1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Cotton Bowl Classic champion
ConferenceBig Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 11
APNo. 7
1973 record9–2–1 (4–2–1 Big 8)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTom Osborne (5th season)
Offensive schemeI formation
Defensive coordinatorMonte Kiffin (1st season)
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
1973 Big Eight Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 3 Oklahoma $ 7 0 0  10 0 1
No. 7 Nebraska 4 2 1  9 2 1
No. 18 Kansas 4 2 1  7 4 1
No. 17 Missouri 3 4 0  8 4 0
Oklahoma State 2 3 2  5 4 2
Colorado 2 5 0  5 6 0
Kansas State 2 5 0  5 6 0
Iowa State 2 5 0  4 7 0
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

[1]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 83:50 pmNo. 10 UCLA*No. 4ABCW 40-1374,966
September 221:30 pmNo. 14 NC State*No. 2
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
W 31-1475,925
September 291:30 pmWisconsin*No. 2
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
W 20-1676,279
October 61:30 pmat Minnesota*No. 2W 48-758,091
October 131:30 pmat MissouriNo. 2L 12-1368,720
October 201:30 pmNo. 18 KansasNo. 11
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
W 10-976,498
October 271:30 pmat Oklahoma StateNo. 10T 17-1750,500
November 31:30 pmNo. 17 ColoradoNo. 13
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
W 28-1676,555
November 101:30 pmIowa StateNo. 11
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
W 31-776,503
November 171:30 pmat Kansas StateNo. 10W 50-2142,000
November 231:20 pmat No. 3 OklahomaNo. 10ABCL 0-2762,257
January 11:10 pmvs. No. 8 Texas*No. 12CBSW 19-367,500
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Roster

[2][3]

Adkins, Ken #5 (So.) SE
Alward, Tom #63 (Jr.) G
Anderson, Dan #67 (Sr.) G
Anderson, Frosty #89 (Sr.) SE
Austin, Al #78 (Sr.) OT
Bahe, Ritch #24 (Jr.) WB
Belka, Jim #47 (Jr.) FB
Bell, John #66 (Sr.) MG
Benish, Randy #4 (So.) DB
Bonness, Rik #54 (So.) C
Borg, Randy #19 (Sr.) DB
Brock, Dan #00 (So.) DT
Burns, Burton #49 (So.) FB
Burrow, Jim #2 (So.) DB
Butterfield, Dave #34 (So.) DB
Coccia, Tom #98 (So.) DE
Costanzo, Rich #77 (So.) OT
Coyle, Mike (So.) PK
Crenshaw, Marvin #70 (Jr.) OT
Damkroger, Maury #46 (Sr.) FB
Davis, Tony #25 (So.) IB
Doak, Mark #71 (Jr.) OT
Duda, Rich #50 (Jr.) C
Dutton, John #90 (Sr.) DT
Eichelberger, Percy #44 (So.) LB
Everett, Earl #9 (So.) QB
Fischer, Pat #33 (Sr.) DB
Gissler, Dean #97 (So.) DT
Goeller, Dave #28 (Sr.) IB
Hegener, Stan #64 (Jr.) G
Heiser, Tom #27 (So.) WB
Henrichs, Dennis #75 (Jr.) OT
Heydorff, Mark #22 (Jr.) DB

 

Hill, Jeff #36 (Jr.) SE
Hoins, Steve #52 (So.) OT
Humm, Dave #12 (Jr.) QB
Hunter, Ken #78 (Jr.) MG
Iverson, Dave #42 (So.) LB
Johnson, Ardell #29 (Jr.) DB
Johnson, Doug #92 (Sr.) DT
Jones, Chuck #35 (So.) DB
Kyros, George #18 (Jr.) DB
Lackovic, Tim #80 (Jr.) SE
Lee, John #69 (So.) MG
Lemmerond, Rick #8 (So.) QB
Leonardi, Chad #61 (Jr.) G
Lessman, Randy #6 (So.) DE
Lingenfelter, Bob #73 (So.) OT
Lloyd, Jerry #99 (So.) MG
Longwell, Brent #86 (Sr.) TE
Luck, Terry #11 (So.) QB
Manstedt, Steve #82 (Sr.) DE
Martin, Bob #87 (So.) DB
Mazon, Frank #31 (So.) DB
Mills, George (So.) DT
Monds, Wonder #26 (So.) DB
Moran, Jeff #30 (Jr.) IB
Mushinskie, Larry #88 (So.) TE
Nelson, Bob #57 (Jr.) LB
Nelson, Chris #37 (Jr.) TE
Norrie, Rod #94 (Jr.) DT
Offner, Mike #95 (So.) DE
O'Holleran, Mike #38 (Sr.) FB
O'Leary, John #14 (So.) IB
Panneton, Rick #81 (Jr.) TE
Pate, Tom #68 (Jr.) DE
Pavelka, Dennis #74 (Jr.) OT

