1980 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1980 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg 100 Big Eight Conference Big 8 7 7 10–2 6–1 Tom Osborne 8th I formation Lance Van Zandt 4th 5–2 Memorial Stadium Sun Bowl champion Sun Bowl W 31–17 vs. Mississippi State The 1980 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Schedule 1980 AP Central September 13 1:30 pm w y 8 Utah Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 55–9 75,526 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-nebraska-wallops/158464603/ The Sioux City Journal Nebraska wallops Utah, 55–9 September 14, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 1:30 pm w y 6 Iowa Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 57–0 76,029 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-cornhuskers-humble-hawkeyes/158634650/ The Courier Cornhuskers humble Hawkeyes 57–0 September 21, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 12:50 pm w y y 3 Penn State 11 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC 21–7 84,585 https://www.newspapers.com/article/gloucester-county-times-nebraska-ranked/158455067/ Gloucester County Times Nebraska, ranked 3rd, defeats mistake-prone Penn State, 21–7 September 28, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 1:30 pm l y 3 Florida State 16 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 14–18 76,152 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-seminoles-put-bo/158455690/ Wisconsin State Journal Seminoles put boot to mighty Nebraska October 5, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 1:30 pm w y 10 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS rivalry 54–0 50,268 https://www.newspapers.com/article/olathe-news-nebraska-has-no-mercy-on-hap/158630299/ Olathe News Nebraska has no mercy on hapless Hawks, 54–0 October 12, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 1:30 pm w y 10 Oklahoma State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 48–7 76,021 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-nebraska-rips-lo/158632563/ The Des Moines Register Nebraska rips lowly Cowboys October 19, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 2:30 pm w y 9 Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry 45–7 51,489 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-herald-nebraska-triumphs-by-only/158568621/ Star-Herald Nebraska triumphs by 'only' 45–7 October 26, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 1:30 pm w 8 Missouri 15 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 38–16 76,155 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-huskers-snap-missouri/158634069/ The Tampa Tribune-Times Huskers snap Missouri's Lincoln hex November 2, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 1:30 pm w 5 Kansas State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 55–8 76,121 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-huskers-play-like-n/158631696/ The Kansas City Star Huskers play like No. 1, rip K-State November 9, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 1:30 pm w y 4 Iowa State Cyclone Stadium Ames, IA rivalry 35–0 52,942 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-nebraska-stops-cyclones/158633569/ Tulsa World Nebraska stops Cyclones November 16, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 11:35 am l 4 Oklahoma 9 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry ABC 17–21 74,684 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-watts-electrifies-h/158634960/ The Montana Standard Watts electrifies Huskers, 21–17 November 23, 1980 November 7, 2024 Newspapers.com December 27 12:30 pm w y y 8 Mississippi State 17 Sun Bowl El Paso, TX Sun Bowl CBS 31–17 34,723 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-cornhuskers-mug/134417679/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Cornhuskers