1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Big Eight Conference Big 8 6–4 3–4 Bob Devaney 7th George Kelly Memorial Stadium The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. The team was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Huskers were 6–4, but had a losing record in conference at 3–4. They lost three Big 8 games at home and were shut out 47–0 at Oklahoma in the season finale. Nebraska did not play in a bowl game for the second consecutive year; the next season without a bowl was 36 years later in 2004. The home shut out against Kansas State was the last time they have been shut out at home as of 2017 season. Following 1968, Tom Osborne was promoted to offensive coordinator and installed the I formation offense. This led to a 9–2 record in 1969 and consecutive undefeated national championship seasons in 1970 and 1971. Schedule 1968 AP Central September 14 2:00 pm w y 14 Wyoming Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 13–10 66,922 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-1968-nebraska-wy/138306729/ The Des Moines Register Huskers trip Wyoming on Iowan's kick September 15, 1968 September 15, 2024 Newspapers.com September 21 2:00 pm w y 14 Utah Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 31–0 66,198 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-cornhuskers-strike-ea/155427170/ Rapid City Journal Cornhuskers strike early, thump Utah 31–0 September 22, 1968 September 16, 2024 Newspapers.com September 28 1:30 pm w y y 9 Minnesota 17 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN rivalry 17–14 55,362 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-huskers-edge-gop/183724715/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Huskers edge Gophers with late field goal September 29, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 12 2:00 pm l 9 Kansas 6 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 13–23 67,119 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-jayhawks-bounce/183739106/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Jayhawks bounce Nebraska, 23–13 October 13, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 19 2:00 pm l 13 Missouri 20 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 14–16 66,289 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-mu-defense-fight/183741779/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch MU defense fights off Nebraska, 16–14 October 20, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com October 26 1:30 pm w y Oklahoma State Lewis Field Stillwater, OK 21–20 35,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-herald-last-minute-td-boosts-un-by/183742878/ Scottsbluff Star-Herald Last-minute TD boosts UN by stubborn Cowboys October 27, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com November 2 2:00 pm w y Iowa State Clyde Williams Field Ames, IA rivalry 24–13 29,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-coenhuskers-choke-of/183743026/ Council Bluffs Nonpareil Cornhuskers choke off Cyclones November 3, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9 2:00 pm l y Kansas State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 0–12 65,986 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-cats-escape-from-big/183743267/ Omaha World-Herald Cats escape from Big 8 grave, 12–0 November 10, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com November 16 2:30 pm w y Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry 22–6 48,327 https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-cornhuskers-streak-b/183743367/ Waco Tribune-Herald Cornhuskers streak by Buffs, 22–6 November 17, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com November 23 2:05 pm l y Oklahoma 14 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK rivalry ABC 0–47 45,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-news-and-tribune-sooners-blas/183741147/ The Sunday News & Tribune Sooners blast Cornhuskers November 24, 1968 October 26, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1968 