LINCOLN, Nebraska (Ticker) -- With some of its pride restored, No. 24 Nebraska plays the first of four straight non-conference games Saturday when it hosts Utah State.
Coach Frank Solich faced considerable heat after Nebraska finished just 7-7 last year, the first time the Cornhuskers failed to win at least nine games since 1968.
But some of the pressure was lifted last week as Nebraska opened the season with a 17-7 victory over Oklahoma State, a win that got the Cornhuskers (1-0) back in the top 25.
It did not take long for new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini to make his presence felt as the Cornhuskers played like the "Blackshirts" of old, forcing five turnovers.
After Nebraska allowed 24 points per game last season, Solich decided to shake up his staff, possibly to save his own job, and one of the changes was the hiring of Pelini, a former linebackers coach of the Green Bay Packers, as his new defensive coordinator.
The Cornhuskers shut down Oklahoma State's high-powered offense, intercepting Josh Fields three times. Barrett Ruud returned a fumble 15 yards for a score while Josh Bullocks had two interceptions. Fields completed 13-of-28 passes for just 97 yards.
"It looked like Nebraska made a decision to go back and play football the way Nebraska has always played football - not get too fancy, line up and just beat the hell out of people," Utah State coach Mick Dennehy said.
Utah State (0-1) opened its season last week with a 40-20 loss to Utah. Travis Cox threw for 280 yards in his first game as the Aggies' starter.
Nebraska, which should use Saturday's game as a tuneup for next week's contest against Penn State, is playing Utah State for the second straight year. The Cornhuskers defeated the Aggies, 44-13, last season to increase their lead in the all-time series to 7-0.
