1997 NCAA Division I-A football championship game

1997 NCAA Division I-A football championship game. The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Tennessee Volunteers competed in the championship game, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers emerging as the victors. The game was played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, and was attended by notable figures such as Tom Osborne, Phil Fulmer, and Barry Alvarez. The Nebraska Cornhuskers were led by Scott Frost, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the game, and also featured players like Ahman Green, Jason Peter, and Grant Wistrom, who would go on to play in the National Football League for teams like the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, and St. Louis Rams.

Game Summary

The game was a closely contested matchup between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Tennessee Volunteers, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers ultimately emerging as the champions. The Nebraska Cornhuskers were led by Scott Frost, who threw for Peyton Manning-like numbers, and also featured a strong running game led by Ahman Green, who would go on to play for the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. The Tennessee Volunteers were led by Peyton Manning, who would go on to play for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, and also featured players like Tee Martin, Travis Henry, and Al Wilson, who would play for teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos. The game was broadcast on ABC, with commentary provided by Keith Jackson, Dan Dierdorf, and Bob Griese, and was also attended by notable figures like Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, and Lloyd Carr.

Teams

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Tennessee Volunteers were the two teams that competed in the championship game. The Nebraska Cornhuskers were led by Tom Osborne, who would go on to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and featured players like Scott Frost, Ahman Green, and Jason Peter, who would play for teams like the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers. The Tennessee Volunteers were led by Phil Fulmer, who would go on to win the SEC Coach of the Year award, and featured players like Peyton Manning, Tee Martin, and Travis Henry, who would play for teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills. Other notable teams that competed in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season included the Penn State Nittany Lions, Florida State Seminoles, and Michigan Wolverines, who were led by coaches like Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, and Lloyd Carr.

Pre-Game

The pre-game festivities for the championship game included a performance by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln marching band, as well as a ceremony to honor the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season's top players, including Peyton Manning, Ryan Leaf, and Charles Woodson. The game was also preceded by a number of notable bowl games, including the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Orange Bowl, which featured teams like the Washington Huskies, Florida Gators, and Syracuse Orange. The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Tennessee Volunteers were both ranked highly in the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers ranked first and the Tennessee Volunteers ranked second. The game was also attended by notable figures like Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and George W. Bush, who were all University of Tennessee and University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni.

Game Statistics

The game statistics for the championship game included a total of 742 yards of offense, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers gaining 432 yards and the Tennessee Volunteers gaining 310 yards. The Nebraska Cornhuskers also scored 42 points, while the Tennessee Volunteers scored 17 points. The game also featured a number of notable individual performances, including Scott Frost's 199 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, and Ahman Green's 128 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The game was also marked by a number of penalties, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers being penalized 7 times for 60 yards and the Tennessee Volunteers being penalized 5 times for 40 yards. Other notable players who competed in the game included Jason Peter, Grant Wistrom, and Mike Brown, who would go on to play for teams like the Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, and Chicago Bears.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the championship game included a number of celebrations and ceremonies to honor the Nebraska Cornhuskers' victory. The team was awarded the AP National Championship Trophy and the Coaches' Trophy, and Scott Frost was named the Most Valuable Player of the game. The game was also widely covered in the media, with articles and analysis appearing in publications like Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, and USA Today. The Nebraska Cornhuskers' victory was also recognized by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the state of Nebraska, with a number of ceremonies and celebrations being held to honor the team's achievement. The game also marked the end of the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season, which had featured a number of notable teams and players, including the Penn State Nittany Lions, Florida State Seminoles, and Michigan Wolverines, who were led by coaches like Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, and Lloyd Carr.

Category:1997 NCAA Division I-A football season