 

Peterson, Matt #39 (So.) TE
Pillen, Clete #7 (So.) LB
Powell, Ralph #41 (Sr.) FB
Pruitt, Ron #91 (So.) DT
Pumphrey, Jeff #3 (So.) SE
Ray, Glen #10 (So.) QB
Redding, Dave #96 (So.) DE
Revelle, Bob #84 (Jr.) SE
Rogers, Terry #40 (Jr.) DB
Runty, Steve #13 (Sr.) QB
Rutan, Bob #55 (So.) DE
Ruud, Tom #45 (Jr.) LB
Sanger, Rich #43 (Sr.) P/PK
Schmidt, Dan #51 (So.) G
Schmit, Bob #23 (Sr.) LB
Schneider, Jeff #1 (So.) DB
Seeton, Jim #16 (So.) DB
Shamblin, Dave #85 (So.) SE
Sledge, Jim #58 (So.) OT
Starkebaum, John #48 (Jr.) DB
Stuberg, Wayne #59 (So.) C
Talley, Chester #32 (So.) IB
Thomas, Tom #53 (Jr.) C
Thornton, Bob #17 (Sr.) DB
Thornton, Willie #65 (So.) MG
Varner, Rich #56 (So.) C
Westbrook, Don #21 (Jr.) WB
White, Daryl #72 (Sr.) OT
Wied, Jerry #93 (So.) DT
Wieser, Steve #83 (Jr.) DE
Wolfe, Bob #76 (Sr.) OG
Yaralian, Zaven #15 (Sr.) DB
Zanetich, Nick #62 (So.) G

     

Coaching staff

NameTitleFirst year
in this position
Years at
Nebraska
Alma Mater
Tom OsborneHead Coach
Offensive Coordinator
19731964–97Hastings
Monte KiffinDefensive Coordinator19731967–76Nebraska
Cletus FischerOffensive Line1960–85Nebraska
Jim Ross1962–76
John MeltonTight Ends, Wingbacks19731962–88Wyoming
Mike CorganRunning Backs19621962–82Notre Dame
Warren PowersDefensive Backs1969–76Nebraska
Boyd EpleyHead Strength Coach19691969–2003Nebraska
Bill MylesOffensive Line19721972–76
Jerry MooreWide Receivers19731973–78Baylor
George Darlington1973–2002Rutgers
Rick DuvalLinebackers
Recruiting Coordinator
19731973–74Worcester

Game summaries

UCLA

#10 UCLA at #4 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
#10 UCLA 6 700 13
#4 Nebraska 14 6614 40

The Tom Osborne era at Nebraska began in style, as the Cornhuskers exacted revenge for last year's loss to UCLA by beating the #10 Bruins in Lincoln 40-13. Nebraska jumped out to a 14-0 lead in less than 10 minutes, and though UCLA scored to come within 7, that was as close as they'd get for the rest of the game as the Blackshirts shut out the Bruins entirely in the 2nd half.

NC State

#14 NC State at #2 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
#14 NC State 7 070 14
#2 Nebraska 0 7321 31

It was touch and go for Nebraska as the Cornhuskers fought to stay even with NC State until blowing the game wide open in the 4th quarter with three straight unanswered touchdowns.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin at #2 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Wisconsin 0 709 16
#2 Nebraska 7 0013 20

Wisconsin fought Nebraska to a 7-7 tie entering the 4th quarter before pulling ahead by 3 on a field goal with 8 minutes to go. The Cornhuskers replied with a touchdown, which was promptly answered by a 96-yard Badger kickoff return to put Nebraska behind again. Nebraska again responded, marching 83 yards in just seven plays to score again for the win.

