1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

Schedule

Roster

Coaching staff

Rankings

External links

Washington State

Alabama

Baylor

Indiana

Kansas State

Iowa State

Colorado

Oklahoma State

Missouri

Kansas

Oklahoma

North Carolina

Awards

NFL and Pro Players

The 1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1977 college football season

1977 college football season

The 1977 college football season was one in which the top five teams all finished with records of 11-1-0. Notre Dame, which beat a #1 ranked Texas team in the Cotton Bowl Classic, became the national champion. The year 1977 was the last before NCAA's Division I was divided into I-A and I-AA...

. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium

Memorial Stadium, Lincoln

Memorial Stadium is located on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. It is the home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team....

in Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska

The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....

Name	Title	First year in this position	Years at Nebraska	Alma Mater
Tom Osborne	\|Head Coach Offensive Coordinator	1973	1964-1997	Hastings College Hastings College Hastings College is a private, undergraduate, four-year, residential liberal arts college in Hastings, Nebraska, USA.- History :The college was founded in 1882 by a group of men and women seeking to establish a Presbyterian college dedicated to high academic and cultural standards...
Lance Van Zandt	\|Defensive Coordinator Defensive Backs	1977	1977-1980	Lamar Lamar University Lamar University, often referred to as Lamar or LU, is a comprehensive coeducational public research university located in Beaumont, Texas, United States. Lamar confers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and is classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher...
Cletus Fischer	\|Offensive Line		1960-1985	Nebraska University of Nebraska–Lincoln The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
John Melton	\|Tight Ends Wingbacks	1973	1962-1988	Wyoming University of Wyoming The University of Wyoming is a land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation of 7,200 feet , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains. It is known as UW to people close to the university...
Mike Corgan	\|Running Backs	1962	1962-1982	Notre Dame University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
Boyd Epley	\|Head Strength Coach	1969	1969-2003	Nebraska University of Nebraska–Lincoln The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
Jerry Moore Jerry Moore Gerald Hundley "Jerry" Moore is the current head football coach of the Appalachian State University Mountaineers located in the town of Boone in Watauga County, North Carolina. He has filled the position since 1989. Moore has had a winning record in 19 out of the last 20 seasons. He led the...	\|Wide Receivers	1973	1973-1978	Baylor Baylor University Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
George Darlington	\|Defensive Backs		1973-2002	Rutgers Rutgers University Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
Milt Tenopir	\|Offensive Line	1974	1974-2002	Sterling Sterling College (Kansas) Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts college located in Sterling, Kansas with a mission "to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith." The school is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and...
Guy Ingles	\|Freshman Head Coach		1976-1978	Nebraska University of Nebraska–Lincoln The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
Gene Huey	\|Receivers	1977	1977-1986	Wyoming University of Wyoming The University of Wyoming is a land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation of 7,200 feet , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains. It is known as UW to people close to the university...
Charlie McBride	\|Defensive Line	1977	1977-1999	Colorado University of Colorado at Boulder The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...

Nebraska convincingly dominated Washington State on the field and statistically, but fumbled repeatedly, including three times inside the Couger 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Blackshirts (football)

The Blackshirts are the first-string defensive unit players for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.-History:The term originally dates back to the early 1960s and refers to the black practice jerseys that Nebraska's first-string defenders began to wear during practice...

, as the Cowboys soon found themselves too far behind to pose any further threat to Nebraska.

Once again the Blackshirts

Blackshirts (football)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 Kelvin Clark Kelvin Wayne Clark is a former professional American football guard/tackle in the National Football League. He played for seven seasons for the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints.... , 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 Stan Waldemore Stan Waldemore is a former American football offensive tackle and offensive guard in the National Football League for the New York Jets from 1978-1984. He played in 62 games throughout his professional career. He went to the University of Nebraska....
All-Big 8 honorable mention	George Andrews George Andrews (American football) George Eldon Andrews, II is a former American football linebacker. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska who played in the National Football League from 1979–1984 for the Los Angeles Rams.-High school:... , Tony Samuel Tony Samuel Tony Samuel is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University, a position he has held since the 2005 season. Samuel's previous head coaching position was with New Mexico State University from 1997 to 2004... , Tom Sorley

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.

