LINCOLN, Nebraska (Ticker) -- Demorrio Williams recorded three sacks to tie a school mark for linebackers as No. 24 Nebraska overcame a slow start to post a 31-7 victory over Utah State.
Williams matched a record set most recently by LeRoy Etienne against Oklahoma in 1988. The last Cornhusker to have three sacks at any position was defensive tackle Steve Warren against Texas A&M in 1999.
"I just try to come out and do what I can to contribute to the team," Williams said. "I just go out and try to give a team effort."
"No. 7 (Williams), we don't have an athlete like him," Utah State coach Mick Dennehy said. "He's a difference maker, and those two turnovers he caused in the game were a major, major difference in the game."
The Aggies grabbed a 7-6 lead on Travis Cox's 41-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley with 4:17 left in the first quarter but they were blanked thereafter.
Nebraska allowed 238 total yards after giving up just 183 in last week's 17-7 victory over Oklahoma State, a win that moved the Cornhuskers back in the top 25.
Nebraska has opened with two impressive efforts under new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, a former assistant coach of the Green Bay Packers, who was hired to improve a defense that allowed 24 points per game last season.
"I think we played a physical football game," Nebraska coach Frank Solich said. "I thought the defense played very well in the second half and were able to really shut them down."
Jammal Lord rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and also completed 8-of-12 passes for 85 yards for the Cornhuskers (2-0).
"I think Jammal did some good things," Solich said. "We rely very heavily on him in the running game. He came through with some big plays in the running game as he usually does."
Josh Davis added 63 yards on 14 carries for Nebraska, which took the lead for good on Judd Davies' one-yard TD run midway through the second period.
David Dyches kicked the first of his four field goals, a 23-yarder with 3:23 left, to give Nebraska a 15-7 halftime lead.
David Horne scored from a yard out early in the third period before Dyches kicked three straight field goals to complete the scoring.
Cox completed 17-of-33 passes for 178 yards for the Aggies (0-2).
"The first quarter was awesome," Cox said. "We felt that we had a good game plan and could come in here and really move the ball. We played really well together at the start but weren't able to finish out."
While Nebraska eventually was able to wear down Utah State, Solich was disappointed the Cornhuskers had to settle for field goals.
"Offensively, we continued to move the ball but we had trouble putting touchdowns on the board after drives," he said. "That has got to change."
Nebraska took control after Williams forced a fumble at the Utah State 12 after sacking Cox midway through the first half. Two plays later, Davies scored to give the Cornhuskers a 12-7 lead.
Cox also caused another fumble after sacking Cox on Utah State's ensuing possession and Nebraska cashed it into Dyches' 23-yard field goal.
"We felt we could move the ball today but Williams was all over us after the second series of the game," Aggies wide receiver Kenny Coleman said.
