Texas vs. Nebraska: Best Big 12 Match-up Ever?
by ElongatedHorn on Oct 12, 2010 2:04 PM CDT
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Texas is 8-1 against Nebraska since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996. This Saturday being the last in-conference meeting (at least for the foreseeable future) between the two college football giants, let's look at seven of the best Big 12 meetings between the Longhorns and Cornhuskers.
Seven of the nine games since 1996 have been decided by 10 points or fewer. One could argue that the Texas-Nebraska series has been the best match-up between two teams in the history of the Big 12. The two games not included below are the 1999 Big 12 Championship (22-6, Nebraska) and the 2003 game (31-7, Texas), a.k.a., The Vince Young Debut.
Texas 37, #3 Nebraska 27
Inaugural Big 12 Championship Game
Dec. 7, 1996
St. Louis, Mo.
Unranked Texas was a0 three-touchdown underdog to No. 3 Nebraska in the first Big 12 Championship Game. The Cornhuskers were positioning themselves for a national championship, but the resilient Longhorns shocked the nation with a 37-27 win.
Quarterback James Brown had a career-best 353 yards passing plus 120 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Texas opened the game with an 80-yard scoring drive. The teams traded field goals and touchdowns for most of the second quarter, and Nebraska took a 27-23 lead in the fourth quarter. Texas answered on a 66-yard Wayne McGarity touchdown, but the key play came in the with just 2:48 seconds remaining.
Up 30-27 and on their own 28-yard line, the Longhorns set up for a fourth-and-inches play. Staying aggressive, Brown faked a run, rolled out to his left and hit tight end Derek Lewis for a 61-yard gain. With the ball on the Nebraska 11-yard line, running back Priest Holmes scored on the next play. Texas won its third-consecutive conference title with the win and earned a trip to the Fiesta Bowl where they lost to Penn State.
Six more games after the jump - all of which were decided by no more than four points.
Texas 20, #7 Nebraska 16
Oct. 31, 1998
Lincoln, Neb.
Nebraska was on an incredible 47-game home winning streak. Ricky Williams was orchestrating his Heisman Trophy-winning season, but was facing Nebraska's famous Black Shirts defense, which was allowing just a little more than 100 rushing yards per game.
The Longhorns got on top early, scoring a touchdown on their first possession. They controlled the first half and held on to a 10-3 halftime lead. Nebraska of course put up a fight and took a 13-10 lead in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Major Applewhite hit receiver Brian White on a 75-yard play. Kris Stockton nailed a 19-yard field goal to tie the game at 13.
The Cornhuskers added a field goal of their own with more than eight minutes remaining in the game. With the score tied, Texas set up on its own 15-yard line. It was third down at the Texas 35-yard line when White came up with a 37-yard catch down the sidelines. On third down, Applewhite found Wayne McGarity for the go-head touchdown. Texas held on for the win, giving Williams a great performance (150 yards) to add to his Heisman resume. The Texas defense stole Nebraska's thunder by holding them to more than 100 yards below their season average.
#18 Texas 24, #3 Nebraska 20
Oct. 23, 1999
Austin, Texas
A year after Texas snapped Nebraska's 47-game home win streak, the match-up moved to Austin, but the Cornhuskers had risen to the No. 3 team in the country. It was a field goal fest for most of the first half. Nebraska got the ball back just before halftime, and running back Correll Buckhalter scored on a 5-yard run. Nebraska took a 13-3 lead.
Texas pinned Nebraska on their opening drive of the second half and went on offense with a short field in front of them. It took just three plays to score, cutting the Cornhusker lead to three. The teams traded possessions until Texas got rolling with three passes from Major Applewhite to Kwame Cavil, the last of which was a 13-yard touchdown. Texas lead 17-13.
Nebraska came back in the fourth quarter with an Eric Crouch touchdown run, putting them back on top 20-17. However, the Longhorns answered on the next drive. Applewhite hit Ryan Nunez for a 39-yard gain down to the Nebraska 21. Three plays later Applewhite found Mike Jones for a 17-yard score. Texas held on a fourth down play on the next drive.
It was the third win against a top-10 Nebraska team in four years. A few weeks later Texas lost to the Cornhuskers in the Big 12 Championship Game.
#7 Texas 27, Nebraska 24
Nov. 2, 2002
Lincoln, Neb.
Nebraska was orchestrating another home winning streak, this one stretching a national best 24 games. Senior Chris Simms passed for 419 yards, and Nebraska QB Jammal Lord rushed for 254 yards. But it was corner back Nathan Vasher coming up with the game-clenching interception at the 1-yard line to give Texas the win.
