Official recap Former Nebraska assistant Warren Powers launched his head coaching career at Washington State by spoiling the Huskers' 1977 debut, 19-10, before 75,922 fans. Nebraska completely dominated the game, but the Cougars were the beneficiaries of numerous Nebraska turnovers and capitalized upon them to pull off a major upset. The Huskers fumbled inside the Cougar 10-yard line three times and also fumbled a punt at the NU 25 to set up Washington State's first TD. Despite two fumbles and a missed field goal, Nebraska pulled out a 7-7 tie at halftime. A third quarter march ended in futility again when the Huskers fumbled at the WSU goal line. The Cougars drove to a 14-7 lead — both TDs on passes from Jack Thompson to Brian Kelly — and Nebraska closed the gap to 14-10 on a Billy Todd field goal. However, the Cougars countered with a field goal, nabbed Husker quarterback Randy Garcia in the end zone for a safety, and recovered another fumble at the WSU six to clinch the upset. Nebraska had 470 yards but only 10 points, and the result was a disappointing start for 1977, with a date with Alabama on TV the next week. SPOKESMAN-REVIEW: 1-2 SPOKANE DAILY CHRONICLE: 1-2, 3, 4 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED   SERIES HISTORY SEASON STATS | NU ROSTER

Washington St. 19
Nebraska 10

Washington State         0     7     7     5  —  19
Nebraska                 0     7     0     3  —  10

Second quarter
WSU — Brian Kelly 19 pass from Jack Thompson
     (Paul Watson kick), 7:30
NEB — Rick Berns 20 run (Billy Todd kick) 3:27
Third quarter
WSU — Kelly 20 pass from Thompson (Watson kick), 4:05
Fourth quarter
NEB — Todd 19 field goal; 11:35
WSU — Watson 35 field goal, 8:06
WSU — Safety, Randy Garcia tackled in end zone, 6:18

                        WSU        NEB
First Downs ............ 14         24       
 By rushing ............  5         14        
 By passing ............  9          9        
 By penalty ............  0          1        
Rushing Net......... 32-120     59-247   
Passing Net  .......... 174        223      
 Comp-Att-Int ..... 18-30-0    12-21-0  
Total Offense....... 62-294     80-470   
Punts .............. 9-44.3     3-39.0   
Return yardage .........  4         61        
Penalties ............ 4-20       2-15     
Fumbles-Lost .......... 0-0        4-4      

RUSHING
WSU: Thompson 3-minus-4; Washington 13-75; Ena 13-41;
     Kelly 1-2; Doernik 2-6
NEB: Garcia 12-19; Berns 26-153; Craig 1-minus-3; 
     Sorley 6-32; Stteward 14-46.

PASSING
WSU: Thompson 18-30-0 174
NEB: Garcia 3-5-0 64; Sorley 9-16-0 159

RECEIVING
WSU: Ramson 1-18; Ena 1-2; Washington 4-3; Kelly 8-102;
     Levenseller 4-49
NEB: Spaeth 5-121; T.Smith 2-39; Steward 1-10; Berns 2-17;
     Craig 1-7; Brown 1-29

ATTENDANCE: 75,922

NU OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME: Rick Berns

NU DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME: Lee Kunz