The 1985 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The season opener against Florida State was the last season opening loss until 2015.
Schedule
[1]
Date |
Time |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
September 7 |
2:30 PM |
#17 Florida State* |
#10 |
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE |
ABC |
L 13–17 |
75,943 |
September 21 |
1:30 PM |
Illinois* |
#18 |
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE |
|
W 52–25 |
76,149 |
September 28 |
1:30 PM |
Oregon* |
#16 |
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE |
|
W 63–0 |
75,947 |
October 5 |
1:30 PM |
New Mexico* |
#13 |
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE |
|
W 38–7 |
75,902 |
October 12 |
6:45 PM |
at #5 Oklahoma State |
#9 |
Lewis Field • Stillwater, OK |
ESPN |
W 34–24 |
50,400 |
October 19 |
11:30 AM |
at Missouri |
#7 |
Faurot Field • Columbia, MO |
Raycom |
W 28–20 |
62,733 |
October 26 |
2:30 PM |
Colorado |
#5 |
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE |
ABC |
W 17–7 |
76,014 |
November 2 |
1:30 PM |
at Kansas State |
#5 |
KSU Stadium • Manhattan, KS |
|
W 41–3 |
41,200 |
November 9 |
1:30 PM |
Iowa State |
#3 |
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE |
|
W 49–0 |
75,920 |
November 16 |
1:30 PM |
Kansas |
#2 |
Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE |
|
W 56–6 |
75,863 |
November 23 |
2:30 PM |
at #5 Oklahoma |
#2 |
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, OK |
ABC |
L 7–27 |
75,554 |
January 1 |
12:30 PM |
vs. #5 Michigan* |
#7 |
Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, AZ (Fiesta Bowl) |
NBC |
L 23–27 |
72,454 |
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Roster and coaching staff
1985 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team roster |
Players |
Coaches |
Offense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class |
OG |
|
Dan Bailey |
So |
TE |
87 |
Tom Banderas |
So |
WB |
|
Vance Behrens |
So |
QB |
12 |
Clete Blakeman |
So |
OG |
70 |
Brian Blankenship |
Sr |
WB |
33 |
Dana Brinson |
Fr |
OG |
58 |
Dave Bryan |
Jr |
OT |
73 |
Todd Carpenter |
Jr |
FB |
24 |
Dan Casterline |
Jr |
QB |
7 |
McCathorn Clayton |
So |
C |
54 |
Mark Cooper |
Jr |
TE |
|
Mark Diaz |
Jr |
OT |
59 |
Jim Dittmer |
Sr |
IB |
22 |
Doug DuBose |
Jr |
OT |
77 |
Jim Ernest |
RFr |
TE |
80 |
Todd Frain |
Sr |
OG |
67 |
Ron Galois |
Jr |
SE |
86 |
Jason Gamble |
So |
WB |
|
Pernell Gatson |
Jr |
OT |
|
Derrick Green |
So |
TE |
|
Mike Hall |
So |
QB |
86 |
Hendley Hawkins |
So |
FB |
36 |
Mike Hedlund |
So |
FB |
48 |
Micah Heibel |
So |
OG |
75 |
Mike Hoefler |
Jr |
WB |
|
Jim Holscher |
So |
OT |
64 |
Brad Johnson |
Jr |
IB |
6 |
Keith Jones |
So |
FB |
49 |
Ken Kaelin |
Jr |
IB |
40 |
Jon Kelley |
So |
SE |
|
Jeff Krantz |
|
C |
68 |
Bill Lewis |
Sr |
OT |
57 |
Keven Lightner |
So |
WB |
23 |
Roger Lindstrom |
Sr |
OT |
77 |
Bill Macias |
So |
OT |
72 |
Rob Maggard |
Jr |
OG |
61 |
John McCormick |
So |
IB |
21 |
Paul Miles |
Sr |
TE |
43 |
Todd Millikan |
Fr |
QB |
16 |
Jerry Mlinar |
Jr |
TE |
90 |
Brian Moore |
Sr |
WB |
8 |
Ray Nelson |
Jr |
C |
63 |
John Nichols |
So |
C |
56 |
Jack Noel |
Sr |
SE |
|
Mike Otte |
|
OG |
74 |
Stan Parker |
Jr |
FB |
26 |
Tom Rathman |
Sr |
OT |
65 |
Tim Roth |
Sr |
OT |
78 |
Tim Rother |
So |
OG |
62 |
