He got doused when the defensive backs grabbed the Gatorade bucket at the end of the game. He was given a rousing round of applause from the largest crowd in Memorial Stadium history and was presented a plaque from NU head coach Frank Solich, recognizing Darlington's achievement.
"We were going to recognize you in the locker room, too," Solich said. "But I guess when you're wet and the press and your family and friends won't let you go, that's OK."
Darlington coached the defensive ends at Nebraska from 1973 to 1985 as one of the original staff members of former head coach Tom Osborne. He has coached defensive backs since.
"I remember every game," Darlington said. "Some losses, a lot of wins, and a nice string of national championships. The hard part about the championships is that all those critics had little to criticize when we went undefeated."
The former assistant at Dartmouth and San Jose State said he understands that he is singled out the same way a cornerback who gets beat on a long pass is singled out. "It's the nature of the beast. I would have to say I thought we played well tonight by stopping the run and getting three interceptions and bunch of sacks. But I've learned some people won't be happy and some will."
Ready to prepare for Nittany Lions
Linebacker T.J. Hollowell said all the shifting on Utah State's offense caused some confusion on the Husker defense. "We couldn't run a lot of blitzes, but it seemed when we did, they worked. I got my first sack and we played better than the first two weeks. We're ready to prepare for Penn State."
Penn State, Nebraska's first road opponent, was on the mind of quarterback Jammal Lord and cornerback DeJuan Groce. Groce, of suburban Cleveland, said, "This is our side of town when we play back east at Penn State."
Lord, of Bayonne, N.J., said he grew up following Penn State. "All we heard about was how good the Big Ten was and Joe Pa (Penn State Coach Joe Paterno) and Happy Valley and the Nittany Lions."
Groce added, "We'll have to show them what the Big 12 is all about."
Freshman Herian gets first touchdown
Freshman tight end Matt Herian of Pierce scored on a 33-yard pass from Lord in the second quarter. "I took some grief for just hanging onto the ball and running with it. I didn't know what to do but the other tight ends got on me for not showing some style." Herian said he had other priorities. "Hang onto the ball. Hang onto the ball. Don't trip and hang onto the ball."
Hassebroek collides with teammate
Wingback Troy Hassebroek said one of the hardest hits he took all game was from teammate Dahrran Diedrick. Diedrick cleared the corner on a second-quarter run and, as Hassebroek was coming off a block, the two collided. Hassebroek was on the ground for some time after the collision. "I had a stinger, but the reason I couldn't get up was because some players were kind of pushing each other while standing over me. Then a ref stood over me and I just waited for everybody to clear out."
Hassebroek said he was 3 years old when Penn State stopped Nebraska in a game that was highlighted by a disputed (at least by Nebraska fans) finish and a "wide sideline." "I've heard about that since I was a kid. I really don't know much about it. But you know these fans. I'll hear about it."
Injuries don't stop NUlinebacker Ruud
Middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, a sophomore from Lincoln Southeast, played well despite a cast on his left hand (broken hand last week) and a broken bursa sac in his knee this week. He had one sack, one quarterback hurry that set up an interception by DeJuan Groce and had four tackles. His replacement, Steve Safranek, a junior from Omaha Gross, played extensively in the second half. "I think I got little tired because I'm used to getting some breaks, but this week and last week, they've needed me to play a bunch, so I tried my best. I could have done better and I will."
Aggies' QB Fuentes reaches milestone
The Nebraska defense diminished a Utah State offensive milestone.
Senior quarterback Jose Fuentes became the Aggies' career passing leader late in the third quarter when he connected with Kevin Curtis for a 24-yard gain. Fuentes finished the game with 214 yards passing for a career total of 6,288. He moved past Tony Adams (1970-72), who later played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fake a partial success
Aggie punter Steve Mullins had been under tremendous pressure from Lannie Hopkins and Demorrio Williams all night, so Coach Mick Dennehy decided to take a chance.
Late in the second quarter, with the Aggies trailing 37-7 and facing fourth-and-7 at their 45-yard line, Mullins dropped back to punt but then sprinted to his right for a 24-yard gain.
"Their pressure with those great special-team guys really comes at you, so we wanted to do something to take the heat off," said Dennehy. "I just wish we could have done something on offense after that."
-- Ken Hambleton and Ryly Jane Hambleton
