LIVE UPDATES: No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Live stats, information and analysis from Lincoln as the fourth-ranked Buckeyes take on Nebraska.

Author:
Eddie Marotta
Updated:
Nov 6, 2021 3:50 PM EDT

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Ohio State travels to Lincoln Nebraska to take on a team that hasn't won many games this year, but they've never lost by more than eight points. The Cornhuskers have been a particularly challenging opponent for Michigan, Michigan State and Oklahoma. These are the top two performing offensive units in the Big Ten so far this season. The Buckeyes have won six games in a row after dropping a game to Oregon, while Nebraska has dropped three straight and five of their last six.

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Fourth Quarter

Final stats:

STEELE CHAMBERS INTERCEPTION! Chambers caps off the game with a pick on Nebraska's final offensive possession. The Buckeyes will kneel down to victory!

NOAH RUGGLES HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS. Ruggles gives the Buckeyes some breathing room; his 46-yard field goal pushes the Ohio State lead to 9 with 1:29 remaining in the game. 26-17, Buckeyes.

TreVeyon Henderson takes a screen pass for 11 yards on 3rd and 16, placing the ball at the Nebraska 29. Nebraska calls its final timeout with 1:30 left.

Stroud throws again on second down, finding Smith-Njigba again. Nebraska takes their second timeout prior to 3rd and 16 from the Cornhusker 40-yard line. 1:39 remaining.

Near-disaster for the Buckeyes: C.J. Stroud is flushed to his left and fumbles the football, but Luke Whypler fortunately recovers for Ohio State back at the Nebraska 45. Timeout Nebraska, 1:42 left in the game.

Smith-Njigba hauls in another reception, this time for 9 yards on first down. Master Teague rushes two to move the sticks again for Ohio State, who is milking the clock.

Nebraska jumps offsides and Ohio State takes advantage, converting the 1st and 5 into a 22-yard gain by TreVeyon Henderson. Buckeye football at the Nebraska 45.

TreVeyon Henderson gains enough yardage to move the chains for Ohio State on 2nd and 7.

Adrian Martinez misses Omar Manning on third down, and Nebraska will punt the ball back to Ohio State with 5:17 remaining. Williamson was in coverage on the play.

Pass break-ups by Bryson Shaw on first down and Marcus Williamson on second down leave Nebraska with a 3rd and 10.

Adrian Martinez continues to find space with his legs, picking up 21 yards on Nebraska's first play of the drive.

On 3rd and 19 from the Nebraska 44, C.J. Stroud scrambles out of the pocket and checks down to TreVeyon Henderson, who is tackled outside of field goal range. Ohio State is forced to punt with a 6 point lead. 6:11 left in the game.

Julian Fleming looks to haul in an incredible sideline catch, but the play was ruled incomplete on the field. After review, the play stands as incomplete.

C.J. Stroud is called for intentional grounding. Ball at the Nebraska 44.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the first Buckeye wide receiver to record over 200 yards in a game since Santonio Holmes in 2004.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes another chunk out of the Cornhusker secondary, picking up 19 yards to the Nebraska 35. Smith-Njigba now has 13 receptions for 226 yards and 1 TD.

Henderson re-enters the game for the Buckeyes next third down play. C.J. Stroud connects with Chris Olave at the sticks to keep the drive alive.

C.J. Stroud pitches to TreVeyon Henderson on 3rd and 1, and the running back picks up the first. Henderson exits the game again following the play. Master Teague is in at running back.

NEBRASKA MISSES ANOTHER FIELD GOAL! The Buckeyes escape a long Cornhusker drive without allowing points on the board. OSU regains possession of the football, still up 23-17 with 9:47 remaining in the game.

The Buckeye defense makes a stop on third down this time, as Martinez throws out of reach for Levi Falck.

On 3rd and 3, Martinez picks up the first down himself, marking the first third-down conversion for the Cornhuskers in 10 attempts today. Nebraska is in the red zone.

Martinez takes off again, gaining 17 yards and pushing the ball to the OSU 30.

Two consecutive Adrian Martinez runs give Nebraska a first down in Ohio State territory.

C.J. Stroud is intercepted for the second time today, this time by Myles Farmer. Nebraska takes over at the 29 following illegal block in the back and late hit out-of-bounds penalties.

Third Quarter

Third quarter stats:

Jaxon Smith-Njigba picks up another big chunk for Ohio State, and his 22-yard gain puts him over 200 yards receiving.

Adrian Martinez punches it in from the 1 after a big play from Samori Toure sets Nebraska up with 1st and goal. 23-17, Buckeyes.

Samori Toure strikes again for the Cornhuskers, breaking tackles en route to a 53-yard gain down to the Buckeye 1-yard line.

Steele Chambers is called for defensive holding on an attempted screen pass to Rahmir Johnson.

Noah Ruggles is money (again). His 35-yard field goal gives the Buckeyes a 23-10 lead with 2:05 remaining in the third.

C.J. Stroud's 3rd and 2 pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just out of reach.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba moves the chains for the Buckeyes again, who are inside the Cornhuskers' 30. Smith-Njigba has 10 receptions for 179 yards and 1 TD on the day.

Chris Olave floats in the air and hauls in a first down reception for Ohio State, pushing the ball inside the Nebraska 40.

The Buckeye defense forces a quick punt, and OSU regains possession near midfield.

A great punt from Jesse Mirco is downed at the Nebraska 4-yard line. The Buckeye special teams unit makes things difficult for a sputtering Cornhusker offense to start their next possession.

Ohio State is called for another hold on third down, but the Buckeyes were unable to convert regardless, so the penalty was declined and OSU is forced to punt.

Marvin Harrison Jr. makes the catch following his holding penalty for a gain of 12 on 2nd and 21.

Ohio State is called for another holding penalty, this time on Marvin Harrison Jr. 2nd and 21 for the Buckeyes.

Ryan Day calls timeout prior to a delay of game.

Ohio State picks up a first down on a screen pass to Jeremy Ruckert, but it is called back due to an illegal man downfield penalty.

C.J. Stroud finds Julian Fleming for the second time today, picking up 17 yards and a first down to the OSU 46.

Nebraska's special teams struggle continues, as the Buckeyes pick up 15 yards on a kick-catching interference penalty on the Cornhusker punt.

Ohio State has held Nebraska without a third-down conversion in the game. The Cornhuskers are currently 0-for-8 on third down attempts.

Nebraska picks up one first down, but the Buckeye defense is able to get them off the field after that.

Noah Ruggles stays perfect on the season, converting on a 46-yard field goal attempt and extending the Buckeye lead back to 10. 20-10, Ohio State.

Stroud finds Henderson again on third down, who was shaken up on the play after gaining 14 on 3rd and 19. Henderson is still down.

TreVeyon Henderson picks up a first down on the 3rd down play, but it is called back on a hold from Dawawn Jones.

Two consecutive negative rushing play for OSU leads to a 3rd and 14, but the Buckeyes catch a break with Nebraska jumping offsides. 3rd and 9 for Ohio State from the Nebraska 38.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues his strong game on the Buckeyes' first play of the second half, catching his ninth pass of the day and moving the ball down to the Nebraska 34.

Another sack for the Buckeyes! Ohio State's defense pinned Nebraska back on third down, and Jack Sawyer finishes off Adrian Martinez to force a Cornhuskers punt.

Ohio State linebacker Steele Chambers has entered the game.

Nebraska starts the second half with possession of the football from their own 25.

Second Quarter

First half stats:

Ohio State halftime stats at Nebraska 2021

Chris Olave is tripped up in bounds on 3rd and 10, and that will end the half.

Marvin Harrison Jr. drops the second down pass on the sideline, bringing up a 3rd and 10 with 12 seconds left in the first half. Nebraska calls their final timeout of the half prior to the third down play.

C.J. Stroud juuuust misses Chris Olave on a deep shot to the end zone with 16 seconds left in the half.

Julian Fleming gets into the action on third down, picking up a first for the Buckeyes with the ball at the Nebraska 46-yard line.

Stroud finds Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the eighth time in the first half for a gain of eight, bringing up a 3rd and 2.

C.J. Stroud's first down seam pass to Jeremy Ruckert is broken up by JoJo Domann.

