January 1, 1970
PSU Finishes Undefeated, No. 2
Penn State 10 Missouri 3
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.
January 1, 1971
Nebraska Downs LSU For Title
Nebraska 17 Louisiana State 12
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.
January 1, 1972
‘Huskers Win Second Straight Title
Nebraska 38 Alabama 6
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.
January 1, 1973
Devaney Goes Out On Top
Nebraska 40 Notre Dame 6
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.
January 1, 1974
Penn State Remains Unbeaten
Penn State 16 Louisiana State 9
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.
January 1, 1975
Irish Spoil ’Bama Title Hopes
Notre Dame 13 Alabama 11
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.
January 1, 1976
Sooners Get Defensive for Title
Oklahoma 14 Michigan 6
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.
January 1, 1977
Buckeyes Go To Bench For Offense
Ohio State 27 Colorado 10
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.
January 2, 1978
Arkansas Sales Pitch Works
Arkansas 31 Oklahoma 6
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.
January 1, 1979
Oklahoma Stings Nebraska in Big 8 Clash
Oklahoma 31 Nebraska 24
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.