LINCOLN — Among the offensive problems Nebraska temporarily solved Saturday was the ability to make something out of its first possession.

After a 40-yard kickoff return by Tim Marlowe, the Huskers used a six-play, 58-yard drive to go ahead 7-0 in their 31-17 win at Kansas. They almost botched things when quarterback Zac Lee fumbled at the goal line, but I-back Roy Helu recovered in the end zone.

Previously, Nebraska had managed only a first-series touchdown against Arkansas State and field goals against Baylor and Louisiana-Lafayette. In fact, NU did not manage a first down on its first series in five of the other six games.

Defensively, NU has allowed two opponents to score touchdowns on their first series (Virginia Tech, Texas Tech) and one netted a field goal (Iowa State). Those also happen to be the three teams that have beat Nebraska this season.

Hickman among those facing final home game

It was going to have to come to an end sooner or later for Jacob Hickman, a senior center who will play his final home game Saturday when Kansas State visits Memorial Stadium.

Hickman has participated in 40 career games since coming to NU out of Bakersfield, Calif. His 33 career starts trail only defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (34) among current Huskers.

“Sometimes it feels like a long, long time, but sometimes it's already here and it feels kind of quick,'' Hickman said. “It's going to be kind of crazy.''

Nebraska is expected to suit up 13 seniors for the K-State game — Hickman, Suh, Larry Asante, Chris Brooks, Wes Cammack, Andy Christensen, Phillip Dillard, David Harvey, Menelik Holt, Colton Koehler, Derek Meyer, Matt O'Hanlon and Barry Turner. Rickey Thenarse is listed as a senior, but he's likely to receive a medical hardship ruling that would give him another season.

KU offensive line ‘had decent night'

A defense averaging almost four sacks a game during its past four outings against an offensive line featuring two sophomores — one playing a different position — and a freshman?

Sounds like a recipe for chaos in the backfield.

Not so. A Kansas O-line that had sophomore Jeff Spikes moved from left guard to right guard gave up only one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.

“I think they had a decent night over all collectively,” KU coach Mark Mangino said.

Mangino said he felt moving Spikes to the right side would give the sophomore some stability with junior tackle Brad Thorson to his outside.

“Thorson has done a good job for us at right tackle,” Mangino said. “We thought maybe perhaps it'd be playing to Jeff's strengths maybe to put him inside where he had help on both sides.”

NU-Kansas State game to be on ESPN

The Big 12 and ESPN announced Sunday that the Nebraska-Kansas State game will be carried by ESPN. Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m.

The winner will represent the North Division in the Big 12 championship game Dec. 5 in Arlington, Texas.

— Rich Kaipust and Nick Rubek

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