1970 Day by Day Articles

1970 Day by Day: Final thoughts

1/8/21 | J. Hudson
Closing thoughts: The memories endure. How did the Cornhuskers' first national championship feel to a 16-year-old fan? Fifty years later, what I remember is a sense of absolute amazement and unbridled joy as Nebraska finished off its Orange Bowl win. We watched on TV at my grandparents' house in Omaha. Was it a black-and-white set, or color? I don't remember.…

1970 Day by Day: Mid-January

1/7/21 | J. Hudson
Lincoln Journal Star · Newspapers.com Mid-January: Paying tribute. As this series winds down, we're taking the liberty of fast-forwarding to the middle of the month, when thousands of fans got their chance to salute the national champion Huskers. The events of Jan. 14 and 18 helped make up for the scaled-back welcome the Huskers received on their return from Miami…

1970 Day by Day: Jan. 6

1/6/21 | J. Hudson
Jan. 6: Room for debate. The day after the season's final AP poll was released, the debate over who deserved the No. 1 spot wasn't finished. Nebraska had wrapped up the No. 1 ranking by a comfortable margin, but the newspaper commentary reflected the fact that one-fourth of the first-place votes went to other teams. Below is a sampling of…

1970 Day by Day: Jan. 5

1/5/21 | J. Hudson
The News-Messenger (Fremont, Ohio) · Newspapers.com Jan. 5: Huskers land the big prize. It was finally official Tuesday: The 1970 Huskers owned the coveted No. 1 spot in the final Associated Press college football poll. Nebraska's claim to the national championship was affirmed, and it wasn't close — the Huskers drew three-fourths of the first-place votes from the 52-member panel…

1970 Day by Day: Jan. 4

1/4/21 | J. Hudson
Jan. 4: Another round of Bob vs. Ara. A second bonus day in Miami fell into the Cornhuskers' laps Monday as the blizzard in Nebraska again made the team's flight home a no-go. The ETA in Lincoln was now set for noontime Tuesday, but the big celebration that had been planned at the airport was called off on account of…

1970 Day by Day: Jan. 3

1/3/21 | J. Hudson
Jan. 3: What about us, Parseghian asks. Life was good Sunday for the Huskers in Miami, even though it was far from ideal back home. A Midwest blizzard forced the postponement of their flight to Lincoln by a day, so an extra afternoon at the pool or the beach was theirs for the taking. Meanwhile came word that the Football…

1970 Day by Day: Jan. 2

1/2/21 | J. Hudson
Jan. 2: R&R in Miami on day after win. Saturday was a time for deep-sea fishing and poll-politicking as the Huskers rested up from their Orange Bowl win Friday and the ensuring celebration into the wee hours. Coach Bob Devaney reiterated his case for a No. 1 ranking but said he was leery of Associated Press pollsters' sentiment for Notre…

1970 Day by Day: Jan. 1

1/1/21 | J. Hudson
The anticipation, the odds-defying upsets and the crowning victory — the Huskers make program history by staking their claim to college football's national championship. The big day is revisited here in three segments. A.M. DAY NIGHT Jan. 1: Dawn of a long day. As columnist Wally Provost told Omaha World-Herald readers Friday morning, "This is the day of the fidgets,…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 31

12/31/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 31: Final practice for 1970 Huskers. A brief afternoon drill Thursday in the Orange Bowl capped Nebraska's practices for Friday night's clash with LSU. Earlier in the day, coaches Bob Devaney of Nebraska and Charlie McClendon of LSU spoke to the press one last time. McClendon tried to soft-pedal his team's stellar defensive reputation: "Nobody else has stopped Nebraska's…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 30

12/30/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 30: Huskers practice under the lights. Roughly 48 hours before the big game, the Huskers went through a light practice Wednesday night under the Orange Bowl lights and planned to wrap up preparations for LSU with a brief daytime session Thursday. Coach Bob Devaney spoke of what it might mean if No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Ohio State…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 29

12/29/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 29: Best practice yet, says Kiffin. Defensive line coach Monte Kiffin described it as "the best practice we've had" after the Huskers went through a 90-minute session Tuesday afternoon in the Orange Bowl stadium. Quarterback Jerry Tagge welcomed the move to artificial turf after five days on the grass field at Miami-Dade Junior College North. "I felt faster out…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 28

12/28/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 28: Huskers lighten up; Tigers go hard. Nebraska went through a light practice Monday while LSU did heavy hitting in a two-hour scrimmage. It was the Huskers' final practice at Miami-Dade Junior College North before operations moved to the Orange Bowl stadium in preparation for Friday night's game. Cornerback Joe Blahak was practicing again after leaving Sunday's practice with…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 27

12/27/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 27: Ingles and Blahak gimpy. Leg issues kept senior receiver Guy Ingles and sophomore cornerback Joe Blahak from participating fully in Sunday's practice in Miami, but both were expected to be ready for Friday night's showdown against LSU in the Orange Bowl. Woody Cox filled in for Ingles, and John Decker did likewise for Blahak. Head coach Bob Devaney…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 26

12/26/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 26: Huskers do more scrimmaging. The Huskers' practice Saturday in Miami included scrimmaging for the second day in a row. The heavy contact work was a departure from coach Bob Devaney's usual routine. It was also something that Charlie McClendon's LSU Tigers wouldn't be doing in Miami. The Bayou Bengals arrived in Florida on Saturday, and McClendon said the…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 25

12/25/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 25: A scrimmage in the Florida heat. Coach Bob Devaney sent his Huskers through a two-hour scrimmage Friday, one week before the New Year's showdown with LSU. Devaney had said earlier in the month that he didn't know how much full-contact work, if any, he would give the team in preparation for the Orange Bowl. On Friday he explained,…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 24

12/24/20 | J. Hudson
Boarding the plane in Lincon (from top to bottom): Ken Kontos, Johnny Rodgers, Ralph Powell, Doug Johnson, John Pitts and Willie Harper.   Dec. 24: Huskers arrive in Sunshine State. It was a whirlwind day for the Cornhuskers as they made the trip from frigid Lincoln to balmy Miami on the day before Christmas and then held their first Florida…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 23