The teams traded field goals in the first half, but the third quarter saw three touchdowns-two by Texas and one my Nebraska. The Cornhuskers reached the end zone first, but the Longhorns responded with two Roy Williams catches of 16 and 2 yards to make the score 20-10 in favor of the Burnt Orange.
Nebraska opened the fourth quarter with a 60-yard touchdown pass to close the Texas lead to three. Later Texas was able to put together an 81-yard drive that ended with a Cedric Benson run to the end zone. But Nebraska scored again about a minute later. Texas had to punt deep in its own territory on the next drive, which set Nebraska up at the UT 16 with less than a minute left. Two plays later Vasher came up with the big pick to seal the win.
It was Nebraska's second home loss since 1991.
#5 Texas 22, #17 Nebraska 20
Oct. 21, 2006
Lincoln, Neb.
Texas was up to a No. 5 ranking with its redshirt freshman quarterback Colt McCoy. But it was back-up kicker Ryan Bailey who was the hero, kicking the game-winning field goal with give Texas the 22-20 win.
Nebraska was actually trying to kill the clock late in the fourth quarter with a 20-19 lead when Terrence Nunn fumbled, giving Texas a new hope inside Cornhusker territory. Bailey was called upon to win the game, and with the first kick in his college career, nailed a 22-yarder.
Texas controlled most of the game, leading 16-7 into the fourth quarter. Running back Brandon Jackson took a short pass 49 yards to the end zone. Texas kicked a field goal, but Nebraska would not go away. With less than 5 minutes remaining, the Cornhuskers scored on a halfback pass, taking the 20-19 lead. Texas was unable to move the ball on the next drive and punted back to Nebraska. Then came the fumble and game-winning kick by the previously unknown Ryan Bailey.
#19 Texas 28, Nebraska 25
Oct. 27, 2007
Austin, Texas
It was the Jamaal Charles show in the fourth quarter. The speedy back ripped off touchdown runs of 25, 86 and 40 yards to give a sluggish Longhorns offense life. Charles ran for 216 yards in the final quarter alone.
Nebraska led 17-3 early in the third quarter. Ryan Bailey kicked two field goals to keep Texas in the game. Then Charles got lose. Texas put up 25 points in a little more than a quarter of play. Nebraska scored once more late in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.
#3 Texas 13, #21 Nebraska 12
2009 Big 12 Championship Game
Dec. 5, 2009
Arlington, Texas
Just one thing stood in the way of Texas and a Big 12 Championship, not to mention the right to play for the National Championship-a scrappy Nebraska team that was allowing just 11 points per game. The Texas offense was in a battle all night, but the defense was superb, holding the Cornhuskers to just over 100 yards of offense and not allowing a touchdown. But in the end, Texas called on some last-second heroics by kicker Hunter Lawrence.
With the Texas offense struggling, the Cornhuskers got on the scoreboard with two field goals. Texas finally got some rhythm in the second quarter, and Colt McCoy punched it in for the game's only touchdown to give Texas the 7-6 lead. Texas kicked a field goal in the third quarter, but Nebraska added two field goals to take a 12-10 lead.
McCoy, who was sacked nine times in the game, tried to gain a few more yards to set up a field goal, but nearly ran out the clock doing so. A booth review determined there was one second left in the game, which gave Lawrence the chance to hit the game-winning kick from 46 yards out. The ball hugged the left upright, but sailed through to send the Longhorns to the BCS National Championship Game.
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That 96 game is what me what I am today
If we lose by 10, I am not sure how my life would be different
Hook 'em
'96....
set my expectations for the Horns so high that I was severely depressed all of 1997 until Mack came to UT. However aweful I felt that entire next year pales in comparision to how I felt that night. WOULDN"T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD the only other one thats I would never trade was the ’05 season but that goes without any explanation.
Time to grab the Pepto
Alright ranking them in terms of pain inflicted on us:
1. 2009: Maybe I’m biased toward recent history, but the way the game went, combined with our misfortune earlier in the year, this was a pretty awful loss to take.
2. 1999: This one hurt because it probably cost us a national title and Texas had no business winning.
3. 1996: Kinda the same situation as 1999.
4. 2006: The article doesn’t really do the soul crushing nature of this game justice. We didn’t merely fumble while trying to run the clock. We had the game clinching first down, and all Nunn has to do is hit the ground with the football and Nebraska takes 3 knees to seal the game. This game didn’t really cost us anything, so its only #4.
