Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves football

Last updated

Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves football
First season1891
Athletic directorDwight Merilatt
Head coach Brian Keller
29th season, 130–145 (.473)
Stadium Abel Stadium
(capacity: 2,500)
Field surface FieldTurf
Location Lincoln, Nebraska
NCAA division Division III
Conference A-R-C
Past conferences NCC
NCC
NCAC
GPCA
GPAC
All-time record515–478–42 (.518)
Playoff appearances5
Conference titles22
Rivalries Doane [1]
ColorsGold and black [2]
   
Mascot Prairie Wolves
Website nwusports.com

The Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves football team represents Nebraska Wesleyan University in college football at the NCAA Division III level. The Prairie Wolves are members of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C), fielding its team in the A-R-C since 2016 when it was named the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC). Nebraska Wesleyan plays home games at Abel Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. [3] The team's head coach is Brian Keller, who took over the position for the 1996 season.

Contents

Nebraska Wesleyan's athletic teams were known as the Coyotes in the early 1900s. The nickname was changed to the Plainsmen in 1933 and then to the Prairie Wolves in 2000. [4] [5]

Conference affiliations

NAIA / pre-NCAA

NCAA

Championships

Conference championships

Nebraska Wesleyan claims 22 conference titles, the most recent of which came in 2000.

YearConferenceOverall RecordConference RecordCoach
1911 Nebraska Conference 7–0N/A William Kline
19125–2–1N/A
1913†4–3–1N/A
19147–1N/A
19156–3N/A
1918 Nebraska Intercollegiate Conference 2–3N/A William Norris
19206–2–24–0–1 Ray McCandless
19218–35–0
1925† North Central Conference 6–0–23–0–1 Clarence Dow
1931 Nebraska College Athletic Conference 4–3–14–0–1 John Waldorf
1932†4–3–14–0–1
19346–2–14–0 John E. Roberts
1947† Nebraska College Conference 7–1–15–1–1 George Knight
1963 Great Plains College Association 7–23–0 Raymond Westover
19647–13–0
1976† Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 6–34–1 Harold Chaffee
1983†7–34–1 Orson Christensen
19867–35–0
19888–25–0 Jim Svoboda
198910–25–0
1990†7–24–1
2000† Great Plains Athletic Conference 8–36–2 Brian Keller

† Co-champions

Postseason games

NAIA playoff games

The Prairie Wolves have appeared in the NAIA playoffs four times with an overall record of 1–4.

SeasonCoachPlayoffOpponentResult
1988 Jim Svoboda First round Evangel L 14–45
1989 First round
Quarterfinals		 Chadron State
Wisconsin–La Crosse 		W 46–43
L 0–29
1991 First round Peru State L 20–41
2000 Brian Keller First round Northwestern Oklahoma State L 13–40

Bowl games

Nebraska Wesleyan has participated in one bowl game, and has a record of 0–1.

SeasonCoachBowlOpponentResult
1946 George Knight Will Rogers Bowl Pepperdine L 13–38

List of head coaches

Key

Key to symbols in coaches list
GeneralOverallConferencePostseason [A 1]
No.Order of coaches [A 2] GCGames coachedCWConference winsPWPostseason wins
DCDivision championshipsOWOverall winsCLConference lossesPLPostseason losses
CCConference championshipsOLOverall lossesCTConference tiesPTPostseason ties
NCNational championshipsOTOverall ties [A 3] C%Conference winning percentage
†Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame O%Overall winning percentage [A 4]

Coaches

List of head football coaches showing season(s) coached, overall records, conference records, postseason records, championships and selected awards
No.NameSeason(s)GCOWOLOTO%CWCLCTC%PWPLPTDCCCNCAwards
1 Frank Crawford 189653200.600
2 Charley Thomas [9] 189775200.714
3 Zora Clevenger [10] 1908; 191092700.222
4 William Kline [11] 1909; 1911–191762371960.645
5 William Norris 191852300.400
6 Benjamin Beck [12] 191997200.778
7 Ray McCandless [13] 1920–19222917930.638
8 Glenn Preston 1923–1924178540.588
9 Clarence Dow [14] 1925–19261812420.722
10 Howard Durham [15] 192790810.056
11 Francis Alabaster [16] 1928–19291851030.361
12 John Waldorf [17] 1930–19322514920.600
13 John Roberts 1933–1934189720.556
14 George Farley [18] 1935; 1941–194227131130.537
15 Dwight Thomas 1936–194042142620.357
16 Allen Stroh 194553200.600
17 George Knight [19] 1946–19493724940.703
18 Roy Roberston [20] 1950–195339142230.397
19 Keith Skogman [21] 1954–195956213230.402
20 Raymond Westover [22] 1960–196878364020.474
21 Harold Chaffee [23] 1969–1981118556120.475
22 Orson Christensen [24] 1982–198649292000.592
23 Jim Svoboda [25] 1987–199371512000.718
24 Steve Stanard [26] 1994–19952061400.300
25 Brian Keller [27] 1996–present27212914300.474

