Brandon Jackson, NU running back

NU leaned hard on Jackson, and he responded well, as he has since late September. Make no mistake, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior felt the effects of rushing a career-high 32 times for 111 yards. “It took a toll on my body,” he said. “I just have to adapt to it.” Take today off, big fella, you’ve earned it.

— Steven M. Sipple

Andy Christensen, NU left guard

All of NU’s trench diggers deserve props, but the sophomore gets singled out simply for stepping up in such a pivotal game for injured Greg Austin and keeping NU humming. Christensen’s efforts helped limit traffic around Zac Taylor and paved the way to another effective bulldozing job by tailback Brandon Jackson.

— Curt McKeever

Adam Carriker, NU defensive end

Carriker turned in another kind of performance you want to see from senior leaders late in the season when the games get bigger. Nebraska won the game by two touchdowns, and Carriker helped set up two touchdowns with a pair of huge defensive plays. A runner-up game ball to Major Culbert.

— Brian Rosenthal

Maurice Purify, NU wide receiver

Purify’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Nunn was nice, but how about his skywalking act on the 7-yard TD grab in the second quarter? “He’s a big man, and more importantly, he plays big,” said NU receivers coach Ted Gilmore. I assume Doc Sadler is taking notes.

— John Mabry