1996 Orange Bowl (December)

During the 1996 season, the Orange Bowl was a member of the Bowl Alliance, a precursor to the former Bowl Championship Series. The Bowl Alliance was formed prior to the 1995 college football season in an effort to match the No. 1 and No. 2 teams at the conclusion of the regular season while also ensuring other high-ranking teams were allowed to participate in high-profile bowl games. The Alliance included the Southeastern Conference, Big 12 Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, and Big East Conference. As agreed, the champions of each conference would play in one of three Bowl Alliance games: the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. The Big Ten and Pac-10 conferences, which had a separate agreement with the Rose Bowl, were not included in the Bowl Alliance until 1998, when the Alliance became the Bowl Championship Series. In 1996, the Orange Bowl had the fourth and sixth selections from eligible Bowl Alliance teams. The Sugar Bowl had the top two picks, while the Fiesta Bowl, which had the top picks in 1995, received the third and fifth picks. Due to Bowl Alliance restrictions, the Orange Bowl at the end of the 1996 season had to be played on December 31, marking the first time in the history of the Orange Bowl that the game was not played in January and that there were two Orange Bowls in the same year—one at the end of the 1995 season, and the other at the conclusion of the 1996 season. The only other time was in 2014, the first year of the college football playoffs. Nebraska The Nebraska Cornhuskers began the 1996 season having won the national championship in both 1994 and 1995. Though Nebraska was now a member of a new conference—the former Big Eight Conference had been merged with four Texas schools to become the Big 12—it was widely expected that Nebraska would repeat the performance for a third time in 1996. Nebraska was ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll, and lived up to the ranking in its first game of the season. On September 7, Nebraska overwhelmed the Michigan State Spartans, 55–14. After an off week, however, Nebraska fans were shocked by one of the first big national upsets of the season as Nebraska was shut out by No. 17 Arizona State, 19–0. The loss dropped Nebraska to No. 8 in the rankings, but as the season wore on, Nebraska rose through the ranks as the Cornhuskers won seven consecutive games. Nebraska's 10–1 record to that point earned it a trip to the first-ever Big 12 Championship Game in St. Louis, Missouri, against the Texas Longhorns. Despite Nebraska's early-season loss, the Cornhuskers still had a chance to win a record-setting third consecutive national championship. A win against Texas would earn Nebraska a bid to the Sugar Bowl and a game against No. 1 Florida State to decide the national championship. Eight days after losing to Texas, Nebraska was awarded a bid to the Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech The Virginia Tech Hokies entered the 1996 season having ended 1995 with a victory over No. 9 Texas in the 1995 Sugar Bowl (December), considered to be the most important game in Virginia Tech history to that point. Following the victory, hopes were high that the Hokies would repeat the performance in the 1996 season. Virginia Tech kicked off the 1996 season in Akron, Ohio, against the Akron Zips. The Hokies were nearly upset by the Zips, but eventually won the game, 21–18. Tech dropped in rank due to the close finish, and traveled next to Boston, Massachusetts, to play the Boston College Eagles. In a nationally televised game, Tech defeated the Eagles, 45–7. The Hokies followed that win with a home-opening victory against Rutgers, then traveled to Syracuse, New York, to play the Syracuse Orangemen. Though the Hokies lost, 21–52, they recovered to win their final seven games of the regular season, securing a Big East championship and a trip to the Orange Bowl. There was no small amount of controversy generated by Virginia Tech's selection ahead of fifth-ranked, 13-1 BYU. The Cougars, who had just defeated a ranked Wyoming team to win the WAC championship and who had also upset then-thirteenth-ranked Texas A&M early in the season, were statistically more dominant than the Hokies and seen by many as more deserving of an Orange Bowl berth. They also featured All-American quarterback and NCAA passing leader Steve Sarkisian. A press conference held by the Orange Bowl selection committee attempted to explain the selection process, but was met with instantaneous ridicule from many sides, most notably Penn State's Joe Paterno, who publicly lamented the "political" nature of the selection process. == Pregame buildup ==

