Nebraska fielded its second football team in 1891. Although the university did not provide an official head coach, Iowa College coach Theron Lyman assisted Nebraska in preparation for its November 26 game against Iowa, in order to increase the competitiveness of NU's young program against the veteran Hawkeyes. However, Lyman likely did not even attend his single game as "head coach".[1] Nebraska's second victory over Doane gave the program a second straight unofficial Nebraska state championship.
Nebraska had planned a rematch with Doane during the 1890 season, which was never played, but led to the teams facing each other three times in 1891.
Although Doane scored the first points of the game (the first ever scored against Nebraska), Nebraska posted 16 unanswered points before halftime. The game was reportedly very physical, with several players suffering serious injuries, to the point that the Doane squad considered calling off the rest of the game, though they eventually agreed to a shortened 15-minute second half. Nebraska scored 12 more points to win 28-4.[4][5]
Nebraska, hoping for more playing time before facing the established Iowa Hawkeyes, scheduled a rematch with Doane. Team captain Ebenezer Mockett withdrew from the university prior to the game, leaving the team without a head coach or captain. Doane reportedly prepared at length for the game, while several Nebraska players remained out with injuries.
Nebraska scored the first points off an early Doane fumble to go ahead 6-0. Doane pulled ahead 10-6 at the beginning of the second half, NU's first-ever deficit. Although the team answered with six points to regain the lead, Doane responded to hand Nebraska the first loss in program history.[4][5]
Although Nebraska was supported by temporary head coach Theron Lyman, the team's lack of experience and substandard equipment made NU heavy underdogs against the Hawkeyes. Despite having played just one more season than NU, Iowa use playing styles and strategies Nebraska had never seen before, such as pre-play signal calling by the quarterback. Despite a strong defensive effort by Nebraska, Iowa pulled away in the second half to win 22–0, Nebraska's first shutout loss.[4][5]
After splitting two games, Nebraska and Doane arranged a tie-breaking third game to serve as an unofficial state championship game.
Despite losing a physical game to Iowa just one week prior, visiting Nebraska opened the first half with 22 unanswered points. NU halfbacks George Flippin, the first African American to play football for Nebraska, and James Johnston each scored three touchdowns. NU added ten points in the second half en route to a 32–0 victory and the unofficial Nebraska state championship for the second consecutive year.[4][5][6]
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