Nebraska Cornhuskers football

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Nebraska Cornhuskers football
2021 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg
First season1890
Athletic directorTrev Alberts
Head coachScott Frost
4th season, 15–29 (.341)
StadiumMemorial Stadium at Tom Osborne Field
(capacity: 85,458[1]
record: 91,585[2])
Field surfaceFieldTurf
LocationLincoln, Nebraska
ConferenceBig Ten
DivisionWest
Past conferencesIndependent
WIUFA
Big Eight
Big 12
All-time record908–409–40 (.684)
Bowl record26–27 (.491)
Claimed national titles5 (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997)
Unclaimed national titles9
Conference titles46
Division titles10
RivalriesColorado (rivalry)
Iowa (rivalry)
Kansas (rivalry)
Kansas State (rivalry)
Miami (FL) (rivalry)
Minnesota (rivalry)
Oklahoma (rivalry)
Texas (rivalry)
Wisconsin (rivalry)
Heisman winnersJohnny Rodgers (1972)
Mike Rozier (1983)
Eric Crouch (2001)
Consensus All-Americans54[3]
Current uniform
B1G-Uniform-Nebraska-2020.png
ColorsScarlet and cream[4]
   
Fight song
Hail Varsity
MascotHerbie Husker
Lil' Red
Marching bandCornhusker Marching Band
OutfitterAdidas
Websitehuskers.com

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team competes as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, representing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the West Division of the Big Ten. Nebraska plays its home games at Memorial Stadium, where it has sold out every game since 1962.[5] The team is coached by Scott Frost.

Nebraska is among the most storied programs in college football history. Through 2019, the Cornhuskers rank seventh in all-time victories among FBS teams.[6] Nebraska claims 46 conference championships and five national championships (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, and 1997), and has won nine other national championships that the school does not claim.[7][8] NU's 1971 and 1995 title-winning teams are considered to be among the best in college football history.[9] Famous Cornhuskers include Heisman Trophy winners Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier, and Eric Crouch, who join 22 other Cornhuskers in the College Football Hall of Fame. Notable among these are players Bob Brown, Guy Chamberlin, Tommie Frazier, Rich Glover, Dave Rimington, and Will Shields, and coaches Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne.[10]

The program's first extended period of success came just after the turn of the century. Between 1900 and 1916, Nebraska had five undefeated seasons and completed a stretch of 34 consecutive games without a loss, still a program record.[11] Despite a span of 21 conference championships in 33 seasons, the Cornhuskers didn't experience major national success until Bob Devaney was hired in 1962. In eleven seasons as head coach, Devaney won two national championships, eight conference titles, and coached 22 All-Americans, but perhaps his most lasting achievement was the hiring of Tom Osborne as offensive coordinator in 1969.[12] Osborne was named Devaney's successor in 1973, and over the next 25 years established himself as one of the best coaches in college football history with his trademark I-form offense and revolutionary strength, conditioning, and nutrition programs.[13][14][15] Following Osborne's retirement in 1997, Nebraska cycled through four head coaches before hiring state native Scott Frost in 2017.[16]

History[]

Main article: History of Nebraska Cornhuskers football

Seasons[]

Main article: List of Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons

Conference affiliations[]

  • Independent (1890–91; 1898–1906; 1919–20)
  • Western Interstate University Football Association (1892–97)
  • Big Eight (1907–18; 1921–95)
    • Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1907–18; 1921–27)
    • Big Six (1928–47)
    • Big Seven (1948–59)
  • Big 12 (1996–2010)
  • Big Ten (2011–present)

[17]: 2 

Head coaches[]

Main article: List of Nebraska Cornhuskers head football coaches

Nebraska has had 34 head coaches in the program's history. Scott Frost has held the position since December 2, 2017.[17]: 207 

Six past Nebraska head coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: Eddie N. Robinson, Fielding H. Yost, Dana X. Bible, Biff Jones, Bob Devaney, and Tom Osborne. Osborne is the program's all-time leader in most major categories; his .836 career winning percentage is fourth-highest in major college football history.[18] Thirteen Nebraska coaches have won a conference championship at the school, and Devaney and Osborne combined to win five national titles.

