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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

No. 4 Huskers Top No. 5 Buffaloes In Rank Effort

Associated Press

Tom Osborne had predicted that defense would probably be the deciding factor when No. 4 Nebraska played No. 5 Colorado.

Osborne was entirely correct - and not altogether comfortable with it.

“We’re glad to get out of that one,” Osborne said after his Cornhuskers held Colorado to four field goals in a 17-12 win Friday.

Nebraska (10-1, 8-0 in the Big 12), which won its 36th consecutive home game, lost four fumbles and was penalized 11 times for 70 yards. Colorado (9-2, 7-1) gave up two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, and was penalized nine times for 50 yards.

“I thought maybe we were in trouble, but fortunately they couldn’t get it into the end zone,” Osborne said of the Buffs. “Probably the best thing we did offensively all day was the last drive, simply because we didn’t give the ball back to them.”

Ahman Green reached 2,000 career yards rushing for Nebraska, which plays Texas for the conference title Dec. 7 at St. Louis. The Longhorns won the South by beating Texas A&M 51-15 Friday.

The Huskers stifled Colorado quarterback Koy Detmer, who completed just 11 of 39 passes for 226 yards and no touchdowns. The Buffaloes’ scoring came on four field goals by Jeremy Aldrich.

Colorado, which has lost five straight to Nebraska, failed to capitalize on good field position in the fourth quarter. The Buffs advanced to Nebraska’s 9, but managed only a field goal. Minutes later, linebacker Jamel Williams intercepted a Detmer pass on the Nebraska 24.

“If you like defense it was a great college football game,” Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel said. “Unfortunately, if you like the Colorado Buffaloes, it was a heartbreaking football game.”

The Buffaloes held Nebraska to its lowest scoring output since the Huskers’ 19-0 defeat by Arizona State in September. Nebraska was scoreless in the second half.

Colorado took a 6-0 lead in the first period as Aldrich kicked his first career field goals, connecting on a 45-yarder that hit the crossbar and bounced over, and on a 40-yarder. He added field goals of 38 yards in the third period and 27 yards in the fourth, tying the school record for field goals in a game.