1998 Orange Bowl - #2 Nebraska vs. #3 Tennessee Highlights

very pleasant night here in South Florida it has not been a great week for these two teams in terms of the weather but comfortable tonight 70 degrees at kickoff as it Cunningham mentioned the wind could be a factor particularly for the Tennessee passing attack and they'll be going directly into that 14 mile per hour breeze to start the game his Tom Osborne's Huskers will kick off Tennessee won the toss and Phillip Fulmer elected to receive Cedric Wilson is back deep for the opening kick he's a true freshman from Memphis Tennessee ordinarily they have Dwayne Goodrich back returning kickoffs but as it was mentioned before the game from Ed Cunningham he has an in the quad muscle Bull Chris Brown kicks off this flip to the bar on the final game of this college football season is underway with a touchback checking on the first play from scrimmage he throws on target close to a first down Marcus Nash there is a flag on the play from the offensive backfield Sean I think we're going to have a holding penalty to start the game with third down and 16 Double Packs Shawn Bryson to the twenty and tackled by J corn of ten yards short of the first down holding penalty really hurt smoked ready to punt now into that 14 mile per hour breeze it should be excellent field position for Nebraska on its first possession oh what a kick into the freeze bobby newcombe back to the 20 that rolls inside the five then we'll stop near the toes wanna kick piehole he wasn't even the starting at the beginning of the year he was the backup of the freshman David Levithan had trouble Scott cross hands off Joel Mack perhaps 1/2 yard radar Thompson led the search for the Tennessee defense on 3rd and 9 Frost has a man open it's too high he was looking for the tight end Sheldon Jackson Jonathan Brown applied some pressure arm crossed and forged the hasty crow Terry fair has the same interest Peyton Manning of bursa sac injury back to receive the punt from Jesse Kush and his first punt is a beauty but he had the aid of the breeze fair bobbled it retreated all the way back to the 33 he stopped at the 37-yard line a 56-yard punt by push and the punters are the story here the first four minutes well and it took Luis a little time to learn pass protection and in this office you have to protect Peyton Manning when your running back second down Louis try to get outside there's a great combination of power and speed and he's across midfield Mike Rucker made the tackle that's a gain of eight Willis provided the first first down of this game for either team ball the 49 of Nebraska Manning with time as a receiver first down at the 31 yard line Andy McCullough tackled by Ralph Brown now 3rd down and 7 neither team has converted on third down tonight plenty of time and that's hot for Chris John John Grayson the pitch to Lewis Bryson leading away Louis hit hard and football and the preska has recovered well prom knocked it out and Mike Rucker recovered the fumble at the 21 yard line Tennessee showing blitz there up near the line am on green now across the 25 to the 26 what the Tennessee defense is doing right now is they're penetrating upfield whenever you penetrate against an option team or a counter team which Nebraska runs a lot a counter plays it's disruptive to the offense that is what they're doing effectively play-action fake the Green Cross throws man open pot first down the braska Sheldon Jackson across midfield with the first purse down to the night for the Huskers Tom Osborne gives the opponent just about every formation just about every play out of every formation it's amazing to watch them practice here's cross growing on target again Matt Davison the true freshman from to come to Nebraska Nebraska starting to get in rhythm after the fumble by Lewis frost Rahl is looking David is potpie no filming bodies out of bounds at the 14 yard line tackled by Tori Noel the ball is thrown where either he catches it or no one catches him the option he had to pitch it it's Shevin Wiggins inside the five and down near the goal line Gerald Griffin made the tackle that saved the touchdown many of the coaches who talked about tomahawk once since he announces the time that talked about his great skill as a game coach with many adjustments up and over and in for a touchdown Ahman Green makes it six nothing Nebraska after the fumble by Jamal Lewis at the 22 of Nebraska the Cornhuskers with 78 yards it took eight plays and frost was three for three on the drive with Tennessee concentrating on stopping the run he hurt them with the pass Chris Brown bounces it down the field nice hop for Cedric Wilson the true freshman he's in trouble and stop short of the 20 yard line back down to the 17 put pin lien on the stop Mike Brown also in on the tackle for Nebraska play clock at three Mark Levine now the tailback he's out to the 21 tackled by Tony Ortiz Levine was the starting tailback at the beginning of the year before Lewis won the job he was a good block by peoples but all of a sudden he got hit from the behind Levine again big hole Mark Levine breaks free good move on Warfield and he's tackled out at the 48 yard line by Carlos Pope a backup linebacker gain of 27 poor Levine Brown was an outstanding to wait player in high school in Arizona the Arizona high school Player of the Year as a senior he won the award is the best running back in the state and also the best defensive back Manning that pass deflected and intercepted by Erick Warfield Warfield at the 30 and tackled from behind at the 25 yard line by Shawn Bryson Manning has seen this before his receivers had a tough time hanging on in the SEC championship game against Auburn and as a result the volunteers just did squeak out a victory Marla's polka was injured couple of plays ago as a shoulder pads off and is heading to the locker room from drafty the backup linebacker crossed them first down tips and gets drilled right in the line of scrimmage what a first half Raina Thompson is having 7-nothing Nebraska be capitalised over first turnover by Tennessee a fumble 178 yards for a score the interception near the 26 Newcombe in trouble behind the line and thrown for a loss by Jonathan Brown but Jonathan Brown did exactly what his coaches told them to do quarterback La Crosse trying to get outside two flags along at the feet of offensive lineman marina Thompson and Terry fair made the tackle and it's against Nebraska Nebraska back at the 39 yard Fross setting up a screen the green leather pulls him down from behind saw the great speed of little he's played most of his career lined up outside as a pass rusher this year he's made the transition the middle linebacker in the matter where you put him he's a terrific player jesse cush son of a former Husker his father bill was a defensive back down there 70 and 71 national championship teams jesse hangs it up high touchdown for Nebraska Lance Brown ran it in but it was a month punt so the ball will come back to the 15-yard line but it's another key mistake by Tennessee it'll be first and ten at the 15-yard line they gotta go right back in and say hey guys whatever we do we can't give up a touchdown tighten it down and let's play defense and just suck it up and go you wonder if Homer will continue with paired the punt return he's had a tough time hanging on lately makovicka breaks tackles he's inside to 10 down to the 8 yard line it'll be second down the balls back of the 13 where it'll be second down and eight magnificus still out of the game the full-back is Billy legate frost pitches the green grain drag down at the 10 yard line by Tori Noel well so far that Tennessee defense is utilizing what they have the most of and that set speed and athleticism they're able to run laterally down with that option played chase it down green second in the nation in rushing this year behind the Ricky Williams cross pitches here Shevin Wiggins again inside the 10 touchdown Chris Brown to kick-off again he bounces it the short kick taken by Brian Darden the backup running back and quality field position for the volunteers is Darden brought it out to the 38 yard line 14 nothing Nebraska Cornhuskers hoping for a convincing victory sway voters that's earned at least a share the National Championship voters have been flip-flopping all year Jamal Lewis back in the game two hands around the ball as he toe to the 43 yard line when he was chopped down by Mike Brown on second and five Manning flag drawn as Marcus Nash has a first down of the play stands Erwin sweetie made the tackle well he was big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 96 and 97 Manning take the draw throws nice catch his receiver helped them there Jermaine Copeland will have the costly deflection that led to the interception earlier made a nice sliding catch at the 34 yard line 13 more for the balls of the first down Nebraska has a lot of former track athletes on this team in the early 1990s Tom Osborne changed its philosophy and went to recruiting more speed and they have plenty of speed on this squad Louis down to a 30-yard line they paired down six yards to go for a volunteer first down Tennessee trails 14 to nothing Manning throws short of a first down we'll see where the forward progress is spotted Mike Brown put the hit on Jermaine Copeland looks like the ball will be just inside the 27 meaning they're about two full yards short of the first down so Phillip Fulmer sends on the field goal unit Jeff Paul the junior from Winchester Tennessee will try a 44 yard field goal Benson Scott is co-holder that is right down the middle and Tennessee is on the board with 8:28 remaining in the first half due to time constraints we move ahead in the action the breasts will get the ball first in the second half Joe Walker hung the men back deep for the Cornhuskers Shevin Wiggins standing along here's Jeff ball with the kickoff and a good vote with the wind and it'll be down the back of the end zone but the shocking thing is Tennessee has rushed for as many yards more yards they brush for 80 Nebraska only 69 they're the number one rushing team in America Nebraska on the ground of the first play of the second half on Ahman Green went out across the 25 fewest yards rushing Nebraska has had in one game this season is 335 no opponent has helped him under 335 it was Texas A&M that held them quote-unquote to 335 in the big 12 championship across the lake pitch but right on target and I'm on green he's out of bounds with a first down just across the 30-yard line chased out by Gerald Griffin here's a look at the first half stats three turnovers very costly to Tennessee led directly to the 14 Nebraska point five or six hours a day in the training room with Peyton Manning sir his knees held up well makovicka rumbling into the secondary terrybear China cholera man finally he did at the 41 yard line of Tennessee 24 yard game for Joel makovicka the junior from Brainerd Nebraska in the fall of 96 6.5 yards per ushe best among all full backs in the nation Maureen certainly Nebraska's best blocking fullback he does so many things for the pass nice block by Billy legate who took over from Mack effect that pulled back he cleared a path Ramon green and Corey Gaines and Gerald Griffin had to take him down the secondary first down Nebraska a Huskers impressively on the move to begin the second half already more rushing yards on this Drive they had in either the first two quarters of the football game second down and seven out of the shotgun they love quarterback draw out of the shotgun and frost is very close to a purse down al Wilson and Leonard little on the stop first and ten Newcombe bobby's down to the five he lunged ahead to move the ball toward the foil Tom Osborne with a little counter play there to bobby newcombe to take advantage of the fast flow of Tennessee's defense rings following Joel makovicka is blocked Green has the first down and it will be first and goal for the Huskers at the two that really was Tom's way of designating Solich is the man he'd like to see succeed him when Tom said the timing for him to retire was perfect because he could help influence who his successor would be the university president and athletic director agreed with the decision crossed up and over and in for a touchdown impressive opening drive never mind the passes of the play-action fake snow brass that goes back to its bread and butter they made that look easy opening drive begin the second half by Nebraska and the lead is twenty one two three for the Cornhuskers Tennessee about to get the ball for the first time in the second half Cedric Wilson Chris Brown's kickoff at the goal line base moves to get across the 20 and now he powers out to the twenty seventh nice return by Wilson Phillip says we've got to come back an answer this is an important Drive on second and egg and they show patients with a line that it yields nothing that time Mike Rucker and Jason Peter at the bottom of the pile for Nebraska Nebraska's gone to their nickel package put their fifth defensive back in the game expecting pass three wide receivers no tight end for Tennessee banning running out of tiny sacks by Mike Rucker the first sack of Manning tonight paetynn just never had time to get that arm cocked and get the ball down the field now Chris Hogue there's worse fun of the night when you did get a good bounce rogue average 61 yards per punt on three punch in the first add that one wound up going 43 there is a flag down at the 41 yard line and it's for an illegal block in the back against Nebraska Nebraska on off it for the second time in the second half they stay on the ground it's on mondrian when trying room again out to the 35 Terry obviously just before the break giving up a chance to finish your thought about the Nebraska offense well Sean I was making the point it's such a tough offense to stop because they run won back-to-back three back offense they have multiple formations an option game a power game with their tailback a trap game with their fullback a mobile quarterback and all of a sudden they just stress you on defense until you come apart I think we're seeing tonight this is a very good Tennessee team a lot of good athletes who can really run on defense no question they played the Nebraska offense as well in that first half as any defense I've ever seen play against the Nebraska offensive if their own offense hadn't turned it over I'm not sure Nebraska would have scored in the first half frosh pitched it at the last second look out Oh one man to beat and he could not beat him Terry fair made the touchdown saving tackle at the 21 yard line of Tennessee a 43 yard pickup for Green he now is 113 yards rushing Makka pakka weaving his way to the right the games of the 17-yard pickup are on green and Leonard little made the tackle so that's 12 straight games now with 100 yards rushing or more forum on green and I think it has to do with that intensity of the offensive line they seem to have a little skip in their step if you will in this second half we're in the first half they didn't seem to and Tennessee is not penetrating quite as much as they were able to in the first half grain up the middle of tires looking iron tackles from the defensive front now for Tennessee nori Noel had to come up to the secondary to help Cory Terry the defensive end well that's the way they play they love to run the ball and they're gonna get 80 plays a game in 68 or 70 em are gonna be runs frost Kings Cross touchdown they might still be cramping up a little bit you saw him trying to stretch as he went into the end zone Scott cross was certainly silenced in the first half but has responded in the second half this is a design quarterback heat he follows the tailback come on green he's the only guy that's supposed to have the ball on this play he's a great runner they want him to carry it into the end zone nebraska has taken control leading by 25 still 5 minutes left in the third quarter Cedric Wilson ran into traffic 37 yard line first and 10 Tennessee needs to do something and they need to do it quickly the pass caught by Marcus Nash the senior from Tulsa Oklahoma 76 catches coming into tonight but he's had a quiet night in this one from the 32-second n6 a lob looking for - he has it and he's across midfield or when Sweeney made the tackle they had one-on-one coverage and Nash has a 20-yard gain in his fourth reception of the night Jay Foreman hit him after the ball was gone Jamal Lewis operate tackle found the hole he's down at the 41 yard line quality gain of seven on first down for Louis Peyton Manning has been plagued all season long with drop passes by his wide receivers slipped and that might have hurt his chances of catching it Manning throws short of Jermaine Copeland now it's fourth down and four and down by 25 I don't think Phillip Fulmer has any choice here Terry other than to go fourth big play here for Tennessee as they cling the hopes of a comeback fourth and four blitz caught her stout he had the forward progress beyond the marker as Eric Warfield put the collar on Jermaine Copeland but it is a first down just inside the 37 yard line time copán gets the first down locked down to three minutes and change remaining in the third quarter Louis close to another first down he had one man to beat he was gone instead it's a gain of nine and will be second and 128 guidelines but Nebraska is 67 yards rushing tonight on 13 carries he gets the hand up again first through the hole randos our man and that might've prevented a touchdown instead he's down at the five yard line dangled by Eric Johnson reserve linebacker 23 yards on the rush for Lewis and volunteers are on the move him down long enough for Johnson to make the stop first and goal at the 5 Manning looking in the end zone running out of time throw touchdown here the with the reception for the Tennessee score and it appears they will go for to Assam Manning only of the two fingers in the sideline meld up to looking back at the offense we watch them practice that play a couple of days ago and he really appalled as he will do it right tonight no sign of any news Sean it's amazing I didn't think he was healthy for the ball game but he clearly is out of the shotgun the try for two he throws incomplete let me again for peerless price Irwin Sweeney had the coverage so it's twenty eight to nine with a minute 58 remaining in the third quarter the FedEx Orange Bowl from Miami back in Miami a pro player stadium the second year the home of the FedEx Orange Bowl Smokey's here for the first time since 1968 the last time the balls or in this game as their fourth appearance in the Orange Bowl overall their one and two coming into this one good kickoff by Jeff Paul with the wind and Shevin Wiggins had the down today due to time constraints we move ahead in the action watch Aaron Taylor number 67 the left guard he'll come down and crush the Tennessee nose guard that creates a huge opening in the defense that allows them on green to get through it the nebraska offensive line has really come to play in the second half the veteran groups lose six of their top seven offensive linemen to graduations under the first major challenge for Frank Solich as he takes over his head coach Joel makovicka banged down to the 25 that's a gain of eight Nebraska at 69 yards rushing in the first half they now have 271 for the game link Tennessee has proven despite the score it's worthy of a very high ranking certainly one of the best teams in the nation and Nebraska is starting to take firm control from the Michigan never did yesterday touchdown up on green flag down to the three yard line and it is a touchdown says Terry McCauley 22 yards on the run by grain coach pulpers team did run the table for him a contract extension announced a couple of days ago through the year 2003 with a hefty pay raise only about seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a year over the course of that contract well it's amazing what's happened to contracts in college football so that is if you may ponder going back no darden out to the 30-yard line 22 yard return I think Phillip Fulmer is a very underrated underappreciated at times coach at the University of Tennessee and primarily because of the Florida series that's been the series that he's just not been able to get over the hump just a couple of wins against the Gators he would be a fully beloved figure in the state of Tennessee Louis tackled from behind by Jason Peter terrific play by Peter when it looked like Lewis was ready to break away you wonder if the balls are going to go in out a huddle now we won't have time at the seams to get another play off in the third quarter they do not the third quarter dominated by Nebraska Cornhuskers trying to make a statement of a national championship nam important Peyton Manning each in his final game at his respect to the University Manning throws very short out to the 34 yard line Brad at the 35 again of two no question about what's interesting is why hasn't happened all of a sudden and I think one of the reasons Tennessee's not tackling as well this half as they did in the first half Nebraska 227 yards rushing in the third quarter Jamal Lewis chopped down short of a first down about a yard short Brandon Harrison junior from Gainesville Texas backup quarterback made the tackle Nebraska the junior college transfer and this was mentioned before the game the biggest reason Tom Lockwood wanted to step aside now was his family he admits to his wife Nancy more or less raised their children by herself she was putting in 17 hour days coaching football Sheldon Jackson tackle by Corey Gaines a rare pass here in the second half called by coach Osborne well Mike is hoping he can turn his dad into a golfer Tom Osborne the first fishing and his rare free moments crossed the keeper now to the 45 would have turned around at Memphis Scott frost at Nebraska he took over for Tommie Frazier one of the most popular players and successful players in Nebraska history they were coming off back-to-back national titles when the team struggled early last year and had lost the Arizona State much of the criticism Nebraska fans directed at frost he was booed and he bristled at that spoke out against it embrace that you get the sense talking to him he still remembers the booze - he was the backup the Steve Stenstrom for two years at Stanford - losing seasons he wanted to go back where he knew he would play on a winning team and be a key member Ross close to another first down at the Tennessee 37 yard line nice blocking by Jeff Blake Larry frost is the head coach at the high school which Scott frost attended in Wood River Nebraska and Carol frost is an assistant coach she coaches the wide receivers and the defensive ends in the other day when most of the mothers of the Nebraska players went to the Seaquarium here in Miami mrs. cross that she'd rather stay in the hotel and watch the NFL playoff games and that's what she did frost on the carry close to a first down at the 28th Dion grant he reminds me of Nolan Cromwell the great option quarterback from Kansas who had a wonderful pro career that's who he looks like on fourth and one frost the pitch degree and it's a loose ball let her little ran by it now it's picked up and you cannot advance that pitch the Darwin Walker recovered and didn't really matter because it was fourth down anyway he was going to get the ball then they have it about the 32 it's been a great experience for the Manning family we've had a wonderful time take a short break for the point there's a light rain begins to fall Manning passed the Louis and Jamal throwing for loss back to it you know I'm glad it worked out for him then he will they were stay healthy this year and they want a championship and we're proud of it aren't