AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Texas hex continues over Nebraska. After hearing the Cornhuskers talk for a week about avenging a home loss to Texas a year ago, Major Applewhite threw for two second-half touchdowns Saturday to rally the 18th-ranked Longhorns to a 24-20 victory.

"We knew it was important to do our talking on the field," Applewhite said. "We knew it wouldn't do any good to do any talking before the game."

Texas (6-2, 3-1 Big 12) has won three straight over No. 3 Nebraska (6-1, 3-1) since the merger of the Big Eight and Southwest conferences before the 1996 season. Texas is the only team to beat Nebraska three times in the '90s.

The loss seriously damages Nebraska's bid for the national championship and dropped the Cornhuskers a game behind Kansas State in the North Division race for a berth in the Big 12 title game.

"You can say we're jinxed, have bad luck, but we just have to eliminate mistakes," said Dan Alexander, who led Nebraska with 136 yards on 21 carries. "Maybe the national championship is out of reach but you never know in football."

Texas and Nebraska aren't scheduled to meet again in the regular season until 2002. The teams could play again in the Big 12 championship game in December.

"If we're good enough," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "There's a chance we'll see them again.

Nebraska led, 20-17, after quarterback Eric Crouch's 9-yard TD run with 7:52 left to play before Applewhite drove Texas 60 yards in four plays for the winning score.

After hitting wideout Ryan Nunez with a 39-yard pass to the Nebraska 21, Applewhite found tight end Mike Jones in the flat. Jones broke three tackles, including one at the goal line, in completing a 17-yard scoring play.

Applewhite was 9-of-21 for 47 yards in the first half as Nebraska built a 13-3 lead. He was 8-of-9 in the second half for 166 yards. His 13-yard strike to Kwame Cavil in the third quarter gave Texas a 17-13 lead.

Nebraska wanted to pressure Applewhite and force turnovers -- as Kansas State did in beating Texas 35-17 three weeks ago -- but never got a sack.

Nebraska outgained Texas, 429-275, but turned the ball over three times, including a fumble by running back Correll Buckhalter at the Texas 1 that cost the Huskers a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Crouch passed for 204 yards but was held to 35 yards rushing on 17 carries in the option.

Nebraska scored on three straight possessions in the second quarter on Josh Brown's field goals of 22 and 32 yards and Buckhalter's 5-yard run with 45 seconds left.

Texas started the second half with the wind at its back. After a short Nebraska punt, Texas started its first drive at the Cornhuskers 35. Chris Robertson pulled Texas within 13-10 four plays later on a 1-yard run, his sixth touchdown this season on just 12 carries.

(18) TEXAS 24, (3) Nebraska 20
(Recap)

                   1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH  FINAL
                   --- --- --- ---  -----
Nebraska            0  13   0   7    20
Texas               3   0  14   7    24


First Quarter
     Tex-FG Stockton 43, 9:04
Second Quarter
     Neb-FG Brown 22, 6:21
     Neb-FG Brown 32, 2:12
     Neb-Buckhalter 5 run (Brown kick), :45
Third Quarter
     Tex-Robertson 1 run (Stockton kick), 11:17
     Tex-Cavil 13 pass from Applewhite (Stockton kick), 2:00
Fourth Quarter
     Neb-Crouch 9 run (Brown kick), 7:52
     Tex-Jones 17 rec (Stockton kick), 5:51
 	

                       Neb      Tex
                       ---      ---
First downs             23       13
Rushes-yards        51-192    27-62
Passing                237      213
Comp-Att-Int       13-21-0  17-30-0
Return Yards           111       60
Punts-Avg.            3-39     7-38
Fumbles-Lost           5-3      2-0
Penalties-Yards       5-45     6-61
Time of Possession   34:13    25:47
 	

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Nebraska, Alexander 21-136, Crouch 17-35, Buckhalter
8-23, Miller 4-0, Newcombe 1-(minus 2). Texas, Mitchell 20-83,
Brown 2-3, Robertson 2-2, Jones 1-(minus 6), Applewhite 2-(minus
20). 	

PASSING-Nebraska, Crouch 12-20-0-204, Newcombe 1-1-0-33. Texas,
Applewhite 17-30-0-213.

RECEIVING-Nebraska, Davison 4-62, Newcombe 3-22, Wistrom 2-87,
Alexander 2-25, Buckhalter 1-26, Miller 1-15. Texas, Cavil 8-84,
Nunez 3-54, Mitchell 3-45, M.Jones 1-17, J.Jones 1-7, Flowers
1-6.

A-84,082.