mug Mississippi State December 28, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com1980 Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 7, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nebraska/1980-schedule.html Roster http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&SPID=22&SPSID=4 Nebraska 1980 Roster June 4, 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 https://www.huskermax.com/recruits/1980.html Recruiting 1980 – HuskerMax HuskerMax Adams, Joe #64 (Sr.) OG Alberico, Tim (So.) SE Alven, Robert (So.) OG Austin, Jimmy (So.) IB Baker, Kim #41 (Sr.) LB Barnes, Ed (So.) LB Bates, Phil #43 (So.) FB Bauer, Steve (So.) DB Beaudin, Rick (So.) MG Beideck, John (So.) C Bell, Warren #4 (So.) DB Bergkamp, Tim (Sr.) PK Bess, Donnie #85 (Jr.) DE Boll, Peter #72 (So.) OT Brandl, Matt #58 (So.) OG Brown, Steve (So.) DE Brown, Todd #28 (So.) SE Bruce, Mike #76 (Sr.) OT Brungardt, Tim (So.) IB Carlstrom, Tom #78 (Jr.) OT Chandler, Rick (So.) LB Clark, David #63 (Sr.) DT Cook, Bill (So.) DT Corbeil, Jim (So.) DB Craig, Roger #21 (So.) IB Curry, Tom (So.) WB Damkroger, Steve #35 (So.) LB Daniels, Richard (So.) DB Davies, Steve #82 (Sr.) TE DeLoach, Trey #52 (Sr.) C Derr, Robin (So.) MG Dhein, Doug (So.) OT Eberspacher, Rex (So.) PK Engebritson, Monte (So.) TE England, Gary #70 (Sr.) OG Evans, Brent #48 (Jr.) LB Felici, Tony (So.) DE Finn, Jeff #87 (Sr.) TE Fischer, Dan #26 (So.) DB Florell, Randy #77 (Jr.) LB Franklin, Andra #39 (Sr.) FB Frazier, Russell (So.) QB Gary, Russell #9 (Sr.) DB Gdowski, Tom #93 (So.) DT Gemar, Scott #1 (Sr.) P Glathar, Kurt #69 (So.) OG Haase, David (So.) QB Hagerman, Mark (So.) PK Hansman, Bob (So.) LB Heath, John (So.) LB Hendricks, Dennis (Jr.) OG Herrmann, Doug (So.) DT Hill, Dan #84 (So.) TE Hinds, Tom (So.) OG Hineline, Curt #59 (Jr.) MG Holbrook, Tim #23 (So.) DB Holmes, Daryl #94 (Sr.) DE Holmon, Craig (So.) FB Huebert, Randy (Jr.) WB Hurley, Dan #73 (Jr.) OT Iodence, Brian #14 (Jr.) DB Jeffries, Jim (Fr.) DB Johnson, Brad #55 (So.) C Johnson, Craig #30 (Sr.) IB Keeler, Mike #61 (So.) DT Kirk, Donnie (Jr.) PK Knoll, Eric (So.) QB Kotera, Jim #44 (Sr.) FB Krejci, Jeff #2 (Jr.) DB Krenk, Mitch #89 (So.) TE Kwapick, Jeff #57 (So.) OT Landwehr, Randy #27 (Jr.) IB Larsen, Pat #3 (So.) DB Lewis, Rodney #5 (Jr.) DB Liegl, David #28 (Sr.) DB Lindquist, Ric #15 (Jr.) DB Lindstrom, Dan #98 (Sr.) DE Lindstrom, Scott (So.) MG Lingenfelter, Bruce #71 (Jr.) OG Lonowski, Jack #67 (Jr.) DT Lyday, Allen (So.) DB Mandelko, Mike #68 (So.) OG Mann, Ricky (So.) DB Mason, Nate #8 (So.) QB Mathison, Bruce #19 (So.) QB Mauer, Mark #17 (Jr.) QB McCrady, Tim #24 (Sr.) WB McCue, Dave #32 (So.) WB McElroy, Mike (So.) C McWhirter, Steve #45 (So.) LB Means, Andy #34 (Sr.) DB Merrell, Jeff #74 (So.) MG Miles, Darwin #91 (So.) DE Moravec, Mark #42 (So.) FB Mortensen, Kurt (So.) DB Muehling, Brad (So.) C Murphy, Jim (So.) DB Neil, Eddie (So.) PK Nelson, Derrie #92 (Sr.) DE Noonan, John #95 (Sr.) SE O'Hearn, Allan (So.) PK Owen, Keith (So.) DB Patterson, Bill (So.) IB Peterson, Dick #83 (Jr.) TE Praeuner, Wade (So.) DE Quinn, Jeff #11 (Sr.) QB Raridon, Scott (So.) OT Redwine, Jarvis #12 (Sr.) IB Ridder, Dave (So.) DT Rimington, Dave #50 (So.) C Rogan, Dennis (So.) IB Rush, Kym (So.) DT Santin, John (So.) LB Schleusener, Randy #53 (Sr.) OG Schmuecker, Dan (So.) OT Schoening, Lynn (So.) PK Sculley, Mike (Jr.) MG Searcey, L.G. #37 (Jr.) DB Seibel, Kevin #49 (So.) P/PK Sherlock, John (So.) OG Sherry, Scott (Jr.) DE Simmons, Ricky #7 (So.) WB Sims, Sammy #6 (Jr.) DB Smith, Paul (So.) FB Sorenson, John (So.) SE Spratte, Todd #81 (So.) DE Steels, Anthony #33 (Jr.) WB Steinkuhler, Dean (So.) OG Stephens, Greg (So.) TE Stromath, Dave #99 (Jr.) DT Theiss, Randy #65 (So.) OT Tramner, Mike (So.) MG Trent, Phil #16 (So.) DB Van Lent, Bill #90 (So.) DT