In July, we’ll be ranking all 30 of Nebraska teams since 1980, worst to first. Be sure to keep track and argue along the way. Remember, too, to visit our 30 best games and 30 best players series since 1980, as well. Enjoy!

1995 Nebraska

Overall Record (Big 8/12): 12-0 (7-0)
Titles won: Big Eight Championship and National Championship
All-Americans: Quarterback Tommie Frazier, center Aaron Graham and defensive end Jared Tomich, 1st-team All-Americans. Frazier also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

Summary: The greatest of them all. Since 1980, since forever, since college football began. Nebraska’s players broke their share laws and broke their share of teams. The Huskers could never field a team like that today, and probably wouldn’t want to. Would you take this team home to meet your mom? Nope. Would you want them for one game to save your life? Yep.

No team seriously challenged the Huskers in 1995 - no, not even Washington State - because no team could. The Huskers were, on offense and defense, a wrecking machine, lubed with superior athletes that confidence and momentum on their side. NU outscored its opponents 52-13 per game and gained 556 yards per game. Averaged 7 yards per carry, 11 yards per punt return and 14 yards per reception. Scored six defensive touchdowns. The punt coverage team was so good that Jesse Kosch’s net average was greater than the his gross. That’s because opponents attempted five punt returns all season, and gained 12 yards.

Nebraska destroyed its first four opponents. 64-21 over Oklahoma State. 50-10 over Michigan State. 77-28 over Arizona State. 49-0 over Pacific. WSU opened the game with a long 87-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead on NU, but the Huskers scored the next 28 en route to a 35-21 win. After Nebraska beat Missouri 57-0 and Kansas State 49-25 (running up a 42-6 lead after three quarters) the Huskers faced, at least nominally, its toughest game of the year at Colorado. The Buffaloes kept it close - 21-14 - through most of the first half, but NU scored 10 late points to take a 31-14 halftime lead en route to a 44-21 win. Then 41-3 over Kansas, 73-14 over Iowa State and 37-0 over Oklahoma. Leading to the Fiesta Bowl with No. 2 Florida. You recall how that turned out.

What made this team so dominant? Speed, recruiting and coaching merging into a vortex of greatness. They had an air of arrogance and badness to them, led by Frazier, the cocky, dynamic senior who won the job over Brook Berringer and cemented his place as the greatest quarterback in Nebraska history. He only rushed for 604 yards and passed for 1.362 (which doesn’t count the bowl game), but Frazier operated the offense seamlessly, like a maestro, distributing pitches and passes on target. On defense, Tomich, the Peter Brothers, Grant Wistrom and Terrell Farley wreaked havoc while a terrific NFL-caliber secondary of Michael Booker, Tyrone Williams and Mike Minter locked down receivers.

Yes, all that attitude had a price, and it was paid on the police blotter and in newspaper headlines. Lawrence Phillips stole most of them after being suspended for beating up his girlfriend, and got even more publicity when Tom Osborne made a mistake - yes, we’ll hold fast to that - by reinstating him. Again: Would that happen today? No. Probably not. But Phillips was hardly the only player in legal hot water. NU got the reputation as a rogue program, and - let’s face it - earned it to some extent. Osborne’s recruiting in those years hit Florida and California hard, took some chances on partial-qualifier types that other programs stayed away from, and it paid off in a collection of hulks on the field. It should not have been a terrible surprise that some of them were hulks off of it, too.

What makes this team fascinating, though, is its complexity. Great, but flawed. As it must be with any great army, probably. Not only would this collection of Huskers have beaten any other NU team in history, it likely would have beaten every other college football team in history, too, for the game hasn’t changed so significantly since 1995, and the option as Frazier ran it was nearly impossible to stop.

All in all, to step back from this team and survey its greatness is always an interesting endeavor. No Husker team engenders more emotions - positive and negative - as this one. Yeah, NU probably flew a little too close to the sun with this roster. But before they burned up headlines - man, were they hot on the field.

Highlight: The Fiesta Bowl. A thorough butt-kicking of the Gators.

Lowlight: The off-the-field troubles.

Check out the rest of the list!

No. 30, No. 29, No. 28, No. 27, No. 26, No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21, No. 20, No. 19, No. 18, No. 17, No. 16, No. 15, No. 14, No. 13, No. 12, No. 11, No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6, No. 5, No. 4[/url, [url=http://www.huskerlocker.com/blogs/official/ranking-the-nu-teams-since-1980-no-3-3476]No. 3, No. 2

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In July, we’ll be ranking all 30 of Nebraska teams since 1980, worst to first. Be sure to keep track and argue along the way. Remember, too, to visit our 30 best games and 30 best players series since 1980, as well. Enjoy!

