LINCOLN, Neb. — The noise at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium had finally drifted away as Oklahoma’s players retreated to their locker room. It was in there that their shouts couldn’t be drowned out.

For the first time since 1987, the Sooners walked off the Huskers’ home field with a victory and the excitement could not be contained.

OU coach Bob Stoops has always embraced the history of the Sooner program, much of which had been written with Nebraska on the other side of the field.

Whether it was the historic nature of OU’s 31-24 victory or the excitement of pushing a winning streak to three games in a season that is suddenly looking up, it was a win to be relished.

“Coming up here to play is really special,” Stoops said. “The fans and the people are so respectful. I wish it was like this everywhere in the country because the people here are just appreciative of the work that their young college guys are doing and their coaches.

“They are always respectful towards you, win or lose. I appreciate that. I know it doesn’t happen everywhere and maybe I shouldn’t be saying it, but I appreciate it. It is fun to compete in environments like this.”

Just beating the Huskers was one of several factors igniting OU’s celebration. It was also the Sooners’ first victory at another team’s stadium, as well as marking the return of Adrian Peterson to something resembling full strength.

The significance wasn’t lost on anyone wearing crimson and cream.

“It’s a huge win,” defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek said. “We’ve won two out of three on the road, and coming into hostile territory with Nebraska, the rivalry. This is big time. It gets us closer to where we want to be this year.”

OU (5-3 overall, 4-1 Big 12) began the season expecting to compete for another Big 12 championship and perhaps a national championship. Adjustments had to be made following a 1-2 start to the season that forfeited national championship aspirations. The Oct. 8 loss to Texas likely derailed any shot at a conference title.

The goal has become simpler: get better every week. Though dominance remains elusive, the Sooners appear to meeting it.

For the second straight week, OU got off to a fast start but had to hold on for a victory. Last Saturday against Baylor, the Sooners squandered an 11-point lead before winning 37-30 in double overtime. In Lincoln, the advantage was 24-3 early in the third quarter, but OU had to hold off the Huskers down the stretch.

Recent Sooner teams would have turned those early leads into coasting victories. This group has been forced to manage adversity. And what it has lacked in consistency, it may be making up for in character building.

“In hindsight, even a week ago, these kind of games do build you a lot,” Stoops said. “They teach your players to keep cool in these situations, keep competing and make your plays when you have the opportunity. You always want to win big but you can really grow from these situations in a lot of ways that players can hold on to for years.”

John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com