That Nebraska game was on while we checked in the new freshman at Waller. It was "move in" weekend 1977. We had a big, open, lobby/living room area, and we were set up to process something like 100 new folks that day, plus the returning people. Most were processed during the game. The whole group and their parents were hanging on every word from the broadcast. Many hung around to listen, and by the end we probably had 200 people in & around the lobby (students, parents, family, and new Cougs). The roar at the end of the game was amazing! I will never forget that afternoon. A great day to be a Coug. That was the same year that we then beat Michigan State but then choked at Kansas. Sort of emblematic of that season. Powers was actually a good coach, but not a great recruiter. He inherited Sweeney's last recruiting class, where Jim cleaned up in state (it was a good year in WA) because Don James was just hired and only got a couple of good guys in state (he did well in California that year). When Warren jumped to his dream job at Mizzou, his lack of recruiting chops hurt him. He did well with the talent that he had, and pulled some upsets there, but he could never recruit at a level that could produce long term success. We would have had the same problem if he had stayed in Pullman, so from that perspective, his move was no loss. RIP, Mr. Powers, and thank you for a memorable couple of upsets that will stand the test of time.