Van Norman, Kris #38 (So.) DB Vergith, Tom (So.) WB Waechter, Henry #75 (Jr.) DT Walton, Jerry (So.) DB Wees, Dennis #62 (So.) MG Wehrle, Craig (So.) TE White, Felix (So.) MG Wilkening, Doug (So.) FB Williams, Brent #66 (Sr.) LB Williams, Jamie #80 (So.) TE Williams, Jimmy #96 (Jr.) DE Williams, Toby #97 (So.) DT Woodard, Scott #88 (Sr.) SE Zutavern, John (Jr.) LB       Depth chart I-Formation 5–2 Yes No Yes Jeff Quinn Mark Mauer Nate Mason Jarvis Redwine Roger Craig Craig Johnson Andra Franklin Jim Kotera Phil Bates Todd Brown John Noonan Scott Woodard SE Anthony Steels Tim McCrady Ricky Simmons WB Jeff Finn Steve Davies Jamie Williams Randy Theiss Mike Bruce Jeff Kwapick Joe Adams Mike Mandelko Scott Raridon Dave Rimington Brad Johnson Trey DeLoach Randy Schleusener Gary England Matt Brandl Dan Hurley Tom Carlstrom Peter Boll Brent Williams Steve McWhirter John Santin INSDIE Kim Baker Steve Damkroger Bret Evans Randy Florell INSDIE Russell Gary Jeff Krejci Ricky Mann Sammy Sims Kris Van-Norman L.G. Searcey MONSTER BACK Andy Means David Liegl Brian Iodence Ric Lindquist Rodney Lewis Pat Larsen Derrie Nelson Dan Lindstrom Tony Felici Henry Waechter Dave Stromath Bill Van-Lent Curt Hineline Jeff Merrell Dennis Wees David Clark Toby Williams Tom Gdowski Jimmy Williams Daryl Holmes Donnie Bess Kevin Seibel Scott Gemar 110 90 No Coaching staff Name Title First yearin this position Years at Nebraska Alma materTom OsborneHead CoachOffensive Coordinator19731964–1997Hastings CollegeLance Van ZandtDefensive CoordinatorDefensive backs19771977–1980LamarCharlie McBrideDefensive Line19771977–1999ColoradoCletus FischerOffensive Line 1960–1985NebraskaJohn MeltonLinebackers19731962–1988WyomingMike CorganRunning Backs19621962–1982Notre DameBoyd EpleyHead Strength Coach19691969–2003NebraskaGeorge DarlingtonDefensive Ends 1973–2002 RutgersMilt TenopirOffensive Line19741974–2002 SterlingGene HueyReceivers19771977–1986WyomingFrank SolichHead Freshman Coach19791979–2003NebraskaJack Pierce 1979–1991Jerry PettiboneRecruiting Coordinator19801980–1981Oregon State Game summaries Utah Utah at #8 Nebraska [box score] Utah #8 Nebraska 3 0 0 6 14 7 20 14 1980-09-13 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,526 Nebraska racked up 545 yards on the ground, the second-highest total in school history, as IB Jarvis Redwine averaged over 10 yards per carry before leaving the game in the hands of capable reserves. Utah suffered from two interceptions, and the sole Utes touchdown didn't get punched in until Cornhusker backups were on the field in the 4th quarter for playing time. Iowa Iowa at #6 Nebraska [box score] Iowa #6 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 14 21 7 15 1980-09-20 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,029 Nebraska completely shut down Iowa's heralded runner Jeff Brown, putting to rest Iowa's hope for a rushing contest with Nebraska IB Jarvis Redwine. Redwine left the game shortly after halftime after collecting 153 yards on 12 attempts, while Brown added only 51 to his career total during the entire game. Other Iowa rushing attempts went the other way, and the Hawkeye ground total netted only 44 yards as the Cornhuskers allowed Iowa into Nebraska territory only twice in the entire game on their way to delivering a painful 57–0 shutout. Penn State #3 Nebraska at #11 Penn State [box score] #3 Nebraska #11 Penn State 7 7 7 0 0 7 0 0 1980-09-27 Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania CST 84,585 The Blackshirts were the stars of this day in front of a record crowd at State College, as the Nebraska defense sacked Penn State QB Jeff Hostetler eight times for 89 yards, and forced seven turnovers, keeping the Nittany Lions constantly on their heels and away from any hope of an upset. Penn State managed just one touchdown, in the 2nd quarter, and accumulated a net rushing total of only 33 yards. Florida State #16 Florida State at #3 Nebraska [box score] #16 Florida State #3 Nebraska 0 3 12 3 7 7 0 0 1980-10-04 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,152 Trailing by 4 points as the clock wound down under 15 seconds, Nebraska QB Jeff Quinn was hit only three yards from the end zone, forcing a fumble which was recovered by Florida State. The Seminoles escaped Lincoln with a win, and the Cornhuskers lost IB Jarvis Redwine for two weeks due to broken ribs, along with their hopes for an undefeated season. Husker fans, impressed by FSU's tenacity, gave a spontaneous standing ovation to the visiting team,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BeULAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5501,1511137 The Evening Independent – Google News Archive Search news.google.com starting a new tradition at Memorial Stadium. Kansas #10 Nebraska at Kansas [box score] #10 Nebraska Kansas 7 26 14 7 0 0 0 0 1980-10-11 Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas CST 50,268 The temporary loss of IB Jarvis Redwine to injury presented no difficulties to the Big Red Machine, as Nebraska steamrolled Kansas in Lawrence, chalking up 33 points in the 1st half alone. By the end of the game, the Blackshirts had posted another shutout to their stats while the Cornhusker offense rolled up 520 yards of offense and 54 points. Oklahoma State Oklahoma State at #10 Nebraska [box score] Oklahoma State #10 Nebraska 0 0 7 0 14 7 14 13 1980-10-18 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,021 The Nebraska defense saw their string of touchdown-prevention quarters ended at 8 when Oklahoma State managed to squeak in a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, but that was all that would be heard from the Cowboys on this day since they were held to −13 ground yards compared to the 430 ground yards posted by the Cornhuskers. Colorado #9 Nebraska at Colorado [box score] #9 Nebraska Colorado 7 24 7 7 0 0 0 7 1980-10-25 Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado CST 51,489 The return of Nebraska IB Jarvis Redwine was short-lived, as both he and 2nd string IB Craig Johnson left the game with injuries in the 1st quarter. 3rd string IB Roger Craig was still too much for Colorado as Nebraska swept up the Buffaloes in Boulder while collecting 403 ground yards and a decisive 45–7 win, the 13th Cornhusker win in a row over Colorado, whose only score came in the 4th quarter against Nebraska reserves. Missouri #15 Missouri at #8 Nebraska [box score] #15 Missouri #8 Nebraska 3 10 0 3 14 14 0 10 1980-11-01 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,155 Nebraska created a 15-point lead by halftime and never looked back, though Missouri was not to be trifled with. Where the Cornhuskers made their gains on the ground, the Tigers achieved their yards in the air, but at the end of the game it was still the Cornhuskers well ahead and celebrating their first win over Missouri in Memorial Stadium since 1972. Kansas State Kansas State at #5 Nebraska [box score] Kansas State #5 Nebraska 0 0 0 8 10 24 14 7 1980-11-08 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,121 Kansas State was demolished in Lincoln in every way, as Nebraska racked up 495 yards on the ground and pushed both the 1st and 2nd string Wildcat quarterbacks backwards for a combined −67 yard net on the day. The normally ground-oriented Cornhuskers also dominated in the air, nearly doubling the Wildcat passing yard total and bringing the Nebraska yardage total to 695. Kansas State scored a single touchdown and capped it with a two-point conversion with just 1:52 left on the clock in garbage time, narrowly avoiding the shutout. Iowa State #4 Nebraska at Iowa State [box score] #4 Nebraska Iowa State 7 7 14 7 0 0 0 0 1980-11-15 