This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/11/2012
This lot features a stunning Nebraska Cornhuskers real 10k gold ring from legendary coach Tom Osborne's final memorable season. The Cornhuskers were dominant in 1997, scoring 565 points on offense during the regular season, averaging over 47 points per game. Their running game was extremely efficient as Nebraska set an NCAA record that still stands today, scoring an average of 5.5 rushing touchdowns per game (66 rushing TD's in 12 games, not including the six scored in the Orange Bowl). Nebraska finished the season undefeated (8-0) in the "Big 12" and, after crushing #14 ranked Texas A&M 54-15 in the "Big-12 Championship" game, the Huskers finished a perfect 12-0. In legendary Head Coach Tom Osborne's very last game, the #2 ranked Cornhuskers easily defeated Peyton Manning, Jamal Lewis, and the #3 Tennessee Volunteers 42-17 in the 1998 Orange Bowl to cap off the 1997 season with a flawless 13-0 record.
Even though the Michigan Wolverines were ranked #1 in the Nation, they had difficulty with the #7 ranked Washington State Cougars, beating them 21-16 in the Rose Bowl. Based on performance comparisons, the coaches leap frogged Nebraska over Michigan in the Coaches' Poll, while the Wolverines still retained their #1 ranking in the AP Poll, creating a split "National Championship". No major college football team has ever gone 13-0 and been deprived of a National Title. On the other hand, Michigan argued that no #1 team had ever won its bowl game and been dropped from the top. In the end, the split title seemed a reasonable solution.
This gorgeous 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers National Championship ring was issued to wingback Lance Brown #14, and is in Near Mint to Mint condition. The ring weighs 31.1 grams of solid 10K gold, and is roughly a size 10. Brown had 226 yards receiving, averaging 18.8yards per reception, his Junior year for the Huskers. Made by Balfour, all the proper markings (Balfour 10K) are stamped inside, with "Lance Brown" also engraved. A great piece of history from Tom Osborne's crowning achievment at the University of Nebraska.