1972 Orange Bowl National Championship

Nebraska 38
Alabama 6

January 1, 1972
Orange Bowl Stadium

Huskers Win Second Straight Title

A match up between top-ranked Nebraska and No.2-ranked Alabama was billed as the "Game of the Century II", but the 'Huskers proved to be far superior as they handed Alabama and coach Bear Bryant a 38-6 defeat.

The game followed Nebraskas 35-31 "Game of the Century I" win over Oklahoma that earned the Big Eight title and Orange Bowl berth.

Nebraska jumped to a 14-0 lead on a Jeff Kinney two-yard run and then 'Husker All-American Johnny Rodgers' 77 yard punt return for a touchdown on the final play of the first quarter.

Two more 'Husker scores engineered by Jerry Tagge in the second period gave Coach Bob Devaney's team a comfortable 28-0 halftime lead. Devaney notched his first win in three tries over Bryant.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Nebraska
• cornhuskers
• alabama
• crimson
• tide
• orange
• bowl
• national
• championship
• bob
• devaney

[OrangeBowlObie]

I will try to find something for you @Thepennydog2. I'll let you know if/when I find something.

[mkl62]

And there was celebrating in Lincoln on New Year's Night.

[WatchVenusSpa]

@hegotmagiclegs Santa Clara did Bear pretty bad when he was at Kentucky in a bowl game back in the early 50's or so.

[greymoose1000]

@hegotmagiclegs It was an absolute massacre. The only game that was worse happened when the USC Men of Troy Trojans walloped the Crimson Turds at Legion Field in September, 1970, by a score of 42-21.

[Thepennydog2]

I'm looking for video of this Orange Bowl's parade.  Do you know where I might find it? Thanks!

[hegotmagiclegs]

That game was very dissapointing for Alabama. That was the first and only time that an undeafeated Bear Bryant coached Crimson Tide team got walked all over in a national championship game.