History of Nebraska Cornhuskers football in Timeline

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, representing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and competes in the Big Ten Conference. Their home games have been played at Memorial Stadium since 1923, boasting a consecutive sellout streak since 1962, which is a testament to their strong fanbase.

November 29, 1900: First Game: Minnesota Defeats Nebraska

On November 29, 1900, Nebraska and Minnesota played their first game, resulting in a 20–12 victory for the Golden Gophers in Lincoln.

1900: Early Success

In 1900, Nebraska's football program experienced an extended period of success, marking the beginning of their rise in college football.

November 2, 1901: First Meeting: Wisconsin Defeats Nebraska

On November 2, 1901, Nebraska and Wisconsin played their first game, resulting in an 18–0 victory for the Badgers in Milwaukee.

1901: Win Streak

In 1901, Nebraska started a twenty-four-game win streak, showcasing their early dominance in the region.

1904: Win Streak Continued

By 1904, Nebraska was still riding a twenty-four-game win streak, solidifying their reputation as a regional powerhouse.

1907: Founding Members of the MVIAA

In 1907, Nebraska and Missouri were founding members of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA).

1907: MVIAA Founding

In 1907, the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA) was founded, with Nebraska as a member.

1908: Home Games at Antelope Field

Prior to 1908, Nebraska played home games at Antelope Field.

1909: New Stadium Opened

In 1909, Nebraska's new stadium opened at the corner of North 10th and T Street.

1911: Ewald O. "Jumbo" Stiehm Hired

In 1911, Ewald O. "Jumbo" Stiehm was hired as Nebraska's first full-time coach, marking a significant investment in the program's future.

November 23, 1912: First Game: Nebraska Defeats Oklahoma

On November 23, 1912, Nebraska and Oklahoma played their first game, resulting in a 13–9 victory for the Cornhuskers in Lincoln.

1915: Bowl Game Invitation Declined

In 1915, Nebraska was invited to play in the second bowl game ever played, but declined due to the cost of travel to Pasadena.

1915: Retroactive National Championship

In 1915, Nebraska's 8-0 team was retroactively awarded a national championship, recognizing their dominance during that season.

1916: Undefeated Season

By 1916, Nebraska had achieved five undefeated seasons, showcasing their dominance during that era.

1920: Guy Chamberlin Signs with Decatur Staleys

In 1920, Guy Chamberlin, Nebraska's first consensus All-American, signed with the Decatur Staleys (now the Chicago Bears).

1920: Oklahoma Joins the MVIAA

In 1920, Oklahoma joined the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA).

1921: Annual Series Begins

In 1921, Nebraska rejoined the MVIAA, and the annual series between Nebraska and Oklahoma began.

1923: Memorial Stadium Opens

In 1923, Nebraska opened Memorial Stadium with a 24–0 win over Oklahoma.

1923: Home games at Memorial Stadium

In 1923, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team started playing their home games at Memorial Stadium.

1927: Missouri-Nebraska Bell Established

Since 1927, the Missouri–Nebraska Bell (commonly referred to as the Victory Bell) has been awarded to the victor of the Nebraska-Missouri game.

1937: Sam Francis Drafted First Overall

In 1937, Sam Francis was drafted first overall into the National Football League.

1940: Conference Championship Drought

By 1940, Nebraska had won twenty-one MVIAA titles but would later face a twenty-two-season drought without a conference championship after Biff Jones' departure.

1941: First Bowl Game Appearance

In 1941, Nebraska played in its first bowl game, the Rose Bowl, losing to Stanford.

1942: Nebraska Dominance Ends

By 1942, Nebraska's dominance in the series against Oklahoma ended, having lost just three of the first twenty-two meetings.

November 30, 1951: First Meeting: Miami Defeats Nebraska

On November 30, 1951, Nebraska and Miami played their first game, resulting in a 19–7 victory for the Hurricanes in Miami.

1955: Orange Bowl Appearance

In 1955, Nebraska was invited to the Orange Bowl despite its 6-4 record, losing to Duke.

1959: Nebraska Upsets Oklahoma

In 1959, Nebraska upset Oklahoma, ending OU's seventy-four-game conference win streak.

November 3, 1962: NU's NCAA Record Sellout Streak Begins

On November 3, 1962, Missouri defeated Nebraska, marking the first game of Nebraska's NCAA-record sellout streak.

1962: Devaney Hired and Ends Drought

In 1962, Bob Devaney was hired and quickly ended Nebraska's conference championship drought.

1962: Bob Devaney Hired

In 1962, Bob Devaney was hired as head coach, a pivotal moment that transformed Nebraska into a national football powerhouse.

1962: First Bowl Victory

In 1962, Bob Devaney's inaugural season ended with the first bowl victory in program history, a 36-34 win over Miami in the Gotham Bowl.

1962: Memorial Stadium sellout streak begins

Since 1962, every Nebraska Cornhuskers home game at Memorial Stadium has been sold out, marking the beginning of an impressive streak.

1966: First National Championship Game

In 1966, Bob Devaney took Nebraska to its first national championship game against Alabama in the Orange Bowl, though it was not yet an official designation, where they lost 39-28.

1967: No Bowl Game

In 1967, Nebraska did not appear in a bowl game.

1968: No Bowl Game

In 1968, Nebraska did not appear in a bowl game.