5. 1998: Watching the streak go sucked, but whatever. Our season was already toast at that point. Injuries and inexperience decimated that Nebraska team.
The other two just go in the “meh” close tough loss category. 2002 and 2007 were two of the worst Nebraska teams of the past 50 years. It’s kind of hard to get too emotionally invested with the amount of ineptitude both teams showed.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
1996 Horns
Texas had a pretty salty group that year. Two all-pro backs (Priest Holmes, Ricky Williams), Shon Mitchell, James Brown, Great O-line. On D, you had 6 pro players in Tony Brackens, Winfred Tubbs, Bryant Westbrook, Chris Carter, Tre Thomas, Taje Allen.
Basically, when Tony Brackens was full strength, this was a Top 10 team as the defense was less apt to embarrass itself. Penn St crushed us in the Fiesta Bowl, but that had a lot to do with preparation as opposed to talent disparity.
Texas had a lot of talent no doubt
But I don’t think many people would say Nebraska was not the better team (that season, not that game). It still hurt because we were playing pretty good football at that time (we crushed a good VT team in the Orange Bowl).
I will confess to being too young to remember the game (I was born in 1989) but to have a potential 3-peat slip away like that is frustrating.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
96 horns and potentially lucky timing
agree on great win. but, unfortunately for nu, their team was getting hit by the flu bug pretty hard. I think that the Omaha paper had a great write-up about it prior to last year’s big xii championship. sorry, too lazy to go find the link. i believe i read it via dc’s bevo’s daily roundup.
by unknownidiot on Oct 12, 2010 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions
#2 Texas had no business winning.
No offense, jdhusker, but it was your team who gave the game away.
Down in the agate is the story: Even though NU led in first downs, 23-13, and total yards, 429-275, and the Texas offense had a tough day (you even out passed us), the Huskers make some key mistakes again. NU fumbled five times, losing three, And you were only 3-12 on third down conversions and 0-3 on fourth down attempts. You could control the middle of the field but you couldn’t dent the red zone when you needed to.
Texas earned its win the hard way, by perseverance on offense and good defense.
When the teams met again in the in the championship, NU fumbled twice and had an INT, but the Horns had three INTs and a fumble and that evened out. It was a gritty game, with NU only gaining 289 yards total offense to UT’s 178, with the netting only six yards of rushing.
Teams are superior only when they play that way.
What you did in the past, what you look like on paper, is gone the second the whistle blows.
The worst...
for me, as a Husker fan, would definitely be 1996. A chance to play for a third consecutive national championship is about the paramount of college football accomplishment. In fact, I don’t believe it has ever been done.
Last year was whatever, for me. Nebraska played a good game, however, they already had three losses on the season and I was grateful they played as well as they had in that game, anyway.
And before I forget...
because of that lists of heartbreakers mentioned above, I would not shed a single tear to send UT back to Austin with a complete and total embarrassment of an ass beating.
I don’t see that happening in a “big game” like this, though. I’m also not 100% convinced of the Nebraska hype, at this point.
by HerpieHusker on Oct 12, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
If Texas beats you on Saturday....we are kicking you out of the Big 12 for good....
by Dawnpatrol on Oct 12, 2010 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Well...
Texas won’t be beating “me”, per say, as I will be sitting at home drinking a case of beer and grilling some ribs during the game, and won’t be on the field.
Further, the Big12’s stock has been rapidly depleating for the better part of 6 months now. I don’t foresee Nebraska any business deal taking place where any rational mind would want to leave a conference like the Big10 for the Big12.
by HerpieHusker on Oct 12, 2010 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Dude, let me repea... "I" am not going anywhere...
I will be staying put in Omaha. ;)
And yes, Nebraska is going to the Big10, and the general consensus from just about any unbiased opinion outside of the Big12 homers is that it’s a great decision. Not only does it make sense for football, but financially it further benefits the school in education (namely medical research), and the long-term viability of the conference is sound. Whereas, in the big12 and was demonstrated, it can be ripped out from underneath any school in the conference at any time.
I, for one, will miss the Big12, but I definitely see the move as a step forward for the University as a whole.
All the sour grapes in the world won’t change that for the opposing fans who are bitter about this whole thing.
by HerpieHusker on Oct 12, 2010 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Y'all are tired of getting owned by Texas
You had the Big 8 locked down, then this team that wears a Longhorn on the side of their helmet came into the picture and put a stop to that on the way to a dominating vs record. I would take my ball and run home too if I were your AD. Either leave for the shitty 10, or stay and get owned by Texas for another decade or 2.