Cyclone Stadium, Ames, Iowa CST 52,942 Compared with the week prior, Nebraska had a slow start, leading by only 14 at the half, and that only when a Cornhusker punt was fumbled by the Cyclone returner into the end zone and recovered by the Cornhuskers to add 7 to the total with 2:28 left in the half. Nonetheless, the Nebraska offense simply kept powering along, wearing down the Iowa State squad until they surrendered another 21 points, while the Blackshirts held the Cyclone offense to just 130 total yards and no points. Oklahoma #9 Oklahoma at #4 Nebraska [box score] #9 Oklahoma #4 Nebraska 0 14 0 7 10 0 0 7 1980-11-22 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,322 The Cornhuskers had a promising start, as IB Jarvis Redwine tore the Sooner defense for an 89-yard touchdown run on Nebraska's first possession and PK Kevin Seibel put a 47 yarder through the uprights to go up by 10, but Oklahoma came to life to lead 14–10 by halftime. Nebraska held the Oklahoma wishbone attack to just 7 yards in the 3rd quarter, but also gave up a couple of turnovers which proved costly as both teams put up only another touchdown each before the game was over with Oklahoma still up by 4 to claim the Big 8 title. Mississippi State #8 Nebraska vs #17 Mississippi State [box score] #8 Nebraska #17 Mississippi State 7 10 7 7 0 0 3 14 1980-12-27 Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas CST 34,723 Nebraska marked their 12th consecutive bowl game appearance by striking first with 7 points only 2:30 into the first quarter. It was not a major record-setting day, but consistent production and solid ball control provided the Cornhuskers with ample opportunities to produce points. The Bulldogs found themselves behind 17–0 at the half and never had an opportunity to make any serious threat to the Cornhuskers again. Rankings 1980 NCAA Division I-A football rankings 15 AP 7 8 6 3 3 10 10 9 8 5 4 4 10 9 8 7 15 Coaches 7 Awards https://www.huskermax.com/honors/honors_1980.html 1980 Nebraska football honors – HuskerMax HuskerMax Award Name(s) All-America 1st team Derrie Nelson, Jarvis Redwine, Randy Schleusner All-America honorable mention David Clark, Russell Gary, Curt Hineline Big 8 Coach of the Year Tom Osborne Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year Derrie Nelson Big 8 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Toby Williams All-Big 8 1st team David Clark, Andra Franklin, Russell Gary, Derrie Nelson, Jarvis Redwine, Dave Rimington, Randy Schleusner All-Big 8 2nd team Joe Adams, Curt Hineline, Dan Hurley, Jeff Quinn, Jimmy Williams (linebacker) All-Big 8 honorable mention Todd Brown, Roger Craig, Steve Damkroger, Jeff Finn, Craig Johnson, Andy Means, Randy Theiss, Brent Williams, Toby Williams NFL and pro players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1980 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html NFLHuskers.com nflhuskers.com Name Team Joe Adams St. Louis Cardinals Todd Brown Montreal Concordes Roger Craig San Francisco 49ers Andra Franklin Miami Dolphins Russell Gary New Orleans Saints Dan Hurley Boston Breakers Brad Johnson Boston Breakers Mitch Krenk Chicago Bears Rodney Lewis New Orleans Saints Allen Lyday Houston Oilers Bruce Mathison San Diego Chargers Jeff Merrell Boston Breakers Derrie Nelson San Diego Chargers Jeff Quinn Pittsburgh Steelers Jarvis Redwine Minnesota Vikings Dave Rimington Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Seibel Chicago Blitz Ricky Simmons Washington Federals Anthony Steels Boston Breakers Dean Steinkuhler Houston Oilers Henry Waechter Chicago Bears Jamie Williams St. Louis Cardinals Jimmy Williams Detroit Lions Toby Williams New England Patriots References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Category:Sun Bowl champion seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football