1985 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1985 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Big Eight Conference Big 8 10 11 9–3 6–1 Tom Osborne 13th I formation Charlie McBride 5th 5–2 Memorial Stadium Fiesta Bowl L 23–27 vs. Michigan The 1985 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The season opener against Florida State was the last season opening loss until 2015. Schedule 1985 AP Central September 7 2:30 pm l y 10 Florida State 17 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC 13–17 75,943 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-experienced-mcmanus-boosts-s/170220634/ The State 'Experienced' McManus boosts Seminoles 17–13 September 8, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com September 21 1:30 pm w y 18 Illinois 20 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 52–25 76,149 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-1985-nebraska-illinois/53777767/ Chicago Tribune Illinois gets humiliated September 22, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com September 28 1:30 pm w y 16 Oregon Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 63–0 75,947 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-cornhuskers-smash/170577301/ The Sioux City Journal Cornhuskers smash Oregon September 29, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 5 1:30 pm w y 13 New Mexico Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 38–7 75,902 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-1985-nebraska-new/53806282/ The Sioux City Journal Huskers smacks Lobos October 6, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 12 6:45 pm w y 9 Oklahoma State 5 Lewis Field Stillwater, OK ESPN 34–24 50,400 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88035334/nebraskas-offense-stings-osu/ Nebraska's offense stings OSU The Daily Oklahoman Tom Kensler October 13, 1985 1C April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 19 11:30 am w y 7 Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry Raycom 28–20 62,733 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-huskers-put/170579985/ The News-Leader Huskers put foot down to drop MU October 20, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com October 26 2:30 pm w y 5 Colorado Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry ABC 17–7 76,014 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-hatchet-man-rat/170583883/ The Sioux City Journal 'Hatchet man' Rathman lifts Cornhuskers October 27, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 2 1:30 pm w y 5 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhatta, KS rivalry 41–3 41,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader-nebraska-rips-wildcats-to-n/170580799/ Argus-Leader Nebraska rips Wildcats to notch win No. 600 November 3, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9 1:30 pm w 3 Iowa State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 49–0 75,920 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post-3rd-ranked-nebraska-r/170583379/ The Salisbury Post 3rd-ranked Nebraska rolls, 49–0 November 10, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 16 1:30 pm w 2 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 56–6 75,863 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-huskers-offensive-assault-r/170581593/ Tulsa World Huskers' offensive assault rips Kansas, 56–6 November 17, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com November 23 2:30 pm l y 2 Oklahoma 5 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK rivalry ABC 7–27 75,554 https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-sooners-steamr/170585366/ Austin American-Statesman Sooners steamroll Cornhuskers November 24, 1985 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1, 1986, 1986 12:30 pm l y y 7 Michigan 5 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ Fiesta Bowl NBC 23–27 72,454 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-michigans-3rd-quar/170585508/ The Arizona Republic Michigan's 3rd-quarter surge stuns Nebraska January 2, 1986 April 18, 2025 Newspapers.com http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&Q_SEASON=1985 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022232918/http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&Q_SEASON=1985 dead October 22, 2012 Football – 1985 Schedule/Results 2009-05-31 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Athletics Department Roster and coaching staff 1985 Nebraska Cornhuskers y Dan Bailey OG SO Tom Banderas 87 TE SO Vance Behrens WB SO Clete Blakeman 12 QB SO y Brian Blankenship 70 OG S y Dana Brinson 33 WB F y Dave Bryan 58 OG J Todd Carpenter 73 OT J Dan Casterline 24 FB J McCathorn Clayton 7 QB SO Mark Cooper 54 C J Mark Diaz TE J Jim Dittmer 59 OT S Doug DuBose 22 IB J y Jim Ernest 77 OT RF Todd Frain 80 TE S y Ron Galois 67 OG J Jason Gamble 86 SE SO Pernell Gatson WB J Derrick Green OT SO Mike Hall TE SO Hendley Hawkins 86 QB SO Mike Hedlund 36 FB SO Micah Heibel 48 FB SO Mike Hoefler 75 OG J Jim Holscher WB SO Brad Johnson 64 OT J Keith Jones y Keith "End Zone" Jones 6 IB SO Ken Kaelin 49 FB J Jon Kelley 40 IB SO y Jeff Krantz SE ERROR Bill Lewis 68 C S y Bill Lewis (center) Keven Lightner 57 OT SO Roger Lindstrom 23 WB S Bill Macias 77 OT SO Rob Maggard 72 OT J John McCormick 61 OG SO Paul Miles 21 IB S Todd Millikan 43 TE F Jerry Mlinar 16 QB J Brian Moore 90 TE S Ray Nelson 8 WB J John Nichols 63 C SO Jack Noel 56 C S Mike Otte SE ERROR Stan Parker 74 OG J Tom Rathman 26 FB S y Tim Roth 65 OT S Tim Rother 78 OT SO y Jim Schaaf 62 OG SO Robb Schnitzler 85 SE J Jeff Sellentin 53 C J Von Sheppard 2 WB SO Rod Smith 88 SE SO Jeff Taylor 10 QB SO Steve Taylor 11 QB F y Steve Taylor (quarterback) Travis Turner 14 QB S Tom Welter 69 OT J Mike Carl 42 CB J Chris Carr 45 S J John Custard 28 CB SO Chad Daffer 46 LB S Brian Davis 32 CB J y Brian Davis (American football) LeRoy Etienne 48 LB F y Steve Forch 38 LB J Paul Gangwish DE S Danny Groskurth 52 DT SO Blake Henning 39 LB SO Scott Hill 15 S SO Tony Holloway 91 LB J Jeff Jamrog 55 DE SO Lee Jones 98 DT SO Mike Knox 44 LB S y Mike Knox (American football) Cleo Miller 17 CB J Marc Munford 41 LB J y Danny Noonan 95 MG J y Danny Noonan (American football) Harlan Opie DE SO Woody Paige 9 CB S Tony Palmer 97 DT SO Kevin Parsons 35 LB J Brian Pokorny 18 CB S Todd Proffitt 34 MG S Gregg Reeves 84 DE S Rod Reynolds 93 DT S Phil Rogers 66 MG S Gary Schneider 3 CB J Pat Shaw 51 LB J Ken Shead 99 LB S Bryan Siebler 19 S J Jim Skow 96 DT S y Brad Smith 81 DE S Neil Smith 92 DT SO y Neil Smith (American football) Chris Spachman 76 DT J Matt Strasburger S J Dan Thayer 29 S J Broderick Thomas 82 DE F y Scott Tucker 89 DE S Brad Tyrer 83 DE J Dennis Watkins 27 CB S Doug Welniak 37 LB SO Gene Chealey 31 MON SO Dale Klein 1 PK J Guy Rozier 4 MON S Craig Schnitzler 13 P/PK SO Jeff Tomjack 11 MON SO Brian Washington 43 MON SO y Dan Wingard 47 P/PK S http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=1985 2011-01-17 Tom Osborne   13th season   22nd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Charlie McBride   5th season as DC/LB coach   9th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Colorado Cletus Fischer   OL coach   26th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska John Melton   13th season as LB coach   24th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Wyoming Boyd Epley   17th season as S&C coach   17th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska George Darlington   DE coach   13th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Rutgers Milt Tenopir   12th season as OL coach   12th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Sterling Gene Huey   9th season as WR coach   9th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Wyoming Frank Solich   3rd season as RB coach   7th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Jack Pierce   7th year at Nebraska Bob Thornton   5th season as Sec coach   5th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Dan Young   3rd season as OL/K coach   3rd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Reed Depth chart Pro-Set 5–2 Yes No Yes McCathron Clayton Travis Turner Steve Taylor Doug Dubose Paul Miles Keith Jones Jon Kelley Tom Rathman Ken Kaelin Dan Casterline Robb Schnitzler Rod Smith Hendley Hawkins SE Von Sheppard Roger Lindstorm Dana Brinson WB Todd Frain Tom Banderas Todd Millikan Tim Roth Brad Johnson Keven Lightner Brian Blankenship Stan Parker Mike Hoefler Bill Lewis Mark Cooper Jeff Sellentin John McCormick Ron Galois Dan Bailey Tom Welter Rob Maggard Todd Carpenter Marc Munford Chad Daffer LeRoy Etienne INSDIE Mike Knox Kevin Parsons Steve Forch INSDIE Bryan Siebler Chris Carr Dan Thayer Brian Washington Guy Rozier Jeff Tomjack MONSTER BACK Dennis Watkins Cleo Miller Brian Pokorny Brian Davis Mike Carl Gary Schneider Brad Smith Greg Reeves Brad Tyrer Chris Spachman Neil Smith Tony Palmer Danny Noonan Todd Proffitt Ken Shead Phil Rogers Jim Skow Lee Jones Rod Reynolds Scott Tucker Tony Holloway Broderick Thomas Dale Klein Dan Wingard 110 90 No Game summaries Florida State #17 Florida State at #10 Nebraska [box score] #17 Florida State #10 Nebraska 7 10 0 0 7 6 0 0 1985-09-07 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,943 Both teams started out evenly with a 7–7 tie after the first quarter, but Florida State led the Cornhuskers by 4 at the half and no one scored during the rest of this scorcher, as the mercury in Lincoln reached 93 F and 133 F on the field. This was the last season opener Nebraska would lose until 2015. Illinois Illinois at #18 Nebraska [box score] Illinois #18 Nebraska 0 10 0 15 14 10 21 7 1985-09-21 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,149 Although Illinois started out behind 0–17, they came within 7 points of a tie before Nebraska ran away, as the Cornhuskers at one point scored 28 straight in a game whose outcome never was seriously in doubt. Oregon Oregon at #16 Nebraska [box score] Oregon #16 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 14 28 14 7 1985-09-28 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,947 Source: Eugene Register-Guard. 1985 Sept 29. yes 1 6:08 NEB Rathman 1-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 7–0 1 1:04 NEB Kaelin 3-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 14–0 2 7:32 NEB Turner 1-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 21–0 2 6:28 NEB Miles 46-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 28–0 2 3:17 NEB Jones 25-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 35–0 2 0:41 NEB Miles 1-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 42–0 3 10:58 NEB Sheppard 8-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 49–0 3 4:15 NEB Sheppard 27-yard run (Klein kick) NEB 56–0 4 9:54 NEB Casterline 4-yard run (Cheloha kick) NEB 63–0 yes Oregon was rendered helpless in Lincoln as Nebraska punched in four touchdowns late in the 2nd quarter and rolled to a 63–0 shutout in Lincoln. The Ducks only crossed the center of the field twice and were unable to scrape up even 1/3 of the total time of possession. New Mexico New Mexico at #13 Nebraska [box score] New Mexico #13 Nebraska 7 0 0 0 7 7 10 14 1985-10-05 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,902 Nebraska closed out the non-conference season against a New Mexico team that was not intimidated in Lincoln. The Lobos scored first and acquired 379 total yards of offense while winning the time of possession battle, but could not turn those accomplishments into scores as they also allowed nine sacks, four interceptions and lost a fumble. Oklahoma State #9 Nebraska at #5 Oklahoma State [box score] #9 Nebraska #5 Oklahoma State 0 17 3 14 0 3 14 7 1985-10-12 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma CST 50,400 Nebraska pulled off the upset of Oklahoma State in Stillwater, as The Cowboys' passing attack was no match for the Cornhuskers' rushing attack when it was hampered by OSU's two lost fumbles and two thrown interceptions. Nebraska continued their unbeaten streak over Oklahoma State that began in 1961. Missouri #7 Nebraska at Missouri [box score] #7 Nebraska Missouri 6 9 3 10 7 0 6 7 1985-10-19 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri CST 62,733 21 of Nebraska's 28 points came off of the foot of PK Dale Klein, who not only tied the NCAA record of seven field goals in a game, but also became the first player to make seven straight in a game while also running his Nebraska field goal record streak up to nine. Colorado Colorado at #5 Nebraska [box score] Colorado #5 Nebraska 7 0 0 0 0 7 7 3 1985-10-26 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,014 yes 1 10:49 COL Craig Keenan 2-yard run (Larry Eckel kick) COL 7–0 2 9:21 NEB Doug DuBose 1-yard run (Dale Klein kick) Tied 7–7 3 14:37 NEB Tom Rathman 84-yard run (Dale Klein kick) NEB 14–7 4 5:26 NEB Dale Klein 32-yard field goal NEB 17–7 yes Colorado, playing without its 1st and 2nd string quarterbacks, still managed to hold Nebraska to a 7–7 halftime tie before a long touchdown run at the end of the 3rd quarter allowed the Cornhuskers to pull away. Kansas State #5 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score] #5 Nebraska Kansas State 7 17 3 14 3 0 0 0 1985-11-02 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas CST 41,200 Kansas State managed to