1981, my freshman year, Senior Mark Mauer started at QB the first 3 games. Loses to Iowa and Penn State put Osborne on the hot seat.
During the 2nd half of the 4th game vs Auburn, Soph. Turner Gill was called upon by Osborne to lead the comeback.
the rest was history. Obviously Osborne ran option in 78, 79, and 80. 1981 the Huskers beat the Sooners, but with Mauer playing a great game because Gill was injured.
Osborne went with more option QB to try to beat the Sooners. Many of those games were poor weather for the passing game and running the QB instead of passing seemed to work.