Huskers’ kicking game revitalized, game shut down at halftime

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – This is where you can get live updates of Nebraska’s game against Ohio State.

First Quarter

Nebraska started the game much like last week, a mistake made on special teams.

The offense backed up inside its own 5-yard line and went 3-and-out, giving the Buckeyes prime field position.

The Black Shirts stepped up to the challenge. They were able to stop the Buckeyes on fourth and short to give the ball back to the offense.

After a defensive battle to start the game, Ohio State’s offense finally got going. Will Howard was able to find Carnell Tate for a 40-yard touchdown pass, giving the Buckeyes a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

Second Quarter

The Nebraska offense was able to respond. Dylan Raiola used his legs to get the Huskers all the way to Ohio State’s 30-yard line.

The offense stalled, but John Hohl was able to get inside and kick a 39-yard field goal, making the score 7-3.

But Ohio State released the deep ball once again. Howard found freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 60-yard touchdown pass, giving the Buckeyes a 14-3 lead.

The Buckeyes got the ball back and went long. A missed field goal by Jayden Fielding gave the Huskers the ball back at the two-minute warning.

Nebraska was able to drive down the field and make it 14-6 at halftime with Hohl’s 56-yard field goal.

Howard finished the first half completing nine of nine passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

While Smith and Carnell each had 65 yards receiving and a touchdown, the Buckeyes can’t keep it up on the ground.

Raiola had just 43 yards in the first half, but he led all rushers with 42 yards on the ground.

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Nebraska football team hits the road once again on Saturday to face No. 4 seed Ohio State.

The Huskers are 5-2 and are coming off a disappointing game against Indiana last week.

WRISTWATCH: Husker Roadshow heads to Columbus

There’s no team harder to bounce back against than Ohio State, but the Huskers are looking to show off every bit of pizzazz after last week’s performance.

This is the first meeting between two tradition-rich programs since 2021, when the Buckeyes took home a 26-17 victory at Memorial Stadium.

What Ohio State needs to know

The Buckeyes are ranked No. 4 in the country, but they got there after one loss.

Ohio State moved up to No. 1 with a 1-point loss so far. Oregon, which was ranked No. 1 two weeks ago in Eugene.

The Buckeyes are averaging 45.2 points and 512 yards per game this season. This includes 311 yards in the air and approximately 210 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Will Howard completed 100 of 140 passes for 1,365 and 10 touchdowns.

Howard’s top target on the outside is freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith. Smith leads OSU with 28 receptions for 464 yards and six touchdowns.

The two-headed monster of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson highlights Ohio State’s backfield.

Judkins leads the duo with 58 carries for 413 yards and six touchdowns.

The Buckeyes bring a top-10 defense to the table and will make Dylan Raiola work for it.

Ohio State is allowing just 11.8 points and 256 yards per game.

This week’s figures

2: Nebraska faces its second straight ranked opponent in No. 4 Ohio State. Nebraska is playing back-to-back ranked opponents for the first time since late in the 2021 season.

200: Senior linebacker Isaac Gifford increased his career total to 207 with eight tackles against Indiana. Gifford is one of 10 linebackers in Nebraska history with more than 200 tackles.

900: Saturday’s game features two of college football’s winningest programs; Ohio State (969) and Nebraska (922) are two of eight schools with more than 900 wins.

2006: Ryan Day was the 27-year-old wide receivers coach at Temple under Al Golden in 2006, the same year Matt Rhule was the Owls’ 31-year-old defensive line coach.

Score predictions

Nate Johnson: Ohio State won, 42-24

Jake Homan: Ohio State won, 34-21

Mark Fisher: Ohio State won, 34-14