Jim Schaaf |
So |
SE |
85 |
Robb Schnitzler |
Jr |
C |
53 |
Jeff Sellentin |
Jr |
WB |
2 |
Von Sheppard |
So |
SE |
88 |
Rod Smith |
So |
QB |
10 |
Jeff Taylor |
So |
QB |
11 |
Steve Taylor |
Fr |
QB |
14 |
Travis Turner |
Sr |
OT |
69 |
Tom Welter |
Jr |
|
Defense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class |
CB |
42 |
Mike Carl |
Jr |
S |
45 |
Chris Carr |
Jr |
CB |
28 |
John Custard |
So |
LB |
46 |
Chad Daffer |
Sr |
CB |
32 |
Brian Davis |
Jr |
LB |
48 |
LeRoy Etienne |
Fr |
LB |
38 |
Steve Forch |
Jr |
DE |
|
Paul Gangwish |
Sr |
DT |
52 |
Danny Groskurth |
So |
LB |
39 |
Blake Henning |
So |
S |
15 |
Scott Hill |
So |
LB |
91 |
Tony Holloway |
Jr |
DE |
55 |
Jeff Jamrog |
So |
DT |
98 |
Lee Jones |
So |
LB |
44 |
Mike Knox |
Sr |
CB |
17 |
Cleo Miller |
Jr |
LB |
41 |
Marc Munford |
Jr |
MG |
95 |
Danny Noonan |
Jr |
DE |
|
Harlan Opie |
So |
CB |
9 |
Woody Paige |
Sr |
DT |
97 |
Tony Palmer |
So |
LB |
35 |
Kevin Parsons |
Jr |
CB |
18 |
Brian Pokorny |
Sr |
MG |
34 |
Todd Proffitt |
Sr |
DE |
84 |
Gregg Reeves |
Sr |
DT |
93 |
Rod Reynolds |
Sr |
MG |
66 |
Phil Rogers |
Sr |
CB |
3 |
Gary Schneider |
Jr |
LB |
51 |
Pat Shaw |
Jr |
LB |
99 |
Ken Shead |
Sr |
S |
19 |
Bryan Siebler |
Jr |
DT |
96 |
Jim Skow |
Sr |
DE |
81 |
Brad Smith |
Sr |
DT |
92 |
Neil Smith |
So |
DT |
76 |
Chris Spachman |
Jr |
S |
|
Matt Strasburger |
Jr |
S |
29 |
Dan Thayer |
Jr |
DE |
82 |
Broderick Thomas |
Fr |
DE |
89 |
Scott Tucker |
Sr |
DE |
83 |
Brad Tyrer |
Jr |
CB |
27 |
Dennis Watkins |
Sr |
LB |
37 |
Doug Welniak |
So |
|
Special teams
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Charlie McBride
5th season as DC/LB coach
9th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Colorado
- Cletus Fischer
OL coach
26th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Nebraska
- John Melton
13th season as TE/WB coach
24th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Wyoming
- Boyd Epley
17th season as S&C coach
17th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Nebraska
- George Darlington
DB coach
13th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Rutgers
- Milt Tenopir
12th season as OL coach
12th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Sterling
- Gene Huey
9th season as WR coach
9th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Wyoming
- Frank Solich
3rd season as RB coach
7th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Nebraska
- Jack Pierce
7th year at Nebraska
- Bob Thornton
5th season as Sec coach
5th year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Nebraska
- Dan Young
3rd season as OL/K coach
3rd year at Nebraska
Alma mater: Reed
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- Injured
- Redshirt
Roster
Last update: 2011-01-17
|
Game notes
Florida State
#17 Florida State at #10 Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• #17 Florida State |
7 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
#10 Nebraska |
7 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
Both teams started out evenly with a 7-7 tie after the first quarter, but Florida State led the Cornhuskers by 4 at the half and no one scored during the rest of this scorcher, as the mercury in Lincoln reached 93°F (and 133°F on the field). This was the last season opener Nebraska would lose until 2015.
Illinois
Illinois at #18 Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Illinois |
0 |
10 |
0 |
15 |
25 |
• #18 Nebraska |
14 |
10 |
21 |
7 |
52 |
|
Although Illinois started out behind 0-17, they came within 7 points of a tie before Nebraska ran away, as the Cornhuskers at one point scored 28 straight in a game whose outcome never was seriously in doubt.
Oregon
Oregon at #16 Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Oregon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
• #16 Nebraska |
14 |
28 |
14 |
7 |
63 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
6:08
|
NEB |
Rathman 1-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 7-0 |
|
1 |
1:04
|
NEB |
Kaelin 3-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 14-0 |
|
2 |
7:32
|
NEB |
Turner 1-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 21-0 |
|
2 |
6:28
|
NEB |
Miles 46-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 28-0 |
|
2 |
3:17
|
NEB |
Jones 25-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 35-0 |
|
2 |
0:41
|
NEB |
Miles 1-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 42-0 |
|
3 |
10:58
|
NEB |
Sheppard 8-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 49-0 |
|
3 |
4:15
|
NEB |
Sheppard 27-yard run (Klein kick) |
NEB 56-0 |
|
4 |
9:54
|
NEB |
Casterline 4-yard run (Cheloha kick) |
NEB 63-0 |
|
Oregon was rendered helpess in Lincoln as Nebraska punched in four touchdowns late in the 2nd quarter and rolled to a 63-0 shutout in Lincoln. The Ducks only crossed the center of the field twice and were unable to scrape up even 1/3 of the total time of possession.
New Mexico
New Mexico at #13 Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
New Mexico |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
• #13 Nebraska |
7 |
7 |
10 |
14 |
38 |
|
Nebraska closed out the non-conference season against a New Mexico team that was not intimidated in Lincoln. The Lobos scored first and acquired 379 total yards of offense while winning the time of possession battle, but could not turn those accomplishments into scores as they also allowed nine sacks, four interceptions and lost a fumble.
Oklahoma State
#9 Nebraska at #5 Oklahoma State [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• #9 Nebraska |
0 |
17 |
3 |
14 |
34 |
#5 Oklahoma State |
0 |
3 |
14 |
7 |
24 |
|
Nebraska pulled off the upset of Oklahoma State in Stillwater, as The Cowboys' passing attack was no match for the Cornhuskers' rushing attack when it was hampered by OSU's two lost fumbles and two thrown interceptions. Nebraska continued their unbeaten streak over Oklahoma State that began in 1961.
Missouri
#7 Nebraska at Missouri [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• #7 Nebraska |
6 |
9 |
3 |
10 |
28 |
Missouri |
7 |
0 |
6 |
7 |
20 |
|
21 of Nebraska's 28 points came off of the foot of PK Dale Klein, who not only tied the NCAA record of seven field goals in a game, but also became the first player to make seven straight in a game while also running his Nebraska field goal record streak up to nine.
Colorado
Colorado at #5 Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Colorado |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
• #5 Nebraska |
0 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
17 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
10:49
|
COL |
Craig Keenan 2-yard run (Larry Eckel kick) |
COL 7-0 |
|
2 |
9:21
|
NEB |
Doug DuBose 1-yard run (Dale Klein kick) |
Tied 7-7 |
|
3 |
14:37
|
NEB |
Tom Rathman 84-yard run (Dale Klein kick) |
NEB 14-7 |
|
4 |
5:26
|
NEB |
Dale Klein 32-yard field goal |
NEB 17-7 |
|
Colorado, playing without its 1st and 2nd string quarterbacks, still managed to hold Nebraska to a 7-7 halftime tie before a long touchdown run at the end of the 3rd quarter allowed the Cornhuskers to pull away.
Kansas State
#5 Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• #5 Nebraska |
7 |
17 |
3 |
14 |
41 |
Kansas State |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Kansas State managed to prevent any single Nebraska runner from exceeding 100 yards, and even though Nebraska only completed six passes, it made no difference as the Wildcats were held to just a 1st-quarter field goal while the Cornhuskers had little trouble putting up 41 points. Nebraska PK Dale Klein set a Nebraska and personal record when he kicked a 50-yard field goal, his 12th of the season.
Iowa State
Iowa State at #3 Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Iowa State |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
• #3 Nebraska |
7 |
14 |
21 |
7 |
49 |
|
The #3 Cornhuskers romped in Lincoln as the Blackshirts extended their touchdown prevention streak to 11 quarters. Nebraska IB Doug DuBose entered record territory, becoming the 10th Nebraska player to post 2,000 yards, became the third (after Jarvis Redwine and Mike Rozier) to have two 1,000 yard seasons, and was the first Cornhusker to do so before their senior season.
Kansas
Kansas at #2 Nebraska [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Kansas |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
• #2 Nebraska |
10 |
28 |
11 |
7 |
56 |
|
Despite a 0-6 turnover margin deficit, #2 Nebraska rolled the Kansas Jayhawks up in a 56-6 drubbing that saw the Cornhusker defense extend their touchdown-free series to 15 quarters. Without the five lost fumbles and one interception given up by Nebraska, the blowout of Kansas would have been far worse.
Oklahoma
#2 Nebraska at #5 Oklahoma [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
#2 Nebraska |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
• #5 Oklahoma |
14 |
3 |
10 |
0 |
27 |
|
Oklahoma completely shut down Nebraska's offensive machine, as the Cornhuskers' only score came on a 76-yard fumble return for a touchdown with just 26 seconds left to play, very narrowly avoiding what would have been Nebraska's first shutout in 147 games. There were only 19 total passes and 5 completions in the entire game, and although Nebraska had not previously allowed more than 157 ground yards this season, the vaunted Oklahoma wishbone attack netted the Sooners 423 yards.
Michigan
#7 Nebraska vs #5 Michigan [box score]
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
#7 Nebraska |
0 |
14 |
0 |
9 |
23 |
• #5 Michigan |
3 |
0 |
24 |
0 |
27 |
|
Although Nebraska led 14-3 going into halftime, turnover-free Michigan cashed in on each of several Cornhusker mistakes in the third quarter to run off 24 points and pull away, handing Nebraska its second consecutive defeat to a #5 team.
Rankings
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
Ranking Movement
Poll |
Pre |
Wk 1 |
Wk 2 |
Wk 3 |
Wk 4 |
Wk 5 |
Wk 6 |
Wk 7 |
Wk 8 |
Wk 9 |
Wk 10 |
Wk 11 |
Wk 12 |
Wk 13 |
Wk 14 |
Wk 15 |
Final |
AP |
9 |
10 |
18 |
18 |
16 |
13 |
9 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
11 |
Coaches |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
After the season
Awards
[3]
Award |
Name(s) |
All-America 1st team |
Bill Lewis, Jim Skow |
All-America 2nd team |
Doug DuBose |
All-America 3rd team |
Tom Rathman |
All-America honorable mention |
Tim Roth, Brian Blankenship |
All-Big 8 1st team |
Brian Blankenship, Bill Lewis, Doug DuBose, Tom Rathman, Dale Klein, Jim Skow |
All-Big 8 2nd team |
Danny Noonan, Brian Washington, Tim Roth, Dan Wingard, Chris Spachman, Marc Munford |
NFL and pro players
The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1985 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.[4]
References
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|
Venues |
|
Bowls & rivalries |
|
Culture & lore |
|
People |
|
Seasons |
|
National championship seasons in bold
|
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Eugene Register-Guard. 1985 Sept 29.
- ↑ 1985 Husker Honors
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.