- 1972 Lombardi Award Winner
- 1972 Outland Trophy Winner
One of the finest defensive players in Nebraska and college football history, Rich Glover anchored the Husker defense during the early 1970s, helping Nebraska capture back-to-back national titles in 1970 and 1971 under Coach Bob Devaney.
A 1995 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, Glover was a three-year letterwinner, who earned consensus All-America honors in 1971 and 1972 and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1972. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound middle guard is one of only 10 players in college football history to win both the Lombardi and Outland Trophies, the awards that are given to the top interior player and top lineman in the country, respectively, in the same season, sweeping the awards in 1972. His jersey (No. 79) was retired following the 1972 season.
As a senior, Glover earned Big Eight Defensive Player-of-the-Year honors, helping the Huskers to a 9-2-1 record and a 40-6 victory over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. He finished the season with 100 tackles, including 52 solos, and nine tackles for 41 yards lost, as the Huskers led the Big Eight in total defense and ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense.
A Jersey City, N.J., native, Glover played an instrumental part in the Huskers' 1971 national championship, earning All-Big Eight and All-America honors as Nebraska won its second straight national title with a 13-0 record. He is best remembered for his performance against Oklahoma in the "Game of the Century" when he made 22 stops in the Huskers' 35-31 victory over the second-ranked Sooners. In 1971, Glover led Nebraska with 92 tackles, including 46 solo stops, and 13 tackles for 73 yards lost. He saw limited action in 1970 as a sophomore, recording 19 tackles and three tackles for 13 yards lost.
More recently, Glover was one of six Huskers named to Sports Illustrated's 85-player All-Century Team, joining Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier, Dean Steinkuhler, Tommie Frazier and Aaron Taylor.
Following his collegiate career, he was drafted in the third round (No. 69 overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He played with the Giants for one season before joining the Shreveport Steamers of the World Football League in 1974. He finished his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975 and 1976. Glover sered on Coach Tony Samuel's coaching staff at New Mexico State through the 2004 season.
Career Statistics
Year
UT
AT
TT
TFL
BK
PBU
PI
1970
5
14
19
3-13
0
3
0
1971
46
46
92
13-73
0
1
0
1972
52
48
100
9-41
0
2
0
Totals
103
108
211
25-127
0
6
0