Championships[]

National championships[]

Nebraska has won five consensus national championships from NCAA-designated major selectors.[19][20][21]: 113–114 

Year Coach Record Bowl Result Selector Final AP Final Coaches
1970 Bob Devaney 11–0–1 Orange W 17–12 vs. LSU AP No. 1 No. 3
1971 13–0 Orange W 38–6 vs. Alabama AP, Coaches No. 1 No. 1
1994 Tom Osborne 13–0 Orange W 24–17 vs. Miami (FL) AP, Coaches No. 1 No. 1
1995 12–0 Fiesta W 62–24 vs. Florida AP, Coaches No. 1 No. 1
1997 13–0 Orange W 42–17 vs. Tennessee Coaches No. 2 No. 1

Unclaimed national championships

Nebraska has been awarded nine other national championships from various polling organizations that the school does not claim.[8][22]

Year Coach Record Bowl Result
1915 Ewald O. Stiehm 8–0 – –
1921 Fred Dawson 7–1 – –
1980 Tom Osborne 10–2 Sun W 31–17 vs. Mississippi State
1981 9–3 Orange L 22–15 vs. Clemson
1982 12–1 Orange W 21–20 vs. LSU
1983 12–1 Orange L 31–30 vs. Miami (FL)
1984 10–2 Sugar W 28–10 vs. LSU
1993 11–1 Orange L 18–16 vs. Florida State
1999 Frank Solich 12–1 Fiesta W 31–21 vs. Tennessee

Conference championships[]

Nebraska has won 46 conference titles.[7]

Year Coach Overall Conf.
WIUFA (1892–1897)
1894† Frank Crawford 6–2 2–1
1895† Charles Thomas 6–3 2–1
1897 Eddie N. Robinson 5–1 3–0
MVIAA (1907–1927)
1907† W. C. Cole 8–2 1–0
1910 7–1 2–0
1911† Ewald O. Stiehm 5–1–2 2–0–1
1912† 7–1 2–0
1913† 8–0 3–0
1914 7–0–1 3–0
1915 8–0 4–0
1916 E. J. Stewart 6–2 3–1
1917 5–2 2–0
1921 Fred Dawson 7–1 3–0
1922 7–1 5–0
1923 4–2–2 3–0–2
Big Six Conference (1928–1947)
1928 Ernest Bearg 7–1–1 4–0
1929 Dana X. Bible 4–1–3 3–0–2
1931 8–2 5–0
1932 7–1–1 5–0
1933 8–1 5–0
1935 6–2–1 4–0–1
1936 7–2 5–0
1937 Biff Jones 6–1–2 3–0–2
1940 8–2 5–0
Big Eight Conference (1960–1995)
1963 Bob Devaney 10–1 7–0
1964 9–2 6–1
1965 10–1 7–0
1966 9–2 6–1
1969† 9–2 6–1
1970 11–0–1 7–0
1971 13–0 7–0
1972‡ 9–2–1 5–1–1
1975† Tom Osborne 10–2 6–1
1978† 9–3 6–1
1981 9–3 7–0
1982 12–1 7–0
1983 12–1 7–0
1984† 10–2 6–1
1988 11–2 7–0
1991† 9–2–1 6–0–1
1992 9–3 6–1
1993 11–1 7–0
1994 13–0 7–0
1995 12–0 7–0
Big 12 Conference (1996–2010)
1997 Tom Osborne 13–0 8–0
1999 Frank Solich 12–1 7–1

Division championships[]

Nebraska has won 10 division championships.

