• Box Score: NU 31, Iowa State 30, OT

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AMES, Iowa — Appearing to line up for a game-tying extra point in overtime, Iowa State went for the win. And senior Eric Hagg saved the day.

The Cyclones (5-5, 3-3 Big 12) faked an extra point and Hagg picked off the lob pass from holder Daniel Kuehl, sealing a 31-30 win in overtime.

The ninth-ranked Huskers (8-1, 4-1) survived the wild scare without their starting quarterback, injured Taylor Martinez, and remained in first place in the Big 12 North standings.

Sophomore I-back Rex Burkhead, who finished with 129 rushing yards, put NU ahead on the second play of overtime, taking the zone read handoff from sophomore Cody Green 19 yards out for a touchdown.

Iowa State answered. Quarterback Austen Arnaud threw a 9-yard lob pass to Jake Williams and the game seemed to be headed for double overtime.

But Hagg, who already had one interception Saturday, stepped in front of a floater at the last second, preventing a completion to a wide-open Collin Franklin. The two points would have given the Cyclones their second straight win over Nebraska. Iowa State won in Lincoln 9-7 last year.

Saturday's game probably should have been over well before Hagg's big play, though.

Nebraska intercepted Arnaud on two consecutive possessions in the third quarter, momentum-changing plays that seemed to turn the momentum in the Huskers' favor.

Junior Austin Cassidy's 29-yard interception return for a touchdown gave NU seven-point lead with about nine minutes left. The Hagg picked a pass off, setting up Nebraska's 11-play scoring drive, which increased its advantage to 24-10.

And after that, the NU offense went three-and-out on two consecutive possessions. The Huskers' final drive of regulation ended short of field goal range. Iowa State then kneeled to force overtime.

The story of the week for Nebraska centered around the quarterback position. And it appears that conversation will continue into next week now, too.

Redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez is the clear starter, but he's been hobbled since he sprained his ankle during the second quarter of last week's win over Missouri. He lined up at receiver for one snap Saturday, but still had a noticeable limp.

Zac Lee, who played all of the second half against Mizzou in relief of Martinez, was in uniform Saturday, but didn't play. During pre-game warm-ups the senior quarterback didn't throw a pass. He wore some sort of protective sleeve on his right arm.

So it was Green's job.

Green certainly didn't play flawlessly in his third-career start. But he wasn't the only one who made mistakes Saturday.

Senior Roy Helu fumbled the ball with about two minutes left before halftime. The extra possession resulted in a 57-yard field goal by Grant Mahoney right before halftime.

After Iowa State pulled within 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, senior Niles Paul fumbled the ensuing kickoff. The Cyclones tied the game three plays later with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Arnaud to Alexander Robinson.

Green finished the game 7-for-12, passing for 79 yards.

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• Video: NU-ISU game highlights:



• Video: NU coach Bo Pelini after the NU-ISU game:



• Video: NU's Cody Green after the NU-ISU game:



• Video: NU's Austin Cassidy after the NU-ISU game:



• Video: NU's Rex Burkhead after the NU-ISU game:



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Click here for Big Red Today, The World-Herald's comprehensive Husker source for news on game day and beyond. Keep up to date in real time with the BRT blog, only on Omaha.com. Need results from around the conference? Check out the Big 12 scoreboard. Also, once the game starts, keep track with our live stats to follow the action in Ames

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• Video: Sights and sounds from Iowa State:



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PREVIEW STORIES

• Shatel: Little brother can pack a punch
• Are Huskers focused? Pelini says so, and motivated too
• Depth on defensive line excites Papuchis
• NU-ISU: 2-minute drill
• NU-ISU: Three things to watch
• NU-ISU: Statistics leaders
• NU-ISU: Key matchup
• Helu hits heights without hoopla
• NU's Martinez proves a distraction for defenses
• Notes: Martinez status is game-time decision
• Freshman more than measures up
• Notes: Cornerback commits to Huskers
• Midyear lineup changes don't faze team, Pelini
• Chatelain: Selling the short side
• Pelini says helmet hits not part of technique
• Thomsen's patience finally pays
• Notes: Huskers hold out Dennard
• Q&A; with Kyler Reed
• Bo says he expects Martinez to be ready
• Martin plans no style changes
• Notes: Vanilla O was just fine with QB Lee
• Huskers roll out the full offensive arsenal
• Huskers jump to No. 7 in BCS
• Notes: Cotton happy to contribute
• Getting to know: Iowa State

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Chat: Husker Talk Live: Gameday

Join Jon Nyatawa at 12:30 p.m. Saturday for the pregame chat, then stay logged on to chat with other Husker fans during the game. After the game, watch live, streaming video of the postgame press conference. Rejoin Jon 45 minutes after the game as he answers more reader questions.



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• Photo Showcase: 2009 ISU-NU (game action)
• Photo Showcase: 2009 ISU-NU (fans)

• Video: This week's edition of the Big Red Today Show:



• Video: 2009 NU-ISU game highlights:



• Video: NU coach Bo after the 2009 NU-ISU game: