1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Liberty Bowl champion
Liberty Bowl, W 21–17 vs. North Carolina
Conference	Big Eight Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 10
AP	No. 12
Record	9–3 (5–2 Big 8)
Head coach	Tom Osborne (5th season)
Offensive coordinator	Tom Osborne (9th season)
Offensive scheme	I formation
Defensive coordinator	Lance Van Zandt (1st season)
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium
Seasons ←  1976 1978 →

1977 Big Eight Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 7 Oklahoma $	7	–	0	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
Iowa State	5	–	2	–	0			8	–	4	–	0
No. 12 Nebraska	5	–	2	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
Colorado	3	–	3	–	1			7	–	3	–	1
Missouri	3	–	4	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Kansas	2	–	4	–	1			4	–	6	–	1
Oklahoma State	2	–	5	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Kansas State	0	–	7	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 10	1:30 pm	Washington State*	No. 15	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE		L 10–19	75,922
September 17	12:45 pm	No. 4 Alabama*		Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE	ABC	W 31–24	75,899	[1]
September 24	1:30 pm	Baylor*	No. 14	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE		W 31–10	76,231
October 1	1:30 pm	Indiana*	No. 11	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE		W 31–13	76,034
October 8	1:30 pm	at Kansas State	No. 9	KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS ( rivalry)		W 26–9	41,100
October 15	1:30 pm	Iowa State	No. 9	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE		L 21–24	76,090
October 22	1:30 pm	No. 7 Colorado	No. 18	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ( rivalry)		W 33–15	76,486
October 29	12:45 pm	at Oklahoma State	No. 12	Lewis Field Stillwater, OK	ABC	W 31–14	49,100
November 5	1:30 pm	at Missouri	No. 11	Faurot Field Columbia, MO ( rivalry)		W 21–10	67,000
November 12	1:30 pm	Kansas	No. 12	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ( rivalry)		W 52–7	74,565–76,392
November 25	1:25 pm	at No. 3 Oklahoma	No. 11	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ( rivalry)	ABC	L 7–38	71,184
December 19	8:05 pm	vs. No. 14 North Carolina*	No. 12	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ( Liberty Bowl)	ABC	W 21–17	49,456	[2]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Roster

