It was billed as the next Game of the Century. For the Oklahoma Sooner Players it became the Game of a Lifetime.

Oklahoma, ranked second in the BCS, overcame an early 14 point deficit to record 31 unanswered points and defeat the number one ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers 31-14. The win boosts the Sooners to an 8-0 record with consecutive wins over Texas, number 2 ranked Kansas State and the number one ranked Huskers. No team in NCAA history had ever defeated a number 2 and number 1 ranked teams in consecutive games.

The Sooners got big plays from their offense, defense and special teams. The biggest plays, however, came from one player. Heisman candidate quarterback Josh Heupel passed for 300 yards and rushed for 46 more to guide the Sooner victory.

"He's exceptional. He's a winner and he's everything you want in a quarterback." said Sooner Head coach Bob Stoops.

The game started out promising a much different scenario that the actual results. Nebraska appeared to be in complete control in the first quarter. On the Huskers' opening drive they marched 76 yards in six plays. Crouch had a 15-yard run gain and followed that later with a 13-yard third down pass to tight end Tracey Wistrom. With the ball at the OU 39, Crouch tossed to a wide open Matt Davison for a touchdown. After forcing the Sooners to punt Nebraska got right back to business with a 5 play, 91 yard drive. Crouch capped the series with a 37 yard run for touchdown. Halfway through the first period the Huskers were up 14-0 and appeared to be cruising to a blowout.

After allowing 166 yards on the first two drives, the Sooner defense allowed Nebraska just 162 more offensive yards the entire rest of the game.

"There were times today, of course, when we were frustrated as an offensive team." Crouch said. "If you can stop us from executing then you've done your job. They did that more times than not."

Oklahoma scored on their first four possessions of the second period. Quentin Griffin took the ball in from one yard out early in the period. Heupel then tossed a 34 yard scoring pass to a streaking Curtis Fagan three minutes later.

The Oklahoma special teams made a scene on the next Husker possession. Josh Norman burst through the defense and blocked a Dan Hadenfeldt punt inside the NU five yard line. Four plays later Tim Duncan hit a 19-yard field goal. After forcing another Nebraska punt, Oklahoma scored again on Norman's 8 yard dash.

Nebraska gained just one first down and 16 offensive yards in the second period. The 24 point barrage was the most points the Huskers have allowed in any second quarter.

"They played a great game and deserve to win." Crouch said. "But like the Texas loss last year, it's almost a feeling of we beat ourselves."

The offensive woes continued for Nebraska in the second half. On their opening drive, Derrick Strait picked off a Crouch pass and zig-zagged 32 yards for another OU score. Nebraska threatened once in the fourth period, but came up short when Matt Davison fumbled a pass at the Oklahoma 20.

Crouch finished the game with 103 yards rushing on 24 carries. He completed 12 of 27 passes for 133 yards. Crouch's rushing totals lifted him over 2,000 yards in his career (2,027). He now ranks second all-time for Husker quarterbacks behind Steve Taylor (2,125). Fullback Willie Miller rushed for 50 yards, most of which came on a first quarter 43 yard run.

Oklahoma's offensive attack was balanced. Griffin rushed for 52 yards on 21 carries. Eight different Sooners caught passes with Fagan leading the receiving with 6 catches for 95 yards.

The loss drops the Huskers to 7-1, but Nebraska coach Solich feels his team still has a chance to battle for the National Championship.

"No one's out of anything yet. It's a still a season that has to be played out." Solich said. "We need to regroup and we need to get ready to play Kansas."