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1970 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season

American college football season

FieldValue
year1970
teamNebraska Cornhuskers
sportfootball
conferenceBig Eight Conference
short_confBig Eight
CoachRank3
APRank1
record11–0–1
conf_record7–0
head_coachBob Devaney
hc_year9th
off_coachTom Osborne
oc_year2nd
off_schemeI formation
def_coachMonte Kiffin
dc_year2nd
def_scheme[5–2](5-2-defense)
stadiumMemorial Stadium
championAP Poll national champion
FWAA national champion
Big Eight champion
Orange Bowl champion
bowl[Orange Bowl](1971-orange-bowl)
bowl_resultW 17–12 vs. [LSU](1970-lsu-tigers-football-team)

FWAA national champion Big Eight champion Orange Bowl champion The 1970 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. The team was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Huskers went 11–0–1 to win the first of two consecutive national championships.

The Huskers started the season at No. 9 and tied No. 3 USC in Los Angeles in the second game of the season. After winning their next nine games, including all seven in the Big Eight, Nebraska was ranked No. 3 in the nation entering the Orange Bowl against No. 5 LSU of the SEC. Top-ranked Texas and No. 2 Ohio State both lost their bowl games earlier in the day and a 17–12 Nebraska victory that night in Miami gave the Cornhuskers their first national championship in school history.

Through the 1973 season, the final UPI Coaches' Poll was released in early December, before the bowl games. In 1970 it picked Texas as national champion on December 8, before the Longhorns' 24–11 loss to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on New Year's Day. Notre Dame (10–1) finished second to Nebraska in the final AP Poll, released after the bowls in early January.

The 1970 Cornhuskers championship season was notable for Devaney's rotation of two quarterbacks – Van Brownson and Jerry Tagge – in every game.

President Richard Nixon honored Nebraska's 1970 national championship team and head coach Bob Devaney with the presentation of a presidential plaque (noting the team's No. 1 ranking in the final AP Poll and Orange Bowl victory) during a January 14, 1971, celebration at the Nebraska Coliseum.

Schedule

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Roster

Coaching staff

NameTitleFirst year
in this positionYears at
NebraskaAlma mater
**Bob Devaney**Head Coach19621962–72Alma
**Tom Osborne**Offensive coordinator19691964–97Hastings
**Cletus Fischer**Offensive line1960–85Nebraska
**Carl Selmer**Offensive line1962–72
**Jim Ross**1962–76
**John Melton**Tight Ends, Wingbacks19731962–88Wyoming
**Mike Corgan**Running backs19621962–82Notre Dame
**Monte Kiffin**Defensive coordinator19691967–76Nebraska
**Warren Powers**Defensive backs1969–76Nebraska
**Boyd Epley**Head Strength Coach19691969–2003Nebraska
**Bill Thornton**Assistant Freshman Coach19701969–72Nebraska

Game summaries

Wake Forest

StatisticsWake Forest Demon Deaconsyear=1970border=1}}"WAKENebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Wake Forest Demon Deaconsyear=1970border=1}}"**Wake Forest**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Wake Forest hit first with a field goal thanks to a Nebraska fumble, but by the half it was the Cornhuskers 28–5. The Demon Deacons would go on to win the ACC title, their last until 2006.

at No. 3 USC

StatisticsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEBUSC Trojansyear=1970border=1}}"USC
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
USC Trojansyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**USC**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nebraska entered the game as a two-touchdown underdog to a USC squad fresh off a 42–21 whipping of Alabama in Birmingham, but never trailed the Trojans during the course of the game. Each team traded touchdowns, and each team missed opportunities for the win, right up to USC's incomplete 50-yard pass on the last play of the game.

Ironically, USC aided Nebraska's national championship push by defeating then-No. 2 Notre Dame 38–28 at Los Angeles in the regular season finale. The Trojans came into the rivalry just 5–4–1, while the Fighting Irish was 9–0.

Army

StatisticsArmy Cadetsyear=1970border=1}}"ARMYNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Army Cadetsyear=1970border=1}}"**Army**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nebraska owned the day, shutting out Army 28–0 in an otherwise unremarkable game.

at Minnesota

StatisticsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEBMinnesota Golden Gophersyear=1970border=1}}"MINN
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Minnesota Golden Gophersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Minnesota**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Bob Devaney's record against the Big 10 was extended to 9–0 as the Cornhuskers had little trouble with Minnesota after running ahead 28–10 before the half.

Missouri

StatisticsMissouri Tigersyear=1970border=1}}"MIZNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Missouri Tigersyear=1970border=1}}"**Missouri**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nebraska scored only 7 points in the first half, and Missouri matched it before the half. The subsequent defensive battle continued through into the 4th quarter before the Cornhuskers broke away with an additional 14 points, one from a 48-yard punt return touchdown.

at Kansas

StatisticsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEBKansas Jayhawksyear=1970border=1}}"KU
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Kansas Jayhawksyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Kansas**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nebraska was surprised to find themselves behind 10–20 with 10 minutes left in the 1st half, but battled back to take the lead with two more touchdowns before the break, and never let Kansas score again as they cruised to a 41–20 final.

Oklahoma State

StatisticsOklahoma State Cowboysyear=1970border=1}}"OK STNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Oklahoma State Cowboysyear=1970border=1}}"**Oklahoma State**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nebraska piled up 65 points, its highest total since 1922, and held Oklahoma State to just 64 ground yards as the Cornhuskers made short work of the Cowboys.

at Colorado

StatisticsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEBColorado Buffaloesyear=1970border=1}}"COL
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colorado Buffaloesyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Colorado**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nebraska pulled out in front right away with a 12–0 1st quarter lead, but stubborn Colorado fought back and trailed the Cornhuskers by only 13–15 in the 4th quarter – after missing a 2-point conversion that would have tied the game – before Nebraska decided to stop the uprising with two touchdowns in the last 10 minutes to pull away.

at Iowa State

StatisticsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEBIowa State Cyclonesyear=1970border=1}}"IOWA ST
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa State Cyclonesyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Iowa State**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

The game was not as close as the score indicates, as Iowa State put up two late touchdowns against Nebraska reserves in the 4th quarter after the Cornhuskers had run up a 54–17 lead with 5 minutes remaining to play.

No. 20 Kansas State

StatisticsKansas State Wildcatsyear=1970border=1}}"K STATENebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kansas State Wildcatsyear=1970border=1}}"**Kansas State**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Kansas State came to Lincoln with hopes of a Big Eight title opportunity, but they were not prepared for the domination that Nebraska would show them in a convincing defeat. The Wildcats managed only two touchdowns, one of which came with 5 minutes remaining in the 4th against the Nebraska reserves. At one point in the game, the Cornhuskers exploded for 27 points in less than 4 minutes, pushing their lead out to 51–7.

Oklahoma

StatisticsOklahoma Soonersyear=1970border=1}}"OUNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Oklahoma Soonersyear=1970border=1}}"**Oklahoma**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nebraska locked up their first unbeaten regular season since 1965 by coming from behind twice to get the win over stubborn Oklahoma. It wasn't until 7:42 remained in the 4th quarter that Nebraska pulled ahead by a touchdown to settle the final score.

No. 5 LSU (Orange Bowl)

StatisticsLSU Tigersyear=1970border=1}}"LSUNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}"NEB
First downs2018
Total yards278293
Rushes/yards45–5148–132
Passing yards227161
Return yards33
Fumbles/lost4–34–3
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17–32–114–28–2
Punts/average8–32.56–37.7
Penalties/yards4–278–67
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LSU Tigersyear=1970border=1}}"**LSU**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Nebraska**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Third-ranked Nebraska jumped to a 10–0 lead in the first quarter and lead 10–3 at halftime, but #5 LSU fought back to make a game of it, pulling ahead on a field goal at the end of the 3rd quarter to get to 12–10. With over eight minutes remaining, Jerry Tagge jumped over the pile from the 1-yard line for the game's final points, and the Blackshirts held on the rest of the way to preserve the win. Top-ranked Texas and #2 Ohio State both lost their bowl games earlier in the day, which allowed the Huskers to claim their first national championship.

