TEMPE (Jan. 2, 2000) --Two long Nebraska scoring drives in the second half ended Tennessee's hopes of an upset in the Cornhuskers' 31-21 victory over the Vols before 71,526 in the 2000 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

The Vols closed NU's lead to 17-14 early in the third quarter on a 4-yard Travis Henry TD run, but the Cornhuskers came off the goal line twice on TD drives of 96 and 99 yards for TDs in the third and fourth quarters to widen the lead, before Tennessee got the last score to set the final margin at 31-21.

The Vols got the game's last score when wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, a former high school quarterback, threw a 44-yard TD pass to Stallworth that closed it to 31-21 with 7:25 left. It was his first pass as a Vol and showed the versatility of the Memphis wideout. The Vols had a glimpse of life, but Nebraska had other ideas.

To its credit, Nebraska was able to run out the clock, marching relentlessly down the field to cinch the victory.

The Cornhuskers finished 12-1 and ended ranked No. 2 nationally. The Vols finished 9-3 and a No. 9 finish in both major polls.

The Vol senior class finished 43-7 in their career (1996-99), a winning percentage of 86 percent, and were part of two SEC titles and the 1998 National Championship.

Scoring Summary
NEB - Alexander, 7 run (Brown kick)
NEB - Newcombe, 60 punt return (Brown kick)
NEB - Brown, FG 31
TENN - Stallworth, 9 pass from Martin (Walls kick)
TENN - Henry, 4 run (Walls kick)
NEB - Golliday, 13 pass from Crouch (Brown kick)
NEB - Buckhalter, 2 run (Brown kick)
TENN - Stallworth, 44 pass from Wilson (Walls kick)