The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
DB Bergkamp, Tim (Sr.) PK Bess, Donnie #85 (Jr.) DE Boll, Peter #72 (So.)
TE England, Gary #70 (Sr.) OG Evans, Brent #48 (Jr.) LB Felici, Tony (So.)
DB Florell, Randy #77 (Jr.) LB Franklin, Andra #39 (Sr.) FB Frazier, Russell (So.)
FB Huebert, Randy (Jr.) WB Hurley, Dan #73 (Jr.) OT Iodence, Brian #14 (Jr.) DB Jeffries, Jim (Fr.)
QB Kotera, Jim #44 (Sr.) FB Krejci, Jeff #2 (Jr.) DB Krenk, Mitch #89 (So.)
MG Lingenfelter, Bruce #71 (Jr.) OG Lonowski, Jack #67 (Jr.) DT Lyday, Allen (So.)
PK Nelson, Derrie #92 (Sr.) DE Noonan, John #95 (Sr.) SE O'Hearn, Allan (So.)
Utah suffered from two interceptions, and the sole Utes touchdown didn't get punched in until Cornhusker backups were on the field in the 4th quarter for playing time.
The Blackshirts were the stars of this day in front of a record crowd at State College, as the Nebraska defense sacked Penn State QB Jeff Hostetler eight times for 89 yards, and forced seven turnovers, keeping the Nittany Lions constantly on their heels and away from any hope of an upset.
Penn State managed just one touchdown, in the 2nd quarter, and accumulated a net rushing total of only 33 yards.
Trailing by 4 points as the clock wound down under 15 seconds, Nebraska QB Jeff Quinn was hit only three yards from the end zone, forcing a fumble which was recovered by Florida State.
The Seminoles escaped Lincoln with a win, and the Cornhuskers lost IB Jarvis Redwine for two weeks due to broken ribs, along with their hopes for an undefeated season.
Husker fans, impressed by FSU's tenacity, gave a spontaneous standing ovation to the visiting team,[16] starting a new tradition at Memorial Stadium.
The temporary loss of IB Jarvis Redwine to injury presented no difficulties to the Big Red Machine, as Nebraska steamrolled Kansas in Lawrence, chalking up 33 points in the 1st half alone.
The Nebraska defense saw their string of touchdown-prevention quarters ended at 8 when Oklahoma State managed to squeak in a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, but that was all that would be heard from the Cowboys on this day since they were held to -13 ground yards compared to the 430 ground yards posted by the Cornhuskers.
3rd string IB Roger Craig was still too much for Colorado as Nebraska swept up the Buffaloes in Boulder while collecting 403 ground yards and a decisive 45-7 win, the 13th Cornhusker win in a row over Colorado, whose only score came in the 4th quarter against Nebraska reserves.
Nebraska created a 15-point lead by halftime and never looked back, though Missouri was not to be trifled with.
Kansas State scored a single touchdown and capped it with a two-point conversion with just 1:52 left on the clock in garbage time, narrowly avoiding the shutout.
Compared with the week prior, Nebraska had a slow start, leading by only 14 at the half, and that only when a Cornhusker punt was fumbled by the Cyclone returner into the end zone and recovered by the Cornhuskers to add 7 to the total with 2:28 left in the half.
The Cornhuskers had a promising start, as IB Jarvis Redwine tore the Sooner defense for an 89-yard touchdown run on Nebraska's first possession and PK Kevin Seibel put a 47 yarder through the uprights to go up by 10, but Oklahoma came to life to lead 14-10 by halftime.
Nebraska held the Oklahoma wishbone attack to just 7 yards in the 3rd quarter, but also gave up a couple of turnovers which proved costly as both teams put up only another touchdown each before the game was over with Oklahoma still up by 4 to claim the Big 8 title.
Nebraska marked their 12th consecutive bowl game appearance by striking first with 7 points only 2:30 into the first quarter.
It was not a major record-setting day, but consistent production and solid ball control provided the Cornhuskers with ample opportunities to produce points.
[17] The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1980 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.