Instant Takes: No. 4 Ohio State 21, Nebraska 17

Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) bounced back after a terrible loss to push No. 4 Ohio State (6-1, 3-1) to the max but fell 21-17 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Huskers have not beaten a top-five team since Oklahoma in 2001. They are one win away from their first bowl game since 2016.

Here are three instant takes from the game:

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Bounce back

Nebraska football was embarrassed on national television one week ago in a 56-7 loss against Indiana. All three phases played terribly. The team was very frustrated by the loss and the energy was carried over to Ohio State. But they funneled their frustration into fixing their issues.

A game against No. 4 Ohio State can get out of hand quickly. Nebraska didn’t let it. All three phases gave the Buckeyes almost as much as they could handle.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola led the offense by going 21-for-32 for 152 passing yards. He had 31 rushing yards with a team-high 38-yard rush. The true freshman did a nice job of using his legs to pick up yardage.

Unfortunately for Nebraska, Raiola threw an interception with 1:16 remaining to end NU’s chances. The Huskers were backed up to third-and-19 after a terrible drive and play calling with the game on the line.

The Huskers average 3.7 yards per rush with 121 total rushing yards. Dante Dowdell led NU with 60 yards on 14 carries. As for receiving, WR Jacory Barney Jr. had seven catches for 49 yards. TE Thomas Fidone earned 55 yards on four catches.

The defense was absolutely lights out against an incredible offense. Kicker John Hohl is one of the MVPs of the game.

Husker Defense doesn’t back down from challenge

Nebraska played its worst game of the season against Indiana last week, losing 56-7. Its defense struggled greatly after a strong start to the season. They responded unbelievably against Ohio State.

The Buckeyes finished with 285 total yards. After 197 yards and 14 points in the first half, Ohio State earned 23 yards and no points in the third quarter.

Nebraska had two sacks and seven tackles for a loss of 27. Jimari Butler played his best game of the season after battling injury. He recorded five tackles, one sack and three tackles for loss. MJ Sherman earned the other sack and two tackles for loss.

Malcolm Hartzog Jr. earned his third interception this season and QB Will Howard’s third in 2024. Hartzog returned the ball 34 yards to the seven-yard line, but the offense didn’t score.

The Blackshirts forced five three-and-outs against the No. 6 offense in the country. With the game on the line with 3:43 left, Javin Wright forced a seven-yard loss on third-and-7 to force a punt.

Nebraska Defense Coordinator Tony White said he knew what the defense did wrong against Indiana. He and his defense adjusted accordingly and gave Ohio State their best shot.

John Hohl’s breakthrough game

Nebraska kicker John Hohl had the game of his career against Ohio State. The redshirt freshman nailed three field goals. He made a 39-yarder, a 54-yarder and a 47-yarder, in that order.

The 54-yard field goal is tied for the sixth-longest in Husker History and tied with Brett Maher for the longest road field goal. Hohl’s longest field goal this season was 21 yards until facing the Buckeyes.

Hohl’s first field goal of the game was the first Nebraska made since playing Illinois. They went 0-for-3 against Purdue, with a bad snap and two blocked field goals. NU didn’t attempt a field goal against Rutgers or Indiana.

The Huskere desperately needed a kicker they could trust. If Hohl and his field-goal unit keep this up, Husker Nation might have the answer to their prayers.

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