13 Numbers on NU's 13-0 1997 Season

Nebraska will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1997 national championship team this weekend, including a Friday night banquet and recognition on the field on Saturday. The 1997 Huskers (13-0) won the fifth national title in school history and third in four years. Nebraska was voted No. 1 in the coaches' poll, while Michigan (12-0) was voted No. 1 in the Associated Press poll.

The 1997 season marked Tom Osborne's final season on the Husker sideline, as the Hall-of-Fame coach capped his career with a 42-17 win over No. 3 Tennessee in the Orange Bowl. Nebraska's senior class capped a remarkable run with its 1997 national title. In their four seasons, the Husker seniors compiled a 49-2 record with three undefeated national championship seasons.

13 Numbers on NU's 13-0 1997 Season

255—Head Coach Tom Osborne capped his Hall of Fame career in 1997 with his third national title, finishing his 25-year career with 255 victories.

60—Nebraska’s 1997 season culminated a five-year run that saw the Huskers post a 60-3 record and win three national championships.

30—NU’s average margin of victory in its 13 wins, including eight victory of 28 points or more. 

513.7—Nebraska’s total offense per game average which ranked first in the country.

392.7—Nebraska ranked first in the nation by averaging 392.7 yards rushing per game. NU ran for at least 335 yards in all 13 games.

47.1—Nebraska led the nation in scoring, averaging better than 47 points per game. The Huskers scored at least 42 points eight times in 1997.

17—Nebraska had 17 individual 100-yard rushing games in 1997, including 12 by I-back Ahman Green.

1,000—Senior quarterback Scott Frost topped 1,000 yards both rushing and passing and was the first Husker to accomplish that feat. 

44—The Nebraska defense recorded 44 sacks during the season, including eight games with at least four sacks of opposing quarterbacks.

257.3—Nebraska allowed opponents 257.3 yards of total offense per game to rank fifth nationally in total defense. The Huskers held eight opponents to 260 or fewer yards.

73.4—The Blackshirts allowed opponents to rush for an average of 73.4 yards per game and ranked third in the nation in rush defense. Five opponents gained less than 50 yards rushing in 1997. 

3—Nebraska had three first-team All-Americans in 1997—offensive guard Aaron Taylor, defensive tackle Jason Peter and defensive end Grant Wistrom. Ahman Green earned second-team All-America honors. 

2—Senior Grant Wistrom and junior Joel Makovicka earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors during the 1997 season.