Nebraska Gets Into Top 25; USC Is No. 4

Nebraska moved back into the top 25 on Monday for the first time in nearly a year, earning the No. 23 ranking after a 17-7 season-opening victory over No. 24 Oklahoma State.

In the first regular-season Associated Press poll, the biggest movement was caused by USC’s 23-0 victory at Auburn. The Trojans earned six first-place votes and moved up four spots to No. 4. Auburn plummeted 11 places to No. 17.

The top three teams remained the same, with Oklahoma at No. 1, followed by defending national champion Ohio State and Miami. Michigan dropped one spot to No. 5 after beating Central Michigan, 45-7.

The USA Today/ESPN coaches poll had the same top three as the AP poll. Texas was fourth and USC fifth.

Nebraska’s run of being in 348 consecutive polls ended Sept. 29, 2002, after a 36-14 loss to Iowa State. The Cornhuskers went on to lose seven games last year, their worst season since 1961.

Nebraska began this season outside the top 25 for the first time since 1969.

“It’s great to get back in,” Coach Frank Solich said. “I think it was obvious to everyone, including ourselves, that we had to prove ourselves to get back in.

“Now we have to show that we deserve to be in there by playing well.”

From Associated Press