LINCOLN, Neb. – It has been the way Nebraska has played for the last 40 years.

Run the ball, wear down a defense with size and speed, control the clock and the outcome of the game.

The Cornhuskers did just that on Saturday night as they pummeled the Iowa State Cyclones 48-14 behind a huge day from quarterback Eric Crouch.

Crouch had 15 carries for 105 yards and four touchdowns as well as breaking the NCAA record for rushing touchdowns (49) by a quarterback. Crouch has 52 career rushing scores.

“It was another great ballgame by Eric,” head coach Frank Solich said. “His ball running was critical and we used him as an I-back much of the first half.”

Crouch was unaware that he had rushed into the quarterback record books.

“I heard about it on the screen and it was a really big surprise to me,” Crouch said. “Normally when I hear about my records it goes in one ear and out the other but this one is really nice to have.”

The Huskers used a diversified attack to keep the ISU offense of the field much of the game. Dahran Diedrick ran for 107 yards and one score while Thunder Collins had 62 rushing yards and 33 yards receiving.

A big-play guy, Nebraska made a concerted effort to get Collins on the field more and put the ball in his hands.

“It is very important to keep him involved,” Crouch said. “We ran deep, used him on shuttle passes, and also on reverses and as a wide receiver. He is a very talented guy and we know we need to get him the ball.”

Solich was pleased with the way his team got of to a fast start and also at the ability of his offense in moving the ball.

“I thought that this was as complete as first half as we’ve played,” Solich said. “Both sides of the ball as well as special teams executed very well.”

Execution was a huge part of Nebraska’s offense Saturday as they looked like they could have run just about any play and it would have gained yards.

Quarterback draws, option plays, sweeps, shuffle passes and many others were all used to keep a bewildered Cyclone defense grasping at air and field turf as the Husker offense ripped off huge chunks of yardage each play they ran.

It wasn’t until there was 3 minutes and 51 seconds left in the first quarter that the Huskers first needed to pass the ball and even that went complete for a handful of yards.

“It seemed like we could run the ball pretty well,” Solich said. “All in all, I am proud of the offense and what they did on Saturday.”