Miami, Nebraska rekindle rivalry

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 1995, file photo, Nebraska players carry coach Tom Osborne off the field after the Huskers defeated Miami 24-17 in the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game in Miami. The Miami and Nebraska programs are but a shell of their former selves as they enter Saturday night's game in Lincoln. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 1, 1995, file photo, Nebraska players carry coach Tom Osborne off the field after the Huskers defeated Miami 24-17 in the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game in Miami. The Miami and Nebraska programs are but a shell of their former selves as they enter Saturday night's game in Lincoln. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Miami will play No. 24 Nebraska tonight for the first time since the programs were finishing their runs of dominance.

The history isn't lost on the current players, but to them the game at Memorial Stadium is more about the future of teams that haven't won a title of any kind over the past decade.

"It's a big thing when it comes to playing Miami because of the tradition, but we're not looking back on that," Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong said. "We are just going to play like any other week and prepare the right way. It's a normal game for us."

There was nothing normal about the past five games between the teams, all in bowls. The winner in four of them was crowned national champion, most recently Miami after the 2002 Rose Bowl.

This is by far the most anticipated game on Nebraska's home schedule. It coincides with the 20th anniversary celebration for the 1994 national championship team, which defeated Miami in the Orange Bowl for the first of Tom Osborne's three national titles.

Osborne, as athletic director, set up the home-and-home series that winds up in Miami next year.

"There was no grand scheme behind it," Osborne said. "Miami turned out to be available, so we signed them up."

It was 2009 when the games were scheduled, and Blake James was still four years from becoming Miami's athletic director. James senses the nostalgia, though. He worked in administrative jobs at Miami and Nebraska in the 1990s.

"I think they're some of the greatest times in Hurricane football history," James said. "Excited to have these two games set up."

Nebraska (3-0) takes a big step up in competition before opening Big Ten play next week against Illinois. The Huskers' closest game was a shockingly close victory over FCS member McNeese State. They also have blown out Florida Atlantic and Fresno State.

Miami (2-1) is coming off easy victories over FCS member Florida A&M and Arkansas State after a season-opening, 31-13 loss to Atlantic Coast Conference newcomer Louisville. The Hurricanes totaled only 244 yards at Louisville, and they are converting only 23 percent of their third downs.

Tonight's game is an opportunity to measure their progress with freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya.

"We're getting in rhythm," running back Duke Johnson said. "I wouldn't say we're there yet, but we're working on it, and that's something we're trying to improve on --€” getting there from the beginning of the game and staying there to the end.

"We have to be efficient and make sure that every play counts."

Sports on 09/20/2014

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