Nebraska Cornhuskers March Madness Football Tournament

The debate has gone on for years in the state of Nebraska: Which Nebraska football team was the best ever? It really depends on what generation you are from. Most of the fans that were around to see the great teams under Coach Bob Devaney debate that the 1971 team is the best ever. It is hard to argue that the 1983 Nebraska team was not the best.

Other fans believe the Nebraska teams in the 1990’s under Coach Tom Osborne were the best in the school’s history. These teams were some of the best in college football history, and each fan has a strong argument for their team.

The NCAA basketball tournament begins this week, and I thought it would be fun to take the 32 best Nebraska football teams and seed them for a tournament to determine the best Nebraska Cornhusker football team. I only went back to 1965 with the selection of the teams (sorry, players with leather helmets did not make the field).

Here is how I seeded each Nebraska football team for the tournament and my predicted outcome for each game…

Field of 32

Just like in the NCAA basketball tournament, it would be impossible for any of the No. 1 seeds to lose in the first round. These four schools are some of the best football teams in the history of college football.

The best game of the No. 1 seeds included 1983 vs. 2009. The game matched up two of only 13 players in college football history to win the Outland and the Lombardi Trophies in the same year: Ndamukong Suh vs. Dean Steinkuhler. Suh put pressure on quarterback Tuner Gill, but was unable to catch him in the game. The 1983 team was able to put up 56 points on the 2009 defense, but the 2009 team avoided being shutout when kicker Alex Henery nailed a NCAA record 69-yard field goal. The 1983 team defeated 2009 by a score of 56-3.

In the other games, the 1994 team led by quarterback Tommie Frazier destroyed the 1977 team, 63-7. Johnny Rogers returned two kickoffs for touchdowns as the 1971 team defeated the 1990 team: 45-10. The last game was a total mismatch. The 1995 team destroyed the 1991 team, 77-0. Back-up quarterback Brook Berringer played the entire second half and threw for four touchdowns.

No. 1 Seed: 1994 (12-0) defeats No. 8 Seed: 1977 (9-3)

No. 1 Seed: 1971 (13-0) defeats No. 8 Seed: 1990 (9-3)

No. 1 Seed: 1983 (12-1) defeats No. 8 Seed: 2009 (10-4)

No. 1 Seed: 1995 (13-0) defeats No. 8 Seed: 1991 (9-2-1)

The No. 2 seeds did not have as easy of a road to the Sweet 16 as the No. 1 seeds. The upset of the tournament came when No. 7 seed, 1985, defeated the No. 2 seed, 1999. The two teams lit up the scoreboard at Memorial Stadium.

Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch ran for three touchdowns and threw for three more. He was matched by the 1985 combination of quarterback Steve Taylor and running backs Doug DuBose and Tom Rathman. The 1985 team won the game, 45-42.

The other games involving the No. 2 seeds were routs. The 1997 team defeated the 1978 team, 42-6, the 1970 team defeated the 1998 team, 35-14 and the 1982 team defeated the 1975 team, 30-10.

No. 2 Seed: 1997 (13-0) defeats No. 7 Seed: 1978 (9-3)

No. 2 Seed: 1970 (11-0-1) defeats No. 7 Seed: 1998 (9-4)

No. 7 Seed: 1985 (10-2) defeats No. 2 Seed: 1999 (12-1)

No. 2 Seed: 1982 (12-1) defeats No. 7 Seed: 1975 (9-3)

Usually when a No. 3 seed plays the No. 6 seed, the higher seed has the advantage. That was not the case in this tournament. The lower seeds won half of the games highlighted by the wins by the 1988 and 1981 teams.

The 1988 Blackshirts showed up to play in this game. Led by Lawrence Pete, Kenny Walker, Mike Croel and the Big Eight Player of the Year, Broderick Thomas, the 1988 team held the 1965 scoreless. The 1988 team won, 21-0, behind three Ken Clark rushing touchdowns.

The 1981 team rushed for 400 yards against the 1986 defense. Dave Rimington constantly opened holes for running backs Roger Craig and Mike Rozier. The 1981 team won the game, 32-7.

