Nebraska running back Tony Davis (left) wasn’t afraid to lower his head and take on a defender.
Julie Koch
Tony Davis remembers plenty about the 1974 Sugar Bowl, including one element that’s particularly striking.
During pregame warmups, he said, photos were taken of each position group. That strikes me as an old-timey move, but I like it.
But that’s not the striking part.
More significantly, Davis, a junior fullback on Nebraska’s 1974 squad, recalls a couple of Florida defensive backs walking near the area where the Husker running backs were gathered for their photo.
“I heard them talking crap to coach (Tom) Osborne,” Davis told me earlier this week. “I remember that distinctly. I’m thinking, ‘I’m going to remember you.'”
Unfortunately for one of them in particular, he did remember. More on that in a second.
Also, the Sugar Bowl remembered Davis. On Friday in New Orleans, the Tecumseh native will be formally inducted into the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame.
Nebraska won the 1974 edition of the game, earning a 13-10 decision. With his characteristic tough running, Davis set up two fourth-quarter field goals, one that tied the game and the other that won it. He finished with 126 yards on 17 carries.
“Our defense was spectacular,” Davis recalled, noting Nebraska turned over the ball five times in the game. “We had a goal-line stand, and Jimmy Burrow made a tackle on a running back that stopped him at the 2. Then, we have a 98-yard drive for a touchdown.”
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