By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER
Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA, Mo.(AP) -- No. 21 Nebraska won't earn many style points
for its 27-12 comeback win over No. 24 Missouri on a cold, rainy
night.

Until the fourth quarter, the Huskers were flummoxed by
drive-killing penalties, mishandled punts and a stagnant
offense. But the Huskers (4-1, 1-0) are right where they want to
be after the Big 12 opener - atop the North Division with a
crucial win over two-time defending division champion Missouri
(4-1, 0-1).

After failing to score in the first half against Missouri for
the first time in more than two decades, Nebraska mounted its
biggest fourth-quarter road comeback in school history and its
first win over a ranked opponent since 2006.

"It's a great start to Big 12 play," said defensive tackle
Ndamukong Suh, who finished with six tackles, one sack, a forced
fumble and a key interception Thursday night. "We want to
dominate the Big 12 North and start it off the right way."

Missouri, meanwhile, was left pondering missed opportunities
after blowing a 12-0 lead through three quarters and allowing 27
unanswered points in a nationally televised fourth-quarter
collapse.

The Tigers committed eight penalties for 100 yards, curtailing
several early scoring opportunities. In one instance, Missouri
got the ball on Nebraska's 32-yard line after the first of three
muffed punts by Nebraska.

But the drive stalled after a holding penalty, two incomplete
passes and a sack of quarterback Blaine Gabbert that backed up
Missouri to midfield.

"There were a lot of opportunities the first three quarters,"
Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "If we had done a better job
executing there on both sides of the football, it might not have
gotten like that in the fourth."

Nebraska's defense - which entered the game giving up just seven
points per game, best in the nation - helped spur a 20-point
scoring flurry over a little more than three minutes early in
the final quarter.

With Missouri on its own 21, Suh batted down a Gabbert pass and
hauled it in to give Nebraska the ball inside the Tigers' red
zone. Nebraska needed only two plays to score on a 13-yard pass
from Zac Lee to Niles Paul, taking its first lead at 13-12.

A 40-yard interception return by Nebraska's Dejon Gomes on
Missouri's next possession left the ball at the Missouri 10.
Nebraska made it 20-12 on Lee's third TD, an 8-yard pass to
tight end Mike McNeill.

Gabbert injured his ankle on a first-quarter sack and fumble but
remained in the game. The injury appeared to affect both his
mobility and his ability to plant his feet while throwing, but
Pinkel said there was little consideration of pulling the
starter.

"He struggled a little bit but he felt he could play," the
Missouri coach said.

Gabbert entered the game leading the conference in passing
efficiency and ranked fourth nationally in that category. But he
completed just 17 of 43 passes for 134 yards with two
interceptions and no touchdowns. It was his first game this
season without a touchdown pass.

The win gives the Huskers an early advantage in the Big 12 North
race - along with a possible tiebreaker should Missouri finish
with the same conference record.

That was the scenario in 2008, when Nebraska and Missouri both
finished with 5-3 conference records but the Tigers advanced to
the Big 12 title game thanks to a 52-17 win in Lincoln.

Since the Big 12's formation in 1996, the eventual North
division champion has lost its conference opener only twice.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini was subdued after the win - well aware
that his team has plenty to work on after committing 12
penalties, surrendering five fumbles and barely gaining 100
yards of total offense through the first three quarters.

"It's just part of the process," he said when asked if the game
marked a breakthrough for Nebraska, which hadn't won in Columbia
since 2001. "It's on to the next game."

Nebraska returns home to face Texas Tech (3-2) next week.
Missouri travels to No. 15 Oklahoma State (3-1).