NSU Finishes #3 in Polls
Season Report Posted: December 01, 2020 03:42
Nebraska State upset previously unbeaten Oklahoma 30-20 in the Fiesta Bowl to end the season ranked #3 in both polls. Notre Dame, Penn State, Virginia Tech and the Sooners all finished the regular season unbeaten, but #1 Notre Dame earned their trip prior to the CCGs. Penn State was #2 in the Coaches Poll and #3 in the Media, Virginia was #3 and #2, respectively, but was bumped by Penn State's record against Top 25 teams.
NSU forced OU into 3 and outs on the Sooners' first two drives. The Prairie Dogs used a 15-play, over 5-minute drive to score first. They followed with a field goal to go up 10-7 early in the second quarter. OU, the top-scoring and top yardage offense, managed just 6 yards in the first quarter and under 100 in the first half.
NSU would seemingly put the game away after two third-quarter scores, including a 42-yard screen pass from Berry to Nichols, to go up 27-7. Each team added points early in the 4th as NSU held a 30-14 lead. Oklahoma would score a late TD then recover the onside kick. But the Prairie Dog defense came up big, holding the Sooners out of the end zone to secure the win.
