1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

Last updated

1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Conference Big Eight Conference
Record6–4 (3–4 Big 8)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorGeorge Kelly
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
  1967
1969  
1968 Big Eight Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 7 Kansas + 6 1 09 2 0
No. 11 Oklahoma + 6 1 07 4 0
No. 9 Missouri 5 2 08 3 0
Nebraska 3 4 06 4 0
Colorado 3 4 04 6 0
Kansas State 2 5 04 6 0
Oklahoma State 2 5 03 7 0
Iowa State 1 6 03 7 0
  • + Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. The team was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

Contents

The Huskers were 6–4, but had a losing record in conference at 3–4. They lost three Big 8 games at home and were shut out 47–0 at Oklahoma in the season finale. Nebraska did not play in a bowl game for the second consecutive year; the next season without a bowl was 36 years later in 2004. The home shut out against Kansas State was the last time they have been shut out at home as of 2017 season.

Following 1968, Tom Osborne was promoted to offensive coordinator and installed the I formation offense. This led to a 9–2 record in 1969 and consecutive undefeated national championship seasons in 1970 and 1971.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 142:00 pm Wyoming *No. 14W 13–1066,922 [1]
September 212:00 pm Utah *No. 14
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
W 31–066,198 [2]
September 281:30 pmat No. 17 Minnesota *No. 9W 17–1453,362
October 122:00 pmNo. 6 Kansas No. 9
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE (rivalry)
L 13–2367,119–68,128
October 192:00 pmNo. 20 Missouri No. 13
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE (rivalry)
L 14–1666,818
October 261:30 pmat Oklahoma State W 21–2035,000
November 22:00 pmat Iowa State W 24–1330,463
November 92:00 pm Kansas State Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE (rivalry)
L 0–1267,466
November 162:30 pmat Colorado W 22–648,327
November 232:05 pmat No. 14 Oklahoma ABCL 0–4746,011
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Roster

[3]

Ahlmann, Harold #21 (So.) LB
Anderson, Jim #18 (So.) RCB
Armstrong, Joe #65 (Sr.) RG
Ashman, Carl #53 (Jr.) C
Avolio, Frank #40 (Jr.) DE
Beland, Ben #61 (So.) RG
Best, Bob #27 (Sr.) S
Bomberger, Bill #46 (Jr.) HB
Boyd, David #17 (So.) QB
Brichacek, Mel #69 (Sr.) LG
Brown, Bill #44 (So.) FB
Buda, Joe #52 (Jr.) C
Burdic, Mike #51 (So.) DT
Chandler, George #7 (So.) LB
Coppa, Rich #54 (So.) C
Davis, Dick #45 (Sr.) FB
Decker, John #1 (So.) S
Delaney, Dan #67 (Sr.) LG
DeOrio, Lonnie #78 (So.) DT
Drakulich, Ron #41 (Jr.) DT
Dvorsak, Tony #11 (So.) QB
Fiala, Adrian #32 (Jr.) LB
Ford, Dennis #66 (So.) RG
Frost, Larry #28 (Jr.) HB
Galbraith, Denis #63 (Jr.) MG
Geddes, Ken #37 (Jr.) LB
Green, Mike #34 (Jr.) HB
Grenfell, Bob #59 (So.) RT
Gutzman, Dennis #89 (So.) DE
Hacias, Greg #13 (So.) QB
Hansen, Ed #74 (Sr.) RT
Hardt, Bob #91 (So.) DE
Hartman, Dan #39 (Jr.) LB

 

Haskell, Charles #93 (So.) DE
Hawkins, James #26 (Sr.) RCB
Haynes, Ervin #9 (So.) LB
Heller, Tom #4 (So.) RCB
Hollstein, Gary #5 (So.) S
Hopkins, John #95 (So.) DT
Hornbacher, Bill #55 (Jr.) MG
Ingles, Guy #88 (So.) SE
Jansen, Jim #35 (Jr.) S
Jarmon, Sherwin #81 (Jr.) DE
Jennings, Henry #6 (So.) LCB
Kimmel, Miles #84 (Sr.) TE
Kobza, Dan #49 (Jr.) MG
Kontos, Ken #98 (So.) LB
Kusserow, Ken #73 (Jr.) DT
Lahey, Pat #47 (So.) DT
Larson, Al #20 (Jr.) LCB
Liggett, Bob #71 (Jr.) DT
Linstroth, Tom #62 (Sr.) DT
Logan, Bob #96 (So.) TE
Lowe, Rex #83 (So.) SE
Malone, Dan #79 (So.) DT
Mawhinney, Bob #50 (So.) C
McClelland, Tom #16 (So.) S
McFarland, Jim #80 (Jr.) TE
McGhee, Donnie #70 (So.) LT
Miller, Jim #92 (So.) DE
Minor, Mike #48 (Jr.) LB
Minor, Wilfred #14 (So.) LCB
Montgomery, Al #8 (So.) HB
Morock, David #43 (So.) LCB
Murtaugh, Jerry #42 (So.) LB
Newton, Clint #82 (So.) SE

 

Orduna, Joe #31 (Jr.) HB
Patrick, Frank #10 (Jr.) QB
Patterson, Glenn #72 (Jr.) LT
Penney, Tom #85 (Sr.) SE
Periard, Ed #56 (So.) MG
Quinten, Karl #38 (Jr.) DE
Reeves, Randy #25 (Jr.) S
Rogers, Paul #30 (So.) HB
Sanders, Frank #2 (So.) RCB
Schenk, George #64 (So.) LT
Schneiss, Dan #22 (So.) FB
Sigler, Ernie #12 (Sr.) QB
Smith, Jim #23 (So.) HB
Stephenson, Dana #36 (Jr.) S
Stigge, Russ #57 (Jr.) RG
Terwilliger, Marlin #3 (So.) S
Tollefsen, Tay #86 (So.) TE
Topliff, Paul #87 (Jr.) TE
Vactor, Frank #19 (So.) HB
Vassar, Phil #33 (So.) FB
Volberding, Ron #97 (So.) RG
Walline, Dave #76 (So.) DT
Weber, Bruce #58 (So.) LG
Wenner, Rick #15 (So.) QB
Williams, Gale #77 (Jr.) RT
Winter, Wally #75 (So.) LT
Wittler, Don #94 (So.) RT
Wynn, Mike #90 (Jr.) DE
Yannon, Buster #24 (Jr.) FB
Young, Lynn #68 (Jr.) LG
Ziegler, Mick #29 (Sr.) HB

Depth chart

Defensive starters
S
Bob Best
Randy Reeves
Tom McClelland
M
Al Larson
David Morock
Wilford Minor.
LB LB
Ken GeddesJerry Murtaugh
Adrian FialaDan Kobza
George ChandlerDan Hartman
CB
Dana Stephenson
John Decker
Marlin Terwilliger
DE DT NT DT DE
Mike WynnBob LiggettBill HornbacherDave WallineSherwin Jarmon
Dennis GutzmanRon DrakulichTom LinstrothTom LinstrothFrank Avolio
Chuck HaskellMike BurdicEd PeriardKen KusserowKarl Quinten
CB
James Hawkins
Tom Heller
Jim Anderson
Offensive starters
TE
Jim McFarland
Paul Topliff
Miles Kimmel
LT LG C RG RT
Glenn PattersonMel BrichacekJoe BudaJoe ArmstrongEd Hansen
Wally WinterDan DelaneyCarl AshmanGale WilliamsDonnie McGhee
Bob GrenfellLynn YoungBob MawhinneyDennis Ford.Don Wittler
TE
Tom Penney
Guy Ingels
Rex Lowe
QB
Ernie Sigler
Frank Patrick
Tony Dvorsak
HB RB FB
Mick ZieglerJoe OrdunaDick Davis
Larry FrostMike GreenDan Schneiss
Paul RogersFrank VactorBuster Yannon