Nebraska was heavily favored to win the contest, as the point spread favored Nebraska by 16 points to 17 points. Heading into the Orange Bowl, the two teams presented a study in contrasts. The Cornhuskers boasted a string of 28 seasons with nine or more victories, received 28 straight bowl bids, spent 256 consecutive weeks ranked in the AP poll, and had recorded 214 straight sellouts in their 75,000-capacity home stadium. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, had a bowl streak dating back just three years, to the 1993 Independence Bowl, and while the game was Nebraska's 16th Orange Bowl, it was Virginia Tech's first. The slow Nebraska sales were largely due to fans who had booked trips to the Sugar Bowl in anticipation of a victory by the Cornhuskers in the Big 12 championship game. Disappointed by the loss, many people elected not to make the trip to Miami. By December 27, four days prior to the game, Tech had increased its total to 15,500, while Nebraska improved to 8,000 sold. The most notable of these arrests came on December 16, slightly more than two weeks prior to the Orange Bowl, when Brian Edmonds, the Hokies' starting fullback, and James Crawford, a backup wide receiver, were arrested on charges of rape and attempted sodomy. The two players were immediately suspended from the football team. The day before the Orange Bowl, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer announced further suspensions, indicating that backup defensive tackle Nat Williams, backup linebacker Tyron Edmond, and backup receiver Angelo Harrison would not participate in the Orange Bowl. For Nebraska, linebacker Terrell Farley was arrested for DUI and six related misdemeanors on November 20, his second offense that season after being charged on August 30. He was thrown off the team after this second offense. Offensive matchups Nebraska offense At the conclusion of the 1996 regular season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers boasted the No. 4 rushing offense in Division I-A college football, averaging 292 rushing yards per game and 422 overall yards per game. Despite those figures, the Cornhuskers' two leading rushers were hampered by injury and their participation was in doubt. Ahman Green, who led the Nebraska offense with 155 carries, 917 rushing yards, and seven touchdowns, suffered a stress fracture in his foot during the second-to-last Nebraska regular-season game. The No. 2 rusher, DeAngelo Evans, had 776 rushing yards and a team-high 14 rushing touchdowns, but was limited by a groin injury. At quarterback, Nebraska had Scott Frost, a transfer player from Stanford who had 1,440 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, and 578 rushing yards in his first season with the team. Frost's three interceptions were the third-least in Division I-A; only Army and Ohio University had fewer. Overall, Nebraska totaled 5,069 yards of offense and 42.7 points per game, the most in the Big 12. Virginia Tech offense Virginia Tech was led on offense by quarterback Jim Druckenmiller. During the 1996 season, he completed 142 of his 250 pass attempts for 2,071 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions, boosting his career total to 4,383 yards and 34 touchdowns. Because of these numbers, he was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL draft. Despite Druckenmiller's success, it was the Hokies' rushing game that received most of the attention. The Hokies averaged 4.8 yards per rushing attempt and produced 2,504 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns during the regular season. Tech's 227.6-yards-per-game rushing average was No. 2 in the Big East Conference and No. 19 among 111 Division I-A schools. Three players in particular contributed to that rushing success. Running backs Ken Oxendine, Marcus Parker, and Shyrone Stith combined for 1,831 yards of Tech's total. Oxendine, who missed 2½ games due to injury, accumulated career highs of 890 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Parker, who missed four games due to a discipline-related suspension, earned 467 yards and four touchdowns. Stith, meanwhile, had 474 yards and five touchdowns. Defensive matchups Virginia Tech defense The Hokies were led on defense by All-America defensive end selection Cornell Brown, who accumulated eight sacks, five other tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hurries, and 58 total tackles during the regular season and was named a first-team All-Big East selection, signifying his status as the best player at his position in that conference. This followed being named National Defensive Player of the Year at the end of