1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Liberty Bowl Champions
Liberty Bowl vs. #14 North Carolina, W 21-17
Conference Big Eight Conference
Ranking
Coaches #10
AP #12
1977 record 9–3 (5–2 Big 8)
Head coach Tom Osborne (5th year)
Offensive coordinator Tom Osborne (9th year)
Offensive scheme I formation
Defensive coordinator Lance Van Zandt (1st year)
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
1977 Big 8 football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#7 Oklahoma $ 7 0 0     10 2 0
Iowa State 5 2 0     8 4 0
#12 Nebraska 5 2 0     9 3 0
Colorado 3 3 1     7 3 1
Missouri 3 4 0     4 7 0
Kansas 2 4 1     4 6 1
Oklahoma State 2 5 0     4 7 0
Kansas State 0 7 0     2 9 0
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1977 college football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Schedule

[1]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 10 Washington State* #15 Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska L 10-19   75,922
September 17 #4 Alabama* Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska ABC W 31-24   75,899
September 24 Baylor* #14 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 31-10   76,231
October 1 Indiana* #11 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 31-13   76,034
October 8 at Kansas State #9 KSU StadiumManhattan, Kansas W 26-9   41,100
October 15 Iowa State #9 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska L 21-24   76,090
October 22 #7 Coloradodagger #18 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 33-15   76,486
October 29 at Oklahoma State #12 Lewis FieldStillwater, Oklahoma ABC W 31-14   49,100
November 5 at Missouri #11 Faurot FieldColumbia, Missouri W 21-10   67,000
November 12 Kansas #12 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 52-7   76,392
November 25 at #3 Oklahoma #11 Oklahoma Memorial StadiumNorman, Oklahoma ABC L 7-38   71,184
December 19 vs. #14 North Carolina* #12 Liberty Bowl Memorial StadiumMemphis, Tennessee (Liberty Bowl) ABC W 21-17   49,456
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Roster

[2][3]

Anderson, Rene #2 (Sr.) DB
Andrews, George #96 (Jr.) DE
Anthony, Monte #49 (Sr.) IB
Barnett, Bill #97 (So.) DT
Berns, Richard #35 (Jr.) IB
Bishop, Keith #53 (Jr.) C
Bloom, Jeff #50 (So.) C
Brown, Kenny #22 (Jr.) WB
Bruce, Mike #76 (So.) OT
Bryant, Bill #95 (Jr.) DT
Burns, Ed #17 (Sr.) QB
Carpenter, Jeff #37 (Sr.) LB
Cass, Dan #8 (So.) DB
Clark, Kelvin #73 (Jr.) OT
Cole, Lawrence #81 (So.) DE
Cooley, Lawrence #67 (Jr.) OG
Cotton, Barney #54 (Jr.) C
Craig, Curtis #33 (Sr.) WB
Davis, Tom #52 (Sr.) C
Dixon, Rod #5 (Jr.) PK
Donnell, Dodie #45 (Sr.) FB
Dufresne, Mark #88 (Sr.) TE
Dunning, Bruce #40 (So.) LB
England, Gary #91 (So.) DT
Everett, Earl #9 (Sr.) WB
Fischer, Tim #16 (Jr.) DB
Franklin, Andra (So.) FB
Frei, Steve #27 (So.) DB
Garcia, Randy #18 (Sr.) QB
Gast, Reg #82 (Sr.) DE
Gemar, Scott #1 (So.) PK
Glenn, Steve #71 (Jr.) OT

 

Goodspeed, Mark #72 (So.) OT
Hager, Tim #10 (So.) QB
Hansen, Jeff #48 (Jr.) DB
Harvey, Ted #31 (Sr.) DB
Havekost, John #69 (So.) OG
Hedrick, Brian #43 (So.) DT
Henson, Zac #79(Sr.) OGK
Hipp, I.M. #32 (So.) IB
Horn, Rod #55 (So.) DT
Ingram, John #19 (So.) DB
Jorgensen, Greg #63 (Sr.) OG
Keith, Percy #21 (So.) DB
Keuten, John #64 (So.) OG
Kunz, Lee #38 (Jr.) LB
Lee, Jeff #26 (Jr.) SE
Lee, Oudious #65 (So.) MG
Lehigh, Pat #6 (Jr.) DB
Lindquist, Steve #68 (Jr.) OG
Lockett, Frank #80 (Jr.) SE
Loken, Rocke #87 (Sr.) SE
Markus, Steve #56 (Sr.) LB
Matthies, Tom #77 (So.) OT
McCrady, Tim #24 (So.) WB
McQuitter, Greg #41 (Jr.) DB
Means, Andy #34 (So.) DB
Miller, Junior #89 (So.) TE
Moritz, Brett #70 (Sr.) OG
Nelson, Derrie #92 (So.) DE
O'Doherty, Dave #78 (So.) OT
Ohrt, Tom #74 (Jr.) OT
Payne, Dennis #13 (Jr.) DB
Pensick, Dan #93 (So.) DT
Pillen, Jim #29 (Jr.) DB

