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January 1, 1970

Penn State10

Missouri3

PSU Finishes Undefeated, No. 2

Second-ranked Penn State saw its chances for a national title expire when Texas finished its season earlier in the day with a Cotton Bowl title, but Joe Paterno's squad still completed an undefeated season with a 10-3 win over Missouri. Penn State sophomore Franco Harris had 17 carries for 46 yards in a game that featured 19 future National Football League stars. Read more here

 


January 1, 1971

Nebraska17

Louisiana State12

Nebraska Downs LSU For Title

Coach Bob Devaney's Nebraska Cornhuskers won their first of two consecutive national championships by virtue of a 17-12 win over Louisiana State. Earlier in the day, top-ranked Texas was upset by Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl and number two-ranked Ohio State was shocked by Stanford and Jim Plunkett in the Rose. Read more here

 


January 1, 1972

Nebraska38

Alabama6



‘Huskers Win Second Straight Title

A match up between top-ranked Nebraska and No.2-ranked Alabama was billed as the "Game of the Century II", but the 'Huskers proved to be far superior as they handed Alabama and coach Bear Bryant a 38-6 defeat. Devaney notched his first win in three tries over Bryant. Read more here

 


January 1, 1973

Nebraska40

Notre Dame6

Devaney Goes Out On Top

Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers closed out his collegiate career in style, scoring four touchdowns and passing for another as Nebraska became the first team to win three straight Orange Bowl titles by romping over Notre Dame, 40-6. Read more here

 


January 1, 1974

Penn State16

Louisiana State9

Penn State Remains Unbeaten

Undefeated Penn State moved its record to 12-0 on the season as it took advantage of consistently poor Louisiana State field position to win 16-9. Louisiana State out gained the Pennsylvania team 274 yards to 185 and held Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti to 50 yards. Although Penn State finished undefeated, the polls still had the Nittany Lions ranked fifth. Read more here

 


January 1, 1975

Notre Dame13

Alabama11

Irish Spoil ’Bama Title Hopes

Notre Dame players sent coach Ara Parseghian out with a win, upsetting number one-ranked Alabama, 13-11, in an exciting Orange Bowl contest that went down to the wire. Read more here

 


January 1, 1976

Oklahoma14

Michigan6

Sooners Get Defensive for Title

Second-ranked Oklahoma survived a defensive battle with Big Ten runner-up and fourth-ranked Michigan, winning its second national championship in the Orange Bowl by a 14-6 count. Read more here

 


January 1, 1977

Ohio State27

Colorado10

Buckeyes Go To Bench For Offense

The Ohio State offense, led by second-team quarterback Rod Gerald, came alive in the second period as the Buckeyes went on to beat co-Big Eight champion Colorado, 27-10. Read more here

 


January 2, 1978

Arkansas31

Oklahoma6

Arkansas Sales Pitch Works

Reserve running back Roland Sales rushed for an Orange Bowl-record 205 yards on 22 carries and a pair of touchdowns in Arkansas’ 31-6 upset over a championship-minded Oklahoma. With top-ranked Texas losing earlier in the day in the Cotton, all Oklahoma had to do was win to achieve the top ranking. Also in the Sooners' corner was the suspension of three Arkansas starters by head coach Lou Holtz prior to the trip to Miami. But it was not to be. Read more here

 


January 1, 1979

Oklahoma31

Nebraska24

OU Stings Nebraska in Big 8 Clash

Oklahoma, with the help of a 17-point third quarter, avenged a regular-season loss to Nebraska with a 31-24 win. With a Big Eight Championship tie, the Orange Bowl officials came up with the idea of a rematch. It was the first-ever match-up of two Big Eight teams in a bowl game. Read more here

 


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