It had been a long two weeks for Ohio State football. After falling to the Oregon Ducks in Eugene two Saturdays ago, the Buckeyes suffered through a bye before taking the field again. This Saturday, OSU hosted the Nebraska Cornhuskers back at Ohio Stadium. The Bucks trailed in the fourth quarter but came back to nab a 21-17 win.

Nebraska wanted to get back on the field as well after losing 56-7 in Bloomington to the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers last weekend. That loss made the Buckeyes an overwhelming favorite at home. 

In the first half, Ohio State tried to establish a running game, but it would be passing that got the Buckeyes into the end zone twice. With only 29 seconds left in the first quarter, Buckeye quarterback Will Howard hit Carnell Tate with a 40-yard scoring strike. It finished up a 91-yard drive, only 17 yards of which were on the ground.

After Nebraska hit a 39-yard field goal, the Ohio State responded with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Howard to Jeremiah Smith. The successful completion came after three running plays netted 15 yards. The Huskers put a 53-yard field goal on the board as time ran out in the half, with a score of 14-6 Ohio State.

In the third quarter, after a Buckeye punt, Nebraska hit on another field goal, this one from 47 yards out to make it 14-9. After that, Ohio State threw an interception and punted twice. The Huskers turned it over on downs and punted once.

In their first possession of the fourth quarter, Nebraska drove it 74 yards, culminating in a one-yard touchdown run by Dante Dowdell and the Huskers led 17-14 with 6:04 left in regulation. It was the first Nebraska lead. On the day, Dowdell led all rushers with 60 yards on 14 attempts.

On their next possession, the Buckeyes drove it 75 yards with Howard hitting running back Quinshon Judkins with a nine-yard pass for a score. Ohio State retook the lead 21-17. Howard ended the day throwing 13-16 for 221 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception.

After a punt for each team, the Huskers got the ball with 3:36 left, needing a touchdown. Four plays into the drive Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was picked off by Jordan Hancock and the Buckeyes were able to run the clock out for the all too exciting victory.

One issue that came up in Nebraska’s final drive will carry over to the first two quarters of next week’s game. OSU defensive back Arvell Reese was charged with a targeting call defending a pass attempt. It is possible under NCAA rules that the penalty could be appealed, but it is unknown at this time if Ohio State will look for relief.

The Buckeyes travel to Happy Valley next week to take on the #3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. Kickoff on Saturday is slated for noon.