^{[3] [4]}

Anderson, Rene #2 (Sr.) DB Andrews, George #96 (Jr.) DE Anthony, Monte #49 (Sr.) IB Barnett, Bill #97 (So.) DT Berns, Richard #35 (Jr.) IB Bishop, Keith #53 (Jr.) C Bloom, Jeff #50 (So.) C Brown, Kenny #22 (Jr.) WB Bruce, Mike #76 (So.) OT Bryant, Bill #95 (Jr.) DT Burns, Ed #17 (Sr.) QB Carpenter, Jeff #37 (Sr.) LB Cass, Dan #8 (So.) DB Clark, Kelvin #73 (Jr.) OT Cole, Lawrence #81 (So.) DE Cooley, Lawrence #67 (Jr.) OG Cotton, Barney #54 (Jr.) C Craig, Curtis #33 (Sr.) WB Davis, Tom #52 (Sr.) C Dixon, Rod #5 (Jr.) PK Donnell, Dodie #45 (Sr.) FB Dufresne, Mark #88 (Sr.) TE Dunning, Bruce #40 (So.) LB England, Gary #91 (So.) DT Everett, Earl #9 (Sr.) WB Fischer, Tim #16 (Jr.) DB Franklin, Andra (So.) FB Frei, Steve #27 (So.) DB Garcia, Randy #18 (Sr.) QB Gast, Reg #82 (Sr.) DE Gemar, Scott #1 (So.) PK Glenn, Steve #71 (Jr.) OT		Goodspeed, Mark #72 (So.) OT Hager, Tim #10 (So.) QB Hansen, Jeff #48 (Jr.) DB Harvey, Ted #31 (Sr.) DB Havekost, John #69 (So.) OG Hedrick, Brian #43 (So.) DT Henson, Zac #79(Sr.) OGK Hipp, I.M. #32 (So.) IB Horn, Rod #55 (So.) DT Ingram, John #19 (So.) DB Jorgensen, Greg #63 (Sr.) OG Keith, Percy #21 (So.) DB Keuten, John #64 (So.) OG Kunz, Lee #38 (Jr.) LB Lee, Jeff #26 (Jr.) SE Lee, Oudious #65 (So.) MG Lehigh, Pat #6 (Jr.) DB Lindquist, Steve #68 (Jr.) OG Lockett, Frank #80 (Jr.) SE Loken, Rocke #87 (Sr.) SE Markus, Steve #56 (Sr.) LB Matthies, Tom #77 (So.) OT McCrady, Tim #24 (So.) WB McQuitter, Greg #41 (Jr.) DB Means, Andy #34 (So.) DB Miller, Junior #89 (So.) TE Moritz, Brett #70 (Sr.) OG Nelson, Derrie #92 (So.) DE O'Doherty, Dave #78 (So.) OT Ohrt, Tom #74 (Jr.) OT Payne, Dennis #13 (Jr.) DB Pensick, Dan #93 (So.) DT Pillen, Jim #29 (Jr.) DB		Poeschl, Randy #75 (Jr.) DT Powers, Dana #28 (So.) DB Pullen, Jeff #66 (Sr.) MG Quinn, Jeff #11 (So.) QB Rick, Randy #90 (Sr.) DE Roehrs, Kelvin #99 (Jr.) MG Ruud, John #46 (So.) LB Saalfeld, Kelly #57 (Jr.) C Samuel, Tony #98 (Sr.) DE Schleusener, Randy #61 (So.) OG Selko, John #83 (Jr.) TE Smith, Kent #23 (Sr.) DB Smith, Tim #84 (So.) SE Sorley, Tom #12 (Jr.) QB Spaeth, Ken #86 (Sr.) TE Steiner, Dan #58 (So.) OG Steward, Keith #44 (Jr.) FB Stewart, Byron #30 (Jr.) IB Stroh, Mark #85 (So.) DE Sukup, Dean #3 (So.) PK Todd, Billy #14 (Jr.) PK Valasek, Larry #4 (Sr.) DB Vering, Tom #47 (Jr.) LB Waldemore, Stan #62 (Sr.) OT Walton, Darrell #7 (Jr.) DB Washington, Mike #36 (So.) FB Weinmaster, Kerry #51 (So.) MG Wightman, Jim #59 (Sr.) LB Wurth, Tim #25 (So.) IB Young, Larry #94 (Jr.) DE Young, Willie #39 (So.) LB

Depth chart

Coaching staff

Name	Title	First year in this position	Years at Nebraska	Alma mater
Tom Osborne	Head coach Offensive Coordinator	1973	1964–1997	Hastings College
Lance Van Zandt	Defensive Coordinator Defensive backs	1977	1977–1980	Lamar
Cletus Fischer	Offensive Line		1960–1985	Nebraska
John Melton	Linebackers	1973	1962–1988	Wyoming
Mike Corgan	Running Backs	1962	1962–1982	Notre Dame
Boyd Epley	Head Strength Coach	1969	1969–2003	Nebraska
Jerry Moore	Wide Receivers	1973	1973–1978	Baylor
George Darlington	Defensive Ends		1973–2002	Rutgers
Milt Tenopir	Offensive Line	1974	1974–2002	Sterling
Guy Ingles	Freshman Head Coach		1976–1978	Nebraska
Gene Huey	Receivers	1977	1977–1986	Wyoming
Charlie McBride	Defensive Line	1977	1977–1999	Colorado

Game summaries

Washington State

Washington State at #15 Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • Washington State 0 7 7 5 19 #15 Nebraska 0 7 0 3 10 Date: 1977-09-10 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game attendance: 75,922

Scoring summary Q2 7:30 WSU Kelly 19 yard pass from Thompson (Watson kick) WSU 7–0 Q2 3:27 NEB Berns 20 yard run (Todd kick) Tie 7–7 Q3 4:05 WSU Kelly 20 yard pass from Thompson (Watson kick) WSU 14–7 Q4 11:35 NEB Todd 19 yard field goal WSU 14–10 Q4 8:06 WSU Watson 35 yard field goal WSU 17–10 Q4 6:18 WSU Safety, Garcia tackled in end zone WSU 19–10

Nebraska convincingly dominated Washington State on the field and statistically, but fumbled repeatedly, including three times inside the Cougar 10-yard line and once on a punt. Despite the miscues, Nebraska still held onto a 7–7 tie at halftime. As the game progressed and Washington State began to pull away, Nebraska kept piling up the statistics but failed to get any closer than 10-14 before the Cougars iced the game with a field goal and a safety in the 4th quarter. The numbers defied the scoreboard, as Nebraska led in first downs 24–14, on the ground 247-120 and in the air 223–174, but the number that mattered was 0–1 to start the season.

