Being ranked fifth in the nation and having destroyed the Cyclones last year 73-14 didn’t make things any easier for the winningest coach in the nation, Nebraska Head Football Coach Tom Osborne.

Of course the odds didn’t hurt any either. The Cornhuskers once again defeated Iowa State 49-14 Saturday in the last home game of the season.

Rain and wind played roles in both teams’ performances. “The elements can be an equalizer,” Osborne said of the weather. “The thing that really hurt us was ability to throw the ball. The ball was so wet.”

Cornhusker defensive coordinator Charlie McBride said under different circumstances it’s likely the outcome would have been a higher scoring affair. “To hold [Iowa State] to 14 points I think is pretty good,” he said. “Because they are that good on offense.”

McBride also said penalties against Nebraska were key to Iowa State’s two touchdowns. “Penalties really hurt us in critical situations,” he said. “We had about two or three penalties that kept their drive alive. It was discouraging.”

But amidst the driving rain and gusting wind, a battle of the backs took place. Iowa State’s Troy Davis, who made NCAA history by garnering the most rushing yards in two consecutive seasons Saturday, and Nebraska’s Ahman Green, the Big Eight Offensive Newcomer of the Year last season.

“The thing I admire about [Davis] is his durability and courage,” Osborne said. “The one thing we did talk about was not giving him the big play. We just didn’t want a 30- or 40-yard run.”

McBride agreed that in the hands of Davis, the ball goes the distance. “Every time he gets it, you hold your breath,” he said. “People shut him down for a while, then all of the sudden, ‘Bang,’ he’s going to run in the end zone. He’s got great quickness.”

McBride said Green was worthy of equal praise. When comparing tailbacks his team has faced thus far, McBride said had Green not been injured, he too would be vying for accolades with Davis and Byron Hanspard of Texas Tech.

“Both [Davis] and Hanspard are the real deals,” McBride said. “If our kid hadn’t been hurt this year, you would have had three up there whacking each other for who’s what.”

Of the three tailbacks, McBride, not surprisingly, said he favors Green. “Ahman Green has got power, speed. He’s still not 100 percent,” he said.

But McBride was reluctant to comment on whether Green was Heisman material, simply saying the decision was not his to make.

Green said he was sore, but strong. “I feel I’m getting [into top form,]” he said. “I feel like I did last year.” But he added that any rivalry with Davis is better left on the field.

“It’s a team thing,” he said. “I’m not thinking about me versus Troy.”

Green had his own records on his mind.

“I had the most carries I ever had in my football career. From high school to little league to now,” the sophomore from Omaha, Neb. said. “I earned my yards, I earned my scholarship out there.”