1895 Nebraska Bugeaters football team

1895 Nebraska Bugeaters football
WIUFA co-champion Nebraska state champion
Conference	Western Interstate University Football Association
Record	6–3 (2–1 WIUFA)
Head coach	Charles Thomas (1st season)
Home stadium	"M" Street Park

1895 Western Interstate University Football Association standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Missouri +	2	–	1	–	0			7	–	1	–	0
Kansas +	2	–	1	–	0			6	–	1	–	0
Nebraska +	2	–	1	–	0			6	–	3	–	0
Iowa	0	–	3	–	0			2	–	5	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions

The 1895 Nebraska Bugeaters football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1895 college football season. The team was coached by first-year head coach Charles Thomas and played their one home game at the "M" Street Park in Lincoln, Nebraska. They competed as members of the Western Interstate University Football Association.

Thomas spent two years as an assistant before being promoted to head coach following the departure of Frank Crawford at the conclusion of the 1894 season. After the season, Nebraska's second consecutive WIUFA conference championship, Thomas left to become the head coach at Arkansas.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
October 12		at Sioux City AC*	Sioux City, IA	W 38–0
October 16		at Butte AC*	Butte, MT	L 6–16
October 19		at Denver AC*	Denver, CO	W 12–4
October 26	3:15 p.m.	at University Club of Omaha*	University Park Omaha, NE	W 36–0
November 2	3:30 p.m.	vs. Missouri	University Park Omaha, NE (rivalry)	W 12–10
November 16	3:00 p.m.	Kansas	"M" Street Park Lincoln, NE (rivalry)	L 4–8	3,000
November 19		at Doane*	Crete, NE	W 24–0	600
November 22		at Grinnell*	Grinnell, IA	L 0–24
November 28	3:15 p.m.	vs. Iowa	University Park Omaha, NE (rivalry)	W 6–0	2,000
*Non-conference game

Coaching staff

Coach	Position	First year	Alma mater
Charles Thomas	Head coach	1895	Michigan
Jack Best	Trainer	1890	Nebraska

Roster

Brandt, Fletcher PLAYER Cameron, John E Dern, George T Dungan, Will T Fair, Richard FB Flippin, George HB Frank, Harry FB Gardner PLAYER Hammang, John T Hayward, William T Humphrey PLAYER Jones, Albin G Jones, Harry G Kellar, C.E. G King HB		Matson, Charles PLAYER Melford, William C Oury, W.Harry T Packard, Leonard E Placek, Emil QB Reeler PLAYER Shedd, George HB Shue, James E Spooner, Clinton QB Sweeney, F.W. FB Thorpe, Orley E Whipple, Otis E Wiggins, Frank HB Wilson, Wilmer G Yont, Alonzo HB

Game summaries

At Sioux City AC

Nebraska at Sioux City AC

1 2 Total • Nebraska 38 Sioux City AC 0 Date: October 12 Location: Sioux City, IA

Nebraska's trip to Sioux City was the longest road trip in the program's young history, a record surpassed several times later in the season. Nebraska dominated the game, shutting out Sioux City and setting new program records for points scored and margin of victory.

At Butte AC

Nebraska at Butte AC

1 2 Total Nebraska 0 6 6 • Butte AC 12 4 16 Date: October 16 Location: Butte, MT

Nebraska again undertook its longest-ever road trip, traveling over 1,000 miles to Butte, Montana to face the Butte Athletic Club. Butte's ball control-heavy game plan meant Nebraska had only one possession in the game's first twenty minutes, and Butte led 12–0 by the half. A late Nebraska touchdown was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

At Denver AC

Nebraska at Denver AC

1 2 Total • Nebraska 6 6 12 Denver AC 4 0 4 Date: October 19 Location: Denver, CO

The third game between Nebraska and the Denver AC was considerably less emotional than the 1893 matchup, which resulted in Denver choosing to forfeit the contest during the second half. The Bugeaters used a strong run game to control the game and win 12–4.

At Omaha

Nebraska at Omaha

1 2 Total • Nebraska 12 24 36 Omaha 0 0 0 Date: October 26 Location: Omaha, NE

Nebraska's first game against the University of Nebraska–Omaha was a resounding Bugeaters victory. NU led by 12 at halftime and scored 24 more unanswered points to win 36–0. This was the only game ever played between Nebraska and Omaha.

Missouri

Nebraska vs. Missouri

1 2 Total • Nebraska 6 6 12 Missouri 10 0 10 Date: November 2 Location: Omaha, NE

See also: Missouri–Nebraska football rivalry

Nebraska and Missouri met in Omaha to open the 1895 WIUFA season. The Bugeaters trailed 10–6 at halftime, but scored the second half's only touchdown to win 12–10.

University of Missouri records suggest the final score of this game was a 12–0 Nebraska victory.

Kansas

Kansas at Nebraska

1 2 Total • Kansas 0 8 8 Nebraska 0 4 4 Date: November 16 Location: "M" Street Park, Lincoln, NE Game attendance: 3,000

See also: Kansas–Nebraska football rivalry

Nebraska failed to take advantage of several first-half scoring opportunities, and the game reached halftime tied at zero. Both teams scored a touchdown and missed the following field kick, tying the game at four. Near the end of the game, Nebraska's players reportedly became confused about the amount of time remaining and eased back on their defensive effort, allowing Kansas to score the game-winning touchdown.

At Doane

Nebraska at Doane

1 2 Total • Nebraska 24 Doane 0 Date: November 19 Location: Crete, NE Game attendance: 600 Game weather: Cold and windy

Nebraska traveled to Crete to meet Doane for the seventh time, dominating the game en route to a 24–0 victory. Wins over Doane and Omaha allowed the Bugeaters to claim a third unofficial Nebraska state championship.

At Grinnell

Nebraska at Grinnell

1 2 Total Nebraska 0 0 0 • Grinnell 4 20 24 Date: November 22 Location: Grinnell, IA

A year after a 22–0 Nebraska win over Grinnell, the Pioneers returned the favor, shutting out the favored Bugeaters 24–0.

Iowa

Nebraska vs. Iowa

1 2 Total • Nebraska 0 6 6 Iowa 0 0 0 Date: November 28 Location: Omaha, NE Game attendance: 2,000

See also: Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry

By 1895, the Nebraska-Iowa contest was being held annually on Thanksgiving Day. The 1895 iteration was a defensive struggle, remaining scoreless until a second-half NU touchdown and subsequent field kick gave the Bugeaters a 6–0 win. The Bugeaters victory, combined with Missouri's defeat of Kansas, resulted in a three-way tie for the WIUFA championship. The tie-breaking system of the time awarded the conference pennant to the team that had allowed the fewest points on the season; this method of selection left Nebraska in third place, but the university later claimed the conference title.

University of Iowa records suggest that this game was played on November 19, 1895.