The O’Collegian

The last time Oklahoma State left Lincoln, Neb. with a football victory, coach Mike Gundy wasn’t alive.

The year was 1960 and an audience of 27, 421 witnessed the Cowboys defeat Nebraska 7-6.

Now, 47 years later, OSU can finally leave Lincoln without a bad taste in its mouths. The Cowboys clobbered the Cornhuskers 45-14, stunning the 84,334 in attendance.

OSU’s 40-year old head man said he couldn’t remember how many years it had been since OSU won at Nebraska.

“It’s a great win for Oklahoma State,” Gundy said. “I’d actually just told the team something special, that it’s the first team in 41 years, but somebody told me it’s been 47. I guess once it gets past about 20, it all runs together. But this is a special win for the team.”

The victory should be extra special for Gundy. He had chances lost in Lincoln in 1986 and 1988 as OSU’s quarterback and as an assistant coach under Les Miles.

After the game, Gundy was quick to deflect the attention away from himself.

“[Winning in Lincoln] means a lot because the team means a lot to me — and that’s not just coach’s talk,” Gundy said. “I’m not concerned with myself. I’m excited for the players because they put the hard work and effort into it.”

Gundy added that it was nice to finally get the elusive victory.

“We had a shot up in here in ’88 and didn’t play well. We had a shot when we opened up here [in 2003], we turned the ball over five times and took ourselves out of the game. I was just glad we finally finished it and got it done.”

Offensive coordinator Larry Fedora wasn’t aware of how many years it had been but understood the significance.

“I do understand and respect the tradition they have here (at Nebraska),” Fedora said. “It’s a good feeling and I do have a tremendous amount of respect and I know how hungry our guys were to get it done. How many years has it been? 47? So I wasn’t alive anyway.”

Although the victory gives OSU its first victory at Nebraska in 22 attempts, the Huskers clearly aren’t the national power they once were. Nebraska’s record is 4-3 (1-2 in the Big 12) and were beaten by a combined 69 points the past two games.

Even though the Pokes hadn’t won in Lincoln in nearly five decades, they have won three of their last four games against Nebraska.

Despite the historic loss, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said he wasn’t concerned about his job security.

“I’m not worried about my job,” Callahan said. “I’m just going to do the best I can. Whatever happens, happens. I don’t think you can coach in fear or coach like you’re scared of something.

“I’ve never coached like that in my life. I’ve been in this business for 30 years, and it sure as hell isn’t going to start now, that’s for sure.”

Either way, the Cowboys will savor the feeling. The victory gives OSU momentum heading into a three-game home stretch, beginning with Homecoming against Kansas State.

“Just to have momentum anytime in the season is great,” Fedora said. “Obviously this is going to be big for us coming back home we know what K-State is and how good they’re playing this year, so we’ll have our work cut out for us.”