Nebraska holds on, 41-40, after Ball State falters late

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Sam Keller’s third touchdown pass finally put Nebraska in the lead with 3:13 left, and the 24th-ranked Cornhuskers survived an upset bid by Ball State with a 41-40 victory on Saturday.

The Cardinals moved into position to win the game, but Jake Hogue’s 55-yard field goal attempt was wide left with 17 seconds left, allowing Cornhuskers fans everywhere to breathe a sigh of relief.

Keller passed for a school-record 438 yards, and Nebraska (3-1) needed every one of them against the 22 1/2 -point underdog Cardinals (2-2).

Keller’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Purify gave the Huskers the lead for good with 3:13 left, but there were more nervous moments for Nebraska before it avoided what could have been the most embarrassing defeat in school history.

Nate Davis, who passed for 422 yards and three touchdowns, drove the Cardinals to the Nebraska 38 with 17 seconds left, but Hogue was unable to connect. The Huskers were soundly beaten by No. 1 USC last week, 49-31.