Huskers By A Whisker

Top 25

Even mighty Nebraska needs some luck now and then.

Scott Frost completed a collegiate version of the Immaculate Reception with no time remaining, then ran for his fourth touchdown in overtime as top-ranked Nebraska avoided an upset with a 45-38 victory over Missouri on Saturday at Columbia, Mo.

“We had some bad breaks and some good breaks,” coach Tom Osborne said. “Our good breaks came at the end. I thought we were pretty well done for.”

Missouri coach Larry Smith thought so, too.

“It’s just one stinking play,” Smith said. “That’s what it boils down to.”

Nebraska (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) stayed unbeaten and ran its conference winning streak to 37 in a row thanks to a bouncing ball that ended up in the hands of Matt Davison for a 12-yard touchdown pass that forced the extra period.

With seven seconds to go, Frost’s pass was knocked out of Shevin Wiggins’ grasp. Missouri’s Harold Piersey appeared ready to intercept the ball, but Wiggins inadvertently kicked it into the air on his way down and Davison made a diving grab just before it hit the turf.

“It was just floating in the air like a punt - end over end,” Davison said. “It just seemed like forever for the ball to get there.”

Nebraska still had more work to do after Davison’s catch. But Frost made it pay off three plays into overtime, running 12 yards on the option for the winner. Missouri had two incomplete passes and a 3-yard gain before Corby Jones was sacked on fourth down as Nebraska ran its winning streak against the Tigers (6-4, 4-3) to 19 straight.

Frost had 141 yards on 23 carries and was 11 for 24 for 175 yards. He was 5 for 10 for 67 yards in the final 1:02 to produce the tying score.

“It was unbelievable,” Frost said. “We’re down seven points with 50 seconds left - there’s a lot of doubt.”

Jones passed for three touchdowns, including a 15-yarder to Eddie Brooks that put Missouri ahead 38-31 with 4:39 to play, and ran for a TD. The Tigers led most of the way, heady territory for a team that only last week ensured that a string of 13 consecutive losing seasons would come to an end.

Ahman Green had 189 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown, his eighth consecutive 100-yard game, for Nebraska.

Next for Nebraska: vs. Iowa State.

(7) Ohio St. 31, Minnesota 3

Joe Germaine threw two of his three touchdown passes to David Boston, leading the Buckeyes (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) over the Golden Gophers (2-8, 0-6) at Minneapolis.

The victory, coupled with the No. 4 Wolverines’ win, kept Ohio State (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) in the race for the conference title. The Buckeyes, co-champions with Northwestern last year, visit Michigan Stadium on Nov. 22.

Next for Ohio State: vs. Illinois.

(8) Tennessee 44, (24) So. Miss. 20

Peyton Manning threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns and ran for one score to lead the Volunteers (7-1) past the Golden Eagles (6-3) at Knoxville, Tenn.

The Volunteers rallied from an early deficit with touchdowns on five consecutive possessions spanning the halftime break.

Next for Tennessee: at Arkansas.

Next for So. Miss.: vs. Houston.

(11) Kansas St. 48, Kansas 16

At Manhattan, Kan., Michael Bishop threw three touchdown passes and Gerald Neasman scored on a kickoff return and an interception return as the Wildcats (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) rolled up the most points they’ve scored in their series with the Jayhawks (5-5, 3-4).

Next for Kansas State: vs. Colorado.

Wisconsin 13, (12) Iowa 10

At Madison, Wis., Wisconsin snapped an 18-game winless streak against the Hawkeyes (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) as freshman Eddie Faulkner had career highs of 26 carries and 119 yards filling in for Ron Dayne for the Badgers (8-2, 5-1).

Despite losing Dayne, the nation’s second-leading rusher, the Badgers built a 13-0 halftime lead on Faulkner’s 4-yard TD run and field goals of 37 and 43 yards by Matt Davenport.

Next for Iowa: at Northwestern.

(13) Florida 20, Vanderbilt 7

At Gainesville, Fla., Noah Brindise, a fifth-year senior making his first career start, threw two touchdown passes as the Gators (7-2, 5-2 SEC) defeated the Commodores (3-6, 0-6) for Steve Spurrier’s 100th victory as a coach.

Next for Florida: at South Carolina.

(14) LSU 27, Alabama 0

At Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Tigers (7-2, 5-2 SEC) became the latest team to shrug off the Alabama mystique, registering the first shutout against the Crimson Tide (4-5, 2-4) since 1991 and the first at home since a 9-0 loss to Penn State in 1990.

Kevin Faulk rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns and defensive tackle Chuck Wiley recovered a fumble for a touchdown for LSU.

Next for LSU: vs. Notre Dame.

Ball State 35, (18) Toledo 3

At Muncie, Ind., Jake Josetti threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third as the Cardinals (5-6, 4-4 MAC) stunned the Rockets (8-1, 6-1 MAC).

Toledo, averaging 468.6 yards and 35 points per game, managed only 218 yards and had three turnovers.

Next for Toledo: vs. Akron.

(20) Virginia Tech 27, Miami 25

At Blacksburg, Va., Ken Oxendine ran for 147 yards and Pierson Prioleau intercepted a 2-point conversion pass with 1:48 remaining to preserve the victory as the Hokies (7-2, 5-1 Big East) defeated the Hurricanes (4-5, 2-3).

Next for Virginia Tech: at Pittsburgh, Nov. 22.

(21) Texas A&M 38, Baylor 10

At College Station, Texas, Branndon Stewart passed for three touchdowns and a season-high 231 yards as the Aggies (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) defeated the Bears (2-7, 1-5) to keep the inside track on the Big 12 South championship.

Next for Texas A&M: at Oklahoma.

(22) Syracuse 20, Boston College 13

At Syracuse, N.Y., Donovan McNabb hit Kevin Johnson with a 66-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, helping the Orangemen (7-3, 4-1 Big East) win their sixth straight by defeating the Eagles (3-7, 3-4).

Next for Syracuse: at Pittsburgh.

(23) Purdue 22, Michigan St. 21

Ed Watson rushed for a season-high 115 yards, including a 3-yard run for the winning score with 40 seconds to play as the Boilermakers (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) scored twice in the last two minutes to shock the Spartans (5-4, 2-4) at West Lafayette, Ind.

Next for Purdue: vs. Penn State.

(25) Oklahoma St. 30, Oklahoma 7

The Cowboys (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) snapped a two-game losing streak, getting two touchdown passes from Tony Lindsay and forcing six turnovers to defeat the Sooners (3-7, 1-5) at Norman, Okla.

The victory was just the Cowboys’ fifth against Oklahoma since World War II. But they have won two of three against the Sooners under coach Bob Simmons, both victories coming in Norman.

Next for Oklahoma State: vs. Texas Tech.