Miami, Fla., Dec. 31, 1996 --- Nebraska used strong performances from I-back Damon Benning and quarterback Scott Frost to down 10th-ranked Virginia Tech, 41-21, at the 1996 FedEx Orange Bowl.
The sixth-ranked Huskers picked up their third straight bowl victory as Benning rushed for 95 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 33 and six yards en route to MVP honors. Frost completed 11-of-22 passes for 136 yards, while rushing for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
After the Hokies jumped ahead 7-0 on a Jim Druckenmiller touchdown pass, the Huskers responded on their next possession as Kris Brown's 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter cut the Hokie lead to 7-3. Nebraska regained the lead on its next possession, as Frost capped a three-play, 45-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Huskers a 10-7 advantage. The NU defense pushed the margin to 17-7 after rush end Mike Rucker sacked Druckenmiller and forced a fumble that defensive tackle Jason Peter picked up and raced 31 yards for a touchdown.
The Hokies would not go away quietly though, as Druckenmiller threw a pair of touchdown passes, closing the gap to 24-21 midway through the third quarter. Nebraska finally extended its lead as Benning's 6-yard touchdown gave NU a 31-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter. In the final quarter the Husker defense held the Hokies on a pair of drives in Husker territory, while the offense added to its lead on a Brown 37-yard field goal and a 22-yard touchdown run by Frost with three minutes left, clinching the victory.
1996 Orange Bowl
|
Teams |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Final |
|
Virginia Tech |
7 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
21 |
|
Nebraska |
0 |
17 |
14 |
10 |
41 |
|
Statistics |
NU |
VT |
|
First Downs |
25 |
22 |
|
Rushing, Net |
279 |
193 |
|
Passes Att., Comp., Int. |
22-11-0 |
33-16-0 |
|
Passing, Net |
136 |
214 |
|
Total Offense |
415 |
407 |
NU Leading Rusher: Damon Benning, 95
NU Leading Passer: Scott Frost, 11 of 22--136
Attendance: 51,212
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
VT -- Marcus Parker 19 pass from Jim Druckenmiller (Shayne Graham kick), 3:14
Second Quarter
NU -- FG Kris Brown 25, 13:25
NU -- Scott Frost 5 run (Brown kick), 9:14
NU -- Jason Peter 31 fumble return (Brown kick), 3:36
VT -- Shawn Scales 6 pass from Druckenmiller (Graham kick), :19
Third Quarter
NU -- Damon Benning 33 run, 9:54
VT -- C. White 33 pass from Druckenmiller (Graham kick), 4:58
NU -- Benning 6 run, :20
Fourth Quarter
NU -- FG K. Brown 37, 7:52
NU -- Frost 22 run, 3:26
