1974 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1974 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg 100 Big Eight Conference Big 8 8 9 9–3 5–2 Tom Osborne 2nd I formation Monte Kiffin 6th 5–2 Memorial Stadium Sugar Bowl champion Sugar Bowl W 13–10 vs. Florida The 1974 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Schedule 1974 AP Central September 14 1:30 pm w y 7 Oregon Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 61–7 76,053 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-huskers-shuck-or/181478050/ Wisconsin State Journal Huskers shuck Oregon, 61–7 September 15, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com September 21 12:50 pm l y y 4 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI rivalry ABC 20–21 73,381 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-wisconsin-upsets-n/181492800/ The La Crosse Tribune Wisconsin upsets Nebraska September 22, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com September 28 1:30 pm w y 10 Northwestern Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 49–7 76,101 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-cornhuskers-smash/181492869/ The Sioux City Journal Cornhuskers smash outclassed Wildcats September 29, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com October 5 1:30 pm w y 6 Minnesota Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 54–0 76,408 https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-6th-ranked-cornh/181492982/ Richmond Times-Dispatch 6th-ranked Cornhuskers rip Gophers October 6, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com October 12 1:30 pm l 5 Missouri Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 10–21 76,526 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-news-and-tribune-missouri-tig/181492034/ The Sunday News and Tribune Missouri Tigers claw Cornhuskers October 13, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com October 19 1:30 pm w y 12 Kansas 13 Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS rivalry 56–0 52,300 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-nebraska-trounces-kansa/181493154/ The Miami Herald Nebraska trounces Kansas October 20, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com October 26 1:30 pm w y 9 Oklahoma State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 7–3 76,476 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-huskers-survive-okla-st/181493296/ The Columbian Huskers survive Okla. St. October 27, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com November 2 1:00 pm w y 9 Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry ABC 31–15 52,049 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tyler-courier-times-cornhuskers-clai/181493446/ The Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph Cornhuskers claim 31–15 runaway win November 3, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9 1:30 pm w y 9 Iowa State Clyde Williams Field Ames, IA rivalry 23–13 37,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-huskers-crunch-cyclo/181493564/ Casper Star-Tribune Huskers crunch Cyclones 23–13 November 10, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com November 16 1:30 pm w 6 Kansas State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 35–7 76,188 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-cats-hang-tough-fo/181493692/ The Kansas City Star 'Cats hang tough for a while in 35–7 setback November 17, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com November 23 1:30 pm l 6 Oklahoma 1 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 14–28 76,636 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-defense-of-all-thi/181483906/ The Kansas City Star Defense (of all things) springs Oklahoma November 24, 1974 September 21, 2025 Newspapers.com December 31, 1974 7:00 pm w y y 8 Florida 18 Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 13–10 67,890 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-huskers-luck-out-1310/134216684/ The Shreveport Times 'Huskers luck out, 13–10 January 1, 1975 October 28, 2023 Newspapers.com Roster Nebraska 1974 RosterNebraska 1974 Commitments http://www.huskermax.com/recruits/1974.html https://archive.today/20140423123036/http://www.huskerpedia.com/recruits/1974.html 