prevent any single Nebraska runner from exceeding 100 yards, and even though Nebraska only completed six passes, it made no difference as the Wildcats were held to just a 1st-quarter field goal while the Cornhuskers had little trouble putting up 41 points. Nebraska PK Dale Klein set a Nebraska and personal record when he kicked a 50-yard field goal, his 12th of the season. Iowa State Iowa State at #3 Nebraska [box score] Iowa State #3 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 7 14 21 7 1985-11-09 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,920 The #3 Cornhuskers romped in Lincoln as the Blackshirts extended their touchdown prevention streak to 11 quarters. Nebraska IB Doug DuBose entered record territory, becoming the 10th Nebraska player to post 2,000 yards, became the third (after Jarvis Redwine and Mike Rozier) to have two 1,000 yard seasons, and was the first Cornhusker to do so before their senior season. Kansas Kansas at #2 Nebraska [box score] Kansas #2 Nebraska 3 0 3 0 10 28 11 7 1985-11-16 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,863 Despite a 0–6 turnover margin deficit, #2 Nebraska rolled the Kansas Jayhawks up in a 56–6 drubbing that saw the Cornhusker defense extend their touchdown-free series to 15 quarters. Without the five lost fumbles and one interception given up by Nebraska, the blowout of Kansas would have been far worse. Oklahoma #2 Nebraska at #5 Oklahoma [box score] #2 Nebraska #5 Oklahoma 0 0 0 7 14 3 10 0 1985-11-23 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 2:30 PM CST 75,554 Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles, and Tim Brant ABC yes 1 11:21 OU Keith Jackson 88-yard run (Tim Lashar kick) OU 7–0 1 5:52 OU Jamelle Holieway 43-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 14–0 2 1:18 OU Lashar 37-yard field goal OU 17–0 3 9:19 OU Lashar 33-yard field goal OU 20–0 3 2:26 OU Holieway 17-yard run (Lashar kick) OU 27–0 4 0:26 NEB Chris Spachman 76-yard fumble return (Klein kick) OU 27–7 yes Oklahoma completely shut down Nebraska's offensive machine, as the Cornhuskers' only score came on a 76-yard fumble return for a touchdown with just 26 seconds left to play, very narrowly avoiding what would have been Nebraska's first shutout in 147 games. There were only 19 total passes and 5 completions in the entire game, and although Nebraska had not previously allowed more than 157 ground yards this season, the vaunted Oklahoma wishbone attack netted the Sooners 423 yards. Michigan #7 Nebraska vs #5 Michigan [box score] #7 Nebraska #5 Michigan 0 14 0 9 3 0 24 0 1986-01-01 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona CST 72,454 Although Nebraska led 14–3 going into halftime, turnover-free Michigan cashed in on each of several Cornhusker mistakes in the third quarter to run off 24 points and pull away, handing Nebraska its second consecutive defeat to a #5 team. Rankings 1985 NCAA Division I-A football rankings 16 AP 9 10 18 18 16 13 9 7 5 5 3 2 2 8 7 7 11 16 Coaches 4 4 14 17 14 10 9 6 3 3 2 2 2 8 6 6 10 After the season Awards 1985 Husker Honors Award Name(s) All-America 1st team Bill Lewis, Jim Skow All-America 2nd team Doug DuBose All-America 3rd team Tom Rathman All-America honorable mention Tim Roth, Brian Blankenship All-Big 8 1st team Brian Blankenship, Bill Lewis, Doug DuBose, Tom Rathman, Dale Klein, Jim Skow All-Big 8 2nd team Danny Noonan, Brian Washington, Tim Roth, Dan Wingard, Chris Spachman, Marc Munford NFL and pro players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1985 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional 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 2009-05-31 Name Team Brian Blankenship Pittsburgh Steelers Dana Brinson San Diego Chargers Brian Davis Washington Redskins Doug DuBose San Francisco 49ers LeRoy Etienne San Francisco 49ers Todd Frain Washington Redskins Keith Jones Cleveland Browns Mike Knox Denver Broncos Bill Lewis Los Angeles Raiders Paul Miles Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marc Munford Denver Broncos Danny Noonan Dallas Cowboys Tom Rathman San Francisco 49ers Tim Rother Los Angeles Raiders Von Sheppard Coventry Jets Jim Skow Cincinnati Bengals Neil Smith Kansas City Chiefs Steve Taylor Edmonton Eskimos Broderick Thomas Tampa Bay Buccaneers Brian Washington Cleveland Browns Dennis Watkins Philadelphia Eagles Tom Welter St. Louis Cardinals References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football