A Look Back: The 1999 Cornhuskers
15 comments so far
July 28, 2009 by
The last time Nebraska finished a season in a way that satisfied all but the most spoiled Husker fans had to be 1999. The team went 12-1, won the Big 12, and beat the defending national champion in a BCS bowl. By avenging its only loss of the season in the Big 12 title game, there was no team NU faced that had the last laugh.
Sure there might have been some disappointment that the Huskers lost a winnable game in Austin. Adding insult to injury were the self-inflicted wounds in the game. The Huskers lost three fumbles on the day. One fumble on Nebraska’s own end of the field set up a Texas field goal. The other two came in the red zone (including one on the two-yard line). It didn’t help that two other drives stalled in the red zone, with NU settling for short field goals. Beyond the self-inflicted wounds was a holding non-call (you could see the jersey being pulled from behind) downfield that enabled Mike Jones to score the winning touchdown for the Longhorns.
NU also might have won a game they shouldn’t have when a missed 34-yard field goal at the end of regulation against Colorado allowed the Huskers to pull out a 33-30 overtime win. That was critical as that game coupled with the Texas loss would have kept Nebraska out of the conference championship game. The Huskers also needed two Julius Jackson touchdown returns against Southern Mississippi to pull out a win early in the season.
But whether or not that team could have gone 13-0 or 9-3, it had a lot going for it. The defense was outstanding. No team managed more than three touchdowns against them and most of the time it was two or fewer. Opponents averaged just 2.2 yards rushing against Nebraska and the Husker defense forced 35 turnovers. They also finished second nationally in pass efficiency defense and in the top ten in a number of other defensive categories. Mike Brown and Ralph Brown were All-Americans in the secondary. Keyou Craver, Carlos Polk, and Kyle Vanden Bosch would go on to be later in their careers as well. There were other NFL draft picks on D as well like Steve Warren, DeJuan Groce, Chris Kelsay, and Scott Shanle. There were a number of other blackshirts that got free agent deals in the NFL like Eric Johnson, Julius Jackson, Tony Ortiz, Clint Finley, Loren Kaiser, Joe Walker, Jeremy Slechta, Jamie Burrow, and Jon Clanton. The defense was talented and deep. It was also the major reason that the Huskers beat five ranked teams (Southern Mississippi, Texas, Texas A&M, Kansas State, and Tennessee).
It’s not like the team didn’t have talent on offense either. Eric Crouch was Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Bobby Newcombe had big play ability at the wingback position. He saved NU’s bacon against Kansas and helped the Huskers pull away against Tennessee. Dominic Raiola was an all-conference center and Russ Hochstein an all-conference guard. Toniu Fonoti started as a newcomer at guard. All three linemen would become All-Americans in their careers. Jason Schwab and Dave Volk (offensive tackles) would later get NFL free agent deals. Dan Alexander and Correll Buckhalter were a bruising one-two punch for opposing defenses at I-back (and Dahrran Diedrick had his moments as well). Willie Miller was a stout fullback. Even Matt Davison had a nice year at receiver. Add to that a booming punter in Dan Hadenfeldt and future NFL placekicker in Josh Brown and you had a tremendously talented overall team. Even Frank Solich was honored as Big 12 coach of the year (and earned it for his handling of the near-departure of Eric Crouch and for saying goodbye to DeAngelo Evans).
For Husker fans who want a playoff. The 1999 team might be exhibit A. This team won too many big games not to have had a good chance to get through a post-season tournament. If defense wins championships, this team was better positioned than Florida State (the national champion that year). Considering that the strength of the FSU offense was passing and the Huskers had All-Americans in the secondary, it might not have even been close had the teams had a chance to face off.
But fans never got to see that game. And instead of that team being remembered nationally, only the Husker die-hards will recall a team that has been the best of the post-Osborne era.
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Matt Jul 28 09
While I remember Nebraska having problems in Austin, I also remember the screw job by the refs at the end of the game when Crouch had two complete passes conveniently ruled 'incomplete'. Even Brent Lushburger said himself he thought they were complete during the telecast, and considering his disdain then and now for Nebraska...
...well, if anything, it was a sign of things to come in the conference. Wasn't it the following year the Big XII offices moved from KC to Irving to become the UT-Austin Extension Office? ;)
James Moore Jul 28 09
A great piece on a very, very, very good team. This bunch was the last of the Legacy Period. Although it obviously does not meet the 1993-1997 time period, this team was a cut from that championship cloth. Punishing, and boy at the end of the year a formidable bunch. . .
Dwayne Jul 28 09
Possibly one of the most forgotten NU teams.
caveman99 Jul 28 09
I loved that team, I was crushed after the trip to Austin. That team could beat anyone in the country on any given day at any place, only pure luck like UT got would save anyone.
OU7times Jul 28 09
Luck?
Steve Jul 28 09
OU7,
In that game, Nebraska had 23 first downs. Texas had 13.
Nebraska rolled up 429 yards, Texas 275.
The Huskers had 47 return yards. Texas 9.
Crouch's completion percentage 62%
Applewhite's 57%
Nebraska outpunted by 2 yards per punt and had fewer penalties.
At least one of those fumbles was completely because Buckhalter was reaching his arm for extra yards. Completely unforced and unnecessary. It was at the Texas 2-yard line.
How often does the team with stats that Texas had win? Not too often. Which helps explain why the Huskers pitched a complete shutout in the rematch.
OU7times Jul 28 09
I was just laughing that someone would call 'luck' on fumbles and such.
What immediately came to my mind was the kicked ball in the Missouri (late season) game in which I believe Nebraska won the National Championship that year.
'Luck' happens almost every game all season long, that's my point.
Steve Jul 28 09
OU7,
The Huskers definitely got lucky on the flea kicker (of course, they wouldn't have needed luck if Shevin Wiggins could have just caught the ball that hit him in the chest).
But Mizzou was lucky to be in a game where they were outgained 528 yards to 386, they were outpunted by an average of 8 yards per kick, and they gave up 5 sacks to NU's none. Thankfully for them, they got some turnovers to stay in the game, that set up 14 Tiger points.
OU7times Jul 28 09
I wouldn't say shutout, exactly(6 pts), but the re-match was proportional score and statistical wise.
It does suck when a fumble, or two, can make the difference between winning and losing when winning the statistics battle.
Billy sims (great player),in Lincoln, comes to mind. I wouldn't consider his fumble at the 2 yard line bad luck or good luck for Nebraska, just not fundamentally sound ball carrying by Sims.
The rotten call by the ref in the Oregon/OU game couldn't be considered luck for Oregon, just really bad officiating.
No offense meant to anyone but it just sounded funny that 'Cavemann99' would mention UT as being lucky when it happens day in and day out in football.
OU7times Jul 28 09
Steve,
I'm really looking forward to November 7th. I hope it's a dandy!
Steve Jul 28 09
OU7,
The defense shut the Longhorn offense out completely. The score by Texas in that game came on a 20-yard fumble return. The NU defense had seven sacks, it was a thing of beauty.
After the last game against OU, I don't know that I look forward with much anticipation to November 7. Check with me again in three years. I look more forward to Dec. 5. I'd gladly take a home loss to the Sooners as long as I see the Huskers on the field in the Big 12 title game.
Greg Morrow Jul 28 09
That Colorado game was about the most unbelievable game, EVER! The ball just dribbling out of Alexander's hands still makes me laugh- but only because of the "W." I actually turned the vcr off and turned the channel for a moment, when Buffy teed up the ball for the game winning field goal...
Offensively, the offense continued the incremental slide down, from the season before. The dynamicism of that amazing system was eroding.
Crouch, though.
Somehow, the Corn have to incorporate speed back behind center. Just with more passing, like what Solich and Cotton intended to do, for '04.
One other thing about '99. Had Nebraska made it to the title game, I think they would have faced Mike Vick and crew. That game would've been a load, to haul. Remember the FSU guy getting faked out AND blowing his knee?
Not saying Nebraska couldn't have won, but FSU still had a pretty good defense, themselves.
To clip Tennessee, coming off their 98 title and with them drawling something about "settlin' up" with Nebraska- was pretty satisfying.
Bill in Iowa Jul 28 09
It's a good reminder to remember how much amazing talent a team has to have in order to be a national championship contender. We are very excited about Suh on defense, as we should be, but we also need a Mike Brown and Ralph Brown a Keyou Craver, Carlos Polk, and a Kyle Vanden Bosch, Steve Warren, DeJuan Groce, Chris Kelsay, and Scott Shanle...as you mentioned.
When Pelini boasted that at NU we will put the stars on players, you really have to take him seriously. Even though Suh was a 4 star recruit, his play the year before Pelini arrived was very average and now look at him. He even admits, he found an extra gear. I am really anxious to see who else steps up their game this year. We really need the LB's and Secondary to show up in a big way this year.
BK Jul 29 09
I miss the option.
It was so predictable... but there was just something gratifying about beating the living piss out of people for 4 quarters. I always loved the "4th quarter collapse" in the 90's. It was as if you could actually see the other team's legs start to buckle.
By the way... I love that Bo has been talking about "Dominating" on the defensive side of the ball instead of the the standard "we are working to improve" statements.
I am hopeful that Nebraska is ready to win NOW.
(assuming a few things fall into place, of course)
Seminole Jan 05 10
If you think Nebraska could have beat FSU in 1999 you are high. FSU had a future Heisman QB, a game breaker wideout (Peter Warrick) and a rock solid defense. Nebraska would have been outmatched as they were each time they faced FSU in the '90s. At least you got to finish with a victory in a bowl game rather than the ignominity of losing bad to FSU.