LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska’s Rex Burkhead hurt so good after running over and around Iowa.
Burkhead started the week with his right foot in a walking boot and finished it by running for 160 yards and a touchdown on a school- record 38 carries in No. 22 Nebraska’s 20-7 victory Friday.
“A little sore — definitely a little sore,” Burkhead said afterward. “It feels good. It was a great win. To see the seniors go out in that fashion, that’s the best thing.”
Burkhead pounded away at Iowa’s defense 4 or 5 yards at a time and looked like his old self after being held to a season-low 36 yards in last week’s loss at Michigan.
After quarterback Taylor Martinez tweaked his left ankle on a first-quarter run, offensive coordinator Tim Beck told Burkhead that he would be the main man.
“Whatever Coach Beck wanted to do, whatever the team needed to do — pound the rock and throw passes when we needed to,” Burkhead said.
The win kept alive Nebraska’s hopes of landing a berth in the Capital One Bowl, if two Big Ten teams are invited to BCS games, or the Outback Bowl.
Nebraska (9-3, 5-3) has nine or more wins in each of Bo Pelini’s four seasons.
Iowa (7-5, 4-4) could slip to the Meineke Car Care Bowl or TicketCity Bowl.
No. 8 Houston 48, Tulsa 16
TULSA, Okla. — Case Keenum threw for 457 yards and five touchdowns, and Patrick Edwards finished with 181 yards receiving and four scores as the Cougars (12-0, 8-0) set a school season record by winning their 12th game.
The Cougars will go for more next Saturday, when they host Southern Mississippi or Marshall in the Conference USA title game.
