Most don't realize it, but the spring game became big when Bob Devaney started selling out the regular season games in 1962. The stadium was much smaller and it was the only way most families could see a game. I was a freshman for the 1970 spring game and Paul Rogers our kicker had the room next to me in Able Hall. I'd only see him on Sunday mornings when the two of us would meet at about 5:00 in the morning to get a World Herald before they were all sold out. He told me Nebraska was going to win the national title the next year because of our great new assistant coach (TO) on offense. I went to the spring game and while Johnny Rodgers punt return against Oklahoma became "the" punt return, he had one in the spring game that was awesome. The punt was long and high and well covered. Johnny backed up away from the ball to get out of the way, but the ball bounced straight up, Johnny looked left, then right and realized almost the entire kicking team had surrounded the ball in a circle and was looking up at the ball and no one was looking at him. As the ball came down he zipped through the circle of players and out the back of the circle before anyone could react. He went about 80 yards for a touchdown on the return with only the kicker to beat.
Spring game memory
- Thread starter Scarlet Cream
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