College Football 25 1997 Big 12 Championship 97 Nebraska vs. Modern Kansas St

everybody to what should be a memorable experience for everybody here in the building the Big 12 championship game has a history of wild dramatic finishes and based on this matchup today we could be in for another one this is a matchup we've all been waiting for two teams ranked in the top five battling for a precious conference title but also pointing to something even bigger the college football playoff as we'll see the number one team of the country the Nebraska Corn Huskers taking on the winners of seven straight the Kansas State Wildcats for EA Sports college football I'm Chris Fowler joined here in the booth by Kirk Herm Street Kirk let's get to the action on the [Applause] field team out there getting ready and this is it the battle for the conference championship trophy return starts from inside the five he stopped at the 20 trying to make up happen that's good coverage there so the Kansas State Wildcats offense comes on the field first today this line getting set up it's a first down play looking out throwing here to start the drive catch made on the out route we get him down quickly not much of a gain by completion offense getting set it's second down from the shotgun he's probing the secondary got him he's sacked oh I love this defense and how they're playing some man coverage and let's face it when you do that it's a bit risky you can leave your defensive backs out there on Islands but the good combination of good coverage with a good pressure on the quarterback and you come up with sacks like this well a serious challenge for this offense you don't want to be in third and long inside your own 20 how much of a risk will they take to try to pick up this first down and he pulls in the catch tackle right at the 30 good enough to move the sticks Kansas State getting set with a first and 10 coming up that wasn't a enough didn't get the playoff that'll cost him five yards delay game off quarterback unaware of the play clock that'll cost them five fresh set of downs for the offense first down from the shotgun drops back looking for an open man quick throw catch made on the out rout tackle finally made that's a very solid gain but not close to first down yardage yet from the shot now here's an inside give boy great job by this defense on this second down run just stonewalled them at the line of scrimmage now they get a chance to really pressure the quarterback here try to get off the field and they hit him just as he releases the ball it's incomplete and the wild cats bring their punt team onto the field under the heavy Rush this is not an ideal punt fair catch called for but there's a flag down we'll see what that's about personal fouling the kicker defense and the head coach will decide to accept the penalty and take the yardage offense gets a second chance after the roughing the punter penalty here comes a first down pass attempt the pocket breaking down and he cannot Escape defense with a sack you know a lot of times we get caught up Chris in the one-on-one battles with the receivers and the DBS here's a great example of up front the offensive line and the defensive line who wins that battle this time the defense wins it and they get the sa that's second makes it second down and forever they're going to run it here solid gain moves the ball to a 43 the eighth play of this opening drive and it's third and long quarterback drops back probing the secondary and it's intercepted he stepped in front of that bullet big takeaway now looking for a big return touchdown Nebraska W what play defensive score Bo that's a 14-point swing on the opening drive instead of worrying about giving up points not only they come up with this interception but can take it into the end zone they're an extra point away from really giving their offense at end but they'll try to add the lead now with the p8 p is good so it's 7 nothing here's the kickoff team Now set to boot this one away they'll return it from inside the five makes it with the 16 that's good coverage there and the Wildcats offense back out on the field it'll be interesting to see this this quarterback could bounce back he threw a pick six in the last possession gets some space around the 30 they've got him but not before making first down yards they move the ball to the 41 the Wildcats looking to run some Tempo here well the Big Fellas Kirk flowing to the right there the defense just has no answer it's a huge game yeah and what a patience there by the running back just allowing those blocks to be set up there off to the right and then once he saw the priest in the defense accelerates through that hole to show you what kind of speed he has for a big gain and a first down quarterback wants to throw it on second down and he can't escape it's a sack for the defense I mean it's another sack Chris I mean we just getting started here first half and you're already talking about giving up three sacks got to think about changing things up schematically help that offensive line and help that poor quarterback before he gets killed and Sack sets up an important third down here's the snap looking to throw running back has it on a screen now well it's third down and forever the defense is kind of sitting back and what I would say is like a prevent defense just trying to avoid the big play and almost cost him quarterback checks it to his running back and the running back shows you he can could pick up a lot of yards so it's fourth down but at least it's a little bit more manageable so the Nebraska Corn Huskers offense makes their way onto the field for their first possession big guys up front lined up it's first down trying to flex the ground game here running back takes the hand off tackled at the 35 good enough for a first down here's the option play that R moves the ball