PECULIAR PLAY

A 7-yard run by Kansas State tailback Daniel Thomas in the third quarter was followed by a defensive holding penalty on Nebraska. Nothing unusual, until it was announced that the penalty was on defensive tackle Jared Crick. And Crick was guilty of holding a K-State offensive lineman who was only trying to get out of the middle and downfield to block some more for Thomas.

WHAT WAS THAT?

Some quizzical looks might have followed Kansas State's decision to decline a penalty when Justin Blatchford knocked over Wildcats punter Ryan Doerr in the second quarter. The reason? The call was running into the punter and not roughing, and the 5-yard penalty on fourth-and-12 would have just led to the Wildcats kicking again. They took their 51-yard punt instead (though Doerr landed awkwardly enough that he did not return).

NOTICED

I-back Rex Burkhead returned a week sooner than most would have thought, and Nebraska wasn't afraid to use him Saturday night. Burkhead had six carries for 17 yards and also caught a 9-yard pass. Burkhead, who showed no sign of injury, broke a bone in his foot on Oct. 12 and just returned to practice on Wednesday. His presence behind Roy Helu should help over the next two weeks.

RAVE REVIEW

Other than one punt return by Brandon Banks, when he shook himself loose for 22 yards in the third quarter, Nebraska did a bang-up job of containing the senior who is likely to be the All-Big 12 return specialist. Banks' first three returns on kickoffs covered just 16, 15 and 19 yards, and NU kicker Adi Kunalic produced a touchback. Also, Alex Henery knocked one punt out at the K-State 1-yard line, and later boomed a 61-yarder over Banks' head that rolled out at the Wildcats' 3.

— Rich Kaipust

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