Nebraska Falls to Mississippi

Nebraska has become a mediocre team -- and now the Cornhuskers have the record to prove it.

Eli Manning threw for 313 yards and a touchdown as Mississippi ended Nebraska’s streak of having records above .500 at 40 seasons with a 27-23 victory Friday in the Independence Bowl.

Nebraska managed only one offensive touchdown on Jammal Lord’s pass to Matt Herian in the second quarter. Josh Brown kicked three field goals and DeJuan Groce had a punt return for a score.

The Cornhuskers (7-7) had finished above .500 every season since 1961, when they went 3-6-1. Their seven losses this year are their most since going 3-7 in 1958.

“We all wanted to end this thing right. It did not happen,” Nebraska Coach Frank Solich said.

Manning completed 25 of 44 passes for Mississippi (7-6) and became the school’s career passing leader.

Nebraska was No. 8 in the country after a 3-0 start, but the Cornhuskers startling demise prompted Solich to make sweeping changes to his coaching staff after the regular season.

Solich fired his defensive coordinator and two other defensive assistants and said he will hire an offensive coordinator next season. Solich has acted as offensive coordinator since taking over for Tom Osborne in 1998.

“We were well prepared for this game. Our coaches did a great job of getting us ready to play,” said Nebraska defensive end Chris Kelsay.

Nebraska had its option working in the first half with 207 of its 262 rushing yards.

But Mississippi adjusted in the second half and held Nebraska to 97 yards and no touchdowns. Dahrann Diedrick had 92 rushing yards and Lord had 176 total yards.

“We knew coming into the game we were going to have to adjust to their offense,” Mississippi linebacker Eddie Strong said. “I could tell they weren’t as physical as they were in the first half.”

The win enabled the Rebels to avoid their first losing season since 1996. It was their third Independence Bowl victory in five years.

Mississippi was clinging to a 24-23 lead before Jonathan Nichols made a 43-yard field goal with 4:30 left.