1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg 100 Big Eight Conference Big 8 10 12 9–3 5–2 Tom Osborne 5th I formation Lance Van Zandt 1st 5–2 Memorial Stadium Liberty Bowl champion Liberty Bowl W 21–17 vs. North Carolina The 1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Schedule 1977 AP Central September 10 1:30 pm l y 15 Washington State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 10–19 75,922 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-herald-washington-state-upsets-husk/171161212/ Star-Herald Washington State upsets Huskers 19–10 September 11, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com September 17 12:45 pm w y Alabama 4 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC 31–24 75,899 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-tide-defense-cant-sto/134286009/ The Anniston Star Tide defense can't stop 'Huskers September 18, 1977 October 29, 2023 Newspapers.com September 24 1:30 pm w y 14 Baylor Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 31–10 76,231 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tyler-courier-times-cornhuskers-bomb/169162399/ The Tyler Courier-Times Cornhuskers bomb Baylor September 25, 1977 March 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 1:30 pm w y 11 Indiana Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 31–13 76,034 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-hoosiers-give-hu/171174309/ The South Bend Tribune Hoosiers give 'Huskers a scare October 2, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 1:30 pm w y 9 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry 26–9 41,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-recorder-cornhuskers-romp-over/171169757/ The Times Recorder Cornhuskers romp over Kansas State October 9, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 1:30 pm l 9 Iowa State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 21–24 76,090 https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-cyclones-rally-t/171174466/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Cyclones rally to stun Cornhuskers by 24–21 October 16, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 22 1:30 pm w y 18 Colorado 7 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 33–15 76,486 https://www.newspapers.com/article/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-1977/11885646/ Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph CU bubble bursts; Huskers roll 33–15 October 23, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 12:45 pm w y 12 Oklahoma State Lewis Field Stillwater, OK ABC 31–14 49,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-nebrasks-eases-by-co/171171175/ The Daily Nonpareil Nebraska eases by Cowboys October 30, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 1:30 pm w y 11 Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry 21–10 67,261 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-1977-nebraska-mi/12480478/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Stubborn Huskers whip Mizzou, 21–10 November 6, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com November 12 1:30 pm w 12 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 52–7 76,392 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-huskers-demolish/171172411/ The Sioux City Journal Huskers demolish Jayhawks, 52–7 November 13, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com November 25, 1977 1:25 pm l y 11 Oklahoma 3 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK rivalry ABC 7–38 71,184 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-sooners-shuck-cor/171174662/ Birmingham Post-Herald Sooners shuck Cornhuskers November 26, 1977 April 26, 2025 Newspapers.com December 19, 1977 8:05 pm w y y 12 North Carolina 14 Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Liberty Bowl ABC 21–17 49,456 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-nebraskas-pa/139645555/ The News and Observer Nebraska's pass-master brings Carolina to Heel December 20, 1977 January 26, 2024 Newspapers.com Roster http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&SPID=22&SPSID=4 Nebraska 1977 Roster June 10, 2009 March 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090304053341/http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&SPID=22&SPSID=4 dead Nebraska 1977 Commitments http://www.huskermax.com/recruits/1977.