Year Coach Overall Conf. CCG result
Big 12 Conference (North Division) (1996–2010)
1996 Tom Osborne 11–2 8–0 L 37–27 vs. Texas
1997 13–0 8–0 W 54–15 vs. Texas A&M
1999 Frank Solich 12–1 7–1 W 22–6 vs. Texas
2000† 10–2 6–2 Lost tiebreaker to Kansas State
2001† 11–2 7–1 Lost tiebreaker to Colorado
2006 Bill Callahan 9–5 6–2 L 21–7 vs. Oklahoma
2008† Bo Pelini 9–4 5–3 Lost tiebreaker to Missouri
2009 10–4 6–2 L 13–12 vs. Texas
2010† 10–4 6–2 L 23–20 vs. Oklahoma
Big Ten Conference (Legends Division) (2011–2013)
2012 Bo Pelini 10–4 7–1 L 70–31 vs. Wisconsin

† Co-champions

‡ Claimed by both Nebraska [17]: 206  and Oklahoma[23] due to a dispute over Oklahoma's forfeiture of games

Bowl games[]

Main article: List of Nebraska Cornhuskers bowl games

Nebraska has played in 53 bowl games, including an NCAA-record 35 straight from 1969 to 2003, with a record of 26–27.[24][25]

Memorial Stadium[]

Nebraska vs. USC at Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2007
Main article: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln)

Memorial Stadium, known as The Sea of Red, has been home of the Cornhuskers since 1923 and is the location of an ongoing NCAA-record 382-game sellout streak. The sellout streak dates back to 1962, Bob Devaney's first season at Nebraska.[26][27] The stadium becomes the "third-largest city in Nebraska" on game days, as its capacity exceeds that of every Nebraska town except for Omaha and Lincoln.[28]

The stadium has undergone a series of expansion since 1923, bringing the official capacity to 85,458.[1] The largest crowd in Memorial Stadium history occurred on September 20, 2014, a Nebraska win over Miami with an announced attendance of 91,585.[2]

Three statues sit outside of the stadium. The oldest, unveiled in 1997, depicts six Nebraska defenders tackling a ball carrier.[29] Creator Fred Hoppe said, "the monument displays the sense of pride that Nebraskans have for their football team." In 2006, Hoppe created a statue of Tom Osborne with his arm around quarterback Brook Berringer, which is located outside the Osborne Athletic Complex.[30] On August 30, 2013, a bronze statue of Bob Devaney was unveiled at the main entrance of the newly remodeled east stadium. Sculptor Joe Putjenter also created the Tunnel Walk gates inside of the stadium.[31]

Before the construction of Memorial Stadium, Nebraska played its home games at Antelope Park and Nebraska Field.

Traditions[]

Tunnel Walk

Tunnel Walk

Since 1994, Nebraska's home games have opened with the "Tunnel Walk". Just before kickoff, Memorial Stadium plays "Sirius" as the Huskers take the field from the northwest tunnel. Immediately before the Tunnel Walk, the west side of Memorial Stadium yells "Husker" in unison, while the east side responds with "Power."[32]

Balloon release

At every home game since the 1930s,[33] fans have released red helium balloons when the Huskers score their first points. In 2012, a global helium shortage threatened the tradition, but the university allowed for a limited number of balloon releases throughout the season.[34] The tradition returned to normal the following year.

Walk-on program

Nebraska has a long-standing walk-on program, designed to attract student-athletes who did not receive scholarship offers. NU accepted its first walk-on in the early 1960s, and Tom Osborne began an official program in 1973 after the NCAA reduced the number of scholarships schools could offer.[35] The size and stature of the program means that Nebraska's rosters are often unusually large; NU had 141 players on its 1996 Fiesta Bowl team, while opponent Florida had only 94.[36] Osborne credited his walk-ons with providing flexibility to better scout future opponents.[37] Unlike some other schools, Nebraska's walk-ons have the same access to training facilities and academic counseling as those with scholarships. Nebraska has had six walk-ons become All-Americans and 29 play in the NFL.[38]

Uniform history[]

Balloon release

Helmets

Nebraska's first helmet was red with a single white stripe, later changed to plain white with a black number on the side. From 1967 to 1969, the helmet featured a red, offset "NU" on each side. In 1970, this was changed to the now-familiar single "N", although a few "NU" helmets remained as late as 1972. The change was necessitated due to a shortage of "U" stickers, and when the program claimed its first national championship, the single N remained.[39] The helmet design has remained essentially unchanged since, with the exception of a facemask switch from grey to red in 1982.

