1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Following the success of the 1994 season, in which
Tommie Frazier and Brook Berringer led the team to Tom Osborne's first national championship, the 1995 version improved in every facet. With the powerful rushing offense and a dominating defense, Nebraska captured its second consecutive national title. The 1995-1996 season set up a record-breaking three championships in four years, as the 1994 and 1995 seasons were followed by Tom Osborne's third title in 1997. Due to their performance against Florida as well as beating 4 teams that finished in the top 10 by an average score of 49-18, their consistent dominance (smallest margin of victory was 14 points), their record setting offensive performance, and their statistically impressive defense throughout the season, the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers are widely considered one of the greatest teams in college football history.
Offense:
Tommie Frazier recovered from his injury-plagued '94 Season to lead the greatest option offense ever known. Lawrence Phillips entered the year as top Heisman candidate but ran into trouble with the law and missed near half of the year, before returning in the bowl game to put his final marks on his college career. In his place Ahman Green proved he was more than capable of taking over finishing as Big 8 Freshman of the year and Honorable Mention All American. The team set Division 1-A records by averaging 7.0 yards per rushing attempt and also by allowing zero quarterback sacks on the season. Noted for its strong special teams play, the team also connected on 13 of 16 field goal attempts, and it also tied an NCAA record by allowing only five punt returns (for a total of 12 yards) all season. The 1995 Huskers also averaged a victory margin of more than 38 points, the largest of any Division 1-A team since World War II, despite regularly resting their starters in the second halves of games. Averaging more than 53 points per game (including the bowl win), the team averaged 29.8 points per first half - a higher number than the per-game scoring average of many national champions, even including such modern champions as the 2006 Florida Gators, the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes, and the 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Defense:
The defense was led by AA DE Jared Tomich and 2nd Team AA Terrell Farley. However 95 was the coming out season for many future All-Americans and All-Conference players such as DE Grant Wistrom, Jason Peter, Mike Minter, and Jay Foreman. The Blackshirts only allowed 12.1 points per game and averaged less the 5 point per quarter all season.
Impact Players:
QB Tommie Frazier
HB Lawrence Phillips
DE Jared Tomich