Lincoln, NE -- (Sports Network) - Joe Ganz threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Nebraska Cornhuskers to a 40-31 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes in a Big 12 clash.

Roy Helu Jr. ran for 166 yards in the Nebraska (8-4, 5-3 Big 12) win, while Mike McNeill grabbed three passes for 70 yards and a score.

Cody Hawkins passed for 249 yards and a touchdown to lead Colorado (5-7, 2-6), but he also threw three crucial interceptions in the loss. Demetrius Sumler ran for 65 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries for the Buffaloes.

Hawkins gave Colorado a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the contest with a 68-yard strike to Riar Geer.

A 36-yard Sumler run just minutes later gave the Buffaloes a 14-0 advantage.

The Cornhuskers, though, got on the board midway through the frame with a two- yard strike from Ganz to Nate Swift.

Ganz struck again minutes later, this time connecting with McNeill for 53 yards to tie the contest at 14 apiece.

A 35-yard Alex Henery field goal early in the second quarter gave the Cornhuskers a 17-14 lead.

The Buffaloes responded midway through the frame with a field goal of their own, a 37-yard kick from Aric Goodman to tie the contest once again.

The Cornhuskers took a 24-17 lead late in the period with a one-yard plunge from Quentin Castille.

A 58-yard fumble return by Jimmy Smith tied the score for Colorado.

Henery connected on a 27-yard kick early in the third quarter to give Nebraska a 27-24 lead.

The Buffaloes responded midway through the frame with a four-yard run by Sumler to regain the advantage.

Nebraska posted a Henery 37-yard field goal early in the final period of play.

Henery then gave the Cornhuskers a 33-31 lead with under two minutes remaining with a 57-yard kick.

With under a minute remaining, Ndamukong Suh returned an interception 30 yards for a score to seal Colorado's fate.

The Cornhuskers' defense forced four turnovers, recorded five sacks and limited Colorado to just 291 total yards in a stout effort.