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1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

{{short description|American college football season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NCAA team season

| mode = football

| year = 1994

| team = Nebraska Cornhuskers

| logo = Nebraska Cornhuskers logo, 1992–2003.svg

| logo_size = 150

| image =

| image_size =

| image_alt =

| conference = Big Eight Conference

| division =

| short_conf = Big 8

| BCSRank =

| CoachRank = 1

| APRank = 1

| record = 13–0

| conf_record = 7–0

| head_coach = Tom Osborne

| hc_year = 22nd

| def_coach = Charlie McBride

| dc_year = 14th

| off_scheme = I formation

| def_scheme = 4–3

| stadium = Memorial Stadium

| champion = Consensus national champion
Big Eight champion
Orange Bowl champion

| bowl = Orange Bowl (BC NCG)

| bowl_result = W 24–17 vs. Miami (FL)

}}

{{1994 Big 8 football standings}}

The 1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and was the national champion of the 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers offense scored 459 points while the defense allowed 162 points.

Before the season

There was much anticipation for the 1994 season. The 1993 Nebraska team compiled an 11–0 record in the regular season before narrowly losing to Florida State in the 1994 Orange Bowl on a last-second missed field goal. The 1994 offseason was dubbed "Unfinished Business" by the Huskers, in their quest to secure a national championship for the coming season.

Junior Tommie Frazier returned as the quarterback in Tom Osborne's vaunted option offense. Also returning were several key starters on defense that would prove to be a highly rated unit during the 1994 season.

Schedule

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1994

| poll = AP

| timezone = Central

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|August 28, 1994}}

| time = 1:00 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 4

| opponent = West Virginia

| opprank = 24

| site_stadium = Giants Stadium

| site_cityst = East Rutherford, NJ

| gamename = Kickoff Classic

| tv = ABC

| score = 31–0

| attend = 58,233

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-nebraska-opens/140474905/|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|title=Nebraska opens '94 with win|date=August 29, 1994|accessdate=February 7, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|September 8, 1994}}

| time = 7:00 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| rank = 1

| opponent = Texas Tech

| site_stadium = Jones Stadium

| site_cityst = Lubbock, TX

| tv = ESPN

| score = 42–16

| attend = 32,768

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 17

| time = 2:30 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = UCLA

| opprank = 13

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE

| gamename = College GameDay

| tv = ABC

| score = 49–21

| attend = 75,687

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 24

| time = 1:00 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = Pacific (CA)

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE

| tv =

| score = 70–21

| attend = 75,273

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 1

| time = 2:30 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = Wyoming

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE

| tv = PPV

| score = 42–32

| attend = 75,333

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 8

| time = 1:00 pm

| w/l = w

| rank = 2

| opponent = Oklahoma State

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE

| tv =

| score = 32–3

| attend = 75,434

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 15

| time = 11:00 am

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = Kansas State

| opprank = 16

| site_stadium = KSU Stadium

| site_cityst = Manhattan, KS

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = ABC

| score = 17–6

| attend = 42,817

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 22

| time = 1:00 pm

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 3

| opponent = Missouri

| site_stadium = Faurot Field

| site_cityst = Columbia, MO

| gamename = rivalry

| tv =

| score = 42–7

| attend = 50,537

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 29

| time = 11:00 am

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| rank = 3

| opponent = Colorado

| opprank = 2

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE

| gamename = rivalry, College GameDay

| tv = ABC

| score = 24–7

| attend = 76,131

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 5

| time = 1:00 pm

| w/l = w

| rank = 1

| opponent = Kansas

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE

| gamename = rivalry

| tv =

| score = 45–17

| attend = 75,543

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 12

| time = 1:00 pm

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 1

| opponent = Iowa State

| site_stadium = Cyclone Stadium

| site_cityst = Ames, IA

| tv =

| score = 28–12

| attend = 45,186

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|November 25, 1994}}

| time = 2:30 pm

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 1

| opponent = Oklahoma

| site_stadium = Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Norman, OK

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = ABC

| score = 13–3

| attend = 70,216

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|January 1, 1995}}, 1995

| time = 7:00 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 1

| opponent = Miami (FL)

| opprank = 3

| site_stadium = Miami Orange Bowl

| site_cityst = Miami, FL

| gamename = Orange Bowl, rivalry

| tv = NBC

| score = 24–17

| attend = 81,753

}}

}}

Roster and coaching staff

{{American football roster/Header|year=1994|team=Nebraska Cornhuskers|teamcolors=y

|offensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Eric|last=Alford|num=88|pos=TE|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jacques|last=Allen|num=31|pos=WB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Eric|last=Anderson|num=70|pos=OT|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Reggie|last=Baul|num=7 |pos=SE|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Damon|last=Benning|num=21|pos=IB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brook|last=Berringer|num=18|pos=QB|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Lance|last=Brown|num= |pos=WB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ted|last=Butler|num=62|pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tim|last=Carpenter|num=90|pos=TE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brady|last=Caskey|num=61|pos=OT|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kenny|last=Cheatham|num=16|pos=SE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Clinton|last=Childs|num=26|pos=IB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Monte|last=Christo|num= |pos=QB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Josh|last=Cobb|num= |pos=FB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Scott|last=Davenport|num=17|pos=IB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Aaron|last=Davis|num=83|pos=SE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chris|last=Dishman|num=75|pos=OT|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Constantine|last=Dumitrescu|num=63|pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Greg|last=Ford|num= |pos=FB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tommie|last=Frazier|num=15|pos=QB|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ben|last=Gessford|num= |pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mark|last=Gilman|num=87|pos=TE|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Aaron|last=Graham|num=54|pos=C|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Billy|last=Haafke|num= |pos=SE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ryan|last=Held|num= |pos=SE|class=F|link=y|dab=Ryan Held (American football)}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Josh|last=Heskew|num= |pos=C|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Erich|last=Hohl|num=89|pos=TE|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brendan|last=Holbein|num=5 |pos=SE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Joe|last=Horst|num= |pos=TE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Matt|last=Hoskinson|num= |pos=OG|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Bill|last=Humphrey|num=51|pos=C|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Sheldon|last=Jackson|num=84|pos=TE|class=F|link=y|dab=Sheldon Jackson (American football)}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Vershan|last=Jackson|num= |pos=FB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Clester|last=Johnson|num=33|pos=WB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brian|last=Knuckles|num=24|pos=FB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeff (Robert)|last=Lake|num= |pos=SE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Lesser|num= |pos=OG|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=John|last=Livingston|num=81|pos=SE|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Luhr|num= |pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeff|last=Makovicka|num=22|pos=FB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Joel|last=Makovicka|num= |pos=FB|class=F|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Josh|last=McGrane|num= |pos=TE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kory|last=Mikos|num= |pos=OT|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Andy|last=Miller|num= |pos=SE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Abdul|last=Muhammad|num=27|pos=WB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chris|last=Norris|num=38|pos=FB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brian|last=Nunns|num= |pos=OT|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Steve|last=Ott|num=69|pos=OG|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Lawrence|last=Phillips|num=1 |pos=IB|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Fred|last=Pollack|num=73|pos=OT|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brett|last=Popplewell|num=80|pos=SE|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Bryan|last=Pruitt|num=65|pos=OG|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=David|last=Reddick|num=34|pos=WB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dorrick|last=Roy|num=86|pos=TE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Cory|last=Schlesinger|num=40|pos=FB|class=S|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Anthony|last=Schmode|num= |pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brian|last=Schuster|num=28|pos=FB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeremy|last=Shadrick|num= |pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Matt|last=Shaw|num=85|pos=TE|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Marvin|last=Sims|num=47|pos=IB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Larry|last=Smith|num= |pos=SE|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Smith|num= |pos=FB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jay|last=Staehr|num= |pos=QB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brenden|last=Stai|num=66|pos=OG|class=S|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chad|last=Stanley|num= |pos=FB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dave|last=Stramel|num= |pos=OG|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Aaron|last=Taylor|num=67|pos=OG|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ross|last=Tessendorf|num= |pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Adam|last=Treu|num=77|pos=OT|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kyle|last=Tully|num= |pos=OL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Matt|last=Turman|num=77|pos=QB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Todd|last=Uhlir|num=23|pos=IB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Van Cleave|num=59|pos=OG|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jon|last=Vedral|num=25|pos=WB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Steve|last=Volin|num=68|pos=OG|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Matt|last=Vrzal|num=53|pos=C|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brandt|last=Wade|num=74|pos=OG|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Riley|last=Washington|num=3 |pos=SE|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Zach|last=Wiegert|num=72|pos=OT|class=S|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Sean|last=Wieting|num= |pos=WB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Joel|last=Wilks|num=76|pos=OG|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jon|last=Zatechka|num=64|pos=OG|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Rob|last=Zatechka|num=56|pos=OT|class=S|link=y}}

|defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Matt|last=Aden|num=11|pos=ROV|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dave|last=Alderman|num= |pos=ROV|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Leonard|last=Alexander|num=36|pos=MLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Larry|last=Arnold|num=23|pos=OLB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dennis|last=Bailey|num= |pos=FS|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chad|last=Blahak|num= |pos=LCB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Michael|last=Booker|num=5 |pos=DB|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chad|last=Brouse|num= |pos=FS|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Clint|last=Brown|num=45|pos=SLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Darren|last=Brummond|num= |pos=LB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Sedric|last=Collins|num=17|pos=FS|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Doug|last=Colman|num=46|pos=MLB|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Terry|last=Connealy|num=99|pos=DT|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tray|last=Crayton|num=3 |pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Leslie|last=Dennis|num=2 |pos=LCB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Troy|last=Dumas|num=4 |pos=SLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Phil|last=Ellis|num=41|pos=MLB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Fisher|num=24|pos=SLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jay|last=Foreman|num=7 |pos=DB|class=F|link=y|dab=Jay Foreman (American football)}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Sean|last=Gard|num= |pos=OLB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Luther|last=Hardin|num=58|pos=OLB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Dwayne|last=Harris|num=86|pos=OLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chris|last=Herron|num= |pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jon|last=Hesse|num=44|pos=MLB|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jerad|last=Higman|num=92|pos=OLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Michael|last=Hoffman|num= |pos=DT|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Quint|last=Hogrefe|num= |pos=LB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Matt|last=Hunting|num= |pos=WLB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jai|last=Jackson|num= |pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Jenkins|num=96|pos=DT|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeremy|last=Jensen|num= |pos=ROV|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Donta|last=Jones|num=84|pos=OLB|class=S|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Charlie|last=Leece|num= |pos=LB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Casey|last=Macken|num= |pos=LB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=John|last=Martin|num=49|pos=OLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Octavious|last=McFarlin|num=12|pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Barron|last=Miles|num=14|pos=LCB|class=S|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Bryce|last=Miller|num= |pos=OLB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Minter|num=10|pos=ROV|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ian|last=Mitchell|num= |pos=WLB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ed|last=Morrow|num=42|pos=OLB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Kareem|last=Moss|num=29|pos=ROV|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Erik|last=Nelson|num=80|pos=DL|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Sean|last=Noster|num=43|pos=SLB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeff|last=Ogard|num=97|pos=DT|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeff|last=Olsen|num=98|pos=OLB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Aaron|last=Penland|num=52|pos=WLB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Pesterfield|num=57|pos=DT|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Christian|last=Peter|num=55|pos=DT|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Peter|num=95|pos=DT|class=F|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Roberts|num=39|pos=ROV|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Rucker|num=82|pos=LB|class=F|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jeff|last=Sakalosky|num=35|pos=MLB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Scott|last=Saltsman|num=74|pos=DT|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Darren|last=Schmadeke|num=37|pos=RCB|class=J}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Adam|last=Skoda|num= |pos=MLB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Justin|last=Stephens|num=31|pos=MLB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ed|last=Stewart|num=32|pos=WLB|class=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Eric|last=Stokes|num=16|pos=RCB|class=SO|link=y|dab=Eric Stokes (American football executive)}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ryan|last=Terwilliger|num=91|pos=WLB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Andy|last=Thompson|num= |pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Travis|last=Toline|num=83|pos=LB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jared|last=Tomich|num=93|pos=DT|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Larry|last=Townsend|num=94|pos=DT|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tony|last=Veland|num=9 |pos=FS|class=J|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Eric|last=Walther|num= |pos=DB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jamel|last=Williams|num=28|pos=ROV|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tyrone|last=Williams|num=8 |pos=RCB|class=J|link=y|dab=Tyrone Williams (cornerback)}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jason|last=Wiltz|num=68|pos=DT|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Shalis|last=Winder|num= |pos=OLB|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Grant|last=Wistrom|num=85|pos=OLB|class=F|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Trampis|last=Wrice|num=22|pos=RCB|class=SO}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chad|last=Young|num= |pos=FS|class=J}}

|special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Darin|last=Erstad|num=6 |pos=P/PK|class=SO|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Jesse|last=Kosch|num=19|pos=P|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Bill|last=Lafleur|num= |pos=P/PK|class=F|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Brian|last=Morro|num= |pos=P/PK|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Ted|last=Retzlaff|num=13|pos=PK|class=F}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Tom|last=Sieler|num=12|pos=PK|class=S}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=1994|accessdate=January 17, 2011

|head_coach=

|asst_coach=

  • Charlie McBride{{small|
       14th season as DC/DL coach
       18th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Colorado}}
  • Turner Gill{{small|
       3rd season as QB coach
       3rd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Nebraska}}
  • Kevin Steele{{small|
       6th season as LB coach
       6th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Tennessee}}
  • Ron Brown{{small|
       8th season as WR/TE coach
       8th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Brown}}
  • Dan Young{{small|
       12th season as OL/K coach
       12th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Reed}}
  • Milt Tenopir{{small|
       21st season as OL coach
       21st year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Sterling}}
  • Tony Samuel{{small|
       9th season as OLB coach
       9th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Nebraska}}
  • George Darlington{{small|
       DB coach
       22nd year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Rutgers}}
  • Frank Solich{{small|
       12th season as RB coach
       16th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Nebraska}}
  • Boyd Epley{{small|
       26th season as S&C coach
       26th year at Nebraska
       Alma mater: Nebraska}}

