1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg 100 Big Eight Conference Big Eight 9 11 9–3 7–0 Tom Osborne 9th I formation Charlie McBride 1st 5–2 Memorial Stadium Big Eight champion Orange Bowl L 15–22 vs. Clemson The 1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1981 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 1981 AP Central September 12 1:05 pm l y y 7 Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 7–10 60,160 https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-hawkeyes-embarras/158377287/ Columbia Daily Tribune Hawkeyes embarrass Nebraska September 13, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 1:30 pm w y 17 Florida State 19 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 34–14 76,289 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-craig-propels-cor/158215288/ The Sioux City Journal Craig propels Cornhuskers, 34–14 September 20, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 1:30 pm l y 15 Penn State 3 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 24–30 76,308 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-penn-state-tailback/158217170/ The Kansas City Star Penn State tailback runs over Nebraska September 27, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 1:30 pm w y Auburn Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 17–3 76,423 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-nebraska-scores-touchd/134521897/ The Tampa Tribune-Times Nebraska scores touchdowns fast to top Auburn October 4, 1981 November 2, 2023 Newspapers.com October 10 1:30 pm w Colorado Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 59–0 76,169 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-cornhuskers-crush-col/158380507/ The Daily Sentinel Cornhuskers crush Colorado 59–0 October 11, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 1:30 pm w y 19 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry 49–3 45,915 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-nebraska-rocks-wi/158379787/ The Sioux City Journal Nebraska rocks Wildcats, 49–3 October 18, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 11:50 am w y 15 Missouri 19 Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry ABC 6–0 72,001 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-huskers-nip-mizzou/158382278/ The Salina Journal Huskers nip Mizzou October 25, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 1:30 pm w y 12 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 31–15 76,208 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-jayhawks-close-til-4t/158383542/ The Wichita Eagle & Beacon Jayhawks close 'til 4th period November 1, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 11:30 am w y 11 Oklahoma State Lewis Field Stillwater, OK ABC 54–7 48,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-gill-leads-husker-wi/158383020/ The Daily Nonpareil Gill leads Husker win November 8, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 1:30 pm w 7 Iowa State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 31–7 76,258 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-island-independent-final-quart/158381836/ The Grand Island Independent Final-quarter juice brings Oranges November 15, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 1:30 pm w y 5 Oklahoma Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK rivalry ESPN 37–14 74,807 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-huskers-ax-ou/158383932/ Tulsa World Huskers ax OU November 22, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com January 1, 1982, 1982 7:00 pm l y y 4 Clemson 1 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL Orange Bowl NBC 15–22 72,748 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-clemson-spoils-nu-dre/139764042/ Omaha World-Herald Clemson