the previous season. Tech's leading tackler was linebacker Brandon Semones, who accumulated 88 during the season. Free safety Torrian Gray also was a significant presence on the Virginia Tech defense. Gray ranked No. 1 on the team in solo tackles with 58, and was No. 3 in total tackles, with 76. He started every game for Tech during the three seasons immediately prior to the Orange Bowl and was a second-team All-Big East pick in 1996. Gray was supported in the defensive secondary by Antonio Banks, who caught a Tech-best four interceptions during the regular season. In a December 26 practice, Virginia Tech linebacker Myron Newsome suffered an ankle injury that threatened to force him to sit out the Orange Bowl. Newsome, who had been a starter during the regular season, eventually recovered to participate in the game, but his injury was a point of media interest in the days prior to kickoff. Nebraska defense The Nebraska Cornhuskers' defense was ranked No. 5 in the country in rushing defense and scoring defense, allowing averages of just 83.8 rushing yards and 12.8 points per game. Nebraska also was ranked No. 7 in total defense, permitting just 255.4 yards per game. The cornerstones of that defense were Nebraska's two All-American defensive ends, Jared Tomich and Grant Wistrom. Tomich recorded five sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and a team-best 23 quarterback hurries during the 1996 regular season. and was named a first-team All-Big 12 selection. In the defensive secondary, defensive back Mike Minter led the Cornhuskers in interceptions, catching five and returning one for a touchdown during the regular season. Supporting Minter was cornerback Ralph Brown, who had 12 pass breakups. == Game summary ==

The 1996 Orange Bowl kicked off on December 31, 1996, at 7:17 p.m. EST. The game's attendance was announced as 51,212, giving it the lowest attendance for an Orange Bowl since 1947. The game was televised on CBS, and Mike Mayock, Sean McDonough, and Dave Logan were the broadcasters. The temperature at kickoff was 75 degrees, and the weather was clear, with 75 percent humidity and wind from the east at six mph. Tech's first drive began inauspiciously for the Hokies. Druckenmiller threw an incomplete pass on the first Tech play, then was sacked for a four-yard loss. Facing third down, Druckenmiller evaded another sack and connected with Oxendine on a 41-yard pass that picked up a first down and pushed Tech into the Nebraska side of the field. Despite the gain, the Hokies were unable to gain another first down as Oxendine ran for one yard before Druckenmiller threw two successive incomplete passes. Virginia Tech punter Jimmy Kibble kicked the ball back to Nebraska, which returned it to its 15-yard line, and the Nebraska offense returned to the field. The post-score kickoff rolled into the end zone for a touchback, and Virginia Tech began at its 20-yard line. On the first play, Nebraska committed a five-yard offsides penalty. Shyrone Stith and Parker then ran for a combined six yards on the next two plays, picking up a first down with the shortened yardage provided by the penalty. From the first down at the Tech 31-yard line, Druckenmiller threw three consecutive passes: The first was incomplete, the second gained one yard, and the third gained nine yards and a first down. After that gain, however, Tech lost yardage on a rush by Oxendine, Druckenmiller threw an incomplete pass, then was sacked for a loss of nine yards during the third down play. Kibble punted, and Nebraska began at the Tech 45-yard line after the kick was returned 26 yards by Michael Hawkes. The Cornhuskers took quick advantage of the good field position. Ahman Green ran 17 yards for a first down, then Frost passed for 23 yards to Kenny Cheatham, pushing Nebraska inside the Virginia Tech red zone. On just the third play after Virginia Tech's punt, Frost ran the remaining five yards, crossing the goal line for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and with 9:14 remaining, Nebraska took a 10–7 lead. The Cornhuskers' subsequent drive did not have the initial offensive explosion of Tech's drive, but it was in the end more successful. Benning rushed for five yards and Jeff Lake caught a 10-yard pass for a first down at the Nebraska 41-yard line. Frost then threw two incomplete passes and a nine-yard toss to Vershan Jackson. Facing fourth down and needing one yard, Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne elected to attempt to gain the yardage rather than punt the ball. Benning rushed for three yards, and Nebraska was able to convert the fourth down into another first down. Benning followed that success with