}}

= Depth chart =

{{CFB Team Depth Chart

| OScheme = Pro-Set

| DScheme = 4-3

| SpecialTeams = Yes

| KeyReserves = No

| 3Deep = Yes

| QB_Starter = Tommie Frazier
Brook Berringer

| QB_Backup = Matt Turman

| RB1_Starter = Lawrence Phillips

| RB1_Backup = Clinton Childs
Damon Benning

| RB1_Third = Todd Uhlir

| FB_Starter = Corey Schlesinger

| FB_Backup = Jeff Mackovicka

| FB_Third = Brian Schuster

| WR1_Starter = Abdul Muhammad

| WR1_Backup = Clestor Johnson

| WR1_Third = Jon Vedral

| WR2_Starter = Reggie Baul

| WR2_Backup = Brandon Holbein

| WR2_Third = Riley Washington

| TE1_Starter = Eric Alford

| TE1_Backup = Mark Gilman
Matt Shaw

| TE1_Third = Tim Carpenter

| LT_Starter = Rob Zatechka

| LT_Backup = Chris Dishman

| LT_Third = Kory Mikos

| LG_Starter = Brenden Stai

| LG_Backup = Aaron Taylor

| LG_Third = Jon Zatechka

| C_Starter = Aaron Graham

| C_Backup = Bill Humphrey

| C_Third = Matt Vrzal

| RG_Starter = Joel Wilks

| RG_Backup = Steve Ott

| RG_Third = Steve Volin

| RT_Starter = Zach Wiegert

| RT_Backup = Eric Anderson

| RT_Third = Adam Treu

| WLB_Starter = Ed Stewart

| ROLB_Backup = Ryan Terwilliger

| ROLB_Third = Jamel Williams

| WLB_SchoolName = WILL

| MLB_Starter = Phil Ellis
Doug Colman

| MLB_Backup = Jon Hesse

| MLB_Third = Lenord Alexander

| MLB_SchoolName = MIKE

| SLB_Starter = Troy Dumas

| SLB_Backup = Clint Brown

| SLB_Third = Larry Arnold

| SLB_SchoolName = SAM

| FS_Starter = Tony Veland

| FS_Backup = Eric Stokes

| FS_Third = Sedric Collins

| SS_Starter = Kareem Moss

| SS_Backup = Octavious McFarlin

| SS_Third = Jamel Williams

| SS_SchoolName = ROVER

| DB1_Starter = Baron Miles

| DB1_Backup = Darren Schmadeke

| DB1_Third = Trampis Wrice

| DB2_Starter = Tyrone Williams

| DB2_Backup = Leslie Dennis

| DB2_Third = Michael Booker

| RDE_Starter = Donta Jones

| RDE_Backup = Grant Wistrom

| RDE_Third = Jerad Higman

| RDT_Starter = Terry Connealy

| RDT_Backup = Jason Pesterfield

| RDT_Third = Jason Peter

| LDT_Starter = Christian Peter

| LDT_Backup = Scott Saltsman

| LDT_Third = Larry Townsend

| LDE_Starter = Dwayne Harris

| LDE_Backup = Jared Tomich

| LDE_Third = Luther Hardin

| PK_Starter = Tom Sieler

| P_Starter = Darin Erstad

| ColWidth = 110

| Autosize =

| RowHeight =

| FontSize = 90

| Debug = No

}}

Game summaries

=West Virginia=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska vs West Virginia [box score]

| Visitor = Nebraska

| Host = West Virginia

| V1 = 3| V2 = 21| V3 = 0| V4 = 7

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 0

| Date = August 28

| Location = Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 58,233

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The 1994 season started for the No. 4 Cornhuskers with a 31–0 win over No. 24 West Virginia in the Kickoff Classic. The game pitted two teams that had posted undefeated regular-season records in 1993. Quarterback Tommie Frazier was the game's MVP, rushing for 130 yards on 12 carries, including touchdown runs of 25, 27, and 42 yards. He also completed 8 of 16 passes for 100 yards and another touchdown. I-back Lawrence Phillips also ran 126 yards on 24 carries. In all, Nebraska gained 368 rushing yards and 468 total. The Nebraska defense dominated the Mountaineers, registering eight quarterback sacks and holding West Virginia to 8 yards rushing and 89 total yards. Todd Sauerbrun set a record for West Virginia with a 90-yard punt and averaged 60.1 yards on nine punts. The victory marked Nebraska's first shutout victory in two years. It was also Nebraska's first shutout victory against a ranked non-conference opponent since a 20–0 win over No. 19 Baylor in Lincoln 1939, and the first ever such win in a game played outside of Lincoln. The win vaulted Nebraska to No. 1 in the polls.

{{Clear}}

=Texas Tech=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Texas Tech [box score]

| Visitor = Nebraska

| Host = Texas Tech

| V1 = 7| V2 = 7| V3 = 14| V4 = 14

| H1 = 0| H2 = 3| H3 = 6| H4 = 7

| Date = September 8

| Location = Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium, Lubbock, Texas

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 32,768

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Next up was a road victory that saw the Huskers cruise past the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 42–16, which remarkably saw the Huskers drop to #2 in the polls. Unfortunately, this victory came at a cost, as safety Mike Minter suffered a season-ending knee injury.

{{Clear}}

=UCLA=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = UCLA at Nebraska [box score]

| Visitor = UCLA

| Host = Nebraska

| V1 = 0| V2 = 7| V3 = 7| V4 = 7

| H1 = 12| H2 = 16| H3 = 7| H4 = 14

| Date = September 17

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 75,687

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

=Pacific=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Pacific at Nebraska [box score]

| Visitor = Pacific

| Host = Nebraska

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 14| V4 = 7

| H1 = 28| H2 = 21| H3 = 14| H4 = 7

| Date = September 24

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 75,273

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The next two weeks first saw a tough match-up, where the Huskers would dominate #13-ranked UCLA in Memorial Stadium, followed by a blowout against Pacific. Shortly after this victory, the 1994 season got a lot more interesting when Nebraska's field general Tommie Frazier was sidelined by a blood clot in his right knee.

{{Clear}}

=Wyoming=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Wyoming at Nebraska [box score]

| Visitor = Wyoming

| Host = Nebraska

| V1 = 14| V2 = 7| V3 = 3| V4 = 8

| H1 = 0| H2 = 14| H3 = 21| H4 = 7

| Date = October 1

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 75,333

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

=Oklahoma State=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Oklahoma State at Nebraska [box score]

| Visitor = Oklahoma State

| Host = Nebraska

| V1 = 3| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 = 0

| H1 = 0| H2 = 9| H3 = 16| H4 = 7

| Date = October 8

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 75,434

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

=Kansas State=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Kansas State [box score]

| Visitor = Nebraska

| Host = Kansas State

| V1 = 7| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 = 10

| H1 = 0| H2 = 6| H3 = 0| H4 = 0

| Date = October 15

| Location = KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 42,817

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

With Frazier sidelined, junior Brook Berringer answered the call to run Osborne's offense. Berringer, a pro-style QB from Goodland, Kansas, came off the bench and performed at his best in two straight victories against Wyoming and Oklahoma State, even at times with a partially collapsed lung. When it became too much for Berringer, walk-on QB Matt Turman stepped up to lead the Cornhuskers against Okie State and in a tough road game that pitched the Huskers against conference foe and neighbor Kansas State. This game proved to be a defensive battle, which saw the Huskers walk away with a 17–6 victory against the #16 Wildcats.

{{Clear}}

=Missouri=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Missouri [box score]

| Visitor = Nebraska

| Host = Missouri

| V1 = 0| V2 = 14| V3 = 14| V4 = 14

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 7

| Date = October 22

| Location = Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 50,537

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

=Colorado=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Colorado at Nebraska [box score]

| Visitor = Colorado

| Host = Nebraska

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 7| V4 = 0

| H1 = 7| H2 = 10| H3 = 7| H4 = 0

| Date = October 29

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 76,131

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Nebraska's homecoming game and 200th consecutive home sell out.

{{Clear}}

=Kansas=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Kansas at Nebraska [box score]

| Visitor = Kansas

| Host = Nebraska

| V1 = 3| V2 = 7| V3 = 0| V4 = 7

| H1 = 24| H2 = 14| H3 = 7| H4 = 0

| Date = November 5

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 75,543

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

=Iowa State=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Iowa State [box score]

| Visitor = Nebraska

| Host = Iowa State

| V1 = 7| V2 = 7| V3 = 0| V4 = 14

| H1 = 0| H2 = 6| H3 = 6| H4 = 0

| Date = November 12

| Location = Cyclone Stadium, Ames, Iowa

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 45,186

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

=Oklahoma=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska at Oklahoma [box score]

| Visitor = Nebraska

| Host = Oklahoma

| V1 = 0| V2 = 3| V3 = 3| V4 = 7

| H1 = 0| H2 = 3| H3 = 0| H4 = 0

| Date = November 25

| Location = Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 70,216

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The final five regular season games saw Nebraska beat #2 Colorado, where the defense shut down eventual Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam. Only Oklahoma provided any resistance for the Huskers, who escaped with a 13–3 victory in Norman, and another Big Eight Conference Championship.

{{Clear}}

=Miami=

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Nebraska vs Miami [box score]

| Visitor = Nebraska

| Host = Miami

| V1 = 0| V2 = 7| V3 = 2| V4 = 15

| H1 = 10| H2 = 0| H3 = 7| H4 = 0

| Date = January 1

| Location = Miami Orange Bowl, Miami

| StartTime =

| TimeZone = CST

| Attendance = 81,753

}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=1 |Time=7:54 |Team=MIA |Event=Dane Prewitt 44-yard field goal |Score=MIA 3–0 |FirstEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=1 |Time=0:04 |Team=MIA |Event=Trent Jones 35-yard pass from Frank Costa (Dane Prewitt kick) |Score=MIA 10–0 }}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time=7:54 |Team=NEB |Event=Mark Gilman 19-yard pass from Brook Berringer (Tom Sieler kick) |Score=MIA 10–7 }}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time=13:19 |Team=MIA |Event=Jonathan Harris 44-yard pass from Frank Costa (Dane Prewitt kick) |Score=MIA 17–7 }}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time=11:35 |Team=NEB |Event=Team Safety |Score=MIA 17–9 }}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=4 |Time=7:38 |Team=NEB |Event=Cory Schlesinger 15-yard run (Eric Alford 2-pt reception) |Score=Tied 17–17 }}

{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=4 |Time=2:46 |Team=NEB |Event=Cory Schlesinger 14-yard run (Tom Sieler kick) |Score=NEB 24–17 |LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Nebraska was #1 in the nation, and found themselves pitted against #3 Miami in the Orange Bowl, a setting very familiar to Tom Osborne and his Husker players. Osborne had been in this very stadium on three separate occasions playing for a national championship, and came away empty-handed each time, losing the previous year against Bobby Bowden's Seminoles of Florida State, to the Miami Hurricanes in the legendary 1984 Orange Bowl by the score of 31–30, and to the #1 Clemson Tigers in the 1982 Orange Bowl, a night game in which Nebraska entered #4 where the #2 and #3 teams lost their bowl games earlier in the day.

But it would be much different this year. Frazier had returned from his injury, and Nebraska would not back down, even after trailing 10–7 at halftime and 17–7 with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter.

During his halftime speech, Coach Osborne had predicted the eventual meltdown of Miami late in the game. He told his players that if they maintained their composure, that Miami would slip up and earn a costly penalty. Osborne's prediction rang true, and the physically dominant Huskers scored 15 unanswered points in the 4th quarter on two key TD runs by FB Corey Schlesinger to earn Tom Osborne his first national title, by the score of 24–17.

{{Clear}}

Rankings

{{see also|1994 NCAA Division I-A football rankings}}

{{Ranking movements

| poll1lastweek = 16

| poll1title = AP

| poll1_0 = 4

| poll1_1 = 2

| poll1_2 = 1

| poll1_3 = 2

| poll1_4 = 2

| poll1_5 = 2

| poll1_6 = 2

| poll1_7 = 2

| poll1_8 = 3

| poll1_9 = 3

| poll1_10 = 1

| poll1_11 = 1

| poll1_12 = 1

| poll1_13 = 1

| poll1_14 = 1

| poll1_15 = 1

| poll1_16 = 1

| poll2lastweek = 16

| poll2title = Coaches

| poll2_0 =

| poll2_1 =

| poll2_2 =

| poll2_3 =

| poll2_4 =

| poll2_5 =

| poll2_6 =

| poll2_7 =

| poll2_8 =

| poll2_9 =

| poll2_10 =

| poll2_11 =

| poll2_12 =

| poll2_13 =

| poll2_14 =

| poll2_15 =

| poll2_16 = 1

}}

After the season

The successful season saw Nebraska lead the nation in rushing, with talented but troubled sophomore Lawrence Phillips rushing for 1,722 yards and finishing 8th in Heisman voting. The offensive line, which was arguably the best in the country as well, was affectionately known as "The Pipeline" and included Outland Trophy winner and All-American Zach Wiegert at tackle, fellow All-American Brendan Stai at guard, along with Rob Zatechka, Joel Wilks, and Aaron Graham. The vaunted 4–3 defense, led by All-American linebacker Ed Stewart, limited conference opponents to a mere 55 points.

The Huskers were treated to a warm welcome, despite the freezing temperatures, when they returned to Lincoln as National Champions. An estimated 15,000 fans were on hand at the Lincoln Airport to welcome home their Big Red heroes.

=Awards=

[http://www.huskermax.com/honors/honors_1994.html 1994 Husker Honors]

class="wikitable"
Award

! Name(s)

Outland Trophy

| Zach Wiegert

UPI Lineman of the Year

| Zach Wiegert

All-America 1st team

| Terry Connealy, Donta Jones, Brenden Stai, Ed Stewart, Zach Wiegert, Rob Zatechka

All-America 2nd team

| Lawrence Phillips

All-America 3rd team

| Barron Miles

Big 8 Coach of the Year

| Tom Osborne

Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year

| Ed Stewart

Big 8 Defensive Newcomer of the Year

| Grant Wistrom

Big 8 Male Athlete of the Year

| Rob Zatechka

All-Big 8 1st team

| Troy Dumas, Aaron Graham, Donta Jones, Lawrence Phillips, Barron Miles, Brenden Stai, Ed Stewart, Zach Wiegert, Tyrone Williams

All-Big 8 2nd team

| Brook Berringer, Terry Connealy, Dwayne Harris, Kareem Moss, Christian Peter, Rob Zatechka

All-Big 8 honorable mention

| Eric Alford, Reggie Baul, Darin Erstad, Abdul Muhammad, Cory Schlesinger

=NFL and pro players=

The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1994 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.{{cite web|title=All Time NFL Huskers |url=http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815013540/http://nflhuskers.com/alltime.html |archive-date=August 15, 2009 |url-status=live |access-date=May 15, 2009 }}

class="wikitable"
Name

! Team

Eric Anderson

| Amsterdam Admirals

Mike Anderson

| Amsterdam Admirals

Michael Booker

| Atlanta Falcons

Doug Colman

| New York Giants

Chris Dishman

| Arizona Cardinals

Troy Dumas

| Kansas City Chiefs

Jay Foreman

| Buffalo Bills

Tommie Frazier

| Montreal Alouettes

Aaron Graham

| Arizona Cardinals

Jon Hesse

| Green Bay Packers

Sheldon Jackson

| Buffalo Bills

Vershan Jackson

| Kansas City Chiefs

Donta Jones

| Pittsburgh Steelers

Bill Lafleur

| Barcelona Dragons

Joel Makovicka

| Arizona Cardinals

Barron Miles

| Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Minter

| Carolina Panthers

Kareem Moss

| BC Lions

Christian Peter

| New York Giants

Jason Peter

| Carolina Panthers

Lawrence Phillips

| St. Louis Rams

Mike Rucker

| Carolina Panthers

Cory Schlesinger

| Detroit Lions

Brenden Stai

| Pittsburgh Steelers

Eric Stokes

| Seattle Seahawks

Jared Tomich

| New Orleans Saints

Larry Townsend

| Berlin Thunder

Adam Treu

| Oakland Raiders

Tony Veland

| Denver Broncos

Zach Wiegert

| St. Louis Rams

Jamel Williams

| Washington Redskins

Tyrone Williams

| Green Bay Packers

Jason Wiltz

| New York Jets

Grant Wistrom

| St. Louis Rams

Jon Zatechka

| Berlin Thunder

Rob Zatechka

| New York Giants

Additionally, starting junior punter Darin Erstad also played baseball for the University of Nebraska, and was selected as a First Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He chose to forego his college career to enter the MLB draft and was selected as the first pick overall in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft. He would go on to have a distinguished career in Major League Baseball (particularly with the Anaheim Angels). Erstad would later be the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball from 2012 to 2019.

References

{{Reflist}}

{{1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers football navbox}}

{{Nebraska Cornhuskers football navbox}}

{{College football national champion (championship game era) navbox}}

{{Big Eight Conference football champions}}

Nebraska

Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons

Category:College football national champions

Category:Big Eight Conference football champion seasons

Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons

Category:College football undefeated seasons

Nebraska Cornhuskers football