Former Nebraska player Neil Harris dies at age 62

Former Nebraska football cornerback Neil Harris died Thursday at age 62.

A member of the Nebraska football team from 1980-85, Harris’ fourth-quarter heroics against Oklahoma during the 1983 season remains one of the most dramatic individual defensive stops in program history.

As No. 1 Nebraska sought to keep its undefeated season and national championship hopes alive against the unranked Sooners, Harris came up with a pair of game-saving defensive plays. With Oklahoma 10 yards away from a touchdown, Harris collided with a Sooner wide receiver to thwart the third-down try, then made an acrobatic leaping pass deflection in the corner of the end zone on fourth down.

Sad news from the Nebraska football family.

Neil Harris, who authored one the iconic defensive plays in Cornhusker history, passed away suddenly in Lincoln at the age of 62. pic.twitter.com/mZZ238k4sb

— Paul Jake Jacobsen (@HuskerTapes) May 28, 2024

Harris’ defensive stop sealed Nebraska’s 28-21 win over Oklahoma and sent the Huskers to the Orange Bowl.

A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Harris worked as the owner and operator of Harris Security and Protective Services after graduating from Nebraska.

Photos: Nebraska football’s Red-White Spring Game, April 27

Nebraska’s Luke Longval looks to the sideline as he calls a play in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.

KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star