Lincoln, Neb. — Western Kentucky University junior running back Bobby Rainey rushed for a career-high 155 on 30 carries, but it was not enough as the Hilltopper football team dropped its 2010 season opener 49-10 Saturday night to No. 8 Nebraska in front of 85,555 at Memorial Stadium.

Rainey’s previous career high was 144 yards last season against Florida Atlantic. Dating back to last season, he has now rushed for 100 or more yards in three of the last four games. He also caught three passes for a career-best 36 yards.

“We knew going in this was going to be a tough game. Nebraska is a very good football team,” said first-year Hilltopper head coach Willie Taggart. “But I really like our football team. We did some good things tonight. There are still some things we have to get better at. The little things — mainly tackling a penalties — hurt us tonight.”

Not to be outdone, NU starting quarterback Taylor Martinez rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns as the Cornhuskers scored six of their seven TDs on the ground. Martinez also completed nine of 15 passes for 136 yards.

Nebraska struck quickly on their first drive of the game as just three plays in, Martinez scored on a 46-yard run as the Cornhuskers grabbed a 7-0 lead just 3:37 into the game. NU needed just three plays and 1:12 to put together a second scoring drive as Rex Burkhead found the end zone on a 20-yard run to give the Huskers a 14-point lead with 6:11 to go in the first quarter.

After surrendering 107 yards of offense on the first two drives of the game, the Hilltopper defense settled in to allow just 83 yards the rest of the half. Nebraska was able to put together one more scoring drive before halftime, however, as Roy Helu, Jr. capped off a seven-play, 34-yard drive with a three-yard scoring run with 5:49 remaining in the half. That would prove to be the final points of the period, as WKU trailed 21-0 at intermission.

The Cornhuskers opened the second half as quickly as they did the first, marching 68 yards in four plays. The Toppers appeared to have the drive stalled after a third-down stop, but an off-sides penalty gave Nebraska another third-down play. It took advantage as Martinez ripped off a 19-yard scoring run to push the NU lead to 28-0 with 12:54 to go in the third quarter.

The WKU offense responded on its first drive of the half, going 67 yards in 11 plays for its first score of the game. The Toppers drove into the red zone for the first time in the game, and got on the board when Casey Tinius connected on a 25-yard field goal to make the score 28-3 with 8:20 remaining in the third.

The Hilltoppers forced the game’s first turnover when Thomas Majors forced a fumble from Niles Paul that was recovered by Mark Santoro to give WKU the ball back near midfield. Four plays into its offensive series, WKU appeared to be poised for its second straight score when Rainey broke of a 46-yard run, but he was stripped of the ball just before crossing the goal line, and Nebraska recovered the fumble for a touchback.

Nebraska was able to capitalize on the turnover, going 80 yards in six plays as Martinez rushed for his third touchdown of the game, this time scoring from 15 yards to stretch the Husker lead to 35-3 in the closing minutes of the third quarter.

The Hilltoppers again responded, this time putting together their first touchdown drive of the season. The offense constructed a nine-play, 80-yard drive to find the end zone for the first time. After four straight rushes to open the drive, Kawaun Jakes connected with Jack Doyle on an 18-yard completion to move the ball to the NU 25-yard line. Three players later, Jakes hooked up with his other tight end — Tristan Jones — for 17 yards down to the one. After a false-start penalty, Rainey scored from five yards out to cut the Topper deficit to 35-10 with 12:46 to play.

Jakes finished the game completing 12 of 22 passes for 120 yards.

The Cornhuskers added their first score through the air on the following drive as Cody Green connected with Paul on a 33-yard scoring strike to push the advantage to 42-10 with 9:45 remaining. Austin Jones added a five-yard scoring run with 5:42 remaining for the final score of the game.

WKU collected 299 yards of total offense in the game, including 179 rushing yards. The Cornhuskers rushed for 289 yards, and collected 536 yards of total offense.

The Hilltoppers will be on the road again next Saturday, taking on Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. (CDT) at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington.