Official recap
Nebraska's Cornhuskers opened the 1966 season ranked No. 5 in the nation and received a strong challenge from Texas Christian before pulling out a 14-10 decision.
With a record crowd of 60,974 fans in the newly-bowled Memorial Stadium, the Huskers moved 63 yards to score the second time they got the ball — runs of 11 yards by Ron Kirkland and 17 yards by Harry Wilson, and a 13-yard Bob Churchich-to-Wilson pass paved the way for Charlie Winter's 6-yard smash to put the Scarlets ahead, 7-0, with 4:53 gone in the first quarter.
But TCU struck back quickly after a Husker fumble at the NU 49, hitting two long passes (one on an interference call) to set up a two-yard TD toss and even the count at 7-7 midway in the second quarter.
Nebraska countered by following up the TCU tally with a 78-yard march, with the TD coming on a 10-yard Churchich-to-Dennis Morrison pass. NU's 14-7 halftime lead was slashed to 14-10 early in the third period when Bruce Alford kicked a 16-yard field goal.
After that, the Huskers waged a gallant defensive battle to preserve the win. Both teams were fumble-prone: Nebraska lost three and the Horned Frogs four.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
SERIES HISTORY
SEASON STATS | NU ROSTER
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Nebraska 14
TCU 10
Sept. 17, 1966
Lincoln, NETexas Christian ......... 0 7 3 0 — 10
Nebraska ................ 7 7 0 0 — 14
First Quarter
NEB — Charlie Winters 6 run (Larry Wachholtz kick)
Second Quarter
TCU — David Smith 2 pass from P.D. Shabay
(Bruce Alford kick)
NEB — Dennis Morrison 10, pass from Bob Churchich
(Wachholtz kick)
Third Quarter
TCU — Alford 13 field goal
NU TCU
First downs ........ 17 11
Rushing net ........ 183 10
Passing net ....... 80 148
Total offense ...... 263 158
Leading NU rushers: Harry Wilson 68; Ron Kirkland 65.
Leading NU passer: Bob Churchich, 8 for 20 — 80 yards.
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