1995 Orange Bowl Simulation
Matchup: #1 Nebraska (12–0) vs. #2 Penn State (12–0) Location: Miami, FL (Orange Bowl Stadium) Date: January 1, 1995 Scenario: Bowl Coalition allows a true 1-vs-2 matchup. Winner takes the national title.
Final Score
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Penn State | 10 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
Team Stats
| Category | Nebraska | Penn State |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 21 | 24 |
| Total Yards | 398 | 452 |
| Rushing Yards | 242 | 198 |
| Passing Yards | 156 | 254 |
| Turnovers | 2 (1 INT, 1 FUM) | 1 (INT) |
| Time of Possession | 29:12 | 30:48 |
| Penalties | 6 for 50 yds | 4 for 35 yds |
| Third Down Efficiency | 6/13 | 8/14 |
Individual Stats
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Offense- QB Tommie Frazier: 9/16, 156 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT; 15 rush, 78 yds, 1 TD
- RB Lawrence Phillips: 23 rush, 134 yds, 1 TD
- WR Abdul Muhammad: 4 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD
- FB Cory Schlesinger: 6 rush, 30 yds
- WR Abdul Muhammad:4 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD
WR Reggie Baul: 2 rec, 38 yds
- LB Ed Stewart: 11 tackles, 1 sack
- DE Jared Tomich: 7 tackles, 1 sack
- CB Tyrone Williams: 5 tackles, 1 INT
- DT Christian Peter: 4 tackles, 1 FR
Penn State Nittany Lions
Offense- QB Kerry Collins: 18/27, 254 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- RB Ki-Jana Carter: 21 rush, 132 yds, 2 TDs
- WR Bobby Engram: 6 rec, 91 yds, 1 TD
- WR Freddie Scott: 4 rec, 68 yds
- FB Brian Milne: 2 rush, 1 yd, 1 TD
- TE Kyle Brady: 3 rec, 41 yds
- LB Brian Gelzheiser: 10 tackles, 1 sack
- CB Kim Herring: 6 tackles, 1 INT
- DL Brandon Noble: 5 tackles, 1 FR
- S Chuck Penzenik: 5 tackles, 1 PD
Game Narrative
- 1st Half: Penn State opens with a 56-yard TD run by Ki-Jana Carter. Nebraska answers with a Frazier-led option drive. Collins finds Engram for a 17-yard TD before halftime, but Nebraska ties it 17–17 with a late field goal.
- 3rd Quarter: Nebraska takes the lead on a Lawrence Phillips 9-yard TD run. But PSU responds with a methodical drive capped by a Milne plunge.
- 4th Quarter: A fumble by Frazier sets up a PSU field goal. Collins then engineers a 75-yard drive, hitting Engram and Scott before Carter punches in the game-winner from 5 yards out. Nebraska’s final drive stalls at midfield.
MVP: Ki-Jana Carter (Penn State)
132 rushing yards, 2 TDs, including a 56-yard burst that set the tone early.
Scoring Summary
| Quarter | Time | Team | Scoring Play | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Q | 11:32 | PSU | Carter 56-yd TD run (Fayak kick) | PSU 7–0 |
| 1Q | 6:45 | NEB | Frazier 12-yd TD run (Sieler kick) | 7–7 |
| 1Q | 0:58 | PSU | Fayak 38-yd FG | PSU 10–7 |
| 2Q | 10:14 | NEB | Phillips 9-yd TD run (Sieler kick) | NEB 14–10 |
| 2Q | 4:22 | PSU | Collins 17-yd TD pass to Engram (Fayak kick) | PSU 17–14 |
| 2Q | 0:03 | NEB | Sieler 42-yd FG | 17–17 |
| 3Q | 8:33 | NEB | Muhammad 24-yd TD pass from Frazier (Sieler kick) | NEB 24–17 |
| 3Q | 2:01 | PSU | Milne 1-yd TD run (Fayak kick) | 24–24 |
| 4Q | 11:12 | PSU | Fayak 34-yd FG | PSU 27–24 |
| 4Q | 6:08 | NEB | Phillips 5-yd TD run (Sieler kick) | NEB 31–27 |
| 4Q | 1:44 | PSU | Carter 5-yd TD run (Fayak kick) | PSU 34–31 |