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By Ed Howard, Associated Press writer
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Tom Osborne had predicted that defense would probably be the deciding factor when No. 4 Nebraska played No. 5 Colorado.
Osborne was entirely correct -- and not altogether comfortable with it.
"We're glad to get out of that one," Osborne said after his Cornhuskers held Colorado to four field goals in a 17-12 win Friday.
Nebraska (10-1, 8-0 Big 12), which won its 36th consecutive home game, lost four fumbles and was penalized 11 times for 70 yards. Colorado (9-2, 7-1) gave up two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, and was penalized nine times for 50 yards.
"I thought maybe we were in trouble, but fortunately they couldn't get it into the end zone," Osborne said of the Buffs. "Probably the best thing we did offensively all day was the last drive, simply because we didn't give the ball back to them."
Ahman Green reached 2,000 career yards rushing for Nebraska, which plays Texas for the conference title Dec. 7 at St. Louis. The Longhorns won the South by beating Texas A&M 51-15 Friday.
The Huskers stifled Colorado quarterback Koy Detmer, who completed just 11 of 39 passes for 226 yards and no touchdowns. The Buffaloes' scoring came on four field goals by Jeremy Aldrich.
Colorado, which has lost five straight to Nebraska, failed to capitalize on good field position in the fourth quarter. The Buffs advanced to Nebraska 9, but managed only a field goal. Minutes later, linebacker Jamel Williams intercepted a Detmer pass on the Nebraska 24.
"If you like defense it was a great college football game," Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel said. "Unfortunately, if you like the Colorado Buffaloes, it was a heartbreaking football game."
The Buffaloes held Nebraska to its lowest scoring output since the Huskers' 19-0 defeat by Arizona State in September. Nebraska was scoreless in the second half.
Colorado took a 6-0 lead in the first period as Aldrich kicked his first career field goals, connecting on a 45-yarder that hit the crossbar and bounced over, and on a 40-yarder. He added field goals of 38 yards in the third period and 27 yards in the fourth, tying the school record for field goals in a game.
Nebraska took a 7-6 lead as tackle Jeff Ogard batted a Detmer pass that linebacker Jay Foreman intercepted and returned 21 yards for a touchdown.
The Cornhuskers led 17-6 at the half on Kris Brown's 30-yard field goal and Evans' 7-yard TD run. Evans, who also had a 40-yard run on the drive, carried the ball 25 times.
Nebraska had 238 yards rushing and 56 passing. Colorado had 226 yards passing and just 51 rushing.
Virginia Tech 26, Virginia 9: Jim Druckenmiller threw two touchdown passes and completed a 72-yarder to set up another score as No. 17 Virginia Tech kept its Bowl Alliance hopes alive with a victory over No. 20 Virginia.
The Hokies (10-1) can gain the alliance berth from the Big East if No. 23 Miami beats No. 16 Syracuse today. Otherwise, Virginia Tech would likely play No. 13 North Carolina (9-2) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1.
LSU 17, Arkansas 7: Herb Tyler converted four straight long-yardage situations with his passes, and LSU gave up only three first downs in the first half as the 19th-ranked Tigers beat Arkansas.
Tyler turned third-and-16, third-and-seven, third-and-10 into first downs and threw a 35-yard touchdown pass on second-and-12 as the Tigers (9-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) scored TDs on their first two possessions. Tyler completed five of six for 112 yards during the two drives despite a steady rain.
Texas 51, Texas A&M 15: James Brown threw four touchdown passes, two to Mike Adams, as Texas defeated Texas A&M, earning the Big 12 South title and a berth in the conference championship game in St. Louis on Dec. 7.
The Longhorns (7-4, 6-2 Big 12) made it two straight over the Aggies (6-6, 5-4), who were eliminated from bowl contention and suffered their first non-winning season since going 5-5-1 in 1983.
It was the most lopsided victory by either team in the 103-game series since Texas beat A&M 53-16 in 1982.
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