No. 24 Cowboys fall to Nebraska, 17-7

Saturday, August 30

Lincoln, NE

TBA

Oklahoma State University

0-1 , 0-1

Nebraska

1-0 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Oklahoma State

Nebraska

August 31, 2003 | Cowboy Football

Box Score

Nebraska took advantage of five Oklahoma State turnovers as the Cornhuskers rallied for a 17-7 win over the 24th-ranked Cowboys Saturday afternoon in from of 78,038 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

Oklahoma State was impressive early, taking a first quarter lead, but the Cowboys couldn't hang on. OSU fell victim to five turnovers and Nebraska proved opportunistic, scoring on two of OSU's five miscues.

The third quarter belonged to Nebraska. The half started with the Cowboys in their worst field possession of the game, on their own 15 yard line. OSU's first possession of the half ended when Nebraska intercepted a Fields' pass on the 45 yard line.

The Cowboys regained possession, but tailback Tatum Bell fumbled after a one yard run. Nebraska's Barrett Rudd picked up Bell's fumble and returned it 15 yards for the touchdown to give the Huskers a 10-7 lead.

The Huskers threatened again before fumbling the ball back to the Cowboys on a third down play from the OSU 15. Three plays later, however, the Cowboys would give it right back when Fields was hit as he tried to throw. Nebraska recovered and scored two plays later to make it 17-7.

The game started inauspiciously for the Cowboys. After winning the toss and deferring to the second half, OSU kicked to the Huskers, who set up shop on their own 35 after a 32-yard return by Josh Davis.

Nebraska's offense looked sharp on its first possession, driving to the Oklahoma State eight, but on third down, linebacker Pagitte McGee forced quarterback Jammal Lord to fumble for a one yard loss.

On fourth down, Nebraska connected on a 28 yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead at the 10:19 mark of the first quarter.

Oklahoma State's special teams came through on the ensuing kickoff. Vernand Morency returned the kick 45 yards to the Cowboy 48, giving the Pokes great field position for their first offensive possession of the season.

The Cowboy offense worked to near perfection on the first drive. Mixing the run and pass, OSU put together a drive that took them to the Nebraska four yard line in just eight plays. Among the big plays in OSU's first drive was a 28-yard completion from Josh Fields to Rashaun Woods.

Fields would then find his favorite receiver in the endzone on a fourth down play at the 6:23 mark. It would be Woods' first touchdown of the season and the 28th of his career, and it gave the Cowboys a 7-3 lead.

First half highlights for the Cowboys included a second quarter interception by Jon Holland to give the Cowboys a first down on their own 33. OSU drove deep into Nebraska territory and had a chance to extend its lead, but a Luke Phillips field goal was blocked by Nebraska's Ryon Bingham.

Nebraska rode the momentum of the blocked field goal for an impressive drive that would take them to the Oklahoma State four yard line. Two straight penalties, however, backed the Huskers back to the 18. Davis was stuffed by OSU's defense on a second down run and a third down pass was incomplete, forcing the Huskers to attempt at 34 yard field goal.

The field goal effort hit the right upright and fell to the Memorial Stadium turf, no good.

It would not be Nebraska's final scoring chance of the half. The half ended with Nebraska attempting a 33 yard field goal that was blocked by Paul Duren and returned to the 31 yard line by Fath' Carter.