QB CLARIDGE FIRES REDS TO VICTORY IN SPRING GAME
Nebraska’s veteran-studded Red unit kayoed the Whites, 21-15, in the spring practice finale, top feature of All Sports Day.
The game was played at Lincoln’s Seacrest Field — Memorial Stadium had just received new sod — and some 5,500 fans braved damp weather to see an impressive nighttime contest.
Omaha World-Herald sports editor Wally Provost summed up the intra-squad battle this way: “The veterans looked better than ever and numerous rookies exhibited fine potential.”
Leading the veterans was All Big 8 quarterback Dennis Claridge. Denny hit all seven passes he tried for a total of 94 yards and one touchdown, a 22-yard flip to Larry Tomlinson for the clinching margin.
Top thrill of the night contest was Kent McCloughan’s 88-yard kickoff return TD. The Broken Bow swifty sprinted all the way after the Whites had gone ahead, 7-0, on Frank Solich’s 5-yard sweep in the first quarter. A freshman, Solich was the leading gainer with 56 yards.
The Reds settled the issue just before the half when frosh Dave LeSack intercepted a pass and ran 42 yards to the White 3. Another frosh, Ron Poggemeyer, scored on the next play and the Reds had a 21-7 margin.
Kindling Husker hopes for 1963 was the performance of the White unit, quarterbacked by Fred Duda, Chicago frosh. He skippered a third-quarter drive against the battle-tested first unit which resulted in Solich’s four-yard TD plunge.
SPRING GAME HISTORY
NU ROSTER
