1989 Orange Bowl

Miami, Fla., Jan. 2, 1989--Second-ranked Miami's quickness, particularly on defense, proved to be too much for sixth-ranked Nebraska as the Hurricanes dominated the Huskers, 23-3, in the 55th Orange Bowl Classic. Despite the win and a final 11-1-0 record, the Hurricanes were unable to lay claim to a second straight national title because of undefeated Notre Dame's 34-21 Fiesta Bowl win over West Virginia earlier in the day.

Although the Nebraska defense held the Miami offense to 354 total-offense yards, nearly 100 yards less than its season average, the Huskers never could get untracked against the Hurricanes' second-ranked defense. After leading the nation in rushing at 382.3 yards per game during the regular season, NU managed only 80 yards rushing against Miami and finished with 10 first downs. Nebraska needed a career-long, 50-yard field goal by Gregg Barrios to capitalize on its only serious scoring threat. Early in the third quarter, Tahaun Lewis picked off a Steve Walsh pass and returned it 31 yards to the Miami 37. After Ken Clark gained 16 yards to the 21-yard line, Steve Taylor was sacked for a 13-yard loss, and the Huskers had to settle for Barrios' field goal, which prevented Nebraska's first shutout since the 1973 season.

1989 Orange Bowl

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
Nebraska	0	0	3	0	3
Miami	7	13	0	3	23

 

Statistics	NU	UM
First Downs	10	20
Rushing, Net	80	69
Passes Att., Comp., Int.	22-8-3	48-23-3
Passing, Net	55	285
Total Offense	135	354

Scoring Summary
First Quarter
UM-Leonard Conley 22 pass from Steve Walsh (Carlos Huerta kick), 7:00

Second Quarter
UM-FG Huerta 18, 8:58
UM-Conley 42 pass from Walsh (Huerta kick), 5:49
UM-FG Huerta 37, 2:28

Third Quarter
NU-FG Gregg Barrios 50, 9:06

Fourth Quarter
UM-FG Huerta 37, 7:32