spoils NU dream of 1970 repeat January 2, 1982 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 3, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nebraska/1981-schedule.html Roster http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&KEY=&SPID=22&SPSID=4 Nebraska 1981 Roster June 2, 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 1981 Commitments Abbott, Todd (So.) DE Alberico, Tim (So.) SE Bachman, Ron (So.) DT Barnes, Ed #57 (So.) LB Bates, Phil #43 (Sr.) FB Bauer, Steve #94 (So.) MON Behning, Mark (So.) OT Bess, Donnie #44 (Jr.) LB Bourn, Don (So.) TE Brandl, Matt #58 (Sr.) OG Brown, Steve #95 (So.) DE Brown, Todd #29 (Jr.) SE Brungardt, Tim #32 (So.) IB Buchanan, Eric (So.) DE Campbell, Grant #24 (Jr.) P Carlstrom, Tom #78 (Sr.) OG Chandler, Rick #39 (So.) LB Clark, Bret #10 (So.) S Corbeil, Jim #92 (So.) LB Craig, Roger #21 (Jr.) IB Curry, Tom #1 (So.) WB Damkroger, Steve #35 (Jr.) LB Daum, Mark (So.) LB DeBus, Robert (So.) LB Dhein, Doug (So.) OT Engebritson, Monte #83 (So.) TE Evans, Brent #48 (Jr.) LB Felici, Tony #46 (Jr.) DE Fischer, Dan #26 (Jr.) S Fryar, Irving #27 (So.) WB Gdowski, Tom #93 (Jr.) DT Gill, Turner #12 (So.) QB Glathar, Kurt #69 (Jr.) OG Graeber, Ken (So.) MG Greene, Ricky (So.) IB Grimminger, Harry (So.) OG Haase, David #4 (So.) S Hagerman, Mark #9 (Jr.) PK Hansman, Bob #98 (So.) LB Harris, Neil #11 (So.) CB Haywood, Calvin (So.) MON Heath, John #52 (So.) LB Herrmann, Doug #63 (So.) DT Hill, Dan #84 (Jr.) TE Hill, Pete #41 (Fr.) FB Hinds, Tom (Jr.) OG Hineline, Curt #59 (Sr.) MG Hoback, Rob (Jr.) LB Holbrook, Tim #23 (Jr.) MON Huebert, Randy #31 (Sr.) WB Hurley, Dan #73 (Sr.) OT Iodence, Brian #14 (Sr.) CB Jeffries, Jim (So.) MON Johnson, Brad #55 (Jr.) C Kammerer, Kyle (So.) OG Keeler, Mike #61 (So.) DT Kimball, Scott (So.) SE Knox, Mike #44 (Fr.) LB Kramer, Brian (So.) OG Krejci, Jeff #2 (Sr.) S Krenk, Mitch #89 (Jr.) TE Kwapick, Jeff #70 (Jr.) OT Larsen, Pat #3 (Jr.) CB Lewis, Rodney #5 (Sr.) CB Lindquist, Ric #15 (Sr.) CB Lindstrom, Scott #56 (Jr.) MG Lonowski, Jack #67 (Sr.) DT Lyday, Allen #18 (Jr.) CB Mandelko, Mike #68 (Jr.) OG Mann, Ricky #16 (So.) S Mason, Nate #8 (Jr.) QB Mathison, Bruce #19 (Jr.) QB Mauer, Mark #17 (Sr.) QB McCashland, Mike (So.) MON McCowan, Randy #37 (Jr.) IB McElroy, Mike #54 (Sr.) C McLaughlin, Scott (So.) C McWhirter, Steve #45 (Jr.) LB Merrell, Jeff #74 (Jr.) MG Moravec, Mark #40 (Jr.) FB Muehling, Brad #53 (So.) C Murphy, Jim (So.) DB Neil, Eddie #13 (Jr.) PK Nelson, Randy (So.) OT Orton, Greg (So.) OG Patterson, Bill (So.) IB Petersen, Tim (So.) CB Praeuner, Wade #85 (So.) DE Raridon, Scott #72 (So.) OT Reinhardt, John (So.) MG Ridder, Dave #86 (So.) DE Rimington, Dave #50 (Jr.) C Ripa, Dan (So.) FB Rogan, Dennis #42 (So.) IB Rozier, Mike #30 (So.) IB Santin, John #36 (Jr.) LB Schaffer, Scott (So.) WB Schmuecker, Dan #77 (So.) OT Schoening, Lynn #91 (Jr.) PK Sculley, Mike #51 (Sr.) MG Seibel, Kevin #49 (Jr.) PK Schark, Doug (So.) TE Sherlock, John #66 (So.) OT Simmons, Ricky #7 (Jr.) WB Sims, Sammy #6 (Sr.) MON Smail, Bob #47 (Sr.) MG Smith, Jeff #28 (So.) IB Smith, Paul #25 (Jr.) FB Sorenson, John (So.) SE Spratte, Todd #81 (So.) DE Steels, Anthony #33 (Sr.) WB Steinkuhler, Dean #71 (So.) OG Stephens, Greg #82 (Jr.) TE Stromath, Dave #99 (Sr.) DT Stuckey, Rob (So.) DT Sundberg, Craig (So.) QB Theiss, Randy #65 (Jr.) OT Thomas, Anthony (So.) OG Thompson, Jim (So.) WB Tramner, Mike #64 (So.) MG Traynowicz, Mark (So.) OT Valla, Ronald (So.) PK Van Lent, Bill #90 (Jr.) DT Van Norman, Kris #38 (Jr.) MON Vergith, Tom #22 (Jr.) SE Waechter, Henry #75 (Sr.) DT Waechter, Kevin #76 (Jr.) DT Walton, Jerry (So.) S Weber, Bill #87 (So.) DE Weed, Dan (So.) C Wees, Dennis #62 (Jr.) MG Wilkening, Doug #34 (So.) FB Williams, Jamie #80 (Jr.) TE Williams, Jimmy #96 (Sr.) DE Williams, Toby #97 (Jr.) DT Woodard, Scott #88 (Sr.) SE Zierke, Mike (So.) DT       Depth chart I-Formation 5–2 Yes No Yes Turner Gill Mark Mauer Nate Mason Bruce Mathison Mike Rozier Roger Craig Tim Brungardt Phil Bates Doug Wilkeing Mark Moravec Todd Brown Scott Woodard Tom Vergith SE Anthony Steels Irving Fryar Tom Curry WB Jamie Williams Mitch Krenk Dan Hill Randy Theiss Jeff Kwapick John Sherlock Mike Mandelko Dean Steinkuhler Matt Brandl Dave Rimington Brad Johnson Mike McElroy Tom Carlstrom Kurt Glather Scott McLaughlin Dan Hurley Scott Raridon Mark Behning Bret Evans Steve McWhirter Todd Spratte INSDIE Steve Damkroger Mike Knox INSDIE Jeff Krejci Tim Holbrook Dan Fischer Sammy Sims Kris Van-Norman Tim Holbrook MONSTER BACK Rodney Lewis Brian Iodence Eddie Hollins Ric Lindquist Allen Lyday Jim Murphy Tony Felici Dave Ridder Eric Buchanan Henry Waechter Doug Herrman Dave Stromath Jeff Merrell Curt Hineline Scott Lindstrom Toby Williams Tom Gdowski Mike Keeler Jimmy Williams Bill Weber Wade Praeuner Kevin Seibel Grant Campbell 110 90 No Coaching staff Name Title First yearin this position Years at Nebraska Alma materTom OsborneHead CoachOffensive coordinator19731964–1997Hastings CollegeCharlie McBride Defensive line 19811977–1999ColoradoCletus Fischer Offensive line 1960–1985NebraskaJohn MeltonLinebackers19731962–1988WyomingMike Corgan Running backs 19621962–1982Notre DameBoyd EpleyHead Strength Coach19691969–2003NebraskaGeorge Darlington Defensive ends 1973–2002 RutgersMilt Tenopir Offensive line 19741974–2002 SterlingGene HueyReceivers19771977–1986WyomingFrank SolichHead Freshman Coach19791979–2003NebraskaJack Pierce 1979–1991Jerry PettiboneRecruiting Coordinator19801980–1981Oregon StateBob ThorntonSecondary19811981–1985Nebraska Game summaries Iowa #7 Nebraska at Iowa [box score] #7 Nebraska Iowa 0 0 0 7 7 3 0 0 1981-09-12 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CST 60,160 Unranked Iowa jumped out to 10–0 lead by halftime on their way to paying back the 0–57 defeat handed to them by the Cornhuskers last year, and Nebraska was unable to answer in kind. Three 4th quarter Nebraska forays into Hawkeye territory produced no points, and an Iowa interception with 39 seconds remaining closed the book on the upset. Iowa went on to play in the Rose Bowl. Florida State #19 Florida State at #17 Nebraska [box score] #19 Florida State #17 Nebraska 0 7 0 7 10 0 14 10 1981-09-19 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,289 Nebraska held a close 10–7 lead at halftime, but the momentum quickly turned in favor of the Cornhuskers when WB Irving Fryar scored on an 82-yard punt return, followed up six game clock seconds later when DE Tony Felici's off-the-bench opportunity allowed him to recover a Florida State fumble on the kickoff and return it 13 yards for another touchdown. Nebraska sealed the deal on a 94-yard touchdown run by IB Roger Craig, tying the standing Nebraska record. Felici's defensive performance earned him the starting position. Penn State #3 Penn State at #15 Nebraska [box score] #3 Penn State #15 Nebraska 3 14 3 10 0 10 14 0 1981-09-26 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,308 No major records fell on this day, as each team fought to overcome the other and the scoring lead was exchanged five times. Penn State running back and future NFL star Curt Warner rolled up 238 yards, nearly matching the entire Nebraska team ground production. Penn State pulled ahead on an early 4th-quarter touchdown and added a field goal with 4:54 remaining to extend their lead to 6 points, and the Cornhuskers were unable to muster a response before time expired. Nebraska fell out of the rankings for the first time since a one-week absence early in the 1977 season. Auburn Auburn at Nebraska [box score] Auburn Nebraska 3 0 0 0 0 0 10 7 1981-10-03 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,423 Auburn put up a 1st-quarter field goal to take the lead, and the score remained 3–0 at halftime. Through the course of the game, however, Auburn coughed up 10 fumbles, losing half of them, and never scored again. Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill took over after halftime, and with help from the turnovers, Nebraska overcome the weight of their worst season start since 1960 and put up 17 points in the second half to even up their season record at 2–2. Colorado Colorado at Nebraska [box score] Colorado Nebraska 0 0 0 0 14 24 21 0 1981-10-10 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,169 This game marked the first start for Nebraska QB Turner Gill and IB Mike Rozier, and the Cornhuskers finally came to life. Gill tied an existing Nebraska record by passing for four touchdowns, as Nebraska piled up 719 offensive yards and set a new NCAA record with 42 first downs while racking up all 59 points before the start of the 4th quarter, while the Blackshirts posted their first shutout of the season. Kansas State #19 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score] #19 Nebraska Kansas State 14 14 0 21 0 0 3 0 1981-10-17 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas CST 76,169 Entering the game, the Huskers were ranked #19 in the AP poll, beginning an NCAA-record streak of 348 consecutive appearances in the AP rankings. For the third straight game, the Nebraska defense prevented a touchdown, as the Cornhuskers rolled up 674 offensive yards and handled Kansas State with ease, showing that the return of Nebraska to the rankings at #19 was appropriate. Despite recovering three of eight Nebraska fumbles and the opportunity to capitalize accordingly, the Wildcats still managed only 8 first downs, and they barely avoided the shutout with a single 3rd-quarter field goal. Missouri #15 Nebraska at #19 Missouri [box score] #15 Nebraska #19 Missouri 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 1981-10-24 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri CST 72,001 This slugfest of two nearly evenly ranked teams contained plenty of action if not points, as the stalemate dragged on until time nearly ran out. Finally, with just 23 seconds left in the 4th quarter, Nebraska FB Phil Bates punched a three-yard run into the end zone. Like all the other scoring attempts preceding the eventual touchdown, even the PAT failed, and Nebraska departed Columbia with the 6–0 win. Kansas Kansas at #12 Nebraska [box score] Kansas #12 Nebraska 3 6 3 3 0 3 14 14 1981-10-31 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,208 The Blackshirts extended their touchdown-prevention streak to five games, yet Nebraska was still behind 9–3 at halftime due to the prolific field goal production from Kansas PK Bruce Kallmeyer. Adjustments made during the break had an immediate effect, however, and despite Kallmeyer putting two more kicks between the uprights, the Cornhusker offense ran off four touchdowns with the help of IB Mike Rozier's career-best 179 yards to pull away. Oklahoma State #11 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score] #11 Nebraska Oklahoma State 17 0 28 9 0 0 7 0 1981-11-07 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma CST 48,500 The high-flying Oklahoma State defense, ranked #1 in the nation when the Cornhuskers rolled into town, were obliterated by Nebraska's 546 yards of offense. Nebraska QB Turner Gill led his squad to scores on their first three possessions, and handed over the controls shortly after halftime, but the Cornhuskers continued to score with ease. The Nebraska defense allowed just one score, a 3rd-quarter touchdown, which ended their touchdown-free streak at 22 quarters. Iowa State Iowa State at #7 Nebraska [box score] Iowa State #7 Nebraska 0 7 0 0 0 7 0 24 1981-11-14 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,258 The Cornhuskers struggled to put Iowa State behind them, catching up with them to enter halftime tied at 7, and it wasn't until the 4th quarter that the worn-down Cyclones allowed a 63-yard punt return touchdown by WB Irving Fryar as they gave up 24 unanswered points to decide the outcome. However, Nebraska QB Turner Gill suffered a leg injury that eventually became serious enough to cause nerve damage, putting him out for the rest of the season and also casting a shadow over his athletic future. Oklahoma #5 Nebraska at Oklahoma [box score] #5 Nebraska Oklahoma 10 14 10 3 7 0 7 0 1981-11-21 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma CST 74,807 Oklahoma started out strong but failed to produce points to match their ability to march down the field, hampered by losing 3 of 5 fumbles over the course of the game. Despite the early concern, the Sooners went to the locker room at the half trailing 24–7 after a successful campaign by backup Nebraska QB Mark Mauer, and Oklahoma was never able to recover. Nebraska finished with an unbeaten conference slate and headed to Miami as conference champions. Clemson #4 Nebraska vs #1 Clemson [box score] #4 Nebraska #1 Clemson 7 0 0 8 6 6 10 0 1982-01-01 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami CST 72,748 Nebraska failed to capitalize on the opportunity for a national championship, coming in as #4 to attempt a takedown of the #1 Tigers as both the #2 and #3 teams dropped their own bowl games, but in a hard fought game that showed a near match of squads statistically, Clemson simply outplayed the Cornhuskers and took advantage of Nebraska mistakes to hold on to their 7-point lead for the final nine minutes to keep their claim on the #1 ranking, departing Miami with the 1981 national title. Rankings 1981 NCAA Division I-A football rankings 14 AP 6 7 17 15 NR NR 19 15 12 11 7 5 5 4 11 14 Coaches 9 Awards 1981 Husker Honors Award Name(s) Outland Trophy Dave Rimington All-America 1st team Dave Rimington, Jimmy Williams All-America honorable mention Dan Hurley, Jeff Krejci, Mike Rozier, Jamie Williams, Turner Gill Big Eight Player of the Year Dave Rimington Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year Jimmy Williams Big Eight Offensive Newcomer of the Year Mike Rozier All-Big Eight 1st team Roger Craig, Tony Felici, Turner Gill, Dan Hurley, Jeff Krejci, Ric Lindquist, Dave Rimington, Mike Rozier, Sammy Sims, Jamie Williams, Jimmy Williams All-Big Eight 2nd team Steve Damkroger, Roger Craig, Grant Campbell, Phil Bates, Mike Mandelko, Randy Theiss, Henry Waechter All-Big Eight honorable mention Phil Bates, Tom Carlstrom, Jeff Merrell NFL and pro players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1981 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional team as draftees or free agents.All Time NFL Huskers Name Team Mark Behning Pittsburgh Steelers Todd Brown Montreal Concordes Bret Clark Tampa Bay Bandits Roger Craig San Francisco 49ers Irving Fryar New England Patriots Turner Gill Montreal Concordes Dan Hurley Boston Breakers Brad Johnson Boston Breakers Mike Knox Denver Broncos Mitch Krenk Chicago Bears Rodney Lewis New Orleans Saints Allen Lyday Houston Oilers Bruce Mathison San Diego Chargers Jeff Merrell Boston Breakers Greg Orton Detroit Lions Dave Rimington Cincinnati Bengals Mike Rozier Pittsburgh Maulers Kevin Seibel Chicago Blitz Ricky Simmons Washington Federals Jeff Smith Kansas City Chiefs Anthony Steels Boston Breakers Dean Steinkuhler Houston Oilers Mark Traynowicz Buffalo Bills 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:Big Eight Conference football champion seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football