John O'Leary Season 1975

Honors & Awards

• Nebraska Offensive Player of the week (Week 2, 1975)

1975 (Senior)

John was the starting I-back during his senior season. Sharing carries with fellow Senior Tony Davis. He was the third leading rusher, gaining 644 yards on 131 carries and scoring seven touchdowns. O’leary was named Nebraska Offensive Player of the week against Indiana in the 45-0 blowout. O'Leary led the team in rushing yards with 88 and scored one touchdown during the blowout. O'Leary also started in the Fiesta Bowl loss against Arizona State 17-14. John would record 10 carries for 45 yards during the Fiesta Bowl loss. 

1974 (Junior)

John was named the No.1 running back during the 1974 season opener. During the start of the season John suffered a fractured jaw in the second game. O'Leary would come back stronger in the second half of the season, after getting his jaw wired shut for a month, to become the No. 3 Rusher with 549 yards and five touchdowns. His biggest game during this season would be against Kansas State where he put up 97 yards. O’Leary would also play a big part in the NU rushing offense that put up 2858 yards with an average of 259.8 per game. 

1973 (Sophomore)

John was listed as the No. 2 Running back behind Tony Davis. John would get his first playing chance against Minnesota and responded with 34 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown. John would also return a punt for 66 yards against the Gophers for a touchdown. Joins Davis as being the only two running backs in Husker history to gain over 100 yards in the same game. O'Leary would finish the season with 344 yards on 73 carries and two touchdowns. John would also catch three balls for 37 yards and two touchdowns as well. 

1972 (Freshman)

O’Leary was a standout on NU’s frosh team in 1972. Broke Joe Orduna’s rushing record of 389 yards with 399. 

Personal

Son of John and Alice O’Leary, John O’Leary was born on July 10, 1954, in Mineola, N.Y. John enrolled at NU as a marketing major.