Nebraska Football: The 25 Greatest Games in Cornhusker History

Nebraska football goes back to 1890, when the Men in Scarlet took the field against the Omaha YMCA, defeating them 10-0 and beginning the legend reported by the Omaha Bee as "a thrilling game of foot ball at the ball park."

In many ways, nothing has changed. Well, except how we spell football.

Lists are always a challenge, and inevitably there will be disagreements as to how I have ranked these games. Feel free to flame away in the comments sections. The selections of which games to include and which to discard are my responsibility alone, although the list is in chronological order to avoid at least some arguments.

And, it should be noted, not all of the games have Husker happy endings. Some of the losses in Nebraska history were either great games in their own right, or harbingers of times to come that affected the program for years.

So, let the list -- and the controversy -- commence!

(Photo from sportsillustrated.com)

Nov. 28, 2008: Nebraska 40, Colorado 31

With under two minutes to go, Colorado held an unlikely one-point lead over Nebraska. On fourth down, on to the field stepped an unheralded walk-on from Burke High to line up a 57-yard field goal.

Toe met leather, and the legend of the Skinny Assassin was born.

An Ndomukong Suh pick-six of Buffaloes QB Cody Hawkins padded the lead, but it was Henery's record-breaking kick that will live forever in Husker lore.

Nov. 03, 2007: Kansas 76, Nebraska 39

So why is this hiding of Nebraska one of the greatest games in the school's history? Because this game, more than any other, sealed the fate of then-head coach Bill Callahan. Newly-minted athletic director Tom Osborne was in Lawrence that fateful afternoon, and there can be little down that the Jayhawks' demolition of a Nebraska team that clearly had quit on their coach was the final straw in the back of the Steve Pederson-era camel. 

Nov. 26, 2004: Colorado 26, Nebraska 20

The hammer game. Colorado comes to Lincoln to face a 5-5 Nebraska team under first-year head coach Bill Callahan. The Buffaloes bring hammers with them, to "pound the final nail in the coffin" of Nebraska's cherished bowl streak. They're successful, knocking off NU 26-20. The game is a microcosm of the 2004 season, and gives Nebraska fans a sneak peek as to what awaits them in the Callahan years to come.

Nov. 23, 2001: Colorado 62, Nebraska 36

Black Friday. This day in Boulder marked the end of the Frank Solich era -- and, by extension, the end of the Tom Osborne era on the sideline -- and began the descent of Nebraska football. This game was the reason Bo Pelini felt the need to announce Nebraska "being back, and here to stay" after the 2009 Holiday Bowl win over Arizona.

Even though NU's next game was for the national championship against Miami in the Rose Bowl, Nebraska is still trying to recover from the blow to its' collective psyche inflicted on Folsom Field that afternoon. Remember, Nebraska has not won a conference title since this game.

Oct. 28, 2001: Nebraska 20, Oklahoma 10

Black 41 Flash Reverse. Crouch to Collins to Stuntz to Crouch. Touchdown, Nebraska, and the signature play of the Frank Solich era as #1 Nebraska beats #2 Oklahoma in monumental fashion. Little did Nebraska fans know that, less than a month from that thrilling win, a different "black" would enter the Nebraska history pages when NU traveled to Boulder.

Sep. 20, 2001: Nebraska 48, Rice 3

It wasn't a great game, by any stretch of the imagination. But it was also nine days after the September 11 attack on the United States. Americans were terrified of more attacks to come. The NFL had suspended its' games, and Nebraska's game against Rice was one of the first major national sporting events to take place after the attacks. I attended that game, and I will admit to being more than a little scared thinking about the possibility of being a terrorist's target. But the game went on, and the tribute to the fallen in the Tunnel Walk (pictured above) and throughout the stands was truly moving. Thanks to the game, and to the bravery of the players and coaches on both sides of the field, life began to take tiny, tiny steps towards normal.

Sept. 09, 2000: Nebraska 27, Notre Dame 24 (OT)

Sure, the game was fantastic, with Nebraska taking advantage of a timid Bob Davie playing for overtime to win the game. But what made this contest memorable was the image of iconic Notre Dame Stadium stained red with the Nebraska fans that had overwhelmed the Notre Dame faithful. When Nebraska fans were able to replace the "D" with a "U" in Notre Dame's "We Are N D" chant, you knew this game was as much a testament to the Children of the Corn as it was to the players on the field.

Dec. 04, 1999: Nebraska 22, Texas 6

It's not like Nebraska has had much luck with Texas since the formation of the Big XII. But for one glorious afternoon, NU was able to take out their frustrations on the burnt orange brigade, avenging their previous loss to Texas in the title game that robbed NU of a chance at a four-peat.

This win was Nebraska's last win over Texas, and NU's last conference title.

Jan. 02, 1998: Nebraska 42, Tennessee 17

In Tom Osborne's final game as Nebraska head coach, the Huskers dominate the Peyton Manning-led Tennessee Volunteers and claim a share of the 1997 national championship. The swan song for Ahman Green and Scott Frost, amongst other Nebraska legends, the game was a fitting end for Osborne's coaching career.

Nov. 08, 1997: Nebraska 45, Missouri 38 (OT)

The Immaculate Deflection (which is SO much better of a nickname, in my opinion) not only was the signature play in a thrilling game. It also kept alive Nebraska's chance to claim its' fifth national title, and to send legendary head coach Tom Osborne off to retirement as a national champion. Without Matt Davison's little piece of magic in Columbia, none of those things are possible.

Jan. 02, 1996: Nebraska 62, Florida 36

This game culminated a decade of dominance, in which Nebraska won three national championships, played for a fourth, and was a fourth-down miracle away from playing for a fifth. Tommie Frazier's 75-yard touchdown run, in which he runs through basically the entire Florida secondary, was an apt metaphor for the 1995 Nebraska team as a whole -- the team, in my book, that was the greatest team in college football history.

Any Nebraska fan who hasn't had Florida coach Steve Spurrier's "Nebraska's just way better than us" quote after the Fiesta Bowl as a ringtone at some point seriously needs to have their Children of the Corn credentials examined. 

Jan. 01, 1995: Nebraska 24, Miami 17

It wasn't just that Nebraska had to exorcise the ghosts of championships past. It wasn't just that they were facing the mighty Miami Hurricanes. It was that Nebraska had to play Miami, IN Miami, to win Tom Osborne's first national title. And, even though NU had trailed for most of the game, two touchdown runs from fullback (how appropriate) Cory Schlesinger gave NU the lead which they would hold on to for NU's first title under Osborne. That win changed Nebraska from an also-ran to a national power, and effects NU's perception nationally to this day.

Oct. 15, 1994: Nebraska 17, Kansas State 6

The year before, Nebraska had lost the national championship in heartbreaking fashion to Florida State. NU set its' motto as "Unfinished Business" in an attempt to return to the title game. But with both starting QB Tommie Frazier and backup QB Brook Berringer out with injuries, it fell to third-stringer Matt Turman to keep NU's title hopes alive in Manhattan against a resurgent Kansas State squad. With some great defense, some grit, and a lot of hand-offs, Turman succeeded, and kept NU on track to finish their business in Miami.

(Photo from the KSU Collegian. Copyright 1994, Student Publications Inc. All rights reserved. 
This document may be distibuted electronically, provided it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of Student Publications Inc., Kansas State University.)

Jan. 01, 1994: Florida State 18, Nebraska 16

After years of agony at the foot of placekickers, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden finally got to be on the right side of the field watching a kicker's miss. After staying with heavily-favored Florida State throughout the Orange Bowl, Nebraska lined up for a field goal to win the game at the end of regulation. Byron Bennett's kick was shanked badly, giving Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward and the rest of the Seminoles a national title.

But that game also sparked the "Unfinished Business" motto for Nebraska and was a massive motivation for the three national titles that NU won in the next five years.

Nov. 19, 1988: Nebraska 7, Oklahoma 3

In 1988, Nebraska was scoring a LOT of points. But in the final game of the regular season, it was NU's defense which won the game over their hated rivals, holding Oklahoma to only three points in Norman, keeping OU from a touchdown for the first time since 1942, and breaking the Sooners' 31-game conference win streak.

(Photo from huskermax.com)

Jan. 02, 1984: Miami 31, Nebraska 30

It looked like Nebraska and head coach Tom Osborne were finally going to get the monkey off their collective backs and win the big one. But, trailing by one point at the end of the game, Osborne made the call to go for two and win the game, even though a tie would likely have given NU the national title regardless. Nebraska QB Turner Gill took the snap, rolled out, and threw to tailback Jeff Smith. Miami DB Kenny Calhoun deflected the pass, denying Nebraska's "Scoring Explosion" offense a national title and putting the Hurricanes on the national scene for the first time -- a position they would retain throughout the 80's and 90's.

