(Ed. Note: This is the ninth in the series of digital postcards commemorating 75 years of the FWAA All-America Team.  The first FWAA All-America Team was published in 1944 during World War II and is the second longest continuously published team in major-college football.)

In 1983…. A record 125 million watched the final episode of M*A*S*H*…Motown celebrated its 25-year anniversary…First mobile phones were released by Motorola…A Ford Mustang cost $6,572.00….U.S. Unemployment rose to 12 million, highest since 1941.

The FWAA All-America Team featured three offensive players from Nebraska: running back Mike Rozier, wingback Irving Fryar and offensive lineman Dean Steinkuhler.  It marked the third straight season, a Nebraska player captured the Outland Trophy after Dave Rimington’s back-to-back in 1981 and 1982.  Auburn’s Bo Jackson, who later would win the Heisman in 1985 and become a professional baseball-football star after college, was also on the team as a sophomore.

Bo Jackson video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe-mVW-z2jA

There was plenty of firepower on defense on this FWAA team as well: Tennessee’s Reggie White, Clemson’s William Perry (The Refrigerator) and Cal’s Ron Rivera. Miami’s Howard Schnellenberger claimed the FWAA’s Coach of the Year Award.

COTTON BOWL NUGGET

Georgia defeated previously unbeaten Texas, 10-9, in a Classic at Fair Park.  A fumbled punt by Texas in the fourth quarter led to Georgia’s winning points on the ensuing drive.  But Miami would be the consensus national champion after besting top-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl when the Cornhuskers’ last-gasp rally fell short on a missed two-point conversion.

Orange Bowl ending:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoNs0mdKAO8

Your 1983 FWAA Selectors

• Arnie Burdick, Syracuse Herald-Journal
• Wilt Browning, Greensboro Daily News
• Al Ludwick, Augusta Chronicle-Herald
• Ish Haley, Dallas Times-Herald
• Steve Richardson, Kansas City Star-Times
• Pat Harmon, Cincinnati Post
• Dick Rosetta, Salt Lake City Tribune
• Bob Hurt, Arizona Republic
• Bob Hentzen, Topeka Capital-Journal