11-5-24
ONLY THREE-FOURTHS OF A LOSS
Nebraska hadn’t lost to Oklahoma State since 1961, the second game of the series, when the Cowboys came to Memorial Stadium for the Big Eight opener in 1984. The first meeting was also a loss. But the Huskers had defeated Oklahoma State 21 times since then, the only “blemish” a tie in 1973.
For three quarters in 1984, it appeared the Cowboys might get their third win in the series, and if not that, they might get at least a second tie. The score was 3-0 going into the fourth quarter.
And Nebraska hadn’t scored a touchdown in six consecutive quarters, its only points during that stretch an intentional safety on the final play of a 17-9 loss at Syracuse.
The Huskers were ranked No. 8, one place ahead of 4-0 Oklahoma State.
Nebraska had begun the season ranked No. 2 but was No. 1 before the Syracuse loss. What had been the “Scoring Explosion” offense had lost Mike Rozier, Turner Gill, Irving Fryar and Dean Steinkuhler, leaving big holes to file. In addition, the Huskers were slowed by injuries on offense.
Nebraska’s first possession reflected the first half. On the second play Craig Sundberg threw an interception, returned 16 yards to the Husker 29-yard line. On fourth-and-4, Oklahoma State’s Larry Roach kicked a 40-yard field goal—as it turned out, the only points against the Blackshirts.
On the first possession of the second quarter, Sundberg, who was dealing with a sore shoulder, threw a second interception, and on the first series of the second half, he threw a third.
Back-up Travis Turner took over and capped a 17-point fourth quarter with a 64-yard touchdown pass to split end Jason Gamble. Two minutes into the quarter, Dale Klein kicked a 36-yard field goal, and a little over 4 minutes later, Shane Swanson returned a punt 49 yards for a touchdown.
Nebraska’s offense struggled. The Huskers’ net rushing was 205 yards on 56 carries, an average of only 3.7 yards per carry, though the Cowboys couldn’t contain back-up I-back Doug DuBose—starter Jeff Smith left the game with injury. DuBose carried 30 times for 157 yards and caught three passes for 30 yards. Oklahoma State had a rushing net of 82 yards on 42 carries.
The key to victory, of course, was Nebraska’s defense.
Linebackers Marc Munford and Mark Daum each had 11 tackles, cornerback Dave Burke and safety Bret Clark seven each. Burke also recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and broke up two passes. Tackles Danny Noonan and Jim Skow had quarterback sacks.
The play of the defense was no aberration. At season’s end, Nebraska led the nation in total defense (203.3 yards per game) and scoring defense (9.5 ppg) and rank fourth in rushing defense, fifth in pass defense.
Husker defensive coordinator Charlie McBride said he was proud of the defensive effort. “They never let up, playing as hard as they could every minute,” he told reporters.
Oklahoma State, under first-year coach Pat Jones (who replaced Jimmy Johnson), would lose only one more game to finish No. 7. Nebraska, which climbed back to No. 1, also would lose only once more, like the Cowboys to Oklahoma, and finish No. 4.
The victory was “especially crucial to get us off to a good start in the Big Eight,” Tom Osborne told reporters.
Mike Babcock