12/23/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 23: Mascot gets a ticket to Miami. A minor crisis was averted Wednesday: The big-head Nebraska mascot would be traveling to Miami for the Orange Bowl after all. Finding a plane that would transport the unwieldy, cowboy-hatted caricature had been a problem, but unidentified boosters came through with a solution. Although Nebraska was a five-point favorite, the Football News'…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 22

12/22/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 22: Underdog role welcomed in Louisiana. With both teams taking a pre-holiday break, Tuesday was a day for Louisiana columnists to weigh in on the Nebraska-LSU matchup in the Orange Bowl. Bill McIntyre of the Shreveport Times said LSU's underdog status was a good thing and nothing new for the often-underestimated Tigers in big games. The Tigers' stingy defense…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 21

12/21/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 21: Little fanfare from Sports Illustrated. Sports Illustrated's Dec. 21 issue previewed the bowl games, and the Nebraska-LSU matchup was treated as little more than a sideshow by the U.S. sports world's most influential voice. Unlike the Rose and Cotton bowls, the Orange "will not be endowed with major personalities," SI's Dan Jenkins wrote. He did acknowledge that upsets…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 20

12/20/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 20: Sizing up the opposition. Sunday's Shreveport newspaper gave fans in Louisiana a healthy dose of info about the Nebraska squad that LSU would be facing in the Orange Bowl in 12 days. Scroll down for columnist Bill McIntyre's synopsis of the Huskers (preceded by a brief stroll through Husker history) and an Associated Press recap of Nebraska's season.…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 19

12/19/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 19: New look for Huskers. The team was starting a five-day break from practices Saturday, so there wasn't much happening on the Nebraska football front. However, fans were about to get their first glimpse of the Huskers' bowl uniforms. If that sounds less than noteworthy, consider this: The red jerseys featured something never seen before in 81 seasons of…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 18

12/18/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 18: Huskers, LSU start holiday break. Two weeks before their Orange Bowl date, Nebraska and LSU wrapped up their on-campus practices Friday. Players now had several days off before the teams' flights to Miami — Nebraska's on Dec. 24 and LSU's on Dec. 26. The Huskers were ready for the extra day or two of Florida weather after being…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 17

12/17/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 17: A quandary over practice intensity. The Huskers on Thursday held their next-to-last Lincoln practice for their Orange Bowl game against LSU, and coach Bob Devaney said it was hard to decide how much heavy hitting, if any, to allow. "You'd sort of like to have contact, but the kids are more injury-prone in this cooler weather," he said.…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 16

12/16/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 16: Two senior starters miss practice. All-America offensive tackle Bob Newton missed Wednesday's practice with the flu, and a pulled leg muscle kept split end Guy Ingles on the sideline. Coach Bob Devaney said he wasn't concerned that his Huskers would peak too early in their preparations for the Orange Bowl game against LSU. "At the rate we're progressing,"…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 15

12/15/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 15: Passing game a bit rusty. Nebraska and LSU both practiced outdoors Tuesday, although the Tigers' session in Baton Route was cut short by rain. In Lincoln, coach Bob Devaney said the Huskers' passing game had suffered somewhat because the first three bowl practices had been held indoors. He said controlled scrimmaging might take place before the Huskers wrapped…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 14

12/14/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 14: Rodgers injures finger in practice. Better weather Monday allowed the Huskers to practice outdoors for the first time in their preparations for the Orange Bowl. Sophomore flanker Johnny Rodgers suffered a dislocated finger while trying to catch a pass but was expected to return Tuesday. Coach Bob Devaney said there were no big surprises in the staff's first…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 13

12/13/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 13: A quick look ahead to 1971. Nineteen days before the Orange Bowl, Sunday's sports pages in Nebraska were largely devoid of buildup for the game. College basketball was under way, and NFL playoff spots were being decided. Down in Oklahoma, however, there was a look ahead to the 1971 Big Eight football race. Columnist Bob Hurt used his…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 12

12/12/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 12: Huskers forced indoors again. The Huskers practiced in the Field House for a third consecutive day Saturday, but there was hope for better weather and outside drills in the coming week. On the newly unveiled travel roster for the Orange Bowl, most positions were stocked at least three deep. Sixty-eight players were on the list for the trip…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 11

12/11/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 11: Pondering an "unlikely" bowl scenario. There was no news from Nebraska's practice Friday, but from Louisiana came a newspaper column making it clear that the Huskers weren't the only team with an outside chance of a national championship come January. If No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Ohio State were to stumble in their bowl games, a Husker…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 10

12/10/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 10: Two earn top honors; practices resume. It doesn't hurt to have a dose of recognized star power when you're gunning for poll votes, and third-ranked Nebraska got that Thursday when linebacker Jerry Murtaugh and offensive tackle Bob Newton were named first-team All-America by the Associated Press. Middle guard Ed Periard earned third-team honors, and nine Huskers were honorable…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 9

12/9/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 9: Another top honor for Murtaugh. One day before the Huskers were to resume full practices, senior linebacker Jerry Murtaugh was named Big Eight defensive player of the year Wednesday by the Associated Press. Murtaugh, who broke Nebraska's career and single-season records for tackles, edged out Colorado's Herb Orvis for the honor. A half-dozen reporters from Louisiana were expected…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 8

12/8/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 8: UPI crown goes to Texas. Texas ran away with the No. 1 spot in the final 1970 coaches poll released Tuesday, giving the Longhorns claim to at least a partial national championship. Nebraska was a solid third in the UPI and AP polls behind the Longhorns and Ohio State. The Huskers collected two first-place votes in each poll.…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 7

12/7/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 7: LSU's rout brings smiles all around. From both Nebraska's and the Orange Bowl's perspectives, LSU's emphatic punching of its ticket to Miami was a welcomed thing Monday. Nebraska had itself an opponent that would be regarded as a tough assignment. LSU's 61-17 shredding of Ole Miss on Saturday night enhanced the credentials of a team known mainly for…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 6

12/6/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 6: Buckeyes, 'Horns share MacArthur trophy. Ohio State and Texas on Sunday were named co-recipients of the MacArthur Bowl, awarded annually to the top college football team by the National Football Foundation. Same as it was with the UPI coaches poll at the time, bowl games didn't factor into the organization's crowning of a national champion. The Associated Press…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 5

12/5/20 | J. Hudson
Coach Bob Devaney gets a kiss on the cheek from Orange Bowl queen Earleen Carey at a press conference Saturday in Miami. Dec. 5: Bowl lineup is finally solidified. Twenty days after accepting an Orange Bowl invitation, the Huskers on Saturday night finally learned who their opponent would be. But their outside chance at a national championship didn't look any…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 4

12/4/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 4: All eyes on two games. It was another waiting day Friday on the eve of two games that could influence Nebraska's slim hopes for a national championship. Top-ranked Texas was expected to beat No. 4 Arkansas and wrap up a perfect regular season and a Cotton Bowl berth against No. 6 Notre Dame. But if the Razorbacks could…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 3

12/3/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 3: Two December games create a bowl mess. As imperfect as the modern-day bowl and playoff system might be, consider the situation 50 years ago. Louisiana State, Texas and Arkansas — all of them top-10 teams — each would need a win Saturday to guarantee a bowl berth. At least one of those teams — either LSU or the…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 2

12/2/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 2: Five Huskers on AP All-Big Eight team. Five Huskers earned first-team honors Wednesday as the Associated Press unveiled its All-Big Eight squad. The honorees: offensive tackle Bob Newton, defensive linemen Dave Walline and Ed Periard, linebacker Jerry Murtaugh and I-back Joe Orduna. Murtaugh was a unanimous pick. Ten other Huskers earned honorable mention. AP was not as generous…

1970 Day by Day: Dec. 1

12/1/20 | J. Hudson
Dec. 1: Huskers No. 3 in both polls. As the Huskers' three-week wait for an Orange Bowl opponent continued, good news arrived as expected Tuesday with Nebraska's No. 3 ranking in both major polls. Notre Dame's loss to Southern Cal knocked the Cotton Bowl-bound Irish to No. 6 in the AP and UPI rankings. That moved Nebraska up a notch…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 30

11/30/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 30: Third All-America honor for Newton. Nebraska's Bob Newton hauled in another top honor Monday as he was named to Look magazine's All-America team, selected by the Football Writers Association of America. It was the third All-America honor for the senior offensive tackle, named earlier to the Football News and Kodak squads. The Lincoln Journal's Don Forsythe, meanwhile, noted…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 29

11/29/20 | J. Hudson
Jerry Murtaugh (42) and Dave Walline (76) were among NU's four honorees on defense. Nov. 29: 8 Huskers voted All-Big Eight. The Omaha World-Herald unveiled its All-Big Eight team Sunday, and eight Huskers made the 22-man squad. No other school had more than four selections. The team was chosen via a poll of Big Eight coaches. Nebraska's Bob Newton was…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 28

11/28/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 28: An assist from the Trojans. Nebraska's longshot chances for a No. 1 finish got a boost Saturday as Southern California knocked Notre Dame from the unbeaten ranks in a 38-28 upset in Los Angeles. The Trojans led 38-14 before two Notre Dame touchdowns made the final score more respectable. A solid win by the Irish might have created…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 27

11/27/20 | J. Hudson
Coach Bob Devaney gets a ride after the Huskers' 28-21 win Saturday over Oklahoma. · The Lincoln Star · Newspapers.com Nov. 27: Devaney, Murtaugh snag top honors. Nebraska completed its near sweep of UPI postseason Big Eight honors Friday as Bob Devaney was named the conference's coach of the year and linebacker Jerry Murtaugh was voted player of the year.…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 26

11/26/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 26: Another honor for Harper. On Thanksgiving Day, Nebraska continued feasting on postseason honors as United Press International named defensive end Willie Harper the Big Eight's top sophomore lineman. Also receiving votes for the honor were flanker Johnny Rodgers (Lineman? Go figure) and center Doug Dumler. A day earlier, Harper was among more than a dozen Huskers earning first-…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 25

11/25/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 25: UPI names 7 Huskers All-Big Eight. Nebraska led the way with seven first-team selections Wednesday on the 22-member UPI All-Big Eight team. Linebacker Jerry Murtaugh and offensive tackle Bob Newton were the only unanimous selections in the voting by a 20-member media panel. Joining them on the first team were offensive guard Donnie McGhee, I-back Joe Orduna, defensive…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 24

11/24/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 24: Polls a mixed bag; Newton honored. Husker offensive lineman Bob Newton was named Tuesday to the Kodak All-America team, the second such honor in four days for the senior left tackle. Newton was the only Big Eight player on the 24-man squad, selected by the American Football Coaches Association. He had been named a Football News All-American on…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 23

11/23/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 23: Making the best of bowl situation. Coach Bob Devaney told fans Monday that LSU, Arkansas and Texas appeared to be the most likely opponents for the Huskers in the Orange Bowl. He had hoped for a pairing with Notre Dame but said LSU would provide "a great match" if it won its remaining two games. The Lincoln Journal's…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 22

11/22/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 22: Title hopes dimmed as Irish pick Cotton. There was disappointment — and still no bowl opponent — for the Huskers Sunday as Notre Dame turned down an Orange Bowl invitation in favor of a Cotton Bowl berth. The development left Nebraska without a likely path to playing for the national championship on Jan. 1. "I was hoping it…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 21

11/21/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 21: Huskers survive Sooner scare. After squandering two touchdown opportunities in the first quarter, unbeaten Nebraska got the hint that underdog Oklahoma wouldn't go away quietly. Sure enough, the outcome wasn’t decided until the final play, when Husker defensive back Jim Anderson picked off Jack Mildren’s heave aimed for Jon Harrison in the end zone. A nerve-wracking 28-21 victory…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 20

11/20/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 20: Stage set for Huskers vs. Sooners. On the day before Nebraska's regular-season finale against Oklahoma, Husker linebacker Jerry Murtaugh and offensive tackle Bob Newton were named to the Football News All-America team. The two were among 16 seniors about to make their final appearance at Memorial Stadium. The sophomore class, however, was also drawing attention in the newspapers'…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 19

11/19/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 19: Harper's replacement "a tough kid". With Willie Harper sidelined by injury, his replacement at defensive end received a vote of confidence Thursday from coach Bob Devaney. Devaney conceded that Harper's speed would be missed during Saturday's showdown with Oklahoma, but he called Doug Johnson "a tough kid, and he's not a bad football player either." Johnson, like Harper,…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 18

11/18/20 | J. Hudson
Doug Johnson, left, and Larry Jacobson pursue Kansas State's Lynn Dickey. Nov. 18: Kinney returns; Harper still hobbled. Jeff Kinney was back in pads Wednesday, but Willie Harper's status for Saturday's game against Oklahoma appeared doubtful. I-back Kinney's sore shoulder was improving, but Harper's hip pointer wasn't. Taking Harper's place with the No. 1 unit at defensive end was sophomore…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 17

11/17/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 17: Wishbone prep vexes Huskers. Coach Bob Devaney said Tuesday that preparing for Oklahoma's wishbone offense was "giving us some problems" because of unfamiliarity with the Sooners' new triple-option scheme. "We haven't played anyone who has used it," Devaney noted. The Sooners didn't seem to favor a particular ball carrier, he said, making the Blackshirts' task all the more…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 16

11/16/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 16: Kinney, Harper sore as Sooners loom. I-back Jeff Kinney and defensive end Willie Harper weren't in pads Monday as the Huskers began preparations for their regular-season finale against Oklahoma. Kinney's problem was a sore shoulder (technically an acromioclavicular strain), and Harper had a hip pointer. It was hoped they would be able to play Saturday. Coach Bob Devaney…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 15

11/15/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 15: Huskers accept Orange Bowl bid. Nebraska on Sunday became the first team to lock down a major bowl berth as the Huskers voted to accept the offer extended the previous evening by the Orange Bowl. The opponent was yet to be determined. Coach Bob Devaney said it was the Huskers' only offer, although more invitations might have been…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 14

11/14/20 | J. Hudson
Joe Blahak picked off Lynn Dickey three times. Nov. 14: Huskers skin ’Cats with 7 interceptions. Nebraska had the Big Eight’s top offense and Kansas State came to town with the best defense, but the Huskers quickly declawed the Wildcats and coasted to a 51-13 victory and clinched at least a tie for the league title. The Orange Bowl extended…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 13

11/13/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 13: Much at stake as Huskers face 'Cats. With a Big Eight title share at stake for both teams and much more on the line for the Huskers, anticipation was high for Nebraska's homecoming game against Kansas State. Win this one, and the Huskers could expect one or more top-tier bowl invitations Saturday evening — and a potential shot…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 12

11/12/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 12: Brownson practices with No. 1 offense. Quarterback Van Brownson worked with No. 1 offense Thursday after Jerry Tagge had done so Monday through Wednesday, but there was no official word on who would start against Kansas State. Coach Bob Devaney said the Huskers and Wildcats relied on similar defensive schemes. The results were similar, too: Kansas State was…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 11

11/11/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 11: Brownson passing again in practice. Quarterback Van Brownson was throwing again Wednesday as the Huskers practiced in cold, wet weather at Memorial Stadium. Coach Bob Devaney said Brownson "should be OK for Saturday" against Kansas State, barring another setback with his elbow problem. Whether the starter would be Brownson or Jerry Tagge had yet to be determined. The…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 10

11/10/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 10: Honor for Tagge; bulletin-board talk. Quarterback Jerry Tagge was named Big Eight back of the week Tuesday for his performance in the romp at Iowa State, his first start for the Huskers in four weeks. Van Brownson's ailing elbow was said to be improving, though he once again did no throwing during Tuesday's practice. Looking ahead to Saturday's…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 9

11/9/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 9: Knee injury ends Pabis' season. Coach Bob Devaney said Monday that No. 2 middle guard Bob Pabis would have knee surgery and miss the remainder of the season. The injury to Pabis, backup to Ed Periard, happened during Saturday's win at Iowa State. Quarterback Van Brownson wasn't throwing during Monday's practice due to his ailing elbow, and his…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 8

11/8/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 8: A Majors endorsement for Huskers. Iowa State coach Johnny Majors said Sunday that the Huskers were the No. 1 team in the country in his view after their 54-29 romp over his Cyclones. "Nebraska has all the potent weapons," he said. "I don't think Texas, Notre Dame or Ohio State could beat them. People have to prove to…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 7

11/7/20 | HuskerMax
Joe Orduna scored three touchdowns and became Nebraska's second-leading all-time career ground-gainer behind Bobby Reynolds. Nov. 7: Tagge engineers rout of Cyclones. Nebraska remained unbeaten by clobbering Iowa State, 54-29, before a record crowd of 36,000 in Ames. The Huskers led 12-0 at the quarter and 26-11 at halftime. A 21-point third quarter ensured the rout and gave the reserves…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 6

11/6/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 6: Huskers head to Ames with QB uncertainty. The 1970 Huskers were no strangers to uncertainty at quarterback, and Friday was no exception as the team made the bus trip to Iowa State. Van Brownson's ailing elbow meant Jerry Tagge might make his first start at QB since the Missouri game four weeks earlier. Fullback Dan Schneiss was reportedly…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 5

11/5/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 5: Brownson's status iffy for game at Ames. Van Brownson rested his sore throwing elbow during Thursday's practice, and coach Bob Devaney said the quarterback job would remain fluid up until game time Saturday at Iowa State. Jerry Tagge, the Huskers' starter in the first five games, was ready to go if Brownson could not play. The travel roster…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 4

11/4/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 4: Huskers get in work on natural turf. Drier weather allowed the Huskers to spend Wednesday afternoon on the grass practice fields. Coach Bob Devaney said that was important in preparation for the game on Iowa State’s natural turf. “The players get accustomed to making sharper cuts on the AstroTurf that you can’t make on natural grass,” Devaney said.…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 3

11/3/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 3: Brownson limited again by sore elbow. Quarterback Jerry Tagge practiced with the No. 1 offense Tuesday as Van Brownson was limited because of a sore throwing elbow. The injury occurred when a sideline tackle sent Brownson crashing into the opponents' bench during the Colorado game, Brownson's third consecutive start. Elbow soreness kept Brownson out of the Huskers' first…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 2

11/2/20 | J. Hudson
Jim Anderson breaks up a pass in Boulder. Nov. 2: No panic from Devaney on CU yardage. Colorado outgained Nebraska and rushed for nearly 300 yards, but coach Bob Devaney said Monday that the bottom line was that the Huskers won by double digits and held the Buffaloes to their lowest point total of the season. The Huskers began preparations…