Nebraska) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/130259 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics October 26, 2025 Roster Nebraska 1968 Roster Ahlmann, Harold #21 (So.) LB Anderson, Jim #18 (So.) RCB Armstrong, Joe #65 (Sr.) RG Ashman, Carl #53 (Jr.) C Avolio, Frank #40 (Jr.) DE Beland, Ben #61 (So.) RG Best, Bob #27 (Sr.) S Bomberger, Bill #46 (Jr.) HB Boyd, David #17 (So.) QB Brichacek, Mel #69 (Sr.) LG Brown, Bill #44 (So.) FB Buda, Joe #52 (Jr.) C Burdic, Mike #51 (So.) DT Chandler, George #7 (So.) LB Coppa, Rich #54 (So.) C Davis, Dick #45 (Sr.) FB Decker, John #1 (So.) S Delaney, Dan #67 (Sr.) LG DeOrio, Lonnie #78 (So.) DT Drakulich, Ron #41 (Jr.) DT Dvorsak, Tony #11 (So.) QB Fiala, Adrian #32 (Jr.) LB Ford, Dennis #66 (So.) RG Frost, Larry #28 (Jr.) HB Galbraith, Denis #63 (Jr.) MG Geddes, Ken #37 (Jr.) LB Green, Mike #34 (Jr.) HB Grenfell, Bob #59 (So.) RT Gutzman, Dennis #89 (So.) DE Hacias, Greg #13 (So.) QB Hansen, Ed #74 (Sr.) RT Hardt, Bob #91 (So.) DE Hartman, Dan #39 (Jr.) LB Haskell, Charles #93 (So.) DE Hawkins, James #26 (Sr.) RCB Haynes, Ervin #9 (So.) LB Heller, Tom #4 (So.) RCB Hollstein, Gary #5 (So.) S Hopkins, John #95 (So.) DT Hornbacher, Bill #55 (Jr.) MG Ingles, Guy #88 (So.) SE Jansen, Jim #35 (Jr.) S Jarmon, Sherwin #81 (Jr.) DE Jennings, Henry #6 (So.) LCB Kimmel, Miles #84 (Sr.) TE Kobza, Dan #49 (Jr.) MG Kontos, Ken #98 (So.) LB Kusserow, Ken #73 (Jr.) DT Lahey, Pat #47 (So.) DT Larson, Al #20 (Jr.) LCB Liggett, Bob #71 (Jr.) DT Linstroth, Tom #62 (Sr.) DT Logan, Bob #96 (So.) TE Lowe, Rex #83 (So.) SE Malone, Dan #79 (So.) DT Mawhinney, Bob #50 (So.) C McClelland, Tom #16 (So.) S McFarland, Jim #80 (Jr.) TE McGhee, Donnie #70 (So.) LT Miller, Jim #92 (So.) DE Minor, Mike #48 (Jr.) LB Minor, Wilfred #14 (So.) LCB Montgomery, Al #8 (So.) HB Morock, David #43 (So.) LCB Murtaugh, Jerry #42 (So.) LB Newton, Clint #82 (So.) SE Orduna, Joe #31 (Jr.) HB Patrick, Frank #10 (Jr.) QB Patterson, Glenn #72 (Jr.) LT Penney, Tom #85 (Sr.) SE Periard, Ed #56 (So.) MG Quinten, Karl #38 (Jr.) DE Reeves, Randy #25 (Jr.) S Rogers, Paul #30 (So.) HB Sanders, Frank #2 (So.) RCB Schenk, George #64 (So.) LT Schneiss, Dan #22 (So.) FB Sigler, Ernie #12 (Sr.) QB Smith, Jim #23 (So.) HB Stephenson, Dana #36 (Jr.) S Stigge, Russ #57 (Jr.) RG Terwilliger, Marlin #3 (So.) S Tollefsen, Tay #86 (So.) TE Topliff, Paul #87 (Jr.) TE Vactor, Frank #19 (So.) HB Vassar, Phil #33 (So.) FB Volberding, Ron #97 (So.) RG Walline, Dave #76 (So.) DT Weber, Bruce #58 (So.) LG Wenner, Rick #15 (So.) QB Williams, Gale #77 (Jr.) RT Winter, Wally #75 (So.) LT Wittler, Don #94 (So.) RT Wynn, Mike #90 (Jr.) DE Yannon, Buster #24 (Jr.) FB Young, Lynn #68 (Jr.) LG Ziegler, Mick #29 (Sr.) HB Depth chart + Defensive starters S Bob Best Randy Reeves Tom McClelland M Al Larson David Morock Wilford Minor. LB LB Ken Geddes Jerry Murtaugh Adrian Fiala Dan Kobza George Chandler Dan Hartman CB Dana Stephenson John Decker Marlin Terwilliger DE DT NT DT DE Mike Wynn Bob Liggett Bill Hornbacher Dave Walline Sherwin Jarmon Dennis Gutzman Ron Drakulich Tom Linstroth Tom Linstroth Frank Avolio Chuck Haskell Mike Burdic Ed Periard Ken Kusserow Karl Quinten CB James Hawkins Tom Heller Jim Anderson +Offensive starters + TE Jim McFarland Paul Topliff Miles Kimmel LT LG C RG RT Glenn Patterson Mel Brichacek Joe Buda Joe Armstrong Ed Hansen Wally Winter Dan Delaney Carl Ashman Gale Williams Donnie McGhee Bob Grenfell Lynn Young Bob Mawhinney Dennis Ford. Don Wittler TE Tom Penney Guy Ingels Rex Lowe QB Ernie Sigler Frank Patrick Tony Dvorsak HB RB FB Mick Ziegler Joe Orduna Dick Davis Larry Frost Mike Green Dan Schneiss Paul Rogers Frank Vactor Buster Yannon Coaching staff NameTitleFirst yearin this position Years at Nebraska Alma materBob DevaneyHead Coach19621962–72AlmaTom OsborneOffensive assistant19641964–97HastingsGeorge KellyDefensive coordinator19601960–68Notre DameCletus FischerOffensive line19601960–85NebraskaCarl SelmerOffensive line19621962–72WyomingJim Ross 1962–76John MeltonTight ends, Wingbacks19731962–88WyomingMike CorganRunning backs19621962–82Notre