COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Big Eight Roundup : Nebraska Win Led by Taylor

Oklahoma’s Jamelle Holieway has been voted all-Big Eight quarterback the last two years, but Nebraska’s Steve Taylor intends to put an end to that.

Taylor, who had five touchdown passes in a game against UCLA earlier this year, threw four scoring passes and scored on a 22-yard run Saturday as second-ranked Nebraska crushed Missouri, 42-7, at Columbia, Mo.

“I think I am the best quarterback in the Big Eight,” Taylor said. “As a matter of fact, I know I am. Jamelle got it the past two years, but that’s in the past. I think the reason he got it is because he was on a better team than I was.”

Husker Coach Tom Osborne notched his 145th win, tying him with Oklahoma’s Barry Switzer and former Oklahoma Coach Bud Wilkinson for most Big Eight victories. Nebraska is 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Eight.

Missouri dropped to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big Eight in the first game in which the Tigers were blown out.

“We were surprised we won as easily as we did,” Osborne said. “We didn’t see anyone run consistently on them all year, and our running game had some success. We’re gratified. Nobody had beaten them bad all year.”

Nebraska fumbled on its first two possessions but raced to a 28-7 halftime lead behind the running and passing of Taylor.

Taylor, replaced by the reserves in the third quarter, completed 8 of 13 passes for 139 yards and rushed for 75 yards in 14 rushes.

Nebraska tight end Tom Banderas tied a school record with three touchdown receptions, including one from backup quarterback Clete Blakeman. In 16 career receptions, Banderas has 10 touchdowns.

Nebraska amassed 512 total yards and held Missouri to 176. The Cornhuskers limited the Tigers’ running attack to 75 yards. The Tigers had been averaging more than 300 yards a game on the ground.

Oklahoma St. 56, Kansas St. 7--At Stillwater, Okla., Rod Smith’s 76-yard interception return and Thurman Thomas’ 34-yard run sparked a four-touchdown first quarter that carried the No. 17 Cowboys (7-1, 3-1) over the Wildcats (0-8, 0-4).

In addition to his 34-yard run, Thomas scored on runs of 1 and 8 yards. He finished with 130 yards in 16 carries. Barry Sanders, who alternated series with Thomas, finished with 105 yards in 17 carries and scored on runs of 1 and 8 yards.

Oklahoma State receiver Hart Lee Dykes caught six passes to become the Cowboys’ all-time reception leader. His second catch broke the record of 120 held by Hermann Eben.

Colorado 42, Iowa St. 10--At Ames, Iowa, quarterback Sal Aunese ran for 127 yards and 3 touchdowns and passed for another as the Buffaloes recovered from a shaky start to beat the Cyclones.

Aunese scored on runs of 1, 5 and 35 yards and completed a 45-yard touchdown play to Drew Ferrando. Eric Bieniemy and Sam Smith also scored second-half touchdowns for Colorado (5-3, 2-2).

Joe Henderson scored on a 10-yard run for the Cyclones (2-6, 1-3), and Jeff Shudak kicked a 47-yard, fourth-quarter field goal.