Top-Rated Nebraska Looks the Part

Back at No. 1 in the polls after several close games dropped them to No. 2, the Nebraska Cornhuskers looked very worthy of the role this time.

Eric Crouch ran for two touchdowns and threw for another--all in the first half--and Nebraska’s previously inconsistent defense turned intimidating against Texas Tech’s pass-happy offense, leading the Cornhuskers to a 56-3 victory Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas.

Nebraska increased its win streak to 12--currently the longest in Division I--and handed Texas Tech the worst loss in its history.

Nebraska (6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12 Conference) had not had a dominant performance like this since a 49-13 victory over San Jose State in its season opener six weeks ago. In the previous three games, the Cornhuskers needed overtime to beat Notre Dame, played a close first half against Missouri and led Iowa State by only a point in the third quarter.

Texas Tech (5-2, 1-2) came in thinking it could pull off an upset with the passing of Kliff Kingsbury and a defense that was allowing 9.8 points a game.

Neither had a chance. Nebraska led, 28-0, at halftime en route to ending the Red Raiders’ win streak at Jones Stadium at nine.

Texas Tech, facing an option offense for the first time, gave up 540 yards. Crouch ran 12 times for 52 yards and was 6-of-12 passing for 86 yards in three quarters. Then Jamal Lord led three fourth-quarter touchdown drives, the last that he capped with an eight-yard run.

Kingsbury was 20 for 37 for 165 yards.

No. 25 Texas 28, Colorado 14--Major Applewhite twice threw touchdown passes after the Buffaloes had pulled within seven points at Boulder, Colo., as the Longhorns (4-2, 2-1) bounced back from last week’s 49-point loss to Oklahoma.

Applewhite was 23-of-40 passing for 308 yards and three touchdowns as Texas defeated Colorado (1-5, 1-2) for the first time in seven games.

Iowa State 33, Oklahoma State 26--Lane Danielsen’s 33-yard touchdown catch with 18 seconds remaining--his only reception of the game--gave the Cyclones (5-1, 2-1) the victory over the Cowboys (2-4, 0-3) at Stillwater, Okla.

Iowa State took advantage of three turnovers to score 13 points in fourth quarter. The Cyclones also got 170 yards and three touchdowns rushing from former La Puente Bishop Amat standout Michael Wagner, who was playing in place of injured Big 12 rushing leader Ennis Haywood.

Texas A&M; 24, Baylor 0--Mark Farris completed 22 of 40 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown at Waco, Texas, as the Aggies (4-2, 2-1) defeated the Bears (2-4, 0-3) for the 10th consecutive time.

Baylor freshman quarterback Kerry Dixon, in his first start, was 11 for 27 for 107 yards with four interceptions. The Bears have a 16-game losing streak in the Big 12.

Kansas 38, Missouri 17--Dylen Smith threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the Jayhawks (3-3, 1-2) rolled to a season-high 453 yards at Columbia, Mo., to end a conference road losing streak at 14.

Missouri (2-4, 1-2) has allowed an average of 382.5 yards a game.