across the 40 second down play coming up for this offense they call the counterplay here and they tackle him but not before he picks up the first and the Huskers come to the line to set a fresh set of downs hand off to the single back Christino just spread a over the years has always grown offensively but what I've been always impressed with defenses that really build their defense to play in space still have an ability to be sound at the line of scage and defend a running game it's exactly what we saw right there so the offense getting set this is not where you want to be against this defense third and long dropping back we going to throw for the first down dunks it down to the back caught they bring him down but not before he gains first down yardage and here comes play number six on this drive quarterback's got it on the option fights off a Defender hard running there breaking tackles they stop him at the 23 this offense is getting close to the red zone offense will set up on First and 10 it's an option look fights through the tackle I'll take that every single time offensive line does a nice job up front this backs vision and ability to get positive yards by lowering his pads on full display right there and he's tackled but only after picking up a first down they're going to run the option the defense able to stop him at the two so here comes second down now every play important down here in the Red Zone here's some pre- snap movement in the back field pitches to the back he Powers into the end zone touchdown Huskers and that's a great example of the option working so well down inside the 10yd line the defense was caught off balance down near the goal line and it translates into a touchdown and now here comes the point after attempt with the p they take a 14 nothing lead now the kickoff team is out on the field Kanas Fields it inside the 5 yd line and he stopped at the 19 good job by the coverage team and the Kansas State offense is back out on the field last Drive stall forced to punt it away let's see what they can come up with this time on First and 10 here looking to throw the ball quarterback leaves the pocket on the Move now finds room at the 30 and they make the tackle but that's a huge chunk play on the scramble he saw an opening and just went for it and the wild cats come to the line to run the hurry up well here's a quarterback that just takes control for himself picking up some nice yards when nothing else is there this guy's a real threat getting close to Midfield now they bring him down to the 47 the back behind the quarterback now in the pistol ball handed to the running back that's a nice wrap up there by the junior crucial third down play coming up looking to pick up the first down through the air can't hold on good defensive play brings up a four down the wild caps will line up to kick it away hone he comes for his second punt of the game this one is out of bounds and that'll give the offense great field position this should be the last play of the quarter quarterback still with the football defense makes the tackle here on the final play of the first quarter buer Nebraska has the lead here the jumped out to an early lead in that opening period let's take a quick look at the stats so far we'll see if this game gets out of hand before halftime The crucial second quarter beginning right now the motion by the back now forces the defense to adjust and it's good for a first down to the 36 they'll run the option they'll stop him behind the line for a loss of one getting set here's second down they'll try to run it with the option he's found some room with the 45 brought down but crosses Midfield to the 46 the cornes is pick up enough yards to move the sticks and in first down they go right back to him they make the tackle but that's an excellent gain moves the ball to the 33 the Huskers begin a new series here first and 10 tring you counterplay here they'll stop him behind the line for a loss of one offense set for the sixth play in this drive pass balls incomplete there was a lot of contact no penalty brings up third down they come to the line a long way to go for the first down but needing this crucial conversion right now quick throw to the left side it's complete what a grab near the sideline heads out of bounds after a solid gain more than enough to pick up a first down they'll run it out of the shotgun so down here in the Red Zone every yard tough to find here is a crucial play coming up and the quarterback tucks it and takes off as a design run'll make it into the end zone touchdown cor husers man sometimes you know the quarterback's going to run the ball you put your defense in position and he still gets yards in fact he makes him pay for it gets all the way to the end zone [Music] they try to add the lead now with the [Music] p they convert the P so the lead is now 21 the kickoff team on the field now as a get set to send this one away and he takes this from inside the five and he stopped at the 19 good job by the coverage team okay the kstate offense is back out on the field now the last Drive they came up empty had to kick it away can they come up with something here they'll stop him behind the line for a loss of one after the first down loss it's second and long from the 17 they snap it quarterback looking to throw the ball and he dumps it off to the tight finally they get him a great Tackle by the quarterback not easy with that size difference shotgun formation here on third down here's a shot toward the right sideline the pass is intercepted it's a short return they make the tackle to 25 but what a play for this defense well it looks like somebody did a great job of preparing himself to get ready for this football game it's his second interception in this game so far obviously reviewed the tape is locked in on his fundamentals that's a big time player making big time [Music] plays and Nebraska's offense is back out on the field in that last touchdown Drive they just pound it away with the running game and see if they can do it again they'll try the option play here tackle made at the 37 that's a solid game it's a first and 10 play coming up for the offense they'll feed the back again solid run tackled at the 45 yd line important second down play coming [Music] up here's the option play they'll stop him behind the line for a loss of one offense looking to keep the drive going here third and short now from the 4 four quarterback's got it on the option that's a big gain great decision to keep the ball and pick up the first half and'll try to pick it up on the ground you know in the era that we live in right now everybody wants to spread the field around try to create space try to create oneon-one matchups and the defense has countered over the years by trying to play out wide but here's a great example the defense has the ability to play wide but still be solid at the line of scrimmage and not give up big run plays they're backed up here trying to make something happen on Third and long Falls incomplete brow and up by the defender nicely that time the court Huskers will send the punt team onto the field not a very good boot sets up the offense in great field position and the Wildcats offense back out on the field the pass possession ended in an interception let's see if they continue to trust this quarterback in the passing game first down looking to throw the ball and with nobody open he chooses to just throw it away so after the incompletion it's second down and the quarterback drops back looking for an open man and he's got it rips off a big game all the way to the Plus 43 yd line and the Wildcats looking to use the uptempo offense here they'll try the right here they're able to tackle the ball carrier there what's the play call here on second down for this offense quarterback looking to connect with the receiver here quick throw catch made tackle made after the completion offense breaks a huddle and gets set it's third down here's the snap looking to throw here he's running out of time here able to throw it away he felt the heavy pressure took a hit but got rid of the football wild cats will line up to punt it away kicked it too far it lands in the end zone for a touch back here comes the Nebraska offense back out on the field they had to putt the ball last time now they're looking to add points build on this lead they'll try the ground game here with the running back well they try the middle but stuck for no game offense getting set up here's second down it's an option look tackled after a three yd gain so it sets up a third and seven not going to be easy here backed up a long way to go for a first down handing off on the draw play they stop him for a 2yd gain which will bring up fourth down now the timeout is called by the defense they've got some things to work out here and the Huskers will have to kick it away looking to kick it away for the second time bringing it back it's Hunter and the returner brought down by the coverage team first down play call coming up how aggressive will it be he'll come out throwing here to start the drive the pass rush closing in down goes the quarterback it's a sack I can't believe the amount of pressure this defense is getting on this quarterback sack after sack boy you got to think about changing things up the snap count the scheme anything at all to help this offensive line they're overmatched so far in this game pass protection a serious issue another sack makes it second and long so we've reached the two-minute warning and this offense trying to get something going here and cut into this lead before halftime second down we're going to throw it and now the ball comes out a disastrous play from the start and the defense jumps on the football I think that's on the quarterback and the offense of line they were breathing down this quarterback's neck before he could even recognize that they were there and they were able to knock it [Applause] loose and Nebraska's offense is back out on the field they're trying to build on their lead they were forced to punt on the last possession first play of the drive looking to throw the football got a lane can he get in forced out of bounds just toward of the end zone here's first and goal a chance to really build this lead before halftime there's the snap he's looking to throw running out of time in the pocket and he runs it in for the score touchdown Nebraska and that's another touchdown for this guy this defense better adjust and get eyes into that back field or he may go for a third or a fourth later today [Music] now the important point after [Music] attempt and the kick is up and good they tack on a point to their lead pickoff teams on the field let's see if they give the returner a chance to bring this one back he's going to return it from near the goal line they stop him at the 23 that's solid coverage and the Kansas State offense is back out on the field this has been a rough first half they'll have to regroup an intermission but in the meantime let's see if they can get some momentum [Applause] going first play of the drive they'll come out throwing it's a quick grab a lot of times when a quarterback sees man defense he wants to get the ball out of his hands as quickly as possible put the ball in the hands of one of their best Playmakers and hope that he can break a tackle or two on the outside and get a big play he's tackled quickly but the yardage is good enough for the first down and the Wildcats looking to crank up the tempo a [Applause] bit on First and 10 looking to throw makes a quick grab and heads out of bounds after a decent gain now it's second down here back to throw again but they can't make the connection Falls incomplete offense facing a