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Nebraska Cornhuskers |
Alabama Crimson Tide © |
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Played September 2, 1978 at Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama |
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Teams' Belt Records
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Team |
Belt Reigns |
Overall Record |
Home Record |
Away Record |
Neutral Record |
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W |
L |
T |
PCT |
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
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| Nebraska | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | ||||||||
| Alabama © | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | .889 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 |
Previous Belt Meetings: None
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
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Nebraska |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
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Alabama |
0 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
20 |
Coach Tom Osborne brought his 10th ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers to Birmingham to battle the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Paul "Bear" Bryant to open the 1978 season. Nebraska was the only team to defeat the Crimson Tide in 1977; a 31-24 loss in Lincoln which probably kept Alabama from being named National Champions. Alabama’s defense led by All-American DT Marty Lyons stuffed the Nebraska offense while the Crimson Tide's offense was methodical in posting a 20-3 victory to avenge their 1977 loss & retain The Belt. Midway through the 1st quarter, Nebraska’s only points of the game came on a 48-yard field goal from PK Billy Todd. In the 2nd quarter, Alabama drove 99 yards in 16 plays with QB Jeff Rutledge connecting with RB Major Ogilvie on a 4-yard touchdown pass. The drive was highlighted by a 29-yard run from RB Billy Jackson & a 36-yard run from RB Tony Nathan. In the 3rd quarter, Alabama's CB Don McNeal intercepted Nebraska's QB Tom Sorley at the Alabama 39-yard line to set-up a 2-yard touchdown run by Nathan. Alabama’s last touchdown came after Crimson Tide's LB Ricky Gilliland recovered a fumble setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by Rutledge with just 2:17 left in the game. Rutledge finished with 54 yards passing with a touchdown as well as 56 yards rushing with a touchdown while the Alabama defense held Nebraska’s offense to just 174 total yards. Sorley threw for 60 yards with 2 interceptions in the loss. Alabama finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & National Champions while the Cornhuskers finished 9-3, Big Eight Co-Champs & ranked 8th nationally. Nebraska would play for The Belt again in 1997.
