MIAMI - It was a gut-wrenching decision, the kind that no coach wants to have to make. The top ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers had just scored on a fourth down option run to cut their deficit in the Orange Bowl to 31-30, and now it was decision time for coach Tom Osborne.
With no overtime at that time, attempting a sure-thing extra point would have resulted in a tie, which would have almost certainly given Nebraska the national championship it was seeking. Nebraska entered the game 12-0, and with second ranked Texas losing earlier in the day and third-ranked Auburn winning unimpressively, it was unlikely either team would pass Nebraska in the polls if Nebraska tied Miami. On the other hand, Osborne didn't feel right winning the national championship on a tie. He felt like the title should be unquestioned, that there should never be an accusation that Nebraska backed into a championship.
Oddly enough, Osborne had been asked earlier in the week what he would do if this exact situation came up. "I hope it doesn't come up," he said. "I'll be crucified one way or another on that one." But it came up. It was decision time.
Perhaps his decision was affected by the momentum his Cornhuskers had gained. Trailing 31-17 entering the fourth quarter, the Cornhuskers scored once to cut the deficit to 31-24, then again when quarterback Turner Gill executed a perfect option run Jeff Smith to score from 24 yards out on fourth and eight. With the momentum on their side, it seemed like the Cornhuskers would be able to get those three yards they needed for the national championship.
So Osborne made the decision: go for it. They called a pass play, with Gill looking for Smith. Miami's Kenny Calhoun reached out and broke up the pass, preserving Miami's victory and causing heartbreak across Nebraska.
That one play established Miami's football dynasty. After holding on for the stunning victory, Miami leapfrogged #4 Illinois (which had lost the Rose Bowl 45-9), #3 Auburn, #2 Texas, and #1 Nebraska in the polls to win its first national championship and establish itself, almost immediately, as the team of the 1980s.
It would take Osborne 11 more seasons to win his first national championship with Nebraska. Though he would eventually win two more, his legacy will always be his decision to go for two in the Orange Bowl, not necessarily because the move failed, but because he had the guts to try it in the first place.
HONORABLE MENTION
January 2, 1982: MIAMI - The picture made Kellen Winslow a household name; it shows Winslow being dragged off the field of Miami's Orange Bowl by two teammates, too exhausted to be able to move on his own. It's the perfect image of what happened in the game that came to be known as the Epic in Miami. When the Chargers had a 24-0 lead after one quarter on a warm, humid night, the game looked like it would be anything but a classic. But the Dolphins charged back, tying the score in the third. Each team scored two more touchdowns to lead to a 38-38 tie as Miami lined up for the game-winning field goal at the end of regulation. Winslow blocked the kick to keep the season alive for the Chargers. San Diego missed a short field goal on the first possession of overtime before blocking another kick later in the period. Finally, the Chargers put one through the uprights, winning 41-38.
Showing posts with label Nebraska. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nebraska. Show all posts
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Thursday, November 25, 2010
November 25, 1971: Run, Johnny, Run
NORMAN, Okla. - It's one of the signature moments in college football history. Johnny Rodgers catching a punt on the fly, getting hit almost as soon as he caught the ball, dodging a few more tackles, then taking off, not stopping until he was dancing in the end zone.
It was the most exciting play of the 1971 college football season, indeed one of the most exciting plays of the entire decade. Rodgers' punt return did more than just give Nebraska a 7-0 lead, though. It helped kick off a rivalry that lasted throughout the rest of the decade and into the 80s, one that often helped determine the number 1 team in the country.
The Nebraska-Oklahoma rivarly wasn't always the biggest one on each school's schedule. Before the 1970s, neither school seemed to be good at the same time, so the game wasn't circled on the calendar too often. That changed in 1971. Nebraska, the defending national champions, entered their game against Oklahoma undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation. Oklahoma was ranked No. 2, the start of a climb back into national prominence. Both teams were undefeated on November 25, 1971, when they met for what was billed as the latest version of the Game of the Century.
Going into the game, the biggest intrigue was thought to come when Oklahoma had the ball, as the Sooners' dominant wishbone offense was going against Nebraska's devestating "blackshirts" defense. It was billed as the irresistable force battling the immoveable object. That matchup was thought to be the highlight of the game that would likely decide the national championship.
But it was Rodgers' punt return that got the game going. After stopping Oklahoma on the opening drive, Rodgers explosive run put Nebraska in the drivers' seat in the game of the year. The Cornhuskers had a 14-3 lead late in the second quarter, but they gave it back, as Oklahoma scored twice in the second, including once with just seconds left in the quarter. Nebraska's 17-14 halftime deficit marked the first time all season they had trailed in a game.
Nebraska's power running took over, and the Cornhuskers scored two straight touchdowns to take a 28-17 lead. Back again came Oklahoma, reclaiming the lead at 31-28. Nebraska got the ball back with seven minutes left with a chance to take the lead again. After driving to near midfield, Rodgers struck again, turning a short pass into a 33-yard gain to bring Nebraska to the 15. Runningback Jeff Kinney ran the ball on the next four plays, the last resulting in his fourth touchdown of the game, as Nebraska went back in front. They stopped Oklahoma's last drive, securing the victory.
Even more than the national championship the previous year, the Cornhuskers' victory in front of an estimate 55 million television viewers helped thrust Nebraska into the national spotlight, where it remains to this day. As the Cornhuskers wrapped up their second straight national championship in January, people from around the the country started following and cheering for the 'Huskers.
Oklahoma benefited from the game too, even in defeat. Their 1971 season was the beginning of their return to glory. Despite the loss to Nebraska, the Sooners finished the season ranked No. 2, defeating Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. Three years later, it was the Sooners' turn to win back-to-back national championships.
Rodgers' punt return:
It was the most exciting play of the 1971 college football season, indeed one of the most exciting plays of the entire decade. Rodgers' punt return did more than just give Nebraska a 7-0 lead, though. It helped kick off a rivalry that lasted throughout the rest of the decade and into the 80s, one that often helped determine the number 1 team in the country.
The Nebraska-Oklahoma rivarly wasn't always the biggest one on each school's schedule. Before the 1970s, neither school seemed to be good at the same time, so the game wasn't circled on the calendar too often. That changed in 1971. Nebraska, the defending national champions, entered their game against Oklahoma undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation. Oklahoma was ranked No. 2, the start of a climb back into national prominence. Both teams were undefeated on November 25, 1971, when they met for what was billed as the latest version of the Game of the Century.
Going into the game, the biggest intrigue was thought to come when Oklahoma had the ball, as the Sooners' dominant wishbone offense was going against Nebraska's devestating "blackshirts" defense. It was billed as the irresistable force battling the immoveable object. That matchup was thought to be the highlight of the game that would likely decide the national championship.
But it was Rodgers' punt return that got the game going. After stopping Oklahoma on the opening drive, Rodgers explosive run put Nebraska in the drivers' seat in the game of the year. The Cornhuskers had a 14-3 lead late in the second quarter, but they gave it back, as Oklahoma scored twice in the second, including once with just seconds left in the quarter. Nebraska's 17-14 halftime deficit marked the first time all season they had trailed in a game.
Nebraska's power running took over, and the Cornhuskers scored two straight touchdowns to take a 28-17 lead. Back again came Oklahoma, reclaiming the lead at 31-28. Nebraska got the ball back with seven minutes left with a chance to take the lead again. After driving to near midfield, Rodgers struck again, turning a short pass into a 33-yard gain to bring Nebraska to the 15. Runningback Jeff Kinney ran the ball on the next four plays, the last resulting in his fourth touchdown of the game, as Nebraska went back in front. They stopped Oklahoma's last drive, securing the victory.
Even more than the national championship the previous year, the Cornhuskers' victory in front of an estimate 55 million television viewers helped thrust Nebraska into the national spotlight, where it remains to this day. As the Cornhuskers wrapped up their second straight national championship in January, people from around the the country started following and cheering for the 'Huskers.
Oklahoma benefited from the game too, even in defeat. Their 1971 season was the beginning of their return to glory. Despite the loss to Nebraska, the Sooners finished the season ranked No. 2, defeating Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. Three years later, it was the Sooners' turn to win back-to-back national championships.
Rodgers' punt return:
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