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1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
File:Nebraska Cornhuskers logo.svg
Cotton Bowl Classic Champions
Cotton Bowl Classic vs. #8 Texas, W 19-3
ConferenceBig Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 11
APNo. 7
1973 record9-2-1 (4-2-1 Big 8)
Head coachTom Osborne (1st season)
Offensive coordinatorTom Osborne (5th season)
Offensive schemeI formation
Defensive coordinatorMonte Kiffin (1st season)
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1972
1974 →
1973 Big 8 football standings
v · d · e Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#3 Oklahoma 7 0 0     10 0 1
#7 Nebraska 4 2 1     9 2 1
#18 Kansas 4 2 1     7 4 1
#17 Missouri 3 4 0     8 4 0
Oklahoma State 2 3 2     5 4 2
Colorado 2 5 0     5 6 0
Kansas State 2 5 0     5 6 0
Iowa State 2 5 0     4 7 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1973 college football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

Schedule[]

[1]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 8* #10 UCLA #4 Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska ABC W 40-13   74,966
September 22* #14 NC State #2 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 31-14   75,925
September 29 Wisconsin #2 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 20-16   76,279
October 6* at Minnesota #2 Memorial StadiumMinneapolis, Minnesota W 48-7   58,091
October 13 at Missouri #2 Faurot FieldColumbia, Missouri L 12-13   68,720
October 20† #18 Kansas #11 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 10-9   76,498
October 27 at Oklahoma State #10 Lewis FieldStillwater, Oklahoma T 17-17   50,500
November 3 #17 Colorado #13 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 28-16   76,555
November 10 Iowa State #11 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska W 31-7   76,503
November 17 at Kansas State #10 KSU StadiumManhattan, Kansas W 50-21   42,000
November 23 at #3 Oklahoma #10 Oklahoma Memorial StadiumNorman, Oklahoma L 0-27   62,257
January 1* vs. #8 Texas #12 Cotton BowlDallas, Texas (Cotton Bowl Classic) CBS W 19-3   67,500
*Non-Conference Game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Roster[]

[2][3]

Adkins, Ken #5 (So.) SE
Alward, Tom #63 (Jr.) G
Anderson, Dan #67 (Sr.) G
Anderson, Frosty #89 (Sr.) SE
Austin, Al #78 (Sr.) OT
Bahe, Ritch #24 (Jr.) WB
Belka, Jim #47 (Jr.) FB
Bell, John #66 (Sr.) MG
Benish, Randy #4 (So.) DB
Bonness, Rik #54 (So.) C
Borg, Randy #19 (Sr.) DB
Brock, Dan #00 (So.) DT
Burns, Burton #49 (So.) FB
Burrow, Jim #2 (So.) DB
Butterfield, Dave #34 (So.) DB
Coccia, Tom #98 (So.) DE
Costanzo, Rich #77 (So.) OT
Coyle, Mike (So.) PK
Crenshaw, Marvin #70 (Jr.) OT
Damkroger, Maury #46 (Sr.) FB
Davis, Tony #25 (So.) IB
Doak, Mark #71 (Jr.) OT
Duda, Rich #50 (Jr.) C
Dutton, John #90 (Sr.) DT
Eichelberger, Percy #44 (So.) LB
Everett, Earl #9 (So.) QB
Fischer, Pat #33 (Sr.) DB
Gissler, Dean #97 (So.) DT
Goeller, Dave #28 (Sr.) IB
Hegener, Stan #64 (Jr.) G
Heiser, Tom #27 (So.) WB
Henrichs, Dennis #75 (Jr.) OT
Heydorff, Mark #22 (Jr.) DB

 

Hill, Jeff #36 (Jr.) SE
Hoins, Steve #52 (So.) OT
Humm, Dave #12 (Jr.) QB
Hunter, Ken #78 (Jr.) MG
Iverson, Dave #42 (So.) LB
Johnson, Ardell #29 (Jr.) DB
Johnson, Doug #92 (Sr.) DT
Jones, Chuck #35 (So.) DB
Kyros, George #18 (Jr.) DB
Lackovic, Tim #80 (Jr.) SE
Lee, John #69 (So.) MG
Lemmerond, Rick #8 (So.) QB
Leonardi, Chad #61 (Jr.) G
Lessman, Randy #6 (So.) DE
Lingenfelter, Bob #73 (So.) OT
Lloyd, Jerry #99 (So.) MG
Longwell, Brent #86 (Sr.) TE
Luck, Terry #11 (So.) QB
Manstedt, Steve #82 (Sr.) DE
Martin, Bob #87 (So.) DB
Mazon, Frank #31 (So.) DB
Mills, George (So.) DT
Monds, Wonder #26 (So.) DB
Moran, Jeff #30 (Jr.) IB
Mushinskie, Larry #88 (So.) TE
Nelson, Bob #57 (Jr.) LB
Nelson, Chris #37 (Jr.) TE
Norrie, Rod #94 (Jr.) DT
Offner, Mike #95 (So.) DE
O'Holleran, Mike #38 (Sr.) FB
O'Leary, John #14 (So.) IB
Panneton, Rick #81 (Jr.) TE
Pate, Tom #68 (Jr.) DE
Pavelka, Dennis #74 (Jr.) OT

 

Peterson, Matt #39 (So.) TE
Pillen, Clete #7 (So.) LB
Powell, Ralph #41 (Sr.) FB
Pruitt, Ron #91 (So.) DT
Pumphrey, Jeff #3 (So.) SE
Ray, Glen #10 (So.) QB
Redding, Dave #96 (So.) DE
Revelle, Bob #84 (Jr.) SE
Rogers, Terry #40 (Jr.) DB
Runty, Steve #13 (Sr.) QB
Rutan, Bob #55 (So.) DE
Ruud, Tom #45 (Jr.) LB
Sanger, Rich #43 (Sr.) P/PK
Schmidt, Dan #51 (So.) G
Schmit, Bob #23 (Sr.) LB
Schneider, Jeff #1 (So.) DB
Seeton, Jim #16 (So.) DB
Shamblin, Dave #85 (So.) SE
Sledge, Jim #58 (So.) OT
Starkebaum, John #48 (Jr.) DB
Stuberg, Wayne #59 (So.) C
Talley, Chester #32 (So.) IB
Thomas, Tom #53 (Jr.) C
Thornton, Bob #17 (Sr.) DB
Thornton, Willie #65 (So.) MG
Varner, Rich #56 (So.) C
Westbrook, Don #21 (Jr.) WB
White, Daryl #72 (Sr.) OT
Wied, Jerry #93 (So.) DT
Wieser, Steve #83 (Jr.) DE
Wolfe, Bob #76 (Sr.) OG
Yaralian, Zaven #15 (Sr.) DB
Zanetich, Nick #62 (So.) G

     

Coaching staff[]

Name Title First year
in this position
Years at
Nebraska
Alma Mater
Tom Osborne Head Coach
Offensive Coordinator
1973 1964-97 Hastings
Monte Kiffin Defensive Coordinator 1973 1967-76 Nebraska
Cletus Fischer Offensive Line 1960-85 Nebraska
Jim Ross 1962-76
John Melton Tight Ends, Wingbacks 1973 1962-88 Wyoming
Mike Corgan Running Backs 1962 1962-82 Notre Dame
Warren Powers Defensive Backs 1969-76 Nebraska
Boyd Epley Head Strength Coach 1969 1969-2003 Nebraska
Bill Myles Offensive Line 1972 1972-76
Jerry Moore Wide Receivers 1973 1973-78 Baylor
George Darlington 1973-2002 Rutgers
Rick Duval Linebackers
Recruiting Coordinator
1973 1973-74 Worcester

Game notes[]

UCLA[]

#10 UCLA at #4 Nebraska [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#10 UCLA 6 7 0 0 13
#4 Nebraska 14 6 6 14 40

The Tom Osborne era at Nebraska began in style, as the Cornhuskers exacted revenge for last year's loss to UCLA by beating the #10 Bruins in Lincoln 40-13. Nebraska jumped out to a 14-0 lead in less than 10 minutes, and though UCLA scored to come within 7, that was as close as they'd get for the rest of the game as the Blackshirts shut out the Bruins entirely in the 2nd half.

NC State[]

#14 NC State at #2 Nebraska [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#14 NC State 7 0 7 0 14
#2 Nebraska 0 7 3 21 31

It was touch and go for Nebraska as the Cornhuskers fought to stay even with NC State until blowing the game wide open in the 4th quarter with three straight unanswered touchdowns.

