No official play-by-play log of the 1971 Orange Bowl seems to exist online, so Brian Niemann created this unofficial one by studying the video of the NBC broadcast and taking careful notes. Some of the times and yardages are estimates but should be close to the official numbers.

©2020 Niemann Design

 

First quarter
🕣 15:00
Michaelson kicks from LSU 40 to NU 11 returned by Rodgers to NU 39 for 28 yards
NU possession (5 plays, 6 yards 1:55)
1st & 10 at NU 39
Tagge pass short middle to List to LSU 44 for 17 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 44
Rodgers middle to LSU 46 for -2 yards
2nd & 12 at LSU 46
Kinney left tackle to LSU 43 for 3 yards
3rd & 9 at LSU 43
Tagge sacked at NU 45 for -12 yards
4th & 21 at NU 45
Hughes punt to LSU 15 for 40 yards
🕣 13:05
LSU possession (4 plays, -7 yards, 1:48)
1st & 10 at LSU 15
Cantrelle left tackle to LSU 16 for 1 yard
2nd & 9 at LSU 16
Cantrelle right tackle to LSU 18 for 2 yards
3rd & 7 at LSU 18
Lee sacked at LSU 8 for -10 yards
4th & 17 at LSU 8
Dickinson punt to LSU 47 for 39 yards, fair catch by Rodgers
🕣 11:17
NU possession (4 plays, 8 yards, 1:08)
1st & 10 from LSU 47
Tagge pass incomplete long middle to List
2nd & 10 from LSU 47
Schneiss right end to LSU 30 for 17 yards PENALTY NU: Illegal motion
2nd & 15 from NU 48
Tagge pass incomplete long middle to List
3rd & 15 from NU 48
Tagge pass short middle to Ingles to LSU 39 for 13 yards
4th & 2 from LSU 39
Hughes punt to endzone for touchback
🕣 10:09
LSU possession (5 plays, 37 yards, 1:47)
1st & 10 at LSU 20
Dantin left tackle to LSU 25 for 5 yards
2nd & 5 at LSU 25
Lee pass short right to Michaelson to LSU 40 for 15 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 40
Dantin middle to LSU 37 for -3 yards
2nd & 13 at LSU 37
Lee pass short right to Hamilton to NU 43 for 20 yards
1st & 10 at NU 43
Dantin middle to NU 43 for 0 yards FUMBLE recovered by NU-Walline at NU 44
🕣 8:22
NU possession (16 plays, 46 yards, 5:42)
1st & 10 at NU 44
Tagge short right to Ingles to LSU 47 for 9 yards
2nd & 1 at LSU 47
Kinney right tackle to LSU 43 for 4 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 43
Tagge short left to Kinney to LSU 37 for 6 yards PENALTY NU: Illegal motion
1st & 15 at LSU 48
Schneiss right end to NU 49 for -3 yards
2nd & 18 at NU 49
Tagge pass incomplete long right to Kinney
3rd & 18 at NU 49
Tagge pass short middle to List to LSU 34 for 17 yards
4th & 1 at LSU 34
Kinney middle to LSU 33 for 1 yard
1st & 10 at LSU 33
Tagge long middle to Ingles to LSU 7 for 26 yards PENALTY NU: Illegal motion
1st & 15 at LSU 38
Tagge right tackle to LSU 25 for 13 yards
2nd & 2 at LSU 25
Kinney middle to LSU 22 for 3 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 22
Tagge pass incomplete long left to Ingles
2nd & 10 at LSU 22
Tagge short middle to List to LSU 8 for 14 yards
1st & goal at LSU 8
Tagge pass incomplete short left to Ingles
Timeout NU
2nd & goal at LSU 8
Tagge sacked at LSU 15 for -7 yards
3rd & goal at LSU 15
Tagge short right to Rodgers to LSU 10 for 5 yards
4th & goal at LSU 10
Rogers 26 yard FIELD GOAL is good. Nebraska 3, LSU 0
🕣 2:40
Rogers kicks from NU 40 to LSU 24 returned by Lyons to LSU 24 for 0 yards
LSU possession (1 play, -4 yards, 0:08)
1st & 10 at LSU 24
Lee sacked at LSU 20 for -4 yards FUMBLE recovered by NU-Harper at LSU 15
🕣 2:32
NU possession (2 plays, 15 yards, 0:26)
1st & 10 at LSU 15
Orduna right end to LSU 3 for 12 yards
1st & goal at LSU 3
Orduna 3 yard rush for a TOUCHDOWN
Rogers extra point is good. Nebraska 10, LSU 0
🕣 2:06
Rogers kicks from NU 40 to LSU 8 returned by Coffee to LSU 17 for 9 yards
LSU possession (4 plays, -5 yards, 1:52)
1st & 10 at LSU 17
Dantin middle to LSU 22 for 5 yards
2nd & 5 at LSU 22
Jones sacked at LSU 7 for -15 yards
3rd & 20 at LSU 7
Dantin left tackle to LSU 12 for 5 yards
4th & 15 at LSU 12
Dickinson punt to LSU 43 returned by Rodgers to LSU 40 for 3 yards
🕣 0:14
NU possession (4 plays, -2 yards, 0:31)
1st & 10 at LSU 40
Tagge pass incomplete short left to Rogers
2nd & 10 at LSU 40
Tagge middle to LSU 43 for -3 yards FUMBLE recovered by NU-Rodgers at LSU 42
End of quarter
Second quarter
🕣 15:00
3rd & 12 at LSU 42
Tagge pass incomplete short left to Ingles
4th & 12 at LSU 42
Hughes punt to endzone for touchback
🕣 14:43
LSU possession (4 plays, -14 yards, 2:20)
1st & 10 at LSU 20
Jones right end to LSU 23 for 3 yards
2nd & 10 at LSU 23
Jones sacked at LSU 10 for -13 yards
3rd & 20 at LSU 10
PENALTY LSU: Delay of game
3rd & 25 at LSU 5
Benglis right tackle to LSU 6 for 1 yard
4th & 24 at LSU 6
Dickinson punt to LSU 41 fair catch by Rodgers FUMBLE recovered by LSU-Elkins at LSU 40
🕣 12:23
LSU possession (4 plays, 0 yards 1:51)
1st & 10 at LSU 40
Dantin right end to LSU 41 for 1 yard
2nd & 9 at LSU 41
Jones sacked at LSU 37 for -4 yards
3rd & 13 at LSU 37
Jones short right to Michaelson to LSU 40 for 3 yards
4th & 10 at LSU 40
Dickinson punt to NU 20 fair catch by Rodgers
🕣 10:32
NU possession (3 plays, 12 yards, 0:40)
1st & 10 at NU 20
Brownson left end to NU 29 for 9 yards
2nd & 1 at NU 29
Orduna middle to NU 32 for 3 yards
1st & 10 at NU 32
Brownson long right to Rodgers INTERCEPTED by LSU-Norsworthy at LSU 43
🕣 9:52
LSU possession (7 plays, -9 yards, 3:04)
1st & 10 at LSU 43
Walker left tackle to LSU 43 for 0 yards
2nd & 10 at LSU 43
Lee pass incomplete short middle to Walker
3rd & 10 at LSU 43
Lee short right to Walker to NU 46 for 11 yards
1st & 10 at NU 46
Lee left end to NU 40 for 6 yards
2nd & 3 at NU 40
Coffee middle to LSU 47 for -13 yards
3rd & 17 at LSU 47
Jones sacked at LSU 34 for -14 yards
4th & 30 at LSU 34
Dickinson punt to NU 32 no return
🕣 6:48
NU possession (7 plays, 28 yards, 2:53)
1st & 10 at NU 32
Kinney left end to NU 34 for 2 yards
2nd & 8 at NU 34
Kinney right end to NU 35 for 1 yard
3rd & 6 at NU 35
Brownson short right to Kinney to NU 45 for 10 yards
1st & 10 at NU 45
Kinney left tackle to LSU 48 for 7 yards
