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          Two special teams TDs pace 'Huskers

          Oct 25, 2003

            LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- If Nebraska hoped to build momentum for its
            game at Texas, the Cornhuskers (No. 11 ESPN/USA Today, No. 14 AP) certainly didn't do it with
            their 28-0 victory over Iowa State on Saturday.

            The Huskers' offense did all its scoring in the first 22 minutes
            and then appeared uninterested much of the second half.

            "It was a quick start by us," Nebraska coach Frank Solich
            said. "It was not the finish we were looking for."

            The defense and special teams carried the load as the Huskers
            (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) avenged a 36-14 loss last year in Ames and
            assured themselves of their 42nd winning season in 43 years.

            Josh Bullocks blocked a punt to set up a touchdown and returned
            another blocked punt for a score.

            Nebraska held the Cyclones to 230 yards while posting its second
            shutout of the season. The Huskers beat Troy State 30-0 on Oct. 4.

            "That's what it all comes down to," defensive end Trevor
            Johnson said. "If you get a big old goose egg, you had a great
            defensive day."

            Iowa State (2-6, 0-4) hadn't been shut out in a school-record
            138 games, since losing 41-0 to Kansas in 1991. The Cyclones lost
            their sixth straight game and their 13th in a row in Lincoln.

            The Cyclones' deepest penetration was to the Nebraska 42 until
            they reached the Huskers 20 in the final two minutes against the
            third- and fourth-string defense.

            Nebraska backup quarterback Joe Dailey took over for Jammal Lord
            in the middle of the second quarter. Against a defense that ranks
            108th nationally, the Huskers saw drives end at the Iowa State 28,
            34, 32 and 9. Nebraska finished with 317 total yards, its second
            lowest output of the season.

            "I'm very proud of our team today, especially our defense,"
            Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said. "We only gave up one long
            scoring drive. Other than that, it's blocked punt, blocked punt and
            a fumble that we give to them on the 20-yard line."

            After going up 28-0 midway through the second quarter, the
            Huskers began substituting liberally early in the third quarter.

            Lord put the Huskers up 7-0 when he ran in from the 1 seven
            plays after Bullocks blocked Tony Yelk's punt deep in Iowa State
            territory.

            Lord broke a 31-yard run on the Huskers' next series before wide
            receiver Isaiah Fluellen scored on a 39-yard reverse. Fluellen was
            the leading rusher with 78 yards on five carries.

            The Huskers were up 21-0 late in the first quarter when Demorrio
            Williams blocked Yelk's punt and Bullocks ran it back 26 yards for
            a touchdown.

            "We emphasizing trying to dominate on special teams," Bullocks
            said. "Punt blocks was a category we needed to improve on. This
            week happened to be a week we did real well on it."

            Nebraska scored again after Iowa State quarterback Austin Flynn
            lost the ball when he was hit by Trevor Johnson at the Cyclones 21.
            Three plays later, Josh Davis ran in from a yard out.

            Dailey, who had mopped up for Lord in four previous games, saw
            his most extensive action of the season. He ran 15 times for 55
            yards and completed 2 of 4 passes, with one interception, for 16
            yards.

            "It was very valuable for him," Solich said. "He got a lot of
            experience in this game. Joe probably hasn't had a great week of
            practice the last couple of weeks. When you add it all up, it was
            good for him to get this much playing time. He'll only get
            better."

            Flynn was the Cyclones' top rusher, with 26 yards on 15 carries.
            He completed 13 of 29 passes, with one interception, for 109 yards.
            Receiver Lance Young caught six passes for 68 yards.

            "You never go into the game expecting to shut them out,"
            Nebraska defensive coordinator Bo Pelini said. "Things went our
            way today. Our guys made the big plays. We were slipping a little
            at the end, but fortunately we got off the field."