2014-04-23 live 2009-06-16 Alward, Tom #63 (Sr.) G Anthony, Monte #49 (So.) IB Bahe, Ritch #24 (Sr.) WB Belka, Jim #47 (So.) FB Block, King (So.) LB Bonness, Rik #54 (Jr.) C Borg, Tim #19 (So.) DB Brock, Dan #94 (So.) DT Bunkers, Bill (So.) DB Burns, Burton #49 (So.) FB Burns, Ed #17 (So.) QB Burrow, Jim #2 (Jr.) DB Butterfield, Dave #34 (So.) DB Cabell, Jake #13 (Jr.) DB Carpenter, Jeff #37 (So.) LB Clark, Dennis (So.) DT Clark, Mike (So.) OT Coccia, Tom #90 (Jr.) DE Collura, Joe #7 (So.) MG Costanzo, Rich #77 (Jr.) OT Coyle, Mike #42 (Jr.) PK Crenshaw, Marvin #73 (Sr.) OT Davis, Tom #52 (So.) C Davis, Tony #25 (Jr.) FB Dervin, Joe (So.) LB Doak, Mark #71 (Sr.) OT Duda, Rich #50 (Sr.) C Eichelberger, Percy #44 (So.) LB Eveland, Al #43 (So.) PK Everett, Earl #9 (So.) QB Folsom, Bob (So.) WB Fultz, Mike #72 (So.) DT Garcia, Randy #15 (So.) QB Gast, Reg (So.) DE Gillespie, Dave #28 (So.) IB Gissler, Dean #97 (Jr.) DT Hanchera, Gary #5 (So.) PK Hayes, Bob #76 (So.) OT Hegener, Stan #64 (Sr.) G Heiser, Tom #27 (Jr.) WB Hertenstein, Scott #98 (So.) DT Heydorff, Mark #22 (Sr.) DB Higgs, Gary #46 (So.) FB Hoins, Steve #78 (So.) OT Homola, Ken (So.) TE Houser, Mike (So.) PK Humm, Dave #12 (Sr.) QB Hunter, Ken #78 (Jr.) MG Jenkins, Brad #92 (So.) TE Johnson, Ardell #29 (Sr.) DB Jones, Chuck #35 (Jr.) DB Jorgensen, Greg (So.) OG Justice, Jason #38 (So.) FB Kucera, Lindsay #41 (So.) FB Kyros, George #18 (Sr.) DB Lackovic, Tim #80 (Sr.) SE Lee, John #69 (Jr.) MG Leonardi, Chad #61 (Sr.) OG Lessman, Randy #39 (So.) DE Lingenfelter, Bob #70 (So.) OT Lloyd, Jerry (So.) DT Luck, Terry #11 (Jr.) QB Malito, Chuck #89 (So.) SE Markley, Paul (So.) DB Markus, Steve #36 (So.) OG Martin, Bob #87 (Jr.) DE Mazon, Frank #31 (Jr.) DB McGuire, Tim #55 (Jr.) OG McWhorter, Mike (So.) WB Miller, Dan #58 (So.) OG Mills, George #75 (Jr.) DT Monds, Wonder #26 (Jr.) DB Moran, Jeff #30 (Sr.) IB Mushinskie, Larry #88 (Jr.) TE Nelson, Bob #57 (Sr.) LB Nitzel, Ron #81 (Jr.) SE Offner, Mike #95 (Jr.) DE O'Leary, John #14 (Jr.) IB Panneton, Rick (Jr.) TE Pate, Tom #68 (Sr.) DE Pavelka, Dennis #74 (Sr.) OT Peterson, Matt #82 (Jr.) TE Phillips, Ray #96 (Jr.) DE Pillen, Clete #33 (So.) LB Plucknett, John (So.) DT Pruitt, Ron #91 (Jr.) DT Pullen, Jeff #67 (So.) MG Ray, Glen #10 (So.) QB Redding, Dave #84 (Jr.) DE Reilly, Tim #56 (Jr.) OG Rogers, Terry #40 (Sr.) DB Ruud, Tom #45 (Sr.) LB Samuel, Tony #99 (So.) DE Schmidt, Dan #51 (So.) OG Schneider, Jeff #1 (Jr.) DB Seeton, Jim #16 (Jr.) DB Senkbeil, Rocky (So.) DB Shamblin, Dave #85 (Jr.) SE Smith, Kent #23 (So.) DB Spaeth, Ken #86 (So.) TE Stacey, Kurt #3 (So.) DB Starkebaum, John #48 (Sr.) LB Stovall, Rod (So.) DB Stuberg, Wayne #59 (So.) C Talley, Chester #32 (So.) IB Tangeman, Steve (So.) TE Thomas, Bobby #8 (So.) WB Thomas, Tom #53 (Jr.) C Thornton, Willie #65 (Jr.) MG Valasek, Larry #4 (So.) DB Varner, Rich #6 (So.) C Waldemore, Stan #62 (So.) DT Westbrook, Don #21 (Sr.) WB Wied, Jerry #93 (Jr.) DT Wieser, Steve #83 (Sr.) DE Wightman, Jim (So.) DE Yaralian, Zaven (Sr.) DB Zabrocki, Dale (So.) WB Zanetich, Nick #66 (So.) OG       Depth chart I-Formation 5–2 Yes No Yes Dave Humm Terry Luck Earl Everett Monte Anthony John O'Leary Dave Gillespie Jeff Moran Tony Davis Gary Higgs Jim Belka Chuck Malito Bobby Thomas Ron Nitzel SE Don Westbrook Ritch Bahe Tom Heiser WB Larry Mushinskie Brad Jenkins Ken Spaeth Mark Doak Dennis Pavelka Bob Lingenfelter Tom Alward Dan Schmidt Steve Markus Rik Bonness Rich Duda Wayne Stuberg Sten Hagener Nick Zanetich Tim McGuire Marvin Crenshaw Steve Hoins Rich Costanzo Tom Ruud Precy Eichelberger Joe Dervin INSDIE John Starkebaum Bob Nelson Cletus Pillen Randy Lessman INSDIE George Kyros Mike Heydorff Larry Valasek Wonder Monds Jim Seeton Terry Rogers MONSTER BACK Adrell Johnson Jim Burrow Kent Smith Dave Butterfield Chuck Jones Kurt Stacey Tom Pate Dave Redding .Ray Phillips Ron Pruitt Jerry Wied Dean Gissler John Lee Willie Thornton Jeff Pullen Mike Fultz Dan Brock John Plucknett Bob Martin Steve Weiser Tony Samuel 110 90 No Coaching staff NameTitleFirst yearin this position Years at Nebraska Alma materTom OsborneHead coachOffensive coordinator19731964–1997Hastings CollegeMonte KiffinDefensive