Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 35

NEBRASKA OKLAHOMA STATE www.huskerfootball.com Journal Star Sunday August 31, 2003 Sports news tips? Call John Mabry, 473-7320. Pjr Design: Karl Wget 1 Plan shows Bo laiows defense RED ZONE i 1 if about the unassuming man behind the Huskers' defense, Bo Peli-ni. The guy has a plan, and knows how to make it work. "They'll be so much better than they were before, you won't believe it," Carroll said of Pelini. "He'll do all the right things." This was two weeks ago, when Carroll who hired Pelini when he was head coach for the NFL New England Patriots, and also served with him on the San Francisco 49ers' staff was preparing his Southern California team to play at No.

6 Auburn. The Trojans, by the way, pitched a shutout yes-See McKEEVER, Page 4E CURT McKEEVER Journal Star Staff Writer bemoan But I am starting to understand one thing: Pete Carroll is right i Hil lllimnil ill I ir't, it Mil II in. in New defensive coordinator Bo Pelini emphasizes a point to his defensive crew on the sidelines during Saturday's game. I didn't know Nebraska's De-morrio Williams played defensive end. And I'm betting neither did the offensive tackle he went past like a blur before putting a lick on Oklahoma State quarterback Josh Fields during the second quarter of Saturday's season opener.

I didn't know the Huskers, even with all their returning defensive players, could hold a unit with as much play-making talent as you'll see enter Memorial Stadium this season to just one score. I'm not even sure if Nebraska's 17-7, come-from-behind win against the nation's 24th-ranked team is something to build up or Middle linebacker Barrett Ruud sets Huskers down BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE Lincoln Journal Star Yes, Nebraska offensive coordinator Barney Cotton heard the boos Saturday as the Huskers filed off the field at the end of the first half. Cotton wasn't overly happy himself. "To be honest, when you get down in the red zone three times, you better come away with more than three points," Cotton said.

"We won't win many games like that. "The reason we won the game was because our defense played so well, and we did just enough offensively to get us by." Indeed, the Husker defense 1 "vs'VA: I 1 rv nil i a rt Kt If'' i. m. I i.n.- RANDY HAMPTONLincoln Journal Staf TEO KIRKLincoln Journal Star Ruud and the Blackshirts dominated. to get in gear pathy for Fields.

"We were able to get to him," So-lich said. "When that happens, it can become a long day." Nebraska was plagued Saturday by some of die bugaboos of last season, such as personal fouls and poor clock management. Although the Huskers gained 346 yards, they found the end zone only once. Cotton, one of six new full-time Husker assistants, was asked if he intends to mow defensive coordinator Bo Pelini's lawn as a show of thanks. "I told Bo I loved him after the game, but that's as far as it goes," Cotton said.

I'M i I f3 TED KIRKUncoln Journal Star Husker offensive tackle Richie Incognito (51) celebrates a first down Saturday. HUSKERS INSIDE QP Once Fabian Washing-OEL ton declared he could handle OSU star receiver Rashaun Woods, the Black-shirts gained confidence and shut down the Cowboys. IF" After a confusing first tL half, the Husker offense got its act together and found its stride with the help of an offensive line that wore down OSU's defense, rr Oklahoma State quar-53 tmm terback Josh Fields was hurried, harried and harangued most of the day, but refused to pass the blame for his team's woes. BIG 12 INSIDE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Missouri quarterback Brad Smith celebrates his team's 22-15 win over Illinois on Saturday in St Louis CP After the Tigers squan-wb der an early lead, sophomore quarterback Brad Smith leads Missouri to a late touchdown and a rivalry win over Illinois. After spotting lightly re-UC garded Troy State a 50 lead, Kansas State turns on the jets and leaves the Trojans in their wake for an impressive 41-5 victory.

TOP 25 INSIDE 7C QB Craig Krenzel I EZL makes sure that No. 2 Ohio State doesn't miss suspended RB Maurice Clarett as the defending national champions easily handle No. 17 Washington 28-9. JC Coming off an SEC I Em championship season, Georgia takes out frustration at being ranked only 11th by crushing Clemson 30-0 in Death Valley. "7P No.

