Posts Tagged ‘Tom Osborne’

National and Big Eight Recap – “Salesman Bill” McCartney

//posted 9.1.1983

National and Big Eight recap – 1983

The Miami Hurricanes finished on top of the polls for the first time in school history, defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers 31-30 in the Orange Bowl. Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger completed the resurrection of the once dormant program, bouncing back from a 28-3 setback to Florida in the season opener to run the table and finish 11-1. Freshman quarterback Bernie Kosar teamed with fellow frosh Alonzo Highsmith to account for three touchdowns in the national championship game, as Kosar passed for 300 yards. Schnellenberger shared coach of the year honors with Ken Hatfield of Air Force. Hatfield, despite having the inherent obstacles associated with recruiting for a service academy, led the Falcons to an unlikely 10-2 record, and only the second final ranking (13th) in school history.

In the Big Eight, the cliché of the year could well have been: so close, yet so far. Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne fell a two-point conversion short of his first national championship and an undefeated season in what many believe to be one of the best college football finales ever. Osborne lost the game, but gained the admiration of millions of football fans, when, with only…

Nebraska – Turner Gill makes his debut

//posted 10.10.1981

(Post your own memories)

October 10th – @ Nebraska Nebraska 59, Colorado 0

The Nebraska thrashing, 59-0, was not unique for the result, as Colorado went into the game on a thirteen game losing streak against the Cornhuskers (average score: 34-8). What was unique was that, of the three losses suffered after the Washington State game, this was the lone loss Buff loss against an unranked team. Nebraska began the 1981 campaign 1-2, losing to Iowa 10-7 in Iowa City, and 30-24 to Penn State in Lincoln. Shortly after the demolition of Colorado, Nebraska regained a national ranking, and did not lose it until 2002. The streak of being ranked, which lasted 348 polls, is an NCAA record.

How bad was the game? Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne was quoted after the game as saying: “Actually, in the fourth quarter there we were trying to run plays that would not result in points”, said Osborne. ”But it was hard to run some plays and not end up gaining five yards.”

Sad. And this was from the lips of a coach with a team which entered the game with a 1-2 record.

What had become of the respectable Colorado defense? Gone with the wind of the Nebraska speed…

#9 Nebraska – What are our school colors, anyway?

//posted 10.25.1980

(Post your own memories)

October 25th – Boulder #9 Nebraska 45, Colorado 7

Just what the Buffs needed.

An 0-6 season record, with once-beaten and 9th-ranked Huskers coming to town. Nebraska, led by running backs Jarvis Redwine and sophomore sensation Roger Craig, was on its way to leading the nation in rushing and a 10-2 record. Matching the final 45-7 result of the Missouri game from the week before was not intentional, unless, of course, Nebraska had decided in advance to set the score. With the way the Buffs were playing, naming the score in the locker room before the game started would have been the most difficult decision Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne would have had to make all day.

Apparently, though, I did not see the game the same way others viewed it. Most Colorado fans witnessed a game where the Buffs rushing “attack” was led by Lance Olander, who gained 48 of Colorado’s total of rushing 89 yards. Randy Essington threw two interceptions on the way to 151 passing yards, completing 15 passes on 27 attempts.

Still, according to the newspaper accounts, the 45-7 score was not indicative of what actually occurred. The Denver Post headline on October 26, 1980: “More…

Colorado Buffalo Football Analysis and Recaps - CU At the Game

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Posts Tagged ‘Tom Osborne’

National and Big Eight Recap – “Salesman Bill” McCartney

Nebraska – Turner Gill makes his debut

#9 Nebraska – What are our school colors, anyway?

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