Sloppy Ohio State Wins, 21-17 Over Nebraska: Buckeyes Escape with a Close Call
The Ohio State Buckeyes escaped with a hard-fought 21-17 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a game marred by sloppy play from both sides. While the Buckeyes secured the win, it wasn't a performance that will inspire much confidence heading into their upcoming matchups.
Buckeyes Struggle Offensively Despite Big Plays
The Ohio State offense, known for its explosive nature, struggled to find a consistent rhythm against the Nebraska defense. While quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns, he also threw an interception and missed some key throws. The Buckeyes relied heavily on big plays, with Marvin Harrison Jr. hauling in a 49-yard touchdown reception and Emeka Egbuka adding a 52-yard scoring catch.
However, the offense stalled for long stretches, particularly in the red zone. Ohio State only converted 3 of 6 trips inside the 20-yard line into touchdowns, leaving points on the field.
Nebraska Defense Provides Stiff Challenge
The Nebraska defense, led by Luke Reimer and Garrett Nelson, played with a tenacity that kept the Buckeyes off-balance. They forced turnovers, generated pressure on Stroud, and kept Ohio State from establishing a consistent running game.
Despite allowing big plays, the Cornhuskers defense showed resilience and kept the game close throughout. They forced a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter, giving Nebraska a chance to tie the game.
Special Teams Turnovers Cost Nebraska
Nebraska's special teams performance played a major role in the outcome. The Cornhuskers had a punt blocked in the first quarter, which led to an Ohio State touchdown. They also missed a field goal in the second quarter, leaving points on the board. These special teams miscues proved to be costly for the Cornhuskers.
Buckeyes Need to Clean Up Mistakes
While the win is crucial for Ohio State's conference aspirations, the performance raised concerns. The Buckeyes need to address their offensive inconsistencies and costly turnovers. Their upcoming schedule features tough opponents, and they will need to play at a higher level to remain in contention for a Big Ten title.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio State's offense needs improvement: Despite big plays, the Buckeyes struggled with consistency and execution.
- Nebraska's defense played tough: The Cornhuskers defense kept the game close and made life difficult for the Ohio State offense.
- Special teams mistakes hurt Nebraska: Missed field goals and blocked punts gave Ohio State valuable field position.
The Buckeyes will need to learn from this close call and improve their overall performance if they want to reach their full potential this season.