1970 Day by Day: Nov. 1

11/1/20 | J. Hudson
Nov. 1: Huskers slip on stat charts. Run defense was sure to get extra scrutiny from the Nebraska staff after Colorado gashed the Blackshirts for 297 rushing yards in Boulder. Nebraska lost its league lead in rushing defense and total defense, but the Huskers remained atop the charts in total offense, scoring offense and scoring defense. Their 34.5-point scoring average…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 31

10/31/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 31: Huskers survive scare from Buffs. Nebraska struck early, fought off a Colorado comeback and socked home two late touchdowns to beat the Buffaloes, 29-13. Nebraska grabbed a 12-0 first-quarter lead on two long Van Brownson-to-Guy Ingles TD passes but had to settle for a 12-7 halftime margin. Paul Rogers’ 46-yard field goal made it 15-7 in the third…

1970 Day by Day: Oct 30

10/30/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 30: Ready to rumble with the Buffs. The erratic but talented Colorado Buffaloes were not being taken lightly in the newspapers' final pregame wrap-ups. The Buffs' upset of Penn State in September and their 1969 defeat of Big Eight co-champ Missouri were just two examples of Colorado bringing its "A" game against a highly ranked opponent. No. 4 Nebraska…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 29

10/29/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 29: Tagge injury called minor. Quarterback Jerry Tagge suffered what was described as a slight groin injury during Thursday's practice, but it wasn't enough to keep him off the 47-man travel roster for the Colorado game. Regardless of Tagge's status, Van Brownson was expected to make his third consecutive start at QB. Split end Woody Cox was on the…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 28

10/28/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 28: Huskers hit grass fields. The Huskers practiced on natural turf Wednesday, their first workout on grass in preparation for Saturday's game on the sod of Colorado's Folsom Field. Coach Bob Devaney said the 47-man travel roster would be three deep at quarterback, I-back and fullback, and two deep at all other positions. Devaney said the Huskers' kickoff coverage…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 27

10/27/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 27: Cox gets work at flanker. The Huskers practiced on artificial turf again Tuesday because of wet fields, but coach Bob Devaney hoped to conduct workouts on grass the rest of the week to prepare for the natural turf at Colorado's Folsom Field. Split end Woody Cox was getting work at flanker to give Johnny Rodgers some rest. Rodgers…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 26

10/26/20 | J. Hudson
Bob Newton, senior offensive tackle Oct. 26: “Not going to lose,” says Newton. Seniors Bob Newton and Jerry Murtaugh made it clear Monday that the Huskers expected to win out and hoped to have a shot at No. 1 come January. "We all know we're not going to lose," Newton said. "The way we're going now," said Murtaugh, "I think…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 25

10/25/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 25: Huskers tops in 5 of 8 categories. The Cornhuskers vaulted to the top of the Big Eight charts in rushing offense and scoring offense after the rout of Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys' second-half spree against Husker reserves knocked Nebraska from the No. 1 spot in total defense. Nebraska retained its league lead in three other major categories:…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 24

10/24/20 | J. Hudson
Nebraska defensive end John Adkins brings down flanker Dick Graham. The Cowboys managed just two first downs and 43 yards of offense in the first half. Oct. 24: Huskers annihilate ’Pokes. Piling up the most points by a Cornhusker team since 1922, Nebraska had a field day in swamping Oklahoma State, 65-31, on Saturday in Lincoln. The Huskers scored first,…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 23

10/23/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 23: Defensive battle? Maybe not this time. Scouts from at least four postseason bowls — Orange, Cotton, Sugar and Gator — had been granted press box credentials by Friday for the next day's game pitting Nebraska against Oklahoma State. Even with the Huskers favored by 21 points on Band Day in Lincoln, the newspapers' final pregame wrap-ups were peppered…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 22

10/22/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 22: Cowboys' tricky returns a concern. The Huskers spent part of Thursday's practice preparing for an unusual and deceptive kickoff return often used by Oklahoma State. The play had four Cowboys converging at a point where one of them would emerge with the ball. Nebraska coach Bob Devaney said he noticed on game film that the exchange of the…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 21

10/21/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 21: Huskers adjust aerial defense. Coach Bob Devaney said after Wednesday's practice that the Huskers would be forced to play more man-to-man coverage than usual to control Oklahoma State's potent passing game. Causing the tactical adjustment were the Cowboys' pro-style sets and the prolific OSU trio of Tony Pounds, Hermann Eben and Dick Graham. Eben and Graham had a…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 20

10/20/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 20: Periard returns; Huskers No. 4 in polls. Middle guard Ed Periard returned to practice Tuesday after a groin injury kept him out of Monday's session. Even though the Huskers were three-touchdown favorites against Oklahoma State, coach Bob Devaney cautioned that Nebraska's games against the Cowboys always seemed to be tough and close. With an extra week to prepare,…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 19

10/19/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 19: Van's the man for Big Eight honor. Quarterback Van Brownson was the unanimous pick Monday for Big Eight back of the week. Brownson made the most of his first start of the season by passing for two touchdowns and running for two more in Nebraska's come-from-behind win at Kansas. In reviewing the game, coach Bob Devaney liked how…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 18

10/18/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 18: Huskers lead in standings, stats. With the Kansas game in the rear-view mirror, Nebraska could begin focusing Sunday on facing the Big Eight's leading passer, Tony Pounds of Oklahoma State. The Huskers, though, were no slouches themselves in slinging the ball. Nebraska's 59.8 percent completion rate was easily tops in the conference, and the Huskers had already set…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 17

10/17/20 | J. Hudson
Van Brownson connects with Johnny Rodgers for a third-quarter touchdown. Oct. 17: Huskers brush off Kansas surge. After a sudden Kansas surge turned a 10-0 Nebraska lead into a 20-10 deficit, the Huskers reeled off 31 unanswered points to put away the Jayhawks, 41-20. A 96-yard kickoff return followed by a successful onside kick fueled the uprising by Kansas, which…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 16

10/16/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 16: Huskers, Jayhawks ready to tangle. With the Huskers favored over Kansas by three touchdowns, the only suspense in the newspapers' final game previews seemed to be who would start at quarterback for Nebraska. Nothing was official, but the consensus was that Van Brownson would get the nod in Lawrence after closing out the win over Missouri the previous…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 15

10/15/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 15: Quarterback choice could be a coin flip. Bob Devaney said Thursday that he remained undecided about who would start at quarterback Saturday against Kansas. "One minute I think I'll start one guy, and the next minute I think differently," he said of the decision between Jerry Tagge and Van Brownson. "Let's just say we'll be starting a righthander."…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 14

