Kinney was born in Oxford, Neb., and raised in McCook, Neb., where he graduated from high school in 1969. He played college football at Nebraska under head coachBob Devaney, with future head coach Tom Osborne as offensive coordinator.[3] A three-year starter (1969–71), Kinney was the tailback (I-back) on the national championship teams of 1970 and 1971, and the Huskers' leading rusher in 1969 and 1971. He wore #35, often in a tatters, as tear-away jerseys were common for collegiate offensive backs in the early 1970s.
In the "Game of the Century" against the unbeaten Oklahoma Sooners in Norman on Thanksgiving Day1971, Kinney rushed for 171 yards on 31 carries (5.5 avg.) and scored four touchdowns, the final one with less than two minutes remaining to put Nebraska ahead 35-31, the final score.[4] The Huskers went 13-0 in 1971 and were consensus national champions; they defeated the next three teams in the final AP poll: Oklahoma, Colorado (31-7 in Lincoln), and Alabama (38-6 in the Orange Bowl). The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers are considered among the most dominant teams in college football history. Kinney finished the 1971 season with 1155 yards rushing on 242 carries (4.8 avg.) and 17 touchdowns.[5]
