We’ll all stick together in all kinds of weather . . .
For some unknown reason — which continues to puzzle psychoanalysts from Pasadena to Punxsutawney — memories of what type of weather greeted Cornhusker players and fans on game days stick in my brain like frozen rain to your windshield.
As our incredible autumn weather of 2023 met a slight bump in the road in late October, I took time to reflect on the last time I experienced days and nights this gorgeous during October and November.
It was 1975.
However, that year I resided on the right-hand side of Nebraska.
I was a junior in high school and every day — including Cornhusker football Saturdays — offered a spectacular environment.
And yes, some fantastic wins, too.
The Big Red won their first ten games of the 1975 season before falling to Oklahoma, 35-10, on November 22. Ironically, that was also the first cold Saturday during that fall of 41 years ago.
Football games and the weather that accompany them are like peanut butter and jelly. You can’t have one without the other.
So, here are 11 Husker football games from years gone by that I remember vividly – in large part, due to the weather.
October 17, 1970. Nebraska at Kansas. Both eastern Nebraska and northeast Kansas were bathed in sunshine on a 70-degree and windless afternoon as NU beat the Jayhawks in Lawrence, 41-20. I enjoyed the thrills via Lyell Bremser on my portable radio. Husker split end Guy Ingalls caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Van Brownson to break the game open for NU.
October 16, 1971. Kansas at Nebraska. It had rained the night prior to the contest, so the air was a bit humid but warm at game time. Nebraska clobbered the Jayhawks, 55-0. Homecoming halftime activities included an appearance by Johnny Carson, NU Class of 1949.
November 6, 1971. Iowa State at Nebraska. It was chilly, crisp and sunny. Johnny Rodgers hopped and skipped his way to a touchdown on a 62-yard punt return. Lyell Bremser invited Bob Hope to guest announce a portion of the game. Hope was in Lincoln to offer a comedy show at the nearby Coliseum that night.
November 18, 1972. Kansas State at Nebraska. Giant snowflakes joined the Memorial Stadium crowd as Johnny Rodgers returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown. Bob Devaney recorded his 100th victory as NU’s head coach as the Huskers downed the Wildcats, 59-7.
October 5, 1974. Minnesota at Nebraska. It was the fourth time in my young life I had attended a game at Memorial Stadium. A light rain fell throughout the afternoon. The Husker drowned the Golden Gophers, 54-0.
September 13, 1975. LSU at Nebraska. It was a hot, sunny day as NU edged the Bayou Bengals, 10-7. Lots of guys went shirtless and the girls donned short-shorts. I, of course, kept my eyes on the action that was taking place 75 rows below me on the Memorial Stadium turf, even though scantily clad co-eds pranced up and down the nearby aisle – or so I was told.
November 26, 1976. Oklahoma at Nebraska. It was the coldest, most bitter weather in which I have ever watched an athletic event. Grey skies, snow flurries and a 30-mph north wind punched us in the face. The Sooners nipped the Huskers, 20-17, by scoring a touchdown with 38 seconds left in the game set up by two trick plays.
November 3, 1990. Colorado at Nebraska. Sheets of rain drenched Memorial Stadium. The game started in darkened light caused by thick rain clouds and ended after an assumed sunset gave way to portable lights that created an incredible glow on the soaked field. Colorado came from behind to whip NU, 27-12. I watched the game on TV in the warm and cozy confines of Bob and Noreen Placek’s home in the 400 block of Platte Avenue. Washington, DC resident-to-be little Robbie slept through the game.
November 2, 1991. Nebraska at Colorado. A cold front had gripped Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming creating unseasonably frigid temps – which included sub-zero wind chills. The Huskers and Buffs played to a 19-19 tie – the last tie game recorded in Nebraska football history. Colorado fans pelted Husker players with snowballs during a Nebraska field goal attempt which was blocked by CU on the final play of the game. I filled my belly with hot chili soup courtesy of Steve and Patty Nelson, who, at the time, resided in the 1600 block of Countryside Lane.
November 29, 2013. Iowa at Nebraska. The kickoff temperature at 11 AM was 35 degrees. By halftime, my feet felt like two blocks of ice. My wife and youngest daughter left at halftime and watched the second half on TV at the NU student union. My oldest daughter and I stuck it out to the bitter end. And it was a bitter ending: Iowa 38, Nebraska 17.
September 1, 2018. Akron at Nebraska. A hot, humid day greetings football tailgaters outside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
Fans eagerly awaited kickoff and the beginning of the Scott Frost head coaching era at Nebraska.
Kickoff occurred at 6 pm CDT as scheduled. As I watched the ball sail through the air from the north stands, I also noticed lightning flashing in the west. Following the play, an official ran towards his fellow referees waiving his arms over his head.
The game was stopped due to the lightning.
Moments later, the lightning increased and so did the rain.
Minutes later, I was drenched.
Two hours later, we were told to leave the stadium.
I camped out in the Hawks Championship Complex located north of the football stadium. An hour later, a police office told me, my wife, my daughter and her husband that no game would be played, and everyone was sent home.
We’ll all stick together in all kinds of weather here at Memory U.