1969: Bowl Game Streak Begins

In 1969, Nebraska began a record thirty-five straight bowl game appearances.

1970: National Championship

In 1970, Bob Devaney led Nebraska to win a national championship.

1970: Claimed National Title

In 1970, Nebraska claimed the national title after a strong season and an Orange Bowl win over LSU.

November 25, 1971: "The Game of the Century"

On November 25, 1971, top-ranked Nebraska beat No. 2 Oklahoma 35–31 in Norman in what was known as "The Game of the Century," highlighted by a Johnny Rodgers punt return.

1971: National Championship

In 1971, Bob Devaney led Nebraska to win a second consecutive national championship.

1971: "Game of the Century" Victory

In 1971, Nebraska won "The Game of the Century" against Oklahoma, a highly anticipated matchup viewed by a massive audience and went on to beat Alabama 38-6 in the Orange Bowl to defend its national title. The 1971 team is considered among the best in college football history.

1971: Stan Hegener Drafted Last Overall

In 1971, Stan Hegener was drafted with the last pick into the National Football League.

1973: Osborne Succeeds Devaney

In 1973, Tom Osborne succeeded Bob Devaney and won thirteen conference championships.

1973: Tom Osborne Named Successor

In 1973, Tom Osborne was named Bob Devaney's successor, beginning a legendary coaching career.

1983: Defeat to Miami

In 1983, Nebraska's defeat to Miami is considered one of college football's greatest games.

1984: Irving Fryar Drafted First Overall

In 1984, Irving Fryar was drafted first overall into the National Football League.

1988: Roger Craig Named Offensive Player of the Year

In 1988, former Nebraska I-back Roger Craig was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

1993: NU's Super Bowl Player Streak Begins

From 1993 until 2019, NU was represented by at least one player in each Super Bowl, the longest active streak of any school at the time it was snapped.

1993: Controversial Championship Loss

In 1993, Nebraska experienced a controversial championship game loss.

1994: Osborne Wins First National Championship

In 1994, Tom Osborne finally won his first major-poll national championship, overcoming years of close calls.

1994: First National Championship

In 1994, Tom Osborne won his first major-poll national championship, avenging previous Orange Bowl losses to Miami.

1994: Orange Bowl Victory

In 1994, after a season with a backup quarterback leading most games, Nebraska won the Orange Bowl against Miami, securing Tom Osborne's first consensus title.

1995: Turbulent Season

In 1995, despite a turbulent season, Nebraska defeated three top-ten opponents in a four-week stretch and intercepted Danny Wuerffel three times in a 62-24 domination of Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl.

1995: National Championship win

In 1995, the Nebraska Cornhuskers secured another national championship, further solidifying their reputation.

1996: Big 12 Inception

In 1996, Nebraska joined the Big 12 Conference and played in the North Division.

1996: Teams Placed in Different Divisions

In 1996, the Big Eight and Southwest merged, and Nebraska and Oklahoma were placed in different divisions, ending their annual series for the first time since 1927.

1996: Fiesta Bowl Victory

In January of 1996, Nebraska defeated Florida 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl.

1997: Big 12 Title and National Championship

In 1997, Nebraska won its first Big 12 title and then narrowly passed Michigan in the Coaches poll to claim its third national title in four years, capping off a successful season.

1997: Big 12 Championship

In 1997, Nebraska won the second Big 12 Championship Game, marking Tom Osborne's final season as head coach.

1997: Osborne's Retirement

In 1997, Tom Osborne retired after winning two more national titles, leaving a legacy as one of college football's greatest coaches.

1999: Bob Stoops Hired at Oklahoma

In 1999, Bob Stoops was hired as the head coach at Oklahoma, reviving the program.

2000: Oklahoma Defeats Top-Ranked Nebraska

In 2000, Bob Stoops' Oklahoma team beat top-ranked Nebraska on the way to the national championship.

2002: BCS National Championship Game Appearance

In 2002, Nebraska, led by coach Frank Solich, reached the BCS National Championship Game, marking a significant achievement for the program.

2003: Solich Fired

In 2003, Frank Solich was fired after a disappointing 7-7 season, leading to a coaching change for Nebraska.

2003: Bowl Game Streak Ends

In 2003, Nebraska's record thirty-five straight bowl game appearances came to an end.

2004: Bowl Streak Ends

In 2004, NU's lengthy bowl streak continued through Frank Solich's tenure but ended, marking the end of an era.

2007: Callahan Fired, Pelini Hired

In 2007, Bill Callahan was fired, and Bo Pelini was hired to lead the Nebraska football program.

2010: Nebraska Departs Conference

In 2010, Nebraska departed the conference, leading to the end of an era.

2011: Departure for the Big Ten

In 2011, Nebraska departed the Big 12 for the Big Ten Conference.

2012: Wisconsin Upsets Nebraska in Big Ten Championship

In 2012, Wisconsin upset Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship Game.

2014: Freedom Trophy Established

Since 2014, the Freedom Trophy has been awarded to the winner of the Nebraska-Wisconsin game.

2017: Missed Bowl Game

In 2017, Nebraska missed a bowl game for the first time in ten years, beginning a seven-year stretch without postseason play.

2017: Recognition of Early College Football Hall of Fame Inductees

In 2017, the school recognized eight early College Football Hall of Fame inductees, including Guy Chamberlin, whose career predated the use of numbers on jerseys.