Nebraska saw an upset victory literally slip out of their fingers and Texas Tech pulled out a last minute 34-31 win over the Cornhuskers, despite a dazzling comeback attempt by the Huskers.

The Red Raiders saw a 21 point lead dwindle away at the hands of a determined Husker offense and stoic defense. Nebraska held a 31-27 lead with five minutes to go, but couldn’t close the door on the number one offense in the country. Tech began the fateful march at their own 10-yard line. They were able to cover 80 of the final yards in just six plays and almost seemed stalled until a key Blackshirt error.

Red Raider quarterback Cody Hodges’ pass from the 10 was intercepted by LeKevin Smith, but Smith fumbled the ball when he tried to return the catch. Tech recovered at the 18 with new life and 1:13 left.

"He's excitable, he made a big play, he's trying to do his best,” said Head Coach Bill Callahan. “They're kids. They're excited. What can you say? You'd like to see (him take a knee), but it didn't and it gave them another chance."

On a fourth and two play from the two, Hodges scrambled away from the pass rush, and lofted a pass to a diving Joel Falani for the winning score.

It may have been surprising that the game came down to the wire, considering the Huskers found themselves down in a quick hole and seemed destined for a repeat of last year’s 70-10 blowout by the Raiders.

"I think we proved to everyone that it's not going to be like last year. You can say that it's positive that we know that we can always stay in games, that is a plus, but we really wanted this game. We're not happy with it at all." Said linebacker Bo Ruud.

It took a while for the Huskers to shake off the cobwebs of a blistering Tech start. Midway through the second period Tech had burst out to a 21-0 lead. Quarterback Cody Hodges connected twice with Joel Filani for second period touchdowns of 14 and 19 yards. Those scores were added to a first quarter TD of 23 yards to Taurean Henderson.

Nebraska finally grabbed a hold of the momentum in the last half of the second period. Marching 80 yards in 13 plays Nebraska got on the board with a 5-yard run by fullback Cody Glenn. A 13-yard pass to Franz Hardy on a crucial third-and-twelve play aided the drive.

After forcing Tech to a rare three—and-out, Nebraska drove again. Behind a 15-yard pass to Cory Ross down to the Red Raider six-yard line Nebraska was in position to strike again. After a sack of Taylor pushed them back to the sixteen, the Huskers drew a pass interference call in the end zone that was both helpful and costly. The penalty gave the Huskers the ball at the two, but Hardy was injured on the play

Glenn was called on again to deliver a bruising 1-yard run for the Huskers’ second touchdown, closing the gap to 21-14 at the half.

Nebraska’s offense shot themselves in the foot with back-to-back turnovers in their own territory, but the Blackshirt defense stiffened and allowed Tech only a pair of field goals to make the score 27-14.

The Cornhuskers bucked it up after that. Taylor engineered an impressive 68-yard drive by completing seven passes to six different receivers. The scoring toss was a 15-yard pass to Terrence Nunn.

Nebraska kept up the momentum into the fourth quarter. Jay Moore forced a Red Raider fumble and Bo Ruud returned it down to the 14 to set up Nebraska’s go ahead score. Nunn caught his second TD pass with 10:10 left to give Nebraska it’s first lead of the game, and Tech’s first fourth quarter deficit of the year.

Nebraska widened the margin with a 27-yard Jordan Congdon field goal to stretch the score to 31-27 with 5:10 left.

The lead held up until the final minute of the game. The loss was Nebraska’s first Homecoming defeat since 1968 and dropped the Huskers to 4-1 on the season.

Hodges, the nation's leading passer, completed 34 of 45 attempts for 368 yards and four touchdowns -- three to Filani, who had 11 catches for 163 yards.

Taylor was 21-of-35 for 229 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions.