Like any program, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have their share of college football legends, and their consistent reign of dominance up until the mid-2000s means there are many.
The beginning of the juggernaut that was Nebraska football started with a sellout streak in 1962. The Huskers recently sold out their 400th consecutive home game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in September.
Fans saddened by death of Nebraska Cornhuskers legend
The first touchdown ever scored during the historic sellout streak was a pick-six by Noel Martin in 1962. Martin went for 88 yards as he helped thrust Nebraska onto a path that would make them a blue blood of college football.
Martin, who was 84-years-old, passed away on Nov. 19. Martin played both ways when he played for the Huskers, which wasn’t something so massively out of the ordinary as it is today.
Martin was honored at the 400th sellout, and despite being a part of Husker nation since the beginning he was still surprised at the unwavering faith that Husker fans still hold dear.
WATCH: Noel Martin, who scored the first touchdown of the #Huskers sellout streak, describes the differences between sellout No. 1 and No. 400.
“Wow. I can’t believe it. But when you come to the stadium, you look and you cannot believe what you’re looking at.” @Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/9NYpUKu001
— Andrew Ward (@AndrewWardKLKN) September 20, 2024
Noel Martin explained what made the streak so special in an article from KLKNTV.
“When you fill a stadium with over 90,000 people, nobody else can do that, that tells you a lot,” he said.
“I had a big experience when I intercepted that pass and ran 88 yards,” he said.
Martin said it was a “whole other world back then,” but the Husker spirit is alive and well in Memorial Stadium over six decades later.
“You can’t believe what you’re looking at, it’s tremendous,” he said. “We were here a few weeks ago and it was tremendous, the noise, the people getting involved, it was just beautiful.”
Martin started his coaching career not long after playing for the Huskers. After a successful high school coaching venture, Martin ended up back with the Huskers serving as a defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, assistant professor and assistant wrestling coach from 1974 to 1983.
Nebraska fans took to social media to express their condolences for the passing of Martin. While he was before most Husker fans’ time, Martin’s importance in the story of Husker football was brought to the attention of many Husker fans this season.
I woke up this morning to very sad news.
Noel Martin has passed away at age 84.
Noel was one of my favorite Cornhuskers. The stories he told me…he had me laughing 😂 so hard!
He scored the 1st touchdown of the sellout streak and was honored at the 400th sellout vs Illnois. https://t.co/zzZorExh8V
— Paul Jake Jacobsen (@HuskerTapes) November 22, 2024
Here you go Daniel…
Noel Martin scores the first touchdown of the sellout streak!
“…Noel is not fast…”🤣
(I know he would laugh at that!) https://t.co/oW7a40GDvx pic.twitter.com/Gkq4GkWH8Z— Paul Jake Jacobsen (@HuskerTapes) September 16, 2024
To kick off game week of the 400th consecutive sellout for @HuskerFootball, I want to share a story of my grandpa, Noel Martin.
He not only played in the first sellout game of the streak, but scored the first points of the streak with a pick 6 for the Huskers on 11/2/62❤️ #GBR pic.twitter.com/hjyrFhfRIY
— Daniel Pearson (@_DanielnPearson) September 16, 2024
“I took off running and made it 88 yards for the Pick Six and scored the first points of the streak.
The Sea of Red erupted.”
A Husker Legacy by Noel Martin
📖: https://t.co/9GQOW0JQm2 pic.twitter.com/jxBxpcxMLh
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) October 4, 2024
Oh that’s so sad. Glad he was able to be there for the 400th- what a special moment!
— Husker Band Mom 🚩 🌽🎈 (@HuskerGirlGBR) November 22, 2024
😢😢😢🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Mikey Nebraska (@hskrs7071) November 22, 2024
More NFL and College Football Articles from Andrew Kusleika on Gridiron Heroics:
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Get More NFL and College Football Content from Andrew Kusleika
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