Omaha, Neb. ? Football coach-turned-congressman Tom Osborne tried – and failed – to take down Gov. Dave Heineman on Tuesday in the Republican primary for governor of this football-crazy state.

Osborne was initially considered a strong favorite because of his three national championships at the University of Nebraska. In his three congressional races, Osborne never received less than 82 percent of the vote.

But recent polls showed Osborne and Heineman virtually tied and Omaha businessman Dave Nabity in single digits.

“This is a tough one to take,” Osborne said in Lincoln.

Osborne decided not to seek a fourth term in Congress so he could campaign for the gubernatorial nomination.