Before they were the Nebraska Cornhuskers or even the Bugeaters, they were the Old Gold Knights. Nebraska played its first game in 1890 against the Omaha YMCA. Its first coach, Dr. Langdon Frothingham, was hired because he brought a football with him when he moved from Harvard to Nebraska. Coach was primarily hired to teach physiology, agriculture and bacteriology.
Apparently Nebraska has always traveled well. For its first game, 500 students made the 55-mile journey to Omaha to watch the game on Thanksgiving Day. The game was much different in those days. The forward pass was illegal, the ball was much more round and the uniforms had no padding. Instead of four quarters, the game was divided in two halves. Touchdowns were four points and the point after touchdown were actually two points.
To start the game, the Omaha YMCA fumbled on its first drive. Nebraska made it as far as the one yard line but failed to score due to a penalty. The Omaha kicker was tackled for a safety on its second possession. Nebraska would go on to attempt a field goal. Since it was executed as a drop-kick, the refs ruled it was a punt even though the ball went through the uprights. The Huskers, er, Knights, scored on another safety after the “Y” fumbled in the end zone but recovered it before being tackled.
Nebraska went up 6-0 early in the second half when they scored on yet another safety. The teams traded several possessions before Albert Troyer broke it wide open. He broke through the line and scored Nebraska’s first ever touchdown. Nebraska would go on to win the game 10-0.
The two teams were supposed to play again but it never materialized. Coach broke his leg while participating in a scrimmage before its second game against Doane. That game didn’t take place until Valentine’s Day 1891. Nebraska claimed the state championship after beating Doane 18-0. It’s unclear whether the coach traveled with the team as he accepted a job elsewhere before the game was played.
Until next time, keep exploring!
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