Huskers overcome sluggish first quarter

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska coach Frank Solich wants his team to score more touchdowns.

Jammal Lord ran for 72 yards and a touchdown as No. 23 Nebraska (2-0) overcame a slow start to beat Utah State 31-7 Saturday. The Cornhuskers, who scored one offensive touchdown in last week's win over Oklahoma State, produced three despite generating 405 total yards against the Aggies.

"The offense continues to move the ball, but we're having trouble getting touchdowns," Solich said. "We've got to be more point-productive at the end of our drives."

Lord also completed 8 of 12 passes for 85 yards before giving way to Joe Dailey late in the third quarter.

David Dyches kicked field goals of 23, 20, 29 and 26 yards in his first college game.

"It wasn't the kind of game where you ever felt real comfortable," Solich said. "There were enough things that weren't crisp and sharp that it was a little frustrating."

Jason Cox completed 13 of 15 passes for 132 yards in the first quarter as the Aggies (0-2) led 7-6.

But Cox went 4-of-18 the rest of the way -- and the Demorrio Williams-led Nebraska defense limited the Aggies to just 93 total yards after the first quarter.

"We had to see what they came out and did," defensive coordinator Bo Pelini said. "Once we saw that, we made our adjustments. We settled down and played good football."

Nebraska scored on its first possession, with Lord running 15 yards for the touchdown.

After Sandro DeAngelis missed the extra point, the Aggies quickly moved the ball down the field.

Cox passed three times to tight end Chris Cooley on a four-play touchdown drive that the two capped with a 41-yard pass. Justin Hamblin's kick gave the Aggies a 7-6 lead.

"We accomplished what we needed to accomplish by keeping them off-balance," USU coach Mick Dennehy said. "Easy throws, things that have a tendency to allow you to get a little bit of momentum and get on a roll, and I think that's exactly what happened."

But after allowing 145 yards in the first quarter, Nebraska's defense gave up just 7 in the second.

Williams forced two straight fumbles by Cox, and the Huskers converted both into points.

"He's a difference-maker," Dennehy said, "and those two turnovers he caused were a major, major difference in this game."

One play after Williams forced and recovered Cox's fumble at the USU 1, Judd Davies bulled into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

Williams hit Cox's blind side again on the first play of USU's ensuing series, with Titus Adams recovering the fumble.

Dyches gave Nebraska its eight-point halftime lead with a 23-yard field goal.

Williams had a third sack in the second quarter, tying the single-game school record for sacks by a linebacker.

"I'm trying to bring momentum to the defense," Williams said. "When they see big plays out there, they want to make big plays, too."

Cox finished 17-of-33 for 178 yards, with an interceptions, and David Fiefia had 60 yards on nine carries.

Dailey, a freshman, ran nine times for 47 yards and completed 4 of 5 passes for 47 yards in his first appearance. He fumbled once on a quarterback sneak near the goal line.

Solich said Dailey has earned more playing time but stopped short of saying he was considering a two-quarterback system.

"Joe showed he can play quarterback in our system," Solich said. "In this day of college football, you need two quarterbacks to be prepared. It looks like we might have a chance to have two quarterbacks who can get some things done."