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Nebraska Holds Off Wake Forest

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The Associated Press

Published: September 9, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Sam Keller threw for 258 yards and a TD in his first road start at Nebraska and Zackary Bowman had a critical interception in the end zone, leading the 16th-ranked Cornhuskers past Wake Forest 20-17 on Saturday.

Keller completed 24 of 41 passes for Nebraska (2-0), which lacked the gaudy offensive numbers of last week but withstood its first real challenge of the season and now can focus on next week's visit from No. 1 Southern California.

Wake Forest had a prime opportunity to take the lead - or at least tie it - midway through the fourth quarter, when defensive end Zach Stukes smothered Keller and John Russell intercepted the pass at the Nebraska 10.

The Huskers took it back three plays later when Bowman stepped in front of Brett Hodges' pass into the end zone with 6:05 to play.

Nebraska - which rushed for 413 yards in a rout of Nevada - managed just 27 on the ground at halftime and finished with 117. Marlon Lucky, who had a career-high 233 yards rushing last week, had just 90 yards on 24 carries.

EAST CAROLINA 34, NORTH CAROLINA 31: Patrick Pinkney threw for 406 yards and three TDs in his first start and Ben Hartman shook off three missed field goals to kick the winner on the final play in East Carolina's win against North Carolina.

Chris Johnson added two TD catches and a rushing score for the Pirates (1-1), who managed to hold on for thrilling victory in their home opener against their instate rival. It was only East Carolina's second victory in 11 tries - the last coming 32 years ago - against the Tar Heels (1-1).

Pinkney, a former third-stringer, completed 31 of 41 passes and finished with the second-best passing game in school history. Hartman had missed field goals of 30, 32 and 37 yards before nailing the 39-yard kick on the final play, sending the purple-clad Pirates spilling onto the field in celebration.

BOSTON COLLEGE 37, N.C. STATE 17: Boston College (2-0, 2-0) ruined Tom O'Brien's return to the school he coached for 10 seasons by forcing seven turnovers and keeping his new team winless (0-2, 0-1).

Former Countryside High star Harrison Beck threw five interceptions, and he and Wolfpack punter Nate Franklin each lost a fumble as BC scored 23 points following turnovers. The Eagles scored 30 straight points after trailing 10-7.

O'Brien left in December after becoming the winningest coach in BC history. The Eagles won bowl games in each of the last six seasons, but O'Brien went to North Carolina State before last year's Meineke Car Care Bowl.

GEORGIA TECH 69, SAMFORD 14: Tashard Choice secured his ninth straight 100-yard game with a 73-yard TD run in the first quarter and No. 21 Georgia Tech (2-0) scored its most points in a half since 1916, blowing out visiting Samford (1-1).

Choice, who set a career high with 196 yards rushing in Tech's 33-3 win against Notre Dame last week, did not play after rushing for 110 yards and two TDs in the first quarter. Choice scored on runs of 9 and 73 yards - the longest of his career.

Georgia Tech led 45-0 at halftime, its most points in any half since its 222-0 win against Cumberland on Oct. 7, 1916.

CLEMSON 49, LOUISIANA-MONROE 26: Cullen Harper threw a school-record five TD passes and No. 25 Clemson started 2-0 for the second time in three seasons, following up Monday night's 24-18 win against FSU.

The redshirt junior finished 20 of 26 passing for 270 yards and no interceptions. He tied the school's single-game mark, set by Bobby Gage in 1947 and matched by four other players, in the first half to give Clemson a 28-10 advantage.

Clemson's 'Thunder and Lightning' backfield of James Davis and C.J. Spiller led the way, Davis running for 68 yards and a 16-yard touchdown run and Spiller grabbing four receptions for 87 yards.

VIRGINIA 24, DUKE 13: Cedric Peerman ran for 137 yards and a touchdown to help Virginia (1-1, 1-0) defeat visiting Duke (0-2, 0-1).

Tight end Tom Santi also caught two TDs, and backup QB Peter Lalich led a 15-play TD drive that allowed the Cavaliers to earn their 600th win in school history.

Duke was looking to end a 21-game losing streak dating to a 2005 victory against VMI. The Blue Devils have not beaten a major college football program since 2004.

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