Name	Team
George Andrews George Andrews (American football) George Eldon Andrews, II is a former American football linebacker. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska who played in the National Football League from 1979–1984 for the Los Angeles Rams.-High school:...	Los Angeles Rams
Bill Barnett Bill Barnett William Perry Barnett is a former professional American football player who played defensive tackle for six seasons for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. He currently lives in Lincoln, NE as a copyright maintaining a residence in northern MN for fishing expeditions....	Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Rick Berns	Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
Ed Burns	New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
Kelvin Clark Kelvin Clark Kelvin Wayne Clark is a former professional American football guard/tackle in the National Football League. He played for seven seasons for the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints....	Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Barney Cotton Barney Cotton Barney Cotton is the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.-Early life:Barney Cotton was born in Omaha, Nebraska on September 30, 1956, and graduated from Omaha Burke High School....	Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
Tom Davis	Toronto Argonauts Toronto Argonauts The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
Andra Franklin Andra Franklin Andra Bernard Franklin was an American running back in the National Football League from 1981 to 1984 for the Miami Dolphins. Franklin played collegiately at the University of Nebraska...	Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Mark Goodspeed	St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
Rod Horn	Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
Lee Kunz	Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Jeff Lee	St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
Oudious Lee	St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
Frank Lockett Frank Lockett Frank Lockett is a former wide receiver in the National Football League. Lockett was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the tenth round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He later played with the Miami Dolphins during the 1985 NFL season...	Boston Breakers Portland Breakers The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans...
Junior Miller Junior Miller Junior Miller is a former professional American football player. A 6'4", . tight end from the University of Nebraska, Miller played five seasons from 1980 to 1984 for the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1980 and 1981 seasons. Miller played...	Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Brett Moritz	Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
Derrie Nelson Derrie Nelson Derald Lawrence Nelson is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for four seasons for the San Diego Chargers.-External links:*...	San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Jeff Quinn	Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
Stan Waldemore Stan Waldemore Stan Waldemore is a former American football offensive tackle and offensive guard in the National Football League for the New York Jets from 1978-1984. He played in 62 games throughout his professional career. He went to the University of Nebraska....	New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

Anderson, Rene #2 (Sr.) DB

Andrews, George
George Andrews (American football)
George Eldon Andrews, II is a former American football linebacker. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska who played in the National Football League from 1979–1984 for the Los Angeles Rams.-High school:...

#96 (Jr.) DE

Anthony, Monte #49 (Sr.) IB

Barnett, Bill
Bill Barnett
William Perry Barnett is a former professional American football player who played defensive tackle for six seasons for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. He currently lives in Lincoln, NE as a copyright maintaining a residence in northern MN for fishing expeditions....

#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
Kelvin Clark
Kelvin Wayne Clark is a former professional American football guard/tackle in the National Football League. He played for seven seasons for the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints....

#73 (Jr.) OT

Cole, Lawrence #81 (So.) DE

Cooley, Lawrence #67 (Jr.) OG

Cotton, Barney
Barney Cotton
Barney Cotton is the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.-Early life:Barney Cotton was born in Omaha, Nebraska on September 30, 1956, and graduated from Omaha Burke High School....

#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
Andra Franklin
Andra Bernard Franklin was an American running back in the National Football League from 1981 to 1984 for the Miami Dolphins. Franklin played collegiately at the University of Nebraska...

(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

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
Frank Lockett
Frank Lockett is a former wide receiver in the National Football League. Lockett was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the tenth round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He later played with the Miami Dolphins during the 1985 NFL season...

#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
Junior Miller
Junior Miller is a former professional American football player. A 6'4", . tight end from the University of Nebraska, Miller played five seasons from 1980 to 1984 for the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1980 and 1981 seasons. Miller played...

#89 (So.) TE

Moritz, Brett #70 (Sr.) OG

Nelson, Derrie
Derrie Nelson
Derald Lawrence Nelson is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for four seasons for the San Diego Chargers.-External links:*...

#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
Stan Waldemore
Stan Waldemore is a former American football offensive tackle and offensive guard in the National Football League for the New York Jets from 1978-1984. He played in 62 games throughout his professional career. He went to the University of Nebraska....

#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

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