In a game that's nip-and-tuck until the end, it often takes a single key momentum swing to decide the game.

The battle between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Missouri Tigers had plenty of big plays that seemed to give the edge to one team or another. A record breaking punt return for touchdown, a 48 yard touchdown that pulled the Tigers within 7 late in the second period, a fumble return for a touchdown, and a crushing injury to the starting quarterback all had big impacts on the game's outcome. But perhaps the game was sealed on the Missouri sideline in the fourth quarter when Tiger head coach Larry Smith simply had enough of the officiating and unleashed his rage.

"We came away from this game not feeling like we were cheated of victory," said Smith following the game.

With the score 35-24 , the Huskers had the ball on their own 46 and facing a third down and 4 with about 8 minutes left in the game. The Tigers felt that if they could stop Nebraska here, they might have a shot at the upset.

On the next play, however, Missouri was called for an offside penalty. It was the Tigers' seventh penalty of the contest and gave Nebraska an important first down.

With the ball now set at the Missouri 49, quarterback Eric Crouch lofted a pass to wingback Bobby Newcombe. On the play Missouri cornerback Larry Hollinquest was called for a 15-yard pass interference penalty. Coach Smith stormed onto the field to protest. He had lashed out at the officiating crew several times during the game but this time Smith was ready to explode.

"Coach Smith just got fed up with all the bad call." said Tiger wide receiver Eric Spencer.

Smith's verbal assault on the referees prompted a sideline warning from the official. That warning only served to fuel Smith's rage. He was then flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call.

"That wasn’t on the team," Smith said. "That was all on me. I had objected to some things, and I guess I got under (the ref’s) skin."

Thanks to the series of penalties, Nebraska had moved the ball 35 yards without successfully executing a play. They now had a first-and-ten at the Missouri 19. It took just four plays for Nebraska to put the game away with a touchdown and ensure the 42-24 victory.

Despite the penalty, Missouri co-offensive coordinator Bill Cubit felt Smith handled the situation the way he needed to.

"I'll just say that coach Smith was very, very under control." Cubit said.

Missouri ended the game with a total of 10 penalties for 95 yards. Nebraska was flagged 7 times for 53 yards.