Alabama

#4 Alabama at Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total #4 Alabama 7 10 0 7 24 • Nebraska 10 7 7 7 31 Date: 1977-09-17 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game attendance: 75,899 Television network: ABC

Scoring summary Q1 10:38 NEB Todd 29 yard field goal NEB 3–0 Q1 7:36 ALA Rutledge 7 yard run (Chapman kick) ALA 7–3 Q1 0:31 NEB Berns 7 yard pass from Garcia (Todd kick) NEB 10–7 Q2 10:45 ALA Nathan 2 yard run (Chapman kick) ALA 14–10 Q2 3:26 NEB Berns 2 yard run (Todd kick) NEB 17–14 Q2 0:10 ALA Chapman 37 yard field goal Tie 17–17 Q3 10:54 NEB Craig 17 yard run (Todd kick) NEB 24–17 Q3 12:24 ALA Nathan 1 yard run (Chapman kick) Tie 24–24 Q4 7:12 NEB Berns 2 yard run (Todd kick) NEB 31–24

Alabama came into Lincoln ranked #2 as Nebraska was still feeling the sting of the loss to Washington State and a rare absence from the polls. While the Crimson Tide slightly exceeded the Cornhuskers on offensive production, the 5-1 interception ratio and 25-17 first down edge each helped give Nebraska the edge to pull off the stunning upset.

Baylor

Baylor at #14 Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Baylor 3 0 7 0 10 • #14 Nebraska 10 13 0 8 31 Date: 1977-09-24 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game attendance: 76,231

Baylor was behind 10-3 by the end of the 1st quarter, and their only other score was a 3rd-quarter touchdown made possible in part by a lost Nebraska fumble. It was the offensive production that told the story of the day, as Nebraska rolled up 414 yards compared to the 182 produced by Baylor.

Indiana

Indiana at #11 Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Indiana 7 3 3 0 13 • #11 Nebraska 10 7 0 14 31 Date: 1977-10-01 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game attendance: 76,034

Nebraska IB I.M. Hipp, starting place of injured IB Rick Berns, set a new single game rushing record of 254 yards, besting the previous record of 211 set the previous year by Berns. Despite that performance, the game actually was in doubt entering the 4th quarter as the Hoosiers trailed 13–17, but the Cornhuskers added two more touchdowns soon after and came away with their 3rd consecutive 31-point score and win to close out the non-conference slate.

Kansas State

#9 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • #9 Nebraska 0 10 7 9 26 Kansas State 3 0 0 6 9 Date: 1977-10-08 Location: KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas Game attendance: 41,100

Two long touchdown runs by Nebraska IB I.M. Hipp created the gap between Kansas State and Nebraska, but the three interceptions suffered by the Wildcats also hurt any hopes that Kansas State may have had to put up a fight. Though Nebraska started out behind 0–3 in the 1st quarter, they scored the next touchdown and never looked back.

Iowa State

Iowa State at #9 Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • Iowa State 7 14 3 0 24 #9 Nebraska 14 0 7 0 21 Date: 1977-10-15 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game attendance: 76,090

Nebraska struck first and still held the 14–7 lead by the end of the 1st quarter, but two more Iowa State scores before the half put the Cyclones ahead for the rest of the game. Both offenses ground to a halt in the 4th quarter as the Cornhuskers failed to overcome the 21–24 deficit and were handed their second loss of the season.

Colorado

#7 Colorado at #18 Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total #7 Colorado 7 8 0 0 15 • #18 Nebraska 3 13 3 14 33 Date: 1977-10-22 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game attendance: 76,486

The season of upsets for and against Nebraska continued, as the #7 Colorado team arrived in Lincoln to be dealt its first loss of the season. One of the two Colorado scores came on a 98-yard kickoff return, but after the half it was all Nebraska as the Cornhuskers piled up 390 yards on the ground and 480 in total.

