On Saturday the 4th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 5-1 hosted the unranked Nebraska Cornhuskers 5-2. Ohio State suffered their first loss of the 2024 season two weeks ago at Oregon 32-31. The Nebraska Cornhusker were coming off a humiliating 56-7 loss at Indiana one week ago.  Last week Ohio State was idle. This game was believed to set up to be a dominating Ohio State win at home. However, that was not the case for this game.

The Ohio State offense struggled to establish the running game throughout the game. Ohio State only had 64 rushing yards, the leading rusher for Ohio State was Quinshon Judkins with 10 carries for 29 yards. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard was 13 for 16, for 221 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate led the Buckeyes with 4 receptions, 102 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown. The offensive struggles could be attributed to left tackle Josh Simmons being lost for the season with a knee injury. His backup Zen Michalski left the game in the 4th quarter due to a leg injury. Ohio State’s depth at offensive tackle will be tested for the rest of the season.

I also believe that credit needs to be given to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, they as a team showed up to play. And they gave Ohio State more than they could handle that afternoon. Nebraska did lead early in 4th quarter 17-14 after a touchdown and 2-point conversion. Ohio State did answer the score with touchdown drive finished by a 9-yard Will Howard touchdown pass to Quinshon Judkins to take the lead for good 21-17. Buckeyes fans know that it doesn’t get any easier for Ohio State next week.

Next Saturday the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Happy Valley Pennsylvania to play the 3rd ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. It appears that Ohio State needs to figure out some things. Because Penn State is certainly not Nebraska.