10/14/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 14: Blahak, Morock return to practice. A pair of Blackshirts, cornerback Joe Blahak and monster Dave Morock, returned to practice Wednesday as the Huskers continued preparations for their game at Kansas. Coach Bob Devaney wasn't happy about dealing with the Big Eight's 47-man limit on traveling squads, calling the limit "false economy." It helped matters that the Huskers' punter…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 13

10/13/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 13: Passing game gets extra attention. Three Huskers missed Tuesday's practice as Nebraska prepared for its trip to Lawrence to face Kansas. Monster back Dave Morock had a twisted knee, cornerback Joe Blahak was fighting the flu and linebacker Bruce Hauge was nursing a back injury. Coach Bob Devaney said the first and second units would be held out…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 12

10/12/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 12: Devaney guards against overconfidence. With Nebraska's defense drawing praise left and right, coach Bob Devaney was determined Monday not to let the Blackshirts' success go to their heads. "We don't want them to get too satisfied," Devaney said, "because you must improve in athletics. You don't just stand still." That didn't stop him from singling out linebacker Jerry…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 11

10/11/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 11: Surprising Kansas up next. The day after the win over Missouri, it was time Sunday to start thinking about Nebraska's next opponent, the better-than-expected Kansas Jayhawks. Picked to finish next to last in the conference by the Big Eight Skywriters, Kansas was surprising everyone with a 4-1 start that included an upset win over Kansas State, a preseason…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 10

10/10/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 10: Defense shines, Van steps in vs. Tigers. The Blackshirts came up big, allowing just a one-yard touchdown "drive," as Nebraska downed Missouri, 21-7, in a hard-hitting, turnover-filled game in Lincoln. Van Brownson took over at quarterback for the Huskers in the second half, and he led a 66-yard drive to break a 7-7 tie early in the fourth…

1970 Day by Day: Oct 9

10/9/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 9: Snow problem is no problem. The much-anticipated Nebraska-Missouri game was still a day away Friday, but already there was an MVP contender: Memorial Stadium's new artificial turf. Five inches of sopping snow walloped Lincoln, knocking out power throughout town as tree limbs came crashing down. But the Friday afternoon freshman game went off without a hitch (the Husker…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 8

10/8/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 8: New rug may give Huskers an edge. On a wet and chilly Thursday afternoon, the Cornhuskers did most of their work inside the Field House in preparation for Saturday's clash in Lincoln with Missouri. "I have an idea that they'll be ready to play," coach Bob Devaney said afterward. The Tigers, he noted, had "beaten us enough lately."…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 7

10/7/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 7: Huskers' flu bug clears up. The Huskers practiced in rainy weather Wednesday with all hands on deck. "Everyone seems to have snapped back" from the intestinal bug that hit several players Monday and Tuesday, coach Bob Devaney said. It was revealed that Doug Dumler dislocated two fingers in his right hand Tuesday, but that wasn't expected to keep…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 6

10/6/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 6: Ailing Tagge exits practice early. An intestinal ailment continued to make the rounds Tuesday as the Huskers prepared for Missouri. Quarterback Jerry Tagge left practice early after feeling ill. Three players — fullback Dan Schneiss, linebacker Pat Morell and safety Bill Kosch — were not at full speed after being sidelined by the bug Monday. Left guard Dick…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 5

10/5/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 5: Devaney wary of Tigers' defense. With fans primed for Missouri week, coach Bob Devaney hinted Monday that points wouldn't be easy to come by against the Tigers. Devaney noted at his weekly luncheon appearance that the previous year's Huskers rang up 42 points against Minnesota but managed just 7 the following week in Columbia. Missouri, he declared, had…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 4

10/4/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 4: Showdown with nemesis Mizzou is next. There was no practice Sunday for the Huskers, but players' and coaches' focus no doubt had turned to the showdown at the end of the week with Missouri, defending Big Eight co-champions with Nebraska. The Tigers were looking for their fourth consecutive win in the series, and they were sporting a 3-1…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 3

10/3/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 3: Huskers' fast start buries Gophers. Operating against a stiff wind, Nebraska racked up 21 points and 200-plus yards in the first quarter en route to a 35-10 victory Saturday at Minnesota. Johnny Rodgers got things going with a six-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter, but Ernie Cook's 45-yard TD jaunt pulled Minnesota even, 7-7, midway into…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 2

10/2/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 2: Gophers seen as no pushover. In their final pregame wrap-ups, the Nebraska newspapers set the stage for a tough battle between the Huskers and Minnesota despite the Gophers' status as 9½-point underdogs and Nebraska's recent mastery in the series. The Lincoln Journal noted that the Gophers had yet to be scored upon in the first half and said…

1970 Day by Day: Oct. 1

10/1/20 | J. Hudson
Oct. 1: Huskers look healthy for trip north. The game of musical chairs envisioned earlier in the week for Nebraska's offensive line was deemed unnecessary Thursday. Coach Bob Devaney said starting right guard Donnie McGhee appeared good to go for Saturday's game at Minnesota. The senior had been dealing with a shoulder problem. Health at quarterback had improved to the…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 30

9/30/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 30: Quarterbacks rounding into form. Coach Bob Devaney declared quarterbacks Jerry Tagge and Van Brownson to be almost completely healthy Wednesday, three days before Nebraska's clash with Minnesota. After weeks of elbow soreness, Brownson was throwing long passes again, but with some pain. Offensive guard Donnie McGhee remained questionable because of a sore shoulder. Devaney said Nebraska would test…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 29

9/29/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 29: Shuffle on O-line a possibility. Nebraska faced a possible shift of duties on the offensive line Tuesday as the Huskers prepared for their game at Minnesota. Starting right guard Donnie McGhee's status for Saturday was uncertain because of a sore shoulder. Keith Wortman, the starter at left guard, was preparing to slide over to McGhee's spot, in which…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 28

9/28/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 28: Girding for Gophers' ground game. The Huskers went through a 90-minute workout Monday and then viewed films of their next opponent, Minnesota. Nursing a knee injury, defensive end John Pitts was considered doubtful for Saturday. The Huskers otherwise appeared to be at full strength for their trip to Minneapolis. Nebraska was preparing for a heavy dose of the…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 27

9/27/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 27: Fans got their film fix on Sundays. With no organized practice going on, all was quiet on the Nebraska football front on the day after the win over Army. As usual, fans across the state could pore over the Sunday newspapers' game coverage and then tune in to the hourlong "Bob Devaney Show." The program each week would…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 26

9/26/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 26: Sputtering start no problem vs. Army. Despite a slow start on offense, Nebraska had little trouble Saturday putting away Army, 28-0. The heavily favored Huskers didn't score until less than five minutes remained in the first half. A 43-yard touchdown pass from Jerry Tagge to Johnny Rodgers broke the ice. Early in the third quarter, Joe Orduna added…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 25

9/25/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 25: Guarding against a letdown. With Nebraska going up against heavy underdog Army, there was little suspense to drum up in the newspapers' final previews. Army coach Tom Cahill was declaring it "rededication week" after the Cadets' upset loss to Baylor. The Cadets were going to need rededication and a whole lot more as they entered a brutal five-game…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 24

9/24/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 24: Cox gets the call at split end. Senior split end Guy Ingles practiced Thursday for the first time since the Southern Cal game, but his painful rib injury meant his status for Saturday's game against Army remained iffy. It was announced that Woody Cox would start in his place. Cox, a 5-foot-9 junior, transferred to Nebraska over the…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 23

9/23/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 23: Tooth trouble for Brownson. Wet weather forced the Huskers indoors for parts of Wednesday's practice, but the offense got in a good deal of work on Memorial Stadium's artificial surface once the rain subsided. There was hope that Guy Ingles might play Saturday against Army. For a third consecutive practice, the senior split end was sidelined by the…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 22

9/22/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 22: Fatigue factor fades as Army awaits. Nebraska's tie with Southern Cal brought individual honors Tuesday to Huskers on both sides of the ball. Linebacker Jerry Murtaugh (14 unassisted tackles, 11 assists) was named Big Eight lineman of the week, and I-back Joe Orduna (135 yards rushing) earned a spot in the four-man national backfield of the week chosen…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 21

9/21/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 21: Three starters not in pads. Quarterback Jerry Tagge, offensive guard Donnie McGhee and split end Guy Ingles were not in pads Monday as Nebraska began preparations for its game against Army. Coach Bob Devaney said the plan was to rest Tagge as much as possible during the coming week to let his thigh injury clear up. Ingles suffered…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 20

9/20/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 20: A welcome home for Huskers. A crowd of 1,000 cheered the Huskers as the team arrived Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Municipal Airport after the 21-21 tie with Southern Cal the night before. Few fans voiced disappointment with the deadlock in L.A., even if the players were in no mood to treat the result as a moral victory against…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 19

9/19/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 19: A tie with the touted Trojans. An 11-point underdog against third-ranked Southern Cal, Nebraska never trailed. The No. 9 Huskers might have won if not for a botched chip-shot field goal in the fourth quarter. Instead, a 21-21 tie was what they had to show for their toils Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Afterward, the Huskers…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 18

9/18/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 18: Sports scribes not on same page. On the day before the big game against Southern Cal, what exactly was Nebraska's quarterback situation? Take your pick: Business as usual, or completely unsettled. It depended on which newspaper's final preview you were reading. In Lincoln, both the Star and the Journal treated quarterback Jerry Tagge's leg problem as a non-issue.…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 17

9/17/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 17: Thursday night lights and QB questions. Quarterback Jerry Tagge missed a second consecutive practice as the Huskers went through their plays under the lights Thursday night on the grass turf of Seacrest Field. Van Brownson, recovering from a prolonged stretch of elbow soreness, was said to be on target with his throws during the closed session in east…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 16

9/16/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 16: Twists and turns at quarterback. There was good and bad news at quarterback as Nebraska practiced in the rain Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. Van Brownson, severely limited for two weeks by an ailing elbow, resumed throwing a day earlier than expected. Jerry Tagge, however, did not practice after suffering a burst blood vessel in his leg Tuesday night.…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 15

9/15/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 15: Roster moves made on defense. Three previously unsettled positions on defense firmed up Tuesday, with two sophomores and a junior tagged as probable starters for Saturday night's game at Southern Cal. Coach Bob Devaney announced the first-team assignments for sophomore right end Willie Harper, junior tackle Larry Jacobson and sophomore cornerback Joe Blahak. Left defensive end John Adkins…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 14

9/14/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 14: Too much surf on the natural turf. Nebraska's grass practice fields were soggy Monday from rain, so the Huskers practiced on Memorial Stadium's AstroTurf. It wasn't an ideal situation given that Saturday's big game at Southern Cal would be played on natural turf. USC's 485 yards rushing against Alabama had Nebraska's attention. "We'll have to wait and see…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 13

9/13/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 13: Trojans looking impressive. Southern California loomed as a formidable opponent for Nebraska long before the season began. Now, six days before the West Coast showdown, the Huskers' task appeared even tougher. On Saturday, USC got everyone's attention by whipping Alabama on the road by three touchdowns. On Sunday, there was concern the Huskers would have to rely on…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 12

9/12/20 | J. Hudson
Joe Orduna eludes Wake Forest’s Frank Fussell en route to a 20-yard touchdown. Sept. 12: Tagge delivers vs. Deacons. A week filled with worries about the Nebraska quarterbacks’ health seemed like a distant memory by the time the Huskers were finished with Wake Forest, 36-12, in Saturday’s season opener. Jerry Tagge hit 9 of 12 passes for 168 yards, including…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 11

9/11/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 11: A tall task for Deacons. One thing hasn’t changed in 50 years: Little or no news typically comes out of Friday in-season practices. With that in mind, this series on Fridays will consist mainly of final pregame wrap-ups that appeared in the Friday evening or Saturday morning newspapers. The North Carolina press oozed pessimism about Wake Forest’s chances…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 10

9/10/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 10: Starting lineups firmed up. Likely starters were named at all positions but one after Thursday’s light workout. To nobody's surprise, Jerry Tagge got the nod at quarterback even though he was running at only two-thirds speed by coach Bob Devaney's estimation. Van Brownson’s ailing right elbow finally showed some improvement, and Devaney said the junior signal-caller might suit…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 9