Minnesota

#2 Nebraska at Minnesota [box score]
1 234Total
#2 Nebraska 7 141314 48
Minnesota 7 000 7

Minnesota QB Tony Dungy managed to get a 1st-quarter touchdown, and that would be the last time the Golden Gophers saw the scoreboard, as the first Minnesota sellout since 1960 (with help from the numerous traveling Cornhusker fans) watched Nebraska dismantle the Gophers 48-7.

Missouri

#2 Nebraska at Missouri [box score]
1 234Total
#2 Nebraska 6 006 12
Missouri 0 607 13

Missouri handed coach Tom Osborne his first career defeat as Nebraska's 2-point conversion for the win with 1:00 remaining was intercepted, marking the first time Coach Osborne decided to forgo the tie and take a shot at the win, an approach later repeated to much attention in the 1984 Orange Bowl.

Kansas

#18 Kansas at #11 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
#18 Kansas 0 360 9
#11 Nebraska 7 003 10

Kansas avoided the 1st half shutout on a recovered Nebraska fumble converted into a field goal. The Jayhawks then came out from halftime and continued to hold off Nebraska while putting in their own touchdown late in the 3rd to pull ahead, though the PAT was blocked. Less than five minutes later, Nebraska responded with a field goal to pull ahead by 1 point, where a tie would have existed had the previous Kansas PAT attempt been good. From there on out, the Blackshirts held on for the rest of the quarter to preserve the razor thin winning margin.

Oklahoma State

#10 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score]
1 234Total
#10 Nebraska 10 070 17
Oklahoma State 10 700 17

With 2:23 remaining in a fierce contest, no scoring since the previous quarter, and a 17-17 tie still on the board, Nebraska opted to forgo the easy field goal and instead attempted to go for it on 4th and goal inside the Cowboys' one yard line, but the attempt failed, and both teams were forced to settle for a tie.[4]

Colorado

#17 Colorado at #13 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
#17 Colorado 0 367 16
#13 Nebraska 14 1400 28

Colorado never really had a chance in this game, as Nebraska rolled out to an early 28-3 lead by the half. The final Cornhusker touchdown was a change of plans, after a field goal setup was moved towards the end zone due to a Colorado penalty, and Nebraska instead decided to run one in. The 4th quarter Buffalo touchdown was made on a trick play against Nebraska reserves who had entered the game to mop up.

Iowa State

Iowa State at #11 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Iowa State 0 070 7
#11 Nebraska 14 1007 31

Once again, Nebraska ran out to a substantial early lead and coasted in for the win, as the game was essentially decided when the Cornhuskers put in a 67-yard pass touchdown just before the half. Nebraska reserves entered the game in the 4th and put in a touchdown to further pad the win.

Kansas State

#10 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]
1 234Total
#10 Nebraska 10 13720 50
Kansas State 0 0147 21

Kansas State never was in this game, as the Cornhuskers blasted the Wildcats for a 23-0 1st half lead and never really slowed down, rolling up 612 yards of total offense along the way. The performances of Nebraska IB Tony Davis and IB John O'Leary on the day marked the first time two Cornhusker runners exceeded 100 yards in the same game.

Oklahoma

#10 Nebraska at #3 Oklahoma [box score]
1 234Total
#10 Nebraska 0 000 0
#3 Oklahoma 14 067 27

Oklahoma completely dismantled Nebraska in every way, as the Cornhuskers were shut out for the first time since 1968, an indignity that would not be repeated until Miami defeated Nebraska in the 1992 Orange Bowl eighteen years later. The Cornhuskers were held to just 74 ground yards and 174 yards of total offense as the Nebraska offense never crossed mid-field.

Texas

#8 Texas vs #12 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
#8 Texas 3 000 3
#12 Nebraska 0 3133 19

SWC champion Texas put up the first points early in the 1st quarter with a field goal, but never saw the scoreboard again as Nebraska fought back to a 3-3 tie by the half, and then shut down the Longhorns' efforts afterwards by blocking a field goal and recovering a Texas fumble along the way to creating a comfortable lead by the end of the 3rd quarter. It was the Huskers fifth consecutive bowl victory.

