Happy 62nd birthday to former University of Nebraska running back Jeff Smith. Most younger fans probably never heard of Smith. Some older fans may only remember him as the intended receiver of Nebraska's failed 2-point conversion attempt at the end of the 1984 Orange Bowl game against Miami. But there is much more to Jeff Smith than most fans know.
Entering the 1984 Orange Bowl, Nebraska was hyped as the greatest team of all time. Week after week, the Huskers destroyed their opposition while averaging 52 points per game. Nebraska's high-powered offense featured Heisman Trophy running back Mike Rozier, All American wingback Irving Fryar and the wizardry of option quarterback Turner Gill. But they also had a secret weapon, most fans had never heard of--Jeff Smith.
Coming out of Wichita, Kansas, Smith was one of the most heavily recruited high school running backs in the country. He chose Nebraska because he wanted to play in a offense that featured the running game and play for national championships. Smith was a big-time talent. But he found himself stuck in a deep pool of running backs at Nebraska. For 4 long years, he waited patiently on the sidelines watching backs like Jarvis Redwine, Roger Craig and Mike Rozier carry the football.
Late in the 3rd quarter of the 1984 Orange Bowl, Mike Rozier was forced to leave the game with a severe ankle injury. Nebraska was trailing underdog Miami 31-17 and it appeared the Huskers chances were slipping away. Smith came off the bench and almost single-handedly brought Nebraska back. He carried the ball 9 times for 99 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Smith's explosive running style surprised the Canes. He was far more effective than Rozier. Smith's second touchdown came on a brilliant 24 yard run while facing a 4th and 8 situation. With only 48 seconds left, Nebraska coach Tom Osborne elected to go for 2 points rather than kick for a tie and a likely national championship. Just about everyone in the stadium thought Nebraska would call a pass to Irving Fryar. But Osborne went with his secret weapon Jeff Smith. Nebraska ran a pick play, which used Fryar as a decoy. Fryar tried to set a pick on Miami safety Kenny Calhoun. However, Calhoun was able to fight off the pick and just barely got his fingertips on the ball to deflect it away from Smith. Miami hung on to win 31-30.
Jeff Smith never became a star. He began the following season as Nebraska's starting I-back in 1984. But an early season injury sidelined him for the remainder of his college career. He went on to play 4 seasons in the NFL as a backup running back and kick returner with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But for nearly 2 quarters of the second half, he was the best player on the field at the 1984 Orange Bowl--only to be remembered for a play he was unable to make.
