Huskers don't want Arrowhead repeat

By BLAIR KERKHOFF - The Kansas City Star
Date: 10/01/99 22:15

Too bad the rematch isn't in Kansas City.

Nebraska and Oklahoma State, which meet today in Lincoln, Neb., staged a tantalizing, closer-than-expected battle at Arrowhead Stadium a year ago, the kind of game that begs for a rematch under similar conditions. But the Cowboys moved last year's game from Stillwater, Okla., for a large guarantee, and the Cornhuskers aren't about to do the same.

There's little about that game Nebraska would want to duplicate, except the outcome. The Cornhuskers sweated out a 24-17 victory. Oklahoma State stood 1 yard away from the end zone on the final play. But a rushing attempt was stuffed.

"We are building in our minds that it will be that type of game again," Nebraska coach Frank Solich said.

There is one similarity. Last year, Nebraska was coming off its best showing of the season, a trouncing of Washington, when it met the Cowboys. A week ago, the Cornhuskers throttled Missouri 40-10, their best offensive performance this season. But Solich said there's room to improve.

"There's no question that we aren't there yet offensively," Solich said. "We've stopped ourselves too much with penalties and turnovers. But we got better last week, and I think we'll get better."

That might be difficult today. Oklahoma State, which was off last Saturday, has one of the Big 12's better defenses. It has bigger concerns on offense. Starting quarterback Tony Lindsay suffered a knee injury in the opening game and hasn't played since. He will suit up today but is listed as doubtful.

Nebraska's defense ranks second in Division I-A against the run and rates in the top six in three other defensive categories: passing, scoring and total yards.