SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 1, 2012

Nebraska 49, Southern Mississippi 20: Taylor Martinez threw for a career-high 354 yards and matched another personal best with five passing touchdowns as the Cornhuskers rolled past the visiting Golden Eagles.

Martinez completed 26 of his 34 passes, providing some light on a day that saw Nebraska (1-0) lose running back Rex Burkhead and receiver Tim Marlowe to injury.

Ameer Abdullah added a receiving score and picked up the slack for the running game in Burkhead's absence, rushing for 81 yards to key a ground attack that finished with 263 yards.

Quincy Enunwa led all receivers with six receptions for 70 yards as Nebraska won its 27th consecutive season opener - the longest streak in the nation.

The Huskers jumped out to a 14-0 advantage midway through the first quarter, but saw Southern Mississippi (0-1) tie it early in the second on a receiving touchdown by Dominique Sullivan.

Nebraska took the lead for good on the next drive as Martinez threw his second touchdown pass to Jake Long. Although the Golden Eagles added a field goal, the Huskers rolled off 21 unanswered points to put the game away at 42-17.

Anthony Alford rushed for a game-high 84 yards for Southern Mississippi, which finished with 185 yards on the ground.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Burkhead (MCL sprain) and Marlowe (separated left shoulder) each left the game early in the first half and did not return. ... This game was the first of three for the Huskers that will come against new coaches. ... Nebraska leads the all-time series 3-1.