Lincoln - Freshman I-back Quentin Castille posted his first career 100-yard rushing game, but it was not enough to prevent the Nebraska football team from falling 45-14 to visiting Oklahoma State on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Playing in front of the 287th consecutive sellout in Memorial Stadium on Homecoming, the Huskers fell behind 38-0 at halftime and were unable to recover. Oklahoma State's victory snapped a 20-game losing streak to Nebraska in Lincoln, and also gave the Cowboys their largest-ever win over NU in the history of the series.
Nebraska slipped to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12 with the loss, while Oklahoma State improved to 4-3 and 2-1.
Castille worked his way for 102 hard-fought yards on 20 carries to produce career-bests in both categories. Fellow freshman running back Roy Helu added 55 yards on 14 totes for career-bests as well. Junior I-back Marlon Lucky carried 13 times for 66 yards to push his season total to 698 yards through seven games, as NU finished with 206 yards on the ground.
Nebraska remained committed to its ground game despite falling behind early in the game to the Cowboys. Sam Keller and the Huskers through for a season-low 129 yards, but he attempted just 18 passes on the day, completing 10 of them.
Keller connected with senior tight end J.B. Phillips on a 13-yard touchdown pass just five seconds into the fourth quarter to cut OSU's lead to 38-7. After Oklahoma State answered with a score, Keller gave NU its final touchdown of the day with his one-yard toss to fullback Thomas Lawson with 39 seconds left in the game. It was Lawson's third touchdown reception of the season, with all three coming in Nebraska's last two home games.
Along with outscoring the Cowboys 14-7, in the second half, Nebraska put up 236 second-half yards compared to OSU's 194. The Huskers rushed for 122 yards in the second half, compared to the Cowboys' 85 yards on the ground. Although the Huskers won the second half, they were unable to prevent the Cowboys from registering just the second win by a visiting team on Homecoming at Memorial Stadium in the past 39 years.
Oklahoma State controlled the first half, scoring on its first six possessions - including five touchdowns - en route to a 38-0 halftime lead, the most first-half points surrended at home in school history. The Cowboys rolled up 357 yards of offense - 232 on the ground and 125 through the air, while averaging more than eight yards per play. The OSU defense held Nebraska to just five first downs and 101 total yards.
For the game, Oklahoma State's offense amassed 551 yards, including 317 on the ground and 234 through the air.
Dantrell Savage finished the game with 212 yards rushing on 25 carries, including 16 rushes for 148 yards in the first half. Despite a big first-half rushing total, Savage did not find the end zone until he sprinted for a 30-yard scoring run with 5:25 left in the game - OSU's only score of the second half.
Kendall Hunter added 67 rushing yards and a first-half score, while Julius Crosslin scored a pair of first-half touchdowns on only four carries. Quarterback Zac Robinson added the Cowboys' fourth rushing touchdown of the half, while also teaming up with Seth Newton for a 41-yard touchdown pass. Robinson finished the day with 33 yards rushing and 234 yards passing, as he completed 12-of-19 attempts without an interception.
Adarius Bowman was Robinson's top target, hauling in six receptions for 100 yards, while Brandon Pettigrew added a pair of catches for 46 yards. Hunter also grabbed two receptions for 37 yards out of the backfield.
Nebraska relied on its ground game for its best scoring chance of the half, as NU drove 59 yards down to the Oklahoma State 10-yard line before coming up empty on 3rd-and-2 and 4th-and-2. The Huskers trailed 17-0 at that point with a chance to close the gap, but the stop ignited the Cowboy defense, which forced two turnovers that led to 14 points of OSU's 21 second-quarter points.
The Huskers return to Memorial Stadium next Saturday when they play host to Texas A&M. The kickoff time and television coverage are expected to be announced on Sunday.
Scoring (Oklahoma State 45, Nebraska 14)
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Attendance: 84,334
First Quarter (Oklahoma State 17, Nebraska 0)
OSU - Julius Crosslin 1 run (Jason Ricks kick), 11:34
OSU - Ricks 21 field goal, 6:08
OSU - Newton 41 pass from Zac Robinson (Ricks kick), 4:06
Second Quarter (Oklahoma State 38, Nebraska 0)
OSU - Kendall Hunter 33 run (Ricks kick), 10:39
OSU - Crosslin 1 run (Ricks kick), 5:51
OSU - Robinson 3 run (Ricks kcik), 1:54
Third Quarter (Oklahoma State 38, Nebraska 0)
No scoring
Fourth Quarter (Oklahoma State 45, Nebraska 14)
NU - J.B. Phillips 13 pass from Sam Keller (Henery kick), 14:55
OSU - Dantrell Savage 30 run (Dan Bailey kick), 5:25
NU - Thomas Lawson 1 pass from Keller (Henery kick), 0:39
Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy Quotes (Postgame Audio)
Oklahoma State Postgame Notes Nebraska Season Statistics Photo Gallery