Nebraska fires AD after pair of lopsided losses

OMAHA, Neb. -- Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson was fired Monday, two days after the football team suffered its worst home loss in nearly a half-century.

Pederson, along with coach Bill Callahan, has been heavily criticized after a series of one-sided losses this season. The most recent was a 45-14 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday with former Cornhuskers coach Tom Osborne and his 1997 national title team in attendance.

Over the past two weeks, the once-mighty Huskers (4-3) have lost by a combined margin of 86-20, dropping a 41-6 decision at Missouri. Nebraska now stands at 4-3

In a news release announcing the dismissal, chancellor Harvey Perlman cited disappointment in the progress in the football program. He said Pederson had done many positive things for Nebraska athletics, but believes new leadership can objectively assess the program and make the decisions to move it forward.

For the first time in the 118 years Nebraska has been playing football, the Cornhuskers have allowed at least 40 points four times in a season.

-- AP