QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Did MU bring its tailbacks?

They sure did, notably former starter Tony Temple, who might have earned the No. 1 job back after carrying 18 times for 99 yards, a healthy 5.5 yards per carry average. Earl Goldsmith played the first series and finished with five carries for 7 yards, but Temple was the workhorse as Missouri committed to its running game even when Nebraska took a 24-point lead in the second quarter.

2. Defense, anyone?

They’re still not the Blackshirts of old, but Nebraska’s defense forced three turnovers, played well on third down and held MU tight ends Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker to six catches for 67 yards, though both caught touchdown passes. Missouri, meanwhile, allowed a 100-yard rusher for the fifth time in six games as Brandon Jackson carried a career-high 32 times for 111 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers were exposed on a pair of reverses by Nebraska wideouts, the second of which resulted in a touchdown pass from Maurice Purify to Terrence Nunn. The Huskers converted 11 of 17 third-down chances.

3. Can Tigers expose gimpy Huskers?

Not nearly enough. Nebraska surprised the Tigers by calling off the blitz and dropping seven or eight defenders in coverage to throw off the Tigers’ downfield routes. The Huskers kept Daniel on the run with pressure from their defensive line, but he was only sacked once. With the middle of the field clogged with defenders, Missouri didn’t get much going with its quick passing game and inside screens. The healthiest of the Nebraska linebackers had a great day as Bo Ruud had a team-high seven tackles, including the lone sack, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

4. Can MU respond in the red?

The Tigers had no trouble in the red zone, scoring on all three of their chances inside the 20. Jeff Wolfert booted a 26-yard field goal, while Daniel connected with Rucker and Coffman for touchdown passes of 6 and 19 yards.