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NU I-back David Horne rushed for 128 yards and four touchdowns, all without fumbling. |
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Cornhuskers Gore Aggies With Horne
LINCOLN (BS) -- "Oh no, not again..."
With Texas A&M ahead 31-14 midway through the 3rd quarter, the Big Red seemed headed for another loss in the road whites. Somehow, the Huskers pulled out a 38-31 win.
Despite solid play from the Blackshirts, two costly fumbles and a blocked punt deep in Husker territory led to 17 easy points and a seemingly insurmountable Aggie lead.
Not that fans were giving up on the team, but NU hasn't exactly set the world on fire away from Memorial Stadium recently. Nor have they fared well when trailing.
Consider the following:
- NU hadn't won on the road since beating Kansas 51-7 nearly a year ago.
- Texas A&M entered the night ranked fifth nationally in rushing defense, allowing only 76.9 yards per game.
- The Aggies hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 20 regular season games.
- Frank Solich's teams had never come back from a deficit of more than 10 points.
With the odds stacked against them, the Huskers didn't fold or panic. Instead, they grinded away at the vaunted "Wrecking Crew" defense, scoring three touchdowns in less than 11 minutes for a 35-31 lead.
NU's 381 rushing yards more than quadrupled the Aggies's prior average, and it was the second-most ever allowed by A&M. Jammal Lord (159) and David Horne (128) both eclipsed the 100-yard mark.
In overcoming a 17-point deficit, the largest during Frank Solich's five years as head coach, the Huskers can again set their sights on nine wins and a bowl bid.
All they have to do is beat Kansas (should be a gimme at home) and take at least two of four against Texas, Kansas State, Colorado and a mediocre bowl opponent.
It's probably a stretch when you consider that Texas A&M was unranked, but stranger things have happened this season. For the first time in a long time, however, Husker fans have cause for optimism.
Bring on Texas!
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