Crouch Leads Huskers to Win Over UAB

Lincoln -- For the second time in two weeks, a Husker quarterback starting his first collegiate game led Nebraska to victory.

Redshirt freshman Eric Crouch ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as No. 4/3 (AP/Coaches) Nebraska defeated UAB, 38-7, on Sept.5.

Crouch completed 11 of 17 passes for 127 yards and rushed for 69 yards and two TDs in his first career start, replacing the injured Bobby Newcombe, one of five Husker starters who missed the contest because of injury.

The Huskers took a 14-0 lead on a three-yard run by fullback Joel Makovicka and Crouch connected with tight end Sheldon Jackson for a 15-yard strike on fourth-and-one early in the second quarter. UAB refused to back down, cutting the NU lead to 14-7 on a two-yard run by Ortavious Miles with 3:45 remaining in the half.

The Huskers responded in the waning minutes of the first half as Crouch engineered a 12-play, 70-yard drive, capped by Crouch's 11-yard score with nine seconds remaining to give NU a 21-7 halftime lead.

The Blazers drove to the Husker 11-yard line midway through the third quarter before the Blackshirts stiffened. Rush end Chad Kelsay stopped UAB quarterback Daniel Dixon for a four-yard loss before the Blazers committed three consecutive penalties to push themselves out of field goal range, ending any serious upset bid.

The Huskers extended their lead to 24-7 on a 27-yard field goal by senior place-kicker Kris Brown. Brown's field goal broke the school record for most points with 313, bettering the previous best of 312 by Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier, set from 1981-83.

The Huskers added a pair of fourth-quarter scores, a career-long 59-yard run by Crouch and a 63-yard pass from senior quarterback Monte Christo to freshman Tracey Wistrom with 2:19 remaining.

SOURCE: NEBRASKA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS