1996 Fiesta Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1996 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game was a post-season college football
bowl game
in which the Nebraska Cornhuskers
won the national championship for the 1995 college football season
by defeating the Florida Gators, 62-24. Played on January 2, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium
in Tempe, Arizona
, the game matched the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the nation, respectively, Nebraska and Florida. The game was part of the 1995-1996 Bowl Alliance
.
Nebraska, the defending national champion, opened the season by defeating Oklahoma State by a score of 64-21. During the 1995 season, no opponent came within 13 points, including three Top-10 ranked opponents whom the Huskers defeated by a combined score of 134-49. The Huskers averaged more than 53 points per game and 400 yards rushing.
Florida, behind the passing of future Heisman
winner Danny Wuerffel
, had racked up similarly impressive offensive numbers, though mostly through the air, and had emerged through a brutal Southeastern Conference
schedule unbeaten, having throttled rivals Tennessee and Florida State, and whipping Arkansas 34-3 in the SEC championship game. Florida, like Nebraska, had rarely been tested; its closest margin of victory being 11 points.
Oddsmakers had made Nebraska about a 3-point favorite going into the game. However, many experts picked Florida to win, as it was thought that Nebraska's option attack would not succeed very well on Sun Devil Stadium's grass field, and that Wuerffel's passing arm would be too deadly for Nebraska to stop.
to Lawrence Phillips
. The Gators blocked the Huskers' extra point, and Nebraska led 6-3. Late in the period, Florida went back ahead on a short 1-yard sneak from Wuerffel and led 10-6. As the Gators scored, the CBS announcer stated 'Nebraska better not get too far behind.'
and a Kris Brown
field goal made the margin 15 points. Then, cornerback Michael Booker picked off a Wuerffel pass and returned it 42 yards for another Nebraska score, this one making it 32-10. Nebraska quickly forced a punt and added a second Brown field goal to take a decisive 35-10 advantage into the locker room.
, and a 2-point conversion made the score 42-18. The Huskers took over possession at their own 20 with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter. What followed was one of the most memorable plays in Nebraska football and Fiesta Bowl history.
ran an option play to the right, and decided to keep the ball rather than pitch. He gained 11 yards before being met by a group of Florida defenders at the 36 yard line, which he then dragged approximately 10 yards before shrugging them off and breaking free, streaking 75 yards down the sideline to give Nebraska a 49-18 lead. Frazier had broken no less than sixteen tackles on the play. Frazier would finish the game with 199 yards rushing. Nebraska also set records for most rushing yards in a bowl game, with 524, and the most points in the second quarter of a bowl game, with 29.
came in to relieve Frazier and led the Huskers on two more scoring drives, the latter of which he capped himself with a 3-yard scoring run, and the Huskers led 62-18. Reidel Anthony of Florida returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to end the scoring.
Florida attempted a two point conversion, but the quarterback was sacked and appeared to fumble. Nebraska defensive tackle Christian Peter recovered to return it for two points but the play had been blown dead.
Third-string quarterback Matt Turman drove the Huskers to the Florida goal line before taking a knee to run out the clock. Nebraska won 62-24 and claimed a second consecutive national championship. They were the first team to win back-to-back titles since Alabama
in 1978-1979. As of 2010, the 1994 and 1995 Nebraska teams remain the only undefeated and untied - as well as the only consensus - back-to-back national champions since Oklahoma in 1955 and 1956.
. An ESPN poll has them at #3, only behind the 1971 Huskers and 1972 USC Trojans.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
in which the Nebraska Cornhuskers
1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska...
won the national championship for the 1995 college football season
1995 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first year of the Bowl Alliance and was a relatively calm year compared to the early 1990s.Tom Osborne led Nebraska to its second straight national title with a victory over Florida in the Fiesta Bowl....
by defeating the Florida Gators, 62-24. Played on January 2, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium is an outdoor football stadium, located on the campus of Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona, United States. The stadium's current seating capacity is 71,706 and the playing surface is natural grass...
in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, the game matched the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the nation, respectively, Nebraska and Florida. The game was part of the 1995-1996 Bowl Alliance
Bowl Alliance
The Bowl Alliance was an agreement among college football bowl games for the purpose of trying to match the top two teams in a national championship bowl game and to provide quality bowl game matchups for the champions of its member conferences...
.
Pregame hype
The game was billed as a classic #1 vs. #2 matchup, featuring two completely different but equally potent offenses.Nebraska, the defending national champion, opened the season by defeating Oklahoma State by a score of 64-21. During the 1995 season, no opponent came within 13 points, including three Top-10 ranked opponents whom the Huskers defeated by a combined score of 134-49. The Huskers averaged more than 53 points per game and 400 yards rushing.
Florida, behind the passing of future Heisman
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Danny Wuerffel
Danny Wuerffel
Daniel Carl "Danny" Wuerffel is a former American college and professional football player who won the 1996 Heisman Trophy and the 1996 national football championship while playing college football for the University of Florida. After graduating from Florida, he played for four National Football...
, had racked up similarly impressive offensive numbers, though mostly through the air, and had emerged through a brutal Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
schedule unbeaten, having throttled rivals Tennessee and Florida State, and whipping Arkansas 34-3 in the SEC championship game. Florida, like Nebraska, had rarely been tested; its closest margin of victory being 11 points.
Oddsmakers had made Nebraska about a 3-point favorite going into the game. However, many experts picked Florida to win, as it was thought that Nebraska's option attack would not succeed very well on Sun Devil Stadium's grass field, and that Wuerffel's passing arm would be too deadly for Nebraska to stop.
First Quarter
Florida received the opening kickoff and drove to the Nebraska 5, before settling for a 23 yard Edmiston field goal. Aided by good field position, the Huskers countered on their opening series with a 53 yard scoring drive, capped by a 16-yard cross-field throwback pass from Tommie FrazierTommie Frazier
Tommie James Frazier, Jr. is a former American football player and coach in the United States. He played quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers....
to Lawrence Phillips
Lawrence Phillips
Lawrence Lamond Phillips is a former professional American football and Canadian football running back. Phillips's trouble with the law and inability to produce in the NFL have led many critics to label him as a bust....
. The Gators blocked the Huskers' extra point, and Nebraska led 6-3. Late in the period, Florida went back ahead on a short 1-yard sneak from Wuerffel and led 10-6. As the Gators scored, the CBS announcer stated 'Nebraska better not get too far behind.'
Second Quarter
The Huskers exploded for 29 points. Phillips began the quarter with a dazzling 42-yard touchdown run that put the Huskers back in front. On the very next possession, Florida took over at its own 22, but was pushed back into the shadow of its own end zone. On second down, the Huskers appeared to have sacked Wuerffel in the end zone for a safety, but officials ruled his forward progress had brought him out to the 1. On the very next play from scrimmage, Jamel Williams blitzed and sacked Wuerffel untouched in the middle of the end zone, forcing the resulting safety that had been denied from the play before, and the score was 15-10. A 1-yard dive from freshman Ahman GreenAhman Green
Ahman Rashad Green is a retired American football running back. He is the all-time leading rusher for the Green Bay Packers. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 3rd round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
and a Kris Brown
Kris Brown
Kristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points...
field goal made the margin 15 points. Then, cornerback Michael Booker picked off a Wuerffel pass and returned it 42 yards for another Nebraska score, this one making it 32-10. Nebraska quickly forced a punt and added a second Brown field goal to take a decisive 35-10 advantage into the locker room.
Third Quarter
Florida continued to struggle against Nebraska's aggressive, blitzing defense. On their first possession of the second half, Wuerffel was intercepted by Eric Stokes at the NU 28. The Huskers' first two possessions both ventured deep into Florida territory before turning it over on an interception and on downs. Frazier then broke through the line for a blazing 35-yard touchdown run later in the third, putting the Huskers further in front at 42-10. Florida countered with a 77-yard scoring drive, capped by a 35-yard pass from Wuerffel to Ike HilliardIke Hilliard
Isaac Jason "Ike" Hilliard is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver for twelve seasons in the National Football League during the 1990s and 2000s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for...
, and a 2-point conversion made the score 42-18. The Huskers took over possession at their own 20 with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter. What followed was one of the most memorable plays in Nebraska football and Fiesta Bowl history.
The run
On second down from the NU 25, Nebraska quarterback Tommie FrazierTommie Frazier
Tommie James Frazier, Jr. is a former American football player and coach in the United States. He played quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers....
ran an option play to the right, and decided to keep the ball rather than pitch. He gained 11 yards before being met by a group of Florida defenders at the 36 yard line, which he then dragged approximately 10 yards before shrugging them off and breaking free, streaking 75 yards down the sideline to give Nebraska a 49-18 lead. Frazier had broken no less than sixteen tackles on the play. Frazier would finish the game with 199 yards rushing. Nebraska also set records for most rushing yards in a bowl game, with 524, and the most points in the second quarter of a bowl game, with 29.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter was something of an anti-climax, with the result having more or less been decided. Nebraska backup quarterback Brook BerringerBrook Berringer
Brook Warren Berringer was an American quarterback for the University of Nebraska football team in the mid-1990s. Berringer came to Nebraska from Goodland, Kansas, and played a back-up role to Tommie Frazier...
came in to relieve Frazier and led the Huskers on two more scoring drives, the latter of which he capped himself with a 3-yard scoring run, and the Huskers led 62-18. Reidel Anthony of Florida returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to end the scoring.
Florida attempted a two point conversion, but the quarterback was sacked and appeared to fumble. Nebraska defensive tackle Christian Peter recovered to return it for two points but the play had been blown dead.
Third-string quarterback Matt Turman drove the Huskers to the Florida goal line before taking a knee to run out the clock. Nebraska won 62-24 and claimed a second consecutive national championship. They were the first team to win back-to-back titles since Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
in 1978-1979. As of 2010, the 1994 and 1995 Nebraska teams remain the only undefeated and untied - as well as the only consensus - back-to-back national champions since Oklahoma in 1955 and 1956.
Epilogue
The 1995 Nebraska squad has been voted as the greatest college football team of all-time in many surveys, including the all-time Sagarin ratingsJeff Sagarin
Jeff Sagarin is an American sports statistician well-known for his development of a methodology for ranking and rating sports teams in a variety of sports...
. An ESPN poll has them at #3, only behind the 1971 Huskers and 1972 USC Trojans.
External links
- http://www.huskerpedia.com/games/1995/fiesta.html
- http://www.huskerpedia.com/rating.html
- http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/colfootball/teams/best.html