You’re right, great choice for your football program.
You are wrong
Nebraska is afraid, that’s why we are leaving the Big 12. Everyone from Perlman, Osborne, Pelini and on down to the state’s kindergarteners is afraid of mighty Texas.
Nebraska has been trying to dance with the Big Ten for about 8 decades. They finally said yes.
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
by Warrior Brad on Oct 12, 2010 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Bull
Why would y’all want to leave the Big 8, which you had locked down? Maybe before your era of dominance you might have wanted the Big 10, but given what you were doing in the Big 8 right before we stole the show, there is no way I can believe you were still considering it at that time. It took Texas coming into the picture and owning you to make you reconsider the Big 10
Let me count the ways
1) more money
2) better academics
3) more national exposure
Though, I admit, #1 should be more like #1, #2, #3 and #4. Nebraska would have loved to take Penn State’s spot.
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
by Warrior Brad on Oct 12, 2010 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions
lol academics, more money, more exposure
Nebraska is not and never has been concerned with academics. One of the major complaints from Lincoln is when the Big12 was formed, Prop 8 student athletes were no longer allowed. That was one of the rules big bad Texas got passed it’s way and poor little Nebraska did not.
by Horns4TheWin on Oct 13, 2010 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll acknowledge
That Nebraska generally doesn’t really care about the academics of its football players. Name me a public university with a big-time football program that does. (And don’t say Texas does because they opposed Prop 8 – they used loopholes to get those marginal qualifiers onto their teams anyway.)
But we’re talking about the academics of the university as a whole, and that’s something Nebraska’s dead serious about. They’re developing a new $800 million research campus that they got the state legislature to move the state fair for. That’s putting your money where your mouth is. And the Big Ten is a perfect fit for the kind of school Nebraska has begun aiming to be under Perlman.
by Cheeseandcorn on Oct 14, 2010 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions
IF I were a longhorn fan...
That’s exactly what I would be telling myself, as well.
If I was a longhorn fan and was mature enough to be honest with myself, I would recognize that the success that Nebraska was seeing in the 90’s was slowly coming to an end with the end of the Osborne era. Remember, Osborne left WITH a championship that season.
Texas happened to be accelerating and building upon the success of its program simultaneously.
While Texas was in their prime, Nebraska was at its worst with a lousy Coach (Callahan) and lousy AD (Peterson) who all but destroyed the entire identity and culture of the football program.
Out goes Cally and Peterson, and in comes Pelini and look how he’s been able to turn it around? It’s all cyclical.
Now quit flattering yourselves thinking somehow the success of your program had any affect on a lousy decade of Husker football. It’s getting old.
by HerpieHusker on Oct 12, 2010 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Half right
While Texas was in their prime, Nebraska was at its worst…
Actually, I believe Neb. was favored in 4 of the 9 Big 12 meetings.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
by ElongatedHorn on Oct 12, 2010 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Texas' prime =
the 2000’s. Nebraska’s worst = 2000’s. There is no denying that no matter which way you try to spin it.
by HerpieHusker on Oct 12, 2010 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
You are no elephant.
Every team Nebraska has sent, has lost. Every team. Not just the bad ones but good ones too. Every coach at Nebraska that has led a team v Texas knows one thing and that is losing.
0.1111111111111111
That is Nebraska win % v Texas since the formation of the Big12.. After this weekend, you can drop all the 1’s except the very 1st.
by Horns4TheWin on Oct 13, 2010 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
True enough
I think his general point still stands though. The 2000s were probably the best decade in modern Texas football history (apologies if I’m wrong, I know very little about Texas pre-Big 12 era). And the 2000s for Nebraska were without a doubt the worst since the 1960s.
That said, Nebraska still went 1-3 in games in which they were favored.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Hey Herpies go troll on another blog my friend
Great that you are here and commenting. Yes, we suck this year and yes you will beat us because of this. We beat you when you were good. You beat us when we are really bad. Go play in the Big Ten with your Husker buds.
No trolling here...
Funny how when Texas is losing, not a single person can even make a point to the contrary of the trash talk they incure on BON. Because, when they do, they are automatically trolls.
I can’t wait for Saturday…
by HerpieHusker on Oct 13, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
neither can I...you are going to kick our ass.....
and you should. If we beat you, it’s the upset of the century for Nebraska. Now go play with you other corn friends and let us sulk here on our site alone.