Jerseys

See also: Blackshirts (American football)

The Huskers wore full shoulder stripes in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but these were gradually phased out as mesh and tearaway jerseys became popular. From 1980 to 1983, Nebraska's jerseys featured only a block "N" on the sleeves. In 1984, stripes and TV numbers were permanently re-added, although both have decreased in size as jersey sleeves have shortened.[40] A patch was added to the left shoulder to commemorate the 100th season of Nebraska football in 1989; it remained the following season and was altered to read "Nebraska Football: A Winning Tradition."[41] Players' last names first appeared on jerseys for road games and bowl games in the late 1970s, but home jerseys remained nameless except for seniors playing their final home game. In 1990, last names were permanently affixed to all jerseys.[40]

Nebraska's defense has been referred to as the "Blackshirts" since the 1960s, a reference to the black jerseys worn by starting defensive players during practice. Depictions of the Blackshirts often include a skull and crossbones. The tradition originated when Bob Devaney had the defense use contrasting jerseys to offset the red worn by the offense in practice.[42]

Pants

The team traditionally wears white pants at home and red on the road, although there have been exceptions. Nebraska first donned red pants with red jerseys for its 1986 contest with Oklahoma; the combination was unofficially retired after a late Nebraska loss.[43] Nebraska wore all-white uniforms for the first in the 1991 Florida Citrus Bowl, a 45–21 loss to Georgia Tech. NU used the white-on-white combination for its first three road games in 1992, but lost two of them, including an upset loss to Iowa State. The "surrender suits", as they became known, were not seen again for over a decade.[44] In 2007, the white-on-white combination was worn for Bill Callahan's final game as head coach, an embarrassing loss to Colorado. Nebraska again donned all-white in 2014 to contrast Fresno State's all-red uniforms. NU won 55–19 and wore white pants in three more road games that season.[45]

From 1968 through 1994, Nebraska's pants had two stripes down each side. These were removed prior to the 1995 season, and the pants remained stripe-less until 2001. In 2002, Nebraska experimented with large side panels on its jersey and pants, and wore all-white in every road game. The changes were unpopular among fans, and Nebraska quickly reverted most changes, which included the permanent return of pant stripes.[40] When Scott Frost became head coach in 2018, pant stripes were again removed, as a tribute to the uniform style from Frost's playing career.[46]

Nebraska vs. Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2012

Alternate uniforms

Nebraska wore throwback uniforms for the first time in 2009, to honor Memorial Stadium's 300th consecutive sellout.[47] In 2012, Nebraska and Wisconsin played in the first "Adidas Unrivaled" game; Both schools' uniforms featured block letters instead of front numbers and proved to be hugely unpopular.[48] The following year, Nebraska wore black jerseys with white stencil font numbers against UCLA.[49] In 2014, Nebraska wore an all-red uniform featuring black metallic stripes on the jersey and pants, and used a similar design for all-black and all-white uniforms over the next two years.[50]

In 2017, Nebraska wore throwback uniforms to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the school's 1997 national championship team. Unlike previous years, this design was well received.[51] Nebraska again wore throwback uniforms in 2018 to honor the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.[52] Nebraska wore Blackshirt-themed alternate uniforms in 2019, which featured a black jersey and a Blackshirts logo on both sleeves.[53] Frost suggested this iteration may be a permanent design, to be worn after Nebraska's defense plays particularly well.[54]