OSU gets the stop on defense, and Nebraska will punt the ball back with 38 seconds remaining in the half.

Tyreke Smith with the sack on first down for the Buckeyes!

Ohio State has a quick three-and-out and Nebraska takes over possession with 1:37 left in the first half.

Samori Toure answers right back for the Cornhuskers, breaking free in the secondary for a 72-yard touchdown. 17-10, Buckeyes.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first half (so far): 7 catches, 140 yards, 1 TD.

OH MY, JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA!!! The speedy wide receiver takes Stroud's pass 75 yards for a touchdown on the Buckeyes' first play of the drive! 17-3, Ohio State.

The Buckeye defense stiffens, forcing a field goal attempt from Nebraska after two big gainers quickly put the Cornhuskers in striking range. The field goal is good from 39, and the game now stands at 10-3, Buckeyes.

Nebraska hits on two chunk plays early in their drive and has pushed the ball to the Buckeye 25-yard line.

The touchdown catch was Olave's 10th of the season and 32nd of his career. He is just two touchdown receptions shy of tying David Boston's school record of 34.

TOUCHDOWN CHRIS OLAVE!! Ohio State hits paydirt for the first time today, and extend their lead to 10. 10-0, Buckeyes.

TreVeyon Henderson needed two on third down from the Nebraska 6, got hit at the line of scrimmage, and plows forward to pick up the first. 1st and Goal Buckeyes.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues his big game, taking another short pass for a gain of 17 down to the Nebraska 14-yard line.

Chris Olave records his second reception of the game, picking up a first down on the Buckeyes' first play of the drive.

William Przystup shanks the punt, and the ball goes out of bounds after only 13 yards. Ohio State will start with great field position at the Nebraska 49.

Denzel Burke breaks up Adrian Martinez's 3rd and 12 shot for Omar Manning.

Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer left the field prior to third down holding his abdomen. He has entered the medical tent on the sideline.

Ohio State scoring drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 4:52. Field Goal.

Noah Ruggles' 26-yard field goal is GOOD! Ohio State takes a 3-0 lead over Nebraska with 11:25 remaining in the second quarter.

Stroud swings a pass out short to TreVeyon Henderson on third down, and he gets pushed backwards. The Buckeyes will attempt a field goal.

C.J. Stroud looks to be shaken up after taking a hard hit on 2nd down, but will remain in the game.

On 3rd and 4 from the Nebraska 18, C.J. Stroud keeps it himself on a read option and picks up the first down. The Buckeyes are threatening deep in Cornhusker territory!

Stroud looks deep for Chris Olave, and the Buckeyes draw a pass interference penalty on the play. OSU is down to the Nebraska 24.

Marvin Harrison Jr. grabs his first target of the game for a first down at the Nebraska 39.

On 3rd and 7, C.J. Stroud looks for TreVeyon Henderson at the sticks and connects with the freshman, who picks up the first down. Buckeyes with the football at midfield.

First Quarter

First Quarter Stats:

Ohio State's short gains on first and second down leave them behind-the-sticks with 3rd and 7 at the end of the first quarter.

Adrian Martinez is sacked for the second time in three plays, this time by Ronnie Hickman on 3rd and 13. Nebraska with a quick three-and-out of their own, and the game is still scoreless with 1:17 remaining in the first.

Jack Sawyer gets home for a sack on Adrian Martinez on Nebraska's first play of the drive.

Ohio State goes three-and-out on offense and will punt.

Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones has entered the game.

After a tackle-for-loss during Nebraska's last possession, Ohio State defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau has now recorded a TFL in four consecutive games and is the first Buckeye to do so since Chase Young.

On 3rd and 11, Adrian Martinez is chased out of bounds for a gain of just two yards. Nebraska will punt the football back to Ohio State.

Nebraska quickly picks up two first downs, but is called for a hold and is now backed up with a 1st and 16.

C.J. Stroud is intercepted by JoJo Domann at the Nebraska 14. Stroud was looking to connect with Jaxon Smith-Njigba while rolling to his right on the play.

Smith-Njigba picks up another 19 yards, and now has 4 receptions on the Buckeyes first two possessions.

