Nebraska’s 1972 Heisman winner speaks out about reputation

The suggestion that Nebraska might back out of playing at Oklahoma this fall didn’t sit well with one of the stars of the 1971 Game of the Century.

Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska’s 1972 Heisman Trophy winner, said such a move would be an embarrassment.

“We can’t really afford to have a reputation like that, trying to get out of playing top teams,” he said.

The game scheduled for Sept. 18 in Norman, Oklahoma, would mark the 50th anniversary of Nebraska’s 35-31 win over the Sooners in a clash of the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the nation.

However, the Huskers have contacted teams in the Midamerican Conference and Old Dominion about playing in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sept. 18, according to unidentified sources who spoke to Stadium. The Lincoln Journal Star also reported Nebraska officials have explored the feasibility of not playing the Oklahoma game.

Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos did not reply to a text from The Associated Press seeking comment, and an athletic department spokesman did not respond to messages.

It would cost Nebraska $1 million to break the contract, which was signed in 2012. The teams also are scheduled to meet in Lincoln in 2022.

Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione issued a statement saying the Sooners plan to play.

“The Oklahoma-nebraska football series represents one of the most unique traditional rivalries in college football,” Castiglione said. “The planning for this game was intentional as we mark the 50th anniversary of the Game of the Century.”