1979 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1979 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg 100 Big Eight Conference Big 8 7 9 10–2 6–1 Tom Osborne 7th I formation Lance Van Zandt 3rd 5–2 Memorial Stadium Cotton Bowl Classic L 14–17 vs. Houston The 1979 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1979 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 1979 AP Central September 15 1:30 pm w y 8 Utah State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 35–14 75,953 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-hipp-nosis-puts-n/157822447/ The Charlotte Observer Hipp-Nosis puts Nebraska in gear September 16, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 22 1:05 pm w y y 7 Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 24–21 60,005 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-winning-edge-helps-n/157930125/ The Idaho Statesman Winning edge helps Nebraska tip Iowa 24–21 September 23, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 29 11:45 am w y 6 Penn State 18 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC 42–17 76,151 https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-cornhuskers-shuck-penn/157858442/ Asbury Park Press Cornhuskers shuck Penn State, 42–17 September 30, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 1:30 pm w y 5 New Mexico State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 57–0 76,135 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-huskers-throttle-agg/157764746/ The Daily Nonpareil Huskers throttle Aggies October 7, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 1:30 pm w y 5 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 42–0 76,011 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-herald-huskers-awesome-in-420-rou/157940160/ Star-Herald 'Huskers awesome in 42–0 rout October 14, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 1:30 pm w y 3 Oklahoma State Lewis Field Stillwater, OK 36–0 51,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-theyre-the-same-old/157943424/ The Daily Oklahoman They're the same old Huskers October 21, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 27 1:30 pm w 2 Colorado Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 38–10 76,158 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-redwine-gains-20/157942484/ The Des Moines Register Redwine gains 206 yards, scores 3 times as No. 2 Huskers rip Buffs October 28, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 3 1:30 pm w y 2 Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry 23–20 74,575 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-nebraska-wins-as-m/157943015/ St. Joseph News-Press Nebraska wins as Mizzou gamble fails November 4, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 1:30 pm w y 2 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry 21–12 43,210 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-both-coaches-prai/157939225/ The Sioux City Journal Both coaches praise losers after Huskers prevail, 21–12 November 11, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 1:30 pm w 3 Iowa State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 34–3 76,049 https://www.newspapers.com/article/victoria-advocate-nebraska-bombards-iowa/157941583/ Victoria Advocate Nebraska bombards Iowa State November 18, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 24 11:30 am l y 3 Oklahoma 8 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK rivalry ABC 14–17 72,516 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-1979-nebraska-oklah/95110885/ Lincoln Journal Star Oklahoma does it again, spoils NU title hopes, 17–14 November 25, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com January 1, 1980, 1980 1:10 pm l y y 7 Houston 8 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl Classic CBS 14–17 72,032 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-houston-gets-help-fro/157781657/ Rapid City Journal Houston gets help from above in Cotton Bowl win over Nebraska January 2, 1980 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com1979 Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 27, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nebraska/1979-schedule.html Roster http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&SPID=22&SPSID=4 Nebraska 1979 Roster June 9, 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 Nebraska 1979 Commitments http://www.huskermax.com/recruits/1979.