Adidas has been Nebraska's official shoe and uniform sponsor since 1996. In 2017, the school and sponsor agreed to a record-setting 11-year, $128 million apparel deal.[55]

Rivalries[]

Trophy games[]

Colorado

Main article: Colorado–Nebraska football rivalry

The rivalry between Nebraska and Colorado, one-sided for much of its history, gained traction with Colorado's resurgence in the 1990s. The teams have met 71 times, with the series dating back to 1898, a 23–10 Nebraska win. The Cornhuskers lead the series 49–20–2. The rivalry began when Colorado joined the Big Eight in 1947; they played in the same conference as Nebraska until 2010. A bison head named Mr. Chip was presented to the winning team throughout the 1950s, but this exchange ended when Colorado misplaced the trophy in 1961.[56] The teams have not played annually since both programs exited the Big 12 in 2011, but future non-conference games are planned for 2023 and 2024.[57]

Iowa

Main article: Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry
Nebraska vs. Iowa at Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2011

The Heroes Trophy has been awarded to the winner of the Iowa–Nebraska game (also known as "The Heroes Game") since 2011. The teams have met 51 times, with the series dating back to 1891, a 22–0 Iowa win. The Cornhuskers lead the series 29–20–3. Iowa holds the trophy after defeating the Cornhuskers in 2021. The teams play annually and will meet next in 2022.[58]

Minnesota

Main article: Minnesota–Nebraska football rivalry

The $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy has been awarded to the winner of the Minnesota–Nebraska game since 2014. The teams have met 61 times, dating back to 1900, a 20–12 Minnesota win. The Golden Gophers lead the series 34–25–2. Minnesota holds the trophy after defeating the Cornhuskers in 2021. The teams play annually and will meet next on October 22nd, 2022.[59]

Missouri

Main article: Missouri–Nebraska football rivalry

The Victory Bell (also known as the Missouri–Nebraska Bell) has been awarded to the winner of the Missouri–Nebraska game since 1927. The teams have met 104 times, with the series dating back to 1892, a 1–0 NU win when Missouri forfeited to protest the presence of African-American George Flippin on Nebraska's roster.[60] The Cornhuskers lead the series 65–36–3. Nebraska holds the Victory Bell after defeating the Tigers in 2010. Since Nebraska's move to the Big Ten in 2011, the series has been dormant. No future games are scheduled.[61]

Wisconsin

Main article: Nebraska–Wisconsin football rivalry

The Freedom Trophy has been awarded to the winner of the Nebraska–Wisconsin game since 2014. The teams have met 15 times, with the series dating back to 1901, an 18–0 Wisconsin win. The Badgers lead the series 11–4. Wisconsin holds the Freedom Trophy after defeating the Cornhuskers in 2021. The teams play annually and will meet next in 2022.[62]

Other rivalries[]

Oklahoma

Main article: Nebraska–Oklahoma football rivalry

Nebraska and Oklahoma has long been considered one of the great college football rivalries. The teams have met 86 times, dating back to 1912, a 13–9 Nebraska win. The Sooners lead the series 46–38–3. Since Nebraska's move to the Big Ten in 2011, the series has been dormant. Future non-conference games are scheduled for 2022, 2029, and 2030. Notably, the 2021 game in Norman will mark the 50th anniversary of Nebraska's 35–31 victory over Oklahoma in the "Game of the Century".[63]

Nebraska dominated the series until 1942, going 16–3–3 in the first 22 meetings. The Sooners then won 16 consecutive games, the longest streak in the series. Nebraska's 1959 win both ended the Cornhuskers' drought against the Sooners and snapped Oklahoma's 74-game conference win streak. Nebraska won the "Game of the Century" in 1971, of which Dave Kindred of The Courier-Journal wrote, "They can quit playing now, they have played the perfect game." Oklahoma won every matchup from 1972 to 1977, a streak that ended in 1978, when Nebraska upset No. 1 Oklahoma; less than two months later, OU won a rematch in the Orange Bowl. Nebraska controlled the 1990s, including a 69–7 win in 1997, the largest margin of victory in series history. When the Big 12 was formed in 1996, the schools no longer played annually, ending a stretch of 68 consecutive years they had met. The teams met for the last time as conference opponents in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game, when Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 23–20.

