Nebraska husked; stunned players 'don't understand'

On a streaky day in college football, UCLA, Tennessee and Kansas State came up winners, Nebraska was a rare loser and top-ranked Ohio State kept sailing along toward a trip to the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4 for a shot at its first national title in 30 years.

Nebraska (5-1) was outplayed for the second week in a row, but this time No. 10 Texas A&M came away with the 28-21 upset Saturday at College Station, Texas.

The loss ended the Cornhuskers' 19-game winning streak, 40-game conference winning streak and probably their chances for a fourth national title in five years. Nebraska fell from No. 2 to No. 8 in this week's AP poll.

AP PHOTO Looking remarkably like Michigan's players did when their hopes of repeating as national champions were dashed, the Nebraska bench is downcast in the final moments of the Cornhuskers' 28-21 loss to Texas A&M Saturday.

''We're struggling and that doesn't happen to Nebraska,'' wide receiver Matt Davison said. ''I really don't understand what we're doing.''

The Aggies built a 28-7 lead but needed Sedrick Curry's interception with 59 seconds left to secure the school's first win over a top five team since 1975. The loss was just the fourth in 69 games and the first since a 37-27 setback against Texas in the Big 12 title game in 1996.

''We're down and hurt right now,'' Huskers coach Frank Solich said after his first loss since replacing Tom Osborne. ''We're not accustomed to taking a loss.''

No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kansas State, meanwhile, were happy to take advantage of the Huskers' misfortune as the trio came out on the winning side in games matching unbeaten teams.

No. 2 UCLA 52, No. 16 Arizona 28

Cade McNown passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as UCLA (2-0 Pac-10, 4-0) pulled away from No. 16 Arizona (2-1, 5-1) for its 14th consecutive victory - the longest winning streak among major colleges now that Nebraska's has ended.

''They were guessing all night, and for most of the first half, they were guessing right,'' McNown said after the Bruins scored 28 consecutive points in a 6:10 span of the second half. ''But you can't guess right the whole game. Eventually we knew our offense would turn on.''

McNown did plenty right against the Wildcats. Tailbacks DeShaun Foster and Keith Brown, who took turns subbing for the suspended Jermaine Lewis, ran for two touchdowns each and combined for 209 yards. Arizona's nine-game winning streak ended.

No. 3 Tennessee 22, No. 13 Georgia 3

Tee Martin threw two three-yard touchdown passes in the third quarter as the Volunteers (3-0 SEC, 5-0) beat No. 13 Georgia and extended their winning streak over the Bulldogs (2-1, 4-1) to eight games. Georgia has now lost nine straight at Sanford Stadium against top 25 opponents.

The Vols, playing their first game without injured tailback Jamal Lewis, relied on a stingy defense against the 'Dawgs, holding them to 59 yards rushing.

''I think we were favored before Jamal was hurt, then all of a sudden we were a three-point underdog,'' said Al Wilson, who led the swarming Vols defense. ''That really motivated us. It was like people look at us as a one-man team.''

No. 4 Kansas State 16, No. 19 Colorado 9

Kansas State won its 13th straight game - tying the school record - but was less than impressive in a win over No. 19 Colorado (2-1 Big 12, 5-1). The Wildcats (2-0, 5-0) entered the game averaging more than 60 points, but 137 yards rushing from Eric Hickson and three field goals from Martin Grammatica were enough for the win.

''If there really is such a thing as an ugly win, then you've just witnessed one,'' Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said even though his team won in Boulder for the first time since 1973. ''This is not a joyous locker room.''

Next week, there's one major matchup of unbeatens when No. 11 Oregon (5-0) plays at UCLA.

No. 5 Florida 22, No. 21 Louisiana State 10

At Gainesville, Fla., receiver Travis McGriff took a lateral from Doug Johnson and threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Travis Taylor for the clinching score.

The Gators (3-1 SEC, 5-1) suffered several key injuries. Jesse Palmer, who started the game, may be out for the season with a broken right clavicle; defensive lineman Ed Chester has a dislocated knee; running back Terry Jackson has an ankle injury; and linebacker Johnny Rutledge has a concussion.

No. 6 Florida St. 26, Miami 14

Peter Warrick caught a 62-yard scoring pass and set up another touchdown with a 50-yard catch as the Seminoles (5-1) beat the Hurricanes (3-2) for the fourth consecutive year. Chris Weinke passed for 316 yards and two touchdowns; Warrick finished with 190 yards on seven catches.

No. 11 Oregon 51, Washington St. 29

The Ducks (2-0 Pac-10, 5-0) kept their 50-point average intact as Reuben Droughns ran for 217 yards and scored four touchdowns to get ready for next week's game at UCLA.

Akili Smith, the nation's leading passer, was 15-of-22 for 280 yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars (0-3, 3-3) had an eight-game home winning streak broken.

10-12-98