another, breaking loose for a 33-yard run and the first touchdown of the second half. The extra point was good, and Nebraska extended its lead to 24–14 with 4:58 remaining in the quarter. Nebraska began its possession at its five-yard line after the returner was tackled for a three-yard loss and the Cornhuskers were assessed six yards of penalties during the return. Frost threw an incomplete pass, Schuster ran for four yards, then Frost completed a 14-yard pass to Shevin Wiggins for a first down at the Nebraska 23-yard line. Frost continued the drive by earning nine yards on an option, then Schuster picked up three yards for another first down. Sims followed this by gaining 22 yards and two first downs on the next three plays. Frost then completed a 17-yard throw to Jeff Lake for a first down at Tech's 26-yard line. Just outside Tech's red zone, however, the drive petered out. Sims was stopped for a short loss, Frost ran for eight yards, and threw an incomplete pass, causing a fourth down. Kris Brown kicked his second field goal of the game, this time a 37-yard kick, which was successful. With 7:52 remaining in the game, Nebraska had a 34–21 lead. With time running out, Virginia Tech's offense returned to the field needing to score. Nebraska's kickoff was downed in the end zone for a touchback, and the Hokies started at their 20-yard line. The Hokies' need for quick points was foiled by an injury to Druckenmiller, who left the game after throwing an incomplete pass on the first play of the drive. Backup quarterback Al Clark was unable to gain a first down, and neither was Druckenmiller, who returned to the game for third down. Tech punted back to Nebraska, which returned the kick to its 45-yard line. Cornhusker Ahman Green, who had started most of Nebraska's games during the regular season, entered the game and ran three straight plays for 24 yards. On the third play, Green fumbled the ball, which was recovered by a Nebraska player. Frost then completed an 11-yard pass for a first down to the Tech 21-yard line. The Cornhuskers were stopped for losses on two consecutive running plays, but Frost broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run. The score and subsequent extra point gave the Cornhuskers a 41–21 lead with 3:26 remaining in the game. The limited time left in the game meant there was little chance the Hokies could make good the 20-point deficit. Tech's hopes flared after Nebraska's kickoff was returned 67 yards to the Nebraska 25-yard line, providing a chance for a quick score. Druckenmiller completed a 14-yard pass after the long return, giving Tech a first down at the 11-yard line, but the Hokies were unable to advance the ball much further. Oxendine ran for five yards, but Druckenmiller threw three incomplete passes, turning the ball over on downs. With a firm lead, Nebraska proceeded to run four short rushes, running out the clock and bringing the game to an end. Nebraska won the 63rd Orange Bowl, 41–21. == Statistical summary ==

From 1970 through 1998, the Orange Bowl Committee, organizers of the Orange Bowl, recognized two most valuable players. Following the 63rd Orange Bowl, Virginia Tech running back Ken Oxendine and Nebraska running back Damon Benning were awarded the honor. Benning, meanwhile, carried the ball 15 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught one pass for two yards and returned one kickoff 23 yards. Oxendine's 150 rushing yards for Tech were the fifth-highest total in the history of the Orange Bowl to that point. Druckenmiller's three touchdown passes came behind only Notre Dame quarterback Danny Kanell's four touchdown passes in the previous season's Orange Bowl. == Postgame effects ==

Nebraska's win pushed it to a final 1996 record of 11–2, while Virginia Tech's loss dropped it to 10–2 on the season. In the final Associated Press poll of the season, the Hokies finished 13th nationally. Thanks to its appearance in the Orange Bowl and a revenue-sharing agreement with other Big East schools, Virginia Tech earned $3.981 million for playing in the 1996 Orange Bowl. $3.5 million of that total came directly from the bowl, while the remaining $481,000 came from the revenue-sharing pool generated by all the Big East teams that participated in bowl games. The almost-$4 million payout made Virginia Tech's football team the wealthiest of the 36 schools that participated in bowl games after the 1996 season. Multiple players from each team were selected in the 1997 NFL draft, which took place April 19–20, 1997. Nebraska had eight players selected: Michael Booker, Jared Tomich, Mike Minter, Adam Treu, Chris Dishman, Jamel Williams, Eric Stokes, and Jon Hesse. ==Notes==