The loss against Oregon two weeks ago was challenging, but an upset at home against Nebraska would have been a far worse scenario for No. 4 Ohio State, significantly jeopardizing their College Football Playoff aspirations.
As the fourth quarter unfolded on Saturday at Ohio Stadium, in front of 104,832 anxious fans, Ohio State found themselves in a tight spot. However, when it mattered most, the Buckeyes managed to rise to the occasion, securing a 21-17 victory.
Will Howard threw a crucial 9-yard touchdown pass to Quinshon Judkins with six minutes remaining, marking the winning score after Nebraska had taken their first lead on the previous drive. Following this, Ohio State’s defense forced a quick three-and-out. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes’ offense struggled to gain any ground, failing to secure a first down, which gave Nebraska a chance to respond.
A targeting penalty against linebacker Arvell Reese granted Nebraska a first down at their 46-yard line, igniting frustrated reactions from Ohio State’s coach Ryan Day and prompting a few items thrown from the stands. However, the Buckeyes’ defense held strong, and on a crucial third-and-19, Jordan Hancock intercepted a pass from Dylan Raiola to ensure Ohio State’s victory.
This win marked Ohio State’s 44th consecutive victory over unranked opponents under Coach Day, yet it was also one of their most concerning games. Nebraska, coming off a heavy 56-7 loss to Indiana, put Ohio State to the test after their previous loss to now top-ranked Oregon.
Despite the victory, Ohio State’s performance was far from ideal. They managed just 64 rushing yards and Howard completed only four passes in the second half. The Buckeyes’ only first downs after halftime came during their touchdown drive, and they converted only 1 of 10 on third downs.
Looking ahead, Day acknowledged the need for improvement, especially with an upcoming match against No. 3 Penn State. “On offense, we’ve got to do a better job in a few different areas and get back to the drawing board and figure that out,” he stated.
After initially leading 14-6 at halftime, Ohio State struggled as they opened the third quarter with a three-and-out, allowing Nebraska to score a field goal. Howard then overthrew a pass intended for Emeka Egbuka, leading to an interception by Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog Jr. who returned it to Ohio State’s 7-yard line. A crucial moment for Nebraska came when they faced fourth-and-goal at the 2-yard line, but cornerback Davison Igbinosun denied Dante Dowdell, stopping him from reaching the end zone.
However, Ohio State couldn’t hold off Nebraska indefinitely. Raiola guided the Cornhuskers on a 74-yard drive, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Dowdell and a successful two-point conversion that gave Nebraska the lead with just over ten minutes left.
Despite the offensive struggles, Howard made key plays when necessary, completing all nine of his first-half passes. He connected with Carnell Tate for a crucial 37-yard gain to spark the eventual winning drive.
“I felt there wasn’t any stopping us,” Howard said after the game. He finished with 13 completions on 16 attempts, totaling 221 yards.
Throughout the first half, aside from two significant plays, Ohio State’s offense experienced significant difficulties, including going three-and-out on their initial drives. They finally managed to reach the end zone with a deep touchdown pass to Tate, after a drive that brought them close to the Nebraska 40. Another impressive play came when Howard connected with freshman Jeremiah Smith for a 60-yard touchdown.
Despite the win, there was a missed opportunity for Ohio State to score with a 42-yard field goal attempt by Jayden Fielding that fell short late in the half.