Your most memorable Husker play?
- Thread starter Huskerfan2112
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LP’s first long touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl. For some reason it runs through my mind repeatedly. I was sitting on the front row of the second deck at the 40 when the play came my way. LP turned the corner which such brutal grace and speed and a fierceness that is hard to explain. Just blew away the Gator defense. I think at that point the Gators developed a fear that engulfed them the remainder of the night. Game was over.
The Davidson catch, the Sims fumble, fullbacks scoring critical touchdowns, Tommie’s run, Black Flash 41 Reverse, the whole stadium coming to their feet when the jet touched the ball...man the BD/TO/FS years were quite a ride.
The Davidson catch, the Sims fumble, fullbacks scoring critical touchdowns, Tommie’s run, Black Flash 41 Reverse, the whole stadium coming to their feet when the jet touched the ball...man the BD/TO/FS years were quite a ride.
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I have a film of this game and all the TD's by Nebraska have been removed. It really bugs me.
Johnny Rodgers punt return, Game of the Century, won the NC. Without it, no NC. I remember seeing it live and couldn't believe he wasn't calling fair catch. That same game Rich Glover against Tom Brahaney, OU All American center, the guard and the fullback TRIPLE teamed him and he still got the tackle for no or little gain.
I remember Bill Olds would break into the secondary against Minnesota and, instead of heading into open field, he would veer INTO the defensive back and reminded me of a freight train and just flattened the poor guy and olds just kept running. My senior year at NU.
I remember Bill Olds would break into the secondary against Minnesota and, instead of heading into open field, he would veer INTO the defensive back and reminded me of a freight train and just flattened the poor guy and olds just kept running. My senior year at NU.
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I have longed believed that the golden decade of college football was the 1970's and so all memorable plays come from that decade. Most memorable offensive play is Rick Berns 82 yard TD on the first play against Missouri in 1978 (2nd would be 1979 Fumblerooski against Oklahoma for a TD). Defense - Billy Sims fumble on the 3 yard line in 1978. Special teams - Johnny Rodgers punt return against Oklahoma in 1971.
Yes, that was the most outstanding play I ever saw. I was sitting in the east stadium and that OU guy was blasted so bad by NU's Rudd. Its #1 in my book.
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A tie:
- Tommie Frazier run versus Florida
- Johnny Rodgers punt return versus Oklahoma
Oh you beat me to it. We had front row end zone seats on the corner there and I could have swore we got it the first time. And then to come right back and do it again when they knew we were coming was spectacular.
I’ve got a few minutes before heading to grandsons basketball games... grew up in York but never saw a home Husker game until the 78 OU game... two tickets free from a sooner fan who could not go... South end zone, halfway up... to this day, that’s why I choose the Sims fumble and the Phelps ‘fumble’ as my two most memorable...
My list only contains things I saw at the time. This is "most memorable", not "best". And as I review the games I've watched, these are what stick out to me. Some are ugly. Not necessarily in an order of priority after the first few.
In person...
1. Newcombe's 90-some yard punt return at home against Missouri in 2000.
2. Le Kevin Smith's interception and fumble at home against Texas Tech in 2005.
3. Eric Crouch's TD catch at home against Cal in 1999.
4. Heavy snow starting to fall right after Kansas State took the lead in 1999 in Manhattan.
5. DeJuan Groce's punt return TD at home against Kansas State in 2001.
6. Zac Taylor's concussion at home against Kansas State in 2005 (and Bill Snyder coming onto the field to check on him). Really launched Harrison Beck's career.
7. Tommy Armstrong attempting to pass to Brandon Reilly in the end zone instead of hitting Cethan Carter in the flat on 4th and 1 near the Iowa 20 in 2015.
8. Beau Davis at Texas Tech in 2004. No particular play (that's why I'm listing this last), he was just thrown to the wolves.
Not in person...
1. Davison catch at Missouri in 1997.
2. Dwayne Harris sacking Frank Costa for a safety in the 3rd quarter of the 1995 Orange Bowl (after the personal foul where Christian Peter didn't retaliate). I debated this with the Schlesinger TDs, which is obviously memorable.
3. Crouch TD catch at home against Oklahoma in 2001.
4. Byron Bennet's missed field goal against Florida State in the 1994 Orange Bowl.
5a. Alex Henery's 57-yarder at home against Colorado in 2008.
5b. Suh's interception.
6. Adi Kunalic kicking the ball out of bounds at the end of the Big 12 CCG against Texas in 2009 (then Larry Asante's personal foul).
7. Ahman Green fumbling at the end of the 1996 game at Arizona State and crying out of frustration on the field.
8. James Brown's 4th and 1 pass in the 1996 Big 12 CCG.
9. Barron Miles' blocked punt at Oklahoma State in 1993.
10. The hit by two Blackshirts on the Wyoming QB in 1994 that nearly broke the poor guy in half. The good ol' Pay-Per-View days.
