CBSSports.com has been running a series highlighting the four most influential members of college football's greatest programs. Today they highlight Nebraska.
Link: http://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...e-the-two-legendary-coaches-dominate-lincoln/
Nebraska football's Mount Rushmore: The two legendary coaches dominate Lincoln
by Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com
College football is filled with historic figures, some of whom have become bigger than life as the years have passed. These are the kind of figures who would be carved in stone somewhere in South Dakota as a monument to all they accomplished.
With that in mind, we here at CBS Sports have decided to build Mount Rushmores for some of college football's historic programs. today, we look at the coaches and players who helped build Nebraska football.
Nebraska makes little sense -- as a football power.
There are less than three million people in the whole state. Big cities? If you consider Omaha, sure. Out of that, Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne built one of the most powerful factories in the country.
They're just one half of the Huskers Mount Rushmore.
Bob Devaney, coach (1962-1972)
"The Bobfather" put Nebraska on the map, pouring the foundation for square-jawed, corn-fed Midwestern boys beating the crap out of everyone.
The philosophy began to pay off with back-to-back national championships in 1970 and 1971. The '71 Game of the Century is still considered one of the best in sports history. Jeff Kinney scored a late touchdown on a handoff from quarterback Jerry Tagge to win 35-31.
That would be Jeff Kinney of McCook, Nebraska and Jerry Tagge of Omaha, Nebraska.
Devaney lost only 20 games in 11 seasons, winning at least nine games in nine of those seasons. He became one of the last football coach/athletic directors when he took over both jobs in 1967. That was back in the day when all that was needed to be an AD was a firm handshake and a high winning percentage.
He maneuvered Tom Osborne -- his offensive coordinator -- into the job after stepping aside in 1972.
Devaney's influence can still be felt today. The Memorial Stadium sellout streak goes back to 1962 -- his first season at Nebraska.
Accolades: Two-time National Champion; Eight Big 8 Conference titles; 1971 Coach of the Year; College Football Hall of Fame
Tom Osborne, coach (1973-1997)
His weekly press conferences were snoozers. In the preseason, he'd practically go down the roster player-by-player.
But the man they called "T.O" became one of the all-timers. In a 25-year hall-fame career, he won 255 games and three national championships.
To go along with that, there were two Heisman Trophy winners (Mike Rozier, Johnny Rodgers) and the undying love of the state. His run option offense, at times, was unstoppable. Mixed in with a bruising fullback and sprinters on the outside, defenses had to decide what they wanted to stop.
In those 25 years, they only did it 49 times (losses). Those three national championship years will be known for a rout of Florida (62-24) in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl with Steve Spurrier at the height of his Fun N' Gun power.
Tommie Frazier played on two of those championship teams, becoming perhaps the greatest Nebraska quarterback.
Osborne will be known for many things. He became Nebraska's athletic director in a time of crisis. He became a Congressman. But he was the master of the understatement whether it be a big play or a national championship.
In 1971, Nebraska beat Oklahoma 35-31 in the epic Game of the Century. Osborne summed it up this way:
"I don't think either team can be terribly proud of their defense," he deadpanned.
Accolades: Three-time National Champion; 12-time Big 8 Conference champion; Two-time Coach of the Year; College Football Hall of Fame
Johnny Rodgers, Running back (1970-1973)
One of the most versatile, fastest, electrifying Huskers, Johnny the Jet would fit nicely in today's spread offenses.
At only 5-foot-9, 173 pounds, Rodgers came out of Omaha to help lead the Huskers to the 1971 National Championship and the 1972 Heisman Trophy.
His two biggest plays: a 72-yard punt return in the '71 Game of the Century that helped beat Oklahoma. That same season he returned a punt 77 yards against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to wrap up a second Nebraska championship.
In what might have been the best end to a career for a Heisman Trophy, Rodgers accounted for five touchdowns against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl (three rushing, one receiving, one passing).
Rodgers' eight career kick return touchdowns remains tied for an NCAA record.
In 2013, he was pardoned for a 1970 robbery of a gas station that had stained his career for decades.
Accolades: 1972 Heisman Trophy winner; Walter Camp Award winner; College Football Hall of Fame
Tommie Frazier, Quarterback (1992-1995)
Frazier could have won a Heisman as a senior -- runner-up in 1995. Frazier could have been even better if not for missing significant time as a junior with blood clots in his legs.
There will be arguments, but Frazier is largely considered the best at his position at Nebraska. In 1994-95, he became the second starting quarterback ever to lead a team to consecutive national championships.
With Frazier at the controls, Nebraska set an NCAA record winning 36 games in three years. Twelve years before Tim Tebow, Frazier did the same things -- essentially playing as a dominant tailback who could throw.
