This week in Husker history
The week of Oct. 21-27, looking back in stretches of years divisible by five:
HUFF AS PLAYER
HUFF AS A.D.
1892: A POSTGAME HAYMAKER
Nebraska gets its first win over an out-of-state opponent as George Flippin’s early touchdown holds up for a 6-0 victory over Illinois in Lincoln. There are hard feelings, however, as Illinois’ George Huff reportedly punches Nebraska’s Albin Jones in the face after the final whistle and disappears into the crowd. (Huff would serve as Illinois’ athletic director from 1901 to 1935.)
1897: It’s considered a remarkable feat as NU’s Howard Cowgill drop-kicks a field goal of 30-plus yards in an 11-0 win over Nebraska Wesleyan. Depending on the information source, it was either the first or merely the prettiest field goal made on Nebraska’s home field.
1902: Nebraska beats Missouri 12-0 in St. Joseph, but the Tigers appear pleased to have kept the score close.
1907: NU defeats Colorado in a game the Omaha Bee said was closer than the 22-8 score indicated.
1912: A patchwork team from Michigan’s Adrian College falls to the Cornhuskers 41-0 in Lincoln. So shorthanded are the visitors that their coach is allowed to play.
1917: The Cornhuskers fall in a 20-0 upset on a soggy field at Michigan. The Wolverines returned a fumble more than 80 yards for a first-quarter touchdown, and NU never recovered.
«1922: BEST TEAM EVER?
Hyperbole is alive and well as Nebraska’s 48-0 thrashing of Missouri moves one observer, St. Louis University coach Steve O'Rourke, to declare the Cornhuskers the greatest team ever. The Huskers outyarded the Tigers 497 to 36 and collected 30 first downs to Mizzou’s one, according to the Lincoln Star’s Cy Sherman. Here are short and long game stories.
Hyperbole is alive and well as Nebraska’s 48-0 thrashing of Missouri moves one observer, St. Louis University coach Steve O'Rourke, to declare the Cornhuskers the greatest team ever. The Huskers outyarded the Tigers 497 to 36 and collected 30 first downs to Mizzou’s one, according to the Lincoln Star’s Cy Sherman. Here are short and long game stories.
1932: Nebraska’s 147-pound Chris Mathis and 151-pound Carlyle Staab score two of NU’s three touchdowns in a 20-6 win at Kansas. The Huskers intercepted six KU passes. Look for more game details on this page.
1937: A first-quarter TD pass from Thurston Phelps to Marvin Plock gives Nebraska a 7-0 win** at Missouri.
1942: World War II puts a dent in football attendance, but Nebraska fares best among Big Six schools.
1952: Colorado scores a touchdown with 1:58 remaining but misses the PAT kick in a 16-16 tie** in Boulder.
1957: Missouri rallies in the final three minutes to pin a 14-13 loss on Nebraska.
Rudy Johnson carries the ball
«1962: Down 6-0 at halftime, NU roars back for a 31-6 win at Colorado.
1967: Eight turnovers and a failed fourth-down gamble doom the Huskers in a 21-16 loss to Colorado in Lincoln.
1972: NU posts its third consecutive shutout, winning 56-0 at Kansas.
1977: Down by 12 in the second quarter, No. 18 Nebraska takes the lead just before halftime and cruises to a 33-15 win over No. 7 Colorado.
1982: With Turner Gill sidelined and Mike Rozier playing in pain, Nebraska grinds out a 23-19 win over Missouri.
1987: Nine Huskers score and 105 play in a 56-3 romp over Kansas State.
1992: Despite surrendering a record 424 passing yards, the Huskers prevail, 34-24, at Missouri in freshman Tommie Frazier’s first start at quarterback.
1997: Nebraska holds Kansas to 48 yards and four first downs in a 35-0 win in the rain in Lincoln.
2002: Trailing by 31-14 midway through the third quarter, the Huskers mount a stirring comeback to defeat Texas A&M in College Station, 38-31. Meanwhile, a memorial service is held in Kansas for Jake Young.
2007: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert* decommits, and the Huskers let an upset victory slip away at Texas.
* Wayback Machine link – may take several seconds to load | **Article abstract only