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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 1991)
Statistics don’t lie; Huskers fad to stay with Washington By Chuck Green Senior Editor Derek Brown sat in the South Sta dium lounge Saturday night, ready to answer questions from the nation’s media. His eyes were filled with tears. Brown, Nebraska’s starting I-back, had just led Comhusker rushers with 100 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries during Nebraska’s 36-21 loss to fourth-ranked Washington at Memorial Stadium. He remained unconvinced that the better team had won the game. “We should have won the game,” Brown said. “We had them, and they scored off of our mistakes. I thought we were a better team than they were. But the scoreboard didn’t show it.” The statistics didn’t cither. They were as convincing as the North Sta dium scoreboard cutting through the cool Lincoln night: Washington 36, Nebraska 21. Washington: 618 yards of total offense; Nebraska: 308. Washington: 335 yards rushing; Nebraska: 135. Washington: 30 second-half points; Nebraska: 7. Washington: A 2-0 record and intact No. 4 ranking; Nebraska: 2-1 and on its way out of The Associated Press Top 10. It went on and on. “They have a very fine football team,” Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne said of the Huskies. “They just played belter than we did. I don’t think we’re out of Washington’s league, but we just weren’t able to hold up tonight. “There probably will be a lot of pretty good teams this year that won’t come as close to beating Washington as we did tonight.” Washington’s win broke, or came closelobreaking, several long-stand ing Memorial Stadium and Huskcr records. Among them: • wasnmgton s i i lirsi downs were the most against Nebraska, breaking the previous record of 29 set by Okla homa in 1954. • The 618 yards generated by the Husky offense was the most since Oklahoma rolled up 656 yards in 1956. • Washington’s 36 points were the most scored on Nebraska in Memorial Stadium since Syracuse beat the Huskers 38-0 in 1958. • The loss ended Nebraska’s 20 game non-confercncc opponent win streak, which dated back to 1988, when the Huskers lost to UCLA 41 28 in Pasadena, Calif. The loss was Nebraska’s sixth stfaighl to a team ranked in the AP Top 25 poll. But a Nebraska loss to Washing ton looked improbable during the first half. The Huskers look charge early, scoring on their second possession on a 27-yard run by Brown. Throughout the first quarter, Husker running backs shredded Washington’s defense, gaining 75 yards on the ground. Washington got on track in the second quarter, driving 98 yards in 10 plays and scoring on a 9-yard run by Husky quarterback Billy Joe Hobert. Hobert finished the day with 283 yards and one touchdown passing, completing 23 of 40 with two inter ceptions. The scoring drive came after Husker punter Mike Sligge boomed a 68 yard punt to the Washington 2-yard line. The punt was the longest of Sligge’s Nebraska career. “I wasn’t expecting it to go that long,” Sligge said. “B ut it look a good bounce, and we look it.” The Huskies missed their extra point attempt after the touchdown, aUowing Nebraska to hold on to its titim 7-6 unlu Husker quarter McC an t con nected with ihc tone Wash on Nebraska’* .usicr the Huskers Ic&d to <uh^\( time The second half, . was a different story. Washington took the opening drive 51 yards in eight plays and scored or a 43-yard field goal by Travis Han son. After fumbling a punt, Washing ton allowed Brown’s second touch down of the day, a 2-yard burst up the middle, and trailed 21-9. But that was to be Nebraska’s final score of the game. Washington answered with a 12 play, 76-yard drive capped by a 15 yard touchdown run by Husky tail back Beno Bryant thalcul Nebraska’s lead to 21-16 with 19 seconds left in the third quarter. The Huskies look the lead on their next possession on an 8-yard pass from Hobert to flanker Orlando McKay that pul Washington ahead 22-21 with 11:20 remaining. They then scored on their next two drives, a 3-yard run by Hobert and an 81 -yard run by Jay pul the game out of reach, rushprs wilh 139 \ 14 for Attics, and Barry added Osborne saltTw ^impressed with Washington’s defense. “They compare with some of the very best defenses we’ve seen over the years,’’ he said. Osborne said he is anxious to see how his players will rebound after the loss. “I think we can play belter than this,” he said. “I hope so, anyway. If not, it’ll be a pretty long season. But a strong comeback is the only acceptable direction to take, accord ing to Brown. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, and I know we’ll all work hard,” he said. “We’ve just got to turn our attention to Arizona State.” How will the*players concentrate on improving against the Sun Devils after the disappointing loss? “I don’t know,” Brown said, shak ing his head. “You just do i t... just do it. His eyes again filled with tears. . Shaun Sartin/DN CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Nebraska l-back Derek Brown scores the Cornhuskers’ first touchdown of the game on a 27-yard run. Brown finished with 100 yards on 21 carries. Cornhusker middle guard David Noonan attempts to block the pass of Washington quarterback Billy Joe Hobert. Washington cornerback Dana Hall leaps to knock down a pass intended for Husker wingback Nate Turner. Nebraska defensive tackle John Parrella levels Husky tailback Beno Bryant. Shaun Sartln/DN Lisa Pytllk/DN FINAL SCORE: UW 36, NU 21 Scoring by quarter: UW NU 0 7 6 7 10 7 r 20 0 h Attendance: 76,304 |_, NU - D. Brown 27 run (Bennett kick) UW - Hobert 9 run (kick failed) NU - Bostick 42 pass from McCant (Bennett kick) UW - FG Hanson 43 NU - D. Brown 2 run (Bennett kick) UW - Bryant 15 run (Hanson kick) UW - McKay 8 pass from Hobert (pass failed) UW - Hobert 3 run (Hanson kick) UW - Barry 81 run (Hanson kick) First downs 31 15 Rushes-yards 47-335 36-135 Passing yards 283 173 Total yards 618 308 Return yards 9 33 Passing 23-40-2 12-29-2 Punts 5-41.0 8-44.3 Fumbles-lost 3-1 1-1 Penaitiee-yards 8-91 4-29 Time of possession 35:38 24:22 Thirrirltxvn non version8 7*14 6*16 Ante DcFrairVDN Micnelle Paulman/DN Michelle Paulman/DN
