ColoSpgsHusker
A.K.A: Jon Alexander
Hometown: Bloomfield, Nebraska
Current Occupation: Retired Air Force F-15 Pilot, currently aerospace engineer at the Joint National Test Facility (Ballistic Missile Defense Organization)
Current Residence: Colorad Springs, Colorado
Age: older than most other HC posters
E-mail: [email protected]
A little history for you more junior Husker fans in terms of favorite Huskers/moments:
MY Dad took me to my first Husker game in 1951, got to see Bobby Reynolds play but that was the year after his great '50 season and injuries had taken their toll. Student at NU '59-'64, was there during the start of the "Golden Years" in '62 when Devaney took over as head coach.
1959 - Was at the win over OU (25-21) that spoiled OU's 74 game conference unbeaten string, helped tear the south goal post down.
1962 - Saw NU beat OU 29-20 the day after Kennedy was shot, ther was consideration of not playing the game but the decision was made to go ahead.
1962 - Watched the Gotham Bowl (played in New York City) on TV from the frat house, 15 degrees at the game and about 15 fans in the seats, NU beats George Mira and Miami 36 - 34.
1963 - At the NU/KU game in Lincoln when Gale Sayers made his 99 yard TD run down the west side line (wasn't a great moment for NU but got to see one of the "Great Ones" that day). NU won 23 - 9.
1964 Orange Bowl and Dennis Claridge's 68 yard run for a TD on NU's second offensive play of the game. NU beats Aubun 13 - 7.
Favorite players from this era: Pat Fischer, Bob Brown, Dennis Claridge, Ken McCloughan, the first NU "Thunder" -- Bob "Thunder" Thornton, a bruising workhorse fullback for Devaney, Larry Kramer, Monte Kiffen, Lloyd Voss, Ron McDole, little "Franky" Solich in '63 and many others, lots of NFL talent from thos years.
Other favorite memories: Obviously the '71 Game of the Century and pride in the fact that Big 8 teams NU/OU/CU ended up ranked 1/2/3 that year. NU no losses, OU lost to NU< and CU lost to NU and OU.
1971 Orange Bowl - Jerry Tagge's 1 yeard sneak over the top of the line for a TD in a 17 - 12 win over LSU and AP #1 ranking (TU was #1 in the UPI that year).
Players from that era: Jerry Tagge, J. Rodgers of course, Jeff Kiinney, Glover, Jacobsen, many others.
then came the '83 Offensive Explosion with Gill/Fryar/Rozier, Dave Rimington and his quickness off the ball after snapping it to the QB, he would be into the defensive line before they had started to move towards the neutral zone.
Finally, (bet you wondered it would ever get here) the '95 Orange Bowl and the '96 Fiesta Bowl -- Frazier, Schlesinger, Berringer, et al! and Scott Frost's gutty determination and hard nosed playing all season and the win over Tenn. in the 98 Orange Bowl.
Many more memories from the last 40 years but just wanted to share a few with you more junior Husker fans that you may not be aware of. We are all in this together.
What does Husker football mean to me? PRIDE, in my home state, my undergraduate university, and in a job well done by coaches, players, and the best college football fans in the world!! GBR!!