2003

Alamo Bowl Presented by Master Card | Monday, December 29, 2003
# 21 Nebraska 17 vs. Michigan State 3

Attendance: 56,229
TV Rating: 4.2
Team Payout: $2,861,189 combined

Offensive MVP: Jammal Lord, QB, Nebraska
Defensive MVP: Trevor Johnson, DE, Nebraska
Sportsmanship Winner: Joe Tate, OL, Michigan State

Head Coaches: Nebraska: Bo Pelini, Michigan St.: John L. Smith
Final Records: Nebraska 10-3, Michigan State 8-5

Game Recap

What many anticipated to be an offensive shootout turned out to be a one-sided affair in the 2003 MasterCard Alamo Bowl as the Nebraska Cornhuskers led by interim Head Coach Bo Pelini shut down the Michigan State Spartans 17-3. Cornhusker running back Cory Ross rushed for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdowns for Nebraska, which was playing in its NCAA-record 35th consecutive bowl game. As a team Nebraska tallied 229 rushing yards and outran MSU by a 12:1 ratio. Husker quarterback Jammal Lord rushed for 79 yards, including a career-long 66-yard scamper that set up Ross’ second score. But it was Lord’s arm that surprised his critics as the senior passer threw for a career-best 180 yards and earned Offensive MVP honors. Michigan State senior quarterback Jeff Smoker was limited to 156 yards passing and his final pass as a Spartan was intercepted by cornerback Fabian Washington with 1:08 remaining. The Blackshirt defense of Nebraska did not disappoint the Husker faithful. Nebraska recorded three interceptions and five sacks, limiting the Spartans to 18 rushing yards and 174 total, more than 200 below its average.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

NEB: Dyches 29-yd FG

MSU: Rayner 46-yd FG

Second Quarter

NEB: Ross 3-yd run (Dyches kick)

NEB: Ross 6-yd run (Dyches kick)

Final Score

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Michigan State	3	0	0	0	3
Nebraska	3	14	0	0	17

Team Stats

Category	Michigan State	Nebraska
First Downs	13	20
Net Yards Rushing/Att.	18/23	229/54
Net Yards Passing	160	156
Comp-Att-Int	21-39-3	8-17-0
Total Offense Plays	62	71
Total Net Yards	174	389
Avg. Gain Per Play	2.8	5.5
Possession Time	29:31	30:29
Third-Down Conv.	3/14 (29%)	6/15 (29%)

Individual Stats

Rushing (Att-Yds)

MSU – Dortch 9-31; Hayes 6-13
NEB – Ross 37-138; Lord 10-79; Kriewald 2-10; Davies 2-4; Fluellen 1-3

Passing (Comp-Att-Int, Yds)

MSU – Smoker 21-39-3, 156
NEB – Lord 8-17-0, 160

Receiving (Rec-Yds)

MSU – Alexander 8-63; Brown 4-41; Shabaj 4-31; Scott 1-18; Knott 1-10; Kavanaght 1-8
NEB – Fluellen 4-84; Pilkington 3-70; Keiser 1-6