LINCOLN, Nebraska (Ticker) -- Eighth-ranked Nebraska concludes the non-conference portion of its schedule Saturday when it hosts Troy State, which is coming off an impressive victory over Marshall.
The Cornhuskers open conference play next week at Missouri.
The Trojans gave Nebraska a test last year before falling, 31-16. The difference was special teams as DeJuan Groce set a Cornhuskers record by returning two points for touchdowns.
Last week, Troy State (3-2) posted a 33-24 victory over Marshall, which was coming off a win at Kansas State.
Playing an ambitious schedule is nothing new for the Trojans, who are facing their third ranked opponent of the season.
Troy State opened the year by getting outscored 89-12 in losses to Kansas State (41-5) and Minnesota (48-7). Since then, it has rebounded with three straight wins.
Troy State, in just its third season of Division I-A, is allowing 370.0 yards per game, but just 120 on the ground. Defensive back Derrick Ansley is tied for the Division I-A lead in interceptions with five. He returned an interception for a touchdown against Marshall.
Nebraska (4-0) remained undefeated with a 38-14 victory at Southern Mississippi.
While the Cornhuskers rank fifth nationally in rushing (254.8 yards per game), they had some success through the air last week. Jammal Lord passed for a season-high 124 yards and also threw his first two touchdown passes.
Josh Davis paces the Cornhuskers' ground game, averaging 94.8 yards per game. He ran for 42 yards on 10 carries against Southern Miss and also had a season-high 40-yard kickoff return to open the second half.
Nebraska is 2-0 all-time against Troy State, also posting a 42-14 win in 2001.
