1998 Orange Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1998 Orange Bowl a 1997-1998 Bowl Alliance
game was played on January 2, 1998. This 64th edition to the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers
, and the Tennessee Volunteers
. Tennessee came into the game with an 11-1 record and #3 AP ranking, whereas Nebraska came into the game with a 12-0 and #2 AP ranking.
Nebraska opened up a 7-0 lead after 1 quarter, and 14-3 lead after 2. Nebraska immediately put the game away 10 minutes into the fourth quarter, through a power running game. Nebraska's lead jumped to 28-3. Quarterback Peyton Manning
fired a 5 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Peerless Price
to cut the lead to 28-9. The ensuing two point conversion failed and the lead remained at 19.
Nebraska drove 59 yards in 3 plays, before running back Ahman Green
later scored on a 22 yard touchdown run to move the lead back up to 35-9. Quarterback Scott Frost
later added a 9 yard touchdown run to put the game away for Nebraska. Back-up quarterback Tee Martin
threw a touchdown pass in the final minutes, and the ensuing two point conversion was successful, making the final margin 42-17.
Nebraska's running back Ahman Green was named game MVP after rushing for an Orange Bowl record 201 yards, and two touchdowns. Peyton Manning's final game at Tennessee capped a brilliant college career, completing 21-of-31 attempts for only 131 yards passing. The game was also the last for Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne who had been at the helm since 1973.
Despite an undefeated 13-0 season by Nebraska and winning the Coaches Poll National Championship, the Cornhuskers finished the season ranked number 2 in the AP Poll, behind Rose Bowl champion University of Michigan. This was despite the lopsided Nebraska victory and Michigan's closer win over #7 Washington State in the Rose Bowl.
Tennessee finished the season 11-2.
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...
game was played on January 2, 1998. This 64th edition to the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers
1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
, and the Tennessee Volunteers
1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned...
. Tennessee came into the game with an 11-1 record and #3 AP ranking, whereas Nebraska came into the game with a 12-0 and #2 AP ranking.
Nebraska opened up a 7-0 lead after 1 quarter, and 14-3 lead after 2. Nebraska immediately put the game away 10 minutes into the fourth quarter, through a power running game. Nebraska's lead jumped to 28-3. Quarterback Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
fired a 5 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Peerless Price
Peerless Price
Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
to cut the lead to 28-9. The ensuing two point conversion failed and the lead remained at 19.
Nebraska drove 59 yards in 3 plays, before running back Ahman Green
Ahman 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...
later scored on a 22 yard touchdown run to move the lead back up to 35-9. Quarterback Scott Frost
Scott Frost
Scott Andrew Frost is an American football coach. He played collegiately for Nebraska as a quarterback. He was drafted in the third round by the New York Jets and played six years in the National Football League as a defensive back with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and...
later added a 9 yard touchdown run to put the game away for Nebraska. Back-up quarterback Tee Martin
Tee Martin
Tamaurice Nigel "Tee" Martin is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and Canadian Football League...
threw a touchdown pass in the final minutes, and the ensuing two point conversion was successful, making the final margin 42-17.
Nebraska's running back Ahman Green was named game MVP after rushing for an Orange Bowl record 201 yards, and two touchdowns. Peyton Manning's final game at Tennessee capped a brilliant college career, completing 21-of-31 attempts for only 131 yards passing. The game was also the last for Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne who had been at the helm since 1973.
Aftermath
Nebraska won the National Championship, capturing the number 1 spot in the Coaches Poll and receiving the Waterford Crystal National Championship Coaches' Trophy.Despite an undefeated 13-0 season by Nebraska and winning the Coaches Poll National Championship, the Cornhuskers finished the season ranked number 2 in the AP Poll, behind Rose Bowl champion University of Michigan. This was despite the lopsided Nebraska victory and Michigan's closer win over #7 Washington State in the Rose Bowl.
Tennessee finished the season 11-2.