11. Frost hitting Bobby Newcombe on 3rd down in 1997 at Missouri after Corby Jones' punt pinned us near the goalline.
12. Mike Rucker's block during Mike Fullman's punt return in 1995 at home against Kansas State.
13. Scott Frost's block for Bobby Newcombe in the reserve against Texas A&M in the 1997 Big 12 CCG.
14. The no-call facemask of Eric Crouch by Travis Ochs at Kansas State in 1998.
15. Eric Crouch's TD at Iowa in 1999 when he trucked Bob Sanders.
16. Correll Buckhalter's fumble inside the 1-yardline at Texas in 1999 (and the general fumblitis of the entire team that season).
17. The pooch kickoffs at home against Texas Tech in 2001.
18. Jammal Lord's interception at the end of the 2002 home game against Texas.
19. Terrance Nunn's fumble at home against Texas in 2006.
20. The blocked field goal at the end of the 2007 home game against Ball State. It was at that time I realized we were completely screwed for the season if we needed that to win. Even after the USC debacle, I still thought we could have a decent season. Not after Ball State.
21. The last play of the 2005 Alamo Bowl against Michigan.
22. Burkhead's wildcat pass in the 2010 Big 12 CCG against Oklahoma when likely in Alex Henery's range to extend our lead.
23. Matt O'Hanlon's busted coverage at Virginia Tech in 2009, but recovering to make the tackle to give us a chance.
24. Will Shields' fumblerooski ah home against Colorado in 1992. This is one of my first football memories.
25. Brandon Reilly's touchdown at home against Michigan State in 2015.
26. Tommy Armstrong trying to complete a pass to Andy Janovich at Illinois in 2015 rather than just running.
27. Tommy Armstrong's go-ahead TD against Oregon in 2016.
28. Tommy Armstrong not carrying the ball in his outside arm at Ohio State in 2016, leading to his head injury.
29. Courtney Grixby dropping a for-sure pick six in the opening moments of the 2006 game at USC.
30. Corey McKeon throwing body shots trying to force a fumble at Missouri in 2005.
31a. Paul Thompson converting 3rd and long in the 2006 Big 12 CCG in Kansas City, part of a 99(?)-yard TD drive that broke our backs.
31b. Maurice Purify's fumble on our opening drive against Oklahoma in the 2006 Big 12 CCG.
32. Corey Cooper puking on the field at Wyoming in 2011.
On the radio...
1. Joel Mackovicka's run against Akron at home in 1997 where he would not be denied the end zone.
2. Every time Bill Callahan decided not to run the ball in the 2004 loss at Iowa State.
Honorable Mention...
Shout out to the equipment staff for Cody Glenn's makeshift jersey for the 2006 game at Iowa State. His jersey was forgotten (I think), so they modified an extra "84" jersey into "34", had no name, then had a career game and decided to wear the jersey on the road for the remainder of the season. Not sure if that last part came to fruition.
And an admission...
I was at work and stopped listening to the 2013 Northwestern game and didn't find out until the next day that we won. The people I was hanging out with that night couldn't figure out why I was in such a bad mood, but also didn't mention how the game ended.
In person...
1. Newcombe's 90-some yard punt return at home against Missouri in 2000.
2. Le Kevin Smith's interception and fumble at home against Texas Tech in 2005.
3. Eric Crouch's TD catch at home against Cal in 1999.
4. Heavy snow starting to fall right after Kansas State took the lead in 1999 in Manhattan.
5. DeJuan Groce's punt return TD at home against Kansas State in 2001.
6. Zac Taylor's concussion at home against Kansas State in 2005 (and Bill Snyder coming onto the field to check on him). Really launched Harrison Beck's career.
7. Tommy Armstrong attempting to pass to Brandon Reilly in the end zone instead of hitting Cethan Carter in the flat on 4th and 1 near the Iowa 20 in 2015.
8. Beau Davis at Texas Tech in 2004. No particular play (that's why I'm listing this last), he was just thrown to the wolves.
Not in person...
1. Davison catch at Missouri in 1997.
2. Dwayne Harris sacking Frank Costa for a safety in the 3rd quarter of the 1995 Orange Bowl (after the personal foul where Christian Peter didn't retaliate). I debated this with the Schlesinger TDs, which is obviously memorable.
3. Crouch TD catch at home against Oklahoma in 2001.
4. Byron Bennet's missed field goal against Florida State in the 1994 Orange Bowl.
5a. Alex Henery's 57-yarder at home against Colorado in 2008.
5b. Suh's interception.
6. Adi Kunalic kicking the ball out of bounds at the end of the Big 12 CCG against Texas in 2009 (then Larry Asante's personal foul).