If UT fans keep pulling this card, then its going to be a long week and hostile week
Nebraska leaving has absolutely nothing to do with our record against Texas. Anybody with the simplest grasp of the situation would understand that. Yes, I know you need something to strike at us with, and pointing to Nebraska’s frequent futility against Texas feels good, but it’s simply not logical.
Over the summer, the Big 12 almost died. It came within a day perhaps of dying. With Nebraska gone, the Big 12 is weaker, not stronger. It’s only a matter of time before the Big 12 falls apart for good. That’s why we left: the Big 10 will never (and I do mean never) fall apart.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Convincing rebuttal
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Not much time to type lol
On my way out of the house. Maybe I’ll get back into it later..
Good luck this weekend and hopefully it’s an injury-free, hard fought battle..That Texas wins
I think most Texas fans
understand exactly why Nebraska is leaving, and underneath the taunting it is difficult to deny that this is a good move for your university.
Incidentally, all of this banter about escaping Texas may prove inconsequential when we join the Big-10 ourselves during the next go-around.
by BrooklynHorn on Oct 12, 2010 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Wait, I thought you guys always said "we"...
…because you considered yourselves part of the program as fans.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
96 Game....
I remember that game! On my birthday, sophmore year in Austin. We lived over off San Jacinto. Drinking like fish. We won, I was so drunk my buddy slammed my hand in the car door and I didn’t feel a thing. We went down to The Drag and jumped on cars. It was awesome!
The first game I really watched
(my dedicated fanhood is relatively recent) was the ‘06 game. I think that was the game that really sold Colt to me. It was tight the whole game, started snowing in the second half (how often does Texas get to play in the snow?), and had a perfect ’back from the dead’ moment when Ross forced that fumble. Awesome.
If you're so sure of what it ain't, how about telling us what it am!
clarification: first UT-NU game I watched
If you're so sure of what it ain't, how about telling us what it am!
'96
I’m surprised at all the votes for last year. After we kicked the winning FG, I remember staring at the TV screen for about 5 minutes in complete disgust at how unprepared we were. This is the only time in all my years ever being so angry after a win. Sadly, this lack of preparation continues to plague our coaching staff.
The first Big12 championship game was the most exciting Longhorn win in years. It has only been surpassed since then by the two Rose Bowl wins.
"Well, a guy did a Horns down to him. You just shouldn’t do that."
Yep
I refuse to revise either the Nebraska or Oklahoma affairs from last season. Both were victories. but truly awful games.
by BrooklynHorn on Oct 12, 2010 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Geez
After looking at that, Nebraska should hate Texas, haha. Those are some gut wrenching losses.
If we can’t score 20 against NU, we have no chance. Greg.. Please surprise me with a couple of TDs..
Nice recap EHorn
‘96 for sure. 2009 was important in making the trip to Pasadena, but despite the field goal by Hunter, I will always remember that game as ugly-as-hell. Roll left was so unexpected and was the first time in my life that I saw hope in the Horns. (they weren’t always who they are now these days)
by Infield Elephant on Oct 12, 2010 3:22 PM CDT reply actions
And on the 3rd Day, God created the Texas Longhorns...
…with the purpose of reminding us Nebraska Cornhusker fans that football is just a game, and to keep us humble after total dominance in the mid 90’s. As I look back on some of these games, I still can’t believe how time and time again, Nebraska was close, but not close enough. It doesn’t matter if you guys were ranked or unranked, and how good Nebraska was at the time, Texas always found a way to break our hearts.
That’s why this week I think Nebraska can win, but in the back of my mind I know that it doesn’t matter how good our defense is, how fast Taylor Martinez is, or how inept Texas has looked on offense so far this season…I know that Texas could find a way to win. After last year’s Big 12 title game, I decided to not allow myself to be surprised or disappointed if my Huskers lose.
But if my Huskers FINALLY win, I WILL BE SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY!!!! It will be like the 2004 Red Sox, finally getting the “curse” off their back. Either way, good luck to you guys in this game and for the rest of the season, it’s too bad you couldn’t be 5-0 going into this game to. I know it’s going to be a great game.
" I know it’s going to be a great game. "
I wish I felt the same. We suck this year. Unless something on our offense snaps into place big time, we’re gonna lose and look just as bad doing it as we have the last 2 weeks. UCLA’s QB gashed us, and I can’t stand to think of our seemingly inept D-Line trying to contain Martinez on the ZRead. If you thought our defense looked undisciplined against OU and “Sunshine”, wait til they have to read the read…
If only you're right...
Somehow I just can’t shake the feeling that either a) Texas is going to play their best game of the season or b) Nebraska is going to come in TOO ready for this game. Or both.
I would love nothing more than to have a three score lead at halftime so I could kick back and enjoy watching the Horns meltdown in the second half. I just don’t see it happening. Things like that do not happen to Nebraska when Texas is involved.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Even if we have a with 3 TD lead
I don’t think I’ll be able to sit back and relax, just because it’s Texas. I know the blackshirts wouldn’t allow a team to come back when they are 3 TD’s down, but if Martinez doesn’t play well and throws a few interceptions…Texas has a defense that can make the plays necessary to stay in the game.
we'll always have 1999!!!!!!!
/shakes angry fist
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!
cornnation@gmail.com
No mention of Aaron Ross in the 2006 game?
That fumble by Nunn didn’t just happen, it was forced by Aaron Ross. That forced fumble played a big part in Ross winning the Thorpe award that year.
Sorry, I’ve just always felt like he was the hero of that game.
Great article.
2006
It was the only time I’ve seen NU-UT live (I will be there Saturday as well). That was an absolute heart-wrencher and still my favorite live Husker game ever.
That game had it all. Right when Nebraska took the lead it started to snow like crazy and Memorial Stadium went bananas. As mentioned above, the Huskers needed a first down to clinch the win. It was 3rd & 4 and Zach Taylor rolled right and found Nunn for the apparent first down. But, Nunn went for more yardage, fumbled and UT recovered. McCoy had a fumble of his on the winning drive. Inexplicably, he scrambled out of the pocket, fumbled the ball forward and it was recovered by the Longhorn center. [Still shaking an angry fist at that one]
Saturday will be fun and I expect another close game. UT is much better than the dreck NU has played thus far. KSU and UW are terrible football teams.
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
I believe it was actually recovered by OG Studdard
He had several game saving fumble recoveries that year, including one by Charles at the end of the game agains Tech.
I remember that game so well
Like in terms of clarity, 2006 Texas vs. Nebraska is one of the top 4-5 that I remember best. And speaking on just pure football terms, could very well be the best game out of the series that our teams played. For Texas fans, they could have made a movie out of that one.
I still can’t get over that all Nunn had to do was hit the turf with the ball and its over. Very cruel game in a very cruel series for Husker fans. And yes, it was a great hit by the Texas player. That fumble was not a fluke. Doesn’t make it any less frustrating.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
I remember 06' as well...
If Nebraska wins that game they probably would have entered the top 10 and maybe that season would have been viewed in a bit different light (a 10-4 record looks a lot better than a 9-5 record). Heck, had Terrance Nunn not fumbled that ball, Bill Callahan would have had a top 10 husker team for the first and only time in his coaching tenure and maybe, just maybe fans would have given a little bit more patience the following season when he got fired.
This is all majorly hypothetical, but maybe that fumble by Terrance Nunn was truly the beginning of the end of the Callahan era, and because he fumbled that ball we now have Pelini and the best defense in the country. As I said, it’s all just a crazy theory.
Surprised so many are voting for 2009
I thought that game sucked
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
Me too
It’s top of mind. The game was huge in that it was a conference title and sent us to the National Championship, but it was not a great game in terms of quality.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
by ElongatedHorn on Oct 12, 2010 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Mostly Because
It’s the game that is freshest in everyone’s mind, and it was the Big 12 championship and the game that Texas needed to win to go to the National Championship. So it had a bit more meaning than some of the others.
Quality wise from a husker fan’s perspective, I loved that game. We weren’t at all surprised that our offense was completely inept because they had been that way all season. What was great about it was watching Suh completely dominate the whole game and toss around McCoy like a rag doll. Plus our D simply made one of the best offenses in the country look really really bad.
Maybe it's because...
…of younger folks. And bandwaggoners. Probably younger folks.
I watched the ’96 game. I had a t-shirt proclaiming Texas to be the final SWC champs and first Big 12 champs with the scores of those games too.
I have that shirt, too
I’ll probably be buried in it. I LOVED the 96 game. Hated last year’s game. Can’t believe people are actually voting on that one.
by longhornfan7628 on Oct 13, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
agreed
that game gave me multiple heart attacks and aneurysms. I couldn’t enjoy watching it until Hunter made the field goal. I’m a young un, but I’d go for 1996 and 1999.
Never ask a man if he's from Texas. If he is, he'll tell you soon enough. If he's not, don't embarrass him.
I love how Nebraska fans are so insanely excited about this game
That they’ve pretty much taken over every BON thread that mentions the Huskers. No offense to the hosts – I just think it’s funny.
Yep, y'all should be enjoying the atmosphere and laughing while you can.
Just for grins I looked up on CFBstats the current rankings of the defenses NU has played:
NU opp score D Rank ydage
Western Kentucky W 49-10 #98 422.0
Idaho W 38-17 #32 321.2
Washington W 56-21 #104 429.6
S. Dakota St. W 17-3 NR* -
Kansas State W 48-13 #82 396.8
- SDSt is 1-4, Jackrabbits were 0-2 going into NU game.
We’ve had a bad two weeks, got run over, gave up a lot of points, you know, of course you do, you’re still laughing and cuttin’ up.
So, what’s the tale of the tape at this point:
Scoring defense NU # 4 64 pts; Tx # 36 100 points.
Passing defense NU #1 128 ypg; Tx #8 150.2 ypg
Rushing defense NU #56 3.71 ypp; Tx #19 2.63 ypp
Total defense NU #12 1375 total yds, 4.1 pp; Tx #6 1271 total yds, 3.8 ypp
Of course, we didn’t have to play them damn pesky jackrabbits.
Funny how they can run circles around you.
Got it.
Texas is better than Nebraska. bla, bla, bla. Now that we put that argument to rest, can we all just wait and talk shit until after they actually play each other? Man, the K-State board wasn’t even this bad.
I figured it would be fun to visit an opposing team’s blog and bullshit, but so fat and because of a handful of UT homers, it’s been nothing but a big, steaming log of crap.
/end rant…and gone.
by HerpieHusker on Oct 12, 2010 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Not to be a
dick to my own side here, but I agree. I enjoyed our pre-game banter last December and it’s good to have you guys back over here to share your thoughts. Some on here are probably a little sensitive to the outcry from Huskers blowing up about 0:01, so I think that’s where the hostility comes from. Plus, we really like a good argument on BON, even if it’s as stupid as comparing Big XII genitalia.
It’s been a fun 14 years. Don’t blame NU for going to B10, but I don’t like the Huskers at all and badly want to win on Saturday. Our chances are slim, but it should be a good one. Best of luck and may Taylor Martinez obtain a vicious case of IBS Saturday morning.
by Infield Elephant on Oct 13, 2010 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I have a soft spot for 98
96 was the shocker, but then we went to Lincoln in 98, in Mack Brown’s first season, with NOBODY expecting us to win that game, and ended their home winning streak. It was a game in which Ricky Williams (according to the pundits at the time) unofficially won the Heisman Trophy, and I believe that was one of Ricky’s greatest performances. He received a standing ovation from the Husker fans.
Plus I remember that game was on Halloween. Good times.
Yes on Halloween
And our starting quarterback for that game was Monte Christo.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
I was a senior in HS
and I was hung over as hell. I had to find the open bathroom in the house to puke in while my parents got ready to go to the game. Luckily, the hangover was my #1 priority and I didn’t get too worked up when NU lost :)
"When a guy takes off his coat, he's not going to fight. When a guy takes off his wristwatch, watch out!"
- Al McGuire
www.anonymouseagle.com
by Warrior Brad on Oct 12, 2010 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions
1999 game
I have never seen a game so dominated by the wind as the 1999 game. I don’t know which way the television cameras look down on DKR stadium, but almost the entire game was on the right side of the 50. The team moving from left to right was the only team to score with the exception of Texas’ touchdown in the 4th quarter.
The cameras are on the west side.
DKR Memorial Stadium sits North-South, so teams moving left to right were going with the north wind, teams going the other way were going into it (and vice versa for south wind). See how this was a December game, chances are good it was a north wind.
Last year's game was like a bad dream
I remember thinking at some point, with Nebraska outplaying us by a mile, that “I’d be happy to win but we don’t deserve it.” By the grace of the timekeeper and replay and Hunter Lawrence . . .
Game I’ll remember is the Ricky Williams epic. Not just him — Nebraska’s fans, ending the home win streak. More than the ’96 game, which just set Mackovic and the team up for a horrid ’97, the 1998 game was a statement about Mack Brown and the program.
I don't remember which game my expectations were lower.
I voted for ‘96 because it was just so much fun, but ’98 was one of the grittiest games Texas has ever played and you’re right, it did set up Mack’s program.
Here's to
- seeing DJ Monroe get many touches and running wild (did you know he has a higher avg yds per carry than LaMichael James?)
- never seeing Gilbert throw a pass less than 5 yards downfield
- UT D returning to true form and showing they know how to defend the zone read
- Martinez getting a bit gun shy after a few good licks
- and course, starting the salvaging Texas’ season by shocking Nebraska in their own stadium!
"One could argue that the Texas-Nebraska series has been the best match-up between two teams in the history of the Big 12."
If Texas is 8-1 how can this series be the best Big 12 match-up?
I'm not sure it'd be the best matchup
That would be UT-OU. Although I think this is an easy 2nd. The reason is simple.
Fans of both teams lose years off their life when they watch the Horns and Huskers play.
It is 8-1 in Texas’s favor, but flip the outcome of literally 8-10 plays and its 8-1 in Nebraska’s favor.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
right but 'fans' of those teams should not be taken into consideration
I am sure Mizzou fans get upset and ‘lose years off their life’ when they lose to KU…or same with Okie State losing to OU. Even if the games were close, they were hardly NC Game type matchups…going back to that first Big 12 Champ…only Nebraska was the big boy.
Although last year was a good game. The reality was Nebraska had already lost to Iowa State during the year and this year you could make the same point about Texas’ NC hopes.
I would have to go with OU/Tex #1 and then you could argue UT/Kstate… Tech/Texas….Colorado/Kstate…I guess you could argue OKstate /Texas Tech…but victories have to be a big part of the equation.
I have to disagree
The last 10 games between Nebraska and K-State have been very competitive in terms of wins and losses, but lets look at the scores:
48-13
17-3
56-28
73-31
21-3
27-25
21-45
9-38
13-49
31-21
Exactly one time out of 10 this game wasn’t over with 5 minutes left to play. Not exactly riveting football. Nebraska and Texas has been one of the most competitive series since the Big 12 started. The fact that the decisive 8-10 plays in those games all went UT’s way is something that should be appreciated by Texas fans, not trivialized.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Six of the nine games have been decided by four points or fewer. This when either team should have won by two or three TDs. Some teams just match-up well with each other. Yes, Texas has won 8 times, but the games have been very close seven times. So, 7 of the 9 games have been very close match-ups.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
by ElongatedHorn on Oct 13, 2010 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
The 1999 game was not fun...
I really thought that Neb was the best team in the country that year. Fumble the ball, I think 3 times, by the endzone is a bad recipe for success. Also, was that the game where Woody Harrilson and that other actor with really short arms were arrested in Austin playing bongos naked? I was in Austin visiting friends that day (didn’t go to the game) and I quickly ditched my Neb garb to join in. I imagine that had to be a crazier than normal night in Austin.
While the game was often close, it almost never matched two great teams. One would be undefeated and the other would always have at least 3 losses. UT vs. OU has been the cream of the Big XII matchups.
Yeah, Nebraska going to the Big 10 is a good move for the school. But, I have no doubt that the outcome of the ‘09 Big 12 Championship, the way it ended, the way Nebraska lost, influenced the decision in at least some small way. Ultimately these are human beings making the decisions. If you don’t factor in a little bias, emotion, and ego, you’re lying to yourself. Wars have been started for less.
Also, one way to gauge a good win is how quotable the score is. 41-38, now that’s one helluva score. But… 13-12? UGH. How many times has one of us longhorns exclaimed, “13-12 baby!”
I know alot of people arent die hards in Hoops..
But NU and CU leaving boosted our RPI by about 50 points..dead weight gone.
Bama fan here
How ‘bout y’all get it together one time and make 2010 the most memorable UT/NU game yet? The entire SEC West would send you a gift basket.
by J Tadpole on Oct 13, 2010 12:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Listen...I'm just talking smack
Of course I like a little friendly trash talk from the NU fans. Good to hear they care so much. I’m just hoping the Horns make a game out of this. Just listened to Mike Leach on Rivals radio. He stated that he thought the issue with Texas is too many 5 star recruits that are basically used to having everything handed to them. I agree. Time to buckle down Horns and earn some respect back before Neb takes it all to the Big 10 with them.
Curb stomping
Nebraska should win by 2 or 3 TD. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was a close game based on recent history of the two teams.
by Dean in Clemson on Oct 13, 2010 3:35 PM CDT reply actions
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