Best of Big Red cut down to final four

Down to the “Elite Eight” of 64 greatest all-time Nebraska football moments as Gazette scribbler R.B. Headley quickly cuts that group in half today:

The 1971 Thanksgiving Day 35-31 win over No. 2 Oklahoma vs...

The famous “Kickerooski” touchdown catch for Matt Davidson against Missouri in 1997.

I’ve only witnessed re-broadcasts of that 1971 classic so didn’t capture all those nervous thrills in 1997.

Ol’ Mizzou played out of its Tiger mind that day in what seemed like another staggering upset like 1978 when they ruined Tom Osborne’s national title hopes after FINALLY knocking off Oklahoma.

Yet beyond the Davidson kicked-pass TD catch forcing overtime and quarterback Scott Frost’s ensuing game-winning OT score, I don’t recall plays quite like watching 1971.

Johnny Rodgers’ ridiculous punt return, McCook man Jeff Kinney ripping his jersey again and again again en route to four touchdowns; Oklahoma late great QB Jack Mildren rallying his Sooners twice from 11 points down.

There was just nothing like Nebraska-Oklahoma in those days. Have to keep advancing 1971, a true Game of our Century.

1996: Nebraska routing Florida for the national title, 62-24 vs...

2001: The Huskers’ first tunnel walk following 911.

I know sports tries to be more than touchdowns, tackles and crazy trick plays.

But dadgum it, I’m a football fan.

I love the patriotism surrounding that Husker Tunnel Walk against Rice barely one week after 911. Similar moments were occurring across the nation from New York Yankees games to high school contests, so it wasn’t all that unique.

Nothing close to the 62-24 trouncing had ever happened against that unbeaten Florida squad, especially following Lee Corso saying natural grass would “slow” Big Red.

Go 1996 and TOUCHDOWN Tommie!

The 1959 NU win ending Oklahoma’s 73-game league win streak vs..

A 25-20 upset of the three-time national champ Minnesota Gophers in 1937.

Running out of space and this is a close call..,going with 1959.

The no-punter formation honoring late punter Sam Foltz in 2016 vs..;

Osborne’s 250th win, 69-7, over Oklahoma in 1997.

That Sooner team stunk as Big Red scored 73 just one year earlier in Norman. Got to advance the Foltz moment.