Nebraska/Kansas State History

I thought I’d give a brief overview of the recent history between Nebraska and Kansas St. for fans to reminisce. After all, without knowing the past, we’re  bound to repeat the same mistakes in the future. I’m talking to you “Facemask Game” and “2 Minute Blizzard.”

The list will start with 1998, because there isn’t much to detail before that, aside from numerous Husker whoopin’s.

1998- (1)Kansas St 40, (11)Nebraska 30 – “The Facemask”

(More…….)
A game that couldn’t be remembered more oppositely amongst the two teams’ fan bases. Wildcat fans remember this game as the epitome of their most successful season of all time. Husker fans remember this game by a single motion, taking a closed fist, fingers toward your face, and dragging it slowly from your forehead to your chin. This game sparked the beginning of the rivalry. And the end of Eric Crouch’s neck.

Key Stat- Kansas St. had 6 fumbles in the game and lost 4 of them, turning the ball over 5 times total, however the Wildcats outgained the Huskers 512-351 in total yards.

2000- (11)Kansas St 29, (5)Nebraska 28 – “2 Minute Blizzard”

Sometimes a higher force steps in and decides who is going to win a football game and fate just has to be accepted. This game was played in a somewhat rainy conditions throughout most of the night, before temperatures dropped and an outright blizzard took over the field, soon after the Wildcats scored the go-ahead touchdown. For a team that already struggled throwing the ball, the Huskers stood little chance in driving for the game winning score in the snow.

Key Stat- Quincy Morgan caught 7 passes for 199 yards, and two touchdowns, from quarterback Jonathan Beasley.

2002- (11)Kansas St 49, Nebraska 13 – “Oh Lordy”

The beginning of the end for the Husker Dynasty that reigned supreme in the Big 12, which coincided with the beginning of the Jammal Lord era. Watching the highlights of this game was enough to make me throw up in my mouth a tiny bit. It was their worse loss in 34 years. And they had those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad red stripes down the sides of their uniforms. Anyone who thinks Solich was unjustly fired should take a look at this season’s results. Or Jammal Lord’s play. Lets move on…

Key Stat: Kansas St. outgained Nebraska 415-97 in rushing yards.

2004- Kansas St 45, Nebraska 21 – “Bleh, Maybe This was a Bad Idea”

Who could forget this memorable quarterback matchup between Joe Dailey and Allen Webb? Hopefully both fan bases. The Wildcats went 4-7 this year while the Huskers topped that with a 5-6 record. Need more be said about this game?

Key Stat: Darren Sproles attended local high school, Olathe North.

2006- (20)Nebraska 21, Kansas St 3 – “Revenge?”

Whew, finally. Was starting to have doubts about making this list. The Huskers broke a streak of four straight losses in Manhattan in this snoozefest, where all highlights have been trashed and burned. The Huskers won the Big 12 North that year while the Wildcats were stuck with Ron Prince and Josh Freeman. Wait, one of them turned out successful? Get outta here….

Key Stat: Nebraska scored on a fake field goal (which is always fun).

2008- Nebraska 56, Kansas St 28 – “Heluuuuu Bo Pelini!”

The Huskers marched up and down the field, led by (the poor man’s Rich Gannon) Joey Ganz, to the tune of 610 yards. It was Bo Pelini’s first year and the last year of Ron Prince. This was the game that cemented Josh Freeman as a bust as a Wildcat (he was outperformed by Carson Coffman after getting benched) in my mind, and am still shocked, SHOCKED, to see him finding success in the NFL. Oh well, at least he never beat Nebraska.

Key Stat: This was the game that the Husker defense regained their historic “Blackshirt” jerseys in practice, never to look back. In hindsight, this will go down as a monumental game, seeing as how dominant the defense has become since then.

Go Big Red