The Troy State Trojans made themselves welcome in their first game as a Division 1-A team when they jumped out to a surprising 7-0 first-quarter lead over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. But reality soon set in and the Huskers were able to overpower Troy State for a 42-14 win.

Husker I-Back Dahrran Diedrick, playing in his first game following a one-game disciplinary suspension, ran for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns.

"I'm really happy with the way things went today," Diedrick said. "We didn't make any mental errors. I'm glad for the numbers but I'm more happy for a win."

Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch completed 8 of 15 pass attempts for 109 yards and rushed for 48 yards and a single touchdown.

The Huskers ended with 330 yards rushing and 457 yards of net offense. Troy State finished with 165 yards of offense.

Things did not start out as planned for the Huskers. After a fumbled punt return gave the Trojans the ball at the Nebraska 29, Trojan quarterback Brock Nutter completed a 20-yard strike to Heyward Skipper, followed by a 9-yard touchdown run by Demontray Carter giving Troy State a 7-0 lead.

The Huskers were able to provide a reality check on their next drive, traveling 69 yards in 11 plays for a score, including a 38-yard dash by Diedrick down to the one yard line. He followed that with a 1-yard TD dive.

The Huskers scored again on their next drive on an Eric Crouch dive from the one.

The Nebraska defense provided the greatest influence on the game. Seven Husker players recorded sacks and the Trojans were held to minus-25 yards rushing, and 2 total yards in the second half. Freshman linebacker Barrett Ruud lead the score sheet with 10 total tackles (5 solo). The defense even got in on the scoring side when Lannie Hopkins stripped the ball out of Nutter’s grip and defensive tackle Jon Clanton picked up the ball at the 20 and ran it in for a touchdown.

"I think the whole front four got sacks. That's big-time for us," said Clanton.

Troy State was able to log one more touchdown before the half on a 31-yard pass from Nutter to Skipper. The second half completely belonged to the Husker defense as they allowed just 2 total yards while the Husker offense added a pair of scores, including a 33 yard option run by Diedrick..

"At halftime we just got everything down and came out with the attitude we weren't going to give them anything," cornerback DeJuan Groce said.

Nutter’s only success came through the air as he passed for 190 yards, but much of the rushing yardage negative numbers came from sacks.

"They're defensive team is very tough and very versatile," Troy State coach Larry Blakeney.

Nebraska’s offense had their struggles in the game. Three times the Huskers had the ball inside the Trojan five-yard line and failed to score. Twice the Huskers lost the ball on downs and one Josh Brown field goal was blocked. The Husker offense fumbled twice and once Crouch was intercepted.

"It's frustrating not to execute on the goal line,” Crouch said. "That's something we'll have to do better (next week) against Notre Dame.”

While the Huskers set their sights on the Fighting Irish, Troy State says they don’t see any kinks in the Husker armour.

"Nebraska is probably the best program in the world if you look at the last 20-25 years. And today they sure looked the part," Blakeney said.