Texas Baffles Nebraska

The Texas hex continues over Nebraska.

After hearing the Cornhuskers talk for a week about avenging a home loss to Texas a year ago, Major Applewhite threw for two second-half touchdowns Saturday to rally the 18th-ranked Longhorns to a 24-20 victory.

“We knew it was important to do our talking on the field,” Applewhite said.

“We knew it wouldn’t do any good to do any talking before the game.”

Texas, 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12, has won three in a row over No. 3 Nebraska (6-1, 3-1) since the merger of the Big Eight and Southwest conferences before the 1996 season. Texas is the only team to beat Nebraska three times in the ‘90s.

The loss seriously damages Nebraska’s bid for the national championship and dropped the Cornhuskers a game behind Kansas State in the North Division race for a berth in the Big 12 title game.

“You can say we’re jinxed, have bad luck, but we just have to eliminate mistakes,” said Dan Alexander, who led Nebraska with 136 yards in 21 carries.

Nebraska led, 20-17, after quarterback Eric Crouch’s nine-yard touchdown run with 7:52 left before Applewhite drove Texas 60 yards in four plays for the winning score.

After connecting with wideout Ryan Nunez on a 39-yard pass to the Nebraska 21, Applewhite found tight end Mike Jones in the flat. Jones broke three tackles, including one at the goal line, in completing a 17-yard scoring play.

“I didn’t have any idea I was breaking those tackles. I was so excited I was in another world,” Jones said.

Applewhite completed nine of 21 passes for 47 yards in the first half as Nebraska built a 13-3 lead. He was eight of nine in the second half for 166 yards.

“I played like I was in Pop Warner in the first half. It’s just a matter of getting into a rhythm,” Applewhite said.

His 13-yard strike to Kwame Cavil in the third quarter gave Texas a 17-13 lead.

Nebraska wanted to pressure Applewhite and force turnovers, but never got a sack.

Nebraska outgained Texas, 429-275, but turned the ball over three times, including a fumble by running back Correll Buckhalter at the Texas one-yard line that cost the Huskers a fourth-quarter touchdown.

“The turnovers were dramatic. Very, very costly,” Nebraska Coach Frank Solich said.