In 1969, Nebraska began a remarkable streak of 33 consecutive seasons of at least nine victories. During that span, the Huskers captured five national championships.

Since the start of the 2002 season, Nebraska's record is a relatively ordinary 36-22, but the Huskers still seem to be regarded as an elite program.

"You think about all of the Heisman Trophy winners and national championships," Oklahoma State defensive end Darnell Smith said. "We look past that. We focus on the man we have to beat. We focus on our assignments. But we understand that with Nebraska comes a lot of tradition. We hope we can get the victory and start our own tradition."

Cowboy redshirt freshman safety Andre Sexton was a fifth-grader when Nebraska won a share of its most recent national title (1997). Most of the current Cowboys have not played against the Huskers, but Sexton says the Nebraska brand name still resonates within the OSU locker room. He says the Cowboys recognize the big-game aspect of the meeting at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against Nebraska.

"You can't let it intimidate you," Sexton said. "If anything, it makes me step my game up just a little bit more, knowing I'm playing against a team that's as good as Nebraska."

The Cowboys and Nebraska meet for the first time since 2003, and for the first time in Stillwater since 2002. In that '02 contest, OSU defeated the Huskers for the first time since 1961.

Bounceback game: If not for a late fumble that resulted in a

"We're motivated to try to capture this North division," he said. "We've really moved on and pressed forward in terms of staying focused. These next four weeks are crucial. We've got to get back to a road mentality. Our guys have been tremendously resilient when we've had a setback."

The Huskers are not accustomed to losing at home. Since the start of the 1989 season, Nebraska has a home record of 114-11.

Blake returns: Nebraska defensive line coach John Blake visits Stillwater for the first time in eight years. In three seasons as Oklahoma's head coach, Blake was 1-2 against the Cowboys. In 1996, OU beat OSU 27-17 in Stillwater. In 1997, the Cowboys prevailed 30-7 in Norman. In 1998, the Cowboys won 46-26 in Stillwater.

Team honor: A reunion of Oklahoma State football players from the coach Jim Stanley era will be held this weekend at Stillwater.

Players will be honored during the game Saturday.

Stanley coached the Cowboys from 1973 to 1978.

The 1976 team won a share of the Big Eight Conference title and running back Terry Miller was runner-up to Earl Campbell of Texas in the 1977 Heisman Trophy vote.

Miller, 1974-77, is second on the all-time rushing list at OSU with 4,581 yards (Barry Sanders is first).

Those teams also featured future pro bowl defensive linemen James White and Phillip Dokes.

Quarterback Charlie Weatherbie (1973-76) was later a successful head coach at Utah State and Navy.

Tulsans Reuben Gant and Brent Blackman were also key members of teams during that era.