coordinator19731967–1976NebraskaCletus FischerOffensive line 1960–1985NebraskaJim Ross 1962–1976John MeltonTight endsWingbacks19731962–1988WyomingMike CorganRunning backs19621962–1982Notre DameWarren PowersDefensive backs 1969–1976NebraskaBoyd EpleyHead strength coach19691969–2003NebraskaBill MylesOffensive line19721972–1976Drake UniversityJerry MooreWide receivers19731973–1978BaylorGeorge Darlington 1973–2002RutgersRick DuvalLinebackersRecruiting coordinator19731973–1974WorcesterMilt TenopirOffensive line19741974–2002 Sterling Game summaries Oregon Oregon at #7 Nebraska [box score] Oregon #7 Nebraska 0 0 0 7 23 10 14 14 1974-09-14 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,053 Oregon's only score came in the 4th quarter against Nebraska reserves, as the Cornhuskers entirely demolished the Ducks in Lincoln to open the season 1–0. Wisconsin #4 Nebraska at Wisconsin [box score] #4 Nebraska Wisconsin 7 7 3 3 0 7 0 14 1974-09-21 Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin CST 73,381 Wisconsin's air attack provided the Badgers with a 242–47 passing margin, while Nebraska's ground attack rolled up a 258–77 yard advantage on the ground, and the Cornhuskers led Wisconsin for all but six minutes of the game and were still in front by 6 when the Badgers pulled out a 77-yard touchdown pass and successful PAT with 3:29 in the 4th to pull ahead by 1 point, sending the Cornhuskers home with an early-season loss. Northwestern Northwestern at #10 Nebraska [box score] Northwestern #10 Nebraska 0 0 0 7 14 21 7 7 1974-09-28 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,101 Nebraska RB Monte Anthony set a new freshman record with his 111 yards on 14 carries as Nebraska rolled up 563 total offensive yards on the way to exacting some revenge on the Big Ten Conference following the previous week's loss to Wisconsin. Minnesota Minnesota at #6 Nebraska [box score] Minnesota #6 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 6 20 15 13 1974-10-05 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,408 Nebraska's wrath toward the Big 10 was not completed yet, as the Cornhuskers steamrolled Minnesota 54–0 in a dominating defeat of the Golden Gophers. Missouri Missouri at #5 Nebraska [box score] Missouri #5 Nebraska 0 0 0 21 0 3 0 7 1974-10-12 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,526 Missouri, while unable to come up with any points of their own early on, still managed to hold Nebraska to a 10–0 lead well into the 4th quarter before suddenly coming to life and putting up 21 unanswered points in a stunning upset that left Nebraska winless at the outset of their conference schedule. Kansas #12 Nebraska at #13 Kansas [box score] #12 Nebraska #13 Kansas 0 14 14 28 0 0 0 0 1974-10-19 Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas CST 52,300 For the second time this season, #12 Nebraska came off of a loss, beating #13 Kansas in a 56–0 rout at Lawrence. Nebraska QB Dave Humm set a new Nebraska and Big 8 completion percentage record, a new team and conference season touchdowns record, and a new team/conference/national record of 15 consecutive pass completions, going 23 of 27 with no interceptions for the day, an especially remarkable event considering that the Cornhusker offense was known for its land-based attack. More than half of the sellout crowd were Nebraska fans who made the short drive south. Oklahoma State Oklahoma State at #9 Nebraska [box score] Oklahoma State #9 Nebraska 0 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 1974-10-26 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,426 Oklahoma State outrushed Nebraska 204–167 but was able to produce only a 4th-quarter field goal, as Nebraska was also stymied offensively yet was able to survive the game by riding a single 3rd-quarter touchdown for the win. The Blackshirts saved the day, recovering a Cowboy fumble, reeling in an interception, and blocking a field goal attempt to help preserve the win. Colorado #9 Nebraska at Colorado [box score] #9 Nebraska Colorado 6 11 14 0 0 0 0 15 1974-11-02 Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado CST 52,949 Looking at the statistics might suggest this game was close, but Nebraska was comfortably leading 