Bernie has had a drinking problem for years. A very bright guy academically, he started slurring his words on air decades ago.
Love the guy, though. As Race mentioned, a true freshman QB facing as daunting an opponent as they come. That '83 Husker team was the '95 Husker team before the '95 Husker team (obviously). They absolutely throttled everyone they played that season and nobody thought Miami had a chance.
Cue the tall, lanky kid with the Jewfro who had nickel plated balls and a preternaturally accurate arm. The Huskers didn't know what hit them. With a sneaky good running game, an AA wide receiver and an unheralded TE with baby soft WR hands, you had the makings of an upset for the ages and that's what you got. I was fucking there.
Miami never trailed in that game. Dude looked like an accountant but was a brash bill ballz fucking winner.
Time and bad habits are a bitch. Bernie liked to party and lived very hard. It's just who he was and now it's caught up to him. Bernie has been on the big stages, fucked a lot of women, drank a lot of booze and always had a good time. Go big or go home, I guess. Fuck it.