2nd & 3 at LSU 48
Brownson sacked at NU 42 for -10 yards
3rd & 13 at NU 42
Timeout
Brownson short right to Schneiss to NU 40 for -2 yards
4th & 15 at LNU 40
Hughes punt to LSU 24 returned by Casanova to LSU 24 for 0 yards
🕣 3:55
LSU possession (11 plays, 56 yards, 3:06)
1st & 10 at LSU 24
Walker right tackle to LSU 26 for 2 yards
2nd & 8 at LSU 26
Lee long left to Hamilton to LSU 48 for 22 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 48
PENALTY LSU: False start
1st & 15 at LSU 43
Lee short right to Hamilton to NU 40 for 17 yards
1st & 10 at NU 40
Lee short right to Hamilton to NU 34 for 6 yards
2nd & 4 at NU 34
Lee left tackle to NU 30 for 4 yards
1st & 10 at NU 30
Lee middle to NU 19 for 11 yards
1st & 10 at NU 19
Timeout LSU 1:17
Lee short right to Hamilton to NU 10 for 9 yards
2nd & 1 at NU 10
Lee sacked at NU 20 for -10 yards
Timeout LSU 0:59
3rd & 11 at NU 20
Lee pass incomplete short middle to Hamilton
4th & 11 at NU 20
Lumpkin 36 yard FIELD GOAL is good. Nebraska 10, LSU 3
🕣 0:49
Lumpkin kicks from LSU 40 to NU 10 returned by Rodgers to NU 17 for 7 yards
NU possession (2 plays, 5 yards, 0:49)
1st & 10 at NU 17
Kinney middle to NU 20 for 3 yards
2nd & 7 at NU 20
Kinney left tackle to NU 22 for 2 yards
End of half
Third quarter
🕣 15:00
Rogers kicks from NU 40 through endzone for touchback
LSU possession (9 plays, 62 yards, 3:11)
1st & 10 at LSU 20
Dantin right tackle to LSU 45 for 25 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 45
Dantin left tackle to LSU 46 for 1 yard
2nd & 9 at LSU 46
Lee pass incomplete long middle to Hamilton
3rd & 9 at LSU 46
Lee pass incomplete long right to Keigley PENALTY NU: Pass Interference
1st & 10 at NU 32
Dantin left tackle to NU 15 for 17 yards
1st & 10 at NU 15
Dantin right tackle to NU 17 for -2 yards
2nd & 10 at NU 17
Lee middle to NU 7 for 10 yards
3rd & 2 at NU 7
Dantin right tackle to NU 8 for -1 yard
4th & 3 at NU 8
Lumpkin 24 yard FIELD GOAL is good. Nebraska 10, LSU 6
🕣 11:49
Lumpkin kicks from LSU 40 to NU 7 returned by Kinney to NU 19 for 12 yards
NU possession (7 plays, 24 yards, 2:31)
1st & 10 at NU 19
Orduna right tackle to NU 25 for 6 yards
2nd & 4 at NU 25
Orduna right tackle to NU 32 for 7 yards
1st & 10 at NU 32
Tagge right end to NU 43 for 11 yards
1st & 10 at NU 43
Orduna left tackle to NU 48 for 5 yards
2nd & 5 at NU 48
Tagge middle to NU 48 for 0 yards
3rd & 5 at NU 48
Tagge pass short middle to Rodgers to LSU 43 for 9 yards PENALTY NU: Illegal motion
3rd & 10 at NU 43
Tagge short right to Ingles INTERCEPTED by LSU-Norsworthy at LSU 48
🕣 9:18
LSU possession (6 plays, 19 yards, 1:40)
1st & 10 at LSU 48
Dantin right tackle to midfield for 2 yards
2nd & 8 at midfield
Lee pass long right to Hamilton to NU 36 for 14 yards
1st & 10 at NU 36
Dantin left tackle to NU 33 for 3 yards
2nd & 7 at NU 33
Lee pass incomplete short right to Dantin
3rd & 7 at NU 33
Lee pass incomplete short right to Hamilton
4th & 7 at NU 33
Dickinson punt to endzone for touchback