The two programs combined to win 74 of 89 Big Eight championships, 41 by Nebraska and 33 by Oklahoma. The teams played 18 times when both were ranked in the AP Poll top ten, and nine times when both were in the top five.

Kansas

Main article: Kansas–Nebraska football rivalry

Nebraska and Kansas share a natural border rivalry and maintained the longest non-interrupted rivalry in college football history at 105 years. The teams have met 117 times, with the series dating back to 1892, a 12–0 Kansas win. The Cornhuskers lead the series 91–23–3, which includes 36 consecutive victories from 1969 to 2004. Since Nebraska's move to the Big Ten in 2011, the series has been dormant. No future games are scheduled.[64]

Kansas State

Main article: Kansas State–Nebraska football rivalry

Nebraska and Kansas State were conference rivals from 1913 to 2010. With only 135 miles separating the schools, they were the nearest cross-border rivals in the Big Eight and Big 12 conferences. The teams have met 95 times, with the series dating back to 1911, a 59–0 Nebraska win. Nebraska leads the series 78–15–2, which includes 29 consecutive victories from 1969 to 1997. Since Nebraska's move to the Big Ten in 2011, the series has been dormant. No future games are scheduled.[65]

The 1939 game was televised in Manhattan, Kansas, making it the second televised college football game. The 1992 contest was held in Tokyo as the Coca-Cola Classic.

Texas

Main article: Nebraska–Texas football rivalry

The Cornhuskers' rivalry with Texas is known more for tension between the two sides rather than number of games played. The teams have met 14 times, with the series dating back to 1933, a 26–0 Nebraska win. Texas leads the series 10–4. Since Nebraska's move to the Big Ten in 2011, the series has been dormant. No future games are scheduled.[66]

In the first-ever Big 12 Championship game, unranked Texas upset two-time defending national champion Nebraska. In the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game Nebraska's own upset bid was spoiled when an extra second added back onto the game clock allowed Texas to kick a game-winning field goal.

Miami (FL)

Main article: Miami–Nebraska football rivalry

Nebraska and Miami are two of the biggest "bowl rivals" in college football, matching up in many memorable bowl games over the years. The teams have met 12 times, with the series dating back to 1951, a 19–7 Miami win. The series is tied, 6–6. No future games are scheduled.[67]

The rivalry's most notable game is the 1984 Orange Bowl. Top-ranked Nebraska scored with seconds remaining to make the game 31–30, but NU head coach Tom Osborne opted to try for a two-point conversion instead of an extra point, even though a tie would have given Nebraska the national championship. Miami won the game and its first national title.[68]

Honors and awards[]

Tommie Frazier
Mike Rozier

Individual award finalists[]

Winners in bold.

Heisman Trophy

Chuck Bednarik Award

Dick Butkus Award

Walter Camp Award

  • Johnny Rodgers – 1972
  • Mike Rozier – 1983
  • Tommie Frazier – 1995
  • Eric Crouch – 2001
  • Ndamukong Suh – 2009

Ray Guy Award

  • Kyle Larson – 2003

Lott Trophy

Lombardi Award

Maxwell Award

  • Mike Rozier – 1983
  • Broderick Thomas – 1988
  • Tommie Frazier – 1995
  • Eric Crouch – 2001
  • Ndamukong Suh – 2009

