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There it was, two nationally ranked teams meeting for that week's Game of the Year, Nebraska and Oklahoma State battling in a nail-biting fight to the finish. Both teams came into the game tied for the Big 8 lead at 3-1. In the end, it was Nebraska's co-captains, Clete Pillen and Vince Ferragamo, that made the difference.
Pillen was all over the field making tackles. He made 30 in all and was named Big 8 Defensive Player and Associated Press National Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance. As coach Tom Osborne said, "We would have lost without Pillen."
Ferragamo's passing arm untracked a stalled offense in the second half.
Nebraska dominated the first quarter, but two turnovers kept the Huskers from scoring. Oklahoma State held the ball for all but eight plays in the second quarter, but managed only a field goal.
Trailing 3-0 in the third quarter, Ferragamo went to work. Starting at the Nebraska 25, Ferragamo hit end Chuck Malito on three passes of a seven play drive, the final pass being a 34 yard touchdown.
Oklahoma State came right back behind Terry Miller to go ahead 10-7.
Again it was Ferragamo, hitting four of four passes and rushing for 11 yards on Nebraska's next possession, that led the Huskers to a final score, a six yard pass to Ken Spaeth.
It was touch and go the rest of the way, but Nebraska held on for a 14-10 win.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
SERIES HISTORY
SEASON STATS | NU ROSTER
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Nebraska 14
Oklahoma State 10
Nov. 6, 1976
Lincoln, NEOklahoma State 0 3 7 0 — 10
Nebraska 0 0 7 7 — 14
Second Quarter
OSU — Abby Daigle (37, field goal), 9:35
Third Quarter
NEB — Chuck Malito (34, pass from Vince Ferragamo;
Al Eveland kick), 4:02
OSU — Terry Miller (15, run; Abby Daigle kick), :07
Fourth Quarter
NEB — Ken Spaeth (6, pass from Vince Ferragamo;
Al Eveland kick), 11:57
OSU NU
First Downs................ 15 17
Rushing, Net.............. 291 121
Passes, Comp-Att-Int ... 1-5-1 17-25-2
Passing, Net............... 34 235
Total Offense............. 235 356
LEADING NU RUSHER:
Monte Anthony 55, Rich Berns 51.
LEADING NU PASSER:
Vince Ferragamo 235.
NU TOTAL OFFENSE LEADER:
Vince Ferragamo 235.
ATTENDANCE: 76,272.
NU OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Chuck Malito.
NU DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Clete Pillen.
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