 "Photo: Vanessa Skocz")
STILLWATER, Okla. - Just as Nebraska appeared to find the chairman of its running back committee by the middle of the season, Oklahoma State may have its three-headed mess all cleaned up.
The Cowboys' running back trio of Dantrell Savage, Keith Toston and Mike Hamilton - each of whom have started this season - led the way for OSU's ground attack to pile up a season-high 267 yards rushing, but it was Savage who was all the rage following the Cowboys' 41-29 win.
The junior from Columbus, Ga., rushed for 78 of his team-high 117 yards in the second half to leave the Cornhusker defense looking for answers to their second straight loss.
"They didn't come out and run the quadruple option or anything. We just didn't play very well," senior defensive end Adam Carriker said. "Give them credit. They're a good team. They had a good game plan. We just didn't play well."
Savage excelled on Oklahoma State's zone running plays, using his speed to hit the corner and rack up an average of 6.9 yards in his second straight 100-yard game. Savage ran for 134 yards on just 13 carries in the Cowboys' 34-33 overtime loss to Texas A&M last week.
"Their running game was outstanding," NU Coach Bill Callahan said. "I thought their boundary runs were excellent. They captured the corner and the perimeters well on their runs. Their backs were impressive."
Savage shook off an early fumble by finding the end zone from 18 yards out to pull OSU to within 16-13 with 4 minutes, 13 seconds left in the second quarter.
"He felt bad about the fumble, but it didn't bother him," OSU Offensive Coordinator Larry Fedora said. "He knew he was going to go back out there and make plays, and he did."
Led by Savage, the Cowboys continued to knife through the Blackshirts in the second half. Oklahoma State averaged 6.3 yards per carry after halftime when the Husker defense found themselves on the field for extended periods.
Savage helped OSU salt the game away in the fourth quarter with nifty runs of 20, 18 and 13 yards to thrill an audience that included Cowboy Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders, a former teammate of OSU Coach Mike Gundy.
"(Savage) had a nice little spin move, kind of like Barry," Gundy said. "That's what I told him after the game. He can say 'OK, it's not blocked the way it's supposed to, but I'll get yards.' "
Savage had been platooning with Toston and Hamilton, who led the Cowboys with 489 yards coming into Saturday. And following the game, Gundy wouldn't budge on the fact all three would continue to rotate on the field for plenty of snaps.
"We are fortunate to have three capable guys, and as the season goes on, we are going to need all three of them," Gundy said.
But following Saturday's performance, Fedora hinted Savage may have earned the right to keep starting and to pick up more touches as the Cowboys search for bowl eligibility.
"I don't know why we should change it," Fedora said. "I don't know why we shouldn't keep going with the hot hand."
