October 13, 2002 IN THE HUNT Nebraska rises to occasion in must-win, downs Mizzou 24-13 By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Editor Like a steam engine chugging up a steep hill, the Nebraska Cornhuskers inched closer to the top Saturday in Lincoln. Not the top of the college football ratings. Not even the top of the Big 12 conference. The Huskers inched closer to the top of their own personal “mountain”. After weeks of more jeers than cheers in Lincoln, the Huskers put together an impressive 2nd half defensive performance to beat Missouri 24-13. It was the Huskers’ 24th consecutive win over the Tigers. Nebraska improved to (5-2, 1-1). Missouri dropped to (3-3, 0-2). The victory keeps the Huskers in the hunt for the Big 12 North title, keeps bitter fans and media types off their tails for a week, and gives Husker fans more than just that "glimmer" of hope they were feeling after last week’s McNeese St. victory. But Saturday’s match up with the Tigers started out anything but great if you’re a Husker fan. Just like the Iowa St. game two weeks ago, it was as if the Huskers wanted to give away the game in the first half. Opening quarter penalties helped Missouri drive to an early 7-0 lead. The fans at Memorial Stadium were too shocked to boo. You could have heard a pin drop on the 50 yard line. Missouri’s domination of the game continued into the early second quarter. But that was as long as it was going to last. Tiger quarterback sensation Brad Smith was good, but not sensational in his performance against the Big Red. He completed 15 of 30 passes for 118 yards. But to the delight of most Husker fans, and perhaps chagrin of Craig Bohl-haters, the Husker defense sacked Smith four times and caused him to hurry and scramble more than any other team Missouri has faced this season. Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord had a solid game, especially when he got cookin’ in the second half. Lord completed just 3 of 11 passes for 29 yards, but one of those passes was for a touchdown. And what a touchdown. Lord’s 2 yard toss to Aaron Golliday in the end zone gave the Huskers a 14-13 halftime lead and much-needed confidence for the second half. It was a whole new ballgame in the second half. The Huskers dominated on defense and managed to score enough to pull away from the pesky Tigers. Credit an 89 yard punt return for a touchdown by Husker standout DeJuan Groce for putting the final nail in the Tiger coffin. Husker I-back David Horne had solid numbers as well, rushing 20 times for 117 yards and one touchdown. Overall, Nebraska had 356 yards of total offense to Missouri’s 196. Nebraska added a fourth quarter field goal to win 24-13. Darn it if it didn’t feel great. Husker fans who shelled out the 30 bucks for pay-per-view were treated to a great Big 12 game. The watch party I attended in New Haven, Connecticut was not full, but definitely an impressive turnout of Husker fans. Lots of cheering, lots of laughing, lots of fun. Darn it if it doesn’t feel great. Husker fans have a lot to be hopeful for. We’re not ready to say that the Huskers are back to the days of glory, but they are inching closer. Let’s call them the Big Red engine that could. Could beat Texas in Lincoln. Could win the rest of its regular season games. Could win the Big 12 North Championship. Could win the Big 12 Championship. And of course, could still have a very mediocre season. We think this could be the start of something special. Next up for the Cornhuskers, a date with the Cowboys of Oklahoma St. in Stillwater. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 AM Central on Saturday October 19. Keep on chuggin’, Huskers! The number of game stories below will grow... Post Feedback NEBRASKA - MISSOURI GAME STORIES, PICS, AND LINKS: 10-14-02: Huskers' ball control keyed win More from Omaha World Herald 10-13-02: Blackshirts limit Tigers in pivotal win More from Omaha World Herald 10-13-02: TD return puts Groce in elite company More from Omaha World Herald 10-13-02: Starting to look like Nebraska More from Tom Shatel of OWH 10-13-02: Back in black More from Lincoln Journal Star 10-13-02: Blackshirts had Tigers by the tail in 2nd half More from Lincoln Journal Star 10-13-02: Horne has hot hand, paces NU I-backs More from Lincoln Journal Star 10-13-02: Huskers tame Tigers More from G.I. Independent 10-13-02: Cornhuskers bottle up Smith More from St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10-13-02: Tigers still not good enough to beat Nebraska More from Kansas City Star Huskers on ESPN.com Husker Hot Pics Photos from AP Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide