It’s the workman-like attitude of the Midwest versus the South Beach flair. It’s the Big Red Machine versus The U. It’s Nebraska vs. Miami.

While the two programs have only met 11 times in history, the games always seem to have some sort of major implications on the line. 

Below we take a look at some facts, memorable games, program comparisons and the all-time Nebraska vs. Miami head-to-head football history.

Nebraska vs. Miami Football History

Interesting Rivalry Facts

• Four meetings – 1984, 1992, 1995 and 2002 – have decided the national champion. Three of those four games were in the Orange Bowl while the two met in 2002 in the Rose Bowl.
• Six out of the 11 meetings have been played in bowl games, with four being at the Orange Bowl and one each at the Gotham Bowl and Rose Bowl.
• The 2015 meeting in Miami is the first time neither team has been ranked entering the matchup since the 1964 Gotham Bowl.
• From 1975 to 2002 – a total of seven games – the winner was ranked in the AP top five entering the matchup.

Three Memorable Games

1. Osborne Goes For Two – January 1, 1984 – Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, FL) – With the national title on the line, No. 1 Nebraska scored a touchdown in the last minute to cut the lead to 31-30. Instead of going for the tie, Huskers coach Tom Osborne decided to go for two. The two-point conversion was no good, catapulting Miami to No. 1 in the final poll and securing the Canes’ first national championship. 

2. Osborne Gets Revenge – January 1, 1995 – Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, FL) – Nine years later, Osborne would get his rematch with the Hurricanes with another national title at stake. The No. 1 Cornhuskers, led by quarterback Tommie Frazier, came back from a 17-7 third quarter deficit to defeat the No. 3 Hurricanes, 24-17, and complete their season with a perfect 13-0 record and national championship.

3. The U Makes A Statement – January 1, 1992 – Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, FL) – Under coach Dennis Erickson, the Hurricanes came into the 1992 Orange Bowl matchup against Nebraska with an undefeated record and No. 1 ranking. The Canes dominated, shutting out the Cornhuskers 22-0 to finish the season perfect and finish No. 1 in the AP Poll.

Program Comparisons

National Championships

Both Nebraska and Miami have won five national championships. The Hurricanes were dominant in the 80s, winning three of them in that decade alone with the other two coming in 1991 and 2001. The Cornhuskers won back-to-back titles in 1970-1971 and 1994-95 and brought home their fifth championship in 1997.

Total: Nebraska 5, Miami 5

Conference Titles

The Cornhuskers have a staggering 46 total conference titles, while Miami won nine Big East titles before moving to the ACC.

Total: Nebraska 46, Miami 9

Heisman Winners

Johnny Rodgers (1972), Mike Rozier (1983) and Eric Crouch (2001) have all brought the Heisman Trophy back to Lincoln. Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992) have won the award as a Hurricane.

Total: Nebraska 3, Miami 2

Nebraska vs. Miami Game Results

Nebraska leads series 6-5.

Below are the game results for every Nebraska vs. Miami matchup.

Questions, comments, or updates needed? Contact Brian at bstultz@campusinsiders.com or on Twitter at @brianjstultz.