No contest: Showdown dominated by Sooners
The highly anticipated Nebraska-Oklahoma “Game of the Century II” turned out to be a one-sided affair that failed to live up to the buildup — and the Huskers failed to back up their unusually brash predictions of victory.
Nebraska was a four-point favorite and had moved ahead of Oklahoma into the No. 1 spot in the polls during the week of the game. The 900-plus media credentials issued for the contest set a Memorial Stadium record.
The Huskers jumped to a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when Keith Jones’ 25-yard run capped an 84-yard drive, but after that the game was virtually all Oklahoma. The Sooners claimed their fourth consecutive Big Eight title and retook the No. 1 ranking with a 17-7 win that was considerably more decisive on the field than it was on the scoreboard.
Some of the sobering numbers for Nebraska:
- Nebraska’s offense was held to 235 yards, less than half its nation-leading 524-yard average.
- After Jones’ touchdown, the Huskers didn’t get another first down until 5:40 remained in the third quarter — a span of 25:48.
- Even with half of its regular backfield sidelined by injuries, OU shredded the Blackshirts for 419 rushing yards as three Sooners topped the century mark. Only twice in 14 possessions did Oklahoma not enter Nebraska territory.
LeRoy Etienne had 13 unassisted tackles and a fumble recovery for the Huskers. | Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics