1957 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1957 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Big Seven Conference Big 7 1–9 1–5 Bill Jennings 1st Memorial Stadium The 1957 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was the representative of the University of Nebraska and member of the Big 7 Conference in the 1957 college football season. The team was coached by Bill Jennings and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before the season New head coach Jennings had only been on the Nebraska football staff for one year, as backfield coach, before ascending to the top spot. With three new assistants on staff, he faced a difficult 1957 schedule. A home opener against Washington State would be followed by three straight road games, one of which was against longtime nemesis Pittsburgh. Upon the return to Lincoln there would be one more nonconference game against always-tough Syracuse, the first meeting of these teams since 1929. Now in its 16th year, the long stretch of Nebraska futility would be difficult to halt against this slate.http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1957&page=296 1957 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 296) 2010-08-03 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Schedule 1957 AP September 21 2:00 pm l y Washington State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 12–34 31,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-washington-state/189270994/ The Des Moines Register Washington State's passes riddle Nebraska, 34–12 September 22, 1957 July 8, 2026 Newspapers.com September 28 12:00 pm l y y Army Michie Stadium West Point, NY 0–42 20,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light-army-routs-nebraska/201161780/ San Antonio Light Army routs Nebraska September 29, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 5 1:30 pm w y Kansas State Memorial Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry 14–7 14,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/beatrice-daily-sun-hawkins-helps-fire-ne/201240959/ Beatrice Daily Sun Hawkins helps fire Nebraska's 14–7 win at K.S. October 6, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 12 11:30 am l y y Pittsburgh 20 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA 0–34 40,023 https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-pitt-panther-rol/201241081/ Syracuse Herald-Journal Pitt Panther rolls past Nebraska Huskers, 34–0 October 13, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 19 2:00 pm l y Syracuse Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 9–26 37,582 https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-syracuse-rallies/201160503/ Democrat and Chronicle Syracuse rallies to defeat Nebraska, 26 to 9 October 20, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 26 1:30 pm l y Missouri Memorial Stadium Columbia, MO rivalry 13–14 23,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-missouri-edges-impro/201241268/ Casper Tribune-Herald Missouri edges improving Nebraska by 14–13 score October 27, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 2 2:00 pm l y Kansas Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 12–14 31,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-kansas-conversions-ni/201241371/ The Salina Journal Kansas conversions nip Nebraska, 14–12 November 3, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 9 2:00 pm l y Iowa State Clyde Williams Field Ames, IA NBC rivalry 0–13 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-cyclones-in-130-win/201241491/ Waterloo Daily Courier Cyclones in 13–0 win November 10, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 16 2:00 pm l Colorado Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 0–27 28,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-buffs-lead-by-strans/201241630/ Council Bluffs Nonpareil Buffs lead by Stransky in 27–0 win November 17, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 23 2:00 pm l Oklahoma 6 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 7–32 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-oklahoma-masters/201241757/ The Sioux City Journal Oklahoma masters stubborn Huskers, 32–7 November 24, 1957 July 8, 2024 Newspapers.com 1957 Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nebraska/1957-schedule.html Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 8, 2026 Schedule/Results (1957 Nebraska) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/129704 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics July 8, 2026 Roster thumb|right|145px|Halfback Larry Naviaux Official Roster 16 Baehr, Bob LT (So.) 19 Boellstorff, Doug RG (So.) 83 Brede, Roger E (So.) 35 Brown, Jerry FB (Sr.) 30 Cifra, George FB (Sr.) 54 Cochran, Michael C (So.) 80 Cook, Clarence E (Sr.) 71 Cowan, Mike RT (Jr.) 47 Dillard, Bennie HB (Jr.) 70 Dohrman, Melvin LT (Jr.) 79 Dunham, Guy LT (Jr.) 84 Engel, Raymond E (Sr.) 66 Fitzgerald, Pat RG (So.) 78 Fleming, Bob RT (So.) 10 Flock, WilliamDean HB (Jr.) 42 George, Leo HB (Sr.) 38 Haman, Gene FB (Sr.) 20 Harshman, George QB (Sr.) 73 Hart, Joseph LT (Sr.) 23 Haskins, Clyde QB (So.) 81 Hawkins, William E (Sr.) 46 Hergenreter, Jim HB (So.) 88 Hilding, Marlin E (Sr.) 64 Howerter, Stuart LG (Sr.) 61 Kampe, Lester RG (Sr.) 13 Klasna, Norman HB (So.) 62 Kleiber, Dick RG (Sr.) 65 Klein, Arthur RG (Sr.) 75 Klingaman, Richard RT (Jr.)  44 Krhounek, Roger HB (So.) 82 Lee, Michael E (Jr.) 17 Logue, Mike C (So.) 51 Lyall, Bob C (Sr.) 85 Mangialardi, Chris E (So.) 12 Martz, Max HB (So.) 50 McCashland, Dick C (Jr.) 76 Mongerson, Duane LT (So.) 55 Moore, James C (So.) 43 Naviaux, Larry HB (Jr.) 77 Olson, Don RT (So.) 31 Penney, Don FB (So.) 63 Petersen, Jerry LG (Sr.) 68 Ponsiego, John LG (So.) 52 Prusia, Dick C (Sr.) 74 Rhoda, Donald LT (Sr.) 14 Sandage, Gene HB (Sr.) 86 Sapp, Guy E (Jr.) 32 Schroeder, Jerry FB (So.) 67 Siemer, Dale LG (So.) 22 Stinnett, Roy QB (Jr.) 69 Swartz, David LG (So.) 36 Thomas, Douglas QB (Sr.) 21 Tolly, Harry QB (So.) 87 Tuning, Bill E (So.) 72 Wheeler, Jerry RT (Sr.) 40 Zaruba, Carroll HB (Jr.) 53 Zentic, LeRoy C (So.) 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 19571957–1959Jack Landry 19571957http://www.huskermax.com/coaches.html Nebraska head coaches 2010-08-03 HuskerMax https://web.archive.org/web/20100719123605/http://www.huskermax.com/coaches.html 19 July 2010 livehttp://www.huskermax.com/coaches/assistants.html Assistant coaches 2010-08-03 HuskerMax https://web.archive.org/web/20100721014938/http://www.huskermax.com/coaches/assistants.html 21 July 2010 live Game summaries Washington State Washington State 34 Nebraska 12 September 21 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 31,152 These teams had only met one time prior, a 21–20 defeat of the Cornhuskers in Lincoln in 1920. The Cougars brought with them a reputation as an outstanding passing offense, and true to form used their game plan to roll up points by air faster than Nebraska could respond by ground. The Bill Jennings era opened with a loss.http://huskermax.com/allgames/1950s.html 1950s Nebraska football schedules 2010-08-03 HuskerMaxhttp://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1958&page=134 1958 Cornhusker – University of Nebraska Yearbook (Page 134) 2010-08-03 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Army Nebraska 0 Army 42 September 28 Michie Stadium • West Point, New York 16,654 In the second meeting of these teams, the Black Knights of West Point utterly obliterated the Cornhuskers in front of a relatively small Michie Stadium crowd. No matter which way they turned, by air or ground, all of Nebraska's attempts to at least avoid the shutout were thwarted. Army went on to finish the season ranked #18 by the AP Poll. Kansas State Nebraska 14 Kansas State 7 October 5 Memorial Stadium • Manhattan, Kansas 15,033 The Cornhuskers traveled to Manhattan for the first Big 7 contest of the season, again in front of a sparse crowd. While the Cornhuskers managed only two touchdowns on the day, the hapless Wildcats were unable to move the ball enough to score more than once. Nebraska had notched the first win of the year and improved to 32–7–2 in the Kansas State series to date, but there was little time to celebrate. The difficult road trip to Pittsburgh, now ranked #20 by the AP Poll, was next up. Pittsburgh Nebraska 0 #20 Pittsburgh 34 October 12 Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh 39,493 For the second time of the season, Nebraska was dealt a punishing road game shutout defeat, this time at the hands of bitter rival Pittsburgh. The Panthers, who nearly always seemed to have Nebraska's number, improved to 15–3–3 over the Cornhuskers all time with their sixth straight win in the series. Nebraska had now stumbled out to a 1–3 start thanks in part to the grueling schedule, and the situation was not looking like it would improve. Syracuse Syracuse 26 Nebraska 9 October 19 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 37,582 Renewing an old series last updated in 1929, the Orangemen arrived in Lincoln as Nebraska's final nonconference foe of the year. Unfortunately for the struggling Cornhuskers, the slide continued as Syracuse handled the Big Red's efforts with relative ease. With the win, Syracuse also evened up the all-time series between the programs at 4–4–0. Missouri Nebraska 13 Missouri 14 October 26 Faurot Field • Columbia, Missouri 26,058 Missouri–Nebraska football rivalryReturning to the Big 7 schedule, the downtrodden Cornhuskers traveled to Columbia to face Missouri, and to defend their custody of the Victory Bell. The tone of the season seemed to be set, however, and Nebraska's three-game winning streak against the Tigers was broken by a painful single-point 13–14 loss. Though the Cornhuskers still held a daunting series lead of 28–19–3, the Bell was handed over to the Tigers. Kansas Kansas 14 Nebraska 12 November 2 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 29,987 Nebraska's hopes to put up a win for the homecoming crowd in Lincoln were dashed when Kansas arrived and dealt a two-point loss to the Cornhuskers, snapping Nebraska's five-game winning streak over the Jayhawks. The Cornhuskers still held a commanding 46–14–3 series edge, but were now just 1–6 on the season. Iowa State Nebraska 0 Iowa State 13 November 9 Clyde Williams Field • Ames, Iowa 6,083 If there was hope for a victory to break the slide, it would have most likely been placed against the Cyclones, over which the Cornhuskers had run off 11 straight wins. Iowa State was well aware of Nebraska's skid, and were not intimidated by the visitors from Lincoln. Not only did the Cyclones snap their losing streak, they also dealt the season's third shutout defeat to the Cornhuskers in front of a surprisingly sparse crowd. This loss was Nebraska's fifth in a row, tying an all-time losing streak record set in 1941 and tied in 1945. The Cornhuskers still held a 41–9–1 lead in the series, but this loss was perhaps the lowest point of a very low season. Colorado Colorado 27 Nebraska 0 November 16 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 29,264 Colorado–Nebraska football rivalryNebraska had just one more game with any hope of a victory before facing the defending league champion Sooners. Even with home field advantage, however, the Cornhuskers fell again and were handed the year's fourth shutout loss, at the hands of the Buffaloes. Colorado's win narrowed the series to 9–7–0, and set a new Nebraska all-time record of six consecutive losses. Oklahoma #6 Oklahoma 32 Nebraska 7 November 23 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 29,844 Nebraska–Oklahoma football rivalryAny fight that might have been left in Nebraska, as they marched onto the field at Memorial Stadium with only a 1–8 record to show for their work, was quickly expended shortly after the season-ending rivalry with Oklahoma was underway. The Sooners were in fact prevented from scoring in the first quarter, a noteworthy accomplishment when considering the opponent, but Nebraska soon folded under the onslaught and ended the 1957 campaign with another loss, the 15th in a row to Oklahoma. Nebraska's all-time losing streak record was extended to seven with the defeat, as the Sooners took over the series at 17–16–3. Oklahoma went on to finish the season ranked #4 by the AP Poll. After the season It was known going in that Coach Jennings' first year was going to be a tough season, but that did not soften the sting of a 1–9 final record, the most losses in a single season and the worst overall season record in program history. The only other prior year that the Cornhusker football squad had only pulled down a single win was 1899's 1–7–1 campaign. Nebraska's overall program record tumbled to 352–198–34 (.009), the seventh straight year to see a drop in winning percentage, as the Big 7 history also slipped, to 147–63–12 (.689). Future professional players Clarence Cook, 1957 18th-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football