BIG EIGHT ROUNDUP : Colorado, Nebraska Win in Routs to Remain Unbeaten in Conference

Eric Bieniemy’s assault on the Colorado record book continued Saturday in the No. 14 Buffaloes’ 41-10 victory over Kansas.

Bieniemy, a senior who two weeks ago became Colorado’s career rushing leader, gained 174 yards and ran for three touchdowns in the Big Eight Conference game at Lawrence, Kan., to become the school’s all-time leading scorer.

Bieniemy, a graduate of La Puente Bishop Amat High School, increased his point total to 218, eclipsing Bobby Anderson’s record of 212.

Bieniemy scored on a 31-yard run in the first quarter and had touchdown runs of 41 and 10 yards in the third quarter to help the Buffaloes take a 34-10 lead.

Dave McCloughan added a 90-yard touchdown punt return as the Buffaloes improved to 6-1-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big Eight with their 11th consecutive conference victory.

“Our confidence level is right where it is supposed to be,” said Bieniemy, who entered the game as the nation’s No. 2 rusher, averaging 144 yards a game. “We needed a good game to get where we want to be.”

Kansas (1-5-1, 0-2-1), playing at home for the first time since Sept. 8, scored off a Colorado fumble and pulled to within 17-10 with 2:47 left in the half.

But Jim Harper’s 42-yard field goal made it 20-10 at halftime, and Bieniemy put the game out of reach in the third quarter.

No. 4 Nebraska 31, Oklahoma State 3--Tyrone Hughes returned two kickoffs a total of 74 yards and Robert Hicks recovered a fumbled kickoff for a touchdown at Lincoln, Neb., as the Cornhuskers earned their 29th consecutive victory over the Cowboys.

Nebraska running back Leodis Flowers gained 138 yards in 21 carries, his fifth consecutive game of more than 100 yards. Cornhusker quarterback Mickey Joseph ran for one touchdown and passed for another.

After Oklahoma State’s Cary Blanchard kicked a 35-yard field goal with 10:59 left in the third quarter, Hughes returned the kickoff 40 yards to the Oklahoma State 45.

Four plays later, Gregg Barrios kicked a 31-yard field goal for Nebraska (7-0, 3-0).

Hughes, who has helped Nebraska lead the nation in kick returns, returned a punt 19 yards to the Cowboy 39 about two minutes later and Joseph broke loose on the first play to score.

Oklahoma State’s Ronnie Fisher fumbled a fourth-quarter kickoff in the end zone and Hicks recovered for Nebraska’s final touchdown.

Nebraska failed to solve Oklahoma State’s blitzing defense until the second half, getting only a 12-yard touchdown on Flowers’ fourth-and-one run with 5:50 left in the first quarter.

The Cornhuskers, leading the nation with 379 rushing yards a game, had only 37 in the second quarter and 127 by halftime. They finished with 266 yards.

The Cowboys (2-5, 0-3) couldn’t muster much offense, either, their deepest drive reaching only the Nebraska 28.

Missouri 31, Kansas State 10--In a matchup of the Big Eight’s top passers, Kent Kiefer outdueled Carl Straw and led the Tigers (3-4, 1-2) to the victory over the Wildcats (4-3, 1-2) at Columbia, Mo.

Kiefer completed 17 of 30 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns.

Straw completed 23 of 44 for 228 yards and had two passes intercepted.

Ronnell Kayhill scored on a one-yard run and Jason Oliver had a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to solidify Missouri’s lead.

Missouri piled up 498 yards in total offense to Kansas State’s 323.