Nebraska took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, on a Mike Coyle field goal and a Vince Ferragamo to Brad Jenkins pass, before Missouri pulled to within three, at 10-7, with 6:34 left in the first half.

Then, with 1:46 left in the second quarter, Husker coach Tom Osborne called for the "Bummeroosky," which crossed up the Tigers, the TV cameras and 68,000 fans. With Nebraska in punt formation, the ball was snapped to blocker Tony Davis, who pushed the ball from behind through John O'Leary's legs, then turned and faked to Monte Anthony coming around right. All the Huskers, including the punter, tore off to the right as if it were a fake kick reverse, while O'Leary remained stationary with the ball hidden. Then, when 11 Missouri players took off with the Husker flow to the right, O'Leary went to his left and ran 40 yards to score without a Tiger being the wiser until it was too late.

Nebraska scored twice more in the second half, while the Black Shirts held Missouri to 71 yards rushing. But it was the "Bummeroosky" that turned the tide and gave Osborne his first head coaching win over Missouri.