7. Ahman Green fumbling at the end of the 1996 game at Arizona State and crying out of frustration on the field.
8. James Brown's 4th and 1 pass in the 1996 Big 12 CCG.
9. Barron Miles' blocked punt at Oklahoma State in 1993.
10. The hit by two Blackshirts on the Wyoming QB in 1994 that nearly broke the poor guy in half. The good ol' Pay-Per-View days.
11. Frost hitting Bobby Newcombe on 3rd down in 1997 at Missouri after Corby Jones' punt pinned us near the goalline.
12. Mike Rucker's block during Mike Fullman's punt return in 1995 at home against Kansas State.
13. Scott Frost's block for Bobby Newcombe in the reserve against Texas A&M in the 1997 Big 12 CCG.
14. The no-call facemask of Eric Crouch by Travis Ochs at Kansas State in 1998.
15. Eric Crouch's TD at Iowa in 1999 when he trucked Bob Sanders.
16. Correll Buckhalter's fumble inside the 1-yardline at Texas in 1999 (and the general fumblitis of the entire team that season).
17. The pooch kickoffs at home against Texas Tech in 2001.
18. Jammal Lord's interception at the end of the 2002 home game against Texas.
19. Terrance Nunn's fumble at home against Texas in 2006.
20. The blocked field goal at the end of the 2007 home game against Ball State. It was at that time I realized we were completely screwed for the season if we needed that to win. Even after the USC debacle, I still thought we could have a decent season. Not after Ball State.
21. The last play of the 2005 Alamo Bowl against Michigan.
22. Burkhead's wildcat pass in the 2010 Big 12 CCG against Oklahoma when likely in Alex Henery's range to extend our lead.
23. Matt O'Hanlon's busted coverage at Virginia Tech in 2009, but recovering to make the tackle to give us a chance.
24. Will Shields' fumblerooski ah home against Colorado in 1992. This is one of my first football memories.
25. Brandon Reilly's touchdown at home against Michigan State in 2015.
26. Tommy Armstrong trying to complete a pass to Andy Janovich at Illinois in 2015 rather than just running.
27. Tommy Armstrong's go-ahead TD against Oregon in 2016.
28. Tommy Armstrong not carrying the ball in his outside arm at Ohio State in 2016, leading to his head injury.
29. Courtney Grixby dropping a for-sure pick six in the opening moments of the 2006 game at USC.
30. Corey McKeon throwing body shots trying to force a fumble at Missouri in 2005.
31a. Paul Thompson converting 3rd and long in the 2006 Big 12 CCG in Kansas City, part of a 99(?)-yard TD drive that broke our backs.
31b. Maurice Purify's fumble on our opening drive against Oklahoma in the 2006 Big 12 CCG.
32. Corey Cooper puking on the field at Wyoming in 2011.
On the radio...
1. Joel Mackovicka's run against Akron at home in 1997 where he would not be denied the end zone.
2. Every time Bill Callahan decided not to run the ball in the 2004 loss at Iowa State.
Honorable Mention...
Shout out to the equipment staff for Cody Glenn's makeshift jersey for the 2006 game at Iowa State. His jersey was forgotten (I think), so they modified an extra "84" jersey into "34", had no name, then had a career game and decided to wear the jersey on the road for the remainder of the season. Not sure if that last part came to fruition.
And an admission...
I was at work and stopped listening to the 2013 Northwestern game and didn't find out until the next day that we won. The people I was hanging out with that night couldn't figure out why I was in such a bad mood, but also didn't mention how the game ended.
your #12... the punt return??? I was visiting my one DAY old nephew baby and his parents in the hospital and I yelled so loud ( involuntarily) that I woke the baby and was escorted out of the room
This one is probably the one that stands out the most to me because of the nature of the play and the opponent.
Two more.
1) Lawrence Phillips wrapping up the Heisman running all over Michigan State and Oklahoma State to start the 1995 season. Except that Phillips then messed up.
2) Armstrong to Enunwa 99 yard TD in the Bowl game against Georgia a few years ago.
2001 Eric Crouch run against Missouri was one of the first plays I can remember. I thought Crouch was an idiot and was going to get sacked for a safety, but then he ended up juking out 5 or 6 defenders for a touchdown. Also the reverse play against Oklahoma in 2001 where we beat the #2 team and set the standard for me that Nebraska should always be a top team. Unfortunately that ended up being the highest point we've been at in the last 17 years.
In more recent years, I was at the Northwestern game where Westercamp caught the hail Mary pass and the stadium went absolutely nuts. The guy sitting couple rows behind me jumped and landed about three rows ahead of me and some guy gave me a bear hug.
In more recent years, I was at the Northwestern game where Westercamp caught the hail Mary pass and the stadium went absolutely nuts. The guy sitting couple rows behind me jumped and landed about three rows ahead of me and some guy gave me a bear hug.
