OU-NU: Rivalry to revelry Castiglione wants to patch things up, starting with '71 game reunion Castiglione wants to patch things up, starting with '71 game reunion
NORMAN — The last time Nebraska played at Owen Field, atypical bad blood spoiled the night.
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Nebraska players accused OU of trying to run up the score; Sooner fans booed a futile Cornhusker field goal as time expired.
A Nebraska lineman popped a jeering OU Ruf/Nek during pregame warmups and was later charged, though found not guilty, of aggravated assault.
And Nebraska coach Bill Callahan hollered, " — hillbillies” as he slogged off the field after a 30-3 beating.
This season, OU athletic director Joe Castiglione is hoping to help put the 2004 game behind the two universities and restore grace and respect to the rivalry.
Castiglione is planning a reunion during this year's OU-Nebraska weekend for all Sooner and Husker players who participated in the 1971 "Game of the Century.”
Players from both teams who attend will be honored at halftime.
"After the last game, the type of comments that were made, the things that were said were so foreign to the rivalry,” Castiglione said. "I know rivalries have such an intensity to it people want to term the opponent the ‘hated rival.' But there is something that has transcended this rivalry, and that has been immense respect for each other. It was demonstrated many times before and many times after the '71 game.”
The Game of the Century pitted No. 1 Nebraska against No. 2 OU, or as Sports Illustrated wrote on its cover leading up to the game, "Irresistible Oklahoma Meets Immovable Nebraska.”
In a showdown that went back and forth, Nebraska came up on top, 35-31, on the way to a national championship. The Sooners would finish second that year.
"Some people might wonder or be confused why we'd have a reunion around a game the other team won,” Castiglione said. "On the scoreboard they did, but most people who attended that game or people who wrote about that game never saw it as Oklahoma losing. Nebraska just finished with the most points. It was a game that was a classic in the purest sense.”
Castiglione has already spoken with former Husker coach and current athletic director Tom Osborne, who is helping coordinate the reunion.
Invitations will be going out, and Castiglione is hoping for a strong turnout from the ex-Nebraska players.
"Can you imagine if we have all of the guys there, the Pruitts, the Brahaneys on one side, then the Johnny Rodgers' and Rich Glovers on the other?” Castiglione asked. "I think the place would come unglued.”
Castiglione said that during that weekend, something special is also being planned for the OU quarterback of the '71 game, Jack Mildren, who died earlier this year.
"As a young boy watching that game, I remember Jack Mildren,” Castiglione said. "I remember the commentators talking about Jack Mildren and the amazing plays he was making.
"I started thinking, I've never seen a game like this ever.”
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Great job Joe C.! The OU-Nebraska rivalry is what all great college rivalries should be like. OU didn't HATE Nebraska and Nebraska didn't HATE OU. Barry Switzer and Tom Osborne had a great respect for each other, yet each hated to lose to the other. Nebraska has great fans who have always treated Sooner fans great. I remember watching the Game of the Century on TV at my grandparents home near Prague, OK back when I didn't even really care for OU. Still, I was so disappointed that WE lost! Nebraska is now back on track to be the Nebraska of old, now that Callahan is gone. Our Sooners are back in a position like we were back in 1971. It would be great if we could get back to a time when the conference championship each year comes down to OU & Nebraska. If Texas fans had the class of the Nebraska fans, our rivalry with Texas would be tons better too. This reunion will be great and I hope my fellow Sooner fans will show proper respect to the Nebraska players from past and present at the game in Norman on 11/1/08.
Believe there was another head coach and one assistant coach that called the sooners toothless hillbillies. Just can't remember who at the moment, but I think one coached UO and the other one was an assistant at Nebraska. Maybe someone can remember who they were.
Stupid! Why worry about their hurt feelings? Screw 'em. And another thing, why celebrate a loss? There should have been a flag on Rodger's run. We got screwed on that deal and now an AD that wasn't here when it happened wants to dredge up the loss and do it on our field? That's just dumb. Too much political correctness.
The only reason for the 'bad blood' was because Bill Callahan was a horrible coach and a sore loser. There is a reason he is no longer the coach there.
This is a wonderful gesture. Everyone (including Cornhusker fans) knew Callahan was a low class jerk. And their program suffered because of him. I think with him gone, the rivalry will immediately return to a position of mutual respect and awsome football games. Way to go Joe!!!
As a 27 year old graduate of OSU and rabid Poke fan, i applaud Joe C. for trying to get this reunion together. We should never forget the guys who paved the way for the players and fans of today who have the honor of playing and watching the great game of college football as it is today. I wasn't born until 10 years after this game was played, but i still know the significance of that great game, and the younger generation of people should be informed of what the OU-Nebraska rivalry was before formation of the Big 12.
This is great. The rivalry between OU and Nebraska has always been one of mutual respect. Look back on the Big 12 Championship between the two teams and all of the signs in the stadium. Two class programs. Castiglione is also a class person and I hope the rivalry is resumed to the previous level. Too bad OU and Neb do not play every year.
That was such a great game. Castiglione always has something good going on. What a great catch he's been. I agree with the Callahan comment, glad he's gone and I know the Huskers are too. What a jerk...
Great job! Also, helps young players understand what this rivalry means to longtime fans of both schools. This rivalry isn't the same as it once was due to the Big 12 format. Hi Jay, luv ya!
i called that game play by play on KGOU...i saw that clip that day and i see it again every time they talk and show any highlights of that incredible game. That was a great day in OU history and it's too bad OU had to lose. the timing was in their favor...a few more or a few less minutes and we would have won.
Reginald, North Little Rock - Aug 4, 2008 at 10:19 am
Maybe we could have Nebraska replay the kick/punt return and demonstrate the clip the officials missed on the famous return of Johnny Rodgers that should have been called back and not replayed every stinkin year!
Great schools always have great AD's. :-) We just happen to have the best. Of course, with Callahan gone, it won't be difficult to bring back the mutual respect.
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Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mildren makes a move during the Game of the Century on Nov. 25, 1971. Mildren died earlier this year. by George Wilson, The Oklahoman archive
The 2004 OU-Nebraska game didn't end well for former Nebraska coach Bill Callahan. Callahan's team lost 30-3, the coach hurled an insult at Sooners fans, and one of his players was charged (though later found not guilty) with aggravated assault over an incident involving one of the OU Ruf/Nek. by BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN archive
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