in the previous five NU-KU games combined, all of which were Kansas victories. … The game was the Huskers' first against Omaha high school star Gale Sayers, who topped 100 yards but did not score.