Coaching staff

NameTitleFirst year
in this position
Years at NebraskaAlma mater
Bob Devaney Head Coach 19621962–72 Alma
Tom Osborne Offensive assistant19641964–97 Hastings
George Kelly Defensive Coordinator 19601960–68 Notre Dame
Cletus Fischer Offensive line19601960–85 Nebraska
Carl Selmer Offensive line19621962–72 Wyoming
Jim Ross1962–76
John MeltonTight ends, Wingbacks19731962–88 Wyoming
Mike Corgan Running backs19621962–82 Notre Dame
Monte Kiffin Graduate assistant 19661967–76 Nebraska
Jack Osberg Graduate assistant19681968 Augsburg

Game summaries

Wyoming

Wyoming at #14 Nebraska [box score]
Team1234Total
Wyoming 1000010
#14 Nebraska3001013

At the end of the 1st quarter, Nebraska was trailing 3-10, and struggled to catch up for much of the game. Finally, five minutes into the 4th quarter, with the assistance of the Blackshirts who had held off any further scores from the Cowboys, the Cornhuskers managed to get another touchdown to tie the game. Then, as time was running out and the Nebraska offensive effort was stalling, Nebraska PK Paul Rogers launched a 51-yard field goal through the uprights and into the stands for the win, leading to an exuberant mob of fans rushing the field in celebration.

Utah

Utah at #14 Nebraska [box score]
Team1234Total
Utah 00000
#14 Nebraska1770731

The Cornhuskers tallied 518 yards of total offense while holding the Utes to just 138, 46 of which were on the ground, and had little trouble with Utah, holding them scoreless in Memorial Stadium.

Minnesota

#9 Nebraska at #17 Minnesota [box score]
Team1234Total
#9 Nebraska0701017
#17 Minnesota 770014

It seemed like a repeat of the first game of the year, as once again Nebraska started out behind and wasn't able to catch up again until the 4th quarter, and once again Nebraska PK Paul Rogers booted the game-winning field goal at the end of the 4th quarter with just 1:32 remaining on the clock to secure the win against national co-champion Minnesota.

Kansas

#6 Kansas at #9 Nebraska [box score]
Team1234Total
#6 Kansas 0091423
#9 Nebraska060713

The highly regarded Kansas Jayhawks had been averaging 51 points per game, yet the Blackshirts managed to bottle them up to just 23 points, though Nebraska's 13 points were not enough to get the conference-opening win. Kansas managed to escape Lincoln with a victory only by scrambling to put up two touchdowns in the final 4 minutes. This was the last time Nebraska lost to the Jayhawks until the 2005 season; they won the next 36 meetings. It also is, through the 2022 season, their last home loss to Kansas to date.

Missouri

#20 Missouri at #13 Nebraska [box score]
Team1234Total
#20 Missouri 6100016
#13 Nebraska707014

Nebraska was severely hampered by a day of mistakes, losing four fumbles, an interception, and suffering two punt receptions muffed and recovered by Missouri. Despite the tall odds presented by these burdens, the Cornhuskers dropped the game to the Tigers by only 2 points.

Oklahoma State

Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score]
Team1234Total
Nebraska0071421
Oklahoma State 0014620

The first half was scoreless as both teams struggled unsuccessfully for an edge, but Oklahoma State found a way through and scored the first 14 in the 3rd. Nebraska fought back, and once again Cornhusker PK Paul Rogers scored the game-winner off his foot with PAT in the final minute to put Nebraska ahead by 1.

Iowa State

Nebraska at Iowa State [box score]
Team1234Total
Nebraska7140324
Iowa State 070613
  • Date: 1968-11-02
  • Location: Clyde Williams Field, Ames, Iowa
  • Game attendance: 29,000

Iowa State helped to spot Nebraska with an early 14-0 lead by losing an early fumble and never recovered from the setback. The Cyclones made a feeble late attempt, coming within 8 points before the Cornhuskers put up another field goal to finish them off.

Kansas State

Kansas State at Nebraska [box score]
Team1234Total
Kansas State 600612
Nebraska00000

Nebraska was stunned at home, at their homecoming game, when Kansas State held the Cornhuskers to just 146 total yards, 78 on the ground, and slapped Nebraska with only their second shutout under Head Coach Bob Devaney. This was the Cornhuskers last loss to the Wildcats until 1998 and their last home loss to them until 2003.