I might be the only one, but I've never considered Frazier's run against Florida that big a deal. Game was over from a competitive standpoint and the gators had quit. To me big plays have to be important in the games outcome. Stuntz to Crouch, Davison on the deflection, Henery's kick, the Jets PR etc.
It wasn't until I read your post that I realized I didn't put it (or anything from that game) in my list.
I think the run is certainly memorable, just not impactful for the reasons you stated.
Lavonte David's strip in the OSU game is one of the best individual plays I can remember. Gets lost a bit because there weren't any championship implications.
Jerry taggie reaching over the goal line for the go a head and winning TD in the 1971 orange bowl against lsu the beginning!!!
I don't think I have ever seen that run played on television or posted since the actual game because it was so irrelevant in a simple National Championship game against the Fun N Gun Florida team. You can tell by the lack of enthusiasm/comments during and after the play by the announcers that it was completely meaningless in the game and in Frazier's overall career at Nebraska. The play would probably rank hire on all of our lists if it was done in a Spring Game or against teams like Kansas/Iowa State.
Most people do not even think of that play when they think of Tommie Frazier's career. Usually it is a quick pitch to the short side on an option, a hand off to the I-Back on a draw play or even his passes to the fullback that people talk about for hours upon hours. Those are the players I remember!! I agree with you that it wasn't a memorable play in the history of Nebraska Football.
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JR's punt return for me, followed by the Billy Sims fumble in '78. But a few others worth mentioning:
The Bummerooski play against Missouri in '75, with Tony Davis slipping the ball to John O'Leary.
Mike Rozier's "longest yard" TD run against UCLA in '83. Two-yard run in which he retreated to about the 15 yard line.
Tommie Frazier's long third-down run against Miami when the game was still tied at 17-17. That run really seemed to suck the life out of the Canes.
The Bummerooski play against Missouri in '75, with Tony Davis slipping the ball to John O'Leary.
Mike Rozier's "longest yard" TD run against UCLA in '83. Two-yard run in which he retreated to about the 15 yard line.
Tommie Frazier's long third-down run against Miami when the game was still tied at 17-17. That run really seemed to suck the life out of the Canes.
He got up dancing from that run! He knew the game was ours at that point.
There was a play against Oklahoma at Oklahoma where Mike Rozier got the pitch on an option and when he cut up field 2 Oklahoma defenders had been turned completely upside down. The play went for about 45 yards down to the 5 yard line. Probably the best blocked option play against a quality team that I've ever seen
As my dear mother would say, Mark Schellen sent a Sooner ass over tea kettle on that play. Ricky Simmons also came in from the WR position and made a great block:
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I was wondering when someone was going to post the Kenny Bell block. He had a great catch that could also be on this list.
A play that stuck in my memory that wasn't so good was the last play of the Alamo bowl in 2005 against Michigan. Having half the team quit on the play kind of typified the culture that was here under Callahan. Good thing a couple of our players were paying attention or one of the greatest plays in college football history would have happened against us.
I considered that play against Illinois, one of those plays where he waltz in the end zone because the defenders didn't think he could elevate that high to make the grab.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned yet another devastating block Frost had that same year which was even more awesome than the block against A&M. The game against Missouri, Frost had a absolute bone crushing block on one of their Defensive Tackles and I actually laugh everytime I see it!. Go back and watch the game.
Enjoyed all these opinions and truly difficult to determine just one play because of our tremendous history.
It can all depend on how old someone is, if they seen it on TV or seen it live in person...
Tagge diving over the goal line to secure our first National title.
Johnny Rodgers tremendous punt returns against Oklahoma or Alabama.
Tommie Frazier run against Florida
Stunz pass to Crouch against OU
Crouch run against Mizzou
Matt D. Catch from Frost against Mizzou
Ruud tackle in 1978 against Oklahoma fumble by Philips.
Even the goal line stand against Oklahoma St in 1998 was great too see when I seen it live.
Etc etc etc.
It can all depend on how old someone is, if they seen it on TV or seen it live in person...
Tagge diving over the goal line to secure our first National title.
Johnny Rodgers tremendous punt returns against Oklahoma or Alabama.
Tommie Frazier run against Florida
Stunz pass to Crouch against OU
Crouch run against Mizzou
Matt D. Catch from Frost against Mizzou
Ruud tackle in 1978 against Oklahoma fumble by Philips.
Even the goal line stand against Oklahoma St in 1998 was great too see when I seen it live.
Etc etc etc.
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Oh Geez, I finally had that LeKevin Smith fumble wiped from my memory and you had to bring it up.
Kelly Phelps kickoff fumble that was blown dead.
Mike Rozier completely reversing field and scoring a TD against UCLA.
Billy Sims fumble at the 3 yard line 1978.
