    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 9, 1998]
    [Pages 546-547]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the NCAA Football Champion Michigan Wolverines and Nebraska
    Cornhuskers
    April 9, 1998

        The President. Welcome. We've had a lot of heavyweights in this room
    in the past but nothing to compare with this today. [Laughter]
        Coach Osborne, Coach Carr, President Bollinger,
    Chancellor Moeser, Congressman Levin, Congressman Dingell,
    Congressman Upton. And I can't help noting today
    the presence of my National Economic Adviser, Gene Sperling, an alumnus of the University of Michigan. The only time
    he ever stops work is when Michigan plays football. [Laughter]
        I am honored to have all of you here to celebrate the remarkable
    seasons of two great football teams from two great universities. For the
    entire season, everybody in America, especially in the last month or so,
    wanted Michigan and Nebraska to meet. I'm the only person who could pull
    it off. [Laughter] Since the sun is out, we ought to just go outside and
    settle the whole thing. [Laughter] We'll call it the Rose Garden Bowl.
    [Laughter]
        In alphabetical order, we'll start with Michigan. All of America was
    awed by your performance in one of the most exciting Rose Bowls in
    history. A team that never lost its poise and never lost a game. Charles
    Woodson was terrific all season long, and
    deserved to be the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman
    Trophy. The outstanding defense was complemented by a fierce offense,
    quarterbacked by Rose Bowl MVP Brian Griese.
        I'd also like to say a word about Coach Carr.
    The man who brought Michigan its first championship in 50 years, he has
    quickly established himself as one of the best coaches in college
    football. Congratulations on taking the Wolverines to the championship
    in only your third season.
        Now I'd like to introduce you, Coach, to say a few words.
        Coach Carr.

    [At this point, University of Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr thanked the President and made brief remarks. Wolverine
    cocaptains Jon Jansen and Eric Mayes then presented gifts to the President.]

        The President. Thank you. As long as I can be on injured reserve for
    the next game. [Laughter] Thank you.
        And now, a team that lived up to all the great traditions of
    Nebraska football. The Cornhuskers' overwhelming victory in the Orange
    Bowl was a fantastic finish to an undefeated season. The offense put 42
    points on the board, led by tailback Ahman Green's 206 rushing yards, quarterback Scott Frost's three rushing touchdowns.
        The 206 yards registered with me because I was in the stands in the
    Orange Bowl in 1978 when Roland Sales of
    Arkansas rushed for 205 yards. [Laughter]

    [[Page 547]]

        The Nebraska defense also did a magnificent job in stifling
    the Peyton Manning-led offense of Tennessee
    that had been so strong all year.
        For Coach Tom Osborne, the Orange Bowl
    victory marked a spectacular close to a spectacular 25-year career that
    included three national championships and 255 wins. Tom Osborne is truly
    one of the great legends of college football. His name now will
    inevitably be ranked in history along with Knute Rockne, Bear Bryant,
    and Pop Warner.
        Congratulations, Coach, and thank you for not only all the wins but
    for the way you did it and the example you set.
        Coach Osborne.

    [At this point University of Nebraska coach, Tom Osborne, thanked the President and made brief remarks. The new
    Cornhusker coach, Frank Solege, and team
    captains Grant Wistrom, Jason Peter, and Aaron Taylor then
    presented gifts to the President.]

        The President. It's beautiful. Thank you.
        Now, what are we supposed to do? Usually, I'm supposed to--we're
    going to go out here and do the receiving line and the pictures, right?
        Thanks again for coming. Congratulations to both of you on a
    magnificent year. And thanks for all the thrills you gave the rest of us
    who sit in the stands and watch on television. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:37 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Lee C. Bollinger,
    University of Michigan, and Chancellor James C. Moeser, University of
    Nebraska.