Colorado

Nebraska at Colorado [box score]
Team1234Total
Nebraska1237022
Colorado 00606

Nebraska flashed with some vengeance in response to the previous week's shutout, running out ahead of Colorado in Boulder 22-0 with help from a 62-yard punt return touchdown, finally letting the Buffaloes on the board with just 2 minutes remaining to play.

Oklahoma

Nebraska at #14 Oklahoma [box score]
Team1234Total
Nebraska00000
#14 Oklahoma 72101947

Oklahoma denied Nebraska's bid for a post-season bowl game, as the Sooners scored five touchdowns to set a new Big 8 record and handed NU its worst defeat of the Devaney era with a painful 47-0 shutout in Norman.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
AP141427913
Coaches

Awards

[4]

AwardName(s)
All America
1st team
Joe Armstrong
All-America
honorable mention
Mel Brichacek, Ken Geddes,
Dana Stephenson
All-Big Eight
1st team
Joe Armstrong, Ken Geddes,
Dana Stephenson
All-Big Eight
2nd team
Bob Best, Joe Orduna
All-Big Eight
honorable mention
Bob Best, Mel Brichacek, Dick Davis,
Adrian Fiala, Ed Hansen, Jim Hawkins,
Al Larson, Bob Liggett, Jerry Murtaugh,
Tom Penney, Paul Rogers, Mike Wynn

1968 Team Players in the NFL (& AFL)

The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers seniors selected in the 1969 Common draft (NFL-AFL): [5]

PlayerPositionRoundPickFranchise
James Hawkins DB 7177 Los Angeles Rams
Dick Davis RB 12306 Cleveland Browns

The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers juniors selected in the following year's 1970 NFL draft: [6]

PlayerPositionRoundPickFranchise
Jim McFarland TE 7164 St. Louis Cardinals
Ken Geddes LB 7175 Detroit Lions
Dana Stephenson DB 8183 Chicago Bears
Mike Wynn DE 8206 Oakland Raiders
Frank Patrick QB 10251 Green Bay Packers
Bob Liggett DT 15390 Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Green RB 16406 San Diego Chargers
Glenn Patterson C 17439 Dallas Cowboys

The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers sophomores selected in the 1971 NFL draft: [7]

PlayerPositionRoundPickFranchise
Joe Orduna RB 249 San Francisco 49ers
Bob Newton T 371 Chicago Bears
Paul Rogers KDB 8190 Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Schneiss TE 11261 Boston Patriots

Members of the 1968 Nebraska freshman team selected in the 1972 NFL draft: [8]

PlayerPositionRoundPickFranchise
Jerry Tagge QB 111 Green Bay Packers
Jeff Kinney RB 123 Kansas City Chiefs
Larry Jacobson DT 124 New York Giants
Carl Johnson T 5112 New Orleans Saints
Van Brownson QB 8204 Baltimore Colts
Keith Wortman G 10242 Green Bay Packers

NFL and pro players

The following 1968 Nebraska players joined a professional team as draftees or free agents. [9]

NameTeam
Dick Davis Cleveland Browns
Ken Geddes Los Angeles Rams
Sherwin Jarmon Chicago Fire
Bob Liggett Kansas City Chiefs
Jim McFarland St. Louis Cardinals
Joe Orduna New York Giants
Frank Patrick Green Bay Packers
Frank Vactor Washington Redskins

References

  1. "Huskers trip Wyoming on Iowan's kick". The Des Moines Register. September 15, 1968. Retrieved September 15, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Cornhuskers strike early, thump Utah 31–0". Rapid City Journal. September 22, 1968. Retrieved September 16, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  3. Nebraska 1968 Roster
  4. 1968 Husker Honors
  5. Pro Football Reference.com Archived 2007-12-21 at the Wayback Machine – 1969 NFL Draft
  6. Pro Football Reference.com Archived 2007-12-21 at the Wayback Machine – 1970 NFL Draft
  7. Pro Football Reference.com Archived 2010-09-24 at the Wayback Machine – 1971 NFL Draft
  8. Pro Football Reference.com Archived 2007-12-21 at the Wayback Machine – 1972 NFL Draft
  9. "All Time NFL Huskers". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2009.