Amber Aniston • October 26, 2024

Ohio State Narrowly Escapes Nebraska with a 21-17 Victory

In a hard-fought battle at Ohio Stadium, No. 4 Ohio State managed to survive a scare against Nebraska, pulling off a 21-17 victory. Despite being heavy favorites, the Buckeyes struggled to find their rhythm and were forced to rely on a late touchdown to secure the win. Will Howard threw for three touchdowns, including a decisive 9-yard pass to Quinshon Judkins with just over six minutes left in the game.


Ohio State’s performance was far from dominant. Coming off a loss to Oregon two weeks prior, the Buckeyes were expected to bounce back strong, but Nebraska, a team that had just suffered a blowout loss to Indiana, proved to be a tougher challenge than anticipated. The Cornhuskers led briefly in the fourth quarter, and Ohio State’s inability to control the game left many fans on edge until the final whistle.


Nebraska Keeps It Close

Nebraska played well beyond expectations, keeping the score close throughout the contest. After trailing 14-6 at halftime, the Cornhuskers mounted a comeback in the second half. Dante Dowdell’s 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful two-point conversion, gave Nebraska a 17-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.


Nebraska’s defense was a key factor in their ability to stay competitive, limiting Ohio State’s offense to just one third-down conversion out of ten attempts. A critical interception by Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog Jr. in the third quarter set the Cornhuskers up with a chance to take control of the game, but Ohio State’s defense stood tall, stopping Nebraska on a fourth-and-goal attempt.


Ohio State’s Comeback

Despite Nebraska’s resilience, Ohio State regained the lead late in the game. Howard orchestrated a crucial drive, which ended with his third touchdown pass of the day, a 9-yard throw to Judkins. This score put Ohio State ahead 21-17 with six minutes left to play.


The Buckeyes’ defense then made a stand, forcing a Nebraska turnover after cornerback Jordan Hancock intercepted a pass with just over a minute remaining. Ohio State was able to run out the clock and secure the win.


Howard finished the game completing 13 of 16 passes for 221 yards, with two first-half touchdowns to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate helping Ohio State build an early lead.


A Sluggish Offensive Performance

Ohio State’s offense, which had been one of the most productive in the country earlier this season, was surprisingly ineffective for much of the game. The Buckeyes managed just 64 rushing yards, and Howard struggled to maintain his first-half form in the second half. Despite their explosive start, Ohio State could not establish any consistent rhythm, especially on the ground, where Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson were largely neutralized.


The Buckeyes' offensive line, already weakened by injuries, struggled to create opportunities in the running game. Nebraska’s defense consistently applied pressure, forcing Howard to rely on play-action passes. Ohio State’s inability to convert on third downs left them vulnerable throughout the game, and their only successful third-down conversion in the second half came during the go-ahead scoring drive.


Missed Opportunities for Nebraska

Nebraska had several opportunities to pull off the upset but failed to capitalize on key moments. The Cornhuskers’ fourth-quarter lead, which came after Dowdell’s touchdown run, was their best chance to secure a win. However, after a defensive stop gave them the ball back near midfield, Nebraska could not advance the ball, and the drive ended with Hancock’s interception.


Earlier in the game, Nebraska also missed a golden opportunity when they were stopped on fourth-and-goal at the Ohio State 2-yard line. Had they converted that possession into points, the outcome could have been very different. These missed chances ultimately cost Nebraska the game, despite their impressive effort.


Implications for the Buckeyes

While Ohio State escaped with the win, their performance raises questions ahead of their upcoming matchup against No. 3 Penn State. The Buckeyes will need to address several issues, particularly on offense, if they hope to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. The inability to establish a running game, coupled with their struggles on third downs, will need to be corrected before they face one of the nation’s top defenses next week.


Injuries Continue to Impact Ohio State

Ohio State was without several key players, including safety Lathan Ransom and tight end Will Kacmarek, both of whom were sidelined with injuries. The Buckeyes also lost left tackle Zen Michalski in the fourth quarter, further depleting their offensive line. These injuries contributed to Ohio State’s struggles on offense, particularly in the running game.


Nebraska also faced injury issues, with running back Rahmir Johnson missing the game due to a concussion. Despite these setbacks, the Cornhuskers managed to keep the game competitive until the final minutes.


Looking Ahead

Nebraska returns home next week to face UCLA, as they aim to secure their sixth win and become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016. Ohio State, meanwhile, faces a daunting road game against No. 3 Penn State. The showdown in Happy Valley will likely be one of the most critical games of the season for the Buckeyes, as both teams look to solidify their standing in the race for the College Football Playoff.


Though Ohio State remains in control of their destiny, their performance against Nebraska suggests they have work to do if they hope to contend with the top teams in the nation.



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