Accolades: Two-time Orange Bowl MVP; 1995 Consensus All-American; Quarterback of the Year; College Football Hall of Fame
Link: http://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...e-the-two-legendary-coaches-dominate-lincoln/
Nebraska football's Mount Rushmore: The two legendary coaches dominate Lincoln
by Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com
College football is filled with historic figures, some of whom have become bigger than life as the years have passed. These are the kind of figures who would be carved in stone somewhere in South Dakota as a monument to all they accomplished.
With that in mind, we here at CBS Sports have decided to build Mount Rushmores for some of college football's historic programs. today, we look at the coaches and players who helped build Nebraska football.
Nebraska makes little sense -- as a football power.
There are less than three million people in the whole state. Big cities? If you consider Omaha, sure. Out of that, Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne built one of the most powerful factories in the country.
They're just one half of the Huskers Mount Rushmore.
Bob Devaney, coach (1962-1972)
"The Bobfather" put Nebraska on the map, pouring the foundation for square-jawed, corn-fed Midwestern boys beating the crap out of everyone.
The philosophy began to pay off with back-to-back national championships in 1970 and 1971. The '71 Game of the Century is still considered one of the best in sports history. Jeff Kinney scored a late touchdown on a handoff from quarterback Jerry Tagge to win 35-31.
That would be Jeff Kinney of McCook, Nebraska and Jerry Tagge of Omaha, Nebraska.
Devaney lost only 20 games in 11 seasons, winning at least nine games in nine of those seasons. He became one of the last football coach/athletic directors when he took over both jobs in 1967. That was back in the day when all that was needed to be an AD was a firm handshake and a high winning percentage.
He maneuvered Tom Osborne -- his offensive coordinator -- into the job after stepping aside in 1972.
Devaney's influence can still be felt today. The Memorial Stadium sellout streak goes back to 1962 -- his first season at Nebraska.
Accolades: Two-time National Champion; Eight Big 8 Conference titles; 1971 Coach of the Year; College Football Hall of Fame
Tom Osborne, coach (1973-1997)
His weekly press conferences were snoozers. In the preseason, he'd practically go down the roster player-by-player.
But the man they called "T.O" became one of the all-timers. In a 25-year hall-fame career, he won 255 games and three national championships.
To go along with that, there were two Heisman Trophy winners (Mike Rozier, Johnny Rodgers) and the undying love of the state. His run option offense, at times, was unstoppable. Mixed in with a bruising fullback and sprinters on the outside, defenses had to decide what they wanted to stop.
In those 25 years, they only did it 49 times (losses). Those three national championship years will be known for a rout of Florida (62-24) in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl with Steve Spurrier at the height of his Fun N' Gun power.
Tommie Frazier played on two of those championship teams, becoming perhaps the greatest Nebraska quarterback.
Osborne will be known for many things. He became Nebraska's athletic director in a time of crisis. He became a Congressman. But he was the master of the understatement whether it be a big play or a national championship.
In 1971, Nebraska beat Oklahoma 35-31 in the epic Game of the Century. Osborne summed it up this way:
"I don't think either team can be terribly proud of their defense," he deadpanned.
Accolades: Three-time National Champion; 12-time Big 8 Conference champion; Two-time Coach of the Year; College Football Hall of Fame
Johnny Rodgers, Running back (1970-1973)
One of the most versatile, fastest, electrifying Huskers, Johnny the Jet would fit nicely in today's spread offenses.
At only 5-foot-9, 173 pounds, Rodgers came out of Omaha to help lead the Huskers to the 1971 National Championship and the 1972 Heisman Trophy.
His two biggest plays: a 72-yard punt return in the '71 Game of the Century that helped beat Oklahoma. That same season he returned a punt 77 yards against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to wrap up a second Nebraska championship.
In what might have been the best end to a career for a Heisman Trophy, Rodgers accounted for five touchdowns against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl (three rushing, one receiving, one passing).
Rodgers' eight career kick return touchdowns remains tied for an NCAA record.
In 2013, he was pardoned for a 1970 robbery of a gas station that had stained his career for decades.
Accolades: 1972 Heisman Trophy winner; Walter Camp Award winner; College Football Hall of Fame
Tommie Frazier, Quarterback (1992-1995)
Frazier could have won a Heisman as a senior -- runner-up in 1995. Frazier could have been even better if not for missing significant time as a junior with blood clots in his legs.
There will be arguments, but Frazier is largely considered the best at his position at Nebraska. In 1994-95, he became the second starting quarterback ever to lead a team to consecutive national championships.
With Frazier at the controls, Nebraska set an NCAA record winning 36 games in three years. Twelve years before Tim Tebow, Frazier did the same things -- essentially playing as a dominant tailback who could throw.
Accolades: Two-time Orange Bowl MVP; 1995 Consensus All-American; Quarterback of the Year; College Football Hall of Fame
