@mylegsareswollen .....End of the option ..??? What about your boys Tommie Frazier, Ahman Green, Phillips and the rest of the bunch...? That was a decade later from this game @_@
Tom Osborne had balls. You'd never see a coach do this now. Overtime is partially to blame for that, it ruined the possiblity for having great moments like this.
@ericberryisgod overtime saved football nobody wants to see a tie the best team might not win if they have to go for 2 to get the with no ot who knows in o t nebraska may have won.
I know I'm in the minority on that opinion. Most of the fans like overtime, I admit it can produce some exciting games as well, but I wish they'd at least make them start from the 50 instead of the 25. Make teams earn a shot at a field goal instead of starting them well in range. But I still feel college football would be better served with ties still a part of the game. Unless that is they finally come to their senses and institute playoffs, then we can start talking OT.
The defining moment in the history of two programs. Miami fufilling Howard Schnellenberger's amazing 5 year rebuilding plan, and going from almost a dropped program to winning the national title and changing how the game is played. Nebraska, showing the courage to go for it. Tom Osbourne won so many games, and had those 3 titles after such a long wait. But, this moment defines him and that program more than any win. And I mean that in a good way.
Trailing 31-17 , Nebraska should've gone for 2 after the TD that made it 31-23. If they missed it then they'd of had another chance at a 2-point conversion when they scored the TD that was shown on this video.
Like many have said, there was over a minute and a half left if Nebraska would have gone up 32-31. Kosar ripped the Husker defense to shreds all game and wouldn't have taken much to get in field goal range. People will always remember the 2 point conversion, but it likely wouldn't have mattered with that much time left against what was Nebraska's weakest defense in many years.
@jim3535 I'm a husker fan to the core and I would have to almost agree with you. alot could of happened in that 1:30. I comend TO for showing his balls and going for 2. Tieing is like kissing your sister.
This is one of the most significant games in college football history. With Miami winning this game, they redfined the Division 1 football by introducing speed as a significant element of defensive play. It was essentially the beginning of the end of the option and the wishbone attacks as a dominant offensive scheme in Div 1. Miami coming on the scene also ushered in the dominance of pro style passing attacks, which again, altered Div 1 significantly.
Did you see the triple option obilterate Florida's "speedy" defense for 62 points in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl? Or the Vols defense in the 98 Orange Bowl? Honestly, the last time Nebraska even had a good offense was when they were running triple option. In fact, they were 2 losses away from winning 5 straight National Championships in the 90's. Now look at them in 2010. It doesn't seem the new offensive philosophy is working out for them.
@mylegsareswollen Yeah. It was "essentially the beginning of the end of the option" in the sense that 12 years later Nebraska won 3 national championships in 4 years using almost exactly the same offense.
@mylegsareswollen Very good points, but that didn't stop Tom Osborne and Nebraska from winning 3 championships in 4 years running the option offense :)
@lingotech You got me there, that's true, Nebraska was usually trying to go for power like they did in the 80s and recruited very athletic offensive linemen like Steinkuhler. Their defense wasn't like Miami's in any way because despite being possibly the greatest team to ever take the field, they allowed more points than they should have.
Look at the frames between :19 and :20 seconds.....Fryar "threw" the game.....he pushed the ball out of his hands. Didn't think fixed games occurred back in college in the 80s.
As I got older, never I was more proud of my beloved Huskers for doing the right thing, even in a loss. Of course I did not think that at the time when I was a 17-year-old senior in high school. If they had kicked the extra point and missed it, I do not even want to think what would have happened.
After that game, I wrote a letter to Tom Osborne about the mathematical "expected value" with regards to going for the extra point. A month later I got a letter politely disagreeing with me.
the 1983 huskers were considered the greatest team of all time before this game...they were scoring in the 60s, 70s and 80s on teams and doing it with ease every week....miami made their name by playing anyone, anywhere, anytime...miami got lucky in this one but it started a dynasty....5 titles and 9 appearances in 18 years.
@spencemurphy50 As a Husker fan thanks for the welcome to the Big Ten. Always had respect for Ohio State and looking forward to those match-ups in the horseshoe! GBR
@mongoose704 Again, thanks for the welcome to the Big Ten. Iowa has been a very good program over the years and look forward to playing the Hawkeyes as a natural rival. I only hope Iowa is in the same division as Nebraska but I guess Deleny is still working on it.
@americanhellcatf6 I have special memories of Nebraska because in 1981 Roger Craig and your #6 Huskers took on Hayden's Hawkeyes in Kinnick after destroying us 57-0 the year before. You had Craig but we had Andre Tippett. Our 10-7 win shocked the nation and sparked the Hawks to a Rose Bowl birth that ended 20 straight seasons without a winning record. Our winning tradition started with that win. You got revenge next year, 42-7, but we still won the Peach Bowl. You spanked a good Iowa team.
@mongoose704 I remember the 81 game and it was a shock. We are not use to losing our season openers but you guys pulled it off because Hayden was a great coach and Tippett I believe played for New England in the NFL. The 82 season was a little bittersweet because after we played you and destroyed New Mexico State, 68-0 with 800 yards of rushing we lost that heartbreaker game to Penn State, 27-24. That turned out to be our only loss of 82 and we beat LSU in the Orange Bowl.
@americanhellcatf6 You got close so many times. You even had an outside shot vs Clemson in 1981 and then there was the 1994 Orange Bowl vs Florida State (and you WON that game!) But your coach and staff endured, stuck with the schemes and wouldn't accept the quick easy crooked path to success. Everyone remembers how you finish and 60-3 with 3 national titles made it worthwhile. We want our first national title but we will have to build toward it slowly. We don't have the advantages USC has.
@mongoose704 Yes, we were close many times. If the ball had bounced our way we might have 7 national titles instead of 5. But that was the past and I am proud of the ones we have. The 94 title was against Miami and we beat them 24-17 in the Orange Bowl. The Orange Bowl against Florida State was the 93 season and we lost 18-16 to give Bobby Bowden his first national title. Our field goal kicker missed the kick with only a few seconds left. We don't have USC advantage either, recruit national.
@americanhellcatf6 The Nebraska FSU game game was in January 1994 though it was considered part of the 1993 season. And I think you got screwed in that game.
The general formula Osborne used is one I hope our Hawkeyes emulate since we share nearly identical demographics. We pride ourselves on our walk on program and IIRC Osborne's walk-on program was excellent. Ferentz and his staff are here for the long haul. Osborne kept his staff largely intact.
@mongoose704 I had forgot about Dixon's punt return for a touchdown that got called back, you are right about that one. It drove us to win it all in 94 and I hope Pelini uses the Big 12 Title game last year as motivation to get back to where we use to be. I feel this could be a special season. It is nice to be ranked again in the polls. Hang on to your walk-ons, those kids are hard workers and feel they have something to prove. Some of our best players were walk-ons and we have 16 this year.
@americanhellcatf6 I was torn about the Big 12 title game. I tend to root for the underdog however Iowa was on the fringe of an at large birth in a BCS bowl. I realized that if Nebraska knocked off Texas, it would get an automatic birth and with only one loss, Texas would get our at large birth.
So I have to admit I was happy for my Hawkeyes that Nebraska lost but I did feel bad for you. Turns out we went to the Orange Bowl and won our first TRADITIONAL New Years Bowl in 51 years.
@americanhellcatf6 We have a solid tradition of walk-ons at Iowa. All-Pro Dallas Clark is our most famous current example and is redefining the role of a tight end in the NFL from a possession receiver and blocker to that of a big play maker. In 2003 we put three walkons into the NFL: Derek Pagel, Dallas Clark and Bruce Nelson. Under Osborne your reputation was so good, players would deny schollies from big conference schools to walk-on at Nebraska. All great programs encourage walkons.
@americanhellcatf6 16 walkons? That is impressive. How are you guys looking in fall practice? In Iowa some people think a great season is a given but I remind them that we, like any team does during a great season, had a lot of luck go way. The line between a mediocre and great season can be very thin. We will have to work just as hard to be just as successful this year.
Your team from 94-95 was known for its drive and ambition. I think that is what made them so dominant in 1995.
@mongoose704 From what I saw in fall practice the Nebraska kids are eager to start the season, Pelini said they are tired of hitting each other. They have not named a starting quarterback yet and some people are worried about that but I have confidence the right kid will be named QB. If we play hard and have some luck along the way it could be a great season I just hope there are no major injuries.
@americanhellcatf6 Where you got screwed vs FSU was Dixon's 71 yard punt return for a touchdown that was called back for what appeared to me to be a phantom block in the back.
Amazing trivia facts. Florida State was 11-1, Nebraska was 11-0 going into the game. Florida State was still ranked #1 and Nebraska #2 in the AP. Coaches and coalition poll had Nebraska #1....
@americanhellcatf6 Tippett was a five time All Pro. He was the first really dominant player we had since Cal Jones and Alex Karras (Mongo Like Football.) Teams would refuse to run to his side of the field. Sometimes it would get ridiculous to watch opposing offenses go out of their way to avoid him. He had a terrible year statistically in 1981 precisely because of that, lol!
I won't be used to seeing Nebraska without the I-Option.
Dude...everytime i watch Irving Fryar run that route and catch/drop that pass, it looks like a fix or payoff to me....its almost like he let it hit his hands and then let it go on purpose. Look at it closely for yourself.
I have no problem with a tie in a game. Classic ties: Army vs Notre Dame in 1946; and Notre Dame vs Michigan St in 1966. Take the tie, the national championship, and fondly remember the great comeback the team made in the game to pull even. (If the current overtime system had been in effect then, Osbourn probably would have gone for the tie, and the chance to win in the overtime?)
(I am from OK and always root for the conference in bowls.)
I just watched this game on ESPN classic. I was disgusted to hear that stupid
Miami song that was talking about "dragging Nebraska to the endzone and kicking their butts around" I mean, who has the nerve to talk crap like that after escapeing by the skin of their teeth. If Nebraska had kicked a PAT, Miami wouldn't have even been in the Title discussion. But I guess thats just how Miami is. After a heartbreaing loss, they don't mind hurting you more. Good game Miami, and GO BIG RED!!!
@BradenNeddermeyer dont forget nebraska was scoring in the 60s 70s and 80s on teams in 83' miami had no business being in the game at all. miami's team was full of walk ons. they were just faster than nebraska had ever seen.
I've been to a lot of Orange Bowl games. I miss that stadium for how loud it gets. I've been to some pretty loud games. I was at Wide Left. I was at the FIU Brawl. That stadium explodes whenever there's a touchdown, but never, EVER have I heard it get as loud as it did at 1:55. To be in the stands there in a great stadium watching your huge underdog team win the greatest game of all time for the National Championship gives me chills.
Osborne probably would have won the title for tying it, but I have alot of respect for him for doing what he did. As a Hurricanes fan I tip my hat to him for making the right call.
@Ssoto0055 That's who Tom Osborne is. Osborne didn't believe in winning the national title by tying someone. He believed that to be a national champion, you had to win.
What's interesting about the situation is that the Canes had to have help even BEFORE the game started. #4 lost to UCLA earlier in the day and #2 Texas lost to Georgia in the Cotton Bowl only after they muffed a punt late. Only because of those two games did the Canes have a shot at gold, and they cashed in.
It's certainly past the line of scrimmage, and looks like a sideways pass. This video just isn't clear enough to determine if it was an illegal forward pass. Add me to those who don't get the pass play called on the 2-pt conversion.
I'm not sure if this will make Cornhuskers fans feel any better, but the fourth down play should not have counted. It was an illegal forward pass as the ball was snapped at the 24-yard line, Gill pitched it at about the 23.5-yard line and Smith caught it at the 23-yard line.
I was a bit suspicious of this play and slow-mo replays confirmed it.
@DanielSong39 While you're at it, I hope you also go back and check every single play and look at every minute detail to make sure there were no holding penalties missed, P.I.'s missed, etc... throughout the game. Point being, the play was so close that NO official is going to call a penalty on that play. It was a great play and a great game, and although Tom Osborne has 3 N.C.'s and one of the greatest winning %'s in history, having the guts to go for 2 might be his crowning achievement.
Just a quick comment.....Tom Osborne was anything, but selfish. This was before OT in college football, and his attitude,(Nebraska's attitude, that is), is if you have a chance to win, you go for it. I grew up in Nebraska, so i know a little about the teams history and culture. We'd much rather lose a game like this than tie it. Right or wrong, it's just the way it is.
Just.A.Fantastic.Game. A superhot decisively pro Miami crowd going apeshit all game. An improbable comeback, an incredible play for the touchdown, a gutsy decision to not settle for a tie and give us a clear winner, and a nearly impossible victory for Miami over a beastly Nebraska team
it doesn't get any better than that.
Before Miami became the bad boys of college football, they were the darlings of it after this monumental upset.
this has always seemed less like a gutsy and more like a selfish call to me. the players earned the national title with their whole season of work. kick the point, take the heat as a coach and let the players have the title they deserve.
The players on the team would've never accepted anything less than an undefeated season. Neither them or the coaching staff would've accepted a tie. And props to all of them for that. I know everything is looked at with a cynical eye these days, but this was truly was one of the ballsiest calls in sports history. The Huskers decided a chance at perfection was more important than a bunch of half-wit sportswriters voting them #1.
would be interesting to poll the players and see if, with the years of perspective and away from the pressure to backup their coach, they really feel that way. still seems like a selfish move on osborne's part.
gee, and here i thought i was going to get an uneducated response from someone. guess i shouldn't have worried. glad that nebraska education's workin' out for ya.
see, not agreeing with you doesn't equal not knowing anything about sports. i'm actually pretty sure i know more about sports than you, but that's beside the point. you think osborne did the right thing. i don't. if i was on that team, i'd want the championship i earned through an entire season not to be gambled on one play. difference of opinion, that's all.
no. it's not opinion. calling him selfish is one of the dumbest comments an individual can make. but ya sure you know more about sports than me whatever makes you feel better.
first, i didn't call him selfish. i called it a selfish move. which, again, is an opinion. and, even if you don't agree that, let me assure you i'm capable of way dumber comments than that. and, no, believing i know more about sports than you doesn't really make me feel any better.
@tishhead Who gives a damn about a title that was given to you by a bunch of sportswriters that never even played football? You're looking at it from the viewpoint of a spectator craving bragging rights through the title "national champions", instead of looking at it with the integrity that Osborne and these players had--how could they truly feel like champions if they had forced a tie to achieve it? Ties ruin the point of a game, and it was time to decide a winner. And Miami won, fair & square.
Keep in mind the context of this clip: Miami wasn't MIAMI--they were a few years removed from either dropping down to 1-AA or dropping football entirely. Nebraska was a perennial power while Miami was about where Cincinnati or Rutgers are today.
1. Nebraska would not have shared a national title by tying this game. They would've won it hands down.
2. Whoever posted, "Tom Osborne began to recruit thugs", you're a complete moron that knows nothing about Osborne or the Husker program, so please do yourself a favor and quit posting about either. Tom Osborne is one of the most upstanding human beings on earth.
3. Tom Osborne went for the win instead of the tie because Nebraska lives by the motto "In the deed, the glory."
@jhershbe I saw an interview with TO several years ago. He said that before the season, the team had set a goal to finish 13-0--something that had only been done once before in modern college football history (Nebraska '71). To be 13-0, they had to win that game. And to win that game, they had to go for two.
The only thing I think TO did wrong was trying to pass for it. I would have played to my strength--run the option and let Miami try to stop it.