9/9/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 9: Huskers ease up as game nears. With Jerry Tagge appearing more and more certain to start at quarterback against Wake Forest, there was growing concern Wednesday about Van Brownson's ailing right elbow. “We’re not even sure what the problem is," coach Bob Devaney said, adding: “I’m concerned about it even beyond Saturday.” Devaney said Tagge’s sore leg was…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 8

9/8/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 8: Tagge’s status brightens QB picture. The quarterback situation remained worrisome after Tuesday’s practice, but there was hope that Jerry Tagge could answer the bell Saturday against Wake Forest. “We got a full day of practice from Tagge, but Van looks more doubtful than ever,” coach Bob Devaney said. A leg bruise continued to slow Tagge. As for Van…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 7

9/7/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 7: Quarterbacks still on the mend. With Nebraska’s top two quarterbacks dinged up, sophomore Bob Jones was running the No. 1 offense during Monday’s practice. Coach Bob Devaney held out hope that Van Brownson and Jerry Tagge would be ready to play in Saturday’s opener against Wake Forest. Brownson was nursing a sore elbow, as he had been for…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 6

9/6/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 6: Huskers 9th in preseason poll. The Huskers learned they would start the season with a No. 9 national ranking as the Associated Press released its preseason Top Twenty poll Sunday. Ohio State and Texas claimed the top two spots, just ahead of No. 3 Southern Cal, Nebraska’s second opponent. The other ranked teams on the Huskers’ schedule were…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 5

9/5/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 5: Scrimmage fails to satisfy Devaney. The heavy work of fall camp ended as the Huskers played a game-like scrimmage Saturday in front of about 2,000 fans. The Red team, with the top offensive and defensive units, dominated the Whites, 47-3. Coach Bob Devaney wasn’t impressed, however, saying consistency was lacking with a week to go before the opener…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 4

9/4/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 4: Here are the captains. Dan Schneiss and Jerry Murtaugh were announced as Nebraska’s co-captains for 1970 after Friday’s practice. Fullback Schneiss was the team’s second-leading rusher in 1969, a year that saw linebacker Murtaugh set the school record for tackles in a single season. The two seniors were elected by their teammates. “Both are outstanding players and will…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 3

9/3/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 3: Hurtin’ Huskers wrap up two-a-days. It was the last of the two-a-days Thursday, and a few more banged-up Huskers joined the list of those who might sit out Saturday’s scrimmage. Things were so thin at center that coach Bob Devaney called up Dan Anderson in Fremont and had him rejoin the squad. Anderson had not been invited to…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 2

9/2/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 2: Snakebit at the center position. The Huskers took another hit at center as sophomore Doug Jamail suffered a badly sprained ankle during scrimmaging Wednesday. Sophomore Doug Dumler now appeared to be a shoo-in to start in the Sept. 12 opener against Wake Forest. Dumler, who began fall camp at No. 3, took over the No. 1 spot after…

1970 Day by Day: Sept. 1

9/1/20 | J. Hudson
Sept. 1: Still looking for a pass rush. An ineffective pass rush continued to concern coach Bob Devaney after a pair of practices on a hot and humid Tuesday, 11 days before the season opener against Wake Forest. With three starters from last season gone, the defensive secondary can ill afford the extra burden of an opposing quarterback with ample…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 31

8/31/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 31: From the mouth of Murtaugh. Little if anything remarkable happened on the practice field Monday as the Cornhuskers resumed two-a-days. What occurred afterward, though, has become ingrained in the lore surrounding the 1970 season. More than two dozen sports journalists observed the Huskers’ afternoon practice as the Big Eight Skywriters tour hit Lincoln. When the workout was finished,…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 30

8/30/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 30: One week down, two to go. In a break from two-a-days, the Huskers held a single practice Sunday and installed the final batch of offensive plays for the Sept. 12 season opener against Wake Forest. Coaches weren’t finished evaluating the four reels of film from Saturday’s scrimmage, so any lineup changes were yet to be announced. One exception…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 29

8/29/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 29: Offense steps up in scrimmage. Six touchdowns were rung up as the offense ruled the first major scrimmage of fall camp, but coach Bob Devaney wasn't hitting the panic button with his inexperienced defense. The two juniors vying for the top quarterback job put up similarly solid numbers. Jerry Tagge, playing mainly with the first team, completed 11…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 28

8/28/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 28: Tuning up for major scrimmage. On the eve of the first major scrimmage of fall, Bob Devaney said offensive consistency wasn’t what it needed to be. “We’re certainly not ready to play a game, but it’s coming along,” the Huskers’ head coach remarked after two-a-days Friday, the fifth day of fall practice. The Omaha World-Herald had a more…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 27

8/27/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 27: Pads go on, and the hitting begins. The Huskers strapped on full gear Thursday for the first time of fall camp, and coach Bob Devaney was pleased to say afterward that “those defensive guys haven’t forgotten how to hit.” The No. 1 defense, returning just three starters from 1969, stymied the No. 1 offense for the first several…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 26

8/26/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 26: A second Husker in sick bay. One day after moving up to the No. 1 spot at flanker, Johnny Rodgers was sidelined by pain in his side. The sophomore from Omaha missed Wednesday afternoon’s practice, joining senior right guard Donnie McGhee on the sick list and undergoing tests at the Student Health Center. “The doctors aren’t sure what…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 25

8/25/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 25: Offense coming along. A sore elbow kept Van Brownson from throwing much, but Jerry Tagge’s passing was sharp Tuesday, the Huskers’ second day of fall practice. Coach Bob Devaney said the installation of the offense was going quickly, a byproduct of the NCAA’s three-year-old no-pads rule covering the first three days of fall practices. Much of Tuesday was…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 24

8/24/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 24: Huskers hit the ground running. Coaches sent the Huskers on a 12-minute run as 1970’s fall practices began with two no-pads sessions Monday. Linemen were expected to cover at least 1½ miles in that time; backs and ends, 1¾ to 2 miles. Those targets were met “almost without exception,” said coach Bob Devaney, who declared the team was…

1970 Day by Day: Aug. 23

8/23/20 | J. Hudson
Aug. 23: Players report for fall camp. Fifty years ago today, more than 80 Cornhusker players reported for fall camp and posed for photos on Memorial Stadium’s new AstroTurf. It was the official start of a 132-day march to something special: the Nebraska football program’s first national championship. But on this summer Sunday, no one could have known that. How…