The Nebraska — Miami Game Was Excruciatingly Close

The 1984 Miami game is best remembered for Nebraska’ heroic two point conversion attempt to win the game and complete a perfect season. There were several turning points before that famous play that could have changed the outcome.

On Miami’s first touchdown, Kosar’s pass went through cornerback Dave Burke’s hands after he stepped in front of Glenn Dennison and was in a position to pick off the pass. Burke said: “We knew what the play was on Miami’s first touchdown. The ball went through my hands. I had ninety nine yards of grass in front of me. Unbelievable. I should’ve had an interception.”

Nebraska kicker Scott Livingston missed field goal attempts of 44 and 47 yards.

On Miami’s first touchdown of the second half, drama ensued on what is normally a routine extra point kick. Jeff Davis’ kick was low and to the left but it managed to strike the upright of the goal post and glanced through. The announcers said that Miami was lucky to convert the extra point.

Late in the third quarter, Mike Rozier sustained a severe sprain of his left ankle when it was hit by a helmet. Unfortunately, Rozier was not able to return to the game and was forced to sit on the bench with an ice bag on his ankle. Rozier said: “If I didn’t get hurt, we would’ve won that game.”

Jeff Smith spelled Rozier and Nebraska began moving the ball late in the third quarter. At the end of a thirty five yard gain on an option play, Smith was hit by a Miami defender at the Hurricane five yard line and lost the ball. Miami recovered the ball at the Nebraska three. It was another turning point in a game of inches.

After Nebraska pulled to within 31–24, Miami responded with an impressive march of its own that consumed over five minutes of precious time. Albert Bentley broke through for an apparent touchdown at the Nebraska forty two yard line but slipped and fell at the thirty two due to the poor condition of the turf. After that, the Blackshirts stiffened and forced a field goal attempt. Davis failed to put the game away when he missed a forty one yard field goal attempt.

On Nebraska’s last possession, they faced a second and eight situation at the Miami 24 yard line. Irving Fryar split the defenders and was wide open for a perfectly thrown pass by Turner Gill. Fryar inexplicably dropped the ball. Jeff Smith scored a touchdown two plays later to pull Nebraska within 30–31.

On the two point conversion play, Miami linebacker Kenny Calhoun was covering Fryar but he raced over to Smith when he saw Gill throwing to him. Calhoun got two fingers on the ball and deflected it.

The 1983 Nebraska team was was less imperfect than every other imperfect team in history.