The Evolution of Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium

This is meant to be an illustrated history on the evolution of Memorial Stadium. The designs of the field are also taken into account as best as possible; some of the exact years (particularly before 1970) may not be 100% accurate. Field paint-jobs prior to the 1960s are also unknown at this time. Sources: Husker video (1973-97 greatest plays), parents' college yearbooks, media guide photos.

1923-45 Stadium in original form opens on Oct. 13, 1923 with just the east and west stands. Nebraska defeats Oklahoma 24-0. Capacity 31,000
1946-63 Schulte field house completed in 1946. On Nov 3, 1962, a sellout crowd of 36,501 watches Missouri defeat Nebraska 16-7 for coach Bob Devaney's first loss at NU, marking the beginning of Nebraska's record sellout streak.
1964 South end zone built, making stadium a horseshoe. Capacity raised to 48,000. Incomplete in time for first game; opens for second.
1965 Center portion of north end zone added, raising capacity to 53,000.
1966-69 North end zone wings added, completing the bowl. Capacity raised to over 65,000. New press box completed in 1967.
1970-71 Astroturf installed for first time, replacing grass.
1972-76 South end zone extended, raising capacity up to 73,650.
1977-80 New two-tone Astroturf & north stadium scoreboard installed before start of 1977 season. On Sept. 29, 1979, Nebraska sells out its 100th consecutive game and celebrates by defeating Penn State 42-17.
1981-83 "Big 8" logo at midfield replaced with block "N" prior to 1981 season.
1984-91 New Omni-turf installed. Sideline hashmarks switched to the inside of sideline starting in 1986. 1986 opener is first ever night home game.
1992-93 New Astroturf-8 installed.
1994-97 Capacity reduced to 72,700 after section 14 rebuilt. "N" filled in, "HUSKERS" in north end zone, always white with red outline before, is painted red with white outline like "NEBRASKA" in the south end zone. On Oct. 29, 1995, Nebraska celebrates it's 200th consecutive sellout by beating second-ranked Colorado 24-7.
1998 New skyboxes & press box open. Capacity raised to approx. 75,000. "Tom Osborne Field" appears on the sidelines during the season, but is removed with the turf at the request of Dr. Tom himself.
1999-2000 AstroTurf replaced with new FieldTurf playing surface.
The future? Possible future expansion options. Red end zones anyone?

Other Stadium Facts:

  • Largest crowd: 78,096, vs. Kansas, Nov. 4, 2000 (56-17 win)
  • Largest non-conference crowd: 78,070, vs Iowa, Sept. 23, 2000 (42-13 win)
  • Most home games won in a season: 7, 1971, 1975, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1998
  • Fewest home games won in a season: 0, 1947, 1951, 1957
  • Biggest victory margin, conference: 63, in a 77-14 win over Iowa State, 1997
  • Biggest victory margin, overall: 68, in a 68-0 win over New Mexico St., 1982
  • Biggest losing margin, conference: 48, in a 48-0 loss to Oklahoma, 1949
  • Biggest losing margin, overall: 54, in a 61-7 loss to Minnesota, 1954)
  • Most points scored by Nebraska: 77, vs. Arizona State (28), 1995, vs. Iowa State (14), 1997
  • Most points scored by opponent: 61, by Minnesota, 1954
  • Most points, both teams, conference: 105, vs. Oklahoma State, 1988 (63-42 win)
  • Most points, both teams, non-conference: 105, vs. Arizona State, 1995 (77-28 win)
  • Most points, quarter: 48, third, vs. Colorado, 1983 (69-19 win)
  • Most points, half: 63, first, vs. Arizona State, 1995 and first, vs. Iowa State 1997
  • Longest home win string: 41 games, 1991-98
  • Unbeaten home seasons: 29, through 1999 (most recent 1999)
  • Unbeaten, untied home seasons: 23, through 1999 (most recent 1999)
  • Current win string: 12, 1998-present (last loss Oct. 31, 1998 vs. Texas)
  • Current conference win string: 8, 1998-present (last loss Oct. 31, 1998 vs Texas)


    Night games played at Memorial Stadium:

  • Sept. 6, 1986: Nebraska 34, Florida State 17
  • Oct. 10, 1986: Nebraska 30, Oklahoma State 10
  • Sept. 24, 1988: Nebraska 47, Arizona State 16
  • Sept. 1, 1990: Nebraska 13, Baylor 0
  • Sept. 21, 1991: Washington 36, Nebraska 21
  • Oct. 31, 1992: Nebraska 52, Colorado 7
  • Nov. 7, 1992: Nebraska 49, Kansas 7
  • Oct. 26, 1996: Nebraska 63, Kansas 7
  • Oct. 4, 1997: Nebraska 56, Kansas State 26
  • Oct. 17, 1998: Nebraska 41, Kansas 0
  • Oct. 8, 1999: Nebraska 49, Iowa State 14
  • Sept. 30, 2000: Nebraska 42, Missouri 24