Statistically, Nebraska is similar to the Cowboys. In total offense, Nebraska is the Big 12 leader at 434.9 yards per game. OSU is No. 2 at 421.7. In total defense, Nebraska is eighth, having allowed 320.2 yards per game, while the Cowboys are ninth (341.6).
The Cowboys are No. 2 in the conference in scoring (37.4 points per game). The Huskers are third at 34.9.
In rushing offense, the Cowboys (203.3 average) and Huskers (186.5) rank No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
In pass efficiency, quarterback Bobby Reid and Nebraska's Zac Taylor are the Big 12's best. Reid leads with a rating of 177.7, while Taylor is next at 167.7.
One to remember: On Oct. 19, 2002, in Stillwater, Nebraska lost 24-21. In celebration of the first win over Nebraska since 1961, fans tore down the goalposts at both ends of Boone Pickens Stadium (then known as Lewis Field).
Les Miles became the first coach in school history to record victories over Oklahoma and Nebraska. Mike Gundy was offensive coordinator in 2002.
When one of the goalposts was torn down, Gundy says, "I helped carry it off."
"It was a big win for us," said Gundy, now head coach.
Defensive end Darnell Smith, wide receiver D'Juan Woods and guard Kurt Seifried are the only current players who experienced that momentous triumph over the Huskers. Each was a first-year freshman.
"To be a part of that was a thrilling experience," Smith said. "It was pretty exhilarating. I almost got hit in the head with a goalpost. I was running with my helmet up in the air, and all of a sudden I see people rocking on the goalpost. I was like, 'Is this thing really going to come down?' I was right in the mix of it."
In the event of a win over Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater, Smith advises fans to celebrate "responsibly and legally. If it's against the rules, don't do it."
Praising Woods: After totaling 56 receptions in 2005, D'Juan Woods' numbers are down. With Adarius Bowman emerging as the top receiver, Woods has a seven-game total of only 16 catches for 269 yards and four TDs. Stats aside, Gundy says Woods is playing well.
"D'Juan Woods' first three years here, I'll bet he didn't block 10 people," Gundy said. "He blocked 10 people (in the 34-33 loss to Texas A&M), and I'm talking about big-time blocks."
Gundy said Woods had a key block during Dantrell Savage's 60-yard touchdown run against the Aggies.
Statement victory: In his first college football game, in the 2004 season opener, Donovan Woods quarterbacked a 31-20 victory at UCLA. Woods now is starting free safety. This week, he was asked whether the program needs another statement victory like the one at UCLA. A win over No. 20 Nebraska would qualify as an important victory for two reasons -- because the opponent is Nebraska, and because a win would put the team within one victory of bowl eligibility.
"Any time we step on the field, no matter if it's (against) the No. 1 team in the country or the No. 117 team in the country, we need to play well," Woods said. "Let the media decide what is a landmark win."
