Coming off an undefeated 1970 with a national championship in the trophy case, Bob Devaney's Cornhuskers toyed with opponents in 1971. Only one of the first nine opponents scored more than once, as the Big Red rolled to lopsided victory after lopsided victory, knowing full well that their season would come down to one game.

And that one game didn't disappoint. A couple of weeks after thrashing 10th-ranked Colorado, 31-7, Nebraska visited second-ranked Oklahoma for a game that lived up to its hype as one of the great matchups -- and great games -- of the century.

And indeed, the contest had everything, with Johnny Rodgers taking a

Fast facts

1971 National Champions Coach: Bob Devaney All-Americans: RB Jeff Kinney DT Larry Jacobson QB Jerry Tagge G Rich Glover DE Willie Harper WB Johnny Rodgers

first-quarter punt back 72 yards for one of the most-electrifying plays in college football history, and the Cornhuskers rolling on a long, tension-filled 74-yard drive in the final minutes leading to Jeff Kinney's game-winning touchdown (35-31).

They promptly advanced to the Orange Bowl, where they buried new-No. 2 Alabama, 38-6 -- their 32nd consecutive game without a loss.

Johnny Rodgers defined the role of wingback (he'd win the Heisman Trophy the following season), and with QB Jerry Tagge, FB Jeff Kinney, DTs Larry Jacobson and Rich Glover … this team had no weakness.

Tagge led an unusually well-balanced offense, and Glover led the Blackshirt defense that held foes scoreless for 12 consecutive quarters in one stretch, and for the season took the ball away 47 times.

As strong as the offense and defense was, Rodgers was the X-factor, giving Nebraska good field position throughout the season. He scored three touchdowns on punt returns, one on a KO return, two on rushes, and 11 on pass receptions.

A year later, Devaney retired from coaching, and his young offensive coordinator named Tom Osborne became head coach.

1971 Results (13-0)
Date	Score	Opponent
Sept. 11	34-7	Oregon
Sept. 18	35-7	Minnesota
Sept. 25	34-7	Texas A&M
Oct. 2	42-6	Utah State
Oct. 9	36-0	at Missouri
Oct. 16	55-0	Kansas
Oct. 23	41-13	at Oklahoma State
Oct. 30	31-7	Colorado
Nov. 6	37-0	Iowa State
Nov. 13	44-17	at Kansas State
Nov. 25	35-31	at Oklahoma
Dec. 4	45-3	at Hawaii
Jan. 1	38-6	Orange Bowl vs. Alabama