Bronko Nagurski Trophy

  • Grant Wistrom – 1996, 1997
  • Jason Peter – 1997
  • Ndamukong Suh – 2009

Davey O'Brien Award

  • Turner Gill – 1983
  • Steve Taylor – 1987
  • Gerry Gdowski – 1989
  • Tommie Frazier – 1995
  • Eric Crouch – 2001

Outland Trophy

Dave Rimington Trophy

  • Dominic Raiola – 2000

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

  • Tommie Frazier – 1995
  • Scott Frost – 1997
  • Eric Crouch – 2001

Doak Walker Award

  • Calvin Jones – 1993
  • Ahman Green – 1997
  • Ameer Abdullah – 2014

William V. Campbell Trophy

  • Kyle Vanden Bosch – 2000

AP Player of the Year

College Football Hall of Fame[]

Guy Chamberlain
Bob Devaney
Tom Osborne

Nebraska has had 25 former coaches and players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[69]

Name Pos. Years at NU Inducted
Dana X. Bible Coach 1929–36 1951
Ed Weir T 1923–25 1951
Fielding H. Yost Coach 1898 1951
George Sauer FB 1931–33 1954
Biff Jones Coach 1937–41 1954
Eddie N. Robinson Coach 1896–97 1955
Guy Chamberlin E 1913–15 1962
Clarence Swanson E 1918–20 1973
Sam Francis FB 1934–36 1977
Bob Devaney Coach 1962–72 1981
Bobby Reynolds HB 1950–52 1984
Forrest Behm T 1938–40 1988
Wayne Meylan MG 1965–67 1991
Bob Brown OT 1961–63 1993
Rich Glover MG 1970–72 1995
Dave Rimington C 1979–82 1997
Tom Osborne Coach 1973–97 1999
Johnny Rodgers WB 1970–72 2000
Mike Rozier IB 1981–83 2006
Grant Wistrom DE 1994–97 2009
Will Shields G 1989–92 2011
Tommie Frazier QB 1992–95 2013
Trev Alberts LB 1990–93 2015
Aaron Taylor G 1994–97 2018
Eric Crouch QB 1998–2001 2020

Retired numbers and jerseys[]

Nebraska has retired the number of three players and the jersey of 17.[70]

No. Player Pos. Career
7 Eric Crouch QB 1998–2001
15 Tommie Frazier QB 1992–95
20 Johnny Rodgers† WB 1970–72
30 Mike Rozier IB 1981–83
34 Trev Alberts LB 1990–93
50 Dave Rimington C 1979–82
54 Dominic Raiola C 1998–2000
60 Tom Novak† C 1946–49
64 Bob Brown† OT 1961–63
67 Aaron Taylor G 1994–97
71 Dean Steinkuhler G 1980–83
72 Zach Wiegert OT 1991–93
75 Larry Jacobson DT 1969–71
Will Shields G 1989–92
79 Rich Glover MG 1970–72
93 Ndamukong Suh DT 2005–09
98 Grant Wistrom DE 1994–97

† Indicates retired number. Rodgers permitted his No. 20 to be worn by his son Terry, from 1986 to 1990. No. 20 was also worn by Marlon Lucky and Michael Booker

All-Americans[]

Main article: List of Nebraska Cornhuskers football All-Americans

Academic All-Americans[]

Main article: Nebraska Cornhuskers academic honors and awards

Nebraska leads the nation in Academic All-America selections, both in football and across all sports. Nebraska boasts 70 CoSIDA First-Team and 108 overall Academic All-America selections, both tops in the nation. The list includes 15 Huskers that have been named first team Academic All-Americans twice in their careers. The Huskers also lead the nation with a total of 330 Academic All-Americans across all sports.[71]

Nebraska has four players that have been selected as a First Team Academic All-American by entities other than CoSIDA: Don Fricke (1960), Pat Clare (1960), Jim Osberg (1965), and Tony Jeter (1965).

