Like it’s overall history, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football has a storied alternate uniform history. The uniform history dates back to 1923 and in the 1966 Orange Bowl in modern college football history. Starting in 2009 and resuming in 2012, Nebraska and adidas have had an annual alternate uniform game. So, here’s a top 10 list of the Huskers’ best football alternate uniforms in the last 15 years.
Top 10 Nebraska football alternate uniforms
10. 1983 “Scoring Explosion” throwback (2022)
It’s very tempting to take this out of the top 10 just due to the result of the game that the uniform was worn in. However, the uniform looked pretty good for being a throwback uniform. It looked like the uniforms that Nebraska wore back in their glory days. In the 1983 season, the Huskers offense averaged 48 points per game, which is why it was coined as the “Scoring Explosion”. This game didn’t goes as well as it could of as Nebraska would lose to the Georgia Southern Eagles 45-42. Not a good way to commemorate such a great team, especially with former coach Scott Frost being fired the next day. However, the throwback uniforms looked pretty clean, so it just gets into the top 10.
9. 100th year of Memorial Stadium throwback (2023)
The uniform that comes in at No. 9 is last year’s alternate uniform. The Huskers and adidas released a commemorative 100th year of Memorial Stadium throwback jersey, which was a nod to the 1923 matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners, where Nebraska wore all-blue jerseys due to the Sooners wearing red jerseys. The uniform had the quotes that you can find around the gates at the stadium on the stripes on the shoulders. The numbers were white with a blue outline and everything was the same as the traditional jersey. The Huskers wore these jerseys against the Northwestern Wildcats and Nebraska won 17-9. It was a dominant defensive performance, where the Huskers sacked Wildcats quarterback Brendan Sullivan seven times. Then freshman wide receiver Malachi Coleman caught his first college receiving touchdown in this game as well. Overall, they were successful on the field despite the low score.
8. 1997 throwback uniform (2017)
Nebraska and adidas Football announced a throwback uniform, commemorating the 1997 National Championship team. It had the old style of jersey with the Nebraska Huskers patch in the top right of the jersey. The jerseys were worn against the Wisconsin Badgers, where the Badgers took down the Huskers 38-17 in Lincoln. In that game, the fans attempted a “Black-Out” as well, which was different than the usual sea of red.
7. 1923 throwback uniform (2018)
These throwback alternate uniforms were inspired by uniforms worn in 1923. The throwbacks featured a helmet that was designed to look like leather and “In the deed, the glory” inscribed on the back of the uniform. It was a successful game for Nebraska as the Huskers put up 54 points against the Illinois Fighting Illini, which was coach Frost’s third ever win as a coach for Nebraska. The Huskers had a fantastic offensive performance, with Adrian Martinez throwing for 290 yards and three touchdowns, while Devine Ozigbo rushed 11 times for 162 yards and three touchdowns.
6. Primeknit Bold Alternative Uniform (2015)
Nebraska and adidas went the bold route with a primarly all-black uniform with red outlines for the game against Northwestern. The helmet was the cleanest part of the jersey with it being primarly black with a red “N” on it. The jersey is what holds this alternate uniform back with a weird pattern, which would be from the adidas Primeknit system. The game didn’t go in the Huskers favor as Nebraska went on to lose 30-28 to the Wildcats in Lincoln.
5. Blackshirts alternate (2019-2020)
This uniform would be much higher if it weren’t for Nebraska football being unable to win a game while wearing these uniforms. The alternate was first announced for the 2019 season for the Huskers game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. That game didn’t go as well as hoped as Nebraska lost to the Hoosiers 38-31. Now fastforward to 2020 in the Covid-19 shortened season, the Huskers wore the uniform again against Illinois. This game went worse than the game against Indiana as Nebraska struggled all game, losing 41-23 at home.
4. “Big N” Alternate (2012)
Here is the OG alternate uniform in the last 15 years. After doing an alternate uniform in 2009, Nebraska didn’t wear a new one until its 2012 matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. It was in the Huskers first game against the Badgers at home as a member of the Big Ten conference. The uniform had a black and red helmet like the helmet in 2015 with a primarily red uniform with black numbers and stripes. The Huskers were down in this game against Wisconsin before a second half comeback leading to a 30-27 victory for Nebraska. Ironically, this was the Huskers last win over the Badgers as Wisconsin has won 10 straight in the matchup.
3. adidas TECHFIT alternate (2013)
The 2013 season alternate uniform was the first of the few blackshirts alternate uniforms. These uniforms had a shade of the traditional uniforms, except the stripes were black. The uniforms white helmet with a black stripe and a black “N” while the pants showcased the traditional adidas stripes, except the stripes along the side were black. The bad thing was the game that Nebraska wore them in. The Huskers took on the UCLA Bruins and they had a 21-3 lead in the first half. However, things went sideways, with the Bruins scoring 38 unanswered points against Nebraska, winning 41-21. Despite the game, these uniforms are one of the best alternates.
2. 20th anniversary of 9/11 camouflage alternate (2021)
These uniforms were interesting in it’s own right. It was the third time that the Huskers’ helmet featured something other than the “Iron N”. This helmet had the interlocked “NU” on them with an all white and subtle camouflage jersey. The jersey had the intention of honoring first responders and the U.S. Military. Nebraska had a good win that day as well, taking down the Buffalo Bulls 28-3.
1. Husker Chrome (2016)
This is hands down one of the best alternate jerseys the Huskers have worn. It showcased an all-white look with matte helmet with a metallic red “N” and chrome face mask, white jersey with shiny red numbers and a large “iron N” on the side of the pants. The overall look trumps any of the past uniforms the Nebraska has worn in the past. The game went good as well as Nebraska followed up a massive win over the Oregon Ducks with a 24-13 win on the road against Northwestern.
Main Image: © Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
