Official recap
After a big win over Oklahoma the previous week, Nebraska head Coach Tom Osborne was concerned heading into the season finale against Missouri about the chance of a mental letdown against a tough and upset minded Tiger squad. Osborne's worries turned into reality in the form of a 35-31 loss.
Rick Berns churned to a record breaking 255 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries to set the Nebraska single game rushing mark and the career rushing record of 2605 yards. But Berns' performance wasn't enough to counter a potent Missouri attack, led by the running of James Wilder — with 181 yards and four touchdowns — and the pass receiving of All-Big 8 tight end Kellen Winslow.
Berns led off the scoring on the first play of the game from scrimmage by ripping off an 82 yard run. The early score was a sign of what was to come as both teams moved almost at will throughout the game and it was the last team to score that came away with the win.
The loss dropped Nebraska back into a tie for the conference title and later brought a surprising rematch with Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
30-YEAR RETROSPECTIVES: 1, 2, 3, 4
SERIES HISTORY
SEASON STATS | NU ROSTER
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Missouri 35
Nebraska 31
Nov. 18, 1978
Lincoln, NEMissouri 7 7 14 7 - 35
Nebraska 14 3 14 0 - 31
First Quarter
NEB - Rick Berns (82, run; Billy Todd kick) 14:42
MIZ - James Wilder (9, run; Jeff Brockhaus kick) 9:45
NEB - Junior Miller (2, pass from Tom Sorley;
Billy Todd kick) 2:06
Second Quarter
NEB - Billy Todd (27, field goal) 11:32.
MIZ - Kellen Winslow (14, pass from Phil Bradley;
Jeff Brockhaus kick) 6:28
Third Quarter
NEB - Rick Berns (2, run; Billy Todd kick) 10:44
MIZ - James Wilder (1, run; Jeff Brockhaus, kick) 7:13
MIZ - James Wilder (4, run; Jeff Brockhaus kick) 5:58
NEB - Tim Hager (4, run; Billy Todd kick) :52
Fourth Quarter
MIZ - James Wilder (7, run; Jeff Brockhaus kick) 3:42
MU NU
First Downs.................... 25 27
Rushing Net................... 289 381
Passes, Comp.-Att.-Int. .. 10-21-0 9-14-1
Passing Net ................. 187 136
Total Offense................. 476 517
LEADING NU RUSHER:
Rich Berns 255.
LEADING NU PASSER:
Tom Sorley 8-13-1 for 131 yards.
ATTENDANCE: 75,850
NU OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME:
Rick Berns 255 yards on 35 carries.
(New NU single game records.)
NU DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME:
Lee Kunz 13 tackles.
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