third and short from the 41 can they make the first down and avoid a tricky fourth down decision bringing pressure and he's brought down offense going backwards with the sack timeout called by the defense their first of the half as they try to make some ads here the wild cats will bring their punt team onto the field he'll call for the fair catch here first down here for this offense they'll come out throwing here to start the drive sags the quick throw some really tight Windows to throw into for this quarterback with the defense sitting back in zone but he finds the curl route and he shows you his arm strength by getting it in there fakes the hand off here looking to throw it quick pressure they've got him down for a sack and a timeout is called important stage late here in the second quarter so the offense takes the field in the final seconds of the half chance for just a couple more plays send the back in motion they bring him down but he reaches the 30 yd line look like the final play of the half coming up using the ground game here tailback has the hand off he'll be brought down and that will wrap up the first half of play M's going to wrap up the first half here let's kick it now to Kevin Connor with our halftime update Chris a first half that gave us some riveting moments not to mention the dramatic and the unexpected in other words a dynamite start to the big 12 championship and it' be easy to say these two offenses are glad we've hit halftime based on their respective performances it would also be accurate turnovers and sacks have told the story so far and you got to believe the play calling has been the issue right time to shred those game plans and just get back to basics and with that let's send it back to Chris and Kirk and what could be a finish to this big 12 championship ship they'll be talking about for a long long time felds it just outside the goal line sto at the 22 that's pretty solid coverage there and Nebraska's offense is back out on the [Applause] field quarterback keeps the football tackle made after a solid game they spot the ball at the 34 first down play call how aggressive will it be they're going to run the option A change of Direction I know this defense worked very hard at halftime to come up with answers on how to try to slow down this running back after the big first half and he's already at it again the junior able to bring him down quickly Alon looking to convert on Third and short from the 42 can they make the yardage or face a tricky fourth down decision and he moves the ball across Midfield and picks up a first down the Cornhuskers are on the move here back now goes in motion defense will have to adjust Breaking Free at the 35 oh and he breaks free it's a foot race touchdown Huskers and the beat down continues Chris all week I wondered if this back might get loose and come up with a big play like this the defense had their back turned couldn't really see where he was by the time they realized it he just had too much speed and he's able to take it to the end zone they're sitting now to try the p8 extra point is good and they stretch the lead a little bit more here's the kickoff team let's see if they give the returner opportunity to this backas and it's fielded return to trying to make something happen he'll be tackled at the 17 strong job by the coverage team okay the K State offense is back out on the field now they were forced to punt last time can they get this offense going finally get some points out of this possession on First and 10 they'll look to throw it on June your gets home making a sack there and just like that you squeeze the life out of this offense that's another sack by this defense they have been in that back field the entire game and a big reason why these guys are enjoying a lead from their own seven it's now second and long PR snap motion from the receiver play action fake looking to throw well that takes the win right out of your Sails this offense is trying to find a way to get back into this game and another pressure and a sack against their quarterback they punted four times already on the verge of a fifth they can't convert this third down they feed the fullback this time he stopped short of the marker it's fourth down now and the wild cats will have to punt this one away on the kick now for the fifth time today they'll punt it from inside their own 10 and the fair catch signal for and taken here comes the Nebraska offense back out on the field in the last possession the defense just had no answer for this powerful ground game let's see what they can do this time defense gets him down but they'll take the gain on that play second down after that previous play quarterback drops back we're going to test the secondary looks left and finds his Target there tackle made after a big gain defense kind of lost the running back here makes a nice catch and gets the first down in the process [Applause] the Huskers looking to take advantage of this Red Zone trip fights off a Defender stopped after a small gain now looking at second and nine and the back now goes in motion they'll run the option they tackle him but a solid gain down to around the 5yd line the cour Huskers hoping to punch it in here they have first and goal they try to run it with the option you'll get back to the line of scrimmage but no farther than that o line formation for the [Music] defense here's the handoff testing the middle those stop him behind the line for a loss of one great job for the defense so far it's third and goal from a long way out offense looking to throw the ball quarterback escapes the pocket and takes off touchdown corn husers stretching the lead this one is getting ugly Chris you think this guy when he went to bed last night at the team Hotel thought he would score not one not two but three rushing touchdowns in one game what a [Music] hey to try to add the lead now with the [Applause] p p is good as they build on this big lead kickoff team on the field getting set nowas 4as zero return begins inside the 10 he'll be tackled at the 17 strong job by the coverage team and the Wildcats offense back out on the field this group is coming off a quick three and out can they put something together in this drive looking to throw it on first down on the Run he'll let it go passes incomplete the defense affecting the quarterback with pressure there offense lines up for second down play off the incompletion there's the snap looking to throw the ball caught over the middle it's brown boy that's pretty good coverage here by this defense not much of a window to throw this ball into but the quarterback's accuracy and the size of the tight end picks up a nice game the gain is not enough for first down so it brings up a fourth and short they'll kick it away here oh he's got some space here and the returner brought down by the coverage team this line getting set up it's a first down play they'll try the option play here breaks lose at the 45 explosive play the game moves the ball all the way to the 30 hey when it's your day it's your day this offense and especially this running back enjoying a monster day putting up huge numbers and having a nice big comfortable lead here's the option play he picks up nine so just short of the first down second and [Music] one motion by the back will make the defense adjust and the Huskers pick up enough yardage for a first down the offense now operating in the Red Zone quarterback's got it on the option here comes a crucial second down play every yard tough to find down here in the Red Zone it's an option look that's a nice wrap up there by the junior so here we go third down in the Red Zone the kind of play that decides football games and looks like the quarterback's going to run it second effort their defense cannot stop him short of the marker the offense sets up with a first and goal it's a run running back's got it B carrier brought down at the four offense in great scoring position here it's a second and goal play for the offense touchdown neasa to stretch the lead the route is on wait Chris one two three this is his fourth rushing touchdown in this game alone this guy has a chance to not only be player of the game maybe player of the week in the whole [Music] sport they try to add to the lead now with the pat [Applause] and the kick is up and good they tack on a point to their lead kickoff team is on the field to boot this one [Music] away and here's the return from inside the five they'll be tackled at the 17 strong job by the coverage team and the Kansas State offense is back out on the field they're coming off a three and out looking to produce a positive drive here first down looking to throw the football it's an out route the catch made heads out of bounds as a short gain on play offense comes up to the line he might have a chance for a couple more plays before the quarter expires they'll run it here that's the running back with the ball and he's brought down short of the line to gain what should be the last play of this third quarter ler Nebraska has the lead here it's been pretty one-sided so far at the end of three let's got the [Music] stats one quarter to play of what has been a beat down so far so the offense faces a third and manageable here from the 25 yd line that's the wide receiver coming in motion now they're going to throw for it on Third and short pressure is coming just throws it away but takes a big hit in the process wild cats will bring their punt team onto the field and the returner decides to Signal fair Catch and Nebraska's offense is back out on the field the last possession was just old school Power Football let's see if they can keep that going here it's good for a three- yd gain so second and [Music] seven back goes in motion now let's see how the defense adjusts oh they test the middle of the defense but yet nothing now from the 40 the offense faces a third and long to keep this drive going they're going to run the option tackled behind the line it's a loss of two the Cornhuskers will line up to boot it away on to kick it away helping his team with field position fa catch made at the 15 yd line fresh set of downs for the offense first down they'll come out throwing here to start the drive catch made on the out route and he'll make his way out of bounds after gaining decent yardage here's the second down play [Applause] from the gun he looks for an open man the QB throws his third HCK of the day not much on the return but the takeway sets up the offense at the 41 boy would this quarterback love to have this one back they're trying to work themselves back into this game here in the second half and the defense comes up with a big turnover that could be the name on the cof and Nebraska's offense is back out on the on the field they were forced to punt it last time now they're looking to respond and add to this lead here's the handoff just a small gain look at it second and nine motion now from the tight end and the back gets the football and they finally stop him but a decent gain that time solid gain at the running play third down now hands it off on the counter tackled behind the line it's a loss of two so they'll send out the field goal unit to give it a shot here from very long distance he missed it that's just a minor blip what's been a thoroughly dominating performs oh off the upright there boy he hit it clean it was end over end I thought it had a real chance and the ball just kind of kept moving on him and then d right off the [Music] up okay the kstate offense is back out on the field now this drive is important last one ended in an interception let's see if they can get it going here first play of the drive they're going to throw the [Applause] football receiver looks it in it's complete he's going to lose yardage there forc out of bounds great play by the defense looking to pass here on second down throw to the running back in the flat and he will be stuffed for No Gain offense been in Reverse here now a long way to go to convert this third down dropping back we're going to throw for the first down and a sophomore making an impact play Man how impressive have these guys been in this football game I really expected to see a very different outcome with the hype of this quarterback and the way he's played most of this year but this defense has held him under 200 yds passing they've got a nice lead and they are not sitting back and resting on their Laurels they're applying more pressure and they come up with a sack here and the Wildcats will have to kick this away and this drive moves backwards so he's on to punt it away and the coverage team makes the stop on this return here comes the Nebraska offense back out on the field hands off to the fullback it's a 2yd gain second and eight Back In Motion now and they'll keep it on the ground running back has the hand off and brought down at the line with that big defensive tackle now the offense facing a third and long from their own 41 they call the counter run here goes backwards losing three yards there the Huskers will bring their punt team on the field now can to flip the field here put is fair caught but now up to see about that penalty personal fouling the kicker defense pretty easy call for the head coach he will accept that penalty of course the offense will keep going here after that special team's penalty they pick up four so second down and Six coming up motion by the back defense better adjust they bring him down but that gain moves the ball all the way to the 31 cor Huskers getting set on First and 10 and the fullback gets in on the action with the carry try to run it up the middle but get nothing this is the sixth play on the [Music] drive they'll run the option seven yd gain sets up a third and three there some pre- snap move mement Back In Motion game moves the ball to the 21 and a fresh set of downs and Huskers pick up enough yardage to move the sticks and they've got him at the five Great run to set up scoring position here the cornes is looking to punch it in here it's first and goal they'll run it here the fullback gets the carry the junior able to bring him down quickly coming up second down and goal and the fullback takes a turn running the football touchdown Huskers and the route is on that's another touchdown for these guys and they have had a day that you dream about whether it's the quarterback the running back the receivers the offensive line the entire un has been [Music] dominant so they'll try to add to the lead now with the p and the PC is good as they continue to pull away even more getting set to kick the ball off now Nebraska 56 Kansas St return starts from inside the five they'll be tackled at the 17 strong job by the coverage team and the Wildcats offense back out on the field they were held to a quick three and out last time looking to put together a positive drive here first play of the drive they come out throwing the ball is caught the pickup is seven yds now second and three match the two-minute warning here this offense desperate to cut into this lead and then try to get the football back quarterback looking to throw it on second down here's a Target and it's complete he's found some room at the 45 and a big game before he goes out of bounds the offense keeps churning gets a fresh set of downs hey that's a great gain right here for these guys and it hasn't been a good day let's face it but I love the fact that they're still fighting and a drive like this who knows what it could do for you maybe get points on the board maybe not able to come back in this game but man it could really help you down the road as far as showing what your character is about how you're not giving up and looking to throw now on first down he bought some time now lets it Go caught near the sideline but just a short gain offense getting set second down play here drops back from the shotgun looking for an open man that one Falls incomplete looking for a flag doesn't get it brings up third down they come to the line a long way to go for the first down but needing this crucial conversion right now defense is coming after him and he's going to fling it deep going for it all here oh and it's batted down by the defense great play to deny a touchdown so on fourth down the decision is to trot out the field goal team and he knocks it right through the uprights they attack on three points but still a large defic [Music] so after coming away with three in that drive the kickoff team is [Applause] out they'll return it from inside the five coverage Chief brings down the returner and Nebraska's offense back out on the field what a satisfying feeling for this team just run out the clock and let the celebration begin tackle made but it moves the ball to the 25 as they try to get this drive going big guys up front lined up it's first down here's a carry for the fullback moves the ball up to the 30 just another example this offense Chris doing pretty much whatever they want to do they've been able to run the football offensive lines held their own in pass protection quarterbacks had an outstanding day you add all that up big reason why they're up by such a wide margin what an amazing run these guys have had and now they can call themselves champions of the Big 12 and become a piece of the history of that great conference and now with the playoff spot locked up we get to see what they can do against the 11 other best teams in the nation and that is going to wrap it up we enjoyed this one here with K herb street I'm Chris fer and this has been another presentation of EA Sports college football [Music]