Nebraska has lost four in a row for the first time since 1961, another black mark for beleaguered coach Bill Callahan, who's future with the Huskers beyond this season is in the hands of former Huskers coach and interim athletic director Tom Osborne.

For Texas coach Mack Brown, the win was a milestone — No. 100 with the Longhorns.

The Longhorns spent three quarters trying to pass against one of the worst rush defenses in the country and Nebraska (4-5, 1-4) led 17-9 to start the fourth behind two touchdown passes from Sam Keller to Nate Swift.

Then Texas started using the zone-read option and the running game quickly started piling up yards and points. Three running plays covered 75 yards on Texas' first touchdown drive and Charles' second TD gave Texas its first lead since the first quarter.

Charles broke free for touchdown runs of 25, 86 and 40 yards in the fourth quarter. His last touchdown gave Texas a 28-17 lead. His rushing total was the fourth highest in Texas history and the 'Horns finished with 364 yards rushing.

Texas went to its running game almost by chance and a hard hit on quarterback Colt McCoy.

McCoy was shaken up when he scrambled outside the pocket and the Longhorns were forced to use freshman John Chiles. His one play, a zone-read handoff to Charles, produced 24 yards and suddenly Texas had figured out how to beat a Cornhuskers' team that had been steamrolled on the ground in recent weeks.

Still, the Cornhuskers showed some fight this week after being outscored 122-34 in there last three games.

Keller connected with Swift for scores from 24 and 23 yards out. The defense dogged McCoy most of the afternoon with a fierce pass rush that delivered several hard hits.

Nebraska had a final chance when backup quarterback Joe Ganz fired a 4-yard TD pass to Maurice Purify with 1:55 to play. A 2-point conversion pass cut the Texas lead to 3 but the Longhorns' Brandon Foster recovered the onside kick.

Purify ran for 111 yards for the Cornhuskers.

It was four years ago against Nebraska that Texas unveiled its zone read with quarterback Vince Young and the Longhorns rolled to a 31-7 victory, a game that helped push former Cornhuskers coach Frank Solich out of his job.

Texas understandably has gotten away from using that offense with McCoy who's not the same running threat Young was. Texas seemed to have paid little attention to how teams have been battering the Nebraska defense on the ground this season. The Longhorns had more pass attempts (18) than rushes (17) in the first half and managed only one field goal.