The other two games involved the higher seeds steamrolling their competition. The 1993 team defeated 1979 by a score of 49-21. In the game, running back I.M. Hipp (the best name in sports history) rushed for three touchdowns. The 1984 team doubled-up the 1989 team, 42-21.  

No. 6 Seed: 1988 (11-2) defeats No. 3 Seed: 1965 (10-1)

No. 6 Seed: 1981 (9-3) defeats No. 3 Seed: 1986 (10-2)

No. 3 Seed: 1993 (11-1) defeats No. 6 Seed: 1979 (10-2)

No. 3 Seed: 1984 (10-2) defeats No. 6 Seed: 1989 (10-2)

The games between the No. 4 and No. 5 teams were all close.

The 2000 team defeated 1976 by a score of, 24-21, the 1992 team defeated the 1987 team, 17-14, the 1996 team defeated the 2001 team, 38-35 and the 1980 team defeated the 1973 team, 28-24. The highlight from the games included quarterback Scott Frost rushing for five touchdowns for the 1996 team.

No. 5 Seed: 2000 (10-2) defeats No. 4 Seed: 1976 (11-2)

No. 5 Seed: 1992 (9-3) defeats No. 4 Seed: 1987 (10-2)

No. 4 Seed: 1996 (11-2) defeats No. 5 Seed: 2001 (11-2)

No. 4 Seed: 1980 (10-2) defeats No. 5 Seed: 1973 (9-2-1)

Sweet 16

The next round of the tournament did not include as many upsets as the first. All of the No. 1 seeds advanced, and three of the four No. 2 seeds advanced.

The games involving the No. 1 seeds was highlighted by Mike Rozier rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns in the 1983 team’s 42-24 victory over the 1993 team, led by freshman quarterback Tommie Frazier. The 1994 team defeated the 1988 team, 56-0, behind a great defensive effort from Trev Alberts, who had four sacks in the game. The 1995 team showed why they were great by beating the 1984 team, 49-10. Johnny Rogers did it again for the 1971 team and he returned both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the 24-14 win over the 1981.

No. 1 Seed: 1994 (12-0) defeats No. 6 Seed: 1988 (11-2)

No. 1 Seed: 1971 (13-0) defeats No. 6 Seed: 1981 (9-3)

No. 1 Seed: 1983 (12-1) defeats No. 3 Seed: 1993 (11-1)

No. 1 Seed: 1995 (13-0) defeats No. 3 Seed: 1984 (10-2)

The 1985 team became the Cinderella team of the tournament. Broderick Thomas continued to play up to his nickname, “The Sandman,” as he put the 1980 offense to sleep. The 1985 team won the game, 20-17.

The 1997 and 1970 teams were out to prove they deserved a No. 1 seed. Both of these No. 2 seeds won big: 1997 defeated 2000 by a score of 49-7, and 1970 defeated 1993, 42-14.

The game between the 1982 team and the 1996 team was close. Scott Frost and Ahman Green combined for 250 yards rushing. It was not enough, as Turner Gill led the 1982 team to a 37-31 victory.

No. 2 Seed: 1997 (13-0) defeats No. 5 Seed: 2000 (10-2)

No. 2 Seed: 1970 (11-0-1) defeats No. 5 Seed: 1992 (9-3)

No. 7 Seed: 1985 (10-2) defeats No. 4 Seed: 1980 (10-2)

No. 2 Seed: 1982 (12-1) defeats No. 4 Seed: 1996 (11-2)

Elite Eight

The cream is beginning to rise to the top in the Nebraska March Madness football tournament. Seven of the Elite Eight are either No. 1 or No. 2 seeds. The Cinderella 1985 team continues to be the surprise team of the tournament.

In the first game, quarterback Scott Frost outplayed Tommie Frazier. Frost proved that he is the most underrated quarterback in Nebraska football history. Frost ran for two touchdowns and threw another to Matt Davidson for the winning score. The 1997 Cornhuskers defeated the 1994 team, 27-24.

The second game involved the 1970 and the 1971 teams. Johnny Rogers broke an NCAA record by scoring eight touchdowns in the game. There is an asterisk next to the record, because Rogers scored three touchdowns for the 1970 team and five touchdowns for the 1971 team.

