Huskers fend off Bears in first road test of ’98
Behind a stingy defense and steady quarterback performances by Eric Crouch and Monte Christo, Nebraska improved to 3-0 on the season with a 24-3 victory over California in Berkeley.
Crouch, who started his second consecutive game in place of the injured Bobby Newcombe, led the Huskers on a seven-play, 67-yard drive to give NU a 7-0 advantage just 2:52 into the contest.
Nebraska extended the lead to 14-0 midway through the second quarter after driving 64 yards on five plays to the delight of the more than 35,000 red-clad fans in attendance.
Crouch rushed for 59 yards on 16 carries and completed 6 of 16 passes for 74 yards before leaving with a hamstring injury.
Christo played the entire second half, completing 9 of 12 passes for 106 yards, including a five-yard touchdown pass to wingback Shevin Wiggins to cap a nine-play, 70-yard drive. Wiggins had a career-high seven receptions for 97 yards. Senior fullback Joel Makovicka rushed 13 times for 77 yards, while I-back Correll Buckhalter had 12 carries for 71 yards.
Defensively, the Blackshirts held California to just 12 yards rushing and recorded five sacks, including a pair by Eric Johnson.
Colonel Mustard