Wisconsin[]

Wisconsin at #2 Nebraska [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Wisconsin 0 7 0 9 16
#2 Nebraska 7 0 0 13 20

Wisconsin fought Nebraska to a 7-7 tie entering the 4th quarter before pulling ahead by 3 on a field goal with 8 minutes to go. The Cornhuskers replied with a touchdown, which was promptly answered by a 96-yard Badger kickoff return to put Nebraska behind again. Nebraska again responded, marching 83 yards in just seven plays to score again for the win.

Minnesota[]

#2 Nebraska at Minnesota [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#2 Nebraska 7 14 13 14 48
Minnesota 7 0 0 0 7

Minnesota QB Tony Dungy managed to get a 1st quarter touchdown, and that would be the last time the Golden Gophers saw the scoreboard, as the first Minnesota sellout since 1960 (with help from the numerous traveling Cornhusker fans) watched Nebraska dismantle the Gophers 48-7.

Missouri[]

#2 Nebraska at Missouri [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#2 Nebraska 6 0 0 6 12
Missouri 0 6 0 7 13

Missouri handed coach Tom Osborne his first career defeat as Nebraska's 2 point conversion for the win with 1:00 remaining was intercepted, marking the first time Coach Osborne decided to forgo the tie and take a shot at the win, an approach later repeated to much attention in the 1984 Orange Bowl.

Kansas[]

#18 Kansas at #11 Nebraska [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#18 Kansas 0 3 6 0 9
#11 Nebraska 7 0 0 3 10

Kansas avoided the 1st half shutout on a recovered Nebraska fumble converted into a field goal. The Jayhawks then came out from halftime and continued to hold off Nebraska while putting in their own touchdown late in the 3rd to pull ahead, though the PAT was blocked. Less than five minutes later, Nebraska responded with a field goal to pull ahead by 1 point, where a tie would have existed had the previous Kansas PAT attempt been good. From there on out, the Blackshirts held on for the rest of the quarter to preserve the razor thin winning margin.

Oklahoma State[]

#10 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Nebraska 10 0 7 0 17
Oklahoma State 10 7 0 0 17

With seven minutes remaining in a fierce contest, fifteen minutes since the previous successful score, and a 17-17 tie still on the board, Nebraska opted to forgo the easy field goal and instead attempted to go for it on 4th and inches to create a larger lead margin, but the attempt failed, and both teams were forced to settle for a tie.

Colorado[]

#17 Colorado at #13 Nebraska [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#17 Colorado 0 3 6 7 16
#13 Nebraska 14 14 0 0 28

Colorado never really had a chance in this game, as Nebraska rolled out to an early 28-3 lead by the half. The final Cornhusker touchdown was a change of plans, after a field goal setup was moved towards the end zone due to a Colorado penalty, and Nebraska instead decided to run one in. The 4th quarter Buffalo touchdown was made on a trick play against Nebraska reserves who had entered the game to mop up.

Iowa State[]

Iowa State at #11 Nebraska [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Iowa State 0 0 7 0 7
#11 Nebraska 14 10 0 7 31

Once again, Nebraska ran out to a substantial early lead and coasted in for the win, as the game was essentially decided when the Cornhuskers put in a 67 yard pass touchdown just before the half. Nebraska reserves entered the game in the 4th and put in a touchdown to further pad the win.

Kansas State[]

#10 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Nebraska 10 13 7 20 50
Kansas State 0 0 14 7 21

Kansas State never was in this game, as the Cornhuskers blasted the Wildcats for a 23-0 1st half lead and never really slowed down, rolling up 612 yards of total offense along the way. The performances of Nebraska IB Tony Davis and IB John O'Leary on the day marked the first time two Cornhusker runners exceeded 100 yards in the same game.

Oklahoma[]

#10 Nebraska at #3 Oklahoma [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 0
#3 Oklahoma 14 0 6 7 27

Oklahoma completely dismantled Nebraska in every way, as the Cornhuskers were shut out for the first time since 1968, an indignity that would not be repeated until Miami defeated Nebraska in the 1992 Orange Bowl eighteen years later. The Cornhuskers were held to just 74 ground yards and 174 yards of total offense as the Nebraska offense never crossed mid-field.