Rankings

Ranking Movement
PollPreWk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6Wk 7Wk 8Wk 9Wk 10Wk 11Wk 12Wk 13Final
AP 4 2 2 2 2 2 11 10 13 11 10 10 13 12 7
Coaches 11

Awards

[6]

Award Name(s)
All-America
1st team
John Dutton, Daryl White
All-America
honorable mention
Steve Manstedt
All-Big Eight
1st team
Frosty Anderson, John Dutton,
Steve Manstedt, Daryl White
All-Big Eight
2nd team
Dan Anderson, John Bell,
Randy Borg
All-Big Eight
honorable mention
Ritch Bahe, Tony Davis,
Dave Humm, Bob Thornton

1973 Team Players in the NFL

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers seniors selected in the 1974 NFL Draft:[7]

PlayerPositionRoundPickFranchise
John DuttonDE15Baltimore Colts
Steve ManstedtLB479Houston Oilers
Daryl WhiteG498Cincinnati Bengals
Bob WolfeT6156Miami Dolphins
Maury DamkrogerLB7178New England Patriots
Frosty AndersonWR10235New Orleans Saints

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers juniors selected in the following year's 1975 NFL Draft:[8]

PlayerPositionRoundPickFranchise
Tom RuudLB119Buffalo Bills
Bob NelsonLB242Buffalo Bills
John StarkebaumDB492New Orleans Saints
David HummQB5128Oakland Raiders
Don WestbrookWR6131Baltimore Colts
Mark DoakT6147Washington Redskins
Ardell JohnsonDB11277Washington Redskins
Ritch BaheWR14358St. Louis Cardinals
Dennis PavelkaG16412Washington Redskins
Stan HegenerG17442Pittsburgh Steelers

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers sophomores selected in the 1976 NFL Draft:[9]

PlayerPositionRoundPickFranchise
Rik BonnessC384Oakland Raiders
Tony DavisRB4106Cincinnati Bengals
Wonder MondsDB4112Pittsburgh Steelers
Bob MartinLB6163New York Jets
Jim BurrowDB8218Green Bay Packers
Dean GisslerDE11308Washington Redskins
John O'LearyRB12303Chicago Bears
Brad JenkinsTE13348Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John LeeDT13351San Diego Chargers
Larry MushinskieTE14402Dallas Cowboys
Rick CostanzoT16458Dallas Cowboys

NFL and Pro Players

The following is a list of 1973 Nebraska players
who joined a professional team as draftees or free agents.[10]

Name Team
Tom Alward Birmingham Vulcans
Rik Bonness Oakland Raiders
Jim Burrow Green Bay Packers
Tony Davis Cincinnati Bengals
Mark Doak Birmingham Vulcans
Maury Damkroger New England Patriots
John Dutton Baltimore Colts
Dave Humm Oakland Raiders
John Lee San Diego Chargers
Bob Lingenfelter Cleveland Browns
Brent Longwell Memphis Southmen
Terry Luck Cleveland Browns
Steve Manstedt Birmingham Americans
Bob Martin New York Jets
Wonder Monds Ottawa Rough Riders
Bob Nelson Buffalo Bills
John O'Leary Montreal Alouettes
Tom Pate Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Tom Ruud Buffalo Bills
Bob Schmit Portland Storm
Don Westbrook New England Patriots
Daryl White Detroit Lions
Bob Wolfe Birmingham Americans
Zaven Yaralian Philadelphia Bell

References

  1. "Football - 1973 Schedule/Results". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Athletics Department. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  2. Nebraska 1973 Roster
  3. "Nebraska 1973 Commitments". Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  4. http://www.huskermax.com/games/1973/07oklahomastate.html
  5. http://www.huskermax.com/games/1973/08colorado.html
  6. 1973 Husker Honors
  7. Pro Football Reference.com – 1974 NFL Draft
  8. Pro Football Reference.com – 1975 NFL Draft
  9. Pro Football Reference.com – 1976 NFL Draft
  10. "All Time NFL Huskers". Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
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