DameMonte KiffinGraduate assistant19661967–76NebraskaJack OsbergGraduate assistant19681968Augsburg Game summaries Wyoming Wyoming at #14 Nebraska [box score] Wyoming #14 Nebraska 10 0 0 0 3 0 0 10 1968-09-14 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 66,922 At the end of the 1st quarter, Nebraska was trailing 3–10, and struggled to catch up for much of the game. Finally, five minutes into the 4th quarter, with the assistance of the Blackshirts who had held off any further scores from the Cowboys, the Cornhuskers managed to get another touchdown to tie the game. Then, as time was running out and the Nebraska offensive effort was stalling, Nebraska PK Paul Rogers launched a 51-yard field goal through the uprights and into the stands for the win, leading to an exuberant mob of fans rushing the field in celebration. Utah Utah at #14 Nebraska [box score] Utah #14 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 17 7 0 7 1968-09-21 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 66,198 The Cornhuskers tallied 518 yards of total offense while holding the Utes to just 138, 46 of which were on the ground, and had little trouble with Utah, holding them scoreless in Memorial Stadium. Minnesota #9 Nebraska at #17 Minnesota [box score] #9 Nebraska #17 Minnesota 0 7 0 10 7 7 0 0 1968-09-28 Memorial Stadium, Minneapolis CST 53,362 It seemed like a repeat of the first game of the year, as once again Nebraska started out behind and wasn't able to catch up again until the 4th quarter, and once again Nebraska PK Paul Rogers booted the game-winning field goal at the end of the 4th quarter with just 1:32 remaining on the clock to secure the win against national co-champion Minnesota. Kansas #6 Kansas at #9 Nebraska [box score] #6 Kansas #9 Nebraska 0 0 9 14 0 6 0 7 1968-10-12 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 68,128 The highly regarded Kansas Jayhawks had been averaging 51 points per game, yet the Blackshirts managed to bottle them up to just 23 points, though Nebraska's 13 points were not enough to get the conference-opening win. Kansas managed to escape Lincoln with a victory only by scrambling to put up two touchdowns in the final 4 minutes. This was the last time Nebraska lost to the Jayhawks until the 2005 season; they won the next 36 meetings. It also is, through the 2022 season, their last home loss to Kansas to date. Missouri #20 Missouri at #13 Nebraska [box score] #20 Missouri #13 Nebraska 6 10 0 0 7 0 7 0 1968-10-19 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 66,818 Nebraska was severely hampered by a day of mistakes, losing four fumbles, an interception, and suffering two punt receptions muffed and recovered by Missouri. Despite the tall odds presented by these burdens, the Cornhuskers dropped the game to the Tigers by only 2 points. Oklahoma State Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score] Nebraska Oklahoma State 0 0 7 14 0 0 14 6 1968-10-26 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma CST 35,000 The first half was scoreless as both teams struggled unsuccessfully for an edge, but Oklahoma State found a way through and scored the first 14 in the 3rd. Nebraska fought back, and once again Cornhusker PK Paul Rogers scored the game-winner off his foot with PAT in the final minute to put Nebraska ahead by 1. Iowa State Nebraska at Iowa State [box score] Nebraska Iowa State 7 14 0 3 0 7 0 6 1968-11-02 Clyde Williams Field, Ames, Iowa CST 29,000 Iowa State helped to spot Nebraska with an early 14–0 lead by losing an early fumble and never recovered from the setback. The Cyclones made a feeble late attempt, coming within 8 points before the Cornhuskers put up another field goal to finish them off. Kansas State Kansas State at Nebraska [box score] Kansas State Nebraska 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 1968-11-09 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 67,466 Nebraska was stunned at home, at their homecoming game, when Kansas State held the Cornhuskers to just 146 total yards, 78 on the ground, and slapped