JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Joe Ganz highlighted a big third quarter with two touchdown passes Thursday that helped rally Nebraska to a 26-21 win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl.
The Cornhuskers faced an 11-point deficit at the half, but stormed back to bring a successful end to the first year as Nebraska coach for Bo Pelini.
Nebraska won its final four games of the year to finish 9-4 and boosted the Big 12 Conference bowl record this season to 3-1 with three more games to play.
Ganz completed 19-of-36 passes for 236 yards with an interception and Quentin Castille rushed 18 times for 125 yards.
Clemson owned a 14-3 halftime advantage, but Ganz guided Nebraska 54 yards in five plays on its opening possession of the third quarter en route to a 17-yard scoring pass to Nate Swift.
After the Tigers scored on a Cullen Harper throw, Ganz drove Nebraska 75 yards in just four plays and tossed a 19-yarder to Todd Peterson for the score.
Alex Henery added two 28-yard field goals in the third period to give the Cornhuskers a 23-21 lead going into the fourth. Henery kicked a 22-yarder with 5:24 to play to boost the Nebraska advantage to five points and Clemson's ensuing drive ran out of downs on the Cornhuskers' 26-yard line.
Harper threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice.
Clemson (7-6) won four of its last six games in the regular season under Coach Dabo Swinney, who took over after Tommy Bowden resigned in October.
