Ohio State narrowly edges out Nebraska, 21-17, for bounce back win

It may not have been pretty but Ohio State gets the job done and bounces back, defeating Nebraska, 21-17. Buckeyes improve to 6-1 heading into another pivotal matchup next weekend on the road at Penn State.

The defense delivers again as Dylan Raiola is intercepted by Jordan Hancock with 1:14 to go. Looks like Ohio State will escape with the win.

What looked to be a fumble recovery by Ohio State at one point turned into a targeting penalty for Arvell Reese, who’s been ejected from the game and will miss the first half of next week’s game against Penn State.

Then Ryan Day received a sideline warning for his reaction to the penalty.

Nebraska has the ball on its own 46 with a first down. 3:17 to go, trailing 21-17.

Zen Michalski, who was already filling in for Josh Simmons at left tackle, was injured and needed assistance leaving the field. That forces an already depleted offensive line to rotate again as Ohio State clings to a 21-17 lead with 3:48 to go.

Ohio State will get the ball back with 4:35 to go in the game and a chance to extend the lead and possibly lower the blood pressure of the many Buckeye fans watching at the Shoe and at home.

Ohio State back in front as Will Howard finds Quinshon Judkins for the nine-yard touchdown. Seemed like the line finally gave the QB enough time to find his receiver, who happens to be a running back. It’s Judkins’ first receiving touchdown of the season.

Buckeyes with their best drive of the second half and now lead 21-17 with 6:04 to go in the game.

Dante Dowdell leaps over the pile at the goal line to give Nebraska the lead for the first time this afternoon.

Add in a two-point conversion and the Cornhuskers are in front 17-14 with 10:47 to go.

Isaiah Neyor thought he had an eight-yard touchdown catch from Dylan Raiola but his shin was down just shy of the goal line. It’s a first down however.

The Cornhuskers knocking at the doorstep of taking the lead.

It’s another three and out for Ohio State and for the third time in this second half, the Buckeyes are forced to punt. The only other drive that didn’t end in a punt culminated in an interception.

It’s the end of the third and we head to the fourth with Ohio State leading 14-9.

Ty Hamilton and Jack Sawyer come up with the sack as Dylan Raiola for the third time today. This has become quite the defensive battle at the Shoe.

What a response from the Ohio State defense, who keeps Dante Dowdell out of the endzone. Buckeyes maintain a 14-9 lead in the third quarter.

The tension has heightened at Ohio Stadium as Will Howard throws an interception to Malcolm Hartzog, Jr., who returns it 34 yards to the Ohio State seven-yard line.

It’s first and goal Cornhuskers.

A total of 104,830 are in the Shoe for this late October Big Ten matchup.

John Hohl hits his third field goal of the day, this time a 47-yarder that gets the Cornhuskers within five of the Buckeyes.

OSU leads 14-9 with 7:29 to go in the third quarter.

Davison Igbinosun has been shown the flag twice on this Nebraska drive with pass interference. Cornhuskers continuing to move, looking to tighten this game up.

Not the outing that fans wanted to see coming out of the locker room. Will Howard throws his first incompletion of the afternoon and the Buckeyes are forced to punt. OSU still leading 14-6 as the Cornhuskers get the ball for the first time in the second half.

But it hasn’t looked great on the offensive line (not just Michalski) and they haven’t been able to get to some of their best looks.
— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) October 26, 2024

Will Howard is a perfect 9-for-9 for 167 yards and two touchdowns. But the once unstoppable run game has been slowed to 30 yards on 14 carries.

The Ohio State defense has limited Nebraska to just 43 yards passing and 72 yards rushing.

The Cornhuskers have controlled much of the possession in the first half, keeping the ball for 17:21 compared to Ohio State’s 12:39.

Dylan Raiola threw one up to Isaiah Neyor at the two-yard line and the WR is charged with offensive pass interference, slowing the Cornhuskers offense. But John Hohl is able to drill a 54-yard field goal to get Nebraska within eight at the half.

It’s Ohio State leading 14-6 with 30 minutes to go.

After the offensive line fails to protect Will Howard, Jayden Fielding’s field goal attempt goes wide to the right. Ohio State still leads 14-3 with 2:02 to go in the first half.

Smith is the first freshman in FBS to score a touchdown in each of his first seven games since 2005 when Sidney Rice accomplished the feat for South Carolina.

Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith, 60-yard touchdown reception. That’s the eighth TD haul for the rookie wideout and he has now tied Cris Carter for the most in a freshman season at Ohio State.

Buckeyes lead Nebraska 14-3 as the first half continues.

@nbc4i pic.twitter.com/5y3ukntFgF
— Joe Nugent (@joenuge) October 26, 2024

After a big gain by Dylan Raiola, the Cornhuskers are forced to settle for a field goal. John Hohl converts the 39-yard attempt to put Nebraska on the board. Ohio State leads 7-3 with 10:21 to go.

Ohio State leads Nebraska, 7-0, after 15 minutes at the Horseshoe.

Carnell Tate with the 40-yard reception from Will Howard to put the Buckeyes on the board first. It took 14:31 into the game but we’ve got points on the board, and it’s Ohio State in front, 7-0.

Dylan Raiola is able to move the chains and he nearly rushes for a first down but his knee falls short so the Cornhuskers will give the ball back to Will Howard and the Buckeyes, who have yet to earn a first down this afternoon.

Will Howard unable to move the chains again and this offense is officially off to a slow start. Still scoreless in the first quarter.

Isaiah Neyor’s catch that would’ve gained 30 yards for Nebraska is overturned by the officials. So the Cornhuskers are forced to punt and Will Howard heads back on the field to lead the Ohio State offense.