Texas[]

#8 Texas vs #12 Nebraska [box score]
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
#8 Texas 3 0 0 0 3
#12 Nebraska 0 3 13 3 19

SWC champion Texas put up the first points early in the 1st quarter with a field goal, but never saw the scoreboard again as Nebraska fought back to a 3-3 tie by the half, and then shut down the Longhorns' efforts afterwards by blocking a field goal and recovering a Texas fumble along the way to creating a comfortable lead by the end of the 3rd quarter. It was the Huskers fifth consecutive bowl victory.

Rankings[]

Ranking Movement
Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Final
AP 4 2 2 2 2 2 11 10 13 11 10 10 13 12 7
Coaches 11

Awards[]

[5]

Award Name(s)
All-America
1st team
John Dutton, Daryl White
All-America
honorable mention
Steve Manstedt
All-Big Eight
1st team
Frosty Anderson, John Dutton,
Steve Manstedt, Daryl White
All-Big Eight
2nd team
Dan Anderson, John Bell,
Randy Borg
All-Big Eight
honorable mention
Ritch Bahe, Tony Davis,
Dave Humm, Bob Thornton


1973 Team Players in the NFL[]

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers seniors selected in the 1974 NFL Draft:[6]

Player Position Round Pick Franchise
John Dutton DE 1 5 Baltimore Colts
Steve Manstedt LB 4 79 Houston Oilers
Daryl White G 4 98 Cincinnati Bengals
Bob Wolfe T 6 156 Miami Dolphins
Maury Damkroger LB 7 178 New England Patriots
Frosty Anderson WR 10 235 New Orleans Saints

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers juniors selected in the following year's 1975 NFL Draft:[7]

Player Position Round Pick Franchise
Tom Ruud LB 1 19 Buffalo Bills
Bob Nelson LB 2 42 Buffalo Bills
John Starkebaum DB 4 92 New Orleans Saints
David Humm QB 5 128 Oakland Raiders
Don Westbrook WR 6 131 Baltimore Colts
Mark Doak T 6 147 Washington Redskins
Ardell Johnson DB 11 277 Washington Redskins
Ritch Bahe WR 14 358 St. Louis Cardinals
Dennis Pavelka G 16 412 Washington Redskins
Stan Hegener G 17 442 Pittsburgh Steelers

The 1973 Nebraska Cornhuskers sophomores selected in the 1976 NFL Draft:[8]

Player Position Round Pick Franchise
Rik Bonness C 3 84 Oakland Raiders
Tony Davis RB 4 106 Cincinnati Bengals
Wonder Monds DB 4 112 Pittsburgh Steelers
Bob Martin LB 6 163 New York Jets
Jim Burrow DB 8 218 Green Bay Packers
Dean Gissler DE 11 308 Washington Redskins
John O'Leary RB 12 303 Chicago Bears
Brad Jenkins TE 13 348 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Lee DT 13 351 San Diego Chargers
Larry Mushinskie TE 14 402 Dallas Cowboys
Rick Costanzo T 16 458 Dallas Cowboys

NFL and Pro Players[]

The following is a list of 1973 Nebraska players
who joined a professional team as draftees or free agents.[9]

Name Team
Tom Alward Birmingham Vulcans
Rik Bonness Oakland Raiders
Jim Burrow Green Bay Packers
Tony Davis Cincinnati Bengals
Mark Doak Birmingham Vulcans
Maury Damkroger New England Patriots
John Dutton Baltimore Colts
Dave Humm Oakland Raiders
John Lee San Diego Chargers
Bob Lingenfelter Cleveland Browns
Brent Longwell Memphis Southmen
Terry Luck Cleveland Browns
Steve Manstedt Birmingham Americans
Bob Martin New York Jets
Wonder Monds Ottawa Rough Riders
Bob Nelson Buffalo Bills
John O'Leary Montreal Alouettes
Tom Pate Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Tom Ruud Buffalo Bills
Bob Schmit Portland Storm
Don Westbrook New England Patriots
Daryl White Detroit Lions
Bob Wolfe Birmingham Americans
Zaven Yaralian Philadelphia Bell

References[]

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