Nebraska Cornhuskers football

Nebraska Cornhuskers: A Legacy of Glory in College Football

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represents the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the Big Ten Conference, competing as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision since 1923. The team has won forty-six conference championships and five national championships (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, and 1997), along with seven other national titles. Nebraska is among the most storied programs in college football history, having played its home games at Memorial Stadium since 1923, sold out every game at the venue since 1962.

Early Success and Legendary Coaches

The program’s first extended period of success came after the turn of the twentieth century, with five undefeated seasons between 1900 and 1916. Bob Devaney won two national championships and eight conference titles in eleven seasons as head coach, and Tom Osborne was named his successor in 1973 and established himself as one of the best coaches in college football history.

Thirty-One Head Coaches and Countless Achievements

Nebraska has had thirty-one head coaches, with seven being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The program’s all-time leader, Tom Osborne, is also its all-time leader in most major categories, having won five national titles and thirteen conference championships. Nebraska has had seven unclaimed national championships awarded by NCAA-designated major selectors.

Memorial Stadium: A Home of Tradition

The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium since 1923, which also goes by the nickname ‘The Sea of Red.’ The stadium holds an NCAA-record 403-game sellout streak dating back to 1962 and can accommodate over 85,000 fans, making it one of the largest in Nebraska. Three statues stand outside the stadium, including ones of Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne, and another depicting six defenders tackling a ball carrier.

The Tunnel Walk Tradition

Nebraska’s home games start with the ‘Tunnel Walk’ tradition, where the team emerges from a designated area before kickoff, accompanied by music and chants from the crowd. Fans also release red helium balloons when Nebraska scores its first points at home games.

A Rich Uniform History

The school has an extensive walk-on program, which began in the early 1960s and has produced six All-Americans and twenty-nine NFL players. The program was formalized under Tom Osborne’s leadership and continues to be a part of the team’s identity.

Uniform Changes Over the Years

The Cornhuskers’ uniform history includes changes to helmets and jerseys over the years, with the current design featuring a single ‘N’ on the side of the helmet and block letters on the sleeves. Stripes and TV numbers were re-added on jerseys in 1984. Player last names first appeared on road game jerseys in the late 1970s but not home games until 1988. The ‘Blackshirts’ tradition originated in 1964 with black jerseys worn by starting defensive players.

Notable Rivalries and Achievements

Nebraska traditionally wears white pants at home and red on the road, with rare exceptions. Pants had two stripes down each side from 1968-1994, then were removed until 2001 when they returned briefly before being taken off again during Scott Frost’s tenure as head coach.

Alternate Uniforms and Sponsorship

Alternate uniforms have been worn since 1920, including blue-trimmed jerseys to commemorate Memorial Stadium’s hundredth anniversary in 2023. Nebraska used a pre-planned alternate design starting in 2009 and has one each season since 2012, often commemorating past events or championships.

Adidas Sponsorship

Nebraska and Wisconsin played the first Adidas Unrivaled game in 2012, and Nebraska wore Blackshirt-themed alternate uniforms in 2019 and again in 2020. Adidas has been Nebraska’s official sponsor since 1996, with a $128 million apparel deal signed in 2017.

Notable Rivalries

The Cornhuskers have a rich history of rivalries, including Colorado (50-21-2), Iowa (The Heroes Game: Nebraska leads 30-22-3), Kansas (91-23-3), Kansas State (78-15-2), and Miami (FL) (Tied series). The team also leads the nation in Academic All-America selections, with seventy CoSIDA First-Team and 108 overall selections.

Former Players and Draft Picks

The school has had 368 former players drafted into the NFL, including thirty-four first-round picks, two players selected first overall, and one player selected with the last pick of the draft. Former Nebraska players include Guy Chamberlin, Roger Craig, Vince Ferragamo, and Zac Taylor.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

There are nineteen Huskers on NFL rosters, along with three coaches. Five former Nebraska players have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Big Ten Conference added four new member schools prior to the 2024 season and disbanded its division system.

From its storied history and legendary coaches to its rich uniform tradition and numerous achievements, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have truly left an indelible mark on college football. As they continue to compete in the Big Ten Conference, their legacy of excellence and dedication to both the game and academic success remains a beacon for aspiring athletes everywhere.