• Where: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo.
• TV: ABC
• Radio: 1110 AM KFAB
• Video: See what Nebraska coach Bo Pelini had to say after the Huskers' 28-20 win over Colorado:
BOULDER, Colo. -- Nebraska will take a five-game winning streak into the Big 12 championship game after beating Colorado 28-20 at Folsom Field.
The Huskers built a comfortable lead and then fought off some second-half threats by Colorado to finish the regular season at 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12. It marked the second straight nine-win season for Bo Pelini starting his NU head coaching career.
Nebraska also went 4-0 in Big 12 road games for the first time since 1997.
What looked like it might be easy got a little tougher when Colorado (3-9, 2-6) pulled within 21-14 on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Hansen to Scotty McKnight with 6:50 left in the third quarter.
The Buffaloes then moved inside the Huskers' 20-yard line on each of their next two series. However, Aric Goodman missed field goals of 52 and 36 yards, the first after a costly intentional grounding penalty on Hansen.
Nebraska followed the second miss with its clinching drive before a crowd of 52,817.
The Huskers marched 80 yards in 13 plays, 11 of which were rushing attempts. Freshman I-back Rex Burkhead finished it with a 7-yard touchdown run that made it 28-14 with 6:43 remaining.
Burkhead, who had returned only the week before from a broken bone in his foot, carried nine times for 55 yards on the series.
Nebraska struggled offensively for much of the game against a Colorado defense that ranked No. 72 nationally. Coming out of halftime, the Huskers punted twice and had I-back Roy Helu lose a fumble before their 80-yard drive.
Also, quarterback Zac Lee hurt his left knee early in the third quarter, had to be replaced briefly by Cody Green and finished the game with a slight limp.
Colorado started to crack the Husker defense after a tough start, which included no first downs in the first quarter. Behind 28-14 late, the Buffaloes were coming again one more time before Prince Amukamara intercepted Hansen with 4:03 left in the game.
The final margin came when Hansen fired a 56-yard TD pass to McKnight on the final play of the game.
Nebraska could then turn its sights toward 12-0 Texas, its opponent for the Dec. 5 Big 12 final in Arlington, Texas.
Nebraska managed its 21-7 halftime lead with just five first downs and 89 yards of total offense. Two of the three scores came with the offense on the sideline -- a 59-yard punt return by Niles Paul and a 20-yard interception return by safety Matt O'Hanlon.
NU had opened the game by making the Buffs start their first five series on their own 17, 2, 7, 9 and 20. It wasn't until that fifth possession that Colorado managed a first down.
Nebraska, meanwhile, jumped ahead with 3:34 left in the first quarter on Paul's first career punt return for a touchdown. On the first play of the second quarter, Lee then delivered a 24-yard TD pass to tight end Ben Cotton for a 14-0 lead.
After Alex Henery missed a 50-yard field goal, Colorado had its best first-half series with a seven-play, 67-yard drive that pulled it within 14-7. The Buffs gained first downs on four consecutive plays before Hansen threw a 2-yard TD pass to fullback Jake Behrens, a senior from Millard North.
Nebraska had CU backed up again when Hansen threw a pass right to O'Hanlon, who returned it for a 21-7 lead with 3:16 left before halftime.
Lee started the game 6 for 6 for 50 yards, then threw incomplete on his next three passes. The missed field goal by Henery made him 0 for 3 on field goals of 50 or more yards.
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Get ready for today's Nebraska-Colorado game with The World-Herald's pregame section:
• Getting a grip: Lee settling in at high-profile role
• 2-minute drill
• Three things to watch
• Key matchup
Click here for Big Red Today, The World-Herald's comprehensive Husker source for news on game day and beyond, and keep up to date in real time with the Big Red Today blog, only on Omaha.com.
At 12:30 p.m., chat live on Husker Talk Live: Pregame, where World-Herald beat writer Rich Kaipust will answer questions live from Boulder, Colo.
Then, chat with other fans during an in-game edition of Husker Talk Live, a chance to see what the rest of Husker Nation thinks about the game in real time.
Jon will then return following the game for Husker Talk Live: Postgame.
Follow OWHbigred on Twitter to get live updates before, during and after the game and to stay in the know with Husker news all week long.
Submit fan photos to our OWH Big Red Photos group on Flickr or e-mail them to sports@owh.com and catch your photos in our fan slideshow.
Check in after the game for the live, streaming postgame press conference with Nebraska coach Bo Pelini and selected Husker players.
Also, check Omaha.com throughout the game for our award-winning photographers' photo showcases, featuring the fans, the fun and, of course, the game.
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External links:
• Live Audio: Nebraska vs. Colorado
Replay the video of Wednesday's Big Red Today Show to see what the Husker writers expect from today's NU-CU matchup.
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