Romp over Sooners clinches share of Big 8 title
Nebraska climaxed what most observers called Coach Bob Devaney’s finest season by thrashing the Oklahoma Sooners, 44-14, and clinching a tie with Missouri for the Big 8 championship.
As in the past, the Huskers had to come from behind. The Sooners jumped to a 7-0 lead right off the bat, thanks to a wind-blown punt that wound up on the NU 18. But the Scarlets fought back to tie 7-7 on a 96-yard drive, then went up 14-7 at the quarter-with the help of a pass interception-and won going away for a sparkling 8-2 season.
It was a banner day as the Sun Bowl-bound Cornhuskers whacked the Sooners for the first time at Norman under Coach Devaney. Laurels were split between the offense and the defense. With Jeff Kinney scoring three TDs and passing for a fourth while running for 127 yards, the offense put the Sooners in shock.
And the defense stopped All America and Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens with only 71 yards and no TDs-first time in 17 games-to chalk up another superb performance.
The Huskers led 17-7 at halftime, upped the count to 30-7, at the three-quarter mark and turned the game over to the reserves.
It was a high moment for the Huskers and Coach Devaney and his staff- a return to the Big Eight throne room after a two-year absence.
Recap source: 1970 media guide
Jeff Kinney plows ahead for a Nebraska first down. · The Daily Oklahoman · Newspapers.com