1994 Orange Bowl

Nebraska came into the game undefeated at 11–0 and with a number 2 ranking. Despite their unbeaten record, the Huskers were underdogs by as much as 17½ points before the game.

Florida State came into the game 11–1 and ranked first in the nation.

The first quarter of play featured great defense, as no points were scored, though Nebraska had an apparent touchdown on a punt return called back due to a clip, but replay shows there was no illegal block on the play. Florida State's Scott Bentley provided the first points of the contest, after he kicked a 33-yard field goal to open up a 3–0 lead. Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier got the Huskers back on track, after he fired an errant pass that was tipped into the hands of wide receiver Reggie Baul. The touchdown gave Nebraska a 7–3 lead. With only 29 seconds left in the first half, Bentley drilled a 25-yard field goal to bring the Seminoles to 7–6, which was the halftime score.

With 12:30 left in the third quarter, Florida State's running back William Floyd gave the Seminoles a 12–7 lead when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. He fumbled at the goal line but refs were quick to call without discussion. Replay showed he crossed the goal line before losing the football. Florida State went for two on the ensuing PAT, but failed, and the score remained 12–7. Later in the third, FSU added another Bentley field goal to increase the lead to eight.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips scored on a 12-yard touchdown run. The Huskers attempted a two-point conversion which would have tied the game, but failed, and trailed 15–13. The Huskers held the Seminoles and took over the ball late, driving to the FSU 10-yard line before stalling. Byron Bennett kicked a 27-yard field goal with just 1:16 remaining on the clock to give the Huskers a slim 16–15 lead.

Aided by a kickoff out of bounds, FSU took over with excellent field position at their own 35-yard line. FSU's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Charlie Ward drove the Seminoles all the way to the Nebraska 3-yard line. The Huskers held and forced Bentley to kick his fourth field goal of the night, which was good, and FSU led 18–16 with just 21 seconds remaining.

Florida State players and coaches went wild on the sidelines, and were penalized for excessive celebration, costing them 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff. As a result, the Huskers were able to get a decent return and began their final possession at their own 43-yard line.

As time ran down, Frazier hit tight end Trumane Bell for a 29-yard gain to the FSU 28-yard line. The clock ticked down to 0:00, setting off more chaos on the FSU sideline, complete with the compulsory Gatorade bath given to FSU coach Bobby Bowden.

However, referee John Soffey ruled that Bell was down with one second left on the clock, and ordered the field cleared, allowing Nebraska placekicker Byron Bennett an opportunity to kick the game-winning field goal. But the 45-yard kick sailed wide left, preserving the 18–16 win for the Seminoles.