ARLINGTON, Texas -- There would be no controversial ending to the Big 12 Championship Game this time.
But just like last season, the night ended in heartache for the Nebraska Cornhuskers after they allowed Oklahoma to rally from a one-time 17-point deficit to claim a 23-20 victory Saturday at Cowboys Stadium. The Cornhuskers were denied a chance to exit the Big 12 as the league champions when Taylor Martinez's pass to Brandon Kinnie fell incomplete in the waning moments, which assured the Sooners' trip to the Fiesta Bowl next month.
On a night where Nebraska's offense could do little right, the Sooners took advantage of four Cornhuskers turnovers to erase an early second quarter 17-0 hole. Oklahoma took its first and only lead with 8:28 to play in the fourth on a Jimmy Stevens 27-yard field goal that was set up after NU running back Rex Burkhead fumbled away the snap out of the Wildcat offense.
The Sooners win signified the final conference game between these two storied rivals and the ending of the Big 12 Championship Game with the league dropping to 10 teams next season following the exit of Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-12.
There was a thought that the Big 12 wanted no part of the Cornhuskers taking the final league title to the Big Ten, but it was Nebraska's poor offensive play on the field that prevented as much Saturday. Redshirt freshman quarterback Martinez was either bothered by the injured ankle or he was simply rattled by Oklahoma's aggressive 50 defense that pressured him all night. He was sacked seven times.
Martinez was off rhythm most of the night, throwing an critical interception to prevent a touchdown and then he committed another fumble.
Martinez finished the night with 143 yards on 12 of 24 passing. Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones completed 23 of 41 passes for 342 yards and a touchdown. Stevens converted field goals of 26, 20 and 27 yards to give the Sooners the edge.
December 5 2010 Last updated at 12:10 AM ET
Oklahoma Thwarts Another Nebraska Bid for Big 12 Championship
By Terrance Harris
Senior College Sports Writer
Read More: Nebraska Oklahoma Big 12 big+12+championship, big+12+championship+game, landry+jones, nebraska+oklahoma, nebraska+vs+oklahoma, oklahoma+nebraska, oklahoma+vs+nebraska, Taylor+martinez
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BOOMER SOONER BABY!! :)
Adios Nebraska. Don't let the door hit you on your backside.
Good old Nebraska, when Texas beat them last year on the last minute feild goal. All we heard then was wait until we play them in Oct of the year. Well Texas went up there and kick their sorry A** again. They start the crying all over again.
Good Bye and Finally good riddance of Colorado and Nebraska--the big 10 will be better off without these two perennial cry babies
Another Big 12 Championship-I cant wait to wear my OU Sooners tie to church.
Oklahoma just outplayed us last night. Congrats to them, good luck in the Fiesta Bowl. To those saying that they're glad we're gone from the Big 12(10), have fun kissing UT's butt for the next few years...then we'll see what they extort from you then.
Texas 9 Nebraska 1 Good luck against Wisconsin, MSU, Michigan, Iowa, PSU, and tOSU...hahahahahahahahaha!
Who cares! Neither going to a championship game!
Now you know the real reason little red is going to the BIG-10. They think they will dominate there, because the BIG-12 is too rough, but they won't. Colorado going to the PAC-10 is just SAD, are they going to move the state to the west coast?
The Fiesta Bowl is nothing to laugh at, it's in the top 5 main bowls. It draws a lot of money.
I really enjoyed last nights game and I and many of us will miss NU in this conference, a tradition that will only live in memories from now on ...For those who are spouting off about NU, you obviously do not know what tradition is and I feel sad for you, I am proud of our Sooners but will deeply miss Nebraska and Colorado and the sportsmanship they have always brought to this conference. Good Luck Nebraska, we wish you well ....