Stats

Team Stats

Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TeamNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PassingNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"RushingNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"SplitNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"GNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"CmpNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AttNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PctNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"YdsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TDNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AttNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"YdsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AvgNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TD
Offense1214.022.961.1186.81.757.1223.83.92.8
Defense1212.826.847.5163.61.042.2140.23.31.0
Difference+1.2+3.9+13.6+23.2+0.7+14.9+83.6+0.6+1.8

Passing

Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PassingNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PlayerNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"GNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"CmpNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AttNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PctNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"YdsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Y/ANebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AY/ANebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TDNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"IntNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Rate
Tagge1211619061.115368.17.5128141.4
Brownson12497565.36678.98.763158.4
Jones121520.071.41.40031.8
Schneiss121333.3175.7−2.711124.3
Orduna1211100.01414.034.010547.6
Rodgers12010.000.00.0000.0

Rushing & Receiving

Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Rushing & ReceivingNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"RushingNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"ReceivingNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"ScrimmageNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PlayerNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"GNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AttNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"YdsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AvgNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TDNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"RecNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"YdsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AvgNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TDNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PlaysNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"YdsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"AvgNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TD
Orduna122008974.51511857.702119824.715
Kinney121596944.442020610.311799005.05
Tagge12851531.85851531.85
Schneiss12703274.72201567.82904835.44
Brownson12501122.24501122.24
Vactor12431283.013165.30461443.11
Rodgers12392195.623971018.277892911.99
Olds1213806.2011919.0014997.10
Carstens127233.302115.509343.80
Hughes12720.3033511,7010373,70
Jones126−9−1.506−9−1.50
Ingles124348.503662517.484065916.58
List1222613.002327812.102530412.20
Cox1288310.4288310.42
Harvey122178.502178.50

Scoring

Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"ScoringNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TouchdownsNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"KickingNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Nebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PlayerNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"GNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"RushNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"RecNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"IntNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"FRNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"PRNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"KRNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"OthNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"TotNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"XPMNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"FGMNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"2PMNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"SftyNebraska Cornhuskersyear=1970border=2}}"Pts
Orduna121515192
Rodgers1227954
Ingles128848
Kinney1241530
Tagge125530
Schneiss1222424
Brownson124424
Cox122212
Vactor12116

Rankings

Awards

AwardName(s)
National
Coach of the YearBob Devaney
All-America
1st teamJerry Murtaugh, Bob Newton
All-America
2nd teamJoe Orduna
All-America
honorable mentionJoe Blahak, Van Brownson, Willie Harper,
Guy Ingles, Donnie McGhee, Joe Orduna,
Johnny Rodgers, Jerry Tagge, Dave Walline
All-America
SophomoresJoe Blahak, Doug Dumler,
Willie Harper, Johnny Rodgers
Big Eight
Player of the YearJerry Murtaugh
Big Eight Sophomore
Lineman of the YearWillie Harper
All-Big Eight
1st teamBill Kosch, Donnie McGhee, Jerry Murtaugh,
Bob Newton, Joe Orduna, Ed Periard,
Johnny Rodgers, Paul Rogers, Dave Walline
All-Big Eight
honorable mentionVan Brownson, Guy Ingles,
Jerry Tagge, Wally Winter

1970 team players in the NFL

The 1970 Nebraska Cornhuskers seniors selected in the 1971 NFL draft:

Dan SchneissTE11261[Boston Patriots](1971-new-england-patriots-season)

The 1970 Nebraska Cornhuskers juniors selected in the following year's 1972 NFL draft:

The 1970 Nebraska Cornhuskers sophomores selected in the 1973 NFL draft:

NFL and pro players

The following 1970 Nebraska players joined a professional team as draftees or free agents.

