ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 2, 1997 TAG: 9701020076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MIAMI
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A VICTORY over Virginia Tech was nice, but Nebraska would rather be playing at Pro Player Stadium next season, when the top Bowl Alliance team will be in the game.
This season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers had to settle for a trip to the Orange Bowl. Next season, it will be their goal.
The 'Huskers capped a disappointing season with an impressive showing Tuesday night, scoring on their first four possessions of the second half to beat Virginia Tech 41-21.
The victory was a consolation prize for sixth-ranked Nebraska (11-2), which saw its bid for an unprecedented third consecutive national title end with an upset loss to Texas in the Big 12 Conference championship game.
A year from now, the top-ranked team in the Bowl Alliance will play in the Orange Bowl.
``The plan is definitely to come back here next year for the championship game,'' said junior defensive tackle Jason Peter. ``We will be ready.''
Peter sparked the victory over No.10 Virginia Tech by returning a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown. Damon Benning rushed for 95 yards, including touchdowns of 33 and 6 yards, and was voted the 'Huskers' most valuable player.
The game was the first Orange Bowl played in December and the first held at Pro Player Stadium, and the departure from tradition hurt attendance. The crowd of 51,212 was the smallest for an Orange Bowl in nearly 50 years.
The 'Huskers earned their third consecutive bowl victory and reached 11 victories for the fourth consecutive season. But they wanted more.
``These were difficult circumstances,'' coach Tom Osborne said. ``At times it almost felt like a non-game because of the interest and lack of intensity, and I feel sorry about that.''
Tech (10-2) lost despite Jim Druckenmiller's three touchdown passes and Ken Oxendine's 210-yard all-purpose effort. Oxendine, voted the Hokies' MVP, totaled 150 yards on 20 carries and added 60 yards on three receptions.
Coach Frank Beamer had billed the bowl as the biggest game in school history.
``When you get into games like this, you'd like to win them against the best in the country,'' Beamer said.
Nebraska, a 17-point favorite, wore down Virginia Tech in the second half. The 'Huskers finished with 279 yards rushing, converted 11 of 16 third downs and committed no turnovers.
``Everybody asked if we were going to come to play, and how we were going to get motivated,'' Benning said. ``It was ridiculous. When you come from a program like we come from, you always come prepared, especially for the Orange Bowl.''
Nebraska struck for 17 points in a 10-minute span in the second quarter, including one score by the defense when Tech tried to run the option on third-and-37.
Druckenmiller was about to pitch when he was hit by Mike Rucker, and the ball squirted free. Peter, a 285-pound lineman, picked it up and ran 31 yards untouched for the touchdown.
``I wanted so bad to start high-stepping,'' Peter said. ``My speed was so unbelievable, I was in the end zone before I knew it.''
The Cornhuskers led 17-14 at halftime, then cranked out scoring drives of 74, 61, 76 and 55 yards in their first four possessions of the second half.
Scott Frost, making his first start in a bowl, threw for 136 yards and added 62 rushing, including touchdown runs of 5 and 22 yards.
``He really did a nice job running the offense,'' Osborne said. ``This was probably his best game.''
Kris Brown kicked field goals of 25 and 37 yards for the 'Huskers, who snapped Tech's seven-game winning streak.
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. ERIC BRADY STAFF Virginia Tech fans salute theirby CNBteam as the Hokies leave Pro Player Stadium after Tuesday night's
41-21 loss to sixth-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.
2. & 3. ERIC BRADY AND DON PETERSEN STAFF Virginia Tech tailback Ken
Oxendine (left) can't escape Nebraska defenders Jamel Williams (28)
and Eric Stokes (16). Oxendine led all rushers with 150 yards in
Tuesday night's Orange Bowl. Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller,
coach Frank Beamer (center) and back-up quarterback Al Clark (above
photo) discuss strategy during the second half.