1993 Nebraska

Overall Record (Big 8/12): 12-1
Titles won: Big Eight Champion
All-Americans: Trev Alberts, 1st-team All-American. Alberts also won the Butkus Award

Summary: The 1993 season boiled down to a story about three teams: Glamorous Florida State, Notre Dame and this scrappy Nebraska team, which bent plenty during the regular season, but never broke, and gave FSU the game of its life in the 1994 Orange Bowl. The season was epitomized by NU’s best player, Trev Alberts, who seriously injured his elbow in the regular-season finale but pressed on to play a spectacular game in the bowl. Nebraska was tough and undaunted - traits that carried over nicely to 1994, when they would be needed more than ever.

After a 76-14 pummeling of North Texas, NU first ran into road blocks vs. Texas Tech, which took a 21-20 lead over Nebraska in the third quarter before the Huskers kicked the defense into gear and pulled away for a 50-27 win. The following week, Nebraska narrowly survived vs. Rose-Bowl-bound UCLA with a 14-13 win, thanks to Lawrence Phillips’ 137 yards off the bench. A cozy win over Colorado State, then another tough one in Stillwater, as Nebraska won 27-13 over Oklahoma State thanks to two fourth quarter touchdowns, including a punt blocked, then recovered in the end zone, by Barron Miles.

More strife the next week, as Kansas State racked up 489 passing yards despite losing 45-28 to Nebraska. The Huskers, again, needed two late touchdowns to pull away. Calvin Jones rushed for 138 yards, Tommie Frazier pitched in 158 rushing and 154 passing, and Phillips had a game-clinching 46-yard touchdown run.

An easy win over Missouri led to a trip to cold, snowy Boulder, where Nebraska played an excellent first quarter, jumping out to a 21-3 lead, before surviving 21-17 after Frazier and Jones both got hurt. NU’s defense harassed Kordell Stewart into three interceptions - the Blackshirts always had that guy’s number - the last of which came as CU had just crossed midfield for the game-winning drive. Corey Dixon was crucial to victory; he caught a 60-yard touchdown and also had a long punt return.

It got no easier in Lawrence one week later, as Nebraska beat Kansas 21-20. After a touchdown in the last minute, the Jayhawks opted for the two-point conversion. NU broke up the ensuing pass.

After beating Iowa State 49-17, Nebraska moved to No. 2 (as Boston College had upset Notre Dame, which had upset Florida State). In the regular season finale, on a bitter cold afternoon, NU beat Oklahoma - which came to play, and outgained Nebraska 294-179 - 21-7 in a game that turned on two plays: A fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Frazier to Abdul Muhammad, and OU’s fumble on the subsequent kickoff. The Huskers recovered, Calvin Jones scored on a 20-yard toss play directly after that.

The 1994 Orange Bowl is, of course, never forgotten, and can be recalled here.

The lasting impression of that team was resiliency and a in-game survival instinct. Nebraska didn’t always have that, but these Huskers weren’t afraid to get behind in a game. The defense, while a little porous, stiffened when it had to, and finished the year with 44 sacks. Alberts was relentless off the edge, and savvy to boot; he knew how to chase down a quarterback without losing contain, finishing with a school-record 15 sacks overall.

The offense, led by Frazier’s 1,159 yards passing, was diverse and dangerous enough to keep defenses honest. Jones battled injuries all season - he would leave after his junior year, probably aware that Phillips was about to surpass him - finishing with 1,043 yards.

Highlight: Nebraska’s sheer toughness on defense in the Oklahoma game. The offense stunk, but the Blackshirts delivered.

Lowlight: The officiating in the Orange Bowl.

Check out the rest of the list!

No. 30, No. 29, No. 28, No. 27, No. 26, No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21, No. 20, No. 19, No. 18, No. 17, No. 16, No. 15, No. 14, No. 13, No. 12, No. 11, No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6

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Welcome to Husker Locker’s “30 Best Games since 1980” portion of the Summer 30 series. Check throughout June to see our updated rankings; the previous rankings will be housed at the bottom of this blog post.

Like or dislike our pick? Comment on it below. One key to remember throughout the “best game” portion of this series: Not every selection in this list is a win. In fact, more than a handful are losses. In gauging the “best” games we were not only looking for quality of play, but significant and memorable aspect. Hence, there are not a bunch of 58-3 wins over the Little Six on this list. Instead, it’s 30 games that mattered over the last 30 years - and some of those games NU didn’t win, although it played well.


Not a member, but would like to comment? Join Husker Locker today - it's free!.

Remember, too, to weigh in on the Best Individual Performances and also stay tuned for our ranking of every team, 1980-2009, at the end of the series!

Enjoy!

Jan. 2, 1996: Nebraska 62 Florida 24 (Fiesta Bowl)

The definitive statement from college football’s greatest (and one of its more infamous) teams. NU’s defense was too fast, aggressive and mean for Florida’s spread passing offense, while the Huskers’ offensive attack, led by Tommie Frazier and Lawrence Phillips, bowled over the Gators’ overmatched defense after a quarter of uncertain play.

Nebraska’s pass rush rattled Danny Wuerffel’s cage and never let go, sacking him seven times and forcing three interceptions, one of which was returned by Booker for a touchdown. UF head coach Steve Spurrier kept exposing Wuerffel to the pass rush with open, four-wide-receiver that couldn’t possibly protect him. The Huskers rushed for 524 yards- Frazier for 199, Phillips for 165 - and threw for 105. The game was a technical knockout at halftime - 35-10 - but continued for another two quarters as NU thumped the Gators in every way imaginable.

What else is there to say about this game? Consider the sheer array of talent NU put on the field. Frazier and Phillips were among the best at their positions in Husker history. Ahman Green stepped in after Phillips was suspended and hardly missed a beat. The offensive line featured eventual Outland winner Aaron Taylor and All-American center Aaron Graham. The defensive line of Grant Wistrom, Jared Tomich, Jason Peter and Christian Peter was almost obscenely good. The cornerbacks, Tyrone Williams and Michael Booker, both enjoyed NFL careers, as did rover Mike Minter. The team had 11 players who were first-team All Big Eight. Ten more who were on the second team. That’s most of the team, comprising half of the league’s finest two teams.

The game doesn’t stand atop our list because Nebraska was so good - and some would argue so compromised by the deeds of some of its players - that it nullified, to some extent, a fan’s ability to savor the “struggle.” The 1995 NU team has no logical modern peer. It was not challenged by any opponent after halftime. It did as it pleased. Its depth was unfathomable. The Huskers were, in the eyes of some, great villains. Maybe so. But they were our villains, weren’t they?

Check out the whole list!

Honorable Mention, No. 30, No. 29, No. 28, No. 27, No. 26, No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21, No. 20, No. 19, No. 18, No. 17, No. 16, No. 15, No. 14, No. 13, No. 12, No. 11, No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6, No. 5, No. 4

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Welcome to Husker Locker’s “30 Best Games since 1980” portion of the Summer 30 series. Check throughout June to see our updated rankings; the previous rankings will be housed at the bottom of this blog post.

Like or dislike our pick? Comment on it below. One key to remember throughout the “best game” portion of this series: Not every selection in this list is a win. In fact, more than a handful are losses. In gauging the “best” games we were not only looking for quality of play, but significant and memorable aspect. Hence, there are not a bunch of 58-3 wins over the Little Six on this list. Instead, it’s 30 games that mattered over the last 30 years - and some of those games NU didn’t win, although it played well.

Not a member, but would like to comment? Join Husker Locker today - it's free!.

Remember, too, to weigh in on the Best Individual Performances and also stay tuned for our ranking of every team, 1980-2009, at the end of the series!

Oct. 29, 1994: Nebraska 24 Colorado 7

Some games are just sweet to remember, and this is one of them. With a host of pro prospects - Kordell Stewart, Rashaan Salaam, Michael Westbrook, Phil Savoy and Rae Carruth - No. 2 CU rolled into town with its best team ever - yes, superior to 1990 national title squad - expecting to overwhelm a Nebraska team that had already survived a series of close calls already in the season.

But Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne devised an excellent offensive plan that quarterback Brook Berringer executed with equal excellence. The Blackshirts, meanwhile, overwhelmed the Buffaloes, pressuring Stewart - who never did like a pass rush - into several mistakes. Stewart didn’t toss any interceptions, but he bailed out of pass plays so quickly that he often flung the ball into the AstroTurf rather than take the blow.

NU struck with 17 points in the first half keyed by Berringer’s completions to tight ends Mark Gilman and Eric Alford. Lawrence Phillips backed it up with tough running in between the tackles, while Cory Schlesinger and Clinton Childs scored the touchdowns. Berringer threw a 30-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to Alford, the celebration for which was immortalized in a Sports Illustrated photo.

