A mistake-prone performance is the last thing Nebraska needed in facing unbeaten and fourth-ranked Missouri on Saturday night in Lincoln.

But that's exactly what Bo Pelini saw from his Huskers, and the first-year coach was anything but pleased after Missouri's well-executed 52-17 whipping.

"I'll tell you what I just told the team," Pelini said. "I apologized to the team. I don't point the finger. I point the thumb. It all starts with me. We got outcoached tonight. We weren't well enough prepared. We got beat and we go beat soundly. I'm the head of the ship and I take full responsibility for it."

Missouri was nearly flawless in collecting its first victory in Lincoln since 1978. Quarterback Chase Daniel completed 19 of 24 passes for 261 yards, and the Tigers ran for 201 yards in another crisp offensive performance.

Nebraska, meanwhile, was sloppy. The Huskers committed 14 penalties for 101 yards, had two turnovers that led to two Missouri touchdowns and once again showed an inability to generate any offensive push up front. Nebraska ran for 79 yards.

Each team scored on its opening possession, but while Nebraska went backward as much as it went forward, Missouri kept scoring. It was 31-10 at halftime, and 38-10 late in the third quarter -- although Missouri, at that point, had outgained Nebraska by a mere 56 yards in total offense.

That was a reflection of Nebraska's miscues, which included a 3-yard punt, an interception returned for a touchdown, back-to-back sacks that sent the Huskers out of field goal range and a personal foul penalty that thwarted another scoring chance.

"Once again, it's my fault," Pelini said. "Damn right. I'm embarrassed. I apologize to the state of Nebraska. I apologize to everybody associated with the University of Nebraska football."

SEASON RECAP
Nebraska 47, Western Michigan 24 -- Joe Ganz threw four touchdown passes to help Bo Pelini win his debut as the host Cornhuskers' coach.

Nebraska 35, San Jose State 12 -- Niles Paul ran back a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, allowing the Cornhuskers (2-0) to send the Spartans to their 12th straight nonconference road loss.

Nebraska 38, New Mexico State 7 -- Joe Ganz threw a touchdown pass, ran for a score and caught a touchdown pass, and Marlon Lucky helped revive Nebraska's rushing attack with 103 yards, leading the Cornhuskers (3-0) past the Aggies (0-1) at Lincoln.

Virginia Tech 35, Nebraska 30 -- Virginia Tech used defense and special teams to hand Nebraska its first loss of the season. Nebraska tried rallying from a 28-10 deficit, thanks in part to an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown by Nate Swift, but couldn't come up with a final stop on defense.

Missouri 52, Nebraska 17 -- Heisman Trophy candidate Chase Daniel threw for 261 yards, and Missouri ran for 201 yards, as the Tigers romped past mistake-prone Nebraska for their first victory in Lincoln since 1978. Nebraska had two turnovers, both of which led to touchdowns, and committed 14 penalties.

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