Norman, Okla. - Junior I-back Cory Ross rushed for 130 yards to provide the biggest spark for Nebraska, but Oklahoma's efficient offense and stifling defense proved to be too much as the No. 2 Sooners handed the Huskers a 30-3 loss at OU's Memorial Stadium Saturday. With the loss, the Huskers dropped to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in Big 12 play, while OU improved to 10-0 overall and 7-0 in conference action.
Ross pounded through one of the nation's top defenses 30 times Saturday for his sixth 100-yard effort this season. Ross became the 27th Husker in history to top the 1,000-yard mark on the season with the effort.
The Huskers finished with 201 rushing yards but were outgained 511-274 in total offense as quarterback Jason White re-wrote the Oklahoma record book. The 2003 Heisman Trophy winner completed a school-record 18 consecutive passes before finishing 29-of-35 for 383 yards and three touchdowns.
After picking up a field goal on the first drive of the game, Oklahoma was not able to get untracked until White started hitting his stride in the second period. The Sooners made it 9-0 on Willie Roberts' 13-yard touchdown reception with 10:55 remaining in the half, as the Sooners went 70 yards on 11 plays, including converting three third downs before Roberts picked up his first career reception.
Senior Gayron Allen then gave the Sooners good field position with an interception with 8:27 left in the second quarter, the only turnover of the contest. OU capitalized quickly as receiver Mark Bradley threw a 30-yard pass to Michael Clayton to the 1-yard line, before Kejuan Jones burst up the middle on the next play for a 16-0 Sooner lead.
After a pair of penalties appeared to stall Oklahoma's next drive, the Sooners found life as White connected for a 36-yard gain to Travis Wilson on third down. Wilson made consecutive catches to move OU to the Nebraska 26 before White completed his third straight pass, this time to Kejuan Jones, who scampered 22 yards to the NU 4. White put OU up 23-0 with 59 seconds remaining in the half with a four-yard pass to Brandon Jones. White was 4-of-4 on the drive for 83 yards to finish the half 16-of-19 for 203 yards and two scores.
After halftime, neither team was able to move the ball with effectiveness. White completed his 14th straight pass with Bradley turning the swing pass into a 24-yard touchdown after tip-toeing down the sideline to make the score 30-0 in the third quarter.
With less than one minute remaining in the game, Oklahoma went for it on fourth down, but White's completion to Ataleo Ford came up four yards short at the Nebraska 13. Following a penalty that put the Huskers at their 28, fullback Steve Kriewald rambled 48 yards to the OU 24. Kriewald followed his career-long rush with a three-yarder before quarterback Joe Dailey spiked the ball with one second and David Dyches connected on a 39-yard field goal on the final play of the game for the Huskers' only points of the contest.
Kriewald's carries were the first two attempts by a Nebraska fullback this season, while the points preserved the Huskers' consecutive games scored in streak, which dates back to a 19-0 shutout against Arizona State in 1996.
Nebraska returns to the field for its final regular-season contest on Nov. 26 when the Huskers play host to Colorado at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Kickoff for the ABC-televised game is set for 11 a.m.