Purify causes problems aplenty

Nebraska receiver catches TD pass, throws another to sink Missouri

? Zac Taylor better watch out. Maurice Purify says he’s coming after his job.

“It might happen,” a smiling Purify said after Nebraska’s 34-20 victory over Missouri on Saturday. “My QB rating is better than his.”

Purify threw a 28-yard TD pass to Terrence Nunn on his first career attempt and then caught a scoring pass from Taylor as the Cornhuskers bolted to leads of 17-0 and 27-6.

Despite some anxious moments in the fourth quarter, Nebraska (7-3, 4-2) beat Missouri (6-3, 3-3) for the 15th straight time in Lincoln. The Huskers took sole possession of first place in the Big 12 North and can clinch a berth in the conference championship game with a win over either Texas A&M next weekend or Colorado on Nov. 24.

The victory came after two straight losses, including last week’s 41-29 defeat at Oklahoma State after the Huskers squandered a 16-0 lead.

“It’s a big win for our program,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said. “I’m so happy for our kids. They’ve worked hard, they’ve practiced hard. I knew we were on the verge of doing some good things.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get that accomplished down in Stillwater. But we still believe in these kids and they believe in what we’re trying to get across. That was reflected today on the field.”

The Tigers had won six straight for their best start since 1963 but now have lost three of their last four.

“If they want to say we’re the same old Missouri, let them say it,” quarterback Chase Daniel said. “We know that we’re a different team, and we can still have a great season. It can’t all come at once. Sometimes it comes in baby steps.”