NameTeam
**Joe Blahak**Houston Oilers
**Doug Dumler**New England Patriots
**John Dutton**Baltimore Colts
**Rich Glover**New York Giants
**Willie Harper**San Francisco 49ers
**Larry Jacobson**New York Giants
**Bill Janssen**Charlotte Hornets
**Carl Johnson**New Orleans Saints
**Monte Johnson**Oakland Raiders
**Jeff Kinney**Kansas City Chiefs
**Brent Longwell**Memphis Southmen
**Dave Mason**New England Patriots
**Jerry Murtaugh**New England Patriots
**Bob Newton**Chicago Bears
**Bill Olds**Baltimore Colts
**Joe Orduna**New York Giants
**Johnny Rodgers**Montreal Alouettes
**Bob Schmit**Portland Storm
**Jerry Tagge**Green Bay Packers
**Frank Vactor**Washington Redskins
**Daryl White**Detroit Lions
**Bob Wolfe**Birmingham Americans
**Keith Wortman**Green Bay Packers

References

References

  1. (20 August 2005). "Famous quarterback rotations".
  2. "Van Brownson College Stats".
  3. "Jerry Tagge College Stats".
  4. [https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/nixon-visit-honored-the-huskers/ Nixon visit honored the Huskers]
  5. (January 15, 1971). "Nixon urging youth alliance". Lawrence Daily Journal-World.
  6. (September 13, 1970). "Huskers toy with Wake". The Sioux City Sunday Journal.
  7. (September 20, 1970). "Huskers battle mighty Trojans to 21–21 tie". The Fresno Bee.
  8. (September 27, 1970). "Huskers blitz Army by 28–0". The Daily Nonpareil.
  9. (October 4, 1970). "Nebraska topples Gophers". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  10. (October 11, 1970). "Cornhuskers top Mizzou". Oakland Tribune.
  11. (October 18, 1970). "Van Brownson leads Huskers by KU, 41–20". The Salina Journal.
  12. (October 25, 1970). "High-geared Huskers shuck Oklags 65–31 before 67,822". Scottsbluff Star-Herald.
  13. (November 1, 1970). "Cornhuskers top Colorado". The Kalamazoo Gazette.
  14. (November 8, 1970). "Orduna ignites Cornhuskers". The Commercial Appeal.
  15. (November 15, 1970). "Cornhuskers breeze past outclassed Kansas State". San Angelo Standard-Times.
  16. (November 22, 1970). "Nebraska wraps up Big Eight". The Orlando Sentinel.
  17. (January 2, 1971). "Tagge leads Nebraska Number 1 crown claim". The Austin American-Statesman.
  18. . ["Schedule/Results (1970 Nebraska)"](https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/296635). *[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]*.
  19. "1970 Football Roster".
  20. [https://www.huskermax.com/games/1970/assistants/1970assts.html Bob Devaney's assistants, 1970 Nebraska football – HuskerMax™]
  21. [http://www.huskermax.com/honors/honors_1970.html 1970 Husker Honors]
  22. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1971.htm Pro Football Reference.com] {{Webarchive. link. (2010-09-24 – 1971 NFL Draft)
  23. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1972.htm Pro Football Reference.com] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-12-21 – 1972 NFL Draft)
  24. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1973.htm Pro Football Reference.com] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-12-21 – 1973 NFL Draft)
  25. [http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html All Time NFL Huskers]
  26. [http://www.huskermax.com/interviews/Jerry_Murtaugh072704.html Huskerpedia.com] – Jerry Murtaugh interview – 2004-07-27
Info: Wikipedia Source

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