Behind the unstoppable power of the foursome, Notre Dame cruised through most of their 1922 schedule with nary a challenge from opponents. Shutouts against Kalamazoo, St. Louis, and Purdue got things going. DePauw gave the Irish their strongest challenge by actually scoring a touchdown, but Notre Dame prevailed 34-7. Georgia Tech and Indiana fell next and only a scoreless tie against Army kept the Irish from being perfect, but they were still undefeated. Two more victories later and the Irish were set for a season ending matchup in Lincoln with rival Nebraska.
Husker coach Fred Dawson had prepared his team well going into the match boasting a 6-0 record of their own, including four shutouts. Nebraska had already assured their second straight Missouri Valley Championship. The Husker team was much larger than their counterparts, outweighing the Irish players by an average of 15 pounds per man.
The game was set for November 30th. It would be the last game ever played on Nebraska Field as preparations were already underway for the construction of a new Husker stadium. The Irish arrived in Lincoln four days and 1,200 miles away from their prior engagement in Pittsburgh. The crowd numbers varied from 12,000 to 16,000, all hoping to witness a Nebraska upset over Notre Dame and give their home field a fitting farewell. Nebraska, however, would find itself without the services of Glen Preston, their regular starting quarterback. Preston had broken his leg and was forced to watch the game from the sidelines.
The Cornhuskers took the opening kickoff and put together a strong drive. They marched down to the Notre Dame one yard line only to find themselves halted by the Irish defense. A fourth and goal attempt by the Huskers fell short and the Irish took over on downs.
On Notre Dame's first drive the Nebraska defense served notice that the game would be a defensive battle. Notre Dame was quickly forced to punt. The punt was a strong one and went out of bounds at the Husker 25 yard line.
The Cornhuskers threatened again later in the period only to fumble the ball within feet of the goal line. Notre Dame was able to keep things from getting out of hand too early.
In the second period Husker quarterback Chick Hartley and the Nebraska running game started to take control. Runs by Dave Noble, R. C. Russell , Verne Lewellen and Hartley took the ball down to the Irish 18 yard line. Right end Leo Scherer broke through the defense for six more yards and Nebraska was in business at the ND 2 yard line. Hartley did the honors on the next play as he plunged through for the game's first score. Hartley added a dropkick extra point and the upstart Cornhuskers were on top 7-0.
Later in the second period the Cornhuskers struck again with a big play. With the ball at the ND 38 yard line, Hartley connected on the left side with the 200 pound Noble. "Big Moose" as he was known, rumbled through Notre Dame defenders all the way to the end zone for a two touchdown Husker lead at the half.
Notre Dame was finally able to score late in the game to tighten things up at 14-6, but it was still up to the defense to decide the game.
Nebraska fullback Rufus Dewitz got the Nebraska Field crowd on their feet again in the fourth quarter when he plunged through the left side of the Notre Dame line for 40 yards down to the Irish 10 yard line. Only a lucky tackle by Stuhldreher saved a touchdown. The Husker were unable to capitalize on the field position, though.
Notre Dame had put together another fourth quarter threat, bringing the ball all the way down to the NU two yard line. The Irish tried to push the ball in, only to have Husker defender Andy Schoeppel break through and sack Notre Dame for a 10 yard loss securing the victory for the Big Red.
It was Notre Dame's only loss of the 1922 season but it angered some of the South Benders for reasons other than that.
I would have loved to have seen this game.
