Nebraska’s 22 seniors were introduced individually before Saturday’s football game. This was their big day.

By the end of a four-hour, topsy-turvy Big 12 slugfest, most of the buzz was about a few Husker freshmen, not to mention the buzzing inside the noggin of NU quarterback Zac Taylor.

With Taylor watching from the sideline with a possible concussion, true freshman Jordan Congdon booted a 40-yard field goal with 65 seconds remaining in the game to lift Nebraska to a 27-25 triumph over archrival Kansas State before 77,761 fans at Memorial Stadium.

In snapping a three-game losing skid, the Huskers (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) became eligible for a bowl game after failing to qualify last season for the first time since 1968. Prevailing wisdom says NU will be headed to the Independence, Houston or Champs Sports bowls, although the Alamo remains a possibility if the Huskers capture their Nov. 25 regular-season finale at Colorado.

“I can’t even put into words how happy I am,” said Nebraska senior safety Blake Tiedtke. “It’s to the point now where you don’t want the season to end. This team is extremely tight.

“I think this win is a big, big turning point for the program. We have a lot of young guys. There’s a lot of young talent on this team.”

Taylor lay on the ground for several minutes early in the fourth quarter after being hit hard by linebacker Zach Diles. Taylor was “knocked out pretty good,” said Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, who didn’t hesitate to turn to Harrison Beck, even though the true freshman hadn’t taken a snap in a game. Callahan, in fact, described the decision as a “no-brainer.”

“We needed Harrison to win, and he’s been (the backup) for several weeks,” Callahan said.

Meanwhile, it was a challenging day for Nebraska’s defense, as K-State finished with 351 total yards, including 248 on the ground. Redshirt freshman quarterback Allan Evridge, a Papillion-La Vista graduate, rushed 30 times for a career-high 138 yards, many of them coming on a counter play that the Huskers never fully diagnosed.

“We didn’t practice that all week,” Nebraska middle linebacker Corey McKeon said. “We didn’t think they’d have the audacity to try to run the ball on us.”

Kansas State (4-6, 1-6 Big 12), which lost its fifth straight game, entered the day ranked 94th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 117 yards.

“We made a lot of adjustments, particularly in the second half,” said Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, referring to the counter play. “We practiced that play. But it hasn’t been a big play for them during the season. I mean, they ran it a couple times a game.

“We executed the adjustments, and still a few times he was athletic enough to make us miss and create a play.”

Taylor finished 21-for-31 passing for 220 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game following Nebraska’s first possession of the fourth quarter.

Beck, one of the most touted recruits in Nebraska’s vaunted class of 2005, finished 1-for-6 passing for 21 yards, with an interception leading to a Kansas State field goal that gave the Wildcats a 25-24 lead with 4:18 left.

On Nebraska’s ensuing possession, Beck rifled a 21-yard completion to wideout Nate Swift, and a roughing-the-passer penalty on Tearrius George gave the Huskers possession at K-State’s 31-yard line. Three plays later, Congdon drilled the game-winner, sparking an eruption of joy on the NU sideline and in the stands.

Although Callahan was calmer than normal in the postgame press conference, he said, “I’m jumping up and down inside.”

Regarding Beck’s performance, Callahan said, “What a tremendous job he did. He did a nice job of taking command and control of what he had to get done.”

Some might question Callahan’s play-calling with Beck under center, especially on the interception. Beck, a right-hander, rolled to his left on a bootleg and fired toward wideout Terrence Nunn. Cornerback Bryan Baldwin jumped the route, made the catch and ran 36 yards to Nebraska’s 9-yard line.

Callahan said he never considered a more conservative approach with Beck in the game.

“We have total confidence and belief in Harrison’s abilities,” Callahan said. “I learned a long time ago that when a young quarterback comes in the game, he has to prove to you what he can’t do. So I just continued to call the offense the way we always call it.”

After K-State took over possession following Beck’s interception, Nebraska caught a break when a pass-interference penalty was overturned because middle linebacker Corey McKeon tipped the ball near the line of scrimmage. Had the play not been overturned, the Wildcats would’ve had a first down inside the 5.

Turns out, Nebraska also benefited greatly from freshman Zach Potter’s blocked extra-point attempt in the first quarter, and fellow freshman Barry Turner’s blocked field goal in the third quarter.

Callahan was thrilled with the young guns’ contributions. He also congratulated his seniors and expressed his appreciation for all they have given the program.

“What an atmosphere to play their last home game in,” Callahan said. “Late in the game, our crowd came alive like I’ve never heard it before. It’ll be memorable for the guys.”

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