Missouri Scores a Point in Nebraska’s Red Zone

The T-shirts that Missouri wore during warm-ups before Saturday’s basketball game against Nebraska surprised Cornhusker fans.

Not only were the shirts red--one of Nebraska’s colors--but they read, “Congratulations Coach Osborne,” across the front.

The Tigers’ tribute to Nebraska’s national championship football team and Tom Osborne won them a standing ovation in Bob Devaney Sports Center. The No. 1 Cornhuskers beat Miami, 24-17, in the Orange Bowl.

“When we were watching the ballgame, we said, ‘You know what? We have to go up there, so we should do something for the national champions,’ ” Missouri Coach Norm Stewart said. “That’s what we elected to do.”

So how did it feel wearing red at Nebraska rather than Missouri’s black and gold?

“It’s really kind of awkward,” said Paul O’Liney, who scored 31 points to lead the Tigers past the Cornhuskers, 82-74.

“When you run out there, you see the whole gym’s wearing nothing but red. I think we kind of surprised the crowd.”

The Tigers peeled off the T-shirts and threw them into the crowd before the tipoff.