Tom Osborne wasn’t giving up. The man who had barely missed a national championship 10 years before in the same stadium marched to midfield and found the referee. Osborne held up his index finger. One second!

The ref agreed.

“The game is not over,” the PA announcer said.

Bowden, surrounded by TV cameras and cops, returned to the sideline, miffed and sopping wet. He fiddled with the bill of a new national championship hat he’d just been given. Across the way, Osborne barked at officials who didn’t know where to spot the ball. “Hey, hey, hey. The ball was on the 25!”

Slowly the focus shifted to No. 13 in red, the kicker pacing near the Florida State 40-yard line. Byron Bennett listened to the Seminoles try to distract him. The Texan fired back.

“I’m gonna put you out of your misery.”

Every day after Husker practice, Bennett’s snapper moved to long range and crafted an imaginary scene for him. “OK, Byron, this is for the national championship.” Now they were here. This was the real thing.

Aaron Graham bent over the ball at the 28-yard line, right in the middle of the field. The snap was perfect. The hold was perfect. The kick ...