Osborne Product Is Lombardi Choice

Just hours after learning that his coach was retiring, Nebraska defensive end Grant Wistrom got good news Wednesday night that he had won the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top collegiate lineman.

Tom Osborne, who led the Cornhuskers to two national championships and 254 victories over 25 years, announced Wednesday that he would step down following No. 2 Nebraska’s game against No. 3 Tennessee in the Orange Bowl.

Wistrom, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound senior, was a main cog in the defense that helped the Cornhuskers take a 12-0 record into Osborne’s final game as coach. Wistrom credited Osborne for his success.

“You look at every one of the players here tonight and each one is on a great football team,” Wistrom said. “The reason we are on a great football team is because of coach Osborne. He’s a large part of why I’ve been fortunate to have won it.”

It was an emotional day for Wistrom, who learned of Osborne’s retirement decision in a telephone conversation with his coach prior to the Lombardi dinner.