LINCOLN, NEB. ? Nebraska wanted to shut down the Texas running game Saturday, and it succeeded, holding the Longhorns to just 79 rushing yards.

But the Cornhuskers couldn’t stop the passing game of Texas quarterback Chris Simms, who responded with a school-record 419 passing yards to lead No. 7 Texas to a 27-24 win.

“We wanted to make Chris Simms have to make some plays,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Craig Bohl said Sunday. “In the second half, I think he did.

“He had some truly outstanding throws. He had people in his face, receivers were covered and he threw it in there with pinpoint accuracy,” Bohl said.

It helped Simms that wide receiver Roy Williams, who had been slowed by a pulled hamstring, returned to form Saturday, hauling in 13 passes another school record for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

“You could see him getting better and better. He is a dominant player,” Bohl said.

Nebraska had two chances to turn the game around with interceptions. On one play, linebacker Barrett Ruud had a ball go through his hands and land in the arms of a Texas receiver.

On another possession, Josh Bullocks broke in front of a Texas receiver at the goal line and nearly picked off an interception that would have likely gone for a Nebraska touchdown.

Asked about those plays, Bohl responded, “You’re killing me, OK? You have a tendency to think about those plays. But there are a whole host of things that go into it.

“There’s nobody that feels more disappointed than those two players.”

Because Nebraska had a chance to win the game at the end, Bohl said Saturday’s loss was particularly hard on the team. But he said the players and coaches remain positive, even with a record of 6-4.

“That was just a tough game,” Bohl said. “I can’t emphasize to you enough that our players are playing with passion and playing hard. There’s a determination here. We’re going to keep plowing forward.”

Bohl said he thinks that defensive end Chris Kelsay, who has missed the last four games with a partially torn hamstring, will play against Kansas University on Saturday and that Lannie Hopkins, who missed the Texas game because of a concussion, also will return.