LOOKING GOOD
Nebraska turned in its most impressive defensive performance of the Bo Pelini era, and did it against a team that scored 52 points against the Huskers last season. The Huskers' front four was simply dominating, harassing quarterback Blaine Gabbert, while the secondary provided sound coverage, save for a 38-yard pass from Gabbert in which defensive back Prince Amukamara slipped on the soaked turf. Gabbert was 17 of 43 passing, and Missouri had a mere 225 total yards.

And credit Nebraska as a whole for overcoming sloppy play -- in the literal and figurative sense -- and finding a way to win in Columbia for the first time since 2001.

STILL NEEDS WORK
The heavy rains were obviously partly to blame for Nebraska's dropped punts and maybe even to blame for some of the high snaps on punts. The wet conditions didn't help the passing game, either, as Zac Lee was just 9 of 27 through three quarters, and his receivers had at least five passes slip through their hands. Lee bounced back in the fourth quarter, but this is the junior's second road start in which he's looked nothing like the quarterback who's completed 76 percent of his passes in home games.

Nebraska's running game was non-existent through three quarters, then coaches committed more to the run in the fourth quarter, when the Huskers ran for 68 yards on its final possession to milk the clock and score the game-clinching touchdown.

ROSTER REPORT

--QB Cody Green was warming up on the sideline in the second half, as coaches were set to give the true freshman a series and let struggling starter Zac Lee watch from the sidelines. Coaches say the move would've only been for one series, but when told of the impending change, Lee woke up and threw a 56-yard touchdown pass. He stayed in the game.

--RB Roy Helu was among at least three starters or regular contributors on offense who battled the flu throughout the week. Helu, starting C Jacob Hickman and backup TE Ben Cotton flew to Columbia on a separate plane the day of the game. Helu's night ended when he scored a touchdown but held his shoulder awkwardly as he left the field.

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