Husker Killers: Keith Jackson
12 comments so far
March 4, 2008 by
If Boston Red Sox fans will forever mutter Bucky “bleeping” Dent, Husker fans may do the same about Keith “bleeping” Jackson.
In 1985, the Huskers were ranked second as they headed to Norman to face the fifth-ranked Jackson’s Sooners. The all-conference tight end had an 88 yard touchdown run to open the scoring for Oklahoma and had two more carries for another 48 yards and a reception for 38 more in the 27-7 OU victory. The 88-yard run was second only to Gale Sayers as the longest by a Husker opponent. The Sooners would go on to win the national championship that season, but the Huskers would have to see Jackson on two more occasions.
In 1986, the Huskers were ranked fifth as they hosted the third-ranked Sooners. While offense was hard to come by, the Huskers managed to lead 17-7 with eleven minutes remaining. After a 22-yard field goal made it 17-10, the Sooners drove 94 yards in 11 plays in only 1:26 seconds to tie the score on a 17-yard pass to Keith Jackson with just 1:22 remaining on the clock. The Huskers were forced to punt and then Keith “expletive” Johnson hauled in a 41-yard pass on third down with just 9 seconds remaining to set up the winning 31-yard field goal for the Sooners.
While Jackson was not a major factor in the “Game of the Century II” a year later, he did keep a drive alive with a 21-yard pass reception, which was one of only two passes the Sooners completed that day (the other went for four yards). Jackson earned all conference honors for the third straight year that season. He would go on to play nine years in the NFL and was named All-Pro five times.
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Dwayne Mar 04 08
Steve,
How many former players make up your list? Just curious. By the look of it at this point, the 80's are going to carry some weight of that list, and rightfully so.
OU7times Mar 04 08
1985 OU-NU was my first OU game. I remember it well and it should have been a shutout. Only a 76 yard fumble return by Spachman changed that. Jackson was fabulous and just one of many that made a difference in the '85-'86 games. When Lashar made the field goal (1986)the crowd was mostly silent. I EVEN heard a few calls for Tom Osborne's job. Hard to believe, but true.
AustinHusker Mar 04 08
I am not sure how old you are but judging by the first two entries you must be about my age, I cant wait to see the next one.
The Penn St and OU loss were two of the hardest for me to take as a Husker. My guess is that a team from Florida might be on the list for tomorrow.
I sure would like to see another #5vs#2 match up next year. I dont care which one we are.
Good work even if the memories are tough ones.
cvldfg Mar 04 08
I love this web-site. Even though you guys sure know how to bring up some bad memories. I remember that game growing up in So Cal. I loved watching the NU-ou match-up every year the day after Thanksgiving. I still chose NU over all others when it came time for college.
Jason Mar 04 08
Thanks for the props guys. Better dig in though. We're going to be reliving a lot more bad memories over the next few days. :)
doombob Mar 04 08
I can't wait to see where Steve Petersen, Kevin Cosgrove, and Bill Callahan fall in this list.
Steve Mar 04 08
Dwayne,
We've got at least a half dozen more of these but they span four decades (and sadly, so do I).
LOL doombob...
James Moore Mar 04 08
I can't wait to see who else you guys come up with on this set of featured articles. Gotta show a clip (however painful it may be to watch) too.
cvldfg Mar 04 08
November 23rd 2001 @ cu: chris brown, enough said!
Donfl Mar 04 08
I suspect you will find more Husker killers in reviewing the NU OU games. That is what made this rivalry so incredible. As much as I hated OU, I had more respect for their program because they were the barrier we had to overcome every year. I would've loved to have had that rivalry continue in the B12!! By the way I think you will also come across some Sooner killers during that review. Go Huskers and Sooners.
OU7times Mar 04 08
BTW, good articleS, Steve.
James Moore Mar 04 08
cvldfg,
Chris Brown? No way. Too painful. Can't watch or read about that day. Personally I considered that the eqiuivalent of the 9/11 attacks for Nebraska football. BUT he would DEFINETLY be eligible for this series of articles. I tip my hat to you for that idea. He was a Husker killer for sure that day, and rather brutal at that. . .