BOULDER, Colo. (AP) Punished by an unprecedented scoring onslaught, Nebraska tumbled out of the national title chase.
- Paul Wong
- Eric Crouch did everything he could against Colorado, but it wasn”t enough. The Buffaloes ran over and around the Cornhuskers” defense and scored eight rushing touchdowns en route to a 62-36 victory.<br><br>AP PHOTO
A 32-point deficit and Chris Brown”s record-setting six touchdowns proved too much for even the powerful Cornhuskers to overcome.
Colorado”s explosive offense raced to a 35-3 lead early in the second quarter, and the No. 14 Buffaloes withstood a mid-game rally to upset the second-ranked Cornhuskers 62-36 on Friday.
Brown ran for three of his school-record six touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Colorado (7-1 Big 12, 9-2 overall) won the Big 12 North to advance to the league”s championship game Dec. 1.
It was the most points ever scored against Nebraska, eclipsing the 61 points by Minnesota in 1945.
“You never think it will go like this, obviously,” said Colorado coach Gary Barnett. “But every once in a while, it all works.
“Sixty-two points. That”s almost too overwhelming for me. It”s going to take a while to sink in.”
The loss crippled Nebraska”s hopes for a sixth national championship. Nebraska (7-1, 11-1) had been No. 1 in the Bowl Championship Series ratings for the last four weeks.
“We really had a big dream,” said Nebraska”s Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback Eric Crouch. “Those are over with now. This is going to be a tough one to swallow.”
Oklahoma State 16, Oklahoma 13: Oklahoma”s run to the national title last year included a close call against Oklahoma State. This year, the Sooners didn”t escape.
Freshman Josh Fields threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Rashaun Woods with 1:36 remaining to give Oklahoma State a 16-13 victory Saturday, ending the No. 4 Sooners” hopes of repeating as champions.
The loss also knocked the Sooners out of the Big 12 race. They would have secured the Big 12 South Division title by winning, but instead Texas will go to the league”s title game next week against Colorado.
“I told our players I don”t want to hear any of this excuses stuff or us looking toward the Big 12 championship game or anything else, because I felt good about our week of practice. I really did,” coach Bob Stoops said. “The bottom line is we just got outplayed today.”
Miami (Fla.) 65, Washington 7: Rose petals were scattered across Miami”s locker room. It might have been premature, but the way the top-ranked Hurricanes are playing, they certainly look Rose Bowl bound.
Ken Dorsey threw three touchdown passes, and Clinton Portis scored three times as the Hurricanes avenged their only loss last season, overwhelming No. 12 Washington 65-7 Saturday night.
Miami needs one more victory to secure a spot in the Rose Bowl and play for a fifth national championship.
“It was one of the most dominant performances I”ve seen against a quality opponent,” coach Larry Coker said. “This was just our night.”
In a week filled with upsets, Miami (7-0 Big East, 10-0 overall) quickly made sure it kept itself on track for the national title game. The Hurricanes, behind three turnovers and a quick-striking offense, scored 30 second-quarter points and led 37-0 at halftime.
Miami cruised from there, sitting most of its starters for the entire fourth quarter and making sure they remained healthy for the season finale next Saturday at Virginia Tech (5-2, 8-2).
If the Hurricanes beat the Hokies, they will guarantee themselves a berth in the Bowl Championship Series title game Jan. 3 at the Rose Bowl. Who Miami could face is still anybody”s guess.
“We”re down to a one-game season, and it”s a must win for us,” Coker said. “It”s hard not to talk of Roses, but as the situation you see around the country, you have to win. We have to beat Virginia Tech, then we can talk Roses.”