Nebraska football put a scare into No. 4 Ohio State, but a scare is all it was.
The Huskers fell in Columbus 21-17 Saturday. NU is now 5-3 on the season while OSU is 6-1.
Nebraska is 0-6 in games played to clinch bowl eligibility in the Matt Rhule era. The Huskers have also lost 27 straight games against ranked opponents.
Ohio State got up 14-6 in the first half on a pair of big pass plays for touchdowns. John Hohl tied a school-record for a field goal in a road game going into half, hitting a 54-yarder.
Out of the break, the Blackshirts took over. Ohio State managed just 23 yards in the third quarter, going three-and-out three times and throwing one interception.
Nebraska, meanwhile, added another Hohl field goal in the third quarter. Early in the fourth, the Huskers got a go-ahead touchdown and a two-point conversion to lead 17-14. This was the first lead for the Big Red over an AP top-five opponent in the fourth quarter since the 2009 Big 12 Championship.
But Ohio State answered. The Buckeyes marched 75 yards in eight plays over 4:43 to take a 21-17 lead. After the teams exchanged punts, Nebraska had the ball and a chance to go win the game.
Instead, the officials continued to make themselves known. On the first play of the drive, Jahmal Banks was called for offensive pass interference. On the next play, Ohio State defender Reese Arvell was called for targeting, putting NU at midfield. A false start penalty was promptly called.
With just over two minutes to play, offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield went back to the well of passes behind the line of scrimmage. A screen to Emmett Johnson was stopped for a loss of three yards. A swing pass to the right to Johnson lost a yard. Then on 3rd and 19, Dylan Raiola was picked off, allowing the Buckeyes to end the game.
Oiho State totaled 285 yards on the day, barely edging Nebraska’s 273. The Buckeyes only got 64 yads on the ground while the Huskers ran for 121 yards.
Raiola finished 21-for-32 for 152 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Buckeyes QB Will Howard was 13-for-16 for 221 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Nebraska was called for seven penalties on the day for 62 yards, including a pair of offensive pass interference penalties. Ohio State was called for five penalties, with three of them being accepted for 36 yards. The Buckeyes were not called for a single penalty on offense.
NU returns home next Saturday to host UCLA. The Huskers and Bruins will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CDT on the Big Ten Network.
Nebraska Athletics Notes
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