Big Eight Roundup : Nebraska Kicker Is 7 for 7 in 28-20 Win Over Missouri

After kicking only six field goals in his college career, Nebraska’s Dale Klein went 7 for 7 against Missouri Saturday.

As a result, the seventh-ranked Huskers survived an inspired upset bid by subduing the Tigers, 28-20, in a Big Eight game at Columbia, Mo.

Doug DuBose, who ran 22 yards for the Cornhuskers’ only touchdown, added 199 yards in 29 carries for Nebraska, which improved to 5-1 while dropping Missouri to 0-6.

Klein’s seven field goals tied the NCAA single-game record set by Western Michigan’s Mike Prindle, who hit 7 of 9 last year. Klein also set the NCAA record for field goals in a half with five.

“It really feels great,” he said. “I have to thank the holder, snapper and the blockers. They did it all. I just kicked the ball through.”

The Huskers held a 25-13 lead with 4:14 left in the fourth quarter when Klein kicked his final field goal, the third one from 43 yards. His other kicks traveled 32, 22, 44 and 29 yards.

“On that last one, I really concentrated,” he said. “I wanted it.”

Klein, who was demoted to second team two weeks ago, also broke the Big Eight record of five field goals in a game. His consecutive field-goal streak of nine also tied a school record.

Colorado 40, Iowa State 6--At Ames, Iowa, Colorado forced five turnovers en route to an easy victory over Iowa State.

Colorado completed just one of five passing attempts--Rick Wheeler’s 14-yard scoring toss to Jon Embree--but scored 27 points off four Cyclone fumbles and an interception.

Wheeler, a sophomore, entered the game after only three plays when starter Mark Hatcher sprained his left ankle. Hatcher was considered the key to Colorado’s wishbone offense, but Wheeler took over as the Buffaloes improved their record to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Eight. Iowa State fell to 3-3 and 1-1.

Iowa State quarterback Alex Espinoza completed only 5 of 12 passes for 33 yards before leaving the game with a stomach injury with 34 seconds to go in the first half. Sophomore reserve Derek DeGennaro completed 10 of 18 passes but had three intercepted.

Kansas 38, Kansas State 7--Lynn Williams rushed for a pair of third-quarter touchdowns, and Wayne Zeigler returned an interception 31 yards for a score as Kansas blasted Kansas State in the 83rd meeting between the schools.

Williams scored on runs of five and one yard as Kansas evened its Big Eight mark at 1-1 and raised its overall record to 5-2. Kansas State is 0-6 and 0-2.

Kansas All-American linebacker Willie Pless made his 11th tackle of the game and the 544th of his career in the third quarter to break an unofficial Big Eight record of 543 career tackles held by Gary Spani of Kansas State.