Nebraska Football: Reviewing the Cornhuskers' 31-17 Win over Missouri

The Good

LEAVING A LEGACY: For a number of reasons, including coaching changes and injuries, Roy Helu Jr. ran the risk of being one of the most underappreciated tailbacks in recent Nebraska history. Not anymore. Helu piled up 307 rushing yards and wrote his name at the top of the list of greatest single-game performances from an NU tailback. Hopefully, having his name listed with those legends will help NU fans remember just how special a talent Helu is and has been. NU fans, just make sure to pronounce his name right if you're going to chant it, please. (It's HEE-luuu, not HAY-luuu!)

PELINI THE SCHEMER: In his first season, Bo Pelini came up against a dominant Missouri team coming into Lincoln. He tried some exotic blitz packages and defensive plans, and got torched 52-17. This time, Pelini's wrinkles (including a three-man front and a wholesale change in personnel at safety) worked like a charm.

STICKY FINGERS: Remember all those fumbles that dogged Nebraska throughout the season? NU didn't lose a single fumble or throw an interception throughout the game. In a game where Nebraska raced out to a lead and held on for dear life, avoiding the shift in field position and momentum that would have come from a turnover was a massive part of NU's win.

The Bad

AGAINST THE WIND: Sure, it's understandable after going up 24-0 in the first quarter to think the game is over. And, in fairness, NU's early output turned out to be enough to get the job done. But it's unusual that a team can get outscored 17-7 through three quarters of a game and still come out victorious. NU found a way to make that happen on Saturday.

AN ELIGIBLE RUNNER: For two straight games in Lincoln, opposing quarterbacks found a great deal of success on the ground. Admittedly, the circumstances were very different. The Longhorns' Garrett Gilbert exploited a system defect in NU's defense, while the Tigers' Blaine Gabbert got some yardage running for his life after his receivers were blanketed by the NU secondary.

BIG RED CROSS: NU suffered two significant injuries in the first half, with cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and quarterback Taylor Martinez leaving and not returning. Pelini said both will be fine for next week's contest, but any injuries to players as key as those two have to be a little concerning as NU prepares for a stretch run to a title game.

And For Whom the Bell Tolls

Since 1926, Missouri and Nebraska have played for the Victory Bell, one of the few "trophy games" in the Big Eight and Big 12 conferences. Along with a chance at a divisional title and hopes for a national championship in 2010, Nebraska's pending departure from the conference meant this year's tilt would be the last conference game between Nebraska and Missouri, and the last time the Victory Bell would be exchanged.

With Nebraska's win on Saturday, the Victory Bell will now find a permanent home in the halls of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Not to worry, though. I'm certain Missouri fans can come visit the Bell in Lincoln whenever they would like.

The Big Picture

The Nebraska-Missouri game didn't get the hype, the t-shirts or the marketing campaign that a certain other game on Nebraska's schedule this season did. But in a very practical sense, Nebraska's win over Missouri was far more meaningful. With the win, Pelini gets his first victory over a top 10 team, and his first meaningful conference home win. Additionally, Nebraska remains one of only two teams in the North to control its own destiny with regards to a divisional crown. The other team? Read on.

The Next Game

Nebraska @ Iowa State (November 6, 2:30 p.m. CST, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA, ABC regional coverage).

The giant-killing Cyclones are the only team in the North other than Nebraska that can guarantee an appearance in the Big 12 title game by winning out. The 'Clones had to struggle and come from behind to knock off the gasping-for-air Kansas Jayhawks at home on Saturday. But make no mistake, Iowa State is a well-coached team of overachievers, and their fanbase bears as much antipathy towards Nebraska as any in the conference. NU has a talent edge over the 'Clones, but that didn't stop Iowa State from beating NU in Lincoln last year.

See my photos from the game here.

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