Official recap More | Hide
Iowa State, capitalizing on eight Nebraska fumbles and one interception, beat the Huskers for the first time in 16 years 37-28, thus setting up a photo finish in the Big 8 race.
Like a premonition of bad things to come, Iowa State drove 94 yards on their second possession to score on a 21-yard field goal. On the following kickoff, Nebraska's Byron Stewart fumbled, and Scott Cole recovered for the Cyclones. Seven plays later, the score was ISU 10, NU 0.
Not content to sit on their 20-13 halftime lead, Iowa State attacked Nebraska on the ground, grinding out 321 yards while holding the Huskers to only 77. A stunned Nebraska had to resort to the pass to move the ball. Vince Ferragamo hit 12 of 27 passes for 199 yards, and split end Bobby Thomas caught four of those for 107 yards, including touchdown strikes of 43 and 30 yards.
But NU's aerial bombardment was not enough to turn back the Cyclones. In the fourth quarter, a Nebraska fumble and interception resulted in two ISU scores that gave them a 37-20 lead. Nebraska scored once more to make the final 37-28.
The loss clouded the post-season bowl picture in the Big 8. NU would have clinched a tie for the Big 8 crown with a win, but instead the showdown with Oklahoma would decide the Orange Bowl representative.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
SERIES HISTORY
SEASON STATS | NU ROSTER
 |
Iowa State 37
Nebraska 28
Nov. 13, 1976
Ames, IA
Nebraska 7 6 0 15 — 28
Iowa State 17 3 0 17 — 37
First Quarter
ISU — Scott Kollman (21, field goal), 5:38
ISU — Dexter Green (1, run; Scott Kollman kick), 3:35
NEB — Bobby Thomas (43, pass from Vince Ferragamo;
Al Eveland kick), 1:29
ISU — Luther Blue (95 yard kickoff return;
Scott Kollman kick), 1:14
Second Quarter
NEB — Monte Anthony (14, run;
Al Eveland kick failed), 4:31
ISU — Scott Kollman (31, field goal), :48
Fourth Quarter
NEB — Bobby Thomas (30, pass from Vince Ferragamo;
Al Eveland kick), 14:35
ISU — Dexter Green (3, run; Scott Kollman kick), 9:26
ISU — Scott Kollman (21, field goal), 5:46
ISU — Buddy Hardeman (16, run; Scott Kollman kick), 2:40
NEB — Rich Berns (2, run;
Dave Shamblin 3 pass from Ferragamo) 2:21
NU ISU
First Downs.................. 14 19
Rushing, Net................. 77 321
Passes, Comp-Att-Int ... 12-27-1 3-11-1
Passing, Net................ 199 47
Total Offense............... 276 368
LEADING NU RUSHERS:
Monte Anthony 47, Rich Berns 34.
LEADING NU PASSER:
Vince Ferragamo 199.
NU TOTAL OFFENSE LEADER:
Vince Ferragamo 174.
ATTENDANCE: 51,500.
NU OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Bobby Thomas.
NU DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Clete Pillen.
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