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1975 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

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1975 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Big Eight co-champion
Fiesta Bowl, L 14–17 vs. Arizona State
ConferenceBig Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 9
APNo. 9
Record10–2 (6–1 Big 8)
Head coach
Offensive schemeI formation
Defensive coordinatorMonte Kiffin (7th season)
Base defense5–2
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1974
1976 →
1975 Big Eight Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Oklahoma + 6 – 1 – 0 11 – 1 – 0
No. 9 Nebraska + 6 – 1 – 0 10 – 2 – 0
No. 16 Colorado 5 – 2 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
Kansas 4 – 3 – 0 7 – 5 – 0
Missouri 3 – 4 – 0 6 – 5 – 0
Oklahoma State 3 – 4 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Iowa State 1 – 6 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Kansas State 0 – 7 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1975 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 131:30 pmLSU*No. 6
W 10–776,259[1]
September 201:30 pmIndiana*No. 6
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
W 45–076,022
September 271:30 pmTCU*No. 4
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
W 56–1475,931
October 41:30 pmMiami (FL)*No. 4
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE (rivalry)
W 31–1676,231
October 111:30 pmKansasdaggerNo. 4
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE (rivalry)
W 16–076,285
October 181:30 pmat Oklahoma StateNo. 4
W 28–2048,500
October 251:30 pmNo. 10 ColoradoNo. 4
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE (rivalry)
W 63–2176,509
November 112:00 pmat No. 12 MissouriNo. 3
ABCW 30–768,195
November 81:30 pmat Kansas StateNo. 3
W 12–041,300
November 151:30 pmIowa StateNo. 2
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
W 52–076,131
November 221:30 pmat No. 7 OklahomaNo. 2
L 10–3571,952
December 262:00 pmat No. 7 Arizona State*No. 6
CBSL 14–1751,396
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Roster

[edit]

[2][3]

Andrews, George #96 (So.) DE
Anthony, Monte #49 (So.) IB
Avery, Scott #57 (Jr.) DT
Belka, Jim #47 (Jr.) LB

Block, King #55 (So.) LB
Bonness, Bob (So.) DE
Bonness, Rik #54 (Sr.) C
Borg, Tim #19 (So.) DB
Brock, Dan #94 (Jr.) DT
Brown, Kenny (So.) WB
Burns, Ed #17 (Jr.) QB
Burrow, Jim #2 (Sr.) DB
Butterfield, Dave #34 (Jr.) DB
Cabell, Jake #24 (Jr.) DB
Carpenter, Jeff #37 (So.) LB
Clark, Kelvin #73 (So.) OT
Clark, Mike (So.) OT
Coccia, Tom #90 (Sr.) DE
Cooley, Lawrence (So.) OG
Costanzo, Rich #77 (Sr.) OT
Coyle, Mike #42 (Sr.) PK
Craig, Curtis #33 (So.) WB
Davis, Tom #52 (So.) C
Davis, Tony #25 (Sr.) FB
Dervin, Joe (So.) LB
Donnell, Dodie #45 (So.) FB
Eichelberger, Percy #44 (Jr.) LB
Eveland, Al #43 (Jr.) PK
Everett, Earl #9 (Jr.) WB
Ferragamo, Vince #15 (Jr.) QB
Fischer, Tim #10 (So.) DB
Folsom, Bob (Jr.) FB
Fultz, Mike #72 (Jr.) DT
Gade, Steve #56 (So.) C
Galano, Bobby #59 (So.) OG
Garcia, Randy #18 (So.) QB
Gast, Reg #82 (So.) DE
Gillespie, Dave #28 (Jr.) IB

  