🕣 7:38
NU possession (8 plays, 34 yards, 2:15)
1st & 10 at NU 20
Kinney right end to NU 21 for 1 yard
2nd & 9 at NU 21
Tagge pass short right to Rodgers to NU 25 for 4 yards
3rd & 5 at NU 25
Tagge pass long left to Rodgers to LSU 48 for 27 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 48
Tagge right end to LSU 41 for 7 yards
2nd & 3 at LSU 41
Kinney middle to NU 37 for 4 yards PENALTY NU: Offsides
2nd & 8 at LSU 46
Tagge pass incomplete short middle to Rodgers
3rd & 8 at LSU 46
Tagge pass incomplete short middle to Kinney
4th & 8 at LSU 46
Hughes punt to LSU 10 for 36 yards
🕣 5:23
LSU possession (7 plays, 10 yards, 1:55)
1st & 10 at LSU 10
Jones pass incomplete deep right to Hamilton
2nd & 10 at LSU 10
Walker middle to LSU 23 for 13 yards PENALTY LSU: Clipping
2nd & 8 at LSU 12
Walker right end to LSU 21 for 9 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 21
Walker middle to LSU 24 for 3 yards
2nd & 7 at LSU 24
Jones pass incomplete short right to Hamilton
3rd & 7 at LSU 24
Jones pass short right to Walker to LSU 20 for -4 yards
4th & 11 at LSU 20
Dickinson punt to NU 34 returned by Rodgers to NU 34 for 0 yards
🕣 3:28
NU possession (5 plays, 15 yards, 1:28)
1st & 10 at NU 34
Tagge left end to NU 46 for 12 yards
1st & 10 at NU 46
Tagge pass incomplete long middle to Ingles
2nd & 10 at NU 46
Tagge sacked at NU 42 for -4 yards
3rd & 14 at NU 46
Tagge pass incomplete long left to Rodgers
4th & 14 at NU 46
Hughes punt to LSU 25 returned by Burns to LSU 25 for 0 yards FUMBLE recovered by LSU-Burns
🕣 2:00
LSU possession (8 plays, 75 yards, 2:00)
1st & 10 at LSU 25
Dantin middle to LSU 26 for 1 yard
2nd & 9 at LSU 26
Lee pass incomplete long left to Hamilton
3rd & 9 at LSU 26
Lee pass long middle to Harrison to LSU 46 for 20 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 46
Lee right end to NU 49 for 5 yards PENALTY NU: Piling on – 15 yards
1st & 10 at NU 34
Lee pass incomplete short left to Coffee
2nd & 10 at NU 34
Lee pass short middle to Kavanaugh to LSU 26 for 8 yards
3rd & 2 at NU 26
PENALTY LSU: Illegal procedure
3rd & 7 at NU 31
Coffee pass from Lee for 31 yards for a TOUCHDOWN
Lumpkin extra point is no good. LSU 12, Nebraska 10
End of quarter
Fourth quarter
🕣 15:00
Lumpkin kicks from LSU 40 to NU 30 returned by Carstens to NU 33 for 3 yards
NU possession (7 plays, 67 yards, 6:10)
1st & 10 at NU 33
Orduna left tackle to NU 40 for 7 yards
2nd & 3 at NU 40
PENALTY NU: Offside
2nd & 8 at NU 35
Tagge left end to NU 48 for 13 yards
1st & 10 at NU 48
Orduna middle to midfield
2nd & 8 at midfield
Tagge short right to Schneiss to LSU 45 for 5 yards
3rd & 3 at LSU 45
Orduna left end to LSU 37 for 8 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 37
Tagge pass short right to Rodgers to LSU 28 for 9 yards
2nd & 1 at LSU 28
Tagge middle to LSU 25 for 3 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 25
Kinney middle to LSU 24 for 1 yard
2nd & 9 at LSU 24
Tagge left end to LSU 23 for 1 yard
