Jeff Moran carries the ball as Tony Davis blocks Percy Eichelberger. At right is Mark Heydorff. · Omaha World-Herald · Newspapers.com
Offenses rule in spring finale of ’74 squad
With 21,003 fans basking in the sun and whooping it up in anticipation of September, the Cornhuskers concluded spring practice with a rousing offensive show.
Thanks to a wild fourth-quarter comeback, the Reds – featuring the top players – stormed from an apparent upset to a 41-40 victory. All the Reds had to do was score three touchdowns in the final quarter and stop a two-point White conversion attempt with 1:20 left.
As the record All Sports Day throng trooped out of the stadium, rehashing the brilliant quarterbacking of Dave Humm, the bruising fullback play of Tony Davis, the shades-of-Johnny Rodgers kick returning of Bobby Thomas and some overall very fine defensive play, Coach Osborne observed: “The offense might be a little sounder than it was at the end of spring a year ago, while defensively maybe we’re where we were a year ago. And if we come up with the right people, it could be a real good defense.”
The No. 1 Reds scored the first two times they had the ball, but the Whites got back in the game for a 20-20 halftime tie. Quarterbacks Terry Luck and Earl Everett both plunged for third-quarter TDs, giving the Whites a 34-20 lead and solid upset hopes going into the final period.
But the Reds stormed back with touchdowns from John O’Leary, Tony Davis and Ritch Bahe to go up 41-34. That didn’t end things, however. With 1:29 left in the game, the Whites’ Jerry Wied blocked a punt and tore 45 yards to score. But the Black Shirts smothered the two-point victory try, and the exciting football afternoon came to a close.
Recap source: 1975 media guide