31–0 in the 4th when Cornhusker reserves took over and allowed Colorado to put up some numbers of their own to make it not look so bad. Despite nearly matched final offensive yardage and first down totals, the Buffaloes were unable to overcome a painful 1–5 turnover deficit. Iowa State #9 Nebraska at Iowa State [box score] #9 Nebraska Iowa State 7 3 13 0 0 0 0 13 1974-11-09 Clyde Williams Field, Ames, Iowa CST 37,000 The story of the previous game repeated itself, as Nebraska was out in front with an adequate lead when Cornhusker reserves entered the game to mop things up, which allowed Iowa State to put up 13 points for their game total, merely tying Nebraska's 3rd quarter output. Kansas State Kansas State at #6 Nebraska [box score] Kansas State #6 Nebraska 0 0 0 7 7 7 14 7 1974-11-16 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,188 For the 8th straight game, the Blackshirts held their opponent scoreless for 3 of 4 quarters in a game, as Nebraska easily defeated Kansas State in Lincoln. Oklahoma #1 Oklahoma at #6 Nebraska [box score] #1 Oklahoma #6 Nebraska 0 7 7 14 0 7 7 0 1974-11-23 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,636 Nebraska had a chance to run with the momentum, after breaking a 7–7 halftime tie open a few minutes into the 3rd quarter and then recovering Oklahoma's fumble on the following kickoff, but the opportunity was wasted when the Cornhuskers could not convert the gift into points, and the game belonged to the Sooners from there on out as Oklahoma put up 21 unanswered points to take back the lead and win. Unlike the previous three meetings, which were televised nationally to a Thanksgiving Day audience by ABC, this game could not air due to Oklahoma's NCAA probation, which banned the Sooners from television for the 1974 and 1975 regular seasons. Florida #18 Florida vs #8 Nebraska [box score] #18 Florida #8 Nebraska 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 13 1974-12-31 Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana 6:35 p.m. CST 67,850 ABC Keith Jackson and Barry Switzer Florida drew first blood, scoring a relatively early touchdown, and followed it up with a 2nd-quarter field goal to send Nebraska into the locker room at half time down 0–10. As the third quarter drew to a close, Nebraska successfully held off the Gators in a goal line stand and then marched 99 yards to close the gap with Florida 7–10 at the start of the 4th, and was able to follow those points with two more field goals to pull ahead by 3, while Florida was unable to respond in kind to the comeback, giving up the game to Nebraska. Rankings 1974 NCAA Division I football rankings AP 14 7 7 4 10 6 5 12 9 9 9 6 6 9 8 9 Coaches 14 8 Awards 1974 Husker Honors Award Name(s) All-America 1st team Rik Bonness, Marvin Crewnshaw, Dave Humm All-America 3rd team Tom Alward All-America honorable mention Bob Martin, Ron Pruitt All-Big 8 1st team Rik Bonness, Marvin Crewnshaw, Dave Humm, Bob Martin, Tom Ruud All-Big 8 2nd team Tom Alward, Wonder Monds, Bob Nelson, Don Westbrook Big 8 Freshman Player of the Year Monte Anthony Big 8 Defensive Sophomore of the Year Mike Fultz NFL and Pro Players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1974 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://archive.today/20120715195315/http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html 2012-07-15 live 2009-06-16 Name Team Tom Alward Birmingham Vulcans Monte Anthony Baltimore Colts Rik Bonness Oakland Raiders Ed Burns New Orleans Saints Jim Burrow Green Bay Packers Tom Davis Toronto Argonauts Tony Davis Cincinnati Bengals Mark Doak Birmingham Vulcans Mike Fultz New Orleans Saints Dave Humm Oakland Raiders John Lee San Diego Chargers Bob Lingenfelter Cleveland Browns Terry Luck Cleveland Browns Bob Martin New York Jets Wonder Monds Ottawa Rough Riders Bob Nelson Buffalo Bills John O'Leary Montreal Alouettes Tom Pate Hamilton Tiger-Cats Ray Phillips Cincinnati Bengals Tom Ruud Buffalo Bills John Starkebaum New Orleans Saints Stan Waldemore New York Jets Don Westbrook New England Patriots References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Category:Sugar Bowl champion seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football