October 5, 2002 MUST-WIN WIN Nebraska racks up big numbers in 38-14 rebound win over McNeese St. By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Editor The Nebraska Cornhuskers did something they haven’t done in awhile. Win. Final score Huskers 38 McNeese St. 14. That feels nice. Never mind the fact that Nebraska was playing Div. 1-AA McNeese St. Doesn’t matter. Nebraska needed a win no matter what team they were lining up against Saturday. By luck of schedule, along came a team that although impressively ranked at #2 in Division 1-AA, was not in the same league as the Cornhuskers. It also gave Husker fans across the country a chance to have a more relaxing week ahead than the previous week. We’ve started our new streak. We have some hope, albeit a glimmer. But let us have our fun over the weekend, break out the Husker gear again, then bring on Missouri. Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord bounced back nicely after suffering through a humbling week as Husker QB. He performed well in the win over the second-ranked Div. 1-AA school. It was a positive step forward after consecutive losses and dropping out of the top 25 for the first time in 21 years. Quarterback Jammal Lord is happy with these kind of numbers. He rushed 17 times for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns. He passed 12-17 for 151 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Nebraska rolled up numbers similar to Husker teams of past. Try 595 yards of total offense on for size. Now that’s more like the Huskers we all know and love. McNeese St. managed 355 yards of total offense. McNeese St. played well, especially in the second and third quarters. The Cowboys burned the Husker defense with a 43-yard touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter to bring McNeese St. to within 21-7. It stayed 21-7 for all of the 3rd quarter, despite a long NU drive to close the period. Early in the 4th quarter, the Huskers nearly got into the end zone, but sputtered when McNeese St. got tough in the red zone. The Huskers settled for a field goal to take a 24-7 lead. Shortly thereafter, Nebraska exploded with a 64-yard touchdown run by Mark LeFlore to take a 31-7 lead. Big Red was breathing easy. And so were the fans in the stands at the 251st consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium. McNeese St. added a fourth quarter touchdown to come within 31-14, but Lord and the Huskers struck back with an impressive 56-yard touchdown run by Lord. The big plays that Nebraska was looking for in previous games had finally busted loose. The Husker defense was impressive at times, but still gave up big plays to the pesky Cowboy offense throughout the game. However a late 4th quarter red zone stop of the Cowboys provides a nice confidence builder for games to come. So the Huskers won against a team that was ranked higher than Utah St. and even some Big 12 schools in the Sagarin Computer Ratings. Many in the college football community won’t be impressed, but after the past few weeks, Husker fans are loving every minute of it. The Big Red is 4-2. Not great. But a heck of a lot better than 3-3. Can you imagine that? In the words of the previous President George Bush…”not gonna do it”. Nebraska stays in Lincoln Saturday, October 12, as the Missouri Tigers come to town. The Tigers are always a tough Husker opponent, and it will be another must-win for the Huskers if they want to stay in the hunt for the Big 12 North championship. NU-MU kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 AM Central. The number of game stories below will grow... Post Feedback NEBRASKA - McNEESE STATE GAME STORIES, PICS, AND LINKS: 10-06-02: QB makes strong statement in Huskers' 38-14 win More from Lincoln Journal Star 10-06-02: Lord ends rough week in record style More from Omaha World Herald 10-06-02: QB Lord quiets doubters More from G.I. Independent 10-06-02: Nebraska fans prove they know football More from American Press (Lake Charles, LA) 10-05-02: Lord sets Huskers records in victory More from AP-ESPN 10-05-02: NU gets back on winning track More from Omaha World Herald Huskers on ESPN.com Husker Hot Pics Photos from AP Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide