Lincoln ? Nebraska scored a pair of touchdowns just 1:42 apart in the third quarter to break open a seven-point game, as the eighth-ranked Huskers opened the 2002 season with a 48-10 victory over Arizona State in the Black Coaches Association Classic Saturday evening.

Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord, who was making his first career start since replacing 2001 Heisman winner Eric Crouch, performed well in his starting debut, but was overshadowed by a the special teams and defensive units. The Husker special teams blocked a pair of punts that led to a pair of touchdowns and a suffocating defense recorded four sacks and allowed one Sun Devil touchdown.

Lord picked up his first career 100-yard rushing day, carrying 17 times for 103 yards, while also completing five-of-13 passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. His efforts helped the Huskers extend their home winning streak to 22 games en route to their 17^th straight season-opening victory.

Nebraska, which improved to 6-0 in preseason contests, jumped out on its first possession, going 65 yards in 10 plays before Josh Brown?s 40-yard field goal gave the hosts a 3-0 lead just 4:19 into the contest. Lord showed a solid passing touch on the first drive by completing 2-for-2 passes for 26 yards, including finding Troy Hassebroek for a 22-yard reception on third-and-nine to keep the drive alive.

The Sun Devils mounted their first significant drive late in the first quarter, setting up a 33-yard field goal by ASU kicker Mike Barth to tie the score with 2:12 left in the first period. ASU went 37 yards on 11 plays after a Kyle Larson?s 29-yard punt gave ASU excellent field position.

Lord gave the crowd of 77,779 something to cheer about on the Huskers? subsequent drive, leading the Huskers 72 yards on nine plays. The junior began the series with an electrifying 33-yard run into the Sun Devils? side of the field and delivered the key play in the drive when he rushed for eight yards on a fourth-and-three at the ASU 32. NU capitalized on the run five plays later, as fullback Judd Davies scored from two yards out.

In the second half, the Blackshirts came out firing, forcing ASU to three-and-out on its first series, highlighted by a nine-yard sack by Demoine Adams which forced the Sun Devils to punt from the back of the end zone. Tim Parker?s 19-yard punt gave the Huskers the ball deep in ASU territory, and Nebraska would capitalize six plays later. When Lord found Wilson Thomas for a nine-yard touchdown pass to give NU a 14-point lead, the score was Lord?s first TD pass of his NU career. 

After another three-and-out, the Husker special teams provided the hosts with some breathing room. Demorrio Williams blocked Parker?s punt before Scott Shanle scooped up the ball and rambled six yards for the score, giving NU a 24-3 advantage.

Arizona State trimmed the lead to 24-10 with 3:41 remaining in the third quarter as Mike Williams scampered 34 yards to paydirt, capping a five-play, 49-yard drive behind reserve quarterback Andrew Walter. ASU would not get any closer, as NU allowed just 258 yards and forced the visitors into completing just 17-of-41 passes.

Josh Brown extended the Husker lead to 27-10 early in the fourth quarter with his second field goal of the game before the special teams put the game out of reach on Dahrran Diedrick?s two-yard scoring run. Diedrick?s run came after Lannie Hopkins blocked Parker?s punt and Demorrio Williams recovered at the ASU nine-yard line.

The Huskers added a pair of scores late in the fourth quarter on a Cory Ross 34-yard touchdown run and a 29-yard interception return by true freshman Fabian Washington.

The Huskers return to action next Saturday, Aug. 31, when Nebraska takes on Troy State at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.