8 Southern Cal's I EL smothering defense shuts down sixth-ranked Auburn and leaves with a 230 road victory. UP NEXT NEBRASKA VS. UTAH STATE KJctoff: 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept 6 Memorial Stadium TV: Fox Sports Net (cable 36) Radio: Pinnacle Sports Network (1400 AM, 1110 AM, 98.1 FM.93.3 FM) off a celebration with his third-quarter fumble return for a touchdown that put the No. 24 Cowboys 17-7, but know of a fumble by tailbackTatum Bell. It was one of the Cowboys' five turnovers.

Nebraska reserve safety Jerrell Pippens set up the game's final score. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior blitzed quarterback Josh Fields as he tried to pass. Fields fumbled, nose tackle Ryon Bingham recovered at Oklahoma State's 13-yard line, and fullback Judd Davies bulled into the end zone from the 2 with two minutes left in the third quarter. Oklahoma State, which accumulated 387 yards in a 24-21 win against Nebraska last season, managed only 183 on Saturday, includ saved the day in a 17-7 season-opening triumph against No. 24 Oklahoma State before 78,058 spectators at Memorial Stadium.

The win, Nebraska's first over a ranked opponent in seven tries, will calm some anxious folks in Husker Nation who are concerned their beloved program is on shaky ground after 2002's 7-7 finish. If nothing else, the Husker defense showed marked improvement compared to last season, when it finished ranked 55th. Trailing 7-3 after the first 30 minutes, Nebraska took the lead for good on middle linebacker Barrett Ruud's 15-yard touchdown return Huskers ahead to stay in a game tjiat that offense has ing 57 in the second half. In last season's game, Fields threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns; he had only 97 yards passing Saturday. Bell ran for 182 yards last year, and only 87 this time.

All-America receiver Rashaun Woods had 1 1 catches for 134 yards last year. Saturday, he was held to 47 yards on five receptions. "It was a great scheme by the coaches," Ruud said. "I think we were just better prepared. We weren't scared." After last season's 7-7 record, So-lich knows something about having to pick yourself up after being knocked down.

So Solich had em 1 ,4 Ex-Huskers return to 'Our House' festivities. "This program is definitely pointed in the right direction," said Reggie Cooper, a safety with the Huskers from 1987 through 1990. Following last year's 7-7 season, Solich, the embattled Nebraska coach, overhauled his staff, bringing in six new full-time assistants. Bo Pelini left his job as an assistant with the Green Bay Packers to take over the Husker defense, while Solich relinquished his play-calling duues on offense and handed the reins to Barney Cotton. Thomas, for one, is excited about the changes, especially the additions of Pelini, secondary coach Marvin Sanders and linebackers coach Jimmy Williams.

"They're going to get the NFL pipeline going again, saidThomas, a two-time Ail-American at Nebraska who now lives in Houston. "Bo Pelini is going to get guys who are pro-ready. See RETURN, Page 5E More than 800 former players come back to Memorial Stadium, give inspiration to new -edition of the Huskers. BY MARK DEROWITSCH Lincoln Journal Star Broderick Thomas doesn't visit Memorial Stadium as often as he'd like, but he made himself right at home Saturday afternoon. From the start, Thomas found his way to the sideline, where he roamed as a Husker outside linebacker from 1985 through 1988, and camped there throughout the day.

From his vantage point near the Nebraska bench, Thomas waved to the crowd, shot hot dogs into the stands and offered a pep talk to any Husker who hap pened to walk by. Typical Thomas. All that was missing from his playing days were the helmet and pads. Remember, Thomas is the one who gave Husker Nation the "Hell Raisin' Tour "in 1987, and later dubbed Memorial Stadium "Our House." "And it's starting to look like 'Our House' again," he said. Yes, you can put Thomas firmly in the Frank Solich camp.

In fact, it was difficult to find an ex-Husker who lacked excitement about the current situation at Nebraska. About 800 former players were on hand Saturday for the 2003 season obener, in which they saw Nebraska beat Oklahoma State 17-7. They were invited back by athletic director Steve Pederson as part of the Husker Reunion. They traveled from New Jersey and Colorado, Texas and California, and all points in between just to be a part of the Pizk WILLIAM UUERLincoln Journal Star A phalanx of at least 800 ex-Huskers follows the band in a pregame march to Memorial Stadium..