Gissler, Dean #97 (Sr.) DT
Glenn, Steve #71 (So.) OT
Hansen, Jeff #48 (So.) LB
Harvey, Ted #31 (So.) DB
Hayes, Bob #76 (So.) OT
Heiser, Tom #27 (Sr.) WB
Higgs, Gary (Jr.) FB
Hunter, Ken #78 (Jr.) OT
Jenkins, Brad #92 (Sr.) TE
Jones, Chuck #35 (Sr.) DB
Jorgensen, Greg #63 (So.) OG
Justice, Jason #38 (So.) FB
Kane, John (Unk) LB
Kraft, Bill #83 (So.) SE
Kroneberger, Jon #64 (So.) OT
Lee, John #69 (Sr.) MG
Lehigh, Pat #6 (So.) DB
Lessman, Randy #39 (Jr.) P
Lindquist, Steve #68 (So.) OG
Lingenfelter, Bob #70 (Jr.) OT
Loken, Rocke #16 (So.) SE
Luck, Terry #11 (Sr.) QB
Malito, Chuck #89 (Jr.) SE
Markley, Paul (So.) DB
Markus, Steve (So.) LB
Martin, Bob #87 (Sr.) DE
Miller, Dan #58 (So.) OG
Mills, George #75 (Sr.) DT
Monds, Wonder #26 (Sr.) DB
Mushinskie, Larry #88 (Sr.) TE
Nitzel, Ron #85 (Jr.) SE
Ohrt, Tom #74 (So.) OT
O'Leary, John #14 (Sr.) IB
Panneton, Rick #95 (Sr.) TE
Payne, Dennis #13 (So.) DB
Phillips, Ray #80 (Jr.) DE
Pillen, Clete #61 (Jr.) LB
Pittman, Randy #1 (So.) WB

  

Plucknett, John #50 (Jr.) MG
Poeschl, Randy (So.) DT
Porter, G.M. (Budge) (So.) DB
Pruitt, Ron #91 (Sr.) DT
Pullen, Jeff #36 (Jr.) MG
Redding, Dave #84 (Sr.) DE
Rick, Randy #22 (Jr.) DE
Ridder, Tom (So.) DE
Samuel, Tony #98 (So.) DE
Schmidt, Dan #51 (Jr.) OG
Schroeder, John (So.) OG
Shamblin, Dave #81 (Jr.) SE
Smith, Kent #23 (So.) DB
Sorley, Tom #12 (So.) QB
Spaeth, Ken #86 (So.) TE
Stacey, Kurt #3 (So.) DB
Stewart, Byron #30 (So.) IB
Stovall, Rod #5 (So.) DB
Talley, Chester #32 (Jr.) DE
Thomas, Bobby #8 (Jr.) SE
Thomas, Tom #53 (Sr.) C
Thompson, Mike (So.) SE
Thornton, Willie #65 (Sr.) MG
Valasek, Larry #4 (So.) DB
Vanous, Russ (So.) P
Varner, Rich #67 (Jr.) OG
Vernon, Kirby (So.) DB
Waldemore, Stan #62 (So.) OG
Walton, Darrell #7 (So.) WB
Webb, Mitchell #99 (So.) MG
Wied, Jerry #93 (Sr.) DT
Wightman, Jim #46 (So.) LB
Wilkins, Roger (So.) OT
Williquette, Jim #41 (So.) DB
Young, Larry #40 (So.) LB
Zabrocki, Dale #21 (So.) IB
Zanetich, Nick #66 (Jr.) OG

     

Depth chart

[edit]

Coaching staff

[edit]
Name Title First year
in this position		 Years at Nebraska Alma mater
Tom Osborne Head Coach
Offensive Coordinator		 1973 1964–1997 Hastings College
Monte Kiffin Defensive Coordinator 1973 1967–1976 Nebraska
Cletus Fischer Offensive Line 1960–1985 Nebraska
Jim Ross 1962–1976
John Melton Tight Ends
Wingbacks		 1973 1962–1988 Wyoming
Mike Corgan Running Backs 1962 1962–1982 Notre Dame
Warren Powers Defensive Backs 1969–1976 Nebraska
Boyd Epley Head Strength Coach 1969 1969–2003 Nebraska
Bill Myles Offensive Line 1972 1972–1976
Jerry Moore Wide Receivers 1973 1973–1978 Baylor
George Darlington 1973–2002 Rutgers
Milt Tenopir Offensive Line 1974 1974–2002 Sterling

Game summaries

[edit]

LSU

[edit]
LSU at #6 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
LSU 0 070 7
• #6 Nebraska 0 730 10

For the first time ever, the Cornhuskers were not able to suit up all players due to a new NCAA rule limiting the number of suited players to 60. Also, four players were ruled ineligible by the NCAA, further limiting the resources available to Nebraska. Still, the Tigers were unable to score until after the half, and their only touchdown was not sufficient to overcome the 10 Cornhusker points already on the board, and Nebraska started the season with a win.

