Ohio State narrowly edges out Nebraska, 21-17, for bounce back win
David DeGuzman
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.
Photo gallery
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Quarterback Air Noland #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes greets fans before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Quarterback Dylan Raiola #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt #22 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass during warmups before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Value City Arena on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Quarterback Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams #91 of the Ohio State Buckeyes sacks quarterback Dylan Raiola #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Quarterback Dylan Raiola #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 26: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (97) reacts with his teammates during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 26, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 26: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown while being defended by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (7) during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 26, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 26: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) lines up for a play during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 26, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 26: Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Gee Scott Jr. (88) carries the ball during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 26, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 26: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day looks at the scoreboard during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 26, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 26: Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Gee Scott Jr. (88) carries the ball during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 26, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: A water bottle is thrown on the field after after a targeting call on linebacker Arvell Reese #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Linebacker Cody Simon #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles running back Emmett Johnson #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts to a targeting call during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Quarterback Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass the ball during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Running back Dante Dowdell #23 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers carries the ball during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Running back Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches pass for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Running back Dante Dowdell #23 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers dives for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
1 / 19
Scroll below for updates as the game unfolded.
12 months ago
Buckeyes never out of “styles”
ddeguzman
Lorenzo Styles is in at nickel as Jordan Hancock slides to safety to step up for the injured Lathan Ransom.
Means we’ve got brothers on the field at the same time as Lorenzo gets to share the same field with his older brother Sonny.
12 months ago
Turnover on downs
ddeguzman
TreVeyon Henderson is stopped on fourth down, ending a short drive that also saw Will Howard get sacked for the first time this afternoon.
Both defenses looking good early on. Nebraska will start its second drive from their own 28-yard line.
12 months ago
RAIOLA SACKED
ddeguzman
Tyleik Williams takes down Dylan Raiola for the sack and the Cornhuskers are forced to punt. A three-and-out for the defense that allowed nearly 500 against Oregon.
12 months ago
Coin toss
ddeguzman
Ohio State won the toss and defers to the second half. Nebraska will get the ball first.
There’ll be a number of celebrations surrounding the game today. Last night, Archie Griffin was the grand marshal for the homecoming parade. Today, Ohio State will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its eighth national championship, when the Buckeyes went 14-1 to capture the first CFP title.
Also, the school’s Paris Olympians will be honored on the field. They received a warm reception last night with athletic director Ross Bjork.
12 months ago
Injury report
ddeguzman
Zen Michalski will get his first career start with OL Josh Simmons out for the season with a knee injury.
Lathan Ransom is also listed as out for today’s game. For a full look at who’s in and who’s out, check out this week’s injury report.
12 months ago
Good morning!
ddeguzman
Feels like it’s been forever since we’ve had the Buckeyes on the football field. Ohio State has had a long wait since that one-point loss to Oregon two weeks ago. We’ll see if the Buckeyes can bounce back against a Nebraska team that is just as hungry after a lopsided loss to Indiana last Saturday.
