Nebraska Victory Is No. 250 for Osborne

A landmark day for Tom Osborne was also a big day for Grant Wistrom.

The Nebraska coach reached 250 victories faster than any coach in college football history on Saturday and the top-ranked Cornhuskers said goodbye to long-time archrival Oklahoma with a record-setting 69-7 victory at Lincoln, Neb.

Wistrom forced three fumbles, recovered one and had two sacks for Nebraska, 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big 12 Conference.

Osborne, in his 25th season, got his 250th victory in his 302nd game, 18 fewer than Penn State’s Joe Paterno needed to reach that plateau. Osborne is 250-49-3.

The Nebraska-Oklahoma series has been played annually since 1928 and for many years produced the champion of the Big Eight. When the Big 12 was formed, Nebraska and Oklahoma went into different divisions and aren’t scheduled to play again until 2000.

The 62-point margin was the worst in Oklahoma history, exceeding the 52-point deficit in last year’s 73-21 loss to the Huskers. Oklahoma had its lead in the series reduced to 39-36-3.

Other than Ahman Green’s fumble on the first possession, the Cornhuskers faced few difficulties against the Sooners (3-6, 1-4).

Oklahoma looked hapless against a defense that recorded a 29-0 win over Texas Tech on Oct. 18 and a 35-0 victory Oct. 25 at Kansas.

Mixing the option with the multiple set used earlier in the season, Oklahoma produced only 85 rushing yards and 154 overall. Brandon Daniels, a high school option quarterback who started the year as a defensive back, had three of the Sooners’ seven first-half fumbles.

Nebraska struck for 20 points in the first quarter, turning three Oklahoma fumbles into two field goals by Kris Brown and a 15-yard touchdown run by Correll Buckhalter.

Wistrom, who forced two first-quarter fumbles with hits on Daniels and Oklahoma starter Justin Fuente, struck again early in the second quarter.

The third Oklahoma quarterback, Eric Moore, was back to throw near midfield when Wistrom sacked him. The ball came loose and Wistrom recovered.

On the next play, Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost connected with freshman Bobby Newcombe on a 40-yard touchdown pass play to give Nebraska a 27-0 lead.

No. 13 Kansas State 13, Texas Tech 2--Jonathan Beasley’s late 33-yard touchdown run and a dominant defensive performance boosted Kansas State (7-1, 4-1) at Lubbock, Texas.

Kansas State (7-1, 4-1) crossed midfield only once, but gained possession at the Tech 33 after forcing the Red Raiders (4-4, 3-2) to punt from their three with 3:13 left.

On the ensuing play, Beasley took a shotgun snap and darted around the left end, eluding several tacklers down the sideline. It was the longest gain for either team.

No. 25 Texas A&M; 28, No. 19 Oklahoma State 25--D’Andre Hardeman’s six-yard touchdown run in overtime was a game-winner for the Aggies at College Station, Texas.

It was Oklahoma State’s (6-2, 3-2) second consecutive overtime loss and threw the Big 12 South race into a three-way tie among A&M; (6-2, 3-2) and Texas Tech (4-4, 3-2). Oklahoma State lost to Missouri, 51-50, in double overtime last week.

The Aggies trailed, 22-7, with 14:57 left in the game.

The Cowboys took the lead in overtime on Tim Sydnes’ 39-yard field goal. But the Aggies responded with three consecutive runs--Sirr Parker carrying twice for 19 yards and Hardeman’s touchdown.

Baylor 23, Texas 21--The Longhorns’ Ricky Williams ran for 226 yards--his fourth consecutive 200-plus effort--but Jeff Watson’s second-half touchdown pass and three field goals by Matt Bryant gave the Bears the victory at Waco, Texas.

Baylor (2-6, 1-4) had to dodge a desperation 54-yard field-goal attempt by Phil Dawson with 1:28 left. It was blown wide right by a 30 mph wind as Texas (3-5, 1-4) fell to the Bears for the first time in five games.

Kansas 34, Iowa State 24--Jason Harris blocked two punts that were recovered for touchdowns and the Kansas offense scored its first touchdown in 28 days as the Jayhawks won at Lawrence, Kan.

Darren Davis rushed for 261 yards in 40 carries for Iowa State (1-7, 1-4), giving him 508 yards in the last two games.

Kansas improved to 5-4 and 3-3.