@jhershbe Good post. Some question the tactics of his going for it saying he should have gone for the two on the previous touchdown. I think they misrepresented Osborne's tactics. Nobody questions his integrity but 'Cane fans. Osborne and his players were too proud to accept backing into a title. They couldn't claim "champions" if they were content with being equal to Miami. His players fought back from 17 and 14 point deificits. They deserved the chance to go out like champs: Win or lose
@jhershbe I respect Osbourne. He's one of the greatest college football coaches, but when a tie will give you a national title, that is "glory" enough.
Keep drinking the Kool-Aid kid. He was a fraud, who politicked for votes to win the 1994 title over more deserving Penn State - far better team by crying about retiring. He lied. And then started to recruit total thugs. And his teams in the 80's and 90's were roided up phoneys. And his teams could never win a title by beating a great team...they fed off of the sisters of the poor for 5 decades.
Nebraska and "Dr. Tom" - biggest fraud program in history.
@ckboal I will not agree with you that Penn St. was the better team in 94. would of loved to see that match up. that said, I bleed Husker red and in the mid 90's T.O. was getting alot of pressure cause he couldn't win the big one. He got a bounch of kids that needed some guidence hoping that he could keep them straight. well we all know how that went. That and I think as all schools do there were plenty of donors to keep players happy
I think it would have been torture for Osbourne to kick the extra point. He wanted the two point convo because he wanted to win the National Title fairly, not back in and kick the extra point and end it with a tie because that would've killed the man. Shows you what a competitor he is.
Everyone forgets there was 40+ seconds left in the game and Miami had 2 or 3 timeouts left. With the way Kosar threw the ball during the game, there was a great chance Miami would've scored again and won any way.
I never saw the comeback. I quit on that game after the first quater, and turned it back on to see the final touchdown and the missed point after. I cursed Osborne at the time, for costing Big Red the national championship, but now realize it was a gutsy call. There will never be another offense like this one ever again in college football Gil, Rozier, Turner, Steinkuler, Rathman
Roger Craig and Dave Rimington were on the 1982 team and in the NFL in 1983. One could argue that the 1982 team was every bit as good as the 1983 team - they just had one unforgettable loss to Penn State in September 1982.
Osbourne felt that if you wanted to be National Champs, you had to go for the win, not play it safe. He felt that it would have passed on the wrong lesson to his players to go for a tie and do it the safe way. Win on a technicality.
i give Osbourne credit for that big time, but i didn't like when he started recruiting thugs in mid 90's...i lost alot of repsect for him. kinda like McCarthy at Colorado, do anything to win...i guess u kinda have to if u want to beat the Miami's of NCAA
@HuskerGlory Penn State got a favorable call on a catch that was out-of-bounds during their winning drive. I remember it being on national TV. I was a freshman at ST Vincent College in PA at the time.
I don't believe so. Nebraska was the only undefeated team (and ranked #1) heading into the New Year's Day bowl games that year. Had they finished 12-0-1, they still would have been the only undefeated team. Miami already had 1 loss. Nebraska very likely would have retained the #1 ranking in the AP and UPI polls with the tie.
@HuskerGlory Some can debate the wisdom of when Obsorne should have gone for the 2 but nobody can question his integrity. He and his players would not accept backing into or cruising to a title. They would either win it or lose it. Gill's pitch to Jeff Smith is one of the forgotten great plays of college football. Had Nebraska made the 2, we'd be talking about that play today.
If they'd tied, Miami would have been 10-1-1, and out of the picture. Nebraska would still have been the nation's only unbeaten team at 12-0-1, and would have gotten the nod. The only other possible candidate was No. 3 Auburn, at 11-1, but Auburn didn't play well in its Sugar Bowl win over eighth-ranked Michigan.
If they had tied, some people would have voted for Auburn on some "principle," but it wouldn't have been enough.
@rechedelphar Nebraska would've won the national title on a tie. They were the best team in college football during the season and would've overwhelmingly won on the polls.
@ThreadStealer, remember Miami would've had 40+ seconds and i believe 2 timeouts after the ensuing kickoff. The way Miami threw the ball, they would've had a good chance to score to win the game.
So because Nebraska dropped two PERFECT passes that is Miami's fault? The #1 team in the nation has no excuse for dropping those kind of passes. Oh and congratulations on the loss to 31-10 loss vs. Texas Tech...
Yeah, what bowl game is Miami in? and who just got hosed in the big 12 championship in texas, and almost beat the team thats going to win the national championship.
Nebraska has the classiest fans in the world, unlike the abuse we took in Miami. I was on the field and they had to escort us off with security guards.
I could never figure out why Osborne called a pass play for the 2 point conversion. He had a dominant option team. The triple option to the right would have been an easy 2 points! To this day Osborne's pass play still haunts me. I commend Osborne for not kicking the extra point and backing into the title but the pass play was the worst thing he could have called. I just don't get it!!
I admire Tom Osborne for the choice he made. I would not have had the courage to make that choice. That Nebraska team was one of the best college football teams ever.
Na'ah...I think USC vs. Texas was more compelling...last three Heisman winners, USC having a what, 38 game winning streak (is that right...just off the top of my head), and an NCAA 3-peat stopped by the brilliance of Vince Young. And it was THE game...no debate (for once) about who the national champion would/could/should be. Too many more elements in that Rose Bowl game in my opinion. THIS game though, definitely Top 5 with Boise/Oklahoma, Nebraska/Oklahoma '71, Miami/tOSU in '02 in there too
They might have been better off going for 2 on the touchdown before. If they had been successful they could have kicked the extra point to win after the last touchdown. If not they could have went for 2 again for the tie.Wonder if coach Osbourne thinks about that every day? It must have been a tough pill to swallow for a long time. He is still a legend in my book!
You make a valid point--one I've thought about over the years. If converting a 2 pt. conversion is a 50-50 proposition, then Nebraska would have stood a good chance of making at least one of them and winning the National title, by a victory or a tie. Texas did this in its 1969 game against Arkansas. Down 14-0, Texas scored a TD, went for two, converted (14-8), then scored another TD and kicked the PAT and won it 15-14. Plus, by going for two on the first TD, you have the element of surprise.
I have always wondered if Irving Fryar dropped that wide open pass on purpose. Watch the video and see there is almost no way he could drop that pass.. Best WR in college football and #1 draft pick. There have mumblings over the years about that play. Anybody have any input. Just curious...
The magnitude of this upset combined with some great plays on college footballs biggest stage at the time makes this the greatest college football game of all time.
It took Balls to go for it and it was the right thing to do. Of course as a Cane im glad that it turned out the way it did. Much respect to Coach Osbourne
mad respect for nebraska..that is what a real man goes for. dude could have easily kicked the field goal and (back in the day) won the national title, but he went for it. it didn't work, but he gets mad man points for that...
dude shut up you just saythat because your obv a canes fan. i likes the canes aswell, but im a born and raised husker fan and this coach is better than any other cane coaches put together and like huskerfanatic said he didnt believe winning a National Title was a real win if you tied or went into overtime, he went for it like a true football player/coach would so screw you!!
there was NO OVERTIME back then.. it was all or half.. TO was a winner not an "oh ok, ill just take the easy road and have half" kind of guy.. Nebraska is the most winningest college football to to day, (from the 1950's) and we owe all of that to him.. head coach for 25 years and only lost like 26 games.. sorry canes41 but "bone heads" dont have records like that..
Victories, 1946-2008 1. Oklahoma 547 2. Penn State 514 3. Texas 513 4. Alabama 511 5. Ohio State 505 6. Nebraska 506 7. Michigan 493 8. Southern Cal 492 9. Tennessee 490 10. Notre Dame 477
P.S. I realize that this is from 1946, not 1950, but considering we have you beat by 41 wins at this point, it's impossible that NU could have more wins than OU since 1950. No disrespect to NU, you have a great program with great fans.
If you're trying to imply that OU steals all the good HS players from Texas - you're exactly right! We do steal all of your good players...thanks! It is interesting that our last two Heisman winners were Okies, however...hmm. Boomer, bitch - we're gonna beat your ass on 10/17/09.
Hey maybe we can get in the NC if you beat us this year, seemed to work for you guys last year.......I predict Holiday bowl for you guys this year, mayber Bradford can finally win a bowl by playing one of the Washington teams or something. Make sure to bring your grass cleats for that one too!
Well I don't count NC's because there is not a playoff system or a fair one at that. (look at last year) I think the best way to really gauge success is bowl record. We all know that teams get shafted almost every year when it comes to the NC game. But every team that does well gets a bowl, until there is a playoff the national champ is only a paper champion.
Compare the population of the State of Nebraska to Texas, Florida, and California, and you'll quickly realize that what Tom Osborne did with the Nebraska football program over his 25 year tenure was AMAZING.
Without question, sir. Osborne was one of the best coaches ever. I wish NU and OU played every year, like the good ole days (sorta sad that the rivalry has been watered-down). That has always been an amazing rivalry with respect between the schools. Maybe we'll see you in the Big XII Championship this year?
Incredible. All without a hint of cheating. USC and Miami, schools in two of the most populous states in the country cheated and still couldn't do what Osborne and the Huskers did from 1993-97
After all these years, the focus is always placed on the legendary two-point try and the guts of Osborrne for making this call. Completely ignored by history is the astonishing 4th and 8 conversion with Gill running the veer option to perfection and Jeff Smith attacking the boundary like its drawn up! Amazing nerves and execution!
I think Gill also had the option to throw a quick slant on that play if it was there - otherwise take it down the line with the option to pitch. It is an incredible gutsy play considering most teams would be throwing all the way on 4th and long.
Also, notice how #25's missed block actually lead to the TD. If he makes his block, then Gill probably keeps, and though he more than likely makes a first, I don 't think he scores,because #2 was in better position to make to tackle him rather than Smith.
You're absolutely right. If 25 makes that block, Gill runs for it himself, probably gets the first, but doesn't score. I've seen that play probably 50 times and never noticed that.
Also notice that #25 missing his block plead to that TD. If he makes the block, then Gill keeps, and though he probably makes a first down, he doesn't score since #2 was in better position to make the play on him rather than Smith.
I know it turned out to be fail, but you have to respect a coach who has the guts to go for it.
TheCAFProduction 1 month ago
GHAHAHAHHAHA. CORNHOLERS LOSE, CORNHOLERS LOSE
madhazzer 2 months ago
I don't blame Tom Osborne for going for the win instead of the tie!!!
MrBennetzen 6 months ago
@mylegsareswollen .....End of the option ..??? What about your boys Tommie Frazier, Ahman Green, Phillips and the rest of the bunch...? That was a decade later from this game @_@
Locomotive56 6 months ago
Tom Osborne had balls. You'd never see a coach do this now. Overtime is partially to blame for that, it ruined the possiblity for having great moments like this.
ericberryisgod 6 months ago
@ericberryisgod overtime saved football nobody wants to see a tie the best team might not win if they have to go for 2 to get the with no ot who knows in o t nebraska may have won.
cainepittman2 6 months ago
@cainepittman2
I know I'm in the minority on that opinion. Most of the fans like overtime, I admit it can produce some exciting games as well, but I wish they'd at least make them start from the 50 instead of the 25. Make teams earn a shot at a field goal instead of starting them well in range. But I still feel college football would be better served with ties still a part of the game. Unless that is they finally come to their senses and institute playoffs, then we can start talking OT.
ericberryisgod 6 months ago
@ericberryisgod maybe that but that sarted overtime so the best team could win.
cainepittman2 6 months ago
The defining moment in the history of two programs. Miami fufilling Howard Schnellenberger's amazing 5 year rebuilding plan, and going from almost a dropped program to winning the national title and changing how the game is played. Nebraska, showing the courage to go for it. Tom Osbourne won so many games, and had those 3 titles after such a long wait. But, this moment defines him and that program more than any win. And I mean that in a good way.
whitesoxfan101 8 months ago
Comment removed
klapp08 5 months ago
Trailing 31-17 , Nebraska should've gone for 2 after the TD that made it 31-23. If they missed it then they'd of had another chance at a 2-point conversion when they scored the TD that was shown on this video.
coolsouthernrain75 9 months ago
Don Criqui FTW
Jean0987654321 9 months ago
It is amazing how one decision by Tom Osbournen to go for two led to the rise of the Miami Hurricanes football program.
That one play changed the entire landscape of college football for the next 25 years.
dvharris75 11 months ago
Like many have said, there was over a minute and a half left if Nebraska would have gone up 32-31. Kosar ripped the Husker defense to shreds all game and wouldn't have taken much to get in field goal range. People will always remember the 2 point conversion, but it likely wouldn't have mattered with that much time left against what was Nebraska's weakest defense in many years.
jim3535 1 year ago
@jim3535 I'm a husker fan to the core and I would have to almost agree with you. alot could of happened in that 1:30. I comend TO for showing his balls and going for 2. Tieing is like kissing your sister.
bm4nu 8 months ago
This is one of the most significant games in college football history. With Miami winning this game, they redfined the Division 1 football by introducing speed as a significant element of defensive play. It was essentially the beginning of the end of the option and the wishbone attacks as a dominant offensive scheme in Div 1. Miami coming on the scene also ushered in the dominance of pro style passing attacks, which again, altered Div 1 significantly.
mylegsareswollen 1 year ago 3
@mylegsareswollen
Did you see the triple option obilterate Florida's "speedy" defense for 62 points in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl? Or the Vols defense in the 98 Orange Bowl? Honestly, the last time Nebraska even had a good offense was when they were running triple option. In fact, they were 2 losses away from winning 5 straight National Championships in the 90's. Now look at them in 2010. It doesn't seem the new offensive philosophy is working out for them.
instig8tor 1 year ago
@mylegsareswollen the funny thing is that oregon is trying to bring the wishbone in a spread option form back, and they've done pretty well.
RockSmithStudio 9 months ago
@mylegsareswollen Yeah. It was "essentially the beginning of the end of the option" in the sense that 12 years later Nebraska won 3 national championships in 4 years using almost exactly the same offense.
Hercules0303 7 months ago
@mylegsareswollen Very good points, but that didn't stop Tom Osborne and Nebraska from winning 3 championships in 4 years running the option offense :)
wolverineme119 2 months ago 4
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lingotech 2 months ago
@lingotech You got me there, that's true, Nebraska was usually trying to go for power like they did in the 80s and recruited very athletic offensive linemen like Steinkuhler. Their defense wasn't like Miami's in any way because despite being possibly the greatest team to ever take the field, they allowed more points than they should have.
wolverineme119 2 months ago
Look at the frames between :19 and :20 seconds.....Fryar "threw" the game.....he pushed the ball out of his hands. Didn't think fixed games occurred back in college in the 80s.
TheLonestar1969 1 year ago
As I got older, never I was more proud of my beloved Huskers for doing the right thing, even in a loss. Of course I did not think that at the time when I was a 17-year-old senior in high school. If they had kicked the extra point and missed it, I do not even want to think what would have happened.
