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SN 140 Moments: No. 126 - Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers slices through Oklahoma in 'Game of the Century' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 'Game of the Century' label is attached to a college football game when No. 1 meets No. 2. This has happened 25 times in the regular season – and the 1971 Big 8 matchup between No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Oklahoma remains the standard from a bygone era.
After all, the Huskers are in the Big Ten and the Sooners in the SEC now.
This game was peak college football in Norman, Okla., on Thanksgiving Day. The coaching staffs on both sides were legendary. Nebraska coach Bob Devaney had coordinators Tom Osborne and Monte Kiffin. Oklahoma coach Chuck Fairbanks had coordinators Barry Switzer and Larry Lacewell, who was the long-time director of scouting for the Dallas Cowboys.
This game, however, hinged on a 72-yard punt return by Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers in the first quarter – which set the tone for a 35-31 shootout the Huskers won on a late TD pass from Jerry Tagge to Jeff Kinney. Rodgers won the Heisman Trophy, and the Huskers won the national championship. It's still among the best when it comes to the 'Game of the Century.'
MORE: Back to The Sporting News' 140 Greatest Sports Moments of All Time
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