Indiana

[edit]
Indiana at #6 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Indiana 0 000 0
• #6 Nebraska 10 14147 45

Nebraska intercepted an Indiana pass on the first play to set the tone as the Cornhuskers rolled with ease over the Hoosiers in Lincoln. A total of twelve Nebraska runners added ground yards to their career totals in this game as the team collected 300 yards rushing, while the Blackshirts obtained a shutout.

TCU

[edit]
TCU at #4 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
TCU 0 707 14
• #4 Nebraska 14 141414 56

After Nebraska punched in two 1st-quarter touchdowns, TCU never got closer to the lead again, scoring only 14 of their own the entire game while the Cornhuskers put 14 more in each quarter. Another dominating performance was turned in by the Blackshirts, who allowed only one touchdown and held the Horned Frogs to just 16 yards on the ground.

Miami

[edit]
Miami at #4 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Miami 6 307 16
• #4 Nebraska 0 71014 31

Someone forget to tell Miami to give up before the game started, and the Hurricanes came out intending to make it a game as they jump started the scoring with two field goals to lead 6-0 and another to lead 9–7 at the half, and Nebraska first 7 points were set up by a turnover instead of any serious offensive production. Halftime adjustments and superior conditioning took over for the rest of the game, however, as Nebraska ran off 24 unanswered points, making Miami's final touchdown with just over two minutes remaining too little, too late.

Kansas

[edit]
Kansas at #4 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Kansas 0 000 0
• #4 Nebraska 3 337 16

Nebraska prevented a 1st half Kansas field goal on their way to posting a second shutout, closing their long five-game opening home stand with a 5–0 record. Although the Cornhuskers did not score big nor often, it made no difference as the scoreless Jayhawks watched the game slip farther from their reach as time ticked away. Kansas completed only 2 of 10 passes, and obtained only 7 first downs, while the Cornhuskers had double the Jayhawks yards by both ground and air.

Oklahoma State

[edit]
#4 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score]
1 234Total
• #4 Nebraska 14 770 28
Oklahoma State 0 7130 20

Nebraska's first road game of 1975 was not an easy win, despite the strong 14–0 start. Oklahoma State pulled within 14 by the end of the half and within 7 in the 3rd quarter. After another set of touchdowns, the Cowboys were still down by just 8 in the 4th when they capitalized on a bad Cornhusker punt snap and took over inside the Nebraska 25. The Blackshirts made a stand when Oklahoma State got inside the Nebraska 5, and forced the Cowboys to go 3-and-out on three scoring attempts to preserve the win.

Colorado

[edit]
Colorado at #4 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Colorado 7 0140 21
• #4 Nebraska 21 21210 63
Scoring summary
1COLDave Williams 74-yard run (Mackenzie kick)COL 7-0
1NEBThomas 42-yard pass from Vince Ferragamo (Coyle kick)Tied 7-7
1NEBJohn O'Leary 10-yard run (Coyle kick)NEB 14-7
1NEBAnthony 2-yard run (Coyle kick)NEB 21-7
2NEBDavis 1-yard run (Coyle kick)NEB 28-7
2NEBJohn O'Leary 1-yard run (Coyle kick)NEB 35-7
2NEBJenkins 5-yard pass from Vince Ferragamo (Coyle kick)NEB 42-7
3NEBAnthony 1-yard run (Coyle kick)NEB 49-7
3NEBHiggs 2-yard run (Coyle kick)NEB 56-7
3NEBGillespie 14-yard run (Coyle kick)NEB 63-7
3COLDave Williams 6-yard run (Mackenzie kick)NEB 63-14
3COLKelleher 3-yard run (Mackenzie kick)NEB 63-21

Statistically, the game was close save for Nebraska's 350-268 rushing edge and 2-0 interception margin, but the scoreboard told another story. Even though Colorado scored first at the start of the game, the Cornhuskers unleashed a scoring onslaught that put the Buffaloes behind 42–7 at the half, putting the game far out of reach long before Nebraska backups entered the game in the 4th quarter.

