University classes were canceled, and students stormed the state capitol, demanding that the governor lead the singing of the school song, "There Is No Place Like Nebraska."
Led by fourth-year head coach Biff Jones, the Cornhuskers had two All-Americans: Warren Alfson and Forrest Behm.
Stanford was led by first-year head coach Clark Shaughnessy, who brought a revolutionary football style called the T formation.
The season before, the 1939 Stanford varsity had been winless in their seven conference games under seventh-year head coach Tiny Thornhill and finished 1–7–1 overall.
Kmetovic took the punt at the Cornhusker 40-yard line and dashed and darted his way to the end zone, giving Stanford a 21–13 lead, which was the final score.