3rd & 8 at LSU 23
Tagge short right to Kinney to LSU 5 for 18 yards
1st & goal at LSU 5
Kinney left tackle to LSU 2 for 3 yards
Timeout LSU
2nd & goal at LSU 2
Tagge middle to LSU 1 for 1 yard
3rd & goal at LSU
Tagge 1 yard rush for a TOUCHDOWN
Rogers extra point is good. Nebraska 17, LSU 12
🕣 8:50
Rogers kicks from NU 40 to LSU 2 returned by Coffee to LSU 16 for 14 yards
LSU possession (9 plays, 23 yards, 2:21)
1st & 10 at LSU 16
Dantin middle to LSU 19 for 3 yards
2nd & 7 at LSU 19
Lee pass incomplete long left to Hamilton
3rd & 7 at LSU 19
Lee pass short right to Coffee to LSU 27 for 8 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 27
Dantin left tackle to LSU 36 for 9 yards
2nd & 1 at LSU 36
Dantin left tackle to LSU 39 for 3 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 39
Lee pass incomplete short middle to Coffee
2nd & 10 at LSU 39
Lee pass incomplete long middle to Coffee
3rd & 10 at LSU 39
Lee pass incomplete short middle to Hamilton
4th & 10 at LSU 39
Dickinson punt BLOCKED by NU Harper to LSU 43 for 4 yards
🕣 6:29
NU possession (7 plays, 29 yards, 2:20)
1st & 10 at LSU 43
Tagge pass incomplete short right to Schneiss
2nd & 10 at LSU 43
Rogers left end to LSU 40 for 3 yards
3rd & 7 at LSU 40
Tagge short right to List to LSU 24 for 16 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 24
Kinney middle to LSU 23 for 1 yards
2nd & 9 at LSU 23
Orduna right tackle to LSU 16 for 7 yards
3rd & 2 at LSU 16
Orduna left tackle to LSU 14 for 2 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 14
Orduna left tackle to LSU 13 for 1 yard FUMBLE recovered by LSU-Picou at LSU 13
🕣 4:09
LSU possession (10 plays, 35 yards, 2:53)
1st & 10 at LSU 13
Dantin middle to LSU 18 for 5 yards
2nd & 5 at LSU 18
Jones pass short left to Keigley to LSU 26 for 8 yards
1st & 10 from LSU 26
Jones sacked at LSU 19 for -7 yards
2nd & 17 from LSU 19
Jones sacked at LSU 7 for -12 yards
3rd & 29 from LSU 7
Jones pass long right to Hamilton to LSU 37 for 30 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 37
Jones short right to Hamilton to LSU 44 for 7 yards
2nd & 3 at LSU 44
Dantin left tackle to LSU 46 for 2 yards
Timeout LSU
3rd & 1 at LSU 46
Jones middle to LSU 48 for 2 yards
1st & 10 at LSU 48
Jones pass incomplete short right to Hamilton
2nd & 10 at LSU 48
Jones sacked to LSU 46 for -2 yards FUMBLE recovered by NU-Harper returned to LSU 43
🕣 1:16
NU possession (3 plays, 4 yards, 0:24)
1st & 10 at LSU 43
Tagge middle to LSU 42 for 1 yards
Timeout LSU
2nd & 9 at LSU 42
Kinney middle to LSU 39 for 3 yards
Timeout LSU
3rd & 6 at LSU 39
Tagge left end to LSU 40 for -1 yard FUMBLE recovered by LSU-Millican returned to LSU 40
🕣 0:52
LSU possession (1 play, 0 yards, 0:07)
1st & 10 at LSU 40
Jones long middle to Hamilton INTERCEPTED by NU-Terrio at NU 38
🕣 0:45
NU possession (2 plays, -1 yard, 0:45)
1st & 10 at NU 38
Tagge middle to NU 38 for 0 yards
2nd & 10 at NU 38
Tagge middle to NU 37 for -1 yard
End of game