GAME NOTES: The 23rd-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers will try to continue their rise back up the national rankings as they play host to the Utah State Aggies in a non-conference tilt from Lincoln. Utah State's 2003 campaign got off to a rough start last Saturday, falling to the rival Utah Utes, 40-20 on the road.

This will be the second of three straight road games for the Aggies before they finally head home to tackle UL-Monroe on September 27th. Utah State has now lost two straight contests, dating back to last season, as it tries to improve on its 4-7 2002 campaign. The Cornhuskers opened a lot of eyes with their opening week 17-7 victory over the then 24th-ranked Cowboys of Oklahoma State. Nebraska, once one of the top programs in the nation, is quickly erasing the memories of last year's disappointing 7-7 record. The victory over OSU snapped a three-game losing skid for the Huskers and gave them their 17th straight season-opening victory. The Huskers have absolutely dominated this series over the years, winning all seven of the previous meetings. Each contest was played in Lincoln, including a 44-13 victory last season.

Even though the Aggies were unable to pull out a victory against Utah last weekend, their passing attack seemed much improved. Quarterback Travis Cox, in his first start, finished the game 19-of-41 for 280 yards and a touchdown. Cox also ran a score in from seven yards out and found a comfort zone with wideout Chris Stallworth, who had five receptions for 113 yards and a TD. Tight end Chris Cooley finished second on the team with four catches for 26 yards. While the passing game looked solid, the running attack was stagnant and unimpressive. David Fiefia led all USU rushers with 54 yards on nine carries.

Richard Watson finished with 22 yards on five carries, as the Aggies amassed only 77 yards rushing as a team. The lack of a running game, left the time of possession leaning heavily in Utah's favor, 36:33 for the Utes compared to only 23:27 for the Aggies.

Utah State's defense played very well against the passing attack of Utah, but it was overmatched against the Utes' rushing game. Utah racked up 202 yards on the ground against the Aggies and at one point ran 11 consecutive rushing plays, knowing that Utah State had no answer for it. The secondary played much better, holding Utah to 180 passing yards and it recorded two interceptions.

Robert Watts and Derrek Shank were the stars on defense, combining for 28 tackles and 0.5 TFLs. Jake Stewart finished with nine tackles and 1.5 TFLs, while Terrance Washington and Mark Estelle recorded the two interceptions.

Utah State was able to defend the pass despite a lack of pressure on Utah's quarterback, as it failed to record a single sack in the setback.

The Nebraska offense will only go as far as quarterback Jammal Lord can take it this year. Lord completed 8-of-16 passes for only 78 yards and an interception in the win over Oklahoma State, but it has always been his legs that make him one of the most dangerous weapons in the country. The scrambling signal-caller rushed for 90 yards on 18 carries, helping Nebraska run for 268 yards as a team. Josh Davis led all rushers with 95 yards, while Judd Davis scored the team's only offensive touchdown and carried the ball 10 times for 33 yards. Lord connected with tight end Matt Herian three times in the win, as Herian led all receivers with 42 yards. Ross Pilkington was the only other Nebraska player to record more than one reception, as he finished with two catches for 16 yards.

A program that has been known for its dominating defense over the years, The Huskers got an encouraging sign from this year's unit last Saturday, holding an explosive OSU offense to just 183 total yards. The UN defense also forced five turnovers in the victory, its most in a game since the 2001 season. Those five takeaways were turned into 14 points, including a 15-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Bo Rudd in the third quarter. The secondary was really the story of the game, holding one of the nation's top receivers, Rashaun Woods, to only five catches and 47 yards. Although Woods and OSU quarterback Josh Field hooked up for a touchdown early in the contest, the Huskers held Fields to 97 yards passing and forced him into tossing three interceptions. Josh Bullocks had two of the three picks, while Fabian Washington led all Nebraska players with 11 tackles, eight of which were solo efforts. Jerrell Pippens recorded the only sack of the day for the Huskers, although Demorrio Williams did provide pressure with two quarterback hurries to go with nine tackles.

Nebraska showed flashes of a storied football program that once stood high above the rest of the nation in the 1990's on Saturday, but the offense still has major improvements to make, especially in the passing game. Lord could struggle again through the air this weekend, but the Aggies have no answer for his scrambling ability and the Huskers' stable of talented running backs.