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100107035142/http://huskerpedia.com/recruits/1977.html 2010-01-07 live 2009-06-10 Anderson, Rene #2 (Sr.) DB Andrews, George #96 (Jr.) DE Anthony, Monte #49 (Sr.) IB Barnett, Bill #97 (So.) DT Berns, Richard #35 (Jr.) IB Bishop, Keith #53 (Jr.) C Bloom, Jeff #50 (So.) C Brown, Kenny #22 (Jr.) WB Bruce, Mike #76 (So.) OT Bryant, Bill #95 (Jr.) DT Burns, Ed #17 (Sr.) QB Carpenter, Jeff #37 (Sr.) LB Cass, Dan #8 (So.) DB Clark, Kelvin #73 (Jr.) OT Cole, Lawrence #81 (So.) DE Cooley, Lawrence #67 (Jr.) OG Cotton, Barney #54 (Jr.) C Craig, Curtis #33 (Sr.) WB Davis, Tom #52 (Sr.) C Dixon, Rod #5 (Jr.) PK Donnell, Dodie #45 (Sr.) FB Dufresne, Mark #88 (Sr.) TE Dunning, Bruce #40 (So.) LB England, Gary #91 (So.) DT Everett, Earl #9 (Sr.) WB Fischer, Tim #16 (Jr.) DB Franklin, Andra (So.) FB Frei, Steve #27 (So.) DB Garcia, Randy #18 (Sr.) QB Gast, Reg #82 (Sr.) DE Gemar, Scott #1 (So.) PK Glenn, Steve #71 (Jr.) OT Goodspeed, Mark #72 (So.) OT Hager, Tim #10 (So.) QB Hansen, Jeff #48 (Jr.) DB Harvey, Ted #31 (Sr.) DB Havekost, John #69 (So.) OG Hedrick, Brian #43 (So.) DT Henson, Zac #79(Sr.) OGK Hipp, I.M. #32 (So.) IB Horn, Rod #55 (So.) DT Ingram, John #19 (So.) DB Jorgensen, Greg #63 (Sr.) OG Keith, Percy #21 (So.) DB Keuten, John #64 (So.) OG Kunz, Lee #38 (Jr.) LB Lee, Jeff #26 (Jr.) SE Lee, Oudious #65 (So.) MG Lehigh, Pat #6 (Jr.) DB Lindquist, Steve #68 (Jr.) OG Lockett, Frank #80 (Jr.) SE Loken, Rocke #87 (Sr.) SE Markus, Steve #56 (Sr.) LB Matthies, Tom #77 (So.) OT McCrady, Tim #24 (So.) WB McQuitter, Greg #41 (Jr.) DB Means, Andy #34 (So.) DB Miller, Junior #89 (So.) TE Moritz, Brett #70 (Sr.) OG Nelson, Derrie #92 (So.) DE O'Doherty, Dave #78 (So.) OT Ohrt, Tom #74 (Jr.) OT Payne, Dennis #13 (Jr.) DB Pensick, Dan #93 (So.) DT Pillen, Jim #29 (Jr.) DB Poeschl, Randy #75 (Jr.) DT Powers, Dana #28 (So.) DB Pullen, Jeff #66 (Sr.) MG Quinn, Jeff #11 (So.) QB Rick, Randy #90 (Sr.) DE Roehrs, Kelvin #99 (Jr.) MG Ruud, John #46 (So.) LB Saalfeld, Kelly #57 (Jr.) C Samuel, Tony #98 (Sr.) DE Schleusener, Randy #61 (So.) OG Selko, John #83 (Jr.) TE Smith, Kent #23 (Sr.) DB Smith, Tim #84 (So.) SE Sorley, Tom #12 (Jr.) QB Spaeth, Ken #86 (Sr.) TE Steiner, Dan #58 (So.) OG Steward, Keith #44 (Jr.) FB Stewart, Byron #30 (Jr.) IB Stroh, Mark #85 (So.) DE Sukup, Dean #3 (So.) PK Todd, Billy #14 (Jr.) PK Valasek, Larry #4 (Sr.) DB Vering, Tom #47 (Jr.) LB Waldemore, Stan #62 (Sr.) OT Walton, Darrell #7 (Jr.) DB Washington, Mike #36 (So.) FB Weinmaster, Kerry #51 (So.) MG Wightman, Jim #59 (Sr.) LB Wurth, Tim #25 (So.) IB Young, Larry #94 (Jr.) DE Young, Willie #39 (So.) LB       Depth chart I-Formation 5–2 Yes No Yes Tom Sorley Randy Garcia Ed Burns I.M Hipp Rick Burns Curtis Craig Tim Wurth Dodie Donnell Monte Anthony Andra Franklin Tim Smith Rocke Loken Jeff Lee SE Curtis Craig Kenny Brown Tim McCrady WB Ken Spaeth Mark Dufresne Junior Miller John Selko Kelvin Clark Steve Glenn Mark Goodspeed Greg Jorgensen Lawrence Cooley John Havekost Tom Davis Kelly Saaifeld Jeff Bloom Steve Lindquist Brett Mortiz Dan Steiner Stan Waldemore Tom Ohrt Dave O'Doherty Jeff Carpenter Tom Vering Bruce Dunning INSDIE Lee Kunz Jim Whightman John Ruud INSDIE Larry Valasek Jeff Hansen Dennis Payne Jim Pillen Kent Smith Percy Keith MONSTER BACK Ted Harvey Darrell Walton David Ligel Rene Anderson Tim Fischer Sammy Sims Georgie Andrews Randy Rick Reg Gast Barney Cotton Dan Pensick Bill Bryant Kerry Weinmater Oudious Lee Jeff Pullen Randy Poeschl Bill Barnett Rod Horn Brian Hedrick Tony Samuel Larry Young Lawrence Cole Billy Todd Tim Smith 110 90 No Coaching staff Name Title First yearin this position Years atNebraska Alma materTom OsborneHead coachOffensive coordinator19731964–1997Hastings CollegeLance Van ZandtDefensive CoordinatorDefensive backs19771977–1980LamarCletus FischerOffensive Line 1960–1985NebraskaJohn MeltonLinebackers19731962–1988WyomingMike CorganRunning Backs19621962–1982Notre DameBoyd EpleyHead Strength Coach19691969–2003NebraskaJerry MooreWide Receivers19731973–1978BaylorGeorge DarlingtonDefensive Ends 1973–2002 RutgersMilt TenopirOffensive Line19741974–2002 SterlingGuy InglesFreshman Head Coach 1976–1978NebraskaGene HueyReceivers19771977–1986WyomingCharlie McBrideDefensive Line19771977–1999Colorado Game summaries Washington State Washington State at #15 Nebraska [box score] Washington State #15 Nebraska 0 7 7 5 0 7 0 3 1977-09-10 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,922 yes Q2 7:30 WSU Kelly 19 yard pass from Thompson (Watson kick) WSU 7–0 Q2 3:27 NEB Berns 20 yard