Dave Butterfield Season 1976

Honors & Awards

• Drafted in 11th Round by the New York Jets
• 1976 First-Team All-American (UPI, AFC-Kodak, Football News, Walter Camp)
• 1976 Third-Team All-American (AP)
• 1976 First-Team All-Big 8 (UPI, AP)
• 1976 First-Team Academic All-Big 8
• 1975 First-Team All-Big 8 (UPI)
• 1975 Big 8 Defensive Player-of-the-Week (Colorado)
• 1975 ABC Defensive Player-of-the-Game (Missouri)

1976 (Senior)
Nebraska’s big-play maker on defense in 1976, Dave led the Huskers in pass interceptions and passes broken up. Earned a spot on the UPI, AFC-Kodak, Football News, and Walter Camp All-America teams. First-Team Academic All-Big 8 as well in 1976.

In opening game of the year against LSU, Butterfield and the Blackshirt secondary held the Tigers to only 60 passing yards. The Huskers picked off the final pass of the game and Ray Phillips’ theft and lateral to Jim Wightman who ran into the end zone went for naught when officials ruled Phillips had stepped out of bounds as time ran out, the game ended in a 6-6 tie. In the third game of the year, against TCU, Butterfield showed some scoring flashes as he had an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown, Nebraska went on to win the game 64-10. Butterfield blocked two field goals in 1976; one a very important break up came against Colorado in a close game which Nebraska won 24-12, Butterfield and the defensive secondary also held Colorado to only 107 net passing yards in the win. Butterfield and the secondary’s best effort came against Kansas as the Jayhawks only completed one of eight passes for 14 yards and one interception. The dominance continued the following week at OklahomaState was only able to pass for 34 net yards in a 14-10 loss to the Huskers.

Butterfield end the year with 38 total tackles, 20 unassisted. Butterfield led the team in both passes broken up (6) and interceptions (4). Butterfield’s four interceptions tied him for third in the Big 8 Conference.

1975 (Junior)
First-Team All-Big 8 selection as  junior in 1975. Speed and quickness resulted in five fumble recoveries, four passes intercepted, five passes broken up and one punt blocked. Butterfield did not shy away from hitting either as he was in on 41 tackles, 24 unassisted. For his two fumble recoveries and all around great play in Nebraska’s 63-21 win over Colorado, ‘Butter” was named the Big 8’s Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Butterfield also receive another defensive honor in the Huskers 30-7 win over Missouri when he was named ABC’s Defensive Player-of-the-Game.

1974 (Sophomore)
Plagued by injury after becoming a sophomore starter, suffered a neck injury against Missouri and didn’t regain top form until late in the season. Butterfield ended the season with 26 total tackles, 12 unassisted, and one pass broken up.

1973 (Freshman)
Redshirted.

1972 (Freshman)
Played on Husker freshman squad.

Before Nebraska (Sterling High School)
All-State performer for Coach Chuck Buderus at Sterling High School.

Personal
Business Administration Major while at Nebraska, born July 29, 1954 to Duane and Naida Butterfield. 

Year	UT	AT	TT	TFL	R	BK	PBU	PI
1974	12	14	26	0-0	0	0	1	0
1975	24	17	41	2-4	5	1	5	4
1976	20	18	38	1-12	0	2	6	4
Total	56	49	105	3-16	5	3	12	8