Year-by-year results

National championsConference championsBowl game berthPlayoff berth

[28]

SeasonYearHead
Coach		AssociationDivisionConferenceRecordPostseasonFinal ranking
OverallConference
WinLossTieFinishWinLossTie
Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves
1896 1896 Frank Crawford –––320––––——
1897 1897 Charley Thomas 520––––——
No team from 1888 to 1907
1908 1908 Zora Cleavenger –––120––––——
1909 1909 William Kline 013––––——
1910 1910 Zora Cleavenger 150––––——
1911 1911 William Kline Nebraska 7001st–––Conference champions—
1912 1912 5211st–––Conference champions—
1913 1913 431T-1st–––Conference co-champions—
1914 1914 7101st–––Conference champions—
1915 1915 6301st–––Conference champions—
1916 1916 NIC 5412nd–––——
1917 1917 3503rd–––——
1918 1918 William Norris 2301st–––Conference champions—
1919 1919 Benjamin Beck 7202nd–––——
1920 1920 Roy McCandless 6221st–––Conference champions—
1921 1921 7301st–––Conference champions—
1922 1922 4413rd–––——
1923 1923 Glenn Preston 6122nd–––——
1924 1924 NCC 242T-5th120——
1925 1925 Clarence Dow 6021st301Conference champions—
1926 1926 Nebraska 6402nd–––——
1927 1927 Howard Durham 08113th–––——
1928 1928 Francis Alabaster NCAC 5223rd212——
1929 1929 3515th230——
1930 1930 John Waldorf 632nd410——
1931 1931 4311st401Conference champions—
1932 1932 431T-1st401Conference co-champions—
1933 1933 John Roberts 3512nd310——
1934 1934 6211st400Conference champions—
1935 1935 George Farley 5312nd211——
1936 1936 Dwight Thomas 532nd310——
1937 1937 2514th030——
1938 1938 4414th121——
1939 1939 2704th130——
1940 1940 NAIA1704th130——
1941 1941 George Farley 2613rd220——
1942 1942 6212nd310——
No team from 1943 to 1944
1945 1945 Allen Stroh NAIA––320––––——
1946 1946 George Knight NCC 7032nd402Playoff berth—
1947 1947 711T-1st511Conference co-champions—
1948 1948 6302nd520——
1949 1949 450T-4th440——
1950 1950 Roy Robertson 5506th430——
1951 1951 2806th250——
1952 1952 550T-3rd430——
1953 1953 2437th142——
1954 1954 Keith Skogman 3616th241——
1955 1955 2716th241——
1956 1956 3705th340——
1957 1957 350T-4th340——
1958 1958 5404th530——
1959 1959 5315th431——
1960 1960 Raymond Westover 0807th060——
1961 1961 0907th060——
1962 1962 –242––––——
1963 1963 GPCA 7201st300Conference champions—
1964 1964 7101st300Conference champions—
1965 1965 –720––––——
1966 1966 720––––——
1967 1967 540––––——
1968 1968 180––––——
1969 1969 Harold Chaffee 540––––——
1970 1970 Division II NIAC 6404th230——
1971 1971 720T-2nd320——
1972 1972 4504th230——
1973 1973 4312nd311——
1974 1974 3605th140——
1975 1975 5504th230——
1976 1976 630T-1st410Conference co-champions—
1977 1977 270T-4th230——
1978 1978 540T-3rd320——
1979 1979 3515th131——
1980 1980 360T-3rd230——
1981 1981 2705th140——
1982 1982 Orson Christensen 4505th230——
1983 1983 730T-1st410Conference co-champions—
1984 1984 6403rd320——
1985 1985 650T-3rd230——
1986 1986 6301st500Conference champions—
1987 1987 James Svoboda 640T-2nd320——
1988 1988 7301st500Playoff berth—
1989 1989 10201st500Playoff berth—
1990 1990 720T-1st410Conference co-champions—
1991 1991 8302nd410Playoff berth—
1992 1992 6303rd420——
1993 1993 7303rd420——
1994 1994 Steve Standard 3705th240——
1995 1995 3706th240——
1996 1996 Brian Keller 2806th150——
1997 1997 –550T-3rd440——
1998 1998 6404th440——
1999 1999 4607th150——
2000 2000 GPAC 8301st620Playoff berth—
2001 2001 550T-5th350——
2002 2002 640T-5th440——
2003 2003 640T-3rd640——
2004 2004 640T-5th640——
2005 2005 5505th550——
2006 2006 7304th730——
2007 2007 7304th730——
2008 2008 730T-3rd730——
2009 2009 5506th550——
2010 2010 4607th460——
2011 2011 5507th450——
2012 2012 640T-4th540——
2013 2013 6404th630——
2014 2014 460T-6th450——
2015 2015 4607th360——
2016 2016 NCAA Division III IIAC 460T-5th350——
2017 2017 280T-7th260——
2018 2018 A-R-C 3707th260——
2019 2019 370T-7th170——
2020–21 2020–21 010T-6th010——
2021 2021 4607th260——
2022 2022 1909th080——
2023 2023 460T–6th260——
2024 2024 000—000——

Notes

  1. ↑ Although the first Rose Bowl Game was played in 1902, it has been continuously played since the 1916 game, and is recognized as the oldest bowl game by the NCAA. "—" indicates any season prior to 1916 when postseason games were not played. [6]
  2. ↑ A running total of the number of head coaches, with coaches who served separate tenures being counted only once. Interim head coaches are represented with "Int" and are not counted in the running total. "—" indicates the team played but either without a coach or no coach is on record. "X" indicates an interim year without play.
  3. ↑ Overtime rules in college football were introduced in 1996, making ties impossible in the period since. [7]
  4. ↑ When computing the win–loss percentage, a tie counts as half a win and half a loss. [8]

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References

  1. ↑ "Rivals NWU & Doane To Clash on Saturday". nwusports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ "NWU trademarked logos and brand standards" . Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Athletic Facilities | Nebraska Wesleyan University". www.nebrwesleyan.edu. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Nebraska Wesleyan Now "Plainsmen"". Decatur Herald . Decatur, Illinois. Associated Press. October 31, 1933. p. 4. Retrieved January 17, 2024– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  5. ↑ "Nebraska college changes mascot to Prairie Wolves". St. Joseph News-Press . St. Joseph, Missouri. Associated Press. October 9, 2000. p. 10. Retrieved December 15, 2019– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  6. ↑ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2011). Bowl/All-Star Game Records (PDF). Indianapolis, Indiana: NCAA. pp. 5–10. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  7. ↑ Whiteside, Kelly (August 25, 2006). "Overtime system still excites coaches". USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  8. ↑ Finder, Chuck (September 6, 1987). "Big plays help Paterno to 200th". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Clipped From Lincoln Journal Star". Lincoln Journal Star. November 2, 1897. p. 1. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  10. ↑ Huddle, Hoosier. "Hoosier Legacy Player: Halfback Zora Clevenger (1900-03)". Hoosier Huddle. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  11. ↑ Scott, Frank William (1918). The Semi-centennial Alumni Record of the University of Illinois. University of Illinois.
  12. ↑ "Clipped From The Burlington Free Press". The Burlington Free Press. January 27, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  13. ↑ Bethany College (1925). Bethanian, 1925. T. W. Phillips Memorial Library Bethany College. Bethany College.
  14. ↑ "Clipped From Lincoln Journal Star". Lincoln Journal Star. August 20, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Howard Adam Durham (1971) - Hall of Fame". Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Francis Alabaster (1972) - Hall of Fame". Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  17. ↑ "John Waldorf (1991) - Hall of Fame". University of Missouri Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  18. ↑ "George Farley instructor for aviation cadets Now stationed at Georgia U". Lincoln State Journal. June 20, 1943. Retrieved October 8, 2019– via NewspaperArchive.
  19. ↑ "George Knight Obituary (2009) - Lincoln, NE - Lincoln Journal Star". Legacy.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Clipped From Lincoln Journal Star". Lincoln Journal Star. May 22, 1950. p. 9. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. ↑ jasondannelly (January 1, 2017). "Former Dana College Football Coach Kieth Skogman". Dana Football. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Raymond Westover (1971) - Hall of Fame". Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Harold Chaffee (1990) - Hall of Fame". Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  24. ↑ "50 years of coaching: Christensen joins Coupeville football staff". Whidbey News-Times. August 2, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Jim Svoboda (2013) - Hall of Fame". Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  26. ↑ Lyell, Kelly. "Former Colorado State defensive coordinator Steve Stanard takes same job at Wyoming". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  27. ↑ Sjuts, Kevin. "Keller, Prairiewolves begin preseason practice". www.1011now.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Football Year by year (PDF)" (PDF). Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
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