Jordan Hancock’s Late Pick Seals Ohio State Win over Nebraska \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ohio State held off an upset by Nebraska, winning 21-17 after cornerback Jordan Hancock’s interception sealed the game. Despite three touchdown passes from Will Howard, Ohio State’s offense struggled, converting only one third down and managing just 64 rushing yards. Nebraska nearly capitalized, though they fell short after critical defensive plays by the Buckeyes.
Ohio State Narrowly Escapes Nebraska’s Upset Attempt Quick Looks
- Cornerback Jordan Hancock’s interception with 1:16 left sealed Ohio State’s narrow 21-17 win over Nebraska.
- Buckeye QB Will Howard threw three touchdowns but struggled on third downs, converting just one out of 10 attempts.
- Nebraska stayed competitive all game, with Dante Dowdell’s 1-yard TD putting them briefly ahead.
- Ohio State’s offense faced issues, tallying just 64 rushing yards and punting five times.
- The win keeps Ohio State in playoff contention but revealed areas for improvement, especially before their matchup against Penn State.
Deep Look
Quarterback Will Howard took on much of the offensive workload, tossing three touchdown passes, including a critical fourth-quarter pass that regained the lead for Ohio State. Still, it was clear that the Buckeyes’ offense was not running at full throttle. A mere 64 rushing yards and just one converted third down out of 10 attempts underscored Ohio State’s reliance on Howard’s arm while exposing gaps in the team’s overall offensive execution. Although Ohio State’s defense managed to prevent Nebraska from taking a decisive lead, the narrow victory illuminated challenges that could become problematic against stronger opponents.
Nebraska’s Strong Showing
Nebraska (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) entered the game with a 27-game losing streak against Top 25 teams, yet they proved they were undaunted by Ohio State’s high ranking. The Cornhuskers capitalized on several opportunities, with kicker John Hohl converting three field goals to keep them in striking distance. Running back Dante Dowdell played a pivotal role, scoring a 1-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that, along with a successful two-point conversion, put Nebraska ahead 17-14. Nebraska’s aggressive play on both sides of the ball kept the pressure on Ohio State throughout the game.
The Cornhuskers’ defense was particularly notable, holding Ohio State’s dynamic offensive unit to just 64 rushing yards, stifling key players like running back TreVeyon Henderson. Defensive standout Malcolm Hartzog Jr. contributed significantly to Nebraska’s efforts with a crucial interception in the third quarter, which he returned 34 yards to set up Nebraska’s offense at Ohio State’s 7-yard line. However, the Huskers were unable to capitalize fully on this prime field position, as Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun and Cody Simon stopped Dowdell just shy of the goal line on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
Ohio State’s Offensive Struggles
While the Buckeyes managed to escape with a win, their performance revealed weaknesses in both their rushing attack and their third-down efficiency. The team converted only one of 10 third downs, forcing them to punt five times. Howard’s lone interception and a missed field goal added to the struggles. His touchdown passes helped mitigate these challenges, however, starting with a first-half 60-yard connection to a wide-open Jeremiah Smith. This catch marked Smith’s eighth touchdown reception, tying Cris Carter’s record for most receiving touchdowns by an Ohio State freshman.
Howard also threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate, finishing the game with 13 completions on 16 attempts for 221 yards. Despite these highlights, the Buckeyes’ lack of success on the ground exposed vulnerabilities in their offensive scheme, with Nebraska effectively containing explosive plays from Henderson and running back Quinshon Judkins. The absence of reliable rushing options could spell trouble in high-stakes games, especially with their upcoming clash against Penn State.
Howard’s leadership and ability to make key throws were crucial to the Buckeyes’ fourth-quarter comeback. With 6:04 left, he completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Judkins, putting Ohio State ahead 21-17 and keeping their playoff hopes alive. However, the slim margin of victory may leave some poll voters unimpressed, and the Buckeyes may drop in the rankings due to their inconsistent performance.
The Game-Sealing Interception
As the clock wound down, Nebraska had one last chance to steal a win. The Cornhuskers reached midfield after a penalty for targeting resulted in the ejection of Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. This moment seemed to open the door for Nebraska’s offense, but they were immediately hampered by a false start penalty and back-to-back losses on consecutive plays. Facing long yardage on third down, quarterback Dylan Raiola attempted a pass intended for wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, but it was intercepted by Hancock, effectively ending Nebraska’s comeback bid. Ohio State’s Howard knelt three times to run out the clock, sealing a narrow and hard-fought victory.
Takeaways from the Game
Nebraska:
Although the Cornhuskers fell short, their competitive performance against Ohio State was a positive step forward, particularly following their heavy loss to Indiana. Their defense limited Ohio State’s production on third downs and prevented any significant gains on the ground. While Nebraska’s 27-game losing streak against Top 25 opponents continues, head coach Matt Rhule noted his team’s defensive effectiveness, stating, “I thought our defense was dominant all day, save three plays,” referencing Howard’s three touchdown passes.
Ohio State:
Ohio State’s one-dimensional offense remains a concern, as the team leaned heavily on Howard’s passing with little support from their ground game. Coach Ryan Day praised Nebraska’s resilience, saying, “Give Nebraska credit and the job they did. They had a hard time the week before. We knew they were going to come out and play us really hard.” The Buckeyes’ narrow victory keeps them in playoff contention, but with a critical game against No. 3 Penn State on the horizon, they will need a more balanced offensive approach to succeed.
Key Moments and Future Implications
Ohio State’s unexpectedly close game against Nebraska may impact their standing in the polls, as voters weigh the Buckeyes’ overall performance. The game demonstrated areas for improvement in both Ohio State’s third-down efficiency and their reliance on passing over rushing. Injuries also played a role, with starting safety Lathan Ransom and tight end Will Kacmarek both sidelined due to unspecified injuries. Nebraska was also impacted by injuries, including the absence of running back Rahmir Johnson (concussion) and left tackle Zen Michalski, who exited the game due to an injury. Michalski had been filling in for starter Josh Simmons, who was hurt in Ohio State’s game against Oregon.
Looking Ahead
The Buckeyes’ narrow escape keeps their playoff hopes intact, but a stronger offensive showing will be essential as they head into a critical game against No. 3 Penn State next Saturday. Nebraska, meanwhile, will host UCLA with another chance to secure a win that could lead to bowl eligibility, a milestone that continues to elude the Cornhuskers.
Jordan Hancock’s
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