No. 10 Nebraska took advantage of several Washington special-teams mistakes to break open a close game and pull away from the visiting Huskies in a 51-38 win Saturday.

With the scored tied at 17-17 late in the first half, Nebraska returner Tim Marlowe misplayed a punt by Washington’s Kiel Rasp, allowing the ball to hit the ground and bounce off his leg as he attempted to run away from it. The Cornhuskers caught a break, however, when the Huskies were penalized for kick-catch interference although replays showed that no Washington defender contacted Marlowe.

Thanks in part to the 15-yard penalty, Nebraska drove from its own 41 to take a 20-17 halftime lead when Brett Maher nailed a 35-yard field goal as time expired.

Following a three-and-out by Washington to open the second half, the Huskies were flagged for another 15-yard kick-catch interference penalty, which helped Nebraska push the lead to 27-17 when Rex Burkhead scored from one yard out.

On the ensuing kickoff, Washington returner Bishop Sankey fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line. Nebraska recovered the ball and stretched the advantage to 34-17 when Burkhead scored on the next play.

Maher added another field goal and freshman running back Aaron Green scored his second touchdown of the game to cap the Huskers’ run of 27 unanswered points.