run (Todd kick) Tie 7–7 Q3 4:05 WSU Kelly 20 yard pass from Thompson (Watson kick) WSU 14–7 Q4 11:35 NEB Todd 19 yard field goal WSU 14–10 Q4 8:06 WSU Watson 35 yard field goal WSU 17–10 Q4 6:18 WSU Safety, Garcia tackled in end zone WSU 19–10 yes Nebraska convincingly dominated Washington State on the field and statistically, but fumbled repeatedly, including three times inside the Cougar 10-yard line and once on a punt. Despite the miscues, Nebraska still held onto a 7–7 tie at halftime. As the game progressed and Washington State began to pull away, Nebraska kept piling up the statistics but failed to get any closer than 10–14 before the Cougars iced the game with a field goal and a safety in the 4th quarter. The numbers defied the scoreboard, as Nebraska led in first downs 24–14, on the ground 247–120 and in the air 223–174, but the number that mattered was 0–1 to start the season. Alabama #4 Alabama at Nebraska [box score] #4 Alabama Nebraska 7 10 0 7 10 7 7 7 1977-09-17 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,899 ABC yes Q1 10:38 NEB Todd 29 yard field goal NEB 3–0 Q1 7:36 ALA Rutledge 7 yard run (Chapman kick) ALA 7–3 Q1 0:31 NEB Berns 7 yard pass from Garcia (Todd kick) NEB 10–7 Q2 10:45 ALA Nathan 2 yard run (Chapman kick) ALA 14–10 Q2 3:26 NEB Berns 2 yard run (Todd kick) NEB 17–14 Q2 0:10 ALA Chapman 37 yard field goal Tie 17–17 Q3 10:54 NEB Craig 17 yard run (Todd kick) NEB 24–17 Q3 12:24 ALA Nathan 1 yard run (Chapman kick) Tie 24–24 Q4 7:12 NEB Berns 2 yard run (Todd kick) NEB 31–24 yes Alabama came into Lincoln ranked #2 as Nebraska was still feeling the sting of the loss to Washington State and a rare absence from the polls. While the Crimson Tide slightly exceeded the Cornhuskers on offensive production, the 5–1 interception ratio and 25–17 first down edge each helped give Nebraska the edge to pull off the stunning upset. Baylor Baylor at #14 Nebraska [box score] Baylor #14 Nebraska 3 0 7 0 10 13 0 8 1977-09-24 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,231 Baylor was behind 10–3 by the end of the 1st quarter, and their only other score was a 3rd-quarter touchdown made possible in part by a lost Nebraska fumble. It was the offensive production that told the story of the day, as Nebraska rolled up 414 yards compared to the 182 produced by Baylor. Indiana Indiana at #11 Nebraska [box score] Indiana #11 Nebraska 7 3 3 0 10 7 0 14 1977-10-01 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,034 Nebraska IB I.M. Hipp, starting place of injured IB Rick Berns, set a new single game rushing record of 254 yards, besting the previous record of 211 set the previous year by Berns. Despite that performance, the game actually was in doubt entering the 4th quarter as the Hoosiers trailed 13–17, but the Cornhuskers added two more touchdowns soon after and came away with their 3rd consecutive 31-point score and win to close out the non-conference slate. Kansas State #9 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score] #9 Nebraska Kansas State 0 10 7 9 3 0 0 6 1977-10-08 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas CST 41,100 Two long touchdown runs by Nebraska IB I.M. Hipp created the gap between Kansas State and Nebraska, but the three interceptions suffered by the Wildcats also hurt any hopes that Kansas State may have had to put up a fight. Though Nebraska started out behind 0–3 in the 1st quarter, they scored the next touchdown and never looked back. Iowa State Iowa State at #9 Nebraska [box score] Iowa State #9 Nebraska 7 14 3 0 14 0 7 0 1977-10-15 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,090 Nebraska struck first and still held the 14–7 lead by the end of the 1st quarter, but two more Iowa State scores before the half put the Cyclones ahead for the rest of the game. Both offenses ground to a halt in the 4th quarter as the Cornhuskers failed to overcome the 21–24 deficit and were handed their second loss of the season. Colorado #7 Colorado at #18 Nebraska [box score] #7 Colorado #18 Nebraska 7 8 0 0 3 13 3 14 1977-10-22 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,486 The season of upsets for and against Nebraska continued, as the #7 Colorado team arrived in Lincoln to be dealt its first loss of the season. One of the two Colorado scores came on a 98-yard kickoff return, but after the half it was all Nebraska as the Cornhuskers piled up 390 yards on the ground and 480 in total. Oklahoma State #12 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score] #12 