Missouri

[edit]
#3 Nebraska at #12 Missouri [box score]
1 234Total
• #3 Nebraska 10 677 30
#12 Missouri 0 700 7

Nebraska Head Coach Tom Osborne notched his first career win against 12th-ranked Missouri, in Columbia, with style and a little help from well-executed trickery. The 'Bummeroosky" play worked flawlessly, even fooling the TV cameras, as Nebraska lined up in punt formation and snapped to FB Tony Davis, who immediately passed the ball back through the legs of IB John O'Leary and then faked a pass to a bait receiver. As the entire Cornhusker unit moved to simulate the punt fake play, the Tigers chomped on the bait and took off to the right in pursuit while O'Leary remained motionless with the ball hidden until no one remained before jaunting 40 yards untouched for the touchdown.

Kansas State

[edit]
#3 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]
1 234Total
• #3 Nebraska 9 030 12
Kansas State 0 000 0

It was a battle of the defenses as the Blackshirts rang up their 3rd shutout on the season, while Kansas State managed to hold Nebraska to just 12 points.

Iowa State

[edit]
Iowa State at #2 Nebraska [box score]
1 234Total
Iowa State 0 000 0
• #2 Nebraska 14 17714 52

Iowa State probably knew they were going to have a bad day when they fumbled the opening kickoff, allowing Nebraska to convert that turnover into 7 points. Iowa State never saw the scoreboard as Nebraska put up yet another shutout for the season, their 4th, on the way to dismantling Iowa State 52–0.

Oklahoma

[edit]
#2 Nebraska at #7 Oklahoma [box score]
1 234Total
#2 Nebraska 3 070 10
• #7 Oklahoma 0 7721 35

Nebraska scored first on a field goal, but scoring production fizzled as Oklahoma led 7–3 at the half. The Cornhuskers took advantage of a Sooner fumble in the 3rd quarter to go up 10–7, but Nebraska soon committed its own turnover to help Oklahoma get back up front, and it didn't stop there. Two more subsequent, painful Cornhusker turnovers sealed the game as Oklahoma converted each for points and handed Nebraska their first loss of the year and forced them to share the Big 8 title.

Arizona State

[edit]
#6 Nebraska at #7 Arizona State [box score]
1 234Total
#6 Nebraska 0 770 14
• #7 Arizona State 3 3011 17

Nebraska led the Sun Devils through the entire game until the 4th quarter, when a fierce Arizona State Rally brought the score to a 14–14 tie and then 17–14 on a Sun Devil field goal with 4:50 remaining in the game. The Cornhuskers were driving again and progressed to the Arizona State 21 with 2 minutes to go when the Cornhuskers lost an ill-timed fumble to end their hopes for the win. As it turned out, Nebraska's only two losses for the season ended up being to the teams ranked #1 and #2 in the season's final polls.

Rankings

[edit]
See also: 1975 NCAA Division I football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
AP766444443322769
Coaches9

Awards

[edit]

[5]

Award Name(s)
All-America 1st team Rik Bonness, Bob Martin, Wonder Monds
Big 8 Offensive Newcomer of the Year Vince Ferragamo
All-Big 8 1st team Rik Bonness, Dave Butterfield, Mike Fultz, Bob Martin, Wonder Monds
All-Big 8 2nd team Jimmy Burrow, Mike Coyle, Tony Davis, Steve Hoins, John Lee, Bob Lingenfelter, Clete Pillen, Dan Schmidt, Bobby Thomas

NFL and Pro Players

[edit]

The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1975 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.[6]

Name Team
George Andrews Los Angeles Rams
Monte Anthony Baltimore Colts
Rik Bonness Oakland Raiders
Ed Burns New Orleans Saints
Jim Burrow Green Bay Packers
Kelvin Clark Denver Broncos
Tom Davis Toronto Argonauts
Tony Davis Cincinnati Bengals
Vince Ferragamo Los Angeles Rams
Mike Fultz New Orleans Saints
John Lee San Diego Chargers
Bob Lingenfelter Cleveland Browns
Terry Luck Cleveland Browns
Bob Martin New York Jets
Wonder Monds Ottawa Rough Riders
John O'Leary Montreal Alouettes
Ray Phillips Cincinnati Bengals
Stan Waldemore New York Jets

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Cornhuskers edge LSU". The Wichita Eagle & Beacon. September 14, 1975. Retrieved October 28, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Nebraska 1975 Roster
  3. ^ "Nebraska 1975 Commitments". Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  4. ^ Eugene Register-Guard. 1975 Oct 26.
  5. ^ 1975 Husker Honors
  6. ^ "All Time NFL Huskers". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
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