Oklahoma State

#12 Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • #12 Nebraska 0 14 14 3 31 Oklahoma State 7 0 0 7 14 Date: 1977-10-29 Location: Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma Game attendance: 49,100

Nebraska owned the edge in all facets, leading 74-63 through the air and 318–196 on the ground. Although the Cornhuskers didn't see the scoreboard until the 2nd quarter, they quickly took the lead with help from the Blackshirts, as the Cowboys soon found themselves too far behind to pose any further threat to Nebraska.

Missouri

#11 Nebraska at Missouri [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • #11 Nebraska 9 0 6 6 21 Missouri 0 10 0 0 10 Date: 1977-11-05 Location: Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri Game attendance: 67,000

Once again the Blackshirts helped carry the day to make up for repeated turnovers, along with help from Nebraska PK Billy Todd, who created some breathing room by accounting for 9 of the 11 points that separated the Cornhuskers from the Tigers at the final whistle.

Kansas

Kansas at #12 Nebraska [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total Kansas 0 0 0 7 7 • #12 Nebraska 14 14 10 14 52 Date: 1977-11-12 Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska Game attendance: 76,392

Nebraska steamrolled Kansas in Lincoln to close out the home schedule, setting records all over in the process. Cornhusker PK Billy Todd set a new Nebraska record for field goals in a season with his 12th and tied a 55-yard longest Nebraska field goal record set in 1969, while the offense set a new single-game rushing record at 550 yards. The Jayhawks' only score came in the 4th quarter against reserves.

Oklahoma

#11 Nebraska at #3 Oklahoma [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total #11 Nebraska 0 7 0 0 7 • #3 Oklahoma 0 21 3 14 38 Date: 1977-11-25 Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma Game attendance: 71,184

Both teams struggled to put points up to start out, but adjustments made by Oklahoma, with help from inopportune turnovers by Nebraska, led to a Sooner halftime lead of 21–7. The Cornhuskers never were able to get consistent production after that and never saw the scoreboard again as Oklahoma had little trouble padding their lead by an additional 17 points to secure their 6th straight win over Nebraska.

North Carolina

#12 Nebraska vs #14 North Carolina [box score]

1 2 3 4 Total • #12 Nebraska 0 7 0 14 21 #14 North Carolina 0 14 3 0 17 Date: 1977-12-19 Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee Game attendance: 49,456

Nebraska survived a scare when they came from behind, lagging North Carolina 7–17 at the start of the 4th quarter, to post two straight touchdowns for the lead and the win. Nebraska was the only team to score more than 14 against the Tar Heels all year, as North Carolina led the nation in scoring defense and had held opponents to an average of under 8 points per game. It was backup Nebraska QB Randy Garcia who provided the late spark for the Cornhuskers as he came off the bench and directed the two touchdown drives that put Nebraska ahead with just 3:16 left to play, putting away the game and closing the door on the Tar Heels' bid for an upset.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Final
AP	15	—	14	11	9	9	18	12	11	12	11	11	12	12
Coaches														10

Awards

^[5]

Award	Name(s)
All-America 1st team	Tom Davis
All-America 2nd team	Greg Jorgensen, I.M. Hipp
All-America honorable mention	Ken Spaeth, Kelvin Clark, Lee Kunz, Ted Harvey
All-Big 8 1st team	Tom Davis, Greg Jorgensen, I.M. Hipp, Jim Pillen
All-Big 8 2nd team	Rick Berns, Kelvin Clark, Ted Harvey, Lee Kunz, Steve Lindquist, Ken Spaeth, Stan Waldemore
All-Big 8 honorable mention	George Andrews, Tony Samuel, Tom Sorley

NFL and pro players

The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1977 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents. ^[6]

Name	Team
George Andrews	Los Angeles Rams
Bill Barnett	Miami Dolphins
Rick Berns	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ed Burns	New Orleans Saints
Kelvin Clark	Denver Broncos
Barney Cotton	Cincinnati Bengals
Tom Davis	Toronto Argonauts
Andra Franklin	Miami Dolphins
Mark Goodspeed	St. Louis Cardinals
Rod Horn	Cincinnati Bengals
Lee Kunz	Chicago Bears
Jeff Lee	St. Louis Cardinals
Oudious Lee	St. Louis Cardinals
Frank Lockett	Boston Breakers
Junior Miller	Atlanta Falcons
Brett Moritz	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derrie Nelson	San Diego Chargers
Jeff Quinn	Pittsburgh Steelers
Stan Waldemore	New York Jets

References