The number one ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers were firing on all cylinders as they cruised to a 56-3 demolition of Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday. It was the Red Raiders worst home defeat ever.

The Huskers pushed out to a 28-0 halftime lead by shutting down the nation' second most prolific passing offense and scoring almost at will against the nation's best scoring defense. Nebraska Quarterback Eric Crouch rushed for 52 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and was 6-of-12 passing for 86 more in three quarters. I-back Dan Alexander ran for 120 yards and backup Correll Buckhalter added 113. The Huskers piled up a total of 540 offensive yards, including 442 yards rushing.

"I thought this was our most complete game of the year." said Husker head coach Frank Solich.

Even with the high offensive numbers, Nebraska's defense stole the show. Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury came into the game leading an offense that averaged over 303 yards passing per game. The Husker Blackshirt defense short circuited things early by intercepting passes on the Red Raiders' first two drives. The second pick was grabbed by rover Joe Walker who returned it 19 yards for the game's first touchdown. Texas Tech didn't cross midfield until their final play of the second period.

The Red Raiders managed 200 yards of total offense with just 19 yards rushing.

The Huskers offense began showing their spark later in the first period. Crouch started off a 4 play-58 yard scoring drive with a 40-yard run down to the Tech 18. Three plays later Crouch dove in from four yards out for a 14-0 lead.

"We wanted to make a statement tonight. That was part of our plan." Crouch said. "I think it says a lot about our team to come out and execute and put things together this well."

The Huskers scored twice in the second period. John Gibson caught his first scoring pass on a 9-yard toss with 10:47 left in the half. Crouch added his second score with 5:04 left on a one yard run.

Texas Tech put together their only sustained drive of the game on the opening series of the second half. Driving 54-yards in 13 plays down to the Husker 24, Kicker Chris Burkholtz booted a 41-yard field goal to avoid the shutout.

The Huskers kept up the assault in the second half by scoring on their first five possession of the half. Fullback Willie Miller scored from five yards out in the third. The Huskers even got their reserves into the scoring action. Backup I-Backs Correll Buckhalter and Dahrran Diedrick each scored fourth quarter touchdowns and quarterback Jammal Lord scored on a nine-yard option run.

Nebraska enjoyed their first laugher since the season opener. Nebraska has been pushed to the limit several times this year, including an overtime win over Notre Dame in the second game of the year and had to come from behind to defeat Missouri and Iowa State in the past two weeks.