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100107034739/http://huskerpedia.com/recruits/1979.html 2010-01-07 live 2009-06-09 Adams, Joe #64 (Jr.) OG Baker, Kim #41 (Jr.) LB Barnett, Bill #97 (Sr.) DT Bates, Phil (So.) FB Beach, Jim (So.) DB Bergkamp, Tim #36 (Jr.) PK Bess, Donnie (So.) DE Bloom, Jeff #50 (Sr.) C Boll, Peter (So.) OT Branch, Anthony #4 (So.) WB Brandl, Matt (So.) OG Brown, Kenny #22 (Sr.) WB Brown, Todd #29 (Fr.) SE Bruce, Mike #76 (Jr.) OT Bush, Anthony (So.) SE Carlstrom, Tom #78 (So.) OG Clark, David #63 (Jr.) DT Cole, Lawrence #81 (Sr.) DE Conneally, Jerry (So.) LB Damkroger, Steve #35 (Fr.) LB Davies, Steve #82 (Jr.) TE DeLoach, Trey #52 (Jr.) C England, Gary #70 (Jr.) OT Evans, Brent (So.) FB Finn, Jeff #87 (Jr.) TE Fischer, Dan #26 (So.) DB Franklin, Andra #39 (Jr.) FB Gary, Russell #9 (Jr.) DB Gdowski, Tom (So.) DT Gebert, Chris #14 (So.) QB Gemar, Scott #1 (Jr.) PK Gerlach, Dan (So.) DB Glathar, Kurt (So.) OG Goodspeed, Mark #72 (Sr.) OT Hager, Tim #10 (Sr.) QB Havekost, John #69 (Sr.) OG Hedrick, Brian #43 (Jr.) DT Hill, Dan (So.) TE Hineline, Curt #59 (So.) MG Hipp, I.M. #32 (Sr.) IB Holbrook, Tim (So.) DB Holmes, Daryl #94 (Jr.) DE Horn, Rod #55 (Sr.) DT Huebert, Randy (So.) WB Hunt, Al #49 (So.) FB Hurley, Dan #73 (So.) OT Iodence, Brian (So.) DB Johnson, Brad (So.) C Johnson, Craig #30 (Jr.) IB Keith, Percy #21 (Jr.) IB Keuten, John #62 (Jr.) OG Kirk, Donnie #13 (So.) PK Knoll, Eric (So.) QB Kotera, Jim #44 (Jr.) FB Krejci, Jeff #2 (So.) DB Kwapick, Jeff (So.) OT Landwehr, Randy #27 (So.) IB Larsen, Pat (So.) DB Lee, Oudious #65 (Sr.) MG LeRoy, Mark #23 (Sr.) DB Letcher, Paul #8 (Sr.) DB Lewis, Rodney #5 (So.) DB Liegl, David #28 (Jr.) DB Lindquist, Ric #15 (So.) DB Lindstrom, Dan #98 (Jr.) DE Lingenfelter, Bruce (So.) OT Lynch, Greg (So.) OG Mandelko, Mike #68 (So.) OG Mathison, Bruce #19 (So.) QB Mauer, Mark #17 (So.) QB McCloney, Maurice #31 (So.) WB McCrady, Tim #24 (Jr.) WB McElroy, Mike (So.) C McWhirter, Steve #45 (Fr.) LB Means, Andy #34 (Jr.) DB Michaelson, Steve #18 (So.) QB Miles, Darwin #91 (So.) DE Miller, Junior #89 (Sr.) TE Minor, John #86 (Sr.) MG Moravec, Mark (So.) FB Nelson, Derrie #92 (Jr.) DE Noonan, John (So.) SE Nyden, Richard (Jr.) SE Pensick, Dan #93 (Sr.) DT Peterson, Dick #83 (So.) TE Phillips, Patrick #94 (So.) DE Poppe, Scott (So.) LB Potadle, Paul #61 (Sr.) OG Quinn, Jeff #11 (Jr.) QB Rabas, Greg #85 (So.) TE Redwine, Jarvis #12 (Jr.) IB Reiners, Dan (So.) DE Rice, Dan #74 (Sr.) C Rimington, Dave #56 (Fr.) C Roark, Larry (So.) DB Ruud, John #46 (Sr.) LB Saalfeld, Kelly #57 (Sr.) C Santin, John (So.) DE Schleusener, Randy #53 (Jr.) OG Sculley, Mike (Jr.) MG Searcey, L.G. #37 (So.) DB Seibel, Kevin (Fr.) P/PK Sims, Sammy #6 (So.) DB Slobodnik, Tim (Fr.) DB Smith, Tim #84 (Sr.) SE Steels, Anthony #33 (So.) WB Steiner, Dan #58 (Sr.) OT Stocker, Kevin (Fr.) PK Sukup, Dean #3 (Sr.) PK Theiss, Randy (So.) OT Theissen, Gordon #90 (Sr.) DE Trent, Phil #16 (Fr.) DB Vair, Duke (So.) IB Van Lent, Bill (Fr.) DT Van Norman, Kris #38 (So.) DB Vergith, Tom (So.) WB Vering, Tom #47 (Sr.) LB Waechter, Henry #75 (So.) DT Wallace, Walter (So.) IB Wees, Dennis (So.) LB Weinmaster, Kerry #51 (Sr.) MG Williams, Jamie (Fr.) TE Williams, Brent (Jr.) LB Williams, Jimmy #96 (So.) DE Woodard, Scott #88 (Jr.) SE Wurth, Tim #25 (Sr.) FB       Depth chart I-Formation 5–2 Yes No Yes Jeff Quinn Tim Hager Mark Mauer Jarvis Redwine I.M Hipp Craig Johnson Andra Franklin Tim Wurth Jim Kotera Tim Smith Scott Woodard Todd Brown SE Kenny Brown Anthony Steels Tim McCrady WB Junior Miller Jeff Finn Steve Davies Mark Goodspeed Gary England Tom Carlstrom John Havekost Joe Adams Mike Mandelko Kelly Saalfeld Jeff Bloom Trey DeLoach Randy Schleusener Paul Potadle Dan Rice Dan Steiner Dan Hurley Peter Boll Brent Williams Tom Vering Steve McWhirter John Zutavern INSIDE Kim Baker Steve Damkroger John Ruud INSIDE Russell Gary Jeff Krejci Kris Van-Norman Mark Leroy Sammy Sims L.G. Searcey MONSTER BACK Andy Means Dan Fischer Rodney Lewis Ric Lindquist Paul Letcher David Liegl Derrie Nelson Dan Lindstrom Donnie Bess Bill Barnett Dan Pensick Dave Stromath Kerry Weinmater Oudious Lee Curt Hineline Rod Horn David Clark Toby Williams Lawrence Cole Jimmy Williams Daryl Holmes Dean Sukup Tim Smith 110 90 No Coaching staff NameTitleFirst 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 1979–1991Jake CabellFreshman Defensive Coordinator19791979NebraskaPat Fischer 19791979Nebraska Game summaries Utah State Utah State at #8 Nebraska [box score] Utah State #8 Nebraska 6 8 0 0 7 7 7 14 1979-09-15 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,953 Nebraska started out the 1979 season with less than convincing power, as relatively unheralded Utah State was still in the game as the teams entered intermission tied at 14. After adjustments were made, coaching and conditioning put the distance between the two teams as the Aggies failed to score again while the Cornhuskers added 21 with the help of 455 yards on the ground for the day. Iowa #7 Nebraska at Iowa [box score] #7 Nebraska Iowa 0 7 7 10 7 0 14 0 1979-09-22 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CST 60,005 For the second week in a row, an unranked team came out strong against Nebraska, as Iowa scored first and held Nebraska to the 7–7 tie at the half. The situation wasn't looking up for the Cornhuskers as Iowa moved ahead to 21–14 by the end of the 3rd, but finally the Blackshirts put the brakes on Iowa's offensive output and eventually forced a fumble as the 4th quarter wound down which Nebraska successfully converted into the winning field goal before the Cornhuskers escaped Iowa City with the win. Penn State #18 Penn State at #6 Nebraska [box score] #18 Penn State #6 Nebraska 14 0 3 0 0 28 0 14 1979-09-29 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,151 Nebraska continued their season trend of posting weak starts, as Penn State surged to a 14-point lead in the 1st quarter, but the Blackshirts seemed to figure out the Nittany Lions from that point forward, allowing only a 3rd-quarter field goal, while the Cornhusker offense came to life and put up 42 points to pass by Penn State and quell any hopes of an upset in Lincoln. New Mexico State New Mexico State at #5 Nebraska [box score] New Mexico State #5 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 21 10 19 7 1979-10-06 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,135 This game was all Nebraska, as IB Jarvis Redwine made his first start and racked up 120 yards in just 16 carries, leaving the game before halftime. Eighty four Cornhuskers saw playing time, including some true freshmen, as Nebraska coasted to an easy 57–0 pasting of the Aggies. Kansas Kansas at #5 Nebraska [box score] Kansas #5 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 0 15 27 0 1979-10-13 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,011 Nebraska again dominated, although the Kansas defense prevented three of four touchdown attempts in the first half and forced the Cornhuskers to settle for field goals instead. This was little help for the Jayhawks, however, who could not muster any kind of response to get onto the scoreboard. By the end of the game, Kansas had acquired only 8 first downs, 79 total yards, and suffered 3 interceptions as Nebraska's 611 offensive yards allowed them to steamroll to a 42–0 shutout victory. Oklahoma State #3 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score] #3 Nebraska Oklahoma State 0 15 7 14 0 0 0 0 1979-10-20 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma CST 51,000 Nebraska settled into a remarkable groove, posting their 3rd straight shutout victory on the road in Stillwater. Two Nebraska runners exceeded 100 yards as the Cornhuskers rolled up 433 yards on the ground compared to only 37 by the Cowboys, who only crossed midfield twice. Colorado Colorado at #2 Nebraska [box score] Colorado #2 Nebraska 3 7 0 0 7 10 14 7 1979-10-27 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,158 Colorado's only touchdown came on an interception return, which left intact a record 19 straight quarters that the Blackshirts had prevented a touchdown, while IB Jarvis Redwine amassed over 200 yards and three touchdowns as the Cornhuskers defeated the Buffaloes for the 12th consecutive time. Missouri #2 Nebraska at Missouri [box score] #2 Nebraska Missouri 7 10 3 3 0 6 14 0 1979-11-03 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri CST 74,575 Nebraska pulled out to an early 20–6 lead shortly after halftime, and a relatively easy win seemed to be on the horizon, but someone forgot to tell Missouri to give up. The Tigers came right back, scoring 14 straight to tie the game at 20 as the 3rd quarter ended, and the game was on. Both teams struggled to make progress until Nebraska was able to muster a single field goal with a little over 3 minutes left to play, but the game was not decided until the final play, as Missouri opted out of the easy, game-tying field goal and went for the win from the Nebraska 11 with 3 seconds left, only for QB Phil Bradley to get sacked by the Blackshirts before he could unload the ball. Kansas State #2 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score] #2 Nebraska Kansas State 7 0 7 7 6 0 6 0 1979-11-10 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas CST 43,210 Kansas State turned over four interceptions, but it seemed as if Nebraska was intent on repaying the favor by losing five of seven fumbles to help keep the Wildcats in the game. By the beginning of the 4th quarter, the Wildcats trailed the Cornhuskers by just 2 points. Halfway through the 4th, Nebraska put up 7 more points to create some breathing room, and held off Kansas State until time expired. Iowa State Iowa State at #3 Nebraska [box score] Iowa State #3 Nebraska 0 0 0 3 3 25 0 6 1979-11-17 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,049 Nebraska experienced yet another slow start as the 1st quarter ended with only a Cornhusker field goal on the board, but in the second quarter things seemed to fall into place as Nebraska posted another 25 points by halftime without any response from Iowa State. The Cyclones managed to avoid the shutout with a field goal in the 4th, but avoiding the disgrace of the shutout was about all they accomplished for the day as they departed Lincoln with a 3–34 loss on the books. Oklahoma #3 Nebraska at #8 Oklahoma [box score] #3 Nebraska #8 Oklahoma 0 7 0 7 0 3 7 7 1979-11-24 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma CST 71,187 A hard fought battle for the Big 8 title resulted in disappointment for Nebraska, who surrendered a 4-point halftime lead as Oklahoma overpowered the Blackshirts, who had been ranked #1 against the run leading up to this game. The final score of the day came from Nebraska's second-ever fumblerooski, picked up by All-American guard Randy Schleusener. Houston #7 Nebraska vs #8 Houston [box score] #7 Nebraska #8 Houston 7 0 0 7 0 7 0 10 1980-01-01 Cotton Bowl, Dallas 1:10 p.m. CST 72,032 Robert Aillet CBS Lindsey Nelson, Frank Glieber and Paul Hornung The Cornhuskers got onto the scoreboard first with a 1st-quarter touchdown, but offensive production stalled as Houston caught up and tied the Cornhuskers before halftime. The Cougars gave up an interception and lost three of seven fumbles during the game, giving Nebraska a 4–1 turnover margin edge, but Houston's passing and rushing efforts were successful enough to overcome the setbacks. Nebraska gained a slim 3-point lead with little more than 3 minutes to play, but Houston marched down the field and put one more touchdown into the end zone with just 12 seconds on the clock, handing Nebraska a loss to close the season. Rankings 1979 NCAA Division I-A football rankings 14 AP 8 8 7 6 5 5 3 2 2 2 3 3 7 7 9 14 Coaches 7 Awards 1979 Husker Honors Award Name(s) All-America 1st team Junior Miller All-America 2nd team Mark Goodspeed, Jarvis Redwine, Kerry Weinmaster All-America 3rd team Kelly Saalfeld All-America honorable mention John Havekost, Rod Horn, Derrie Nelson, Kerry Weinmaster Big 8 Newcomer of the Year Jarvis Redwine All-Big 8 1st team Kenny Brown, John Havekost, Rod Horn, Junior Miller, Derrie Nelson, Jarvis Redwine, Kelly Saalfeld, Tim Smith, Dean Sukup, Kerry Weinmaster All-Big 8 2nd team Bill Barnett, Mark Goodspeed, Andy Means, Randy Schleusener, Tim Smith All-Big 8 honorable mention Lawrence Cole, Andra Franklin, I. M. Hipp, Mark LeRoy, Dan Steiner, Tom Vering, Brent Williams NFL and pro players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1979 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro 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 2009-06-09 Name Team Bill Barnett Miami Dolphins Todd Brown Montreal Concordes Andra Franklin Miami Dolphins Russell Gary New Orleans Saints Mark Goodspeed St. Louis Cardinals Rod Horn Cincinnati Bengals Dan Hurley Boston Breakers Brad Johnson Boston Breakers Oudious Lee St. Louis Cardinals Rodney Lewis New Orleans Saints Allen Lyday Houston Oilers Bruce Mathison San Diego Chargers Junior Miller Atlanta Falcons Derrie Nelson San Diego Chargers Jeff Quinn Pittsburgh Steelers Jarvis Redwine Minnesota Vikings Dave Rimington Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Seibel Chicago Blitz Anthony Steels Boston Breakers Henry Waechter Chicago Bears Jamie Williams St. Louis Cardinals Jimmy Williams Detroit Lions References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football