He?! Of a Series
27 comments so far
November 12, 2007 by
A few months back, Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly detailed his idea of what a day from hell would be. In addition to some time spooning with Chris Berman for the Colorado alum, it included him writing up Nebraska’s greatest victories.
To spare Rick this assignment, I thought I’d go ahead and go to the trouble of presenting some of Nebraska’s great victories over his alma mater.
1898 Before most of our grandparents were born, Nebraska was already beating Colorado. Their first game was played in Boulder and NU won 23-10
1903 The first time this game was played in Lincoln, the Huskers prevailed by a 31-0 margin.
1954 This was the first time either team was ranked and was the first high stakes game between the two after a roughly forty year period in which the teams did not meet. Colorado was playing at home and ranked 11th nationally. The unranked Huskers came to Boulder and beat the Buffs by a 20-6 margin on their way to a berth in the Orange Bowl.
1969 Once again an unranked Husker team beats 18th ranked Colorado this time in Lincoln by a 20-7 margin.
1971 This marked the first contest between the schools where each team ranked in the top ten nationally. The top-rated Huskers easily dispatched with Colorado by a 31-7 margin.
1977 For the first time in eight seasons, the Buffaloes came in ranked above Nebraska, but the 18th ranked Huskers cruised by 7th-ranked Colorado 33-15.
1983 This game was notable because of its record-setting third quarter when Nebraska scored 48 unanswered points, the Huskers went on to win 69-19.
1988 This game marked the first time in eleven years the Buffaloes were ranked coming into their meeting with Nebraska, but the #7 Huskers beat #18 Colorado by a 7-0 score.
1992 This game ended a three-year unbeaten streak for Colorado against Nebraska, a feat the Buffs have yet to repeat. The Huskers stunned the Buffs with their 4-3 defense and freshman quarterback sensation Tommie Frazier 52-7.
1994 The Husker defense pitched a complete shutout on third and fourth downs and the Huskers climbed to #1 in the polls after beating #3 Colorado.
1995 The Huskers spoiled Rick Neuheisel’s debut in the series by pasting the seventh ranked Buffs 44-21.
1996 This marked the last meeting where both teams ranked in the top five nationally. Fourth-ranked Nebraska edged out #5 Colorado 17-12 in Lincoln by taking a lead they would never relinquish on an interception return for a touchdown.
1998 #14 Nebraska kept their streak of consecutive nine-win seasons alive with a 16-14 win on Thanksgiving weekend. Once again, an interception return for a touchdown was the difference.
1999 It appeared the third-ranked Huskers had lost after Colorado rallied with 24 unanswered points and lined up for a winning field goal attempt. But Nebraska was given new life in overtime where Eric Crouch scored the winning points for a 33-30 win.
2000 For the fifth straight season, Nebraska won by less than a touchdown, this time driving the length of the field in 47 seconds to kick a game-winning field goal, 34-32.
2005 After a 1-3 stretch against the Buffs, the Huskers “Restored the Order” in the Big 12 North with a convincing 30-3 win in Boulder. This game helped end Gary Barnett’s hopes of returning as coach at Colorado and re-established the Huskers as contenders in the Big 12 North. Seems longer ago than that, doesn't it?
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doombob Nov 12 07
The 1999 Nebraska - Colorado game was the best sports event I have ever been to in my whole life. It was one of the best days I've ever had.
darren Nov 12 07
Great post, Steve. It is fun to stroll down memory lane.
By the way, I suspect it won't be long before there are Buff fans over here running their yaps.
So, let's enjoy this unspoiled moment as long as we can.
OU7times Nov 12 07
How about Nebraska "near wins". #1. 1986 Oklahoma-Nebraska 20-17. OU's final drive included 4 facemask penalties on NU and a circus catch by Keith Jackson. #2. 1987 Oklahoma-Nebraska (game of the Century 2) 17-7. In both games the ending was in doubt, right up to the very end. Fans might remember 1987 OU-NU. It was the games where our dope dealing quarterback beat Nebraska's 2 loudmouth's Steve Taylor and Broderick Thomas. "We don't want to hear about OU's quarterback (Jamelle Holieway)and fullback (Lydell Carr) being injured as a reason for losing the game" pre-game quote.
saunders45 Nov 12 07
How about this has nothing to do with Oklahomo...
darren Nov 12 07
Saunder45 - welcome to BRN. Thanks for coming by. Couple of things to know if you want to keep posting here.
1 - Please don't call names. there are commenting guidelines below, if you care to take a look.
2 - That's just how OU7 rolls. I know the original post has nothing to do with OU. So does he. He started coming around BRN during the Big 12 title game last year. And, he's been a solid - though OU-centric - commentor on things, with a couple hundered comments or so. He's harmless, even helpful, and we welcome his thoughts here. Please give it a chance.
WOW Nov 12 07
Yeah Saunders45,
Only members of the 'elite' round these parts can call names.
"- Punt (Yeah...3-and-out. Get your punt team out "Fatgino!")"
Sound familiar Darren???
But never mind cause that's just how Darren rolls.
JR
ze bop Nov 12 07
One of my favs was when Frankie and crew whooped up on Northwestern back in the Alamo Bowl('99?).
NW was talking all kinda smack that year and prior to the game.
Big Red played great!
ze bop Nov 12 07
saunders45 Nov 12 07
"How about this has nothing to do with Oklahomo..."
