1931 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season April 2020 February 2026 August 2023 1931 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Big Six Conference Big 6 8–2 5–0 Dana X. Bible 3rd Memorial Stadium Big 6 champion The 1931 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Nebraska in the Big Six Conference during the 1931 college football season. In its third season under head coach Dana X. Bible, the team compiled an 8–2 record (5–0 against conference opponents), won the Big Six championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 136 to 82.1931 Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football March 1, 2019 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nebraska/1931-schedule.html The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before the season Coach Bible was coming off his second season with the bitter taste of a humbling 4–3–2 record from 1930, Nebraska's worst in over a decade. Although his first season had brought home a league title, it now wasn't clear if that was a one-off success or if he could reproduce the feat. In addition, the coaching staff was reduced to five from the seven on staff in 1930.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1932&page=192 1932 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 192) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Schedule Central y y y September 26 2:00 p.m. South Dakota<ncg> Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE W 44–6 5,600 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103300554/nebraska-shows-power-in-victory-over-s/ Waterloo Sunday Courier Nebraska shows power in victory over S. Dakota September 27, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com October 3 2:00 p.m. at Northwestern<ncg> Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL L 7–19 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103203980/northwestern-beats-huskers-197/ The South Bend Tribune Northwestern beats Huskers, 19–7 October 4, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com October 10 2:00 p.m. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE (rivalry) W 13–0 9,969 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103300750/sophomore-back-gives-nebraska-13-to-0-vi/ The Wichita Eagle Sophomore back gives Nebraska 13 to 0 victory October 11, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com October 24 2:00 p.m. Kansas<hc> Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE (rivalry) W 6–0 16,517–20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103300874/nebraska-plunges-over-kansas-6-to-0/ Star Tribune Nebraska plunges over Kansas, 6 to 0 October 25, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com October 31 2:00 p.m. at Missouri Memorial Stadium Columbia, MO (rivalry) W 10–7 4,200–10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103301090/late-missouri-rally-falls-short-and-nebr/ St. Joseph Gazette Late Missouri rally falls short and Nebraska wins, 10–7 November 1, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com November 7 2:00 p.m. Iowa<ncg> Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE (rivalry) W 7–0 15,729 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103207576/cornhuskers-take-iowa-eleven-70/ The Billings Gazette Cornhuskers take Iowa eleven, 7–0 November 8, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com November 14 2:00 p.m. at Kansas State Memorial Stadium Manhattan, KS (rivalry) W 6–3 12,304–14,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103301250/nebraska-wins-on-long-run-ku-displays/ The Wichita Eagle Nebraska wins on long run; K.U. displays scoring attack November 15, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com November 21 2:00 p.m. Iowa State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE (rivalry) W 23–0 11,977 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103301400/nebraska-smashes-iowa-state-230-to-nail/ Argus-Leader Nebraska smashes Iowa State 23–0 to nail Big Six title November 22, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com November 26 1:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh<ncg> Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA L 0–40 25,368 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103301519/pitt-overwhelms-nebraska-400-to-close/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pitt overwhelms Nebraska, 40–0, to close season November 27, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com December 5 3:00 p.m. vs. Colorado Agricultural<ncg> DU Stadium Denver, CO W 20–7 12,000–15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103301768/nebraska-rallies-in-fourth-period-to-def/ The Salt Lake Tribune Nebraska rallies in fourth period to defeat Colorado Aggies December 6, 1931 June 6, 2022 Newspapers.com McBride Gregg Saturday Turnout is Likely Top Previous Mark at Nebraska U. The Lincoln Star Lincoln, Nebraska November 6, 1934 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96855398/saturday-turnout-likely-large/ March 2, 2022 Newspapers.com Roster Adam, Jerry #46 G Bauer, Henry #74 QB Bishop, Clair #18 G Boswell, Hubert HB Brown, Lewis #17 QB Campbell, Clare #51 C DeBus, Warren #29 G Durkee, Bert #25 E Ely, Lawrence #52 C Gartner, Ludwig G Gilbert, James #60 T Holmbeck, Harold #26 G Hulbert, Corwin #47 T Joy, Robert #35 E Justice, Charles #50 G Kilbourne, Bruce #16 E Koster, George #44 G Kreizinger, Everett #28 FB Manley, Robert #14 QB Masterson, Bernard #37 QB Mathis, Chris #71 QB McPherson, Forrest #33 C Miller, Jack #13 HB Milne, James #21 E Nelson, Clarence #11 HB Nesmith, Norris #41 E O'Brien, Gail #56 T Paul, Marvin #69 HB Penny, Thomas Lee #23 FB Petz, Harold #32 E Rhea, Hugh #53 T Roby, John #22 FB Sauer, George #42 FB Schmitt, Harold #48 E Scoggan, Warren #30 T Staab, Carlyle #70 FB Swanson, Melvin #39 HB http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=1931 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302164123/http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=1931 dead March 2, 2012 Nebraska Football 1931 Roster 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Athletics Department Coaching staff Name Title First yearin this position Years atNebraska Alma materDana X. BibleHead coach19291929–1936Carson-NewmanHenry SchulteLineman Coach19311919–1924, 1931–1937MichiganBill DayCenters Coach19281921–1925, 1928–1931NebraskaEd Weir 19291926, 1929–1937, 1943NebraskaR. G. Lehman 19281928–1931W. Harold BrowneFreshmen Coach19301930–1940http://www.huskermax.com/coaches.html Nebraska head coaches 2010-01-08 HuskerMaxhttp://www.huskermax.com/coaches/assistants.html Assistant coaches 2010-01-08 HuskerMaxhttp://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1931&page=270 1931 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 270) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Game summaries South Dakota South Dakota at Nebraska South Dakota 6 Nebraska 44 September 26 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska It had been nine years since Nebraska had faced the Coyotes in a 66–0 trouncing, and the 1931 season was opened with a similar performance. South Dakota managed a single touchdown in the third quarter on a passing play, but the day was otherwise owned by the Cornhuskers, tuning up with 44 points of their own to advance the series to 8–1–2.http://www.huskermax.com/1930s.html The 1930s 2010-01-08 HuskerMaxhttp://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1932&page=196 1932 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 196) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Northwestern Nebraska at Northwestern Nebraska 7 Northwestern 19 October 3 Dyche Stadium • Evanston, Illinois Another dormant series was revived when Nebraska traveled to Evanston for the first time ever to face Northwestern after a 29-year hiatus. The Nebraska defense successfully shut down the Wildcats after the first quarter, keeping them scoreless for the rest of the game, but the 7 points put up by the Cornhuskers on the day was not enough to overcome the 19 Northwestern points scored before being shut down by Nebraska. The series was now evened out at 1–1–0. Oklahoma Oklahoma at Nebraska Oklahoma 0 Nebraska 13 October 10 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska Nebraska–Oklahoma football rivalryThe wet conditions at Lincoln prevented either team from accomplishing much throughout most of the game, but finally in the fourth quarter Nebraska found the end zone. A short time later the Cornhuskers snagged an interception and quickly converted it into another touchdown to secure the outcome of the game and advance their lead in the series to 7–2–2.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1932&page=197 1932 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 197) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Kansas Kansas at Nebraska Kansas 0 Nebraska 6 October 24 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 20,000 Kansas–Nebraska football rivalry Reigning conference champion Kansas brought the Cornhuskers to Lawrence with sights to avenge their only conference loss of the previous season, but Nebraska extended the futility of the Jayhawks, to sixteen straight winless games against the Cornhuskers. The game was mostly a ground affair with minimal passing, and despite the low score Nebraska held the edge for most of the day, getting fifteen first downs on the day compared to the three obtained by the Jayhawks. Nebraska now had an 18-game lead in the series, the longest of all records with other ongoing opponents, at 27–9–2. Missouri Nebraska at Missouri Nebraska Missouri 3 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 October 31 Faurot Field • Columbia, Missouri CST Missouri–Nebraska football rivalryMissouri had dropped their previous two games before hosting Nebraska, and came out with a vengeance, perhaps motivated by their failure to recapture the Nebraska-Missouri Bell after numerous attempts. The Cornhuskers had to fight to scratch up their 10-point halftime lead, and were unable to score again after the break. As the game waned, the Tigers put up seven points and eventually got the ball back again. Promptly moving up to Nebraska's 1-yard line, the first Missouri attempt to score was repelled by the Cornhuskers. On 2nd and goal, the Tigers lined up for another attempt but were denied the chance as time expired before the snap. Missouri's defeat put them farther back in the series to 6–16–3.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1932&page=198 1932 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 198) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Iowa Iowa at Nebraska Iowa Nebraska 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 November 7 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska CST Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry The Cornhuskers piled up three times as many first downs as Iowa, but both teams struggled to put points on the scoreboard. Nebraska's third-quarter touchdown ultimately decided the game and pushed the Cornhusker series lead to 13–7–3.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1932&page=200 1932 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 200) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Kansas State Nebraska at Kansas State Nebraska Kansas State 0 0 0 6 0 3 0 0 November 14 Memorial Stadium • Manhattan, Kansas CST Rain Kansas State–Nebraska football rivalry Heavy rains grounded this battle in Manhattan, as Kansas State completed the only pass of the entire game, all other efforts and gains made on the ground. The Cornhuskers amassed twice as many first downs and offensive yards as the newly renamed Kansas State Wildcats, but still found themselves behind 0–3 going into the final quarter. At last, when the outcome was looking bleak, Nebraska received yet another punt and successfully returned it all the way for the winning touchdown. Nebraska's commanding series lead was extended to 14–1–1.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1932&page=199 1932 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 199) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Iowa State Iowa State at Nebraska Iowa State 0 Nebraska 23 November 21 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 11,977 Iowa State–Nebraska football rivalry Iowa State arrived in Lincoln with three conference wins to their credit, but were shut entirely down by the smothering Cornhusker defense, unable to find the scoreboard even once on the day. The win clinched coach Bible's second league title in three years, and increased Nebraska's series lead over the Cyclones to 21–4–1. Pittsburgh Nebraska at Pittsburgh Nebraska 0 Pittsburgh 40 November 26 Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh Nebraska's trip to Pittsburgh ended up a historic defeat against a team that both coach Bible and former Cornhusker star Ed Weir praised as the best they had ever faced or seen before. Nebraska's only serious scoring threat came in the third quarter when they drew up to the Pittsburgh 5-yard line, but the Panthers held the shutout by intercepting a Cornhusker pass to prevent the score. The 0–40 loss was the most points ever scored against Nebraska, and the program's worst margin of defeat, in the entire 39-year history of Cornhusker football. The previous worst Cornhusker margin of defeat had been a 0–35 loss to Minnesota in 1905, and the previous highest points scored against them came in a 5–38 loss to Chicago in 1906. The brutal domination dealt them by Pittsburgh left the Cornhuskers 1–3–2 against the Panthers all time. Pittsburgh went on to finish the season 8–1–0 and ranked #9 nationwide by the Dickinson System.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1932&page=201 1932 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 201) 2010-01-08 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Colorado A&M Nebraska at Colorado Agricultural Nebraska 20 Colorado Agricultural 7 December 5 Colorado Field • Fort Collins, Colorado Nine years had passed since Nebraska faced Colorado Agricultural, and for the first and only time in the series, the Cornhuskers traveled to Denver for this postseason charity contest scheduled between the programs. It took three quarters for the visiting Cornhuskers to turn their efforts into scores, but Nebraska finally found success and ran off 20 fourth quarter points to seal the win and remain perfect against the Aggies in three attempts. After the season Coach Bible proved that the disappointing 1930 season was perhaps just a fluke of bad luck, by once again bringing home a conference championship, his 2nd in three years at Nebraska. The only serious blemish on the season being the defeat by Northwestern early on, as few could fault the Cornhuskers for the honorable defeat dealt by Pittsburgh, who finished 9th in the nation in the Dickinson ranking. Coach Bible's career record improved to 16–6–5 (.685), and his third squad improved the program's overall record to 236–80–25 (.729) while the perfect 1931 Big 6 slate improved Nebraska's overall conference record to 64–10–8 (.829). References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Category:Big Eight Conference football champion seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football