Looking Way Back: Huskers, Trojans all tied up
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BY KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska 21, Southern California 21
Los Angeles, Sept. 19, 1970
Nebraska’s first trip to the Los Angeles Coliseum ended with the pleasure of a dead heat in a Saturday night game before 73,000 fans, including some 13,000 Nebraskans.
The Sept. 20 papers explained the results and the reactions.
“I’m disgusted,” Husker middle Ed Periard said. “Later in the season I’ll probably be happy because we didn’t get beat. But I’m disgusted.” (The Huskers went on to win the national title).
Joe Orduna, who rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown, said, “Praise the Lord anyway.”
Later in the same story:
“Neither Nebraska coach Bob Devaney nor USC boss John McKay spoke fondly of ties.
“‘Hell, no, I’m not satisfied with a tie,’ said Devaney. ‘But it is better than losing.’
“‘A tie?,’ quipped McKay. ‘Well, it’s better than losing. But you’re always disappointed when you don’t win.” (Note: USC tied Notre Dame in 1969 and 1968).
The game had many shifts in momentum, as quarterback Jerry Tagge threw three interceptions and NU kicker Paul Rogers, labeled as the best ever at the time, missed a 22-yard field goal with 11 minutes left. Comedian Bill Cosby visited the locker room after the game and said, “I’d like to have No. 20 (Johnny Rodgers) and No. 31 (Joe Orduna) come out and meet us in the alley.”
Despite the tie, the big story was the emergence of the NU defense.
In a Sunday story, Lincoln Journal sports editor Don Forsythe wrote:
“Tension reverberated through the Nebraska coaches’ booth in the Coliseum press box Saturday night as the clock ticked off its final seconds.
“‘That one aged me 30 years,’ sighed linebacker coach John Melton as the fierce battle ended.
“‘But you know, Warren,’ he said to the defensive backfield coach Warren Powers, “I think our defense grew up a little tonight. And they’ll be better.’
“Nobody was about to argue the point.
“‘We made big plays,’ said Powers. ‘Southern Cal is a big, strong football team.’
“It was hard to single anybody out on either platoon for the superior efforts. They came in bunches.
“‘Joe Blahak played very well for his first game,’ said Powers of the Columbus sophomore promoted to the No. 1 spot at left cornerback for this week.
“Another sophomore who made a great starting debut was defensive end Willie Harper.”
“One of the ringleaders in the Cornhusker defense was linebacker Bob Terrio, converted from fullback this year. The Californian teamed with Jerry Murtaugh to provide excellent linebacking play to support a good job up front.”
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