I think that's a pretty funny remark, actually, but...
OU7 is cool.
I think he has a good perpsective on and healthy respect for NE and OU.
Besides, Sooners are my default team this year, though I might pull for the Mighty Manginos in the CC if they get that far and play OU.
How about some of the times we beat
Switzer: '78 comes to mind, with hellacious hits from the Blackshirts all day breaking Sooner will.
I was in the NE marching band that year and, unfortunately, had to revisit that matchup in the Orange Bowl since we blew it against Miz-Zoo. Ugh!
ze bop Nov 12 07
p.s., I doubt Puff Fan will be running his mouth over here this week since, uh, they tanked vs the 'Clones and Big Red made a taxodermy project out of the Cats.
They're shaking in their shoes, no doubt, and I gotta say that's a good feeling for Husker Fan!
OU7times Nov 12 07
BRN, I should say that I probably shouldn't have commented about the OU-NU games because they were not pertinent to Steve's story. Fair enough? But those were excellent games as far as excitement.
scott Nov 12 07
i liked the 69-7 drubbing NU gave OU a while back.....that was fun....ok, so maybe it was one-sided fun
ze bop Nov 12 07
That OU game, I was there, wasn't that interesting to me since it wasn't really 'Oklahoma' just as this year has not really been 'Nebraska'.
OU7times Nov 12 07
Scott, that 69-7 game must have been a product of a Gary Gibbs or a John Blake. Both "household" names and I think both are in the Hall of Fame...for shoe salesmen.
OU7times Nov 12 07
Crap! Now i've pissed off shoe salesmen all over the world.
darren Nov 12 07
To WOW (JR) - yes, I said "fatgino" in a post. That was for affect. Re-read the post if you want. The point was to capture my (or, most fans)pretty typical reactions to the KU scores.
THAT has almost nothing to do with what I was saying to Saunders45.
OU7 times may have "thread jacked" that discussion to something about OU. But, no reason to drop a "homo" on there. Uncalled for, and not even close to the same thing.
Sorry if you don't agree. And it's not an elite thing. I just think OU7 has some pretty valid points sometimes. He's earned my defense.
And, I was polite in welcoming Saunders45. I hope he/she has more to offer than just that.
WOW Nov 13 07
Darren,
To say that using an obvious jab at Coach Mangino's weight "was for affect" is stating the obvious and there is no reason to re-read the post.
Now to attempt to differentiate a 'fat joke' and a 'homo slight' is laughable.
I am pretty sure that Saunders45 used his words 'for affect' too.
Yes I agree, your comment likely 'captured' many fans reaction to the KU series/scores.
Now how does capturing that which is patently offensive and unsportsmanlike justify it?
Hell I'd be willing to bet that Saunders45's comment 'captured' at least as many typical reactions as yours did.
Does that make his okay too?
Nope.
Oh, wait a minute. You may be right. One is against a person and one is against an entire program......They are indeed different, my mistake.
JR
darren Nov 13 07
WOW (JR) - Seriously?
If this is your big "catch" on me...then fine. I called names, too. You win. Feel better now?
Scott Nov 13 07
OU7times,
For what it's worth...Gary Gibbs is the DC for the New Orleans Saints and John Blake is Associate Head Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, and Defensive Line Coach for the UNC Tar Heels.
I was at that game as well and I agree with you....the blowouts are no fun. I miss the down to the wire OU-NU games that happened every year. No offense to Colorado or their fans but it's not the same playing the buffs.
Actually, I could care less if I offend the Buff fans.
saunders45 Nov 13 07
I've actually commented a couple of times, and read daily. But I digress. I probably should have used the ;) wink to take the edge off of the post. No "real" harm meant, just internet smack...
OU7times Nov 13 07
Scott, Yea, I know but I was just having fun at their expense. But it would be fun to think of them working at J.C. Penney's shoe dept.
darren Nov 13 07
No worries, Saunders45. Sorry if I came off as "harsh".
ze bop Nov 13 07
What about MY feelings here--I'm HURTING and I don't think you guys are doing an EXCELLENT JOB in all areas of the proposed topic.
Lighten up, already. I didn't get to fully enjoy the KU aftermath because of all the Calli hate, and now I'm having REAL trouble enjoying a stroll down memory lane...
Get over yourselves.
Anyway, I think OU7 was mainly trying to point out how compelling those OU/NE games were, though he could have included some of the NE victories, though few they were.
GAME OF THE CENTURY #1--Big Red rules, Johnny the Jet, Jeff Kinney, Jerry Tagge--woohooo!
OU7times Nov 13 07
Ze, don't forget the famous "clip" non call on the Game of the Century 1. Heh, heh.
ze bop Nov 13 07
Alleged clip. Happens everyday.
Anyway, how 'bout this week's coach of the week nominees:
Mike Leach--the TX Conspriracy
Glenn of WHY-oming: The single digit salute.
Weis: his players are slow learners.
ze bop Nov 13 07
'01,Stunz to Crouch--game over!
OU7times Nov 13 07
I was in Bahrain at Sheikeza (sp?) with about 200 other troops, in a giant quonset hut, when they showed the '01 OU-NU game. You know, things were bad enough...I didn't need Stuntz to Crouch. Thanks for reminding me, Ze Bop.
ze bop Nov 14 07
Well, at least you got outta Iraq/Afghanistan/Africa--wherever 'Sheikeza' is.
I'm not a fan of deserts or jungles....