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GoAUpher Note: It may be HATE WEEK, but that's not going to stop me from touching on a few things from Nebraska still.
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A historic win. You may have heard that term used to describe Saturday's victory over Nebraska. In some ways it's hyperbole as there was not a title on the line, the two teams are not rivals, etc. But on the other hand, the Gophers accomplished several things that haven't happened in DECADES. What am I talking about specifically?
The Gophers beat Nebraska in Lincoln for the first time since 1960
Minnesota has it's first 2 game win streak over the Huskers since 1952
Yep, that seems pretty historic to me! To help put the win in a context beyond "IT HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO" I thought I'd share some details about what was going on the last time Minnesota accomplished either of these football milestones. Too often we look at the breaking of these streaks with an eye towards the negative (i.e. look at how bad things were for so long) instead of the positive (MINNESOTA WON. AGAIN.) and this post is meant to help us focus on just how awesome a win like this is, not that it hasn't happened in a long while.
September 24, 1960
This was the last time Minnesota beat Nebraska in on the road at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE. The score? Minnesota 26, Nebraska 14. The head coach of the Gophers? Murray Warmath. The team's star player? Guard Tom Brown, who was named All American by everyone. But what else was going on then?
Song Topping The Billboard Charts: "The Twist" - Chubby Checker
Little know fact...did you know that Chubby Checker was singing a cover? The Twist was actually written and originally performed by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters.
President: Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ike was in the tail end of his presidency when the beat the Huskers in Memorial Stadium.
Ugly Car From 1960: Ford Edsel. Yeesh.
November 15, 1952
This was the last time Minnesota beat Nebraska to establish a two game win streak. The 13-7 Gopher victory also took place in Lincoln. The head coach of the Gophers? Wes Fesler. The star Gopher that year? All American halfback and Heisman finalist Paul Giel.
Song Topping The Billboard Charts: "I Went To Your Wedding" - Patti Page
Another song written and originally performed by a different artist (in this case, Jessie Mae Robinson).
President: Harry S. Truman
Ugly Car From 1952: Citroën 2CV, otherwise known as The Ugly Duckling.
I for one am excited to celebrate when records like these fall because every time one does, it means the program has taken another step to renewed success. Who knows? With a win on Saturday and a decent amount of luck I might be talking about what happened the last time Gophers won the Big Ten!