Lincoln Journal Star Friday, November 26, 1971 HUSKER EXTRA down the JUST WARMING UP Thursday's game was so exciting, it had fans outside Owen Field mixed up about which team had won. "As we were getting on the bus, people were there cheering us on," said NU left guard Dick Rupert. "One lady in the e crowd said, 'Maybe you'll get them next year.' WORTH NOTING JOURNAL STAR LIBRARY Nebraska linebacker Bob Terrio (45) beats the block of Oklahoma halfback Greg Pruitt (30) and tackles Sooner quarterback Jack Mildren (11). It was one of 17 tackles that Terrio made Thursday. Sooners changed gameplan on the run Jack Mildren gave Oklahoma its final lead of the game, 31-28, with a 16-yard pass to split end Jon Harrison with 7:10 left. It was the last of Oklahoma's 188 yards passing, which in many ways typify the Sooners' day. "We had all the offensive records going our way and we didn't think we'd be stopped. We thought we could score on anybody," said Mildren. "Nebraska had ability and skills to make us do things we hadn't all year. "They made the quarterback carry the ball 31 times and (Greg) Pruitt didn't get the ball much. We're a true reading team and Nebraska just didn't let us get the ball out to Greg. I have to say, though, that Pruitt probably had as ferocious a blocking game as any time." Barry Switzer, the Sooners' offensive coordinator, said Pruitt's lack of carries was an oversight. Pruitt ran 10 times for 53 yards. "He's a game breaker and we probably should have put the ball in his hands at least 25 times," said Switzer. "They kept us from getting it to him on the outside, so we should have forced it to him with belly plays or off I JERSEYS NOT BUILT TO LAST: Nebraska ball carriers had a hard time keeping it together Thursday. The Comhuskers tried new tearaway jerseys and found out the shirts were true to their name. Quarterback Jerry Tagge Hack Jeff Kinney both went through a couple of uniform tops during the game. "It was the first time we ever wore those jerseys," Kinney said. "It was like a T-shirt." I TIME FLIES: The seesaw nature of the game left some Oklahoma players wanting more. "We just ran out of time," said Lucious Selmon. "I could have played another quarter and I'm sure they could have, too. The game was so intense and everyone felt all the buildup was played out.' • GOOD OMEN: Mildren is always happy to score touchdowns, but he was particularly pleased with the touchdown pass to Harrison seconds before halftime that gave the Sooners a 17-14 lead. "That was the first time Nebraska was behind all year, which is kind of amazing," he said. "Switzer was coming down from the press box and didn't really see it. Most of the credit for that score is deserved by Harrison. We felt pretty good because we were going to get the ball to start the second half.' I PASSING FRENZY: Oklahoma had the No. 1 offense in the na tion entering the game, but that was because the running game averaged 481 yards a game. That's what made the Sooners' reliance on passing (188 yards) so unusual. "No one had stopped us all year running. It gave me a chance because they (the Huskers) committed to the run," said Harrison. "We are the opposite of other teams. When we want to slow down our offense, we throw the ball." Selmon said: "Throwing became a necessity. We felt if we went in behind at halftime, we'd be in trouble. We showed some things we had not done before and caught Nebraska by surprise." IN A NUTSHELL: Mildren summed up the offensive schemes and the defensive prowess of both squads. "Our advantage is speed and Nebraska's is clearly power. Power won," he said. I SULLIVAN TAKES