Nebraska 31
Colorado 7

Oct. 30, 1971 • 12:50 p.m. Central
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE • ABC
1st 2nd 3rd 4th  T 
Colorado 0 7 0 0 7
Nebraska 7 17 7 0 31

1971 Nebraska-Colorado photo DMRJerry Tagge fakes to Maury Damkroger before completing a pass. · Des Moines Register · Newspapers.com

First Quarter
NU: Jeff Kinney 11 run (Rich Sanger kick) 2:01
Second Quarter
NU: Maury Damkroger 5 pass from Jerry Tagge (Sanger kick) 12:17 
CU: Cliff Branch 34 pass from Ken Johnson (J.B. Dean kick) 10:04
NU: Tagge 1 run (Sanger kick) 5:11
NU: Sanger 34 field goal, 0:00 
Third Quarter
NU: Kinney 3 run (Sanger kick) 2:15

                        CU        NU
First downs             11        20
Rushing, net        55-108    58-180
Passing, net            52       144
  Att.-Comp.-Int.    9-2-1   21-12-0
Total offense       64-160    79-324
Punts-Average       5-32.3    6-34.0
Fumbles lost             3         1
Yards penalized         50        45

RUSHING
CU: Davis 17-76; Tarver 8-36; Johnson 15-22; Matthews 2-4; Mendez 2-(-2); Brunson 1-(-3); Duenas 9-(-27)

NU: Kinney 27-81; Olds 6-39; Damkroger 5-35; Dixon 7-18; Rodgers 2-9; Tagge 10-6; Brownson 1-(-8)
 
PASSING
CU: Johnson 2-8-1, 52; Duenas 0-1-0, 0

NU: Tagge 10-17-0, 144; Brownson 2-4-0, 0

RECEIVING
CU: Branch 1-34; Mendez 1-18

NU: Rodgers 3-54; Kinney 2-43; List 2-10; Damkroger 2-4; F.Anderson 1-17; Cox 1-15; Longwell 1-1


ADDITIONAL STATS 


ATTENDANCE: 66,776

Coverage

Game recap

Huskers subdue Buffaloes with big first half

Faced with their first big challenge of the season, the No. 1 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers ripped Colorado, 31-7, before 67,766 rain-soaked fans and a national television audience of millions.

It was Nebraska’s 27th game without a defeat and the Huskers’ 18th consecutive victory, and it rushed NU’s Big 8 record to 4-0.

Nebraska, paced by the running of Jeff Kinney, the passing of Jerry Tagge, the kicking of Rich Sanger and its usual rock-ribbed defense, put the Buffs away with a 24-point first half.

So tough was the Husker defense that Colorado managed only 108 yards rushing, 52 yards passing and one broken-play touchdown.

Kinney got the Huskers rolling in the first quarter after John Adkins recovered a fumble at the CU 16. Kinney carried twice, the second time for a 11-yard TD.

Dave Mason’s interception set the stage for a 65-yard TD drive, with Tagge hitting Maury Damkroger with a five-yard scoring pass and a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. After CU pulled up 14-7, Tagge drove the Huskers 75 yards and scored from the one. Sanger’s 27-yard field goal made it 24-7 at halftime.

Nebraska capitalized on Cliff Branch’s fumbled punt in the third quarter, with Kinney capping the 25-yard march with his second TD. He led all rushers with 81 yards.

Recap source: 1971 media guide

KLIN/Bremser

1971 Nebraska-Colorado, Harper photoWillie Harper closes in on CU’s Charlie Davis. · Lincoln Star · Newspapers.com

HuskerMax notes

With the first of his three receptions, junior Johnny Rodgers broke the school record for career catches. … The Huskers had eight tackles for losses. Bob Terrio had 13 tackles and Rich Glover 12. … CU tailback Charlie Davis was the Buffs’ top offensive weapon, gaining 76 yards on 17 carries. … The Huskers tried an onside kick after their first touchdown, but the ball traveled only 3 yards. CU couldn’t capitalize on the excellent field position. …

The game came two weeks after Colorado lost to Oklahoma, 45-17. CU players’ thoughts on the much-anticipated NU-OU game:

  • Charlie Davis, RB: “Oklahoma will clean ’em out.”
  • Ken Johnson, QB: “I think Oklahoma will beat them. I wouldn’t admit that Nebraska has a better team than us.”
  • Bud Magrum, DL: “Nebraska is not as tough as Oklahoma. I was having a field day with that guard (before I got injured).”
  • Herb Orvis, DE: “Nebraska’s a great team. I think it’s gonna be a great game between them and Oklahoma. That’s about all I can say.”
  • Cliff Branch, SE: “I think Nebraska’s about the best defensive team in the country. … I figure they’re a better team.”
Neb. sources
Omaha World-Herald
Lincoln Journal & Star
Daily Nebraskan
More Sources
Sports Illustrated
New York Times
Des Moines Register
Daily Oklahoman
Associated Press
United Press International
Pregame & team info
1971 schedule
05/08 Reds 64, Whites 21
09/11 Oregon W 34-7
09/18 Minnesota W 35-7
09/25 Texas A&M W 34-7
10/02 Utah St. W 42-6
10/09 @ Missouri W 36-0
10/16 Kansas W 55-0
10/23 @ Oklahoma St. W 41-13
10/30 Colorado W 31-7
11/06 Iowa St. W 37-0
11/13 @ Kansas St. W 44-17
11/25 @ Oklahoma W 35-31
12/04 @ Hawaii W 45-3
01/01 Alabama W 38-6
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