Clemson 22
Nebraska 15

Jan. 1, 1982
Orange Bowl | Miami, FL | NBC
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Clemson 6 6 10 0 22
Nebraska 7 0 0 8 15 
1st quarter
CU: FG Donald Igwebuike 41, 11:39
NU: Anthony Steels 25 pass from Mike Rozier (Kevin Seibel kick) 6:43
CU: Igwebuike 37 field goal, 1:03
2nd quarter
CU: Cliff Austin 2 run (pass failed) 3:56
3rd quarter
CU: Perry Tuttle 13 pass from Homer Jordan (Bob Paulling kick) 6:12
CU: Igwebuike 36 field goal, 2:36
4th quarter
NU: Roger Craig 26 run (Craig run) 9:15

                       NU        CU
First downs            13        17
Rushes-yards       40-193    51-155
Passing yards          63       134
Total Offense      57-256    74-289
Yards/Play           4.49      3.90
Return yards           68        12
Passes             17-6-0   22-11-1
Punts              6-43.0    4-45.8
Fumbles-lost          3-2       3-0
Penalties-yards      8-64      7-57

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing
NU: Craig 10-87. Rozier 15-75, Phil Bates 6-24, Mark Mauer 7-10, Steels 2-3.

CU: Jeff McCall 12-48, Jordan 16-46, Chuck McSwain 12-14, Kevin Mack 5-15.

Passing
NU: Mauer 15-5-0-38, Rozier 1-1-0-25, Irving Fryar 1-0-0-0.

CU: Jordan 22-11-1-134.

Receiving
NU: Jamie Williams 2-8, Steels 1-25. Brown 1-13, Rozier 1-11, Wilkening 1-6.

CU: Tuttle 5-56, Jerry Gaillard 3-26, Bubba Diggs 2-10, Frank Magwood 1-42.

Attendance: 72,748

Coverage

Recap
Roger Craig
Roger Craig rushed for 81 yards on 10 carries.

Tigers snuff Huskers’ chance for third title

Nebraska’s quest for a third national championship came mighty close in 1981, but the Tigers of Clemson could not be denied in an exciting, hard-fought Orange Bowl game.

As had happened to the Cornhuskers in 1970, the stage was set for a charge to the top by events earlier on New Year’s Day, 1982. Clemson, undefeated Atlantic Coast Conference champions and ranked No. 1, dug in for the challenge from Big Eight champion and No. 4-ranked Nebraska. Meanwhile, Texas and Pittsburgh were giving the Cornhuskers their chance at No. 1. Pitt beat No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and Texas toppled No. 3 Alabama, 14-12, in the Cotton Bowl. Would 1970 repeat? Could No. 4 Nebraska knock off No. 1 Clemson and claim the title?

It was not to be as the fired-up Tigers capitalized on their own outstanding abilities and Cornhusker miscues to win their 12th consecutive game, 22-15, and earn a well-deserved national title.

FULL RECAP

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
HAIL VARSITY
HUSKER247
TIME MAGAZINE
CLEMSON RECAPS: 1, 2
BOLDING SPORTS RESEARCH
GAME VIDEO
GETTY PHOTOS
Pregame & team info
1981 schedule
04/25 Whites 22, Reds 21
09/12 @ Iowa L 7-10
09/19 Florida St. W 34-14
09/26 Penn St. L 24-30
10/03 Auburn W 17-3
10/10 Colorado W 59-0
10/17 @ Kansas St. W 49-3
10/24 @ Missouri W 6-0
10/31 Kansas W 31-15
11/07 @ Oklahoma St. W 54-7
11/14 Iowa St. W 31-7
11/21 @ Oklahoma W 37-14
01/01 Clemson L 15-22
* Article may require subscription