1962 results (9-2) | ||
---|---|---|
South Dakota | W | 53-0 |
@ Michigan | W | 25-13 |
Iowa State | W | 36-22 |
N.C. State | W | 19-14 |
Kansas State | W | 26-6 |
@ Colorado | W | 31-6 |
Missouri | L | 16-7 |
@ Kansas | W | 40-16 |
Okla. State | W | 14-0 |
@ Oklahoma | L | 34-6 |
Miami | W | 36-34 |
How bad was it at Nebraska when Bob Devaney took over in 1962? During the previous 21 seasons, only one college team in America racked up more losses than the Cornhuskers. Nebraskas last winning season had come in 1954. In the five most recent years, a fourth of NUs games had been shutout losses and only four times had Nebraska scored more than 17 points.
But, oh, what a turnaround! Instantly, point production nearly tripled. Devaneys first team went 9-2, and Memorial Stadium became the place to be on autumn Saturdays. Soon, the Cornhuskers would contend for – and win – national championships.
This remarkable reversal was no mere flash in the pan. In the 50 seasons since Devaneys arrival, no team has won more games than the Huskers – and its not even close.
 The house that Bob built
What he inherited ... | ||
---|---|---|
1941-1961: Most losses | L | |
1 | Kansas St | 152 |
2 | Nebraska | 125 |
3 | Idaho | 117 |
4 | Columbia | 116 |
4 | Montana | 116 |
6 | N. Carolina St | 115 |
7 | Richmond | 114 |
8 | New Mexico St | 113 |
9 | Indiana | 111 |
9 | Brigham Young | 111 |
What he established ... | ||
---|---|---|
1962-2011: Most wins | W | |
1 | Nebraska | 480 |
2 | Oklahoma | 440 |
3 | Penn State | 437 |
4 | Texas | 427 |
5 | Ohio State | 425 |
6 | Alabama | 422 |
6 | Michigan | 422 |
8 | Southern Cal | 413 |
9 | Florida | 408 |
10 | Georgia | 400 |
10 | Tennessee | 400 |
HuskerMax celebrates the golden anniversary of coach Robert S. Devaneys arrival at Nebraska with a tip of the fedora to The Bobfather and a sprucing-up of the 1962 game pages, accessible at upper right.
We invite you to revisit that groundbreaking season and to raise a toast to the wry and fiery gent who came to Lincoln half a century ago – and changed everything.