Year-by-Year: 1992
November 24, 1992 10:00 AM
Orange Shutout Gives 'Canes Third Title
Miami 22
Nebraska 0
For the third time in five years, and the fourth in seven, the Federal Express Orange Bowl was the cream of the proverbial crop of New Year's Day bowl games as Miami soundly defeated Nebraska, 22-0, to take a share of the national championship.
Hurricane fullback and game MVP Larry Jones ran for 144 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries while quarterback Gino Torretta completed 19 of 41 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown.
The Huskers, leaders in NCAA offense going into the game, didn't earn a rushing yard in the first quarter and netted just one yard on one completed pass. Miami became the first team in 221 games to hold the Cornhuskers scoreless.
Nebraska starting I-back Derek Brown gained only 10 yards on five carries, and the Huskers pass attack was stifled by a Miami defensive front that got to quarterback Keithen McCant five times for losses of 32 yards. The defensive stoppers for the ?Canes were tackle Rusty Medearis, who had four sacks, and Michael Barrow, who contributed 10 tackles.
Miami made a defensive stance early, holding Nebraska to a three-and-out on its first possession and sacking McCant for a loss of seven yards.
Miami’s defense dominated while the offense followed Torreta’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Williams with two Carlos Huerta field goals for a 13-0 cushion.
The third quarter proved no more fruitful for Nebraska. Needing a strong defensive showing, the 'Huskers failed to hinder Miami from marching 66 yards on its opening drive, culminating in a 1-yard Jones run and a 19-0 lead. Huerta added a 54-yard field goal, second-longest in Orange Bowl history, to go up 22-0.
Miami finished No. 1 in the Associated Press poll while the University of Washington got the nod from the coaches' poll.
GAME STATISTICS
  Miami, Fla. Nebraska
First Downs 25 9
Rushing Plays 44 38
Rushing Yards 192 122
Passes Attempted 41 19
Passes Completed 19 7
Had Intercepted 2 2
Passing Yards 257 89
Total Offense 439 171
Punting/Avg. 5/33.0 8/36.6
Fumbles/Lost 3/0 3/2
Penalties/Yards 12/143 6/36
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Miami, Fla. 13 0 9 0 22
Nebraska 0 0 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY
UM: Williams 8 pass from Torretta (Huerta kick); UM: Huerta 24 FG; UM: Huerta 24 FG; UM: Jones 1 run (pass failed); UM: Huerta 54 FG ... MVPs: Tyrone Legette (Nebraska) and Larry Jones (Miami, Fla.)
Miami, Fla. Head Coach Dennis Erickson
Nebraska Head Coach Tom Osborne