1958 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1958 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Big Seven Conference Big 7 3–7 1–5 Bill Jennings 2nd Memorial Stadium The 1958 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was the representative of the University of Nebraska and member of the Big 7 Conference in the 1958 college football season. The team was coached by Bill Jennings and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before the season Nebraska was reeling from the 1957 season that saw a new all-time low mark set when the Cornhuskers finished 1–9–0, which was the first 1-win season since 1899, and the first ever 9-loss season. Coach Jennings began the second year of his first head coaching job with few places to go but up, but led a young squad with only six seniors. The 1958 schedule was loaded with powerhouse teams from the east, every bit as difficult as the 1957 slate had been, so the task to succeed over last year would not be an easy one.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1959&page=221 1959 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 221) 2010-08-04 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Schedule AP September 20 2:00 pm w y Penn State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 14–7 26,966 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-pat-fischers-td-gal/200916028/ Council Bluffs Nonpareil Pat Fischer's TD gallop sparks NU September 21, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com September 27 12:30 pm l y y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 0–28 42,914 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-purdue-overpowers-nebrask/200945755/ The Daily Pantagraph Purdue overpowers Nebraska, 28 to 0 September 28, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com October 4 2:00 pm w Iowa State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 7–6 30,310 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-nebraska-squeezes-past-iowa-st/200944896/ The Shreveport Times Nebraska squeezes past Iowa State by 7–6 mark October 5, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com October 11 2:00 pm l Kansas State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 6–23 37,596 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-wildcatshold-lead-t/200945914/ The Spokesman-Review Wildcats hold lead to bump Nebraska October 12, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com October 18 11:30 am l y y Syracuse Archbold Stadium Syracuse, NY 0–38 17,083 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-nebraska-loses-38/200916739/ The Pittsburgh Press Nebraska loses, 38–0, to Syracuse October 19, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com October 25 3:00 pm l y Colorado 12 Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry NBC 16–27 40,271 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-worn-out-nebraska-fin/200946073/ Omaha World-Herald Worn-out Nebraska finally yields, 27–16 October 26, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com November 1 2:00 pm l y Missouri Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 0–31 31,816 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-missouri-turns-n/200946197/ The Des Moines Register Missouri turns Nebraska's errors into 31–0 triumph November 2, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com November 8 1:25 pm l y Kansas Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS rivalry 7–29 23,760 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-kansas-knoc/200946289/ Springfield Leader and Press Kansas knocks Nebraska, 29–7 November 9, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com November 15 2:00 pm w y Pittsburgh 14 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 14–6 24,107 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-underdog-nebraska/200946408/ The Indianapolis Star Underdog Nebraska stuns Pittsburgh, 14 to 6 November 16, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com November 22 2:00 pm l y Oklahoma 4 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK rivalry 7–40 44,740 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-sooners-humble-nebra/200946523/ Council Bluffs Nonpareil Sooners humble Nebraska, 40–7 November 23, 1958 July 4, 2026 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1958 Nebraska) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/294379 NCAA Statistics National Collegiate Athletic Association July 4, 2026 Roster 140px|thumb|right|Halfback Clay White Official Roster 53 Barnes, Tim C (So.) 33 Bigelow, Lee FB (So.) 34 Bohanan, Bill FB (Jr.) 86 Bond, John E (So.) 83 Brede, Roger E (Jr.) 71 Cowan, Mike RT (Jr.) 23 Cozine, Dean QB (So.) 51 Daniels, Robert C (So.) 15 Davis, Don HB (So.) 44 Dickson, Joe HB (So.) 66 Dohrman, Melvin RG (Sr.) 78 Doyle, Dennis RT (So.) 74 Edeal, Russell LT (So.) 80 Eger, Mike E (So.) 61 Emanuel, Dennis LG (Jr.) 40 Fischer, Pat HB (So.) 10 Flock, WilliamDean HB (Sr.) 50 Fricke, Donald C (So.) 79 Gacusana, Joe LT (So.) 54 Haggard, Ken C (So.) 20 Harshman, George QB (Sr.) 73 Hart, Joseph RT (Sr.) 13 Heldt, Don LT (So.) 46 Hergenreter, Jim HB (Jr.) 38 Jordan, Don LG (Jr.) 52 Kitchen, Robert C (So.) 63 Kosier, Richard RG (So.) 75 Laabs, Donald LT (So.) 65 Lafleur, Jim RG (Jr.) 82 Lee, Michael E (Sr.)  72 Luecke, John RT (So.) 12 Martz, Max HB (Jr.) 30 McCashland, Dick FB (Sr.) 88 McDole, Ron E (So.) 39 Meyers, Roger LG (Jr.) 19 Micek, Michael RT (So.) 11 Minnick, John HB (So.) 76 Mongerson, Duane LT (Jr.) 64 Moore, James RG (Jr.) 89 Moskovitz, Milton E (So.) 43 Naviaux, Larry HB (Sr.) 17 Noe, George RT (Jr.) 18 Ohlen, Alfred RT (So.) 77 Olson, Don RT (Jr.) 84 Ondracek, Denny E (So.) 42 Place, Dick HB (So.) 68 Ponsiego, John LG (Jr.) 41 Ratzloff, Daniel LG (So.) 69 Salak, Duane RG (So.) 81 Sapp, Guy E (Sr.) 37 Scarrow, Lloyd FB (Jr.) 67 Siemer, Dale LG (Jr.) 85 Simon, Scott E (So.) 22 Stinnett, Roy QB (Sr.) 21 Tolly, Harry QB (Jr.) 87 Tuning, Bill E (Jr.) 70 Wellman, Allen LT (So.) 14 White, Clay HB (So.) 31 Zaruba, Carroll HB (Sr.) 62 Zentic, LeRoy RG (Jr.) Depth Chart + Defense by committee HB HB LB LB CB DE DT NT DT DE CB +Offensive starters + LE Bill Bohanan Mike Eger LG C RG LT RT Dennis Emanuel Donald Fricke Dick Kosier Duane Mongerson Al Wellman John Ponsiego James Moore Dale Siemer Russell Edeal John Luecke RE John Bond Guy Sapp QB George Harshman Harry Tolly LB RB FB Pat Fischer Larry Naviaux Dick McCashland Carroll Zaruba Max Martz Clay White Lee Bigelow Coaching staff Name Title First yearin this position Years atNebraska Alma materBill JenningsHead coach19571956–1961OklahomaL. F. "Pop" KleinAssistant coach19451945–1958Don Strasheim 19541954–1958NebraskaDon ScarbroughAssistant coach19561956–1961Dick Monroe 19571957–1961Warren Schmakel 19571957–1959LeRoy Pearce 19581958–1961John Gordy 19581958Tennesseehttp://www.huskermax.com/coaches.html Nebraska head coaches 2010-08-04 HuskerMaxhttp://www.huskermax.com/coaches/assistants.html Assistant coaches 2010-08-04 HuskerMaxhttp://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1959&page=219 1959 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 219) 2010-08-04 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Game summaries Penn State Penn State 7 Nebraska 14 September 20 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 26,966 A shocked home field crowd watched in utter amazement as the highly ranked Nittany Lions were picked apart by the Cornhuskers. The media overwhelmingly had predicted a smashing Penn State victory, but the Nebraska team came out on fire and held Penn State off the scoreboard until the 4th quarter. A 91-yard kickoff return by Cornhusker HB Pat Fischer made the difference in the game's final seven-point margin. Nebraska still lagged behind the Nittany Lions 2–4 all time.http://huskermax.com/allgames/1950s.html 1950s Nebraska football schedules 2010-08-04 HuskerMaxhttp://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1959&page=222 1959 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 222) 2010-08-04 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Purdue Nebraska 0 Purdue 28 September 27 Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana 29,475 In a complete turnaround of fortunes, the traveling Cornhuskers were overrun by a relentless Purdue attack and could not produce any offensive yardage of value. Two lost fumbles and an interception contributed to the lopsided loss as Nebraska was blanked under the weight of four Boilermaker touchdowns. This was the first meeting of these teams. Iowa State Iowa State 6 Nebraska 7 October 4 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 30,310 Iowa State's bid to take a second straight game from the Cornhuskers was denied as the final minutes ticked away. Down 0–6 after an earlier Cyclone touchdown and blocked point after, Nebraska finally punched in a touchdown of their own shortly before time expired. The Cornhusker kick after was good, sending the Cyclones home with their 42nd loss in the 52-game series.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1959&page=223 1959 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 223) 2010-08-04 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Kansas State Kansas State 23 Nebraska 6 October 11 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 37,596 Plagued by injuries, Nebraska was unsuccessful in attempts to slow the Kansas State offensive plan. The Cornhuskers narrowly avoided the shutout only by an interception returned for a touchdown. The Wildcats enjoyed their relatively rare victory, their 8th in 42 attempts, with the knowledge that it was also marked the 200th all-time program loss suffered by the Cornhuskers. Syracuse Nebraska 0 Syracuse 38 October 18 Archbold Stadium • Syracuse, New York 17,083 Following the loss to Kansas State and still not fully recovered from early season injuries, Nebraska traveled to Syracuse with third-stringers starting in some positions. The imbalance in experience showed as the Orangemen had little difficulty running away with the game in a 38–0 blanking of the Cornhuskers. The win moved Syracuse ahead in the series, to 5–4–0.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1959&page=224 1959 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 224) 2010-08-04 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Colorado Nebraska 16 #12 Colorado 27 October 25 Folsom Field • Boulder, Colorado 40,271 Colorado–Nebraska football rivalryThe Cornhuskers were struggling to find some success on the field to show for their efforts, but faced a stiff road test when visiting #12 Colorado in Boulder. Against expectations, Nebraska blocked two punts and capitalized on three turnovers to lead the Buffaloes for the first three quarters, putting a good scare into the crowd. However, the Cornhuskers finally gave way in the final quarter and allowed Colorado to surge ahead and take the game. It was Nebraska's third straight loss to the Buffaloes as their series lead slipped to just 9–8–0. Missouri Missouri 31 Nebraska 0 November 1 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 31,816 Missouri–Nebraska football rivalryNebraska suffered yet another demoralizing loss as the Tigers arrived in Lincoln and handed another shutout defeat to the Cornhuskers, their third of the season. The homecoming crowd was never a factor, as the Nebraska offense never seemed to find a spark. The best Nebraska performance of the day was the kicking game, made necessary for lack of first down production. Missouri narrowed the series to 20–28–3 and kept the Missouri-Nebraska Victory Bell in Columbia.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1959&page=225 1959 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 225) 2010-08-04 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Kansas Nebraska 7 Kansas 29 November 8 Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas 23,760 The game was somewhat closer than the final score indicated, as Nebraska drew within five yards of a touchdown on two occasions before being turned away. The Jayhawks were not impressed by statistical victories and had little difficulty defeating the Cornhuskers by 22 points in Lawrence, though their series record was still far behind Nebraska at 15–46–3. It was Nebraska's fifth straight loss, which would've tied the program's all-time loss streak record had it not just been broken by the seven-game skid set in the previous year. Pittsburgh #14 Pittsburgh 6 Nebraska 14 November 15 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 24,107 The Cornhuskers were 2–6 against #14 Pittsburgh. The Panthers held dominance over Nebraska before, owning the series at 15–3–3 heading into this game. The Cornhuskers contested, holding the lead through the entire game and not allowing the Panthers to get their single touchdown until the fourth quarter on a long pass completion. Though dominated by their conference opponents this year, the Cornhuskers were then 2–2 in nonconference play against major eastern teams. Oklahoma Nebraska 7 #4 Oklahoma 40 November 22 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, Oklahoma 44,740 Nebraska–Oklahoma football rivalryIf Pittsburgh allowed themselves to overlook and then get stunned by Nebraska, the #4 Sooners took note and ensured the same fate did not befall their team in the annual Nebraska-Oklahoma game. By the end of the first quarter, Oklahoma already had put in three touchdowns, and they never looked back. The Cornhuskers avoided the shutout only by returning an interception 89 yards to score. The loss to Oklahoma was the 16th straight allowed by Nebraska, and was Oklahoma's 71st consecutive conference win. Oklahoma went on to finish #5 in the AP Poll and then defeated Syracuse 21–6 in the 1959 Orange Bowl.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1959&page=226 1959 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 226) 2010-08-04 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries After the season It wasn't easy to determine if 1958 was a successful season or another failure. Coach Jennings had improved over last year's dismal 1–9–0 outing, but only to 3–7–0 and a 6th-place finish in the Big 7. On the other hand, surprise upset wins against Syracuse and especially against Pittsburgh were remarkable bright spots on an otherwise dreary year. These two unexpected wins may have played a part in Jennings being given additional time to see if he could turn the program around. Now with two years on the job, Coach Jennings had compiled a dismal 4–16–0 (.200) career record, with an even worse 2–10–0 (.167) history within the conference. Nebraska's overall program record slipped for the 8th straight year, to 355–205–34 (.626), with a Big 7 record now down to 148–68–12 (.689).March 2022 Future professional players Pat Fischer, 1961 17th-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals Ron McDole, 1961 4th-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football Category:1958 college football season