No. 4 Ohio State is sloppy in 21-17 win over Nebraska | News, Sports, Jobs

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard tossed three landing passes, however No. 4 Ohio State wanted an interception by cornerback Jordan Hancock with 1:16 left to seal its 21-17 win over Nebraska on Saturday.

The Buckeyes (6-1, 3-1 Massive Ten) bounced again from their loss to Oregon two weeks in the past however positive didn’t seem like the well-oiled machine they’re purported to be in struggling with an almost four-touchdown underdog.

“It wasn’t excellent, however a win’s a win,” Howard mentioned. “And we have been capable of present that when the going will get robust, and when perhaps issues aren’t going our method, we’re capable of win within the fourth quarter. I feel our protection did an unbelievable job of getting some stops, making some actually massive performs in that fourth quarter and getting us an opportunity to go down there and put that final one in and provides us the lead.”

The Cornhuskers (5-3, 2-3) stored it shut all day. John Hohl kicked three area objectives earlier than Dante Dowdell’s landing early within the fourth quarter gave them a short lead. Ohio State transformed simply 1 of 10 third downs, punted 5 occasions, gave up the ball on downs, missed a area objective and survived a Howard interception.

Dowdell’s 1-yard run and a 2-point conversion put the Huskers up 17-14. The Buckeyes bought the lead again with 6:04 left when Howard threw a 9-yard landing move to Quinshon Judkins.

Nebraska’s had the ball close to midfield on its ultimate possession after Arvell Reese was ejected for focusing on for his hit on receiver Jahmal Banks. The Huskers have been known as for a false begin and misplaced yards on consecutive performs earlier than Dylan Raiola was off course with a move supposed for Isaiah Neyor and Hancock picked it off.

Howard knelt 3 times to expire the clock.

The Huskers had an opportunity to take the lead within the third quarter when Malcolm Hartzog Jr.’s interception and 34-yard return set them up on the Ohio State 7. On fourth-and-goal from the two, Davison Igbinosun and Cody Simon plugged the center to cease Dowdell wanting the objective line.

“Yeah, that’s undoubtedly a drive that we want we might have completed off,” Raiola mentioned. “I feel we had our greatest play known as. We simply got here up a little bit quick and that’s what it’s proper now. And we’ll be sure that we hit these performs coming sooner or later.”

The takeaway

Nebraska: The Huskers certainly performed higher than final week after they have been drubbed 56-7 by Indiana however have been denied a sixth win that may have made them bowl eligible for the primary time since 2016. Nebraska has misplaced 27 straight towards High 25 opponents and 18 straight towards ranked opponents on the highway.

“I assumed our protection was dominant all day, save three performs,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule mentioned, referring to Howard’s three landing passes.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes have been largely one-dimensional, working for simply 64 yards with no explosive performs from stars Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. They averted their first house loss in 10 years towards an unranked opponent (Virginia Tech).

“Give Nebraska credit score and the job they did,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day mentioned. “That they had a tough time the week earlier than. We knew they have been going to come back out and play us actually laborious.”

Making historical past

Howard hit a wide-open Jeremiah Smith in stride for a 60-yard landing within the first half. That was his eighth receiving landing, tying him with Cris Carter for many amongst freshmen at school historical past.

Howard additionally threw a 40-yard TD move to Carnell Tate within the first half. He completed 13 for 16 for 221 yards.

Ballot implications

This sport was nearer than it ought to have been, and a few voters would possibly penalize the Buckeyes for that.

Accidents

Ohio State beginning security Lathan Ransom and tight finish Will Kacmarek have been sidelined with unspecified accidents. … Nebraska working again Rahmir Johnson was out with a concussion. … LT Zen Michalski left the sport with an harm. Michalski was within the sport due to an harm to starter Josh Simmons within the Oregon sport.

Up subsequent

Nebraska: hosts UCLA subsequent Saturday.

Ohio State: visits No. 3 Penn State subsequent Saturday.