Cornhuskers in the NFL[]

See also: List of Nebraska Cornhuskers in the NFL Draft
Roy Helu
Ndamukong Suh
Prince Amukamara

Pro Football Hall of Fame[]

Five Nebraska players have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:[72]

Name Pos. Inducted
Link Lyman[73] OT 1964
Guy Chamberlin[74] E 1965
Bob Brown[75] OT 2004
Will Shields[76] G 2015
Mick Tingelhoff[77] C 2015

Cornhuskers in the NFL[]

There are 27 Huskers on NFL rosters as of November 30, 2021, along with six coaches.[78]

Players

  • Ameer Abdullah – RB, Carolina Panthers
  • Dicaprio Bootle - DB, Kansas City Chiefs (PS)
  • Rex Burkhead – RB, Houston Texans
  • Cethan Carter – TE, Miami Dolphins
  • Maliek Collins – DT, Houston Texans
  • Will Compton – LB, Las Vegas Raiders
  • Darrion Daniels – DT, San Francisco 49ers (PS)
  • Lavonte David – LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Carlos Davis – NT, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Khalil Davis – DE, Pittsburgh Steelers (PS)
  • Matt Farniok - OL - Dallas Cowboys
  • Nick Gates – G, New York Giants
  • Luke Gifford – LB, Dallas Cowboys
  • Randy Gregory – DE, Dallas Cowboys
  • Richie Incognito - OL - Las Vegas Raiders
  • Lamar Jackson – CB, New York Jets (PS)
  • Brenden Jaimes - OL - Los Angeles Chargers
  • Andy Janovich – FB, Cleveland Browns
  • Chris Jones - CB - Tennessee Titans
  • Joshua Kalu – CB, New York Giants
  • Sam Koch – P, Baltimore Ravens
  • Alex Lewis – OT, New York Jets
  • Brett Maher – K, New Orleans Saints
  • Stanley Morgan Jr. - WR - Cincinnati Bengals
  • Devine Ozigbo - RB - New England Patriots (PS)
  • De'Mornay Pierson-El - WR - Denver Broncos (PS)
  • Jack Stoll - TE - Philadelphia Eagles
  • Ndamukong Suh – DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Coaches

  • Daniel Bullocks – safeties, San Francisco 49ers
  • Doug Colman – asst. special teams, Cleveland Browns
  • Carlos Polk – asst. special teams, Dallas Cowboys
  • Tom Rathman – running backs, Indianapolis Colts
  • Zac Taylor – HC, Cincinnati Bengals

(PS) – Practice Squad

Future opponents[]

As a member of the Big Ten's West division, Nebraska faces Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin annually, with three other games against Big Ten East opponents and three games against non-conference opponents.[79]

Year Scheduled non-conference opponents[80][81][82][83] Conference non-division opponents[84]
2022 North Dakota, Georgia Southern, Oklahoma at Rutgers, Indiana, at Michigan
2023 at Colorado (rivalry), Northern Illinois, Louisiana Tech Michigan, Maryland, at Michigan State
2024 UTEP, Colorado Ohio State, at Penn State, at Michigan
2025 Akron,[85] at Cincinnati, Louisiana-Monroe Michigan, at Indiana, Rutgers
2026 Ohio, Tennessee, North Dakota TBA
2027 Northern Illinois, at Tennessee
2028 UTEP, South Dakota State, Arizona
2029 at Oklahoma
2030 South Dakota State, Oklahoma
2031 at Arizona
2032 TBA
2033
2034 Oklahoma State
2035 at Oklahoma State

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "2018 Nebraska Game Notes" (PDF). University of Nebraska. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Memorial Stadium Records". Huskers.com. January 25, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  3. ^ "Nebraska Football First-Team All-Americans". Huskers.com. April 12, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  4. ^ The Power of Color (PDF). Nebraska Athletics Brand Guide. July 1, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  5. ^ "Nebraska vs. Missouri 1962". HuskerMax.
  6. ^ http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2019/FBS.pdf
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