Fiesta Bowl: Nebraska 31, Tennessee 21
TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Don Alexander domainted on the ground Sunday night and backup quarterback Bobby Newcombe returned a punt 60 yards for a score in carrying the Nebraska Cornhuskers to an impressive 31-21 win over Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl.
The third-ranked Cornhuskers fought off a Tennessee comeback by producing scoring drives of 96 and 99 yards in the second half.
By winning a battle between the past two national champions, Nebraska should move up to No. 2 in the final national rankings.
Nebraska (12-1) ran the ball on its final 23 offensive plays, including Correll Buckhalter's two-yard scoring burst up the middle that made it 31-14 with just over 12 minutes left.
Alexander carried 21 times for 108 yards and a seven-yard touchdown and Newcombe's punt return gave Nebraska an early 14-0 lead. The Cornhuskers won for the fifth time in their last six bowl appearances.
The Cornhuskers produced a 12-win season for the third time in five years. They went 12-0 in 1995 and 13-0 in 1997, winning the national championship after both seasons.
Tennessee came up with two touchdown receptions from freshman Donte' Stallworth, but its banged-up defense was unable to stop the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska ran the final 7:25 off the clock with 12 rushes after Cedrick Wilson hit Stallworth for a 44-yard touchdown on a wide receiver option to bring the Volunteers (9-3) within 10 points.
The game was a rematch of the 1998 Orange Bowl, won by Nebraska, 42-17. -- --
