‘Nebraska Toughest Club We Met', said Stanford Coach After 21-13 Win

1941 Rose Bowl

Fullback Vike Francis plunges two yards for a first-quarter touchdown.Pasadena, Cal. - As Maj. Biff Jones and Clark Shaughnessy trailed their perspiring athletes into the dressing rooms they looked tired. After the strain of a championship season they had been tossed into a month of extra training. For over 30 days they and their charges had been submitted to bowl pressure.

Most coaches would crack under such strain. Only squads of championship caliber can survive.

Yet in each dressing room, I found a great coach and a great team, relaxing but not too tired to receive press contingents which bulged the small training quarters.

Shaughnessy Gracious
Shaughnessy admitted fatigue but was gracious in victory.

“Those first five minutes were the longest of the season. I knew Nebraska had a great club - toughest we have met this year. It took a great one to beat them and my boys had to rise to great heights.”

Maj. Jones had his usual smile even in defeat.

“Stanford's backfield was great. Speed and more speed was the deciding factor. I am proud of the Nebraska team and the splendid fight they put up.”

Newspapermen asked the major if this was the “best team Nebraska had played this year.”

Boost for Gophers
“Yes, this is 1941 and this is our first game,” dodged the Biffer.

“If you mean our season you must remember we played Minnesota in the first game. I'd like to see Minnesota and Stanford meet and I'd pay scalper's prices.”

Link Lyman sidestepped questions on standouts. The major whispered something about Vike Francis' first quarter performance, Sophomore Allen Zikmund's flash before injury forced him to the bench and Butch Kuther's fine all-around play.

Lyman mentioned Clarence Herndon who played a whale of a game when practice injuries limited the services of Forrest Behm, senior tackle.

Best on Offense
As an offensive club Jones rated the Stanford outfit one of the best he had seen.

Nebraska fans agreed. The Indians performed the intricacies of the T formation more smoothly than the Chicago Bears did here last Sunday.

An alert and powerful Stanford line which outcharged the Cornhusker forwards most of the second half hobbled the Nebraska backs.

Couldn't Get Albert
Except for the touchdown toss to Allen Aikmund, Stanford linemen swept through to hurry Harry Hopp and Herman Rohrig, Nebraska passers.

The Cornhuskers seemed to have difficulty getting at Frankie Albert, Stanford's All-American. Albert's mates gave him perfect protection and young Frankie fired at targets which spread through the Nebraska secondary.

Nebraska threw every defensive combination in the book at the scampering Indians and did well until Kmetovic or Gallarneau opened the throttle.

Hint to Huskers
Speed and deception displayed by Stanford may send Nebraska footballers to track chores and classes in magic next spring.

“Those Stanford backs sure had speed,” Quarterback Roy Petsch observed. “You'd think you had ‘em cornered and zowie they would throw it into high and pull away.”

Dan Rubottom, Gering sophomore, and a surprise second fullback nomination, complained, “They had the ball so well concealed we couldn't seem to spot it.”

Gallarneau Like Gophers
Only on Hugh Gallarneau's runs did the Huskers look bad.

Gallarneau, 190 pounds of track speed, took the ball on a fake from Albert and roared between guard and tackle. It was a variation of the play which shook Minnesota's Dailey loose on a pair of important runs last October.

Clear Paths
On the first Stanford touchdown, Gallarneau's blockers handled their assignments with such efficiency that Hugh raced through without a hand being laid on his white jersey.

The Huskers a few minutes before had duplicates the performance in clearing the way for Francis' touchdown plunge.

“Best Ever”
Veteran writers classed Kmtovic's game-clinching punt return the greatest play in bowl history. Palmer, Albert and Taylor contributed important blocks.

Zikmund Sprained Ankle on Return
Toughest break for the Cornhuskers was the loss of Allen Zikmund. The Ord sophomore made a great catch of a long pass which brought the second Nebraska touchdown.

A few minutes later he was all but away on a kickoff return which had Stanford tacklers diving at his heels.

On the long run, Zikmund sprained an ankle. The loss was tragic as his height and speed provided the necessary threat to the Stanford pass defense which was manned by short men.

Alumni Hoarse
Nebraska can be proud of its representation in the stands. Its cheer section matched the Stanford students.

Ralph Worden, Alliance, led the cheers through a public address mike. Coast alumni were talking in whispers tonight their throats raw from unaccustomed exercise.

Three Bands
The Pasedena junior college band, led by three dancing senoritas, joined the Stanford and Nebraska bands in the pre-game playing of the national anthem.

Extra Plays
The Huskers got two extra plays in the second quarter when Major Jones stopped the clock by sending in Roy Petsch. Hermie Rohrig made the side lines on the punt return but the final pass missed connections.

A Late Shake
Stanford students hoisted Chuck Shaughnessy on their shoulders and carried him off the field. The crowd was so thick, Major Jones could not reach him and the after-game handshake was delayed until the Stanford squad was en route to their busses.

Scalpers Scalped
As predicted, ticket prices came down to normal at game time. Only seats offered, however, were behind the goal posts.

Sign Posts
Fans rushed the goal posts after the game. The splintered wood was hauled to the dressing rooms for autographs.

Marchie's Opinion
Marchie Schwartz, former Creighton coach who directs the Stanford backfield chores, paid his respects to the Cornhuskers with: “This was the greatest Nebraska team I have seen.”

Return Thursday
The Cornhuskers attended the banquet at the Hotel Ambassador and made merry at the Cocoanut Grove after the game.

The Husker party will lunch with Robert Taylor before traveling through M-G-M studios Thursday afternoon. the return trip starts Thursday night with the Cornhuskers passing San Francisco.

Three Are Captains
Graduating seniors shared the honor of captaining the Nebraska team. Responsibilities of penalty decisions were handled by Roy Petsch, “Bus” Knight and Theos Thompson.