Huskers Beat Jayhawks in Overtime
Nebraska struck early and rallied late to beat Kansas in overtime 39-32. The win starts the Huskers at 1-0 in Big 12 conference play and starts the Jayhawks at 0-1 in the conference.
Nebraska struck KU with a big play early when Zac Taylor hit Terrence Nunn on a 75-yard touchdown pass. KU's Adam Barmann threw two interceptions to NU's Andrew Shanle in the first quarter and helped the Huskers build a comfortable 17-0 lead. But Kansas showed both heart and ability in going 95 yards in 7 plays to score their first points early in the second quarter. After forcing another KU turnover, NU struck again on a big play, this time a 78-yard pass from Taylor to Frantz Hardy to put the Huskers up 24-7. Kansas again responded, and drove for a field goal as time expired in the half.
Down 24-10 as the second half started, KU capitalized on NU's mistakes in the 3rd quarter. Two Husker possessions resulted in fumbles, one at the 8 yard line, the other at the 43. The ensuing Kansas drives resulted in 9 Jayhawk points, via an 8-yard Jon Cornish touchdown run (missed PAT) and a field goal.
The fourth quarter would see Kansas go on another long touchdown drive. This time covering 88 yards over 11 plays and ending with 1-yard pass from Barmann to tight end Derek Fine. The touchdown gave KU their first lead at 25-24, after the failed 2-point conversion try.
The Huskers would respond with yet another big play. Once again, it was Hardy going 75 yards on a pass from Taylor. NU converted their attempt for 2 points when Taylor hooked up with Nate Swift on a pitch and catch, to put the Huskers up by seven. But, Kansas responded. The Jayhawks covered 81 yards on 11 plays. KU receiver Brian Murph scored on a 26-yard pass play with less than a minute to play. The extra point tied the game at 32 and forced overtime.
In the extra period, NU got the ball first. Cody Glenn scored on a 1-yard run that was set up by twice-reviewed pass completion to Nate Swift. On Kansas' possession the Jayhawks got one first down. But, their drive stalled out when Barmann's 4th-and-5 pass sailed over the head of his receiver.
Offensively, Taylor ended with 395 yards passing and four touchdowns. But, his uneven play resulted in him having 15 completions on 33 attempts, well below his percentage for the season. Hardy's big catches got him 159 yards and two touchdowns. Nunn ended with 98 yards on three catches and Maurice Purify actually led all NU receivers with 4 catches, resulting in 91 yards. NU's rushing game could not find consistency, and NU netted just 116 rushing yards. Marlon Lucky led the way with 40 yards on 13 carries.
For Kansas, Barmann recovered well from a shaky start and ended 405 yards by completing 27 of his staggering 54 attempts. He had two touchdowns against three interceptions. In the loss, KU squandered great performances by running back Jon Cornish - who got 145 yards and a touchdown on 31 rushes -and their receiving corps. Two KU players, Brian Murph and Dexton Fields, caught 8 balls for more than 100 yards.
Both teams take to the road next week, as NU goes to Iowa State and Kansas travels to play Texas A&M.
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