Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Huskers Finish Strong


Zac Taylor threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Nunn with 4:29 left as Nebraska overcame a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat No. 20 Michigan 32-28 in the Alamo Bowl.

The game ended on a bizarre play, with Michigan's Chad Henne throwing a short pass and his teammates lateraling five or six times up and down the field before the play fizzled out with many extra players and coaches on the field.

Kirk Herbstreet was quick to point out how lucky Nebraska was that there was no penalty for extra men on the field but there were just as many Michigan players on the field as there were Nebraska players. I think Kirk was just looking for another dig against an officiating crew from the Sun Belt that struggled all night.

The Huskers won the Alamo for the third time in six years and finished a season with three straight victories for the first time since 1999.

Cory Ross ran 28 times for 161 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown that pulled Nebraska to 28-25 with 8:08 left. That score was set up by Cortney Grixby's 28-yard punt return to the Michigan 38.

The Huskers took the lead after Henne fumbled and Nebraska’s Ola Dagundaro returned the ball to the Michigan 17. Three plays later, Zac Taylor connected with Nunn for his third touchdown pass and his second to Nunn.

Taylor was 14 of 31 for 167 yards, with two interceptions.

The Big 12 is now 2-1 in Bowl Games.