Nebraska vs Clemson 1981 National Championship 1982 Orange Bowl

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Nebraska ranked #4 and Clemson ranked #1 going into the game, Texas beat #Alabama and Pitt upset #2 Georgia opening this game up for both team winner takes the National Title. Nebraska was playing without injured Sophomore sensation Turner Gill who had not lost as a starter. Clemson was the Cinderella team of 1981.

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[Wayneman117]

Folks, I am as BIG of a Clemson fan as any..but 80% of the reason we won this game,and most of the games in 1981. Was our Defense! Bottom line...this " Homer Jordan" stuff is crap. If Jordan played today, he would probably be 4th string at best. And was one of the worst QBs we ever had.Hard to obsorb,I know....but true. But I'll take the NC any way I can get it..now lets FORGET it...and work on landing another one here!!! GO TIGERS!

[statman29neb]

While this loss was a painful one for me to endure, I am a lifetime Husker fan, was able to attend this game, but agree your defense was very strong that year. Jordan at the time and that era was a very good QB. I would have liked to see the result of this game if our Quarterback Turner Gill had not been out with an injury. Not making excuses injuries are apart of football and Clemson was the best team in college football in 1981.

[Gregory Randolph]

Badass, a Nigerian kicker!

[paulsonj72]

Also Pitt had been BLOWN out 48-14 in the last regular season game by Penn St which is why they fell to #10 and the SWC was begining to (but not completley) lose some respect as a power league. SMU COULD NOT win the coaches poll as the policy then was to keep those teams out of the rankings. UNL needed 2 teams to lose to even have a shot at the title and they did but they as is known did not win this game.

[paulsonj72]

Here is why Nebraska would have won the National Championship if they had beaten #1 Clemson. #2 Georgia lost to #10 PItt 24-20 in the Sugar Bowl that evening(going on at the same time as the orange Bowl) and #3 Alabama had lost 14-12 that afternoon to #6 Texas in the Cotton Bowl. The ACC then(as now) did not have the greatest reputation as a football league and also with #1,2,and 3 losing the same day (if Clemson had lost) is why Nebraska would have moved up to $=#1 if they had won.

[Wayneman117]

Yea,its alil insane...but sorry,Homer DID NOT lead the Acc in passing,not even close...and WAS NOT ALL ACC. Apparently you were to young to remember him.

[Donald Fadel]

I guess that's why Homer led the ACC in passing and was all-ACC. This comment is inane.

[boondox atron]

I know I'm gonna get butchered by Clemson fans for saying this, but with Turner Gill in there, Nebraska very well might have won this game. And even if they didn't, the difference wouldn't have been 7 points.Mark Mauer was nothing compared to Gill, who would have better led the Huskers against that awesome Clemson D.