 

Poeschl, Randy #75 (Jr.) DT
Powers, Dana #28 (So.) DB
Pullen, Jeff #66 (Sr.) MG
Quinn, Jeff #11 (So.) QB
Rick, Randy #90 (Sr.) DE
Roehrs, Kelvin #99 (Jr.) MG
Ruud, John #46 (So.) LB
Saalfeld, Kelly #57 (Jr.) C
Samuel, Tony #98 (Sr.) DE
Schleusener, Randy #61 (So.) OG
Selko, John #83 (Jr.) TE
Smith, Kent #23 (Sr.) DB
Smith, Tim #84 (So.) SE
Sorley, Tom #12 (Jr.) QB
Spaeth, Ken #86 (Sr.) TE
Steiner, Dan #58 (So.) OG
Steward, Keith #44 (Jr.) FB
Stewart, Byron #30 (Jr.) IB
Stroh, Mark #85 (So.) DE
Sukup, Dean #3 (So.) PK
Todd, Billy #14 (Jr.) PK
Valasek, Larry #4 (Sr.) DB
Vering, Tom #47 (Jr.) LB
Waldemore, Stan #62 (Sr.) OT
Walton, Darrell #7 (Jr.) DB
Washington, Mike #36 (So.) FB
Weinmaster, Kerry #51 (So.) MG
Wightman, Jim #59 (Sr.) LB
Wurth, Tim #25 (So.) IB
Young, Larry #94 (Jr.) DE
Young, Willie #39 (So.) LB

     

Coaching staff

Name Title First year
in this position
Years at Nebraska Alma Mater
Tom OsborneHead Coach
Offensive Coordinator
19731964-1997Hastings College
Lance Van ZandtDefensive Coordinator
Defensive Backs
19771977-1980Lamar
Cletus FischerOffensive Line 1960-1985Nebraska
John MeltonTight Ends
Wingbacks
19731962-1988Wyoming
Mike CorganRunning Backs19621962-1982Notre Dame
Boyd EpleyHead Strength Coach19691969-2003Nebraska
Jerry MooreWide Receivers19731973-1978Baylor
George DarlingtonDefensive Backs 1973-2002 Rutgers
Milt TenopirOffensive Line19741974-2002 Sterling
Guy InglesFreshman Head Coach 1976-1978Nebraska
Gene HueyReceivers19771977-1986Wyoming
Charlie McBrideDefensive Line19771977-1999Colorado

Game notes

Washington State

Washington State at #15 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Washington State 0 775 19
#15 Nebraska 0 703 10

Nebraska convincingly dominated Washington State on the field and statistically, but fumbled repeatedly, including three times inside the Cougar 10-yard line and once on a punt. Despite the miscues, Nebraska still held onto a 7-7 tie at halftime. As the game progressed and Washington State began to pull away, Nebraska kept piling up the statistics but failed to get any closer than 10-14 before the Cougars iced the game with a field goal and a safety in the 4th quarter. The numbers defied the scoreboard, as Nebraska led in first downs 24-14, on the ground 247-120 and in the air 223-174, but the number that mattered was 0-1 to start the season.

Alabama

#4 Alabama at Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
#4 Alabama 7 1007 24
Nebraska 10 777 31

Alabama came into Lincoln ranked #2 as Nebraska was still feeling the sting of the loss to Washington State and a rare absence from the polls. While the Crimson Tide slightly exceeded the Cornhuskers on offensive production, the 5-1 interception ratio and 25-17 first down edge each helped give Nebraska the edge to pull off the stunning upset.

Baylor

Baylor at #14 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Baylor 3 070 10
#14 Nebraska 10 1308 31

Baylor was behind 10-3 by the end of the 1st quarter, and their only other score was a 3rd-quarter touchdown made possible in part by a lost Nebraska fumble. It was the offensive production that told the story of the day, as Nebraska rolled up 414 yards compared to the 182 produced by Baylor.

Indiana

Indiana at #11 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Indiana 7 330 13
#11 Nebraska 10 7014 31

Nebraska IB I.M. Hipp, starting place of injured IB Rick Berns, set a new single game rushing record of 254 yards, besting the previous record of 211 set the previous year by Berns. Despite that performance, the game actually was in doubt entering the 4th quarter as the Hoosiers trailed 13-17, but the Cornhuskers added two more touchdowns soon after and came away with their 3rd consecutive 31-point score and win to close out the non-conference slate.

Kansas State

#9 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]
1 234Total
#9 Nebraska 0 1079 26
Kansas State 3 006 9

Two long touchdown runs by Nebraska IB I.M. Hipp created the gap between Kansas State and Nebraska, but the three interceptions suffered by the Wildcats also hurt any hopes that Kansas State may have had to put up a fight. Though Nebraska started out behind 0-3 in the 1st quarter, they scored the next touchdown and never looked back.

Iowa State

Iowa State at #9 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Iowa State 7 1430 24
#9 Nebraska 14 070 21

Nebraska struck first and still held the 14-7 lead by the end of the 1st quarter, but two more Iowa State scores before the half put the Cyclones ahead for the rest of the game. Both offenses ground to a halt in the 4th quarter as the Cornhuskers failed to overcome the 21-24 deficit and were handed their second loss of the season.

Colorado

#7 Colorado at #18 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
#7 Colorado 7 800 15
#18 Nebraska 3 13314 33

The season of upsets for and against Nebraska continued, as the #7 Colorado team arrived in Lincoln to be dealt its first loss of the season. One of the two Colorado scores came on a 98-yard kickoff return, but after the half it was all Nebraska as the Cornhuskers piled up 390 yards on the ground and 480 in total.

Oklahoma State

#12 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score]
1 234Total
#12 Nebraska 0 14143 31
Oklahoma State 7 007 14

Nebraska owned the edge in all facets, leading 74-63 through the air and 318-196 on the ground. Although the Cornhuskers didn't see the scoreboard until the 2nd quarter, they quickly took the lead with help from the Blackshirts, as the Cowboys soon found themselves too far behind to pose any further threat to Nebraska.

Missouri

#11 Nebraska at Missouri [box score]
1 234Total
#11 Nebraska 9 066 21
Missouri 0 1000 10

Once again the Blackshirts helped carry the day to make up for repeated turnovers, along with help from Nebraska PK Billy Todd, who created some breathing room by accounting for 9 of the 11 points that separated the Cornhuskers from the Tigers at the final whistle.

Kansas

Kansas at #12 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Kansas 0 007 7
#12 Nebraska 14 141014 52

Nebraska steamrolled Kansas in Lincoln to close out the home schedule, setting records all over in the process. Cornhusker PK Billy Todd set a new Nebraska record for field goals in a season with his 12th and tied a 55-yard longest Nebraska field goal record set in 1969, while the offense set a new single-game rushing record at 550 yards. The Jayhawks' only score came in the 4th quarter against reserves.

Oklahoma

#11 Nebraska at #3 Oklahoma [box score]
1 234Total
#11 Nebraska 0 700 7
#3 Oklahoma 0 21314 38

Both teams struggled to put points up to start out, but adjustments made by Oklahoma, with help from inopportune tunovers by Nebraska, led to a Sooner halftime lead of 21-7. The Cornhuskers never were able to get consistent production after that and never saw the scoreboard again as Oklahoma had little trouble padding their lead by an additional 17 points to secure their 6th straight win over Nebraska.

North Carolina

#12 Nebraska vs #14 North Carolina [box score]
1 234Total
#12 Nebraska 0 7014 21
#14 North Carolina 0 1430 17

Nebraska survived a scare when they came from behind, lagging North Carolina 7-17 at the start of the 4th quarter, to post two straight touchdowns for the lead and the win. Nebraska was the only team to score more than 14 against the Tar Heels all year, as North Carolina led the nation in scoring defense and had held opponents to an average of under 8 points per game. It was backup Nebraska QB Randy Garcia who provided the late spark for the Cornhuskers as he came off the bench and directed the two touchdown drives that put Nebraska ahead with just 3:16 left to play, putting away the game and closing the door on the Tar Heels' bid for an upset.

Rankings

Ranking Movement
Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Final
AP 15 NR 14 11 9 9 18 12 11 12 11 11 12 12
Coaches 10

Awards

[4]

Award Name(s)
All-America 1st team Tom Davis
All-America 2nd team Greg Jorgensen, I.M. Hipp
All-America honorable mention Ken Spaeth, Kelvin Clark, Lee Kunz, Ted Harvey
All-Big 8 1st team Tom Davis, Greg Jorgensen, I.M. Hipp, Jim Pillen
All-Big 8 2nd team Rick Berns, Kelvin Clark, Ted Harvey, Lee Kunz, Steve Lindquist, Ken Spaeth, Stan Waldemore
All-Big 8 honorable mention George Andrews, Tony Samuel, Tom Sorley

NFL and Pro Players

The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1977 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.[5]

Name Team
George Andrews Los Angeles Rams
Bill Barnett Miami Dolphins
Rick Berns Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ed Burns New Orleans Saints
Kelvin Clark Denver Broncos
Barney Cotton Cincinnati Bengals
Tom Davis Toronto Argonauts
Andra Franklin Miami Dolphins
Mark Goodspeed St. Louis Cardinals
Rod Horn Cincinnati Bengals
Lee Kunz Chicago Bears
Jeff Lee St. Louis Cardinals
Oudious Lee St. Louis Cardinals
Frank Lockett Boston Breakers
Junior Miller Atlanta Falcons
Brett Moritz Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derrie Nelson San Diego Chargers
Jeff Quinn Pittsburgh Steelers
Stan Waldemore New York Jets

References

  1. "Football - 1977 Schedule/Results". University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletics Department. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  2. Nebraska 1977 Roster
  3. "Nebraska 1977 Commitments". Archived from the original on 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  4. 1977 Husker Honors
  5. "All Time NFL Huskers". Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, December 23, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.