There’s No Margin for Error Against Nebraska

No. 5 Nebraska took advantage of four Missouri mistakes to score its first 23 points en route to a 51-7 victory Saturday at Lincoln, Neb.

Nebraska, 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the Big 12 Conference, couldn’t sustain a drive in the first half but led, 23-0, at intermission on the strength of a fumbled punt, blocked punt and interception that set up three touchdowns and a safety that came Missouri punter Jay Simms couldn’t handle the center snap in the end zone.

Missouri (3-6, 1-5) had its defense fall part in the third quarter as Nebraska needed only 10 plays to score four touchdowns and rush for 154 yards. Ahman Green had a 56-yard touchdown run in the quarter and finished with 161 in 12 carries.

It was Missouri’s 18th consecutive loss to Nebraska and the Tigers’ 17th loss in a row to a nationally ranked team.

“Nebraska’s strength is their special teams and defense,” said Missouri Coach Larry Smith.

No. 13 Kansas State 38, Kansas 12--Brian Kavanagh threw for four touchdowns and ran for one at Lawrence, Kan., to give the Wildcats four straight victories over their state rival for the first time since the mid-1920s.

Kansas State (8-1, 5-1), whose only loss was to Nebraska, is hoping for the first Jan. 1 bowl bid in its history. The Wildcats close out the regular season at No. 7 Colorado and at home against Iowa State.

Kavanagh tied the school record of four touchdown passes for the second consecutive game and was 15 for 25 for 212 yards. Kevin Lockett had 11 catches for 167 yards and two scores.

Kansas’ June Henley, the nation’s No. 5 rusher with an average of 145.1 yards, was held to 42 in 19 carries. Wide receiver Isaac Bryd caught nine passes for 178 yards and a touchdown for the Jayhawks (2-4, 4-5).

Kansas trailed only 14-12 at halftime, but hardly got within field goal range in the second half.

“We knew we were getting embarrassed in the first half,” Kavanagh said. “Our defense took it personal and came out in the second half and got us the ball.”

Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 17--Freshman De’Mond Parker ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 23 carries at Stillwater, Okla., as the Sooners (3-6, 3-3) avenged last season’s loss to the Cowboys.

Parker, who scored on runs of eight and seven yards, became the second freshman in Oklahoma history to top 1,000 yards in a season. Spencer Tillman did it in 1983.

James Allen had 128 yards in 17 carries, marking the second time this season he and Parker have eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the same game.

Oklahoma State (4-6, 1-6), which had defeated Oklahoma, 12-0, for the first time since 1976 last season, had had only 74 yards rushing. David Thompson, the nation’s No. 10 rusher with an average of 128 yards, was held to 51 in 15 carries.

Texas A&M; 24, Baylor 7--D’Andre Hardeman ran a school-record 95 yards for a touchdown, his second score of the game, for the Aggies (5-5, 3-3) at Waco, Texas.

Baylor (4-5, 1-5) hasn’t defeated Texas A&M; since 1985.

Hardeman finished with 121 yards in only seven carries. The previous longest run from scrimmage in Texas A&M; history was 94 yards by Bubba Bean in 1975 against Texas Tech.