Nebraska with only their second shutout under Head Coach Bob Devaney. This was the Cornhuskers last loss to the Wildcats until 1998 and their last home loss to them until 2003. Colorado Nebraska at Colorado [box score] Nebraska Colorado 12 3 7 0 0 0 6 0 1968-11-16 Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado CST 48,327 Nebraska flashed with some vengeance in response to the previous week's shutout, running out ahead of Colorado in Boulder 22–0 with help from a 62-yard punt return touchdown, finally letting the Buffaloes on the board with just 2 minutes remaining to play. Oklahoma Nebraska at #14 Oklahoma [box score] Nebraska #14 Oklahoma 0 0 0 0 7 21 0 19 1968-11-23 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma CST 45,000 Oklahoma denied Nebraska's bid for a post-season bowl game, as the Sooners scored five touchdowns to set a new Big 8 record and handed NU its worst defeat of the Devaney era with a painful 47–0 shutout in Norman. Rankings 1968 NCAA University Division football rankings 13 13 AP 14 14 2 7 9 13 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Coaches NR Awards 1968 Husker Honors Award Name(s) All America1st team Joe Armstrong All-Americahonorable mention Mel Brichacek, Ken Geddes,Dana Stephenson All-Big Eight1st team Joe Armstrong, Ken Geddes,Dana Stephenson All-Big Eight2nd team Bob Best, Joe Orduna All-Big Eighthonorable mention Bob Best, Mel Brichacek, Dick Davis,Adrian Fiala, Ed Hansen, Jim Hawkins,Al Larson, Bob Liggett, Jerry Murtaugh,Tom Penney, Paul Rogers, Mike Wynn 1968 Team Players in the NFL (& AFL) The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers seniors selected in the 1969 Common draft (NFL-AFL): Pro Football Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20071221231827/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1969.htm 2007-12-21 – 1969 NFL Draft Nebraska Cornhuskers Player Position Round Pick Franchise James Hawkins DB 7 177 Los Angeles Rams Dick Davis RB 12 306 Cleveland Browns The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers juniors selected in the following year's 1970 NFL draft: Pro Football Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20071221231832/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1970.htm 2007-12-21 – 1970 NFL Draft Nebraska Cornhuskers Player Position Round Pick Franchise Jim McFarland TE 7 164 St. Louis Cardinals Ken Geddes LB 7 175 Detroit Lions Dana Stephenson DB 8 183 Chicago Bears Mike Wynn DE 8 206 Oakland Raiders Frank Patrick QB 10 251 Green Bay Packers Bob Liggett DT 15 390 Kansas City Chiefs Mike Green RB 16 406 San Diego Chargers Glenn Patterson C 17 439 Dallas Cowboys The 1968 Nebraska Cornhuskers sophomores selected in the 1971 NFL draft: Pro Football Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20100924054608/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1971.htm 2010-09-24 – 1971 NFL Draft Nebraska Cornhuskers Player Position Round Pick Franchise Joe Orduna RB 2 49 San Francisco 49ers Bob Newton T 3 71 Chicago Bears Paul Rogers K–DB 8 190 Pittsburgh Steelers Dan Schneiss TE 11 261 Boston Patriots Members of the 1968 Nebraska freshman team selected in the 1972 NFL draft:Pro Football Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20071221231837/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1972.htm 2007-12-21 – 1972 NFL Draft Nebraska Cornhuskers Player Position Round Pick Franchise Jerry Tagge QB 1 11 Green Bay Packers Jeff Kinney RB 1 23 Kansas City Chiefs Larry Jacobson DT 1 24 New York Giants Carl Johnson T 5 112 New Orleans Saints Van Brownson QB 8 204 Baltimore Colts Keith Wortman G 10 242 Green Bay Packers NFL and pro players The following 1968 Nebraska players 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 2009-06-16 Name Team Dick Davis Cleveland Browns Ken Geddes Los Angeles Rams Sherwin Jarmon Chicago Fire Bob Liggett Kansas City Chiefs Jim McFarland St. Louis Cardinals Joe Orduna New York Giants Frank Patrick Green Bay Packers Frank Vactor Washington Redskins References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football