No. 21 Huskers Outlast Jayhawks

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior quarterback Adam Barmann threw for over 400 yards, while running back Jon Cornish gained 145 on the ground, but it was not enough as a furious Jayhawk rally fell short at Memorial Stadium Saturday night. KU erased a 17-point deficit, but fell to No. 21 Nebraska, 39-32 in overtime.

The loss drops KU to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference, while the Huskers improve to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play.

Saturday’s game was one for the ages for KU. The Jayhawks’ 32 points Saturday was the most scored at Nebraska by any KU team since the 1899 squad defeated the Huskers 36-20.

Barmann, who missed his first six passes, connected on 27 of his final 46 throws for 405 yards and two touchdowns. His 405 yards passing was the fourth-most by any KU quarterback in team history.

Trailing 24-7 late in the first half, the Jayhawks scored 19 consecutive points to grab a 25-24 lead. The Jayhawks tied the game with 46 seconds remaining in regulation as Barmann hit wide receiver Brian Murph on a rollout from the Nebraska 26.

However, Cody Glenn’s 1-yard run in the first overtime proved to be the game-winner when Barmann’s fourth down pass from the Nebraska nine fell incomplete.

KU took its first lead with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter when Barmann found tight end Derek Fine in the back of the endzone from one yard out. The Jayhawks missed the two-point try to hold a 25-24 advantage. Fine finished the contest with a career-high 84 yards on five catches.

The Huskers responded two minutes later when Zac Taylor connected with Frantz Hardy for a 75-yard touchdown, Taylor’s third of the game.

KU responded, forcing overtime on Barmann’s second TD pass of the game with 46 seconds left.

Kansas got a 145-yard effort from senior running back Jon Cornish. It marked the fourth time this season that the senior has gained over 100 yards in a game.

Cornish cut the lead to 24-16 on an eight-yard run around the right end early in the second half. The touchdown was set up when defensive end Russell Brorsen sacked Taylor and forced a fumble, which was recovered by linebacker Joe Mortensen, on the Huskers’ second offensive play of the second half.

After surrendering 17 points in the first quarter, the Jayhawks got on the board early in the second quarter on a one-yard plunge by junior runningback Brandon McAnderson. Starting from its own five-yard line, Kansas put together its longest scoring drive of the season. Barmann hit wide receiver Dexton Fields for gains of 30 and 15 yards and completed a 40-yard strike to tight end Derek Fine.

KU outgained the Huskers 558-306 after the first quarter, including 405-257 through the air.

The Jayhawks will play host to Texas A&M next Saturday at 11 a.m.