The 1970 team scored with 12 seconds left in the game to make the score 19-20. Coach Bob Devaney asked his offensive coordinator, Tom Osborne, if he thought they should kick the extra point or go for two and the win. Osborne replied, “Let’s go for two.”

The 1970 team ran a quarterback sneak with Jerry Tagge. Unlike the National Championship game against LSU when Tagge scored, this time, Tagge was stuffed by Rich Glover. The 1971 team won the game, 20-19.

The 1983 team quickly put an end to the 1985 team's Cinderella run in the tournament. Turner Gill and Mike Rozier put on a show, rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns each. The 1983 team defeated the 1985 team, 49-10.

The final game matched up quarterbacks Turner Gill vs. Tommie Frazier. In this game, the senior Frazier outplayed the junior Gill. The Frazier ran the option to perfection, as the 1995 team defeated the 1982 team by a score of 35-28.

No. 2 Seed: 1997 (13-0) defeats No. 1 Seed: 1994 (12-0)

No. 1 Seed: 1971 (13-0) defeats No. 2 Seed: 1970 (11-2)

No. 1 Seed: 1983 (12-1) defeats No. 7 Seed: 1985 (10-2)

No. 1 Seed: 1995 (13-0) defeats No. 2 Seed: 1982 (12-1)

Final Four

The Final Four consists of three No. 1 seeds and a No. 2 seed. There may be a lower seed that sneaks their way into the NCAA basketball tournament this year, but not in the Nebraska football tournament. These teams are too good to be upset.

In the first game, the 1983 team came in angry after having to answer questions about being the only Final Four team to lose a game. The 1983 team was out to prove their loss against Miami, Fla. was a fluke.

The game was close going into the fourth quarter. On fourth down, Coach Tom Osborne instructed the 1983 team to run the “fumble rooski.” Quarterback Turner Gill took the snap, placed the ball on the ground, and Dean Steinkuhler picked it up and ran it in for the game winning touchdown. The 1983 team won the game, 20-17.

In the second game, the 1995 team used Tyrone Williams and Mike Minter to spy on Johnny Rogers. Rogers was shut down, and so was the 1971 offense. The 1995 defense showed why they are the best defensive unit to ever play college football. Led by Grant Winstrom, Jared Tomich, Christian Peter, Jason Peter and Terrell Farely, the Blackshirts of 1995 held the 1971 team scoreless for three quarters. The 1995 team won the game by a score of 24-7.

No. 1 Seed: 1983 (12-1) defeats No. 2 Seed: 1997 (13-0)

No. 1 Seed: 1995 (13-0) defeats No. 1 Seed: 1971 (13-0)

Championship Game

Finally the questions can be answered. Who is the best quarterback in Nebraska football history: Turner Gill or Tommie Frazier? Which Nebraska football team is the best team in the school’s history?

The debate has always included the 1971 team, the 1983 team and the teams from the 1990’s. The two that made it to the championship game in my tournament are the 1995 and 1983 teams.

The game started out slow. Both teams had a hard time figuring out the other’s defense. Jim Skow was constantly in the 1995 backfield. The same was the case for Grant Winstrom and the Peter brothers. Finally, after a quarter of play, the 1983 team got on the board when Gill ran the option to perfection. He ran to the right and pitched the ball to Mike Rozier right before being leveled by Terrell Farely. Rozier took the pitch 40 yards for the first touchdown of the game.

The 1995 offense watched the play from the sidelines and thought, “We can do that, and we can do it better.”

Frazier ran his own option and pitched the ball to Lawrence Phillips. Phillips took the ball 68-yards for a touchdown.

The teams continued to light up the scoreboard. In the fourth quarter, the game was tied at 35. On a 3rd-and 8, Frazier ran the option around the right side. He faked the pitched to Ahman Green before running down the sideline. Frazier broke nine tackles on his way to an 85-yard touchdown. The 1995 team took the lead, 42-35.

The 1983 team had one more chance to score. On their third down play, Osborne called another fumble rooski. He went to the well one too many times. This time when Gill placed the ball on the ground, Christian Peter picked it up and returned it for a 62-yard touchdown.

The 1995 team won the game, 49-35, capturing the crown as the best team in Nebraska football history.

No. 1 Seed: 1995 (13-0) defeats No. 1 Seed: 1983 (12-1)

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