One game. One Play. The distance of the outstretched fingertips of a Miami defender. That alone separated the 1983 Nebraska Cornhuskers from a perfect season, a National Championship and possibly even the title of one of the greatest teams of all time.

Nebraska entered the Orange Bowl matchup as the prohibitive favorite over number four ranked Miami. But almost from the beginning Miami was able to control the game.

Freshman Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar led the Hurricanes to the first score of the game halfway through the first period when he connected with Glenn Dennison on a two yard strike. Later in the quarter the same two connected on a 22 yard touchdown pass. Throw in a 45 yard field goal by Jeff Davis and the upstart Hurricanes were in command early with a 17-0 first quarter lead.

Nebraska turned to some trickery to finally get on the board. With nine minutes left in the second and the ball on the Miami 19 yard line Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill took a snap and intentionally dropped the ball on the ground. Guard Dean Steinkuhler swept up the ball and took off around the left side for a 19 yard touchdown. Later in the quarter Gill took the ball over for a 1 yard touchdown run and the Huskers went into halftime trailing 17-14.

On their first drive of the second half Nebraska was able to tie the score 17-17 on a 34 yard Scott Livingston field goal. But Miami responded with a strong attack. Within a five minute span Miami scored two more touchdowns to regain the lead 31-17.

On the next Husker drive Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier left the game with a badly bruised ankle, leaving Nebraska looking for a hero.

Nebraska found their hero in Jeff Smith. Smith took the spotlight in the fourth quarter when he rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns. The key touchdown came on a 24 yard run with only :24 seconds left in the game making the score Miami 31-Nebraska 30.

Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said later he never debated the decision he made next. A one point PAT and a tie game would have given Nebraska the National Championship, but Osborne went for the win with a two point conversion attempt.

Turner Gill took the snap from center and rolled out five steps to his right. He fired the ball towards Jeff Smith just inside the goal line. Hurricane defender Kenny Calhoun stretched out his arm and tipped the ball away and the Hurricanes claimed their first National Championship.