Ray Phillips Season 1976

Honors & Awards

• 2020 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame Inductee
• 1977 5th Round NFL Draft Pick (Cincinnati Bengals, 133rd Overall)
• 1976 Honorable Mention All-American (AP)
• 1976 All-Big Eight (UPI, AP, Omaha World-Herald)
  
  1976 (Senior)
  Ray proved to be a versatile player, as he made 49 total tackles, recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and  blocked a punt in 1976. He earned All-Big Eight and Honorable Mention All-American. Ray was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 1977 NFL Draft (133rd Overall). 

Ray helped Nebraska finish the season with a 9-3-1 record and an Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl win over Texas Tech, 27-24.

1975 (Junior)
Ray put up fine numbers in his first year as a starter. He turned in 62 tackles, including 25 unassisted. He also recovered on a fumble, broke up three passes and blocked a punt and a field goal. Ray’s blocked field goal against Kansas was a great factor in the Huskers 16-0 win. 

The Huskers finished the season with a 10-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl appearance against Arizona State.

1974 (Transfer Redshirt)
Ray sat out the 1974 season learning the system. 

1973 (Marshalltown Junior College)
Ray transferred from Marshalltown Junior College in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was a stand out player under Coach Herb Taylor. 

West Division High School (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Phillips was a five-sport letterman at West Division High School in Milwaukee under Coach Jerry Golembewski. Ray was majoring in recreation education and is the son of Johnnie M. Phillips.

Ray played six years in the NFL, two years with the Cincinnati Bengals and four years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He saw action in 69 games, starting six of them and recording an interception and three fumble recoveries.