HEISMAN: Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan was awarded the Heisman Trophy, edging out record setting Comell halfback Ed Marinaro for the honor, which was announced Thursday by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York. Oklahoma halfback Greg Pruitt finished third in the voting and will get the chance to prove his talent in comparison to Sullivan's when the Sooners meet Auburn in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. Husker quarterback Jerry Tagge finished seventh in the voting, - Ryly Jane Hambleton and John Mabry WORTH QUOTING KFAB AM play by- play voice Lyell Bremser's call of Johnny Rodgers' 72-yard punt return for a touchdown in the game's opening minutes: "Here's (Joe) Wyle's kick. It's high. It holds up there. Rodgers takes the ball at the 30. He's hit and got away. Back upfield to the 35, to the 401, He's to the 45! He's to the 50! To the 45! To the 40, to the 35! To the 20! To the 10! He's : the way home! Holy moly! Man, woman and child, did that put fem in the aisles! Johnny 'The Jet' Rodgers just tore fem loose from their shoes? ABOUT THIS SECTION The stories in this section are new accounts of Nebraska's 35-31 victoty against Oklahoma on Nov. 25, 1971. The Husker Extra writers watched a videotape of ABC's telecast of the game and then wrote about it as if they were in Norman on that Thanksgiving Day. While some of the quotes were taken from the newspaper's original coverage, most were gathered recently to offer a fresher perspective on what is now known as the Game of the Century. Sooners played their hearts out' BY RYLY JANE HAMBLETON Lincoln Journal Star NORMAN, Okla. - The memory of a last-second scoring drive in the first half was fresh in their minds. That's why Oklahoma players thought to the very end Thursday that they could rally. After Nebraska scored with 1:38 left in the game at Owen Field to take a 35-31 lead, the Sooners started from their 19-yard line. Reminiscent of the long pass that set up a first-half score, Jack Mildren lofted a pass to Jon Harrison down the middle of the field, but it was long. Mildren kept for a 4-yard gain, but NU's Larry Jacobson negated that with an 8-yard sack. On fourth down, Jacobson and Rich Glover pressured Mildren and Glover batted the pass to the turf with 1:10 remaining in the game to preserve NU's victory. "There was no panic. We all thought, 'We can do this.' Everybody was calm," said Mildren. "If I hadn't overthrown Jon on the first play, he'd still be running. "After that, it disintegrated for us - that was part Glover, part us." Even in his disappointment, Mildren appreciated the Cornhuskers' decision to run out the clock. "The classy thing was that when Nebraska got the ball back, they didn't try to score. Some teams would try to jack it in and get seven more points," he said. "I took that as a comment of respect from Coach (Bob) Devaney. He isn't a guy to try to run it up." The battle between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation proved to be all it was predicted to be, and then some. The lead changed hands four times. Johnny Rodgers electrified the crowd with a 72-yard punt return to open the scoring. Jeff Kinney slammed through the Oklahoma defense for 174 yards. Mildren ran for 130 and, uncharacteristically, passed for another 137 yards. "Nebraska could do almost anything. Kinney was a sledgehammer, Rodgers was great and Gerry) Tagge scrambled better against us than thought he would," said Mildren. Coach Chuck Fairbanks agreed. "We played it down to the wire and came up short. I'm obviously very disappointed, but I'm not disappointed in my team," he said. "They played their hearts out and came up short. They have no reason to hang their heads, even though they are a very disappointed group of young men. "Tagge, Kinney and Rodgers were great. They have a great offensive line that was difficult for us to handle in the second half." Nebraska rushed for 297 yards and had 65 yards passing, and added 80 yards in returns. Tagge ran for 49 yards on 17 carries, "They didn't do anything unexpected. I think both teams felt they could win with what they had been doing," said sophomore defensive tackle Lucious Selmon. "We had been working on slow-playing the option just like when we went against our option. "Their defense was stronger than our defense. We couldn't stop them. We have a showtime offense, a very high-powered offense. But they did a good job stopping our running game." That's why Mildren and Harrison hooked up before halftime to give Oklahoma its first lead of the game. Oklahoma picked up a first down with 27 seconds left in the half on runs of 5 yards by Mildren and 6 by Joe Wylie. Then Harrison made an adjustment to come back for a 43-yard pass from Mildren. That set up 1 the 24-yard score with five seconds left in the half. "We've never needed it (the passing g game) before. The first one to Harrison was a great catch," said Mildren. "Jon and I played high school football together, so I knew him. He's kind of shy, but he said he could beat (Bill) Kosch. Then he made a wonderful over-the-shoulder catch for the touchdown.' Kosch is normally a safety for the Cornhuskers, but was assigned to Harrison in a defensive switch for the OU passing game. "On the long completion, I lost the ball. I looked up twice and never could find the ball. I guess the wind held it up," said Kosch. "I lost my helmet on the tackle and was still looking for it when they lined up and threw the touchdown pass. Things went better in the second half.' Both Harrison and Mildren said that with coaches coming down from the press box for halftime, there wasn't an urgency to strike quickly. Barry Switzer, the Sooners' offensive coordinator, said he didn't miss a play. "There's no way I'm leaving when we have a scoring opportunity," said Switzer. "Because of that drive, I really think we missed an opportunity by not throwing the ball more to Jon Harrison. That, and not getting the ball to Greg Pruitt more. We don't usually care who runs with the ball, but we should have gotten it in his hands more." Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@joumalstar.com. REPORT card By John Mabry and Curt McKeever RUNNING GAME 4 touchdowns) was : a horse, but this Jeff Kinney (174 yards, A grade Fullbacks also Bill goes Olds to a and Maury bulldozing effort Damkroger by the came offensive through line. with some big blocks, none bigger than Damkroger's hit on OU linebacker Mark Driscoll ( on Kinney's game winning score. PASSING GAME It worked when quarterback Jerry Tagge and the Comhuskers B needed catches, it most. especially Johnny during the Rodgers final made drive, a when couple he of key pulled a third down throw off the turf to keep the march moving. AGAINST THE RUN All-American center Tom Brahaney was the matador, and B had middle 22 guard tackles Rich as the Glover was Comhuskers the bull. held The Greg bull Pruitt won. to Glover 53 yards. Linebacker Bob Terrio (17 tackles) also came up with big plays. The wishbone gave the Comhuskers fits on some an 80-yard, second quarter TD drive that didn't include one passing attempt. But that drive aside, NU held up well against OU's ground game. AGAINST THE PASS All-conference safety Bill Kosch said he' hadn't played man C heat coverage on the since coaching junior high, staff for so I this guess one. we have Regardless to put of the who was responsible, the defensive switch didn't work. Sooner split end Jon Harrison burned the Comhuskers at key times, including touchdown catches in the second and fourth quarters. SPECIAL TEAMS Although it didn't seem as significant at the end of this A sure thriller, to go Rodgers' down as 72-yard one of punt the return greatest in the plays first in NU quarter history. is Rodgers also helped the coverage units shut down OU's return game. How about the hands of center Doug Jamail on that squib kick in the second quarter? PLAY-CALLING Nothing fancy to finish the job Kinney left, right, left, left. A Glad time, to and see the the plan Comhuskers helped eat didn't some try clock. to get Nifty cute play at fake crunch produced a 12-yard completion to Rodgers that was key to NU's second TD. GAME MANAGEMENT/PENALTIES After the game, NU Coach Bob Devaney said he regretted the B more decision man to mess coverage. with We the didn't Comhuskers' understand base the defense decision to to get let Rich Sanger try a 56-yard field goal in the second quarter - it wasn't close - but with OU getting the ball at its own 20. and fumbling a few plays later, the damage tumed out to be minimal. The Comhuskers didn't waste any timeouts, and penalties were not a problem. OVERALL For sheer drama, this one gets an A+. It will be interesting to B see now. what Wouldn't college it be football something historians if it really think is of it 30 remembered years from as the Game of the Century? You'd get no argument here. 8 statistical B BREAKDOWN INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FIRST QUARTER NU 7, OKLAHOMA O Johnny Rodgers 72 punt return a Time left: 11:28. Conversion: Rich Sanger kick. NU 7, OKLAHOMA 3 John Carroll 30 field goal a Other Time key left: plays: 5:57. Greg Pruitt Drive: 17 72 run, yards Jack in Mildren 12 4 plays. run to OU 45 on 3 Jon Harrison 32 pass from Mildren to NU 21 on 3rd-and-8. NU 14, OKLAHOMA 3 Jeff Kinney 1 run I Time left: 11:08. Drive: 54 yards in 12 plays. Set up by Jim Anderson recovery of Greg Pruitt fumble Other key plays: Bill Olds 6 run, Jerry Tagge 3 run, Tagge 2 run to OU 43 on 3rd-and-1, Kinney 6 run, Olds 6 I run to OU 31 on 3rd and-4, Johnny Rodgers 12 pass from Tagge, Tagge 5 run, Kinney 2 run, Tagge 7 run to OU 5 on 3rd and-3, Kinney 4 run. I Conversion: Rich Sanger kick. NU 14, OKLAHOMA 10 Jack Mildren 2 run Time left: 5:10. Drive: 80 yards in 13 plays. 1 Other key plays: Leon Crosswhite 24 run, Mildren 7 run to NU 44 on 3rd-and-5, Crosswhite 5 run, Mildren 12 run to NU 25 on Mildren 10 run. a Conversion: John Carroll kick. OKLAHOMA 17, NU 14 Jon Harrison 24 pass from Jack Mildren Time left: 0:05. I Drive: 78 yards in 4 plays. 1 Other key plays: Mildren 5 run, Joe Wylie 6 run, Jon Harrison 43 pass from Mildren. I Conversion: John Carroll kick. THIRD QUARTER NU 21, OKLAHOMA 17 Jeff Kinney 3 run Time left: 8:54. Drive: 53 yards in 6 plays. Set up by Dave Mason recovery of Jack Mildren fumble. Other key plays: Kinney 6, 5 runs, Jerry Tagge 3 run, Bill Olds 4 run, Tagge 33 run to OU 3 on 3rd and 3. a Conversion: Rich Sanger kick. NU 28, OKLAHOMA 17 Jeff Kinney 1 run Time left: 3:38. I Drive: 61 yards in 8 plays. Other key plays: Maury Damkroger 5 run, Kinney 5, 15 runs, Johnny Rodgers 20 pass from Jerry Tagge, Tagge 5 run, Rodgers 10 pass from Tagge to OU 01 on 3rd and 5. Conversion: Rich Sanger kick. NU 28, OKLAHOMA 24 Jack Mildren 3 run Time left: 0:28. I Drive: 73 yards in 7 plays. Other key plays: Mildren 6 run, Albert