Lincoln (Nov. 15, 1997) - A week after needing overtime to pull out a miraculous victory, Nebraska needed less than a quarter to put its game with Iowa State out of reach. The Huskers exploded for 35 first-quarter points, including 21 in the first five minutes, to set the tone for a 77-14 rout of Iowa State.

After forcing the Cyclones to punt on its first series, Nebraska needed just four plays to score. Ahman Green capped the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run. The Husker fireworks continued after ISU’s next drive, as freshman Bobby Newcombe returned a Cyclone punt 53 yards for a touchdown to put NU ahead 14-0. Green added two more first-quarter touchdowns on runs of 49 and 4 yards to push the NU lead to 28-0, before Iowa State got on the board. Newcombe closed the first period scoring with a 16-yard touchdown on a wingback option play. The 35 points tied a school record for scoring in the opening quarter.

The Huskers were not done setting records. NU added 28 second-quarter points on two touchdown runs by Scott Frost, a Joel Makovicka score and a Frost to Sheldon Jackson touchdown pass to push the halftime margin to 63-7. The 63 points also tied a record for most points in a first half.

Coach Tom Osborne pulled back the reins on his high-powered offense in the second half, but NU still added 14 more points to account for the final margin. It was a record-breaking day for Green, who rushed for 209 yards on just 15 carries to push his season total to 1,496 yards. Green rushed for 200 or more yards against Iowa State in two straight seasons and his 599 yards in three games against the Cyclones is a school record for most yards against a single opponent.

The victory clinched Nebraska’s fifth straight 10-win season and secured the Huskers’ place as the North Division representative in the Big 12 Championship Game.