After that game, I wrote a letter to Tom Osborne about the mathematical "expected value" with regards to going for the extra point. A month later I got a letter politely disagreeing with me.
gynandroidhead 1 year ago
the 1983 huskers were considered the greatest team of all time before this game...they were scoring in the 60s, 70s and 80s on teams and doing it with ease every week....miami made their name by playing anyone, anywhere, anytime...miami got lucky in this one but it started a dynasty....5 titles and 9 appearances in 18 years.
getyoasshome 1 year ago
at 1:53 was the beginning of the hurricane dynasty....
getyoasshome 1 year ago
mad respect for the UNL program. Welcome to the Big Ten. Go Bucks
spencemurphy50 1 year ago
@spencemurphy50 As a Husker fan thanks for the welcome to the Big Ten. Always had respect for Ohio State and looking forward to those match-ups in the horseshoe! GBR
americanhellcatf6 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6
Welcome to the Big Ten. As a fan of your next door neighbor, The Iowa Hawkeyes, I look forward to beating....errr....PLAYING you again 8^)
mongoose704 1 year ago
@mongoose704 Again, thanks for the welcome to the Big Ten. Iowa has been a very good program over the years and look forward to playing the Hawkeyes as a natural rival. I only hope Iowa is in the same division as Nebraska but I guess Deleny is still working on it.
americanhellcatf6 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 I have special memories of Nebraska because in 1981 Roger Craig and your #6 Huskers took on Hayden's Hawkeyes in Kinnick after destroying us 57-0 the year before. You had Craig but we had Andre Tippett. Our 10-7 win shocked the nation and sparked the Hawks to a Rose Bowl birth that ended 20 straight seasons without a winning record. Our winning tradition started with that win. You got revenge next year, 42-7, but we still won the Peach Bowl. You spanked a good Iowa team.
mongoose704 1 year ago
@mongoose704 I remember the 81 game and it was a shock. We are not use to losing our season openers but you guys pulled it off because Hayden was a great coach and Tippett I believe played for New England in the NFL. The 82 season was a little bittersweet because after we played you and destroyed New Mexico State, 68-0 with 800 yards of rushing we lost that heartbreaker game to Penn State, 27-24. That turned out to be our only loss of 82 and we beat LSU in the Orange Bowl.
americanhellcatf6 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 You got close so many times. You even had an outside shot vs Clemson in 1981 and then there was the 1994 Orange Bowl vs Florida State (and you WON that game!) But your coach and staff endured, stuck with the schemes and wouldn't accept the quick easy crooked path to success. Everyone remembers how you finish and 60-3 with 3 national titles made it worthwhile. We want our first national title but we will have to build toward it slowly. We don't have the advantages USC has.
mongoose704 1 year ago
@mongoose704 Yes, we were close many times. If the ball had bounced our way we might have 7 national titles instead of 5. But that was the past and I am proud of the ones we have. The 94 title was against Miami and we beat them 24-17 in the Orange Bowl. The Orange Bowl against Florida State was the 93 season and we lost 18-16 to give Bobby Bowden his first national title. Our field goal kicker missed the kick with only a few seconds left. We don't have USC advantage either, recruit national.
americanhellcatf6 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 The Nebraska FSU game game was in January 1994 though it was considered part of the 1993 season. And I think you got screwed in that game.
The general formula Osborne used is one I hope our Hawkeyes emulate since we share nearly identical demographics. We pride ourselves on our walk on program and IIRC Osborne's walk-on program was excellent. Ferentz and his staff are here for the long haul. Osborne kept his staff largely intact.
mongoose704 1 year ago
@mongoose704 I had forgot about Dixon's punt return for a touchdown that got called back, you are right about that one. It drove us to win it all in 94 and I hope Pelini uses the Big 12 Title game last year as motivation to get back to where we use to be. I feel this could be a special season. It is nice to be ranked again in the polls. Hang on to your walk-ons, those kids are hard workers and feel they have something to prove. Some of our best players were walk-ons and we have 16 this year.
americanhellcatf6 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 I was torn about the Big 12 title game. I tend to root for the underdog however Iowa was on the fringe of an at large birth in a BCS bowl. I realized that if Nebraska knocked off Texas, it would get an automatic birth and with only one loss, Texas would get our at large birth.
So I have to admit I was happy for my Hawkeyes that Nebraska lost but I did feel bad for you. Turns out we went to the Orange Bowl and won our first TRADITIONAL New Years Bowl in 51 years.
mongoose704 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 We have a solid tradition of walk-ons at Iowa. All-Pro Dallas Clark is our most famous current example and is redefining the role of a tight end in the NFL from a possession receiver and blocker to that of a big play maker. In 2003 we put three walkons into the NFL: Derek Pagel, Dallas Clark and Bruce Nelson. Under Osborne your reputation was so good, players would deny schollies from big conference schools to walk-on at Nebraska. All great programs encourage walkons.
mongoose704 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 16 walkons? That is impressive. How are you guys looking in fall practice? In Iowa some people think a great season is a given but I remind them that we, like any team does during a great season, had a lot of luck go way. The line between a mediocre and great season can be very thin. We will have to work just as hard to be just as successful this year.
Your team from 94-95 was known for its drive and ambition. I think that is what made them so dominant in 1995.
mongoose704 1 year ago
@mongoose704 From what I saw in fall practice the Nebraska kids are eager to start the season, Pelini said they are tired of hitting each other. They have not named a starting quarterback yet and some people are worried about that but I have confidence the right kid will be named QB. If we play hard and have some luck along the way it could be a great season I just hope there are no major injuries.
americanhellcatf6 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 Where you got screwed vs FSU was Dixon's 71 yard punt return for a touchdown that was called back for what appeared to me to be a phantom block in the back.
Amazing trivia facts. Florida State was 11-1, Nebraska was 11-0 going into the game. Florida State was still ranked #1 and Nebraska #2 in the AP. Coaches and coalition poll had Nebraska #1....
Nebraska was a 17.5 point underdog!
mongoose704 1 year ago
@americanhellcatf6 Tippett was a five time All Pro. He was the first really dominant player we had since Cal Jones and Alex Karras (Mongo Like Football.) Teams would refuse to run to his side of the field. Sometimes it would get ridiculous to watch opposing offenses go out of their way to avoid him. He had a terrible year statistically in 1981 precisely because of that, lol!
I won't be used to seeing Nebraska without the I-Option.
mongoose704 1 year ago
why didnt nebraska just tie it and win the national championship? or at least share the chamionship? i dont understand why they went for two..
crizilla138 1 year ago
@crizilla138 In the deed, the glory;
BradenNeddermeyer 1 year ago
Dude...everytime i watch Irving Fryar run that route and catch/drop that pass, it looks like a fix or payoff to me....its almost like he let it hit his hands and then let it go on purpose. Look at it closely for yourself.
lonestar1969 1 year ago
This is the classic game of the 1980s.
I have no problem with a tie in a game. Classic ties: Army vs Notre Dame in 1946; and Notre Dame vs Michigan St in 1966. Take the tie, the national championship, and fondly remember the great comeback the team made in the game to pull even. (If the current overtime system had been in effect then, Osbourn probably would have gone for the tie, and the chance to win in the overtime?)
(I am from OK and always root for the conference in bowls.)
LibraryUser61 1 year ago
I just watched this game on ESPN classic. I was disgusted to hear that stupid
Miami song that was talking about "dragging Nebraska to the endzone and kicking their butts around" I mean, who has the nerve to talk crap like that after escapeing by the skin of their teeth. If Nebraska had kicked a PAT, Miami wouldn't have even been in the Title discussion. But I guess thats just how Miami is. After a heartbreaing loss, they don't mind hurting you more. Good game Miami, and GO BIG RED!!!
BradenNeddermeyer 1 year ago
@BradenNeddermeyer dont forget nebraska was scoring in the 60s 70s and 80s on teams in 83' miami had no business being in the game at all. miami's team was full of walk ons. they were just faster than nebraska had ever seen.
getyoasshome 1 year ago
I've been to a lot of Orange Bowl games. I miss that stadium for how loud it gets. I've been to some pretty loud games. I was at Wide Left. I was at the FIU Brawl. That stadium explodes whenever there's a touchdown, but never, EVER have I heard it get as loud as it did at 1:55. To be in the stands there in a great stadium watching your huge underdog team win the greatest game of all time for the National Championship gives me chills.