Nov. 11, 1978: Nebraska 17, Oklahoma 14

In 1978, Barry Switzer's Oklahoma team came to Lincoln with five straight wins over Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers. Osborne, at that point remembered more as Bob Devaney's assistant, was in danger of his career being defined as coming up short to the crimson-and-cream juggernaut. And, as the game wound toward its' conclusion, it was looking like Sooner Magic would strike again as Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims was romping towards the Nebraska end zone to give OU the lead. 

And then Sims was hit. And then he fumbled. At the NU three yard line.

Nebraska would hold on to finally beat the hated Sooners. Unfortunately for NU, they would be upset by Missouri following the game, and have to face off against OU in an Orange Bowl rematch they would end up losing. But at least for one day in November, Nebraska fans felt they were on the right side of the rivalry.

Sep. 17, 1977: Nebraska 31, Alabama 24

In one of Tom Osborne's first big wins as head coach, #4-ranked Alabama and legendary head coach Bear Bryant came to Memorial Stadium and were upset by the unranked Huskers. Rick Behrns led NU with 128 yards rushing, 22 yards receiving (in 1977!), and three touchdowns.

(Photo from huskerpedia.com)

Jan. 01, 1973: Nebraska 40, Notre Dame 6

Bob Devaney ended his coaching career at Nebraska in spectacular fashion, moving Johnny Rodgers from wingback to I-back for the Orange Bowl. The Jet responded with 81 rushing yards and four (!) touchdowns, 71 yards receiving and another touchdown as Nebraska routed Notre Dame and sent the Bobfather out in style. 

Jan. 01, 1972: Nebraska 38, Alabama 6

Bob Devaney wins his second straight national title at the Orange Bowl with a dominating performance over Alabama. Nebraska's defense turned the Crimson Tide over four times, and Johnny Rodgers had a 77-yard touchdown on a punt return to lead Nebraska to a dominating title performance.

Jan. 01, 1971: Nebraska 17, LSU 12

In iconic Nebraska style, Nebraska QB Jerry Tagge scores on a one-yard sneak to give Nebraska a 17-12 lead with six minutes left in the game, and the Blackshirts made the lead hold up. Nebraska came into the game ranked third, but #1 Texas and #2 Ohio State had both lost earlier in the day, leaving the national title in Nebraska's hands.

Nov. 25, 1971: Nebraska 35, Oklahoma 31

It's the game of the century. It's the iconic play in Nebraska history (or, at least, tied with Tommie Frazier's run against Florida in the '95 Fiesta Bowl). Come on, Nebraska fans, recite your Lyell Bremser with me ...

"It's Wiley's kick, it's high, Rodgers takes the ball at the thirty, he's hit and got away, back upfield to the thirty five, the forty, the fifty, he's to the forty five, the forty, the thirty five, the thirty. He's to the twenty! The ten! He's all the way home! Holy moley! Man, woman and child, that just put 'em in the aisles! Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers just tore 'em loose from their shoes!"

Sep. 22, 1962: Nebraska 53, South Dakota 0

This game is part of the greatest in Nebraska history not because of the contest itself -- Nebraska easily handled the Coyotes, allowing only six first downs. But this was Bob Devaney's first game in charge at Nebraska, and can be looked at as the real start of the modern era of Nebraska football.

(Photo from huskermax.com)

Dec. 15, 1962: Nebraska 36, Miami 34

Bob Devaney's first year at the helm of Nebraska football was filled with firsts, including Nebraska's first bowl win. The monumental win was in New York, at the awesomely-named Gotham Bowl, over Miami. Tom Osborne would later suspect the secret to beating Miami in a bowl game was to play them in New York, rather than in Miami, where he always got stuck playing the Hurricanes.

(Photo from huskermax.com)

Jan. 01, 1941: Stanford 21, Nebraska 13

Nebraska's first bowl game started big, with NU playing the Stanford Indians (yes, Indians) in the 1941 Rose Bowl. NU took a lead into the half, but gave up a punt return for a touchdown to put the game out of reach for Stanford.

(Photo from huskermax.com)

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