you thank you so much enjoy the rest of the ballgame pass incomplete here comes the punting unit walked off from the spot at second down and six Huskers at their own 38 frost the pitch the grain running room in the corner he's in a Tennessee territory down at the 47 yard line but this offense is perfect for Lincoln Nebraska they love it all they do is win set a five-year record for the best record in the history of college football with it makovicka dancing through traffic play at frost hustling downfield to throw a block Tori Noel made the tackle of the 37 first down Nebraska they've had a lot of injuries as well on defense a lot of players have left the game Jay Sims back in an eye bag here he goes went the distance Deion Branch made the tackle true freshman Burrell Buchalter is in it I back now and frost might be changing the play five on the play clock there's Buckwalter fresh legs writing down inside the 15-yard line you watch the power and precision of the Nebraska offense and it's it's unmatched in the country no one has an offensive team as powerful as this one they just don't they're Michigan certainly has a top ranked defense the best defense in the country rough scores another touchdown his third of the night and you know he hates ending his career like this he's such a fierce competitor Martin over the middle to Shawn Bryson let's turn our attention to the larger issue now who is number one the best team in the nation this situation again cries out for a playoff because it's obviously difficult to choose either team whichever team is not the national championship is going to feel that is shortchange with good reason here's the statistical comparison makuu I don't think was overly generous and awarding Nebraska victory in this game nice throw by Martin and Andy McCullough is running free in the secondary hill much was made that Michigan played the tougher schedule but I think as we look at the ball game results Terry the Big Ten might have been exposed for not being as strong and people said it was all season long the Big Ten really struggled in bowl games two and five including Michigan's victory when Nebraska out of the league went out and played a very good Washington team in Seattle as you know one of the toughest places in the nation to play and won easily I think if you're one of the AP 70 writers who are going to vote on this decision or one of the 62 coaches who vote in the coaches poll you've got to really sit down and think about this but I think both teams are great on defense you have to say Nebraska has an edge on offense well that might be but the shot I have my own personal beliefs and I really think that the national championship should be shared by these two teams that's just what I believe I remember in 90 Colorado Georgia Tech they Sheridan I agree with you by the way 90 is saying I know you for those who awarded the thing to Michigan after they won yesterday that really short changes this Nebraska team that's just not I agree with you they both deserve it one we've had is in a split somebody is going to be deservedly very upset no yeah I just think you'd better wait because for a national championship is such a special thing to players and coaches it means so much Dean Martin general he's inside the five with a minute two remaining an 11-yard game first and goal from the 3 T Martin into the end zone touchdown Tennessee Andy McCullough the heir apparent to Peyton Manning drives the volunteers down the field and now the tribe for two right was four four four that drive he swings it out there's the two-point conversion for Travis Stevens the true freshman from Clarksville Tennessee 4217 Nebraska but you sense looking at the face that the emotions are now stirring the realization that in 58 seconds he'll walk off the sidelines to the last time when Nebraska will be the land of Oz no longer on sidekick recovered but he was out of bounds it seemed from here yep flag comes out Danny McCullough field with it but he was on the Nebraska sideline clearly one of the great coaches of all time and he's twenty seconds away from the career-ending victory only fitting that it would end with a victory and perhaps a national championship for Tom Osmond he leaves us with 255 wins not a happy ending to Peyton Manning as he heads toward the NFL table Osburn heads for a fishing pole

Channel: Stephen Collier

Views: 73,232

Keywords: 1998 Orange Bowl, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Tennessee Volunteers, 1997 Nebraska football, 1997 Tennessee football, Tom Osborne, Phillip Fulmer, Peyton Manning, Jamal Lewis, Ahman Green, Grant Wistrom, Orange Bowl, National Championship Game, College Football

Id: NNwMdaaQdd0

Length: 37min 34sec (2254 seconds)

Published: Fri Mar 21 2014