Cornhuskers Wax Sooners
College football
In Lincoln, Neb., with its Heisman Trophy candidate struggling and its potent offense stifled, No. 1 Nebraska turned to its defense to beat Oklahoma and wrap up a trip to the Fiesta Bowl for a shot at a second consecutive national championship.
The Cornhuskers (11-0, 7-0 Big Eight) used two defensive touchdowns to spark a 37-0 victory Friday as quarterback Tommie Frazier had a very average day. Frazier, locked in a tight Heisman Trophy race with Ohio State tailback Eddie George, completed 12 of 25 passes for 128 yards with one interception. He threw a 38-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t think I played a bad game,” said Frazier, who improved to 32-3 as a starter. “I did everything I normally do. It’s just that things didn’t fall into the right places for me today.”
It was a lot worse for Oklahoma (5-5-1, 2-5). Of its 14 possessions, 10 ended in punts, two in interceptions, one in a fumble and the other on downs. Oklahoma managed just 51 rushing yards, 162 below its average.
The teams combined for seven fumbles, 12 penalties and 14 punts.
“It was a solid performance, maybe not inspired or spectacular, but solid,” Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said. “I think the real measure and the real focus now is the whole ball of wax.”
Boston College 41, Rutgers 38
In Piscataway, N.J., Mark Hartsell threw two of his four touchdown passes in the final 3:49, and the Eagles (4-8, 4-3 Big East) rallied to beat the Scarlet Knights (4-7, 2-5).
Boston College safety Rob Clifford intercepted a pass by Ray Lucas in the end zone with 5 seconds to play after the Scarlet Knights drove to the Eagles’ 13.
N. Carolina 30, NC State 28
In Raleigh, N.C., Leon Johnson ran for 139 yards, scored two touchdowns and broke the Tarheels’ single-season reception record as North Carolina (6-5, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) held off the Wolfpack (3-8, 2-6).
North Carolina kept itself in contention for an invitation to the Carquest or Independence bowls.
Purdue 51, Indiana 14
In Bloomington, Ind., Mike Alstott broke the Boilermakers’ (4-6-1, 2-5-1 Big Ten) single-season rushing record and scored three touchdowns in a win over the Hoosiers (2-9, 0-8).
Alstott, who finished with a career-high 264 yards, set up one score with a 59-yard run, then scored on a 62-yard run the next series.
W. Virginia 21, Pittsburgh 0
In Morgantown, W.Va., Chad Johnston threw for two touchdowns, leading the Mountaineers (5-6, 4-3 Big East) to their fourth straight victory over the Panthers (2-9, 0-7).