The Nebraska Cornhuskers struggled on offense, but used a powerful defense to hold back the Kansas Jayhawks 14-8 in the Big XII Conference opener for both squads.

The Huskers offensive woes that have plagued them throughout the season reeled once again on the second snap of the snap. Pinned deep in their own territory Nebraska quarterback Joe Dailey lost the grip on a pitch back and recovered his own fumble in the end zone for a safety, giving the upstart Jayhawks a quick 2-0 lead and giving the ball over to Kansas.

Nebraska's defense held the Jayhawks to a missed field goal attempt on the ensuing drive, but two plays into Nebraska's next possession, Dailey was intercepted. Once again the Blackshirt defense held, forcing Kansas to punt.

Kansas quarterback Adam Barmann made his first critical mistake in the final two minutes of the first quarter when Fabian Washington intercepted a pass and returned it to the KU 31-yard line. Nebraska's offense sputtered again when kicker Sandro DeAngelis' 45-yard field goal attempt hit the crossbar and fell no-good.

Kansas boosted their confidence with a 10-play, 54-yard scoring drive that ended with a 36-yard field goal by Beck with 10:47 remaining in the half to lift Kansas to a 5-0 advantage.

Nebraska's offense finally found their legs by driving 47 yards in just five plays to score the game's first touchdown on an 18-yard Cory Ross touchdown run. Ross carried the ball three times in the drive, covering 35 yards total. Nebraska claimed their first lead of the game, 7-5, with 2:57 left in the half.

After another missed Nebraska field goal attempt early in the third period, Kansas retook the lead 8-7 on Beck's 39-yard field goal. The Huskers took the lead for good on their next possession. Dailey opened the drive with an 8-yard scramble to the Nebraska 31, and then hit Ross Pilkington with a 37-yard pass. After Ross rushed up the middle for seven yards, Dailey found Pilkington again for a 7-yard gain for a first down at the Kansas 25. Later, with the Huskers facing third-and-six at the KU 14, Ross turned a short toss from Dailey into a 14-yard scoring reception, the first receiving touchdown of his career. Sandro DeAngelis' PAT made it 14-8, Nebraska, with 4:12 left in the third quarter.

Nebraska depended heavily on their defense for the rest of the game as the offense continued to self-destruct. Three straight Nebraska drives were killed by two interceptions and a fumble. Kansas had a shot in the game's final seconds, but a Hail Mary pass into the end zone was knocked harmlessly to the ground.

The Husker offense ended the game with 322 yards total offense but turned the ball over four times. Dailey was 16-for-24 through the air, throwing one touchdown and three interceptions. Dailey also rushed five times for two yards.

Ross produced his third 100-yard rushing effort of 2004, leading the Huskers with 107 yards rushing on 19 carries and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 37 yards. Junior wide receiver Ross Pilkington also turned in a notable performance, racking up 113 yards on eight receptions, both career high.

"I look at our offense and realize that we have a long way to go," Pilkington said. "I don't like to look at personal statistics, I'm not really into that. I just think there's a lot of areas that we can improve on."

It was Nebraska's defense the earned the victory by not allowing a Jayhawks touchdown, and holding Kansas to 305 yards of offense, including 149 in the second half.

"Our defense was really something else. They were exceptional," said Husker head coach Bill Callahan. "You've just got to have that kind of defense to play in this conference and in this division. If you like to watch great defense, then this is a great defense to watch."

Two Husker Blackshirts crept further up the record books in career interceptions and tackles. Junior cornerback Fabian Washington had a first-quarter interception, his team-leading third interception of the season and the 11th of his Nebraska career. He is now tied for fourth place all-time in Husker interceptions, one behind teammate Josh Bullocks' 12 career interceptions, and three behind NU career leader Dana Stephenson's 14 picks. Senior linebacker Barrett Ruud unofficially had 15 tackles in tonight's game to increase his career total to 335 tackles, just seven tackles behind Nebraska career leader Jerry Murtaugh who recorded 342 tackles from 1968 to 1970. "It means more since I met Jerry and talked to him for a few minutes. He's a great guy and someone that I'd like to be like. Hopefully my record will last as long as his, and I can come back here and talk with some kid that's going to break my record," Ruud said.