Nebraska’s offense leaned a little more on the run than usual as they downed the Baylor Bears 23-14. But it was once again the Blackshirt defense that set the stage for Nebraska’s fifth win of the season.

Baylor was able to score on their first drive of the game half -covering 80 yards, and their second drive in the second half –covering 70 yards, but managed just 105 total yards in their other nine drives.

The Blackshirts ended Baylor’s three fourth quarter drives with two interceptions and a fumble. Cortney Grixby recovered a fumble at the Baylor 30 and returned it 30 yards to end the Bears first drive of the period.

After Nebraska went three-and-out the Bears were pinned at their own one-yard line by a Sam Koch punt. Two plays later Zack Bowman intercepted a pass at the Nebraska 26. The Huskers had to punt it back, but gave the Bears just one more play in the game with Daniel Bullocks intercepting the ball at the NU 45 and returned it 12 yards.

Baylor’s opening drive put the Huskers behind 7-0 with 7:39 left in the opening period. Nebraska responded with their only drive of the first period that featured two fourth down conversions. The Huskers got onto the scoreboard with a 42-yard Jordan Congdon field goal to pull within 7-3.

Nebraska appeared to be ready to strike again in the second period, but Cory Ross fumbled at the Baylor 12 ending the Husker threat. But then the special teams stepped in.

After forcing Baylor out in three plays, Grixby returned a punt 48-yards down to the Baylor 9. Three plays later Taylor connected with Terrence Nunn for a 4-yard scoring toss and giving Nebraska a lead they would not relinquish.

Another impressive Nebraska drive just before the end of the half stalled at the Baylor 12 and Nebraska settled for a 29-yard Congdon field goal with :22 left to take a 13-7 lead into the lockerroom.

Nebraska widened the lead on their opening drive of the second half when Taylor caught redshirt freshman Todd Peterson with a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Baylor didn’t roll over quickly. Quarterback Shawn Bell hit Trent Shelton on a 51-yard pass. Shelton fumbled the ball at the end of the play into the end zone, but Dominique Zeigler recovered it in the end zone for a Baylor touchdown.

Nebraska added one final Congdon field goal from 22-yards out midway through the fourth quarter to end the scoring.

Nebraska rushed the ball 51 times in the game for 182 yards. Ross led the charge with 86 yards. In the second half the Huskers relied almost exclusively on the run with 36 carries and just 7 pass attempts.

Taylor completed 18 of 32 passes for 168 yards.