COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Two weeks after losing to Oregon on the road, Ohio State managed to avoid back-to-back regular season losses as the Buckeyes defeated Nebraska, 21-17, on homecoming weekend.

On a day when Ohio State’s running game struggled, quarterback Will Howard threw for three touchdowns but it was an interception by cornerback Jordan Hancock that helped OSU avoid the upset as the Buckeyes improve to 6-1.

With 6:04 to go in the fourth, Howard connected with Quinshon Judkins to put OSU back in front, 21-17, after briefly trailing the Cornhuskers. Later, Hancock sealed the victory with a key interception of Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola with 1:14 left. It was Nebraska’s 27th straight loss against a ranked opponent.

After three field goals by John Hohl to keep the Cornhuskers in the game, Nebraska took a 17-14 lead in the fourth thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by Dante Dowdell and a two-point conversion.

The OSU offense started slow but Carnell Tate scored the first touchdown of the game off a 40-yard pass from Howard. Jeremiah Smith then hauled in a 60-yard pass from Howard, tying Cris Carter for the most Ohio State touchdowns in a freshman season with eight.

The fourth-ranked Buckeyes were well rested heading into the matchup, coming off their second bye week of the season. Saturday marked the first meeting between the two programs in three years. Ohio State has now won eight straight against the Cornhuskers since losing in Lincoln, Neb. in 2011.

The Buckeyes now turn their attention to a road matchup at Penn State next weekend in a potential top five showdown. Kickoff is set for noon next Saturday.

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