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LINCOLN, Nebraska (Ticker) -- Nebraska made sure that the longest current streak of season-opening wins was never in doubt. Dan Alexander rushed for 208 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Eric Crouch ran for three scores as top-ranked Nebraska began a season of high expectations with an easy 49-13 win over San Jose State. Nebraska scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and rolled up 505 yards on the ground, with Correll Buckhalter gaining 117 yards on 13 carries. "We played well at times. Trying to put together four complete quarters of what you want -- offense, defense, special teams -- is probably not all that easy," Nebraska coach Frank Solich said. "It's not especially all that easy in the first game." The Cornhuskers have won their last 15 season openers, the longest current streak in the nation, and have scored at least 42 points in each of their last six. The first notable test for Nebraska comes next week, when it visits Notre Dame. Crouch, a Heisman Trophy candidate, scored on runs of six and four yards and threw a 27-yard TD pass to Tracey Wistrom to help the Cornhuskers build a 28-6 halftime lead. "There weren't too many trick plays, it was just option football -- power football," Crouch said. "To me it's not a boring offense. There's high risk involved when you're running an offense. It's an exciting offense to run." Crouch added a nine-yard TD run in the fourth quarter that increased the lead to 42-13. Alexander scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter and a 56-yard spurt in the third that made it 35-6. "We were giving our best effort and we weren't wearing down," Alexander said. "Everybody really gave a great effort." Crouch passed just 10 times, completed four for 67 yards and the one score to Wistrom. He also carried eight times for 57 yards. While unable to keep the score close, San Jose State, just 3-7 in 1999, was able to run the ball. Deonce Whitaker carried 15 times for 147 yards, including a 69-yard jaunt on the Spartans' third play from scimmage. San Jose State moved the ball well early, missing a short field goal attempt to conclude its first possession and ending its second on a nine-yard TD pass from Marcus Arroyo to An Troung. But four of the next five possessions ended on punts and the other ended on an interception as the Cornhuskers pulled away. "What's not good about Nebraska's defense? Everything they do is fundamental," Arroyo said. "Awesome athletes, great players and good guys as well." Dahrran Diedrick scored the final Nebraska TD on a two-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
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