The engineer of one of the most iconic defensive plays in Nebraska Cornhuskers history suddenly passed away in Lincoln, Neb. at 62-years-old.
Nebraska defensive back Neil Harris was responsible for shutting down Nebraska’s biggest rival at the time, the Oklahoma Sooners on the final play of the drive.
Neil Harris is a part of the deep history between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Oklahoma Sooners
![Initiator of One of the Most Iconic Nebraska Cornhuskers Defensive Plays Suddenly Dead 1 nebraska cornhuskers johnny rodgers oklahoma sooners](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_2155005_168400517_lowres.webp)
The story of college football cannot be told without the rivalry between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Oklahoma Sooners. Two powerhouse programs of the 20th century constantly battled it out in some of the best games of their respective college football seasons.
The 1971 matchup between the No. 1 Nebraska Cornhuskers and the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners was known as the “Game of the Century.” Nebraska wide receiver Johnny Rodgers returned a punt in what is one of the most iconic plays in the history of college football.
#HeismanMoment | 1972
Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska
“Game of the Century” punt return in 1971 #1 vs. #2 pic.twitter.com/V1KcE432GI
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) December 13, 2019
For the entire decade of the 1970s, there was only two instances in which there was a team in the matchup ranked outside of the top 10. In 1970, the No. 3 Cornhuskers took on the unranked Sooners. In 1977, the No. 3 Sooners took on the No. 11 ranked Cornhuskers. Aside from those games, every matchup in that decade was a top-10 matchup.
High-ranked matchups continued throughout the 1980s until the Sooners had some down years in the 90s while the Cornhuskers produced some of the best teams in college football history. Then, the reverse happened as the rivalry found its way into the 21st century.
With a shakeup in the Big 12, the two teams stopped playing every single year, causing the rivalry to fade. That was followed by Nebraska’s departure from the Big 12, which caused the rivalry to almost completely dissipate. Still, there are many iconic moments from one of the greatest rivalries in sports, like the iconic play made by defensive back Neil Harris in the early 1980s.
Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Neil Harris is known for his one play against the Oklahoma Sooners
![Initiator of One of the Most Iconic Nebraska Cornhuskers Defensive Plays Suddenly Dead 2 nebraska cornhuskers oklahoma sooners](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_8199173_168400517_lowres-e1716951860153.jpg)
Nebraska defensive back Neil Harris was crucial to keeping the National Championship dream alive for the Cornhuskers late in the 1983 season. The No. 1 Cornhuskers were battling the unranked Sooners in a rainy game in Norman, Okla.
The three-headed monster of quarterback Turner Gill, wide receiver Irving Fryar and running back Mike Rozier had the Huskers up 28-21 in the final quarter as sheets of rain pounded Owen Field.
It was third and nine and the Sooners were knocking on the door, just 10 yards away from punching the ball in and marring the title hopes of the Huskers, who were now more than a decade removed from their most recent championship.
Sooners quarterback Danny Bradley launched a pass at the goal line. There was a collision between Harris and the Oklahoma receiver, which caused Sooners fans to beg for pass interference. They wouldn’t get it, but the Sooners would get another shot.
Bradley launched another pass, this time it was a fade to the corner of the end zone. Harris made a play on the high-lofted ball and saved the title hopes of the Nebraska Cornhuskers as they headed into December.
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 explained what it felt like in an article from The Oklahoman.
“It really didn’t hit me that much at first that I had done it,” Harris said. “But then I saw our cheerleaders going crazy, and then I ran to the sidelines and the players started slapping me. Then it hit me,” Harris said.
Neil Harris and Nebraska Cornhuskers fans shared their condolences on social media
![Initiator of One of the Most Iconic Nebraska Cornhuskers Defensive Plays Suddenly Dead 3 nebraska cornhuskers kenny wilson](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_2187187-e1712441354386.jpg)
Upon the release of the news of the passing of Neil Harris, many Husker fans took to social media to express their condolences for a player who was responsible for one of the most iconic defensive plays in the history of the program.
Condolences to his family! Very sad news. I actually did an interview with him many many years back as he was the owner of his business. Seemed like a really cool guy! RIP.
— Michael Miller (@mwmgonu) May 28, 2024
Neil was a year behind me. Sweet soul. This hurts.
— Mike Kratville (@MikeKratville) May 28, 2024
Remember him really well, great Blackshirt
— Rod Jackson (@rodjack4) May 28, 2024
Thoughts and prayers to his family
— John Hammonds (@GrandpaJarhead) May 28, 2024
Go Big Red 🙏🙏
— Kevin Ericson (@gobigred7071) May 29, 2024
According to his obituary, Harris is survived by his wife Jan, “numerous nieces, nephew and special friends.”
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