OSU's win at NU is first since 1960

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The most stunning aspect of this blowout was the ease with which Oklahoma State won here for the first time in 47 years.

Witnessed by Nebraska's Memorial Stadium homecoming crowd of 84,334, the Cowboys crushed the Huskers 45-14. The Nebraska defense had been shaky most of the season, but no one expected this level of domination by the visitors.

After leading by 38 points at halftime, OSU finished with 551 total yards. Tailback Dantrell Savage rushed for a career-high 212 yards, averaging 8.5 per attempt.

"I think (OSU's players) do know how big this one is," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said.

For the history buff, Saturday's game was significant. It was OSU's first victory at Nebraska since Nov. 12, 1960. The Cowboys had been winless in their previous 20 trips to Lincoln. The 31-point setback was Nebraska's worst at home since 1958 (when Missouri mashed the Huskers 31-0).

One week after losing a one-point heartbreaker at Texas A&M, the Cowboys (4-3 overall, 2-1 Big 12) recorded their most impressive road triumph of the three-season Gundy era.

In losses to Missouri and OSU, Nebraska was outscored by a combined count of 86-20. The Huskers (4-3, 1-2) are stuck in the muck of dysfunction. Against OSU, they committed three turnovers and costly penalties, and their offense was scoreless until the fourth quarter.

During his postgame press conference, embattled Nebraska coach Bill Callahan was hit with questions regarding his employment status.

"I'm not worried about my job," he said. "I don't think you can coach in fear or coach like you're scared of something. I've never coached like that in my life. I've been in this business for 30 years, and it sure as hell isn't going to start now."

Said Husker linebacker Bo Ruud: "We really believed we were going to play well today. We didn't."

When halftime arrived, the stat sheet was replete with remarkable numbers:

• OSU led 38-0. Never before had the Huskers allowed as many as 38 first-half points in a home game.

• The Cowboys had 357 first-half yards to Nebraska's 101.

• OSU had 42 offensive plays during the first half, and 29 were snapped in Nebraska territory.

• In the first half alone, Savage rushed for 148 yards. Even that total would have qualified as his career-best.

Savage's previous career-high rushing total was 134 yards (against Texas A&M last year). In four league games this season, he has run for a Big 12-leading average of 141.8 yards.

"(Savage) has a knack for making plays," Cowboy offensive coordinator Larry Fedora said. "It doesn't matter how tight the spot is; he can still make the (defender) miss. He's getting extra yardage all the time.

"I do understand the tradition and respect the tradition that (Nebraska has). I know how hungry our guys were to get it done."

In less than 11 minutes, OSU built a 17-0 cushion. Ju lius Crosslin scored on a 1-yard run, Jason Ricks booted a short field goal and Seth Newton caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Zac Robinson.

Nebraska answered by driving to the Cowboy 10-yard line, but on a fourth-and-2 play, OSU safety Andre Sexton and linebacker Jeremy Nethon combined to stop Quentin Castille for no gain.

OSU then drove 90 yards on only six plays, with freshman tailback Kendall Hunter racing 33 yards for the TD that made it a 24-0 difference. For a Cowboy team that squandered a 17-0 loss at A&M last week, Fedora said, it was an important touchdown.

"All I wanted to do was get the ball in the end zone again," Fedora said.

The Cowboys did reach the end zone twice more in the first half. Crosslin had another 1-yard surge. Robinson followed with a 3-yard TD on a bootleg play, and the scoreboard reported the damage: OSU 38, Nebraska 0.

After a scoreless third period, the Huskers mustered a pair of fourth-quarter TDs (J.B. Phillips on a 13-yard catch, Thomas Lawson on a 1-yard reception).

On his 25th and final carry, Savage scored on a 30-yard dash. He leaped into the end zone, leaving behind him hapless Husker defenders. In the southwest corner of the stadium, several thousand Cowboy fans celebrated the end of a lifetime of futility in Lincoln.

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com