LINCOLN, Neb. — Roy Helu Jr. ran 26 times for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Nebraska defeated Kansas State to win the Big 12 North.

The Huskers (8-3, 5-2) will play in the conference championship game for the first time since 2006 and fifth time in the Big 12’s 14 years. They’ll face the South champion Dec. 5 in Arlington, Texas.

Kansas State (6-6, 4-4) ended its season with losses in three of its last four games. Because two of the Wildcats’ wins were against lower-division teams, they needed to beat Nebraska to become eligible for a bowl game.

Nebraska’s Zac Lee completed 13 of 19 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Helu, who has 1,057 yards, gave the Huskers a
two-touchdown lead early in the third quarter with his 14-yard run.

Daniel Thomas ran 19 times for 99 yards, and Gregory was 11 of 31 for 126 yards for K-State.