SquishyYabor 1 year ago
go canes miami always beats the corncobs except for once
EpicGwar 1 year ago
@EpicGwar Actually the series is tied at 5. Football didn't start in 84. But nice try.
derekfl27 1 year ago
Osborne probably would have won the title for tying it, but I have alot of respect for him for doing what he did. As a Hurricanes fan I tip my hat to him for making the right call.
Ssoto0055 1 year ago
@Ssoto0055 That's who Tom Osborne is. Osborne didn't believe in winning the national title by tying someone. He believed that to be a national champion, you had to win.
What's interesting about the situation is that the Canes had to have help even BEFORE the game started. #4 lost to UCLA earlier in the day and #2 Texas lost to Georgia in the Cotton Bowl only after they muffed a punt late. Only because of those two games did the Canes have a shot at gold, and they cashed in.
HuskerFanatic 1 year ago
@HuskerFanatic thats not miami's fault that those teams choked....
getyoasshome 1 year ago
It's certainly past the line of scrimmage, and looks like a sideways pass. This video just isn't clear enough to determine if it was an illegal forward pass. Add me to those who don't get the pass play called on the 2-pt conversion.
63utuber 1 year ago
I'm not sure if this will make Cornhuskers fans feel any better, but the fourth down play should not have counted. It was an illegal forward pass as the ball was snapped at the 24-yard line, Gill pitched it at about the 23.5-yard line and Smith caught it at the 23-yard line.
I was a bit suspicious of this play and slow-mo replays confirmed it.
DanielSong39 1 year ago
@DanielSong39 While you're at it, I hope you also go back and check every single play and look at every minute detail to make sure there were no holding penalties missed, P.I.'s missed, etc... throughout the game. Point being, the play was so close that NO official is going to call a penalty on that play. It was a great play and a great game, and although Tom Osborne has 3 N.C.'s and one of the greatest winning %'s in history, having the guts to go for 2 might be his crowning achievement.
jhershbe 1 year ago
@DanielSong39 no it wasnt. that was a lateral
Mr420woo 1 year ago
Just a quick comment.....Tom Osborne was anything, but selfish. This was before OT in college football, and his attitude,(Nebraska's attitude, that is), is if you have a chance to win, you go for it. I grew up in Nebraska, so i know a little about the teams history and culture. We'd much rather lose a game like this than tie it. Right or wrong, it's just the way it is.
scorcherfan 1 year ago
Irving fryar was one of the five nicest ahletes i have evr meet i met him at a taping of espn's two minutes drill A GREATGREAT DUDE
psu68born 1 year ago
Just.A.Fantastic.Game. A superhot decisively pro Miami crowd going apeshit all game. An improbable comeback, an incredible play for the touchdown, a gutsy decision to not settle for a tie and give us a clear winner, and a nearly impossible victory for Miami over a beastly Nebraska team
it doesn't get any better than that.
Before Miami became the bad boys of college football, they were the darlings of it after this monumental upset.
mongoose704 1 year ago
that's too bad they didn't have the nuts to run it
qukarlz 1 year ago
this has always seemed less like a gutsy and more like a selfish call to me. the players earned the national title with their whole season of work. kick the point, take the heat as a coach and let the players have the title they deserve.
tishhead 1 year ago
@tishhead
The players on the team would've never accepted anything less than an undefeated season. Neither them or the coaching staff would've accepted a tie. And props to all of them for that. I know everything is looked at with a cynical eye these days, but this was truly was one of the ballsiest calls in sports history. The Huskers decided a chance at perfection was more important than a bunch of half-wit sportswriters voting them #1.
jhershbe 1 year ago
would be interesting to poll the players and see if, with the years of perspective and away from the pressure to backup their coach, they really feel that way. still seems like a selfish move on osborne's part.
tishhead 1 year ago
that's because you're a pussy and you don't know anything about football
qukarlz 1 year ago
gee, and here i thought i was going to get an uneducated response from someone. guess i shouldn't have worried. glad that nebraska education's workin' out for ya.
tishhead 1 year ago
i've never stepped foot in nebraska. you should try to know what you're talkin about before commenting.
qukarlz 1 year ago
thought i was giving you the benefit of the doubt. so you arrived at your level of articulation all by yourself. you must be proud.
tishhead 1 year ago
okay dude you have an extensive vocabulary just stop bitching about tom osborne being selfish you don't know anything about sports
qukarlz 1 year ago
see, not agreeing with you doesn't equal not knowing anything about sports. i'm actually pretty sure i know more about sports than you, but that's beside the point. you think osborne did the right thing. i don't. if i was on that team, i'd want the championship i earned through an entire season not to be gambled on one play. difference of opinion, that's all.
tishhead 1 year ago
no. it's not opinion. calling him selfish is one of the dumbest comments an individual can make. but ya sure you know more about sports than me whatever makes you feel better.
qukarlz 1 year ago
first, i didn't call him selfish. i called it a selfish move. which, again, is an opinion. and, even if you don't agree that, let me assure you i'm capable of way dumber comments than that. and, no, believing i know more about sports than you doesn't really make me feel any better.
tishhead 1 year ago
ya they should have kicked the extra point and tied it. that would be something those players would remember for the rest of their lives
qukarlz 1 year ago
much better to remember the national title they almost won. because everyone always remembers the teams that come close.
tishhead 1 year ago
you are incorrect
qukarlz 1 year ago
@tishhead Who gives a damn about a title that was given to you by a bunch of sportswriters that never even played football? You're looking at it from the viewpoint of a spectator craving bragging rights through the title "national champions", instead of looking at it with the integrity that Osborne and these players had--how could they truly feel like champions if they had forced a tie to achieve it? Ties ruin the point of a game, and it was time to decide a winner. And Miami won, fair & square.
klapp08 5 months ago
@tishhead "Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory."
klapp08 5 months ago
Wow
GUEROMEXICANO831 1 year ago
The game that kickstarted the Miami dyanasty of the 80's & early 90's. Great, great game.
captkirk9797 2 years ago
Keep in mind the context of this clip: Miami wasn't MIAMI--they were a few years removed from either dropping down to 1-AA or dropping football entirely. Nebraska was a perennial power while Miami was about where Cincinnati or Rutgers are today.
pronkb000 2 years ago
1. Nebraska would not have shared a national title by tying this game. They would've won it hands down.
2. Whoever posted, "Tom Osborne began to recruit thugs", you're a complete moron that knows nothing about Osborne or the Husker program, so please do yourself a favor and quit posting about either. Tom Osborne is one of the most upstanding human beings on earth.
3. Tom Osborne went for the win instead of the tie because Nebraska lives by the motto "In the deed, the glory."
jhershbe 2 years ago 13
Lawrence Phillips. All that needs to be said.
(Buckeye fan here. I'm aware that we've had our share of thugs and imbeciles. No program is totally clean in that regard except maybe BYU).
pronkb000 2 years ago
@jhershbe I saw an interview with TO several years ago. He said that before the season, the team had set a goal to finish 13-0--something that had only been done once before in modern college football history (Nebraska '71). To be 13-0, they had to win that game. And to win that game, they had to go for two.
The only thing I think TO did wrong was trying to pass for it. I would have played to my strength--run the option and let Miami try to stop it.
derkommissar1917 1 year ago
@jhershbe Good post. Some question the tactics of his going for it saying he should have gone for the two on the previous touchdown. I think they misrepresented Osborne's tactics. Nobody questions his integrity but 'Cane fans. Osborne and his players were too proud to accept backing into a title. They couldn't claim "champions" if they were content with being equal to Miami. His players fought back from 17 and 14 point deificits. They deserved the chance to go out like champs: Win or lose
mongoose704 1 year ago
@jhershbe I respect Osbourne. He's one of the greatest college football coaches, but when a tie will give you a national title, that is "glory" enough.
RockSmithStudio 9 months ago
@jhershbe
Keep drinking the Kool-Aid kid. He was a fraud, who politicked for votes to win the 1994 title over more deserving Penn State - far better team by crying about retiring. He lied. And then started to recruit total thugs. And his teams in the 80's and 90's were roided up phoneys. And his teams could never win a title by beating a great team...they fed off of the sisters of the poor for 5 decades.
Nebraska and "Dr. Tom" - biggest fraud program in history.
ckboal 8 months ago
@ckboal I will not agree with you that Penn St. was the better team in 94. would of loved to see that match up. that said, I bleed Husker red and in the mid 90's T.O. was getting alot of pressure cause he couldn't win the big one. He got a bounch of kids that needed some guidence hoping that he could keep them straight. well we all know how that went. That and I think as all schools do there were plenty of donors to keep players happy
bm4nu 8 months ago
The begining of the CANES glory
rahbeanz164 7 months ago
@jhershbe It takes alot of guts to go for the win instead of the tie.
MrBennetzen 6 months ago
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jhershbe 2 years ago
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jhershbe 2 years ago
I believe the drop by Fryar looks awfully suspicious as in intentional.
gkctex 2 years ago
@gkctex It was definitely one of the stranger drops I've seen.
ThreadStealer 1 year ago
I think it would have been torture for Osbourne to kick the extra point. He wanted the two point convo because he wanted to win the National Title fairly, not back in and kick the extra point and end it with a tie because that would've killed the man. Shows you what a competitor he is.
TKJ45 2 years ago
Everyone forgets there was 40+ seconds left in the game and Miami had 2 or 3 timeouts left. With the way Kosar threw the ball during the game, there was a great chance Miami would've scored again and won any way.
will0637 2 years ago
I never saw the comeback. I quit on that game after the first quater, and turned it back on to see the final touchdown and the missed point after. I cursed Osborne at the time, for costing Big Red the national championship, but now realize it was a gutsy call. There will never be another offense like this one ever again in college football Gil, Rozier, Turner, Steinkuler, Rathman
MickBelcker 2 years ago
you forgot irving fryar......was Roger craig or dave rimington on this team?
quincee33 2 years ago
Roger Craig and Dave Rimington were on the 1982 team and in the NFL in 1983. One could argue that the 1982 team was every bit as good as the 1983 team - they just had one unforgettable loss to Penn State in September 1982.
HuskerGlory 2 years ago
So why did Osbourne go for it? I didn't realize Miami had one loss..... a very gutsy call, but why not kick the extra point?
quincee33 2 years ago
Osbourne felt that if you wanted to be National Champs, you had to go for the win, not play it safe. He felt that it would have passed on the wrong lesson to his players to go for a tie and do it the safe way. Win on a technicality.
MickBelcker 2 years ago
i give Osbourne credit for that big time, but i didn't like when he started recruiting thugs in mid 90's...i lost alot of repsect for him. kinda like McCarthy at Colorado, do anything to win...i guess u kinda have to if u want to beat the Miami's of NCAA
quincee33 2 years ago
@HuskerGlory Penn State got a favorable call on a catch that was out-of-bounds during their winning drive. I remember it being on national TV. I was a freshman at ST Vincent College in PA at the time.
MrStones64 2 years ago
one of the best games you'll ever see! my dad was lucky enough to be there and he said the noise was unreal
wheels0981 2 years ago
Sick option absolutely incredible
KansasFan2012 2 years ago
What would have happened had they tied? Split national title?
rechedelphar 2 years ago
Had Nebraska tied the ball game it would have been a split national title.
afannell 2 years ago
I don't believe so. Nebraska was the only undefeated team (and ranked #1) heading into the New Year's Day bowl games that year. Had they finished 12-0-1, they still would have been the only undefeated team. Miami already had 1 loss. Nebraska very likely would have retained the #1 ranking in the AP and UPI polls with the tie.
HuskerGlory 2 years ago 2
@HuskerGlory Some can debate the wisdom of when Obsorne should have gone for the 2 but nobody can question his integrity. He and his players would not accept backing into or cruising to a title. They would either win it or lose it. Gill's pitch to Jeff Smith is one of the forgotten great plays of college football. Had Nebraska made the 2, we'd be talking about that play today.
mongoose704 1 year ago
If they'd tied, Miami would have been 10-1-1, and out of the picture. Nebraska would still have been the nation's only unbeaten team at 12-0-1, and would have gotten the nod. The only other possible candidate was No. 3 Auburn, at 11-1, but Auburn didn't play well in its Sugar Bowl win over eighth-ranked Michigan.
If they had tied, some people would have voted for Auburn on some "principle," but it wouldn't have been enough.
derkommissar1917 1 year ago
@rechedelphar Nebraska would've won the national title on a tie. They were the best team in college football during the season and would've overwhelmingly won on the polls.
I respect Osborne's decision though.
ThreadStealer 1 year ago
@ThreadStealer, remember Miami would've had 40+ seconds and i believe 2 timeouts after the ensuing kickoff. The way Miami threw the ball, they would've had a good chance to score to win the game.
will0637 1 year ago
WHAT A SURPRISING UPSET!!
CraigFoye80 2 years ago
how did nebraska absolutly suck? they went undefeated the whole year in 1983 and should have won the national championship.
666jewkid 2 years ago 3
@666jewkid But they didnt
javycane 1 year ago
@666jewkid not the WHOLE year, obviously.
Musclevideofreak 1 year ago
Nebraska had more fans in Miami then Miami did
DeisalWiesal 2 years ago
So because Nebraska dropped two PERFECT passes that is Miami's fault? The #1 team in the nation has no excuse for dropping those kind of passes. Oh and congratulations on the loss to 31-10 loss vs. Texas Tech...
Xdiablofoolx 2 years ago
its football man even if ur the # 1 team in the national u dont always end up doin everything perfect
666jewkid 2 years ago
Yeah, what bowl game is Miami in? and who just got hosed in the big 12 championship in texas, and almost beat the team thats going to win the national championship.
MygotSamster666 2 years ago
This year? You were the best team in what was perhaps the worst division of a BCS conference in CFB. Congrats.
prod1gy3000 2 years ago
I'm a Nebraska fan. Thanks. Reread the message. and if your saying the big 12 is the worst division in CFB your an idiot.
MygotSamster666 2 years ago
Big 12 = Conference
Big 12 North = Division
Reread the message.
prod1gy3000 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure you haven't heard of the WAC conference. Or the Big East.
MygotSamster666 2 years ago
Sorry friend. The WAC is not a BCS conference.
prod1gy3000 2 years ago
That may be true, but we were still a second away from beating the number 2 team in the country......
outcast0201 2 years ago
so the nebraska guys dropped perfect passes and basically choked. yet its miami who sucks? brilliant logic there dumb ass lol
aydog 2 years ago
Nebraska has the classiest fans in the world, unlike the abuse we took in Miami. I was on the field and they had to escort us off with security guards.
vuigar 2 years ago
I was on the field...they had to escort us off with security. Unruly fans...unlike the classy Nebraska fans
vuigar 2 years ago
Gotta respect Tom Osbourn. He's got guts alright.
Cad3nG 2 years ago
I could never figure out why Osborne called a pass play for the 2 point conversion. He had a dominant option team. The triple option to the right would have been an easy 2 points! To this day Osborne's pass play still haunts me. I commend Osborne for not kicking the extra point and backing into the title but the pass play was the worst thing he could have called. I just don't get it!!
spiderdragon1969 2 years ago 2
I think you run it right there.
