Omaha Exploration

Last week, I wrote about Nebraska’s series against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Check it out if you missed it. Today we take a look at the series with the Purdue Boilermarkers. Prior to Nebraska joining the Big Ten, the two teams only played each other once.

The meeting occurred on September 27, 1958 in West Lafayette, Indiana. By that time Nebraska was a member of the Big 7 Conference. It was the second season for Head Coach Bill Jennings whose team finished just 1-9 in 1957. This was at a time when Nebraska hadn’t experienced sustained success since the 1930s.

Despite having just six seniors on the team, Nebraska opened the new season with an unexpected 14-7 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions. Things couldn’t haven’t gone much worse in the second game was they were shut out 28-0. The Huskers offense came out flat losing two fumbles and throwing an interception. Purdue took advantage and pounded away at a solid defense that just ran out of gas.

Nebraska followed its beat down at the hands of the Boilermakers with a 7-6 win against the Iowa State Cyclones in Memorial Stadium. Despite starting its season 2-1, the Huskers would go on to lose its next five games to Kansas State, Syracuse, Colorado, Missouri and Kansas. Miraculously they squeaked out a 14-6 win against the 14th ranked Pittsburgh Panthers before losing to Oklahoma to end the season with a 3-7 record.

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule and Purdue Head Coach Ryan Walters.

After losing its first game against Purdue, Nebraska would have to wait 55 years for a rematch in 2013. The two teams have played annually ever since with a record of 6-6 including a Big Red win last year in Lincoln 31-14.

Let me know what you thought of the Illinois game and your prediction against Purdue.

Until next time, keep exploring!

More pictures

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