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Red dawn

Nebraska, Alabama take titles in convincing manner

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Posted: Monday December 06, 1999 12:58 PM

Tyler Watts and the Crimson Tide leaped over Florida on their way to a New Year's Day matchup with Michigan. AP

By Rich Loup, CNN/SI

A sea of red dominated Saturday's conference championship games.

No. 3 Nebraska got its revenge against Texas with a 22-6 win that gave the Cornhuskers the Big 12 title. Unfortunately, the victory did not give Nebraska a shot at the national title, but the Huskers will head to the Fiesta Bowl.

No. 7 Alabama proved its October victory at Florida was no fluke with a 34-7 spanking of the Gators in the SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide rolls to Miami for an Orange Bowl date with Michigan.

Elsewhere, Marshall wrapped up a Motor City Bowl berth with a 34-30 comeback win against Western Michigan. Miami sealed its first New Year's Day bowl appearance since 1995. And last, but not least, Navy sank Army in the 100th meeting of the two service academies.

Week 15 Recaps
(3) Nebraska 22, (12) Texas 6
Preview	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	173: Total offensive yards by the Longhorns.
Player of the Game
Correll Buckhalter, RB, Nebraska. Rushed for 120 yards on 19 carries after replacing injured Dan Alexander.
Breakdown
Nebraska set the tone early as Eric Crouch's 31-yard touchdown run gave the Huskers a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Major Applewhite made some bulletin-board remarks early in the week and he paid for them Saturday as the Huskers limited him to 15-of-42 passing for 164 yards and three interceptions. The victory puts Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl, but it's not enough to vault them past Virginia Tech for a national-title shot.
(7) Alabama 34, (5) Florida 7
Preview	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	114: Total offensive yards for Florida.
Player of the Game
Freddie Milons, WR, Alabama. Dazzling 77-yard touchdown run was the beginning of the end for Florida.
Breakdown
Alabama didn't need any of the fortune it used to win in Gainesville earlier in the season. The Crimson Tide's defense settled down after Florida's touchdown on the opening drive of the game and allowed the Gators just six first downs for the entire game. Milons' run was the turning point as Alabama claimed its first SEC championship since 1992 when the Tide also won the national title. Alabama heads to the Orange Bowl while Florida likely goes to the Citrus Bowl after one of its worst offensive performances in Steve Spurrier's tenure.
(11) Marshall 34, Western Michigan 30
Preview	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	100: Career touchdown passes for Chad Pennington, the last of which was the game-winner.
Player of the Game
Pennington, QB, Marshall. Completed 20 of 31 passes for 284 yards.
Breakdown
A comeback of all comebacks as Marshall erased a 23-point deficit to save their trip to the Motor City Bowl. Western Michigan showed character in reclaiming the lead once Marshall took a 27-23 advantage and the Broncos' defense nearly kept the Thundering Herd out of the end zone in the final minute. But Pennington got it done as Marshall awaits Brigham Young for a postseason game.
(25) Miami 55, Temple 0
Preview	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	239: Rushing yards for Miami, a season high.
Player of the Game
Ken Dorsey, QB, Miami. Completed 23 of 34 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns.
Breakdown
A mismatch from the get-go as the Hurricanes won with a trio of alternating running backs and Dorsey broke a single-game school record for freshmen with his four TD passes. Miami is heading to the Gator Bowl, which means the Hurricanes will play on New Year's Day for the first time since 1995.
Navy 19, Army (3-7) 9
Preview	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	75: Number of contests in the 100-game series that have been played in Philadelphia.
Players to Watch
Brian Madden, QB, Navy. Rushed for 177 yards on 41 carries and was named the game's most valuable player.
Breakdown
Madden has done wonders since taking over as the Midshipmen's quarterback in October, rushing for more than 144 yards in each game. Saturday was no different as the Navy QB lifted the Midshipmen to a victory in one of the country's storied rivalries. The game could be the last for Army coach Bob Sutton, who has one year remaining on his contract.

 

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