They call him "man-child" because he's a true freshman with a physique that would make an NFL running back proud.

They describe him as a "thumper" because of his ability to churn out tough yards between the tackles.

Nebraska coaches called on him Saturday late in the third quarter as Baylor's surging offense suddenly had Husker fans squirming in their seats at Memorial Stadium.

It was Brandon Jackson to the rescue.

"He really gave us a jolt today," said Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell.

 Baylor had just pulled to 38-24 with its third touchdown of the third quarter when Jackson went to work.

First off, the Mississippi native returned the ensuing kickoff 59 yards, Nebraska's longest return of the season. Jackson then rumbled up the middle for gains of 10, 10 and 2 yards to set up his 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter.

In a blink, Nebraska could breathe easily again.

The 6-foot, 210-pound Jackson, sharing time with starter Cory Ross, enjoyed his finest day as a Husker, rushing 18 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns as Nebraska improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12.

"We needed a thumper back there," Norvell said. "We can rely on him in tough situations."

In addition to his prowess as a tailback, Jackson sparked Nebraska with 158 yards on five kickoff returns, including a 40-yard burst in the first quarter that helped set up the Huskers' first touchdown.

All told, Jackson accumulated 247 all-purpose yards, the 10th-highest total in school history.

"His role is expanding," said Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan. "He has a better grasp of what we're trying to get accomplished."

Although Callahan's offense tends to favor the pass, he takes pride in the ability to establish a pounding running attack. Ross, a 5-6, 192-pound junior, carried 14 times for 51 yards and a TD.

No Nebraska tailback runs between the tackles with more force than Jackson does.

"Brandon Jackson had some great extra-effort runs," Norvell said. "They were loading up the box, and he still made the runs. We kept hammering them. That's what we're capable of doing."

In the first series of the second quarter, Jackson bolted up the middle for a 24-yard gain to set up Sandro DeAngelis' 21-yard field goal. By halftime, Jackson had nine carries for 59 yards.

In the last three games, Jackson has rushed 37 times for 159 yards (4.2 yards per carry).

Four games ago, at Pittsburgh, Jackson didn't enter the game in part because he was having difficulty learning the playbook, he said.

"It motivated me to start working harder on and off the field," he said Saturday. "I'm very comfortable with all the plays right now."

Jackson also appears comfortable as a deep man on kickoffs. Earlier this week, Nebraska coaches told him to be ready because Baylor likes to kick it to the left side (fellow tailback Tierre Green lines up on the right). Jackson prepared himself for kickoff duty last week by throwing balls up into the wind and catching them, he said.

"The coaches said, ‘This is your week,' " Jackson said.

To be sure, it was Jackson's day.

Nebraska running backs coach Randy Jordan had dubbed Jackson the "man-child" a few weeks ago.

"You just want to put him in the best situations where he can have success," Jordan said.

Jackson's success Saturday occurred with one of the nation's most sought-after recruits, Marlon Lucky of North Hollywood, Calif., watching from the stands. Lucky is the nation's No. 2 high school running back in rivals.com's rankings.

It's possible Jackson solidified his role as Ross' top backup.

Time will tell, Jackson said.

"I'm just going to keep playing hard," he said.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.