Nebraska Oklahoma State 0 14 14 3 7 0 0 7 1977-10-29 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma CST 49,100 Nebraska owned the edge in all facets, leading 74–63 through the air and 318–196 on the ground. Although the Cornhuskers didn't see the scoreboard until the 2nd quarter, they quickly took the lead with help from the Blackshirts, as the Cowboys soon found themselves too far behind to pose any further threat to Nebraska. Missouri #11 Nebraska at Missouri [box score] #11 Nebraska Missouri 9 0 6 6 0 10 0 0 1977-11-05 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri CST 67,000 Once again the Blackshirts helped carry the day to make up for repeated turnovers, along with help from Nebraska PK Billy Todd, who created some breathing room by accounting for 9 of the 11 points that separated the Cornhuskers from the Tigers at the final whistle. Kansas Kansas at #12 Nebraska [box score] Kansas #12 Nebraska 0 0 0 7 14 14 10 14 1977-11-12 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,392 Nebraska steamrolled Kansas in Lincoln to close out the home schedule, setting records all over in the process. Cornhusker PK Billy Todd set a new Nebraska record for field goals in a season with his 12th and tied a 55-yard longest Nebraska field goal record set in 1969, while the offense set a new single-game rushing record at 550 yards. The Jayhawks' only score came in the 4th quarter against reserves. Oklahoma #11 Nebraska at #3 Oklahoma [box score] #11 Nebraska #3 Oklahoma 0 7 0 0 0 21 3 14 1977-11-25 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma CST 71,184 Both teams struggled to put points up to start out, but adjustments made by Oklahoma, with help from inopportune turnovers by Nebraska, led to a Sooner halftime lead of 21–7. The Cornhuskers never were able to get consistent production after that and never saw the scoreboard again as Oklahoma had little trouble padding their lead by an additional 17 points to secure their 6th straight win over Nebraska. North Carolina #12 Nebraska vs #14 North Carolina [box score] #12 Nebraska #14 North Carolina 0 7 0 14 0 14 3 0 1977-12-19 Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee CST 49,456 Nebraska survived a scare when they came from behind, lagging North Carolina 7–17 at the start of the 4th quarter, to post two straight touchdowns for the lead and the win. Nebraska was the only team to score more than 14 against the Tar Heels all year, as North Carolina led the nation in scoring defense and had held opponents to an average of under 8 points per game. It was backup Nebraska QB Randy Garcia who provided the late spark for the Cornhuskers as he came off the bench and directed the two touchdown drives that put Nebraska ahead with just 3:16 left to play, putting away the game and closing the door on the Tar Heels' bid for an upset. Rankings 1977 NCAA Division I football rankings 13 AP 15 NR 14 11 9 9 18 12 11 12 11 11 12 12 13 Coaches 10 Awards 1977 Husker Honors Award Name(s) All-America 1st team Tom Davis All-America 2nd team Greg Jorgensen, I.M. Hipp All-America honorable mention Ken Spaeth, Kelvin Clark, Lee Kunz, Ted Harvey All-Big 8 1st team Tom Davis, Greg Jorgensen, I.M. Hipp, Jim Pillen All-Big 8 2nd team Rick Berns, Kelvin Clark, Ted Harvey, Lee Kunz, Steve Lindquist, Ken Spaeth, Stan Waldemore All-Big 8 honorable mention George Andrews, Tony Samuel, Tom Sorley NFL and pro players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1977 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.All Time NFL Huskers http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090815013540/http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html 2009-08-15 live 2009-06-10 Name Team George Andrews Los Angeles Rams Bill Barnett Miami Dolphins Rick Berns Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ed Burns New Orleans Saints Kelvin Clark Denver Broncos Barney Cotton Cincinnati Bengals Tom Davis Toronto Argonauts Andra Franklin Miami Dolphins Mark Goodspeed St. Louis Cardinals Rod Horn Cincinnati Bengals Lee Kunz Chicago Bears Jeff Lee St. Louis Cardinals Oudious Lee St. Louis Cardinals Frank Lockett Boston Breakers Junior Miller Atlanta Falcons Brett Moritz Tampa Bay Buccaneers Derrie Nelson San Diego Chargers Jeff Quinn Pittsburgh Steelers Stan Waldemore New York Jets References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Category:Liberty Bowl champion seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football