The Decision
A successful kick would have tied the score. Instead, Osborne went for the win, and with it, risked everything (the NCAA had not introduced overtime in 1984; thus, the game could have ended in a tie). Miami's Kenny Calhoun broke up the conversion pass from quarterback Turner Gill to I-back Jeff Smith, leaving the inspired Hurricanes with a 31-30 upset victory over the top-ranked Cornhuskers.
"We were trying to win the game," Osborne said. "I don't think you go for a tie in that case. You try to win the game. We wanted an undefeated season and a clear-cut national championship." A tie would most likely have been enough to give the Huskers the national championship with a 12-0-1 record, since second-ranked Texas also lost earlier in the day to Georgia in the Cotton Bowl Classic and third-ranked Auburn had won unimpressively.
Coincidentally, Osborne had been asked earlier in the week by a reporter if he would ever consider going for two in just such a situation. "I hope it doesn't come up," Osborne said. "I'll be crucified one way or another on that one." When it did occur, Osborne had his mind made up. "I don't think any of our players would be satisfied backing into it with a PAT," Osborne said. "I don't think that's the way to do it."
Read more about this topic: 1984 Orange Bowl
Famous quotes containing the word decision:
“A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.”
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—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959)