Cornerstone Printing & Imaging BS Poll

LINCOLN (BS) -- Husker fans have been through a lot this season. Three road losses include blowouts against two barely-ranked teams and a squeaker against an average one at best. Still, nothing could have prepared them for the ending to this one.

In their agonizing loss to Texas, Nebraska trailed 6-3 at halftime in a would-be defensive duel. After NU took a 10-6 lead early in the 3rd quarter, it was a scoring clinic.

The Longhorns responded 1:42 later with the first of two touchdown passes to Roy Williams. The second capped a clock-killing, 97-yard drive, making it UT 20, NU 10.

Time for another dramatic comeback, right? Huskers fans were certainly hopeful after a quick, 60-yard TD pass from Jammal Lord to Matt Herian brought it to within three.

Unfortunately, the Blackshirts were victimized to another long, costly drive. With only 3:24 left, Texas made it 27-17 when Cedric Benson scored from three yards out.

Aided by two Texas penalties, however, NU responded with a 60-yard, 50-second TD drive of its own. Then, after a three-and-out by the Longhorns, DeJuan Groce returned a punt to the UT 16-yard line.

After two plays yielded no gain, Coach Solich decided to go for the win on 3rd down. With seconds left and no timeouts, the options were: 1) throw it into the end zone (if someone's open), or 2) throw it away.

Solich wasn't expecting: 3) mistake a covered receiver for an open one, throw a soft pass and watch a defender step into its path for a game-ending interception. Otherwise, we're sure he would have gone for OT.

Of course, hindsight is 20-20, or as some have joked, 27-24. Despite the outcome, we applaud Frank for trying to win in regulation. And we can't fault Jammal, either. Though it came at the worst possible time, he simply made a bad decision amidst an otherwise brilliant performance.

Lord's 234 rushing yards broke his own QB record, and he threw for 98 yards and two touchdowns before Nathan Vasher's game-sealing play at the 1-yard line.

The loss ended NU's nation-leading 26-game home win streak, which was hard to swallow when you consider that Texas also ended a 47-game streak in 1998. As with that game, NU battled until the very end.

The offensive resurgence and refusal to quit has Husker fans excited for the future. In the meantime, a matchup with Kansas should help mend our scarlet hearts.

In other words, Go Big Red!