The 1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers | Season in Review

Head Coach Tom Osborne of The Nebraska Cornhuskers was one of the telflon don coaches of the college football sport heading into the 1994 college football season. But what was missing from his illustrious career was adding a national championship to his resume.

Years before 1994, Osborne's Cornhuskers were always a powerhouse in contention for national championships but to no avail coming up empty despite having ample opportunities to win the national championship. From his start as head coach in 1973, the Cornhuskers were a model of consistency because his teams never won fewer than 9 games.

The Cornhuskers finished in the top 15 of the final AP Poll 24 out of 25 years. Nebraska were known during the Osborne era for their rushing attack and strong defense known for the moniker: Blackshirts which was a reference to the black jerseys worn in practice by the defensive starters of Nebraska.

The best chance that Nebraska had to win a championship was in 1983 but lost in the 1984 Orange Bowl to the eventual national champion Miami Hurricanes: 31-30. A year before 1994,the Cornhuskers had another opportunity to win the national championship but lost in the 1994 Orange Bowl to the eventual national champion Florida State Seminoles despite being a 17 point underdog came up short losing 18-16 despite the Cornhuskers leading 16-15 with less than 2 minutes to go.

Florida State won the national championship in 1993 so now move forward to the 1994 college football season. Nebraska Cornhuskers had unfinished business to take care of as a rallying cry. Quarterback Tommy Frazier was the signal caller for the Cornhuskers including Running Back Lawrence Phillips. Overall Nebraska's signature win of the 1994 season was against number 2 Colorado Buffaloes at home by winning by score of 24-7.

Nebraska was number 3 at the time of the win against Colorado. The moment of truth would come in the 1995 Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes where Nebraska was number 1 in the nation against number 3 Miami. Miami jumped out to a 10-0 lead and led by score of 17-7 but Nebraska rallied back by scoring 15 unanswered points in the 4th quarter.

There were 2 key touchdown runs by Fullback Corey Schlesinger to result in Tom Osborne winning his 1st national championship by score of 24-17. The win led to Tom Osborne being on the cover of Sports Illustrated for the January 9th 1995 issue with the headline: How Sweet It Is!

Nebraska would go on to win a second consecutive national championship in 1995 by beating the Florida Gators in the Fiesta Bowl winning by score of 62-24. This was the heyday of Nebraska Cornhuskers Football something unprecedented that hasn't returned to the dominant of prominence since.