Wednesday, December 17, 2008
1982 Orange Bowl: Missed opportunity
With Nebraska and Clemson preparing to square off on Jan. 1 in the Gator Bowl at Jacksonville, Fla., it's interesting to look back and recall the last time the Cornhuskers and Tigers met on the gridiron in the 1982 Orange Bowl following the 1981 season.
As things shook out, a Nebraska victory could’ve given Nebraska coach Tom Osborne his first national title -- something he’d have to wait another dozen years to capture. Earlier on New Year’s Day, Pittsburgh’s win over No. 2-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and Texas’ victory over No. 3 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl had opened the door for the fourth-ranked Huskers - - if they could only beat No. 1 Clemson.
Although the Tigers were undefeated and ranked ahead of Nebraska, the Huskers were actually four-point favorites in the contest. NU came into the Orange Bowl winners of eight consecutive games after a 1-2 start.
“It was an interesting game and, of course, they were named national champions after that game, so it was memorable,” Osborne said of the Clemson Tigers. “Naturally, we would’ve liked to have done better, but on the other hand, I thought our team played very hard and played very well.
“Of course, Clemson played a great game.”
Despite taking a 7-3 first-quarter lead on Mike Rozier’s I-back option pass to Anthony Steels for a 25-yard touchdown, Nebraska was bottled up by Clemson’s defense most of the night, managing just 256 total yards. The Tigers led 22-7 after three quarters, powered by quarterback Homer Jordan, who finished as the game’s most valuable offensive player with 134 yards passing and 46 yards rushing.
Nebraska cut its deficit to 22-15 on Roger Craig’s 26-yard TD run and his two-point conversion run with 9:15 to play. However, a key penalty wiped out the Huskers’ best scoring opportunity after that as Rozier’s 13-yard run to midfield was nullified by a clipping penalty and NU eventually had to punt.
Clemson took over with 5:24 remaining at its own 20-yard line and didn’t give the football back to Nebraska until just six seconds remained. From their own 46, the Huskers’ last hope was a Hail Mary pass, but quarterback Mark Mauer’s attempt was broken up, leaving the Tigers with the victory and the national title.
As things shook out, a Nebraska victory could’ve given Nebraska coach Tom Osborne his first national title -- something he’d have to wait another dozen years to capture. Earlier on New Year’s Day, Pittsburgh’s win over No. 2-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and Texas’ victory over No. 3 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl had opened the door for the fourth-ranked Huskers - - if they could only beat No. 1 Clemson.
Although the Tigers were undefeated and ranked ahead of Nebraska, the Huskers were actually four-point favorites in the contest. NU came into the Orange Bowl winners of eight consecutive games after a 1-2 start.
“It was an interesting game and, of course, they were named national champions after that game, so it was memorable,” Osborne said of the Clemson Tigers. “Naturally, we would’ve liked to have done better, but on the other hand, I thought our team played very hard and played very well.
“Of course, Clemson played a great game.”
Despite taking a 7-3 first-quarter lead on Mike Rozier’s I-back option pass to Anthony Steels for a 25-yard touchdown, Nebraska was bottled up by Clemson’s defense most of the night, managing just 256 total yards. The Tigers led 22-7 after three quarters, powered by quarterback Homer Jordan, who finished as the game’s most valuable offensive player with 134 yards passing and 46 yards rushing.
Nebraska cut its deficit to 22-15 on Roger Craig’s 26-yard TD run and his two-point conversion run with 9:15 to play. However, a key penalty wiped out the Huskers’ best scoring opportunity after that as Rozier’s 13-yard run to midfield was nullified by a clipping penalty and NU eventually had to punt.
Clemson took over with 5:24 remaining at its own 20-yard line and didn’t give the football back to Nebraska until just six seconds remained. From their own 46, the Huskers’ last hope was a Hail Mary pass, but quarterback Mark Mauer’s attempt was broken up, leaving the Tigers with the victory and the national title.
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