DerekSutton 2 years ago
I admire Tom Osborne for the choice he made. I would not have had the courage to make that choice. That Nebraska team was one of the best college football teams ever.
raiders1967 2 years ago 2
the greatest game of all time.
bringtheOBback 2 years ago 2
Na'ah...I think USC vs. Texas was more compelling...last three Heisman winners, USC having a what, 38 game winning streak (is that right...just off the top of my head), and an NCAA 3-peat stopped by the brilliance of Vince Young. And it was THE game...no debate (for once) about who the national champion would/could/should be. Too many more elements in that Rose Bowl game in my opinion. THIS game though, definitely Top 5 with Boise/Oklahoma, Nebraska/Oklahoma '71, Miami/tOSU in '02 in there too
cbaldwinjr 2 years ago
what are you talking about 3 Heisman winners? I guess either Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush counts twice?
davidpharrison1992 2 years ago
no, i think the OU QB won it too..
whitert98 2 years ago
Yeah but he was talking about the USC vs. Texas match up not the USC vs OU one.
davidpharrison1992 2 years ago
They might have been better off going for 2 on the touchdown before. If they had been successful they could have kicked the extra point to win after the last touchdown. If not they could have went for 2 again for the tie.Wonder if coach Osbourne thinks about that every day? It must have been a tough pill to swallow for a long time. He is still a legend in my book!
holtridge 2 years ago 2
You make a valid point--one I've thought about over the years. If converting a 2 pt. conversion is a 50-50 proposition, then Nebraska would have stood a good chance of making at least one of them and winning the National title, by a victory or a tie. Texas did this in its 1969 game against Arkansas. Down 14-0, Texas scored a TD, went for two, converted (14-8), then scored another TD and kicked the PAT and won it 15-14. Plus, by going for two on the first TD, you have the element of surprise.
sockalexis 2 years ago
But, like you say, Osborne is a legend...and this decision gained him the esteem of everyone who plays to WIN.
sockalexis 2 years ago 3
I have always wondered if Irving Fryar dropped that wide open pass on purpose. Watch the video and see there is almost no way he could drop that pass.. Best WR in college football and #1 draft pick. There have mumblings over the years about that play. Anybody have any input. Just curious...
BlackshirtCass 2 years ago
Doubtful. Nebraska was a 11 pt fav. Catching that TD would have made no difference.
Unless the bookie bet moneyline.
BurnieB 2 years ago
Comment removed
FTraveller 2 years ago
This play took balls to run. Make no mistake. You have to have guts to call it and guts to run it. It was the right thing to do.
thelite88 2 years ago
The magnitude of this upset combined with some great plays on college footballs biggest stage at the time makes this the greatest college football game of all time.
MoCali123 2 years ago
It took Balls to go for it and it was the right thing to do. Of course as a Cane im glad that it turned out the way it did. Much respect to Coach Osbourne
dmanncane 2 years ago
mad respect for nebraska..that is what a real man goes for. dude could have easily kicked the field goal and (back in the day) won the national title, but he went for it. it didn't work, but he gets mad man points for that...
steveball08 2 years ago
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Coach has no brains. That has to be one of the most boneheaded calls in the history of college football. He should have been fired for that.
canes41 2 years ago
dude shut up you just saythat because your obv a canes fan. i likes the canes aswell, but im a born and raised husker fan and this coach is better than any other cane coaches put together and like huskerfanatic said he didnt believe winning a National Title was a real win if you tied or went into overtime, he went for it like a true football player/coach would so screw you!!
TavishGewecke 2 years ago
there was NO OVERTIME back then.. it was all or half.. TO was a winner not an "oh ok, ill just take the easy road and have half" kind of guy.. Nebraska is the most winningest college football to to day, (from the 1950's) and we owe all of that to him.. head coach for 25 years and only lost like 26 games.. sorry canes41 but "bone heads" dont have records like that..
whitert98 2 years ago
FYI, OU has more wins than Nebraska since the 50s.
hbill3 2 years ago
ummm thats not true at all
Nebraska has alot more wins than OU sinse the 50s
666jewkid 2 years ago
Look, dummy...
Victories, 1946-2008 1. Oklahoma 547 2. Penn State 514 3. Texas 513 4. Alabama 511 5. Ohio State 505 6. Nebraska 506 7. Michigan 493 8. Southern Cal 492 9. Tennessee 490 10. Notre Dame 477
P.S. I realize that this is from 1946, not 1950, but considering we have you beat by 41 wins at this point, it's impossible that NU could have more wins than OU since 1950. No disrespect to NU, you have a great program with great fans.
hbill3 2 years ago
go back to playing tennis or some other sissy sport for you don't know a damn thing about football.
IkeGee1973 2 years ago
Look, knuckleheads - here are the records since the AP Poll was created...
Victories, 1946-2008 1. Oklahoma 547 2. Penn State 514 3. Texas 513 4. Alabama 511 5. Ohio State 505 6. Nebraska 506 7. Michigan 493 8. Southern Cal 492 9. Tennessee 490 10. Notre Dame 477
hbill3 2 years ago
Look two Texas teams in the top three, University of Texas and University of Texas at ChOklahoma!
DerekSutton 2 years ago
If you're trying to imply that OU steals all the good HS players from Texas - you're exactly right! We do steal all of your good players...thanks! It is interesting that our last two Heisman winners were Okies, however...hmm. Boomer, bitch - we're gonna beat your ass on 10/17/09.
hbill3 2 years ago
Hey maybe we can get in the NC if you beat us this year, seemed to work for you guys last year.......I predict Holiday bowl for you guys this year, mayber Bradford can finally win a bowl by playing one of the Washington teams or something. Make sure to bring your grass cleats for that one too!
DerekSutton 2 years ago
We'll see, pods.
hbill3 2 years ago
I assure you that blind squirrels find nuts every once in awhile.
DerekSutton 2 years ago
NCs OU = 7 UT = 5, end of discussion.
hbill3 2 years ago
I mean UT = 4...oops.
hbill3 2 years ago
Well I don't count NC's because there is not a playoff system or a fair one at that. (look at last year) I think the best way to really gauge success is bowl record. We all know that teams get shafted almost every year when it comes to the NC game. But every team that does well gets a bowl, until there is a playoff the national champ is only a paper champion.
DerekSutton 2 years ago
Compare the population of the State of Nebraska to Texas, Florida, and California, and you'll quickly realize that what Tom Osborne did with the Nebraska football program over his 25 year tenure was AMAZING.
HuskerGlory 2 years ago
Without question, sir. Osborne was one of the best coaches ever. I wish NU and OU played every year, like the good ole days (sorta sad that the rivalry has been watered-down). That has always been an amazing rivalry with respect between the schools. Maybe we'll see you in the Big XII Championship this year?
hbill3 2 years ago
@HuskerGlory
Incredible. All without a hint of cheating. USC and Miami, schools in two of the most populous states in the country cheated and still couldn't do what Osborne and the Huskers did from 1993-97
mongoose704 1 year ago
Coach has Balls!
Jerry1op2 2 years ago
this play is heartbreaking...
doesntlikeu 2 years ago
After all these years, the focus is always placed on the legendary two-point try and the guts of Osborrne for making this call. Completely ignored by history is the astonishing 4th and 8 conversion with Gill running the veer option to perfection and Jeff Smith attacking the boundary like its drawn up! Amazing nerves and execution!
mathscripter 3 years ago
I think Gill also had the option to throw a quick slant on that play if it was there - otherwise take it down the line with the option to pitch. It is an incredible gutsy play considering most teams would be throwing all the way on 4th and long.
HuskerGlory 3 years ago
Also, notice how #25's missed block actually lead to the TD. If he makes his block, then Gill probably keeps, and though he more than likely makes a first, I don 't think he scores,because #2 was in better position to make to tackle him rather than Smith.
lilpunk98 2 years ago
You're absolutely right. If 25 makes that block, Gill runs for it himself, probably gets the first, but doesn't score. I've seen that play probably 50 times and never noticed that.
derkommissar1917 1 year ago
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Also notice that #25 missing his block plead to that TD. If he makes the block, then Gill keeps, and though he probably makes a first down, he doesn't score since #2 was in better position to make the play on him rather than Smith.
lilpunk98 2 years ago
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