Nebraska Presents Case as Best It Can

SAN ANTONIO â€”  Nebraska’s Texas hex is over.

Eric Crouch ran for two touchdowns as the No. 3-ranked Cornhuskers took out three losses worth of frustration against the No. 12 Longhorns for a 22-6 victory in the Big 12 championship Saturday.

“I didn’t want to leave here without beating Texas,� said senior defensive back Mike Brown, who endured losses to the Longhorns in October, last fall and in the 1996 Big 12 championship. “We showed them what Nebraska football is all about. Now we can go back to Lincoln and have some fun.�

The Cornhuskers (11-1) have their fingers crossed that the victory will convince the BCS computer to send them instead of No. 2 Virginia Tech to the Sugar Bowl against No. 1 Florida State.

Realistically, the Cornhuskers will play No. 6 Tennessee (9-2) in the Fiesta Bowl. Those matchups will be announced today.

“We know as much as anyone how difficult it is to go undefeated,� Nebraska Coach Frank Solich said. “To Florida State and Virginia Tech’s credit, they’ve done that. But I know we’ve got a great team that can play in that game and can play well.

“When you really look at it, we played four teams that were ranked in the top 25. When you look at Virginia Tech, they played one team that ended up in the top 25 at the end of the year, Boston College, and they’ve been in only a few weeks.

“You look at that and say, ‘Maybe we do belong in the game.’ �

Said Texas Coach Mack Brown: “Any BCS people watching tonight better be concerned about their ratings. Because they look awfully good to me.�

The Longhorns (9-4) are headed to a second consecutive Cotton Bowl, where they’re expected to renew a once-intense rivalry against No. 24 Arkansas (7-4).

Despite a three-game winning streak against Nebraska, Texas hardly put up a fight. The Cornhuskers had a 10-0 lead after three drives, were up, 15-0, at halftime and made it 22-0 on their first possession of the third quarter.

The Cornhuskers avoided a second-half collapse like the one last week against Colorado that all but ended their national title hopes. The Longhorns avoided their first shutout since 1980 when defensive back Ahmad Brooks returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

The Cornhuskers sacked Texas quarterback Major Applewhite seven times, intercepted three of his passes--including his final one, in the Nebraska end zone--and recovered a fumble. They were even credited with a safety when a shotgun snap flew past Applewhite and bounced out of the end zone.

Applewhite completed 15 of 42 passes for 164 yards. It was the first time in 22 starts that he’s been held below 200 yards. It was the fourth time this season Nebraska has not allowed an offensive touchdown.