CU’s offense spent most of the afternoon in neutral. Stewart completed just 12 of 28 passes and played awful. Salaam gained 134 yards - mostly on two long runs - but Westbrook and Savoy were largely blanketed by NU’s underrated cornerbacks. Colorado never converted a third or fourth down (0 for 15).

It’s the game that, in a sense, won Nebraska the national title. It catapulted NU into the No. 1 spot after the victory, and never relinquished it to Penn State, which also finished the year undefeated.

Check out the whole list!

Honorable Mention, No. 30, No. 29, No. 28, No. 27, No. 26, No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21, No. 20, No. 19, No. 18, No. 17, No. 16, No. 15, No. 14, No. 13, No. 12, No. 11, No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6, No. 5

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Welcome to Husker Locker’s “30 Best Games since 1980” portion of the Summer 30 series. Check throughout June to see our updated rankings; the previous rankings will be housed at the bottom of this blog post.

Like or dislike our pick? Comment on it below. One key to remember throughout the “best game” portion of this series: Not every selection in this list is a win. In fact, more than a handful are losses. In gauging the “best” games we were not only looking for quality of play, but significant and memorable aspect. Hence, there are not a bunch of 58-3 wins over the Little Six on this list. Instead, it’s 30 games that mattered over the last 30 years - and some of those games NU didn’t win, although it played well.

Not a member, but would like to comment? Join Husker Locker today - it's free!.

Remember, too, to weigh in on the Best Individual Performances and also stay tuned for our ranking of every team, 1980-2009, at the end of the series!

Enjoy!

Oct. 15, 1994 Nebraska 17 Kansas State 6

It looked like the day NU’s drive to the national title might stall. The Huskers were starting a third-string walk-on, Matt Turman, at quarterback. KSU signal-called Chad May had never thrown an interception in his career, and had already torched Nebraska for 489 yards the year before. And Kansas State’s rainy, rickety stadium was rocking.

But Nebraska prevailed with a magnificent performance from its defense - especially cornerback Barron Miles - and running back Lawrence Phillips, who rushed for 126 yards on 31 carries, and served as the team’s primary offense.

Turman gets a gold star, too, for not making the big mistake and running the offense as Tom Osborne so conservatively drew it up. While he started the game, he was later replaced by Brook Berringer - then was reinserted when Berringer got hurt.

Kansas State tried - and failed - to spread out NU with 4 and 5-wide receiver sets. The rain kept May from being accurate, and the pass rush did, too. In future years, Snyder modified his Hayden Fry offense to include more option and power football - so he could win games like the ones he lost that October afternoon.

NU, meanwhile, got a character win on its way to a magical national crown.

Check out the whole list!

Honorable Mention, No. 30, No. 29, No. 28, No. 27, No. 26, No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21, No. 20, No. 19, No. 18, No. 17, No. 16, No. 15, No. 14, No. 13, No. 12

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Welcome to Husker Locker’s “30 Best Players since 1980” portion of the Summer 30 series. Check throughout May to see our updated rankings; the previous rankings will be housed at the bottom of this blog post.

Like or dislike our pick? Comment on it below.

Not a member, but would like to comment? Join Husker Locker today - it's free!.

Remember, too, to weigh in on the Best Individual Performances and Best Games since 1980. Also stay tuned for our ranking of every team, 1980-2009, at the end of the series!

No. 17 Running back Lawrence Phillips (1993-1995)

We know what you’re thinking: Too low. Too low for a running back who rushed for s school-record 1,722 yards as a sophomore, in a season where every person in the stadium knew who was getting the ball. Too low for a running back who ripped off 11-straight 100-yard rushing games, despite those same circumstances. Too low for a running back who, pound for pound, was one of the most breathtaking runners in NU history.

And we know what you’re thinking: Too high. Too high for a criminal who helped drag Nebraska’s name through the media mud and possibly helped drive Tom Osborne to an early retirement. Too high for a guy who couldn’t control his temper around men or women, in college or in the pros. Too high for a guy who was, let’s face it, suitably replaced by true freshman Ahman Green during the 1995 season.

Phillips is the hardest case. He wasn’t the only miscreant on that 1995 Nebraska team. His childhood spent in Los Angeles was more difficult than most. Some swear by his surprisingly gentle nature. He was also sentenced to 31 years in prison last year.

There’s no question he was a great college running back. His pro career was a different story. What happened? Was it the turmoil and bad publicity, or did Phillips benefit too much from the best offensive line in college football?

The debate rages on.

Check Out the Entire List!

Honorable Mention, No. 30, No. 29, No. 28, No. 27, No. 26, No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21, No. 20, No. 19, No. 18

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