Chandler 51 pass from Jon Harrison to NU 16 on 3rd and-4, Mildren 8, 5 runs. a Conversion: John Carroll kick. FOURTH QUARTER OKLAHOMA 31, NU 28 Jon Harrison 16 pass from Jack Mildren Time left: 7:10. I Drive: 69 yards in 12 plays. Set up by Lucious Selmon recovery of Jerry Tagge fumble 1 Other key plays: Mildren 9, 5 runs, Tim Welch 4 run, Greg Pruitt 18 run, Mildren 2 run, Welch 2, 4 runs, Mildren 4 run to NU 21 on 4th and 2. I Conversion: John Carroll kick. NU 35, OKLAHOMA 31 Jeff Kinney 2 run Time left: 1:38. Drive: 74 yards in 12 plays. Other key plays: Johnny Rodgers 4 run, Kinney 5 run, Kinney 17 run to OU 48 on 3rd and-1, Gary Dixon 2 run, Johnny Rodgers 11 pass from Tagge to OU 35 on 3rd and8, Kinney 13 run, Rodgers 7 run, Kinney 7, 2, 4 runs. Conversion: Rich Sanger kick. NEBRASKA RUSHING Player No. Yds Avg, Lg Jeff Kinney............ 31 174 5.6 6 23 Jerry Tagge .... 17 49 2.9 33 Johnny Rodger...... 4 27 6.8 15 Maury Damkroger... 3 23 7.7 10 Bill Olds................ 4 22 5.5 6 Gary 2 2.0 2 PASSING Player CAl Yds Jerry Johnny Tagge Rodgers... 6120 0-10 65 0 98° RECEIVING Player No. Yds Avg, Johnny Rodgers... 5 61 12.2 Jeff Kinney.......... 4 4.0 4 TACKLES Player UT AT TT Rich Glover 3 19 22 Bob 4 13 17 Lany Jacobson 2 12 14 Joe Blahak 5 8 13 Jim Branch John Adkin.................. 8 Dave Mason............. Bill Jim Anderson .............. 3 0 Bill Kosch 0 Willie Han Pat 0 2 2 FUMBLE RETURNS Player No. Yds Rich Glover Dave Mason............... Jim Anderson PUNTING Player No. Yds Avg. Jeff Hughes....... 5 182 36.4 PUNT RETURNS Johnny Player Rodgers... No. 2 Yds 80 40.0 Avg, ½ KICKOFF RETURNS Jeff Player Kinney.......... No. Yds 30 15.0 Avg, bE Doug Jamail ...... HUN 1 0.5 25 2 Johnny Rodgers... 25.25.0 TEAM STATISTICS NU FIRST DOWNS... Rushing, Passing...................... TOTAL OFFENSE. 362 467 Total plays 72 77 Average per play. 5.1 6.1 RUSHING YARDS. 297 279 60 64 Yards gained 314 299 Yards lost ..... 17 20 Average per rush 5.0 Touchdowns. PASSING YARDS. 65 188 Attempts completions... ......... 613 611 Had Touchdowns. Average per 5.0 17.1 OKLAHOMA RUSHING TD Player No. Yds 29 4 Jack Mildren. ........... 31 130 0 Greg 10 53 999898 89 0 Leon Crosswhite .... 12. 59 81 Tim Welch 8 26 0 Joe 3 11 00.00 0 PASSING Player CAL Yds Lg Jack Mildren........ 5-100 137 son Harrison ........ 1-1-0 51 51 RECEIVING Player No. Yds Avg. TD Jon Harrison ........ 4 115 28.8 Albert Chandler.... 2 73 36.5 51 TACKLES Player UT AT TT Sack Mark Driscoll 5 6 11. 00 Steve 2 9 11 00 Lucious Selmon ............. 1 9 10 18 Kenith Pope. 6 3 9 00 Derland Moore ............... 1 5 6 Albert 5 Bruce 00 Steve 0'Shaughnessy 3 4 1-12 Raymond Hamilton.......... 00 Larry Roach. ................... 00 Lionell Day 0 3 3 Danny Mullen ................ 00 Jon John Shelley, FUMBLE RETURNS Player No. Yds Lucious Selmon ........... 0 PUNTING Player No. Yds Avg. 48 Joe Wylie PUNT 3 RETURNS 107 35.7 Player No. Yds Avg. Joe 7 7.0 KICKOFF RETURNS Player No. Yds Avg. Joe Wylie 1 16 16.0 16 pooo Greg Leon Steve Dodd. Crosswhite Pruitt.......... ......... 9 7.0 2.0 9.0 N Average per completion...... 10.8 31.3 PUNTING AVG. ............... 36.4 35.7 Punts yards. 5182 3107 Had blocked 0 0 PUNT RETURN AVG. 40.0 7.0 280 1-7 Touchdowns ............. KICKOFF RETURN AVG.......... 11.2 8.5 Retums yards. 556 434 Touchdowns. FUMBLES LOST. 11 53 TOTAL TURNOVERS 3 3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS.... 916 815 Percentage converted ........ .563 4TH DOWN CONVERSIONS. 00 Percentage converted ........ .000 667 PENALTIES YARDS 15 SACKS BY-YARDS LOST......... 220 16 TD TD NO TD Sack 00 00 16 00 00 00 00 TD ½ TD TD 00
