[Husker] 95 Orange Bowl Redux

[David Elfering]

I recorded the 95 Orange Bowl versus Miami on B1G channel last night as my old VHS tape went south several years ago. Funny thing is that during most of the last decade I could rarely bring myself to watch the old "glory" years as it simply embossed the recent issues more deeply into my mind.

Honestly I see little echoes in what is taking shape in today's team. The talent and scheme aren't as different as I might have anticipated or thought when peering back through the lens of sentimenal recollection. 

The biggest difference to me is probably the fire I see in the 95 team versus today. They really were pretty scrappy. It didn't hurt that Lawrence Phillips really was a tremendous I Back, flawed but incredible talent. The 95 team's offensive line athleticism was also a work of art. 

I'm not taking any shots at this year's team, just noting what to me stands out as a quality of the 95 bowl team. My recollection is that Coach Osborne once noted that what separates most teams is their bond and chemistry.  Most teams have similar athletic capabilities but the margin of difference.  He calls this out in his book Faith in the Game "The 1994 and 1997 teams stand out in my memory as teams that demonstrated exceptional teamwork…. They knew how to pull together and play for a shared vision".

Anyways, I'm just glad the B1G picked this game for rebroadcast. What a great treat during the lul before the bowls.

-David