LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -Roy Helu Jr. ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns and Zac Lee passed for 213 yards and two scores in his first start as No. 24 Nebraska defeated Florida Atlantic 49-3 on Saturday night.
The Huskers won their 24th consecutive opener, the longest streak in the nation. The Owls fell to 1-16 against opponents from Bowl Championship Series automatic-qualifying conferences, including 0-7 vs. the Big 12.
Lee, who hadn't taken a meaningful snap since his last year of junior college in 2006, got sharper after a fumbled snap led to a three-and-out on Nebraska's first series.
He threw touchdown passes of 28 yards to Menelik Holt and 49 yards to Curenski Gilleylen and led a 15-play, 82-yard drive that Helu finished with a 1-yard run.
Helu, like Lee, got better as the game went on. His first five carries of the second half netted 95 yards and touchdowns of 7 and 44 yards. The junior went over 100 yards for the fourth time in six games.
Nebraska's defense made it a long night for FAU's Rusty Smith, the Sun Belt Conference's all-time leading passer and the preseason offensive player of the year. He couldn't establish any rhythm, threw a couple interceptions and finished 15 of 27 for 164 yards.
Nebraska blew open the game in the third quarter after Smith committed three turnovers on three series. Matt O'Hanlon and Prince Amukamara had interceptions, and Smith fumbled a snap. Two of the turnovers led to Nebraska touchdowns.
Lee completed 15 of 22 passes, with one interception, before giving way to freshman backup Cody Green early in the fourth. Green ripped off a 49-yard run before scoring Nebraska's last TD from a yard out.
The game also marked the much-awaited debut of freshman Rex Burkhead, who ran for 39 yards and an 8-yard touchdown.
Alfred Morris led the Owls with 85 yards.
FAU's only points came with backup quarterback Jeff Van Camp in charge. He moved the Owls 71 yards in 11 plays in the second quarter, with Ross Gornall kicking a 21-yard field goal. Van Camp re-entered in the fourth and finished.