Nebraska head coach Bill Jennings did not record many victories in his five years at the helm of the Cornhuskers. But he was able to pull off the occasional big win just when he seemed to need it the most.

The 1959 edition of the Cornhuskers was not showing signs of much improvement over the prior years. One win in 1957 and three in 1958 set the stage for what many expected to be another under achieving Nebraska team in 1959.

The Huskers started the season in reasonable fashion. A 20-0 season opening loss to 17th ranked Texas was followed by a pair of wins over Minnesota and Oregon State. Nebraska's offense hit the skids over the next three games as the lost to Kansas, Indiana and Missouri without scoring more than seven points in any of those games, and things weren't looking to get any better.

The Huskers next opponent was powerhouse Oklahoma.

The Sooners were coached by the legendary Bud Wilkinson and were riding an incredible 74 game conference winning streak and were basically considered the cream of the college football crop. The Sooners possessed a powerful offense spear headed by backs Brewster Hobby, Ronnie Hartline and Prentiss Gautt. Nebraska hadn't recorded a victory over Oklahoma in 17 years.

On paper it looked like a mismatch.

33,000 fans braved a damp 47 degree day to witness the October homecoming matchup, hoping against hope that Jenning's boys might have a miracle up their sleeves.

The game opened as many had expected. Oklahoma took the opening kickoff and immediately put their vaunted rushing game in play with three long gains down to the Husker 44. Nebraska thought they caught a big break on the game's fourth play when the ball was fumbled and the Husker recovered. An offsides penalty on the Huskers, however, kept the ball in Okie hands. Four plays later Gautt, a 196 pound senior fullback, dove in from three yards out for the score. The extra point kick gave Oklahoma an early 7-0 lead.

The Husker offense sputtered early despite good field position and were forced to punt after four run plays. The punt was a good one and pinned Oklahoma inside their own three yard line.

Oklahoma caught another early break. on third and nine at their own three yard line the Sooners tried a quick kick. The ball was partially blocked but the Husker defenders couldn't get their hands on it. Oklahoma recovered at their own four yard line with a fresh set of downs. Unlike their last drive Oklahoma could not take advantage of the opportunity and were forced into another quick kick.

Nebraska's offense hurt themselves in their first trek into Sooner territory. Big plays, including a 32 yard pass from left half Pat Fisher to All-American fullback Don Fricke, took the Huskers as close as the 15 yard line until an interception ended their hopes.

The next Sooner drive stalled quickly and the Huskers took over, once again inside Sooner territory at the 42. This time Nebraska wouldn't be denied.

The Husker running game chewed up yardage down to the OU 3 yard line. On fourth down, Husker quarterback Harry Tolly executed a beautiful fake dive play and tossed the ball to a wide open Dick McDaniel in the center of the end zone for the Huskers' first points. The Huskers tried for a two point conversion but failed making the score Oklahoma 7, Nebraska 6 early in the second period.

Nebraska's defensive unit finally began showing signs of life. Oklahoma's next drive ended after seven plays on a fumble at the NU 32 yard line. Nebraska's offense, however, blew the chance again and turned the ball back over. The Husker defense was once again ready for the call and turned in the game's biggest play on the next drive.

With the ball at the Sooner 30 yard line, coach Wilkinson tried to catch the Huskers off guard with a quick kick. The attempt was blocked. Husker guard LeRoy Zentic grabbed the loose ball and 27 yards later was in the end zone for the touchdown. The extra point kick was good and the Huskers started believing in a possible upset, up 12-7.

Oklahoma aimed to get control of the game back and did so on the next drive. A 46 yard, seven play drive ended with quarterback Bob Cornell taking the ball in from six yards out. Neither team was able to mount a scoring threat in the half and the Sooners went into the locker rooms with a 14-12 advantage.

Husker coach Jennings rallied his troops during the halftime break. He ordered a few defensive changes to counter Oklahoma's surprising use of an unbalanced line and hoped for the best.

The second half started much like the first half ended. Neither team was able to produce drives of any consequence, while burning off much of the third quarter game clock with their running offenses.

Husker quarterback Harry Tolly began taking charge of the game midway through the third period. Starting at the OU 33 yard line, Tolly directed the Huskers on a seven play effort down to the Sooner six yard line. Sophomore Ron Meade was called on to kick a 22 yard field goal to give the Huskers a one point lead, 15-14, with four and a half minutes left in the quarter. Oklahoma's offense tried to power their way back in the game by wearing down the Husker defensive front with a rushing onslaught. The Sooners drive was halted when Husker lineman Mick Tingelhoff recovered a fumble at the OU 32 yard line. The Husker upset dreams were coming to life as the third period wound to a close.

The two teams played percentage football in the early minutes of the fourth quarter as they traded quick kicks, but once again the Huskers pulled off a big play. The Sooners punted on second and five at their own nine yard line. Nebraska back Pat Fisher fielded the ball at the NU 36 yard line and broke free, all the way down to the Sooner three yard line before Brewster Hobby hauled him down. Three plays later Tolly dove into the end zone giving Nebraska a shocking 22-14 lead.

Oklahoma's self destructed on their next drive, fumbling at their own 23 yard line. Strong running by Fisher and senior right half Carroll Zaruba put the Huskers into field goal range once again. Meade connected on the 33 yard boot and the Husker faithful went into a frenzy. The lowly Huskers were leading the unbeatable Sooners 25-14 with just under six minutes left in the game.

Oklahoma wasn't finished yet. A seven play drive was capped by a 3 yard Gautt run to put the Sooners back in the game, 25-21, with four minutes still on the clock. Could the over achieving Husker defense manage a few more big plays?

Nebraska's next drive was no help. Two short runs forced coach Jennings to try to gain the field position advantage with a quick kick. The Sooners took over at their own 41 with time running out. The Sooner offense sparked again,. An 18 yard pass play and a six yard run moved the ball into Husker territory and kept the Husker fans biting their nails. An OU penalty and an incomplete pass followed with two minutes left in the game. The Sooners surged ahead again. A 10 yard pass and a two yard run. Suddenly the Sooners were in scoring position with a first and ten at the NU 27 yard line. It looked as though the "Sooner might" would pull another victory out of the fire. The Husker defense, however, rose to the occasion. Two incomplete passes took the game clock down to :35 seconds. Sooner quarterback Bob Carroll rolled to his right and fired into the end zone hoping for the score. What he found was Husker lineman Ron Meade, who cradled the pass and secured the biggest upset in Big Eight history. The Mighty Sooners had fallen 25-21.

Oklahoma had the statistical advantage over the Huskers in the game. They recorded 19 first downs to the Huskers 8, out rushed Nebraska 240 yards to 127, out passed them 100 yards to 34. All that didn't matter though, the Huskers lead where it mattered, on the scoreboard.

The Huskers couldn't hold the momentum long. A loss the following week to Iowa and another loss to Kansas State ended the 1959 season at 4-6. Husker coach Bill Jennings lasted two more years at the helm before resigning after the 1961 campaign. "We can't feed the ego of the state of Nebraska with the football team." quipped Jennings. The future may prove him wrong, but for one October weekend in 1959, the ego's of Husker fans everywhere were certainly lifted.