C

Craig Schnitzler

Class of 1983 · Boys Track & Field & Football

Athletic Career

Athletic Accomplishments

1981
Class C State Champions — Boys Track & Field (Team Score 40; first state championship in Battle Creek school history)
1982
Class C State Champions — Boys Track & Field (Team Score 44; back-to-back; runner-up Alma 34)

Teams & Seasons

Boys Track & Field

19811982

College Athletics

CollegeUniversity of Nebraska — punter / placekicker, No. 13 (1983–87)
Nebraska 1983 · FreshmanWalk-on and the top punter and placekicker on Nebraska’s 5-0 freshman team — 34.9 yards per punt on 14 punts with a long of 58, and 12 of 14 extra points.
Nebraska 1984 · RedshirtRedshirted his second season as a Husker.
Nebraska 1985 · SophomoreOpened as the No. 2 placekicker behind Dale Klein, then made all seven extra points and a 35-yard field goal in relief against Florida State; a thigh injury limited him the rest of the season.
Nebraska 1986 · JuniorConverted his only extra-point attempt of the season behind All-Big Eight kicker Dale Klein.
Nebraska 1987 · SeniorServed as Nebraska’s No. 3 punter, appeared in three games and made both extra-point attempts on a 10-2 team that met Florida State in the January 1988 Fiesta Bowl.

Personal

Nebraska First for BrothersAgainst Illinois in 1985 his brother Robb caught a touchdown pass while Craig kicked seven extra points and a field goal — the first brothers known to score in the same game for Nebraska.
FamilySon of Robert and Lorraine Schnitzler of Battle Creek; brother of Robb Schnitzler, Nebraska split end 1982–86.

The Story

Craig Schnitzler lettered at Battle Creek before walking on at the University of Nebraska as a punter and placekicker in jersey No. 13.

As a freshman in 1983 he was the top punter and kicker on Nebraska’s undefeated 5-0 freshman team, averaging 34.9 yards on 14 punts with a long of 58 and converting 12 of 14 extra points, then redshirted in 1984. In the 1985 opener against Florida State he replaced an ineffective Dale Klein and made all seven extra points plus a 35-yard field goal; a thigh injury kept him from kicking the rest of the season. He handled one extra point in 1986 and served as the Huskers’ No. 3 punter as a senior in 1987, appearing in three games and making both attempts on a 10-2 team that played Florida State in the January 1988 Fiesta Bowl.

He and his brother Robb were the first brothers known to score in the same Nebraska game, against Illinois in 1985.

Photos

A Message from Coach Tom Osborne

Tom Osborne — Retirement Tribute to Bob Schnitzler