Football '98:
vs California, September 12, 1998

(4) NEBRASKA 24, CALIFORNIA 3

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - Nebraska's reserve quarterbacks did it again.

With starter Bobby Newcombe sidelined a second straight week by a knee injury, Eric Crouch ran for two touchdowns before aggravating a hamstring strain and Monte Christo threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Shevin Wiggins in the late going as No. 4 Nebraska beat California, 24-3, Saturday.

It was the 17th straight victory for Nebraska (3-0), including three this season under first-year coach Frank Solich.

The strong start has come even though Nebraska was without five starters for the second time in as many weeks. The Cornhuskers found out Saturday that Newcombe wouldn't be able to go because of lingering soreness in his knee. Nebraska is idle next week and hopes to have Newcombe back in two weeks against Washington.

"We are banged up, I don't think there is any question about it," Solich said. "I thought the guys that did play, our backup players, did well. We have some depth on our team and it can certainly make us a stronger team as the season goes on. Hopefully now we'll be able to get better and get some guys healed up."

The Cornhuskers' defense also came around, producing six sacks and interceptions by Mike Brown and Carlos Polk in the final three minutes while holding Cal (1-1) without a touchdown. Polk's interception led to a 41-yard field goal by Kris Brown with 19 seconds remaining.

"I think they really stepped it up this week and made the plays," Solich said. "I'm pleased with their effort today and I think we needed it."

Nebraska finished with 254 yards rushing, led by Joel Makovicka's 83 on 14 carries.

Crouch completed 6-of-16 for 74 yards and had one intercepted before his hamstring acted up and he was replaced midway through the third quarter by Christo, who was 9-of-12 for 106 yards. He capped a 70-yard drive with the TD toss to Wiggins with 3:54 remaining.

"I thought we played hard but I can't be satisfied. We can't get complacent," Cal coach Tom Holmoe said.

Struggling to move the ball most of the day, Cal went on the move in the third quarter.

Vedder hooked up with Dameane Douglas on a 40-yard pass, setting up a 38-yard field goal by Tim Wolleck with 6:42 remaining in the third to get the Bears on the board.

Cal broke another big play when Vedder completed a 44-yard pass to A.J. Kunkle, advancing the ball to the Cornhuskers 31. But Nebraska turned the Golden Bears back from there, with Eric Johnson sacking Vedder on a third-down blitz to force a punt.

Nebraska led 14-0 at halftime on touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards by Crouch.

(4) Nebraska 24, CALIFORNIA 3

                   1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH  FINAL
                   --- --- --- ---  -----
Nebraska            7   7   0  10    24
California          0   0   3   0     3

First Quarter
      Neb-Crouch 1 run (K. Brown kick), 12:08
Second Quarter
      Neb-Crouch 3 run (K. Brown kick), 9:55
Third Quarter
      Cal-FG Wolleck 38, 6:42
Fourth Quarter
      Neb-Wiggins 5 pass from Christo (K. Brown kick), 3:54
      Neb-FG K.Brown 41, :19


                           NU      Cal
                          ---      ---
First downs                24        9
Rushes-yards           60-254    25-12
Passing                   180      224
Comp-Att-Int          15-28-1  14-32-2
Return Yards               50       48
Punts-Avg.             7-41.9   9-38.2
Fumbles-Lost              0-0      0-0
Penalties-Yards          4-29     9-53
Time of Possession      35:42    24:18


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Nebraska, Mackovicka 14-83, Buckhalter 12-71, Crouch
16-59, Christo 12-26, Alexander 6-15. California, Fields 8-30,
White 8-15, Davenport 1-(minus 2), Vedder 7-(minus 15), Clemons
1-(minus 16).

PASSING-Nebraska, Crouch 6-16-1-74, Christo 9-12-0-106.
California, Vedder 14-32-2-224.

RECEIVING-Nebraska, Wiggins 7-97, Davison 5-44, Jackosn 1-31,
Debates 1-11, Buckhalter 1-(minus 3). California, Douglas 5-124,
White 4-15, Kunkle 3-51, Davenport 1-22, C. Smith 1-12.

A-67,000.