Waxing Nostalgic: 50 years ago today, #2 Nebraska at #12 Missouri

I know this isn't the 'Big Eight Rant.' But the SEC games that day were rather predictable and went by script. Besides Missouri is in the SEC now and we give them some grief,but they have some pretty good guys here. On a % basis, most are pretty good, some blah and a couple of idiots..just like the other teams' fans....

Nebraska was under first year coach Tom Osborne who was announced prior to the 1972 season that Bob Devaney would retire at the end of the season and Osborne would take over. The original "coach in waiting." Nebraska won the NC in 1970 and 1971 and was heavily favored to 'three peat' but would go 9-2-1. Their offense was explosive though in '72 more so than '71. One of their victims in 1972 was Missouri where the 'Huskers destroyed them 62-0.

But then Missouri and coach Al Onofrio would do something the next week that became a 70's Missouri hallmark. The following week they went to South Bend and upset #8 Notre Dame , 30-26. Missouri was a giant killer with several huge ROAD upsets. Instead of folding their tent like they did in '71, they wound up in the Fiesta Bowl.

Both were unbeaten on this date in 1973 and Nebraska was anywhere from a 17-20 point favorite.But the Missouri fans sensed something as 68,000 crammed 55,000 seat Faurot Field.But,this still was Nebraska.

The Huskers had 21 first downs to Missouri's 7. The Big Red rolled up almost 500 total yards (remember,this is '73) and the Tigers had less than 200 total yards.Final Score: Missouri 13 - Nebraska 12

Nebraska could only muster two field goals as the two had battled to a 6-6 tie midway in the 4th.Nebraska's Randy Borg, a SR who had two picks earlier in the game, mishandled a punt and fumbled at the Nebraska 10. Devaney had always preached to never not catch a punt. He probably should have found out Osborne's opinion. The ball got knocked back to the 4 and two plays later, Missouri was up 13-6 with 2:00 left.

But Nebraska came right back. 4 plays and 78 yards later Dave Humm (great last name for a QB) 'hummed' one for a TD and it was 13-12 with 1:00 left.In a precursor to a similar decision 10 years later,Osborne chose to go for two. Missouri batted a pass down at the goal line and then recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.

Missouri went on to the Sun Bowl and beat Auburn and Nebraska went on to the Cotton Bowl and beat Texas.