1991 Orange Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1991 Orange Bowl was a 1990–1991 college football bowl game that was played on January 1, 1991, for the national championship. The 57th edition of the Orange Bowl featured the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Colorado Buffaloes
. Colorado came into the game with a 10–1–1 record and #1 AP ranking, whereas Notre Dame came into the game with a 9–2 and #5 AP ranking. The game was a rematch of the 1990 Orange Bowl, in which #3 Notre Dame took a National Championship away from #1 , 21–6. The win gave the Buffaloes its first and (to date) only National Championship.
came back from 21 points out, kicking the tying extra point to hold a 31–31 tie. More than one month later, backup quarterback Charles Johnson just got the ball in the end zone to beat the Missouri Tigers 33–31, in a very controversial game in which Colorado was allowed to have a 5th down. The winning touchdown was scored on that play, and it was allowed to stand. That game is often referred to as the "5th down game". One reason for the Buffaloes number 1 ranking was that they had the toughest schedule of any team. Another was quarterback Darian Hagan
and half back Eric Bieniemy, who finished 3rd in the Heisman voting. A victory would guarantee at least a share of the championship, but the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
weren't far behind with their number 2 ranking in both polls, and were 10–0–1 going into New Year's Day.
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, meanwhile, were 9–2, but the two losses were unfortunate. Both losses occurred when they were number 1 in the polls, and at home. The first was a 36-31 loss to 1-3 Stanford on October 6. The second loss came when Penn State's Craig Fayak kicked a 34 yard field goal to hand the Irish a 24-21 loss. The Penn State loss resulted in Notre Dame's number one ranking falling to Colorado. Sophomore quarterback Rick Mirer
passed for 1824 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Raghib Ismail accounted for 1726 all-purpose yards, putting him on the All-American team as a wide receiver.
plunged in from 2 yards to give the Fighting Irish the lead. But when Ronnie Bradford
blocked Craig Hentrich
's PAT attempt, the score remained 6-3. This cost Hentrich his 73 straight successful PAT attempts, a school record. Things would turn sour for the Buffaloes, however, as Hagan ruptured his tendon in his left knee just before the half, where the score remained the same.
The 1991 Orange Bowl is also remembered for a controversial finish. Raghib Ismail returned a punt 92 yards for the seeming winning touchdown with 43 seconds left. This would have sealed the victory for Notre Dame and cost Colorado a share of the National Championship. However, the touchdown was called back on a clipping penalty, and Colorado held on for the 10-9 victory.
1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 338 points while the defense allowed 160 points. Led by head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado competed against Notre Dame in the...
. Colorado came into the game with a 10–1–1 record and #1 AP ranking, whereas Notre Dame came into the game with a 9–2 and #5 AP ranking. The game was a rematch of the 1990 Orange Bowl, in which #3 Notre Dame took a National Championship away from #1 , 21–6. The win gave the Buffaloes its first and (to date) only National Championship.
Setup
Colorado came into the Orange Bowl 10–1–1, but needed some luck to get to that point. In their first game, the Tennessee VolunteersTennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
came back from 21 points out, kicking the tying extra point to hold a 31–31 tie. More than one month later, backup quarterback Charles Johnson just got the ball in the end zone to beat the Missouri Tigers 33–31, in a very controversial game in which Colorado was allowed to have a 5th down. The winning touchdown was scored on that play, and it was allowed to stand. That game is often referred to as the "5th down game". One reason for the Buffaloes number 1 ranking was that they had the toughest schedule of any team. Another was quarterback Darian Hagan
Darian Hagan
Darian Hagan is a former American football and Canadian football player, who, since February 2005, is an assistant coach of the University of Colorado Buffaloes football team.-College career:...
and half back Eric Bieniemy, who finished 3rd in the Heisman voting. A victory would guarantee at least a share of the championship, but the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
weren't far behind with their number 2 ranking in both polls, and were 10–0–1 going into New Year's Day.
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, meanwhile, were 9–2, but the two losses were unfortunate. Both losses occurred when they were number 1 in the polls, and at home. The first was a 36-31 loss to 1-3 Stanford on October 6. The second loss came when Penn State's Craig Fayak kicked a 34 yard field goal to hand the Irish a 24-21 loss. The Penn State loss resulted in Notre Dame's number one ranking falling to Colorado. Sophomore quarterback Rick Mirer
Rick Mirer
Richard Franklin Mirer is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. After a successful collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame, Mirer was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the second pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. Mirer was traded to the Chicago Bears during...
passed for 1824 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Raghib Ismail accounted for 1726 all-purpose yards, putting him on the All-American team as a wide receiver.
The game
After a scoreless first quarter, Colorado struck first blood, as Jim Harper kicked a 22 yard field goal to give the first points of the game. A few minutes later, on 2nd and goal, tailback Ricky WattersRicky Watters
Richard "Ricky" James Watters is a former American football running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. Watters played college football at the University of Notre Dame where he played wide receiver on the...
plunged in from 2 yards to give the Fighting Irish the lead. But when Ronnie Bradford
Ronnie Bradford
Ronald L. "Ronnie" Bradford is a former defensive back who played for the NFL's Denver Broncos , Arizona Cardinals , Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. He also served as a defensive assistant coach for the Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs...
blocked Craig Hentrich
Craig Hentrich
Craig Hentrich is a former American football punter. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.Hentrich has also played for the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans....
's PAT attempt, the score remained 6-3. This cost Hentrich his 73 straight successful PAT attempts, a school record. Things would turn sour for the Buffaloes, however, as Hagan ruptured his tendon in his left knee just before the half, where the score remained the same.
The 1991 Orange Bowl is also remembered for a controversial finish. Raghib Ismail returned a punt 92 yards for the seeming winning touchdown with 43 seconds left. This would have sealed the victory for Notre Dame and cost Colorado a share of the National Championship. However, the touchdown was called back on a clipping penalty, and Colorado held on for the 10-9 victory.
External links
- Murphy, Austin - "Clip Off the Old Block" Sports Illustrated January 14, 1991