On 3rd and 7 from the 50, Stroud finds Jaxon Smith-Njigba for another conversion. The Buckeyes have moved the ball down to the Nebraska 43.

Stroud finds Chris Olave for the first time today, converting on a 3rd and 6 with a pickup of 16 yards.

Nebraska's field goal attempt is NO GOOD! The game remains tied at 0 with 9:17 remaining in the first quarter.

After the big gain to open the drive, OSU's defense stiffens and holds Nebraska to a field goal attempt.

Cameron Brown was injured on Nebraska's first play after making the tackle on Toure. Denzel Burke and Seven Banks are at corner for Ohio State.

Adrian Martinez finds Samouri Toure for 24 yards on the Cornhuskers first offensive play of the game.

C.J. Stroud keeps it himself on 3rd and 2 and the Cornhuskers stop the him short of the first down marker. The Buckeyes go for it on 4th and 1, but Jeremy Ruckert fails the haul in the pass. Nebraska football.

OSU looks TreVeyon Henderson's way twice, with a rush on first down and a short reception on second down. A drag from Jaxon Smith-Njigba picks up another first down on 3rd and 4.

C.J. Stroud starts the game in rhythm, finding Jaxon Smith-Njigba and moving the chains on the first snap of the game.

Kickoff in Lincoln! The Buckeyes will start the game on offense, with the football at the 25.

Pregame

The Buckeyes have lost the coin toss, and Nebraska defers to the second half. OSU will start the game with the football.

The pregame scene got rowdy between OSU and Nebraska:

Steele Chambers will be out for the first half of Ohio State's game against Nebraska after his targeting call last weekend vs. Penn State. Palaie Gaoteote took second-team reps at linebacker during warm-ups in replacement of Chambers.

Officials for today's game:

Referee: Michael Cannon
Umpire: Ken Zelmanski
Linesman: Bruce Keeling
Line Judge: Jeff Meslow
Back Judge: Robert Smith Jr.
Field Judge: Stephen Hassel
Side Judge: Grady Smith
Center Judge: Bryan Banks

Ohio State RT Dawand Jones is in uniform, but did not take snaps during team 11-on-11 pregame drills. OSU had Thayer Munford at LT, Matt Jones at LG, and Nicholas Petit-Frere at RT. Harry Miller is also out today.

Julian Fleming is taking reps with first-team wide receivers Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba during warm-ups.

Live from Lincoln:

With QB Jack Miller III suspended for this game, Freshman QB Quinn Ewers made the trip to Lincoln with the Buckeyes. Ewers will be the third quarterback, behind C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord.

An update from Garrett Wilson:

Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson is among 14 unavailable players for the Buckeyes today:

Game Preview: Offensive Execution Key For Ohio State On The Road At Nebraska

Ohio State hits the road in search of its seventh straight win over Nebraska on Saturday afternoon. And while it would be easy for the Buckeyes to overlook the Cornhuskers given their 3-6 record, all six of their losses this season have come by eight points or less.

“I’ve watched the film, and this is a very good team” head coach Ryan Day said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “They played The Team Up North tough, they played Oklahoma tough and they played Michigan State tough, so I’ve just been very impressed with them.

“I don’t care what the record says. I watched the film and they’re good. They have good coaches, so we've got to have a great week of practice.”

Ohio State enters Saturday’s game at No. 5 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, with games against No. 3 Michigan State and No. 7 Michigan – as well as a potentially ranked matchup in the Big Ten Championship Game – still remaining to help improve its standing.

But with one loss already on their record, the Buckeyes know they have no room for error against the Cornhuskers, who are looking for a program-defining win under fourth-year head coach Scott Frost.

“Just like any other game in the Big Ten, especially when you go on the road, this is going to be a battle," Day said. "It’s truly like March Madness right now – if you win, you move on. We have to look at every game that way.

“You watch across the country week in and week out, a lot of things have happened this year. We can’t let that happen to us and we can’t have any regrets. The only way to do that is to focus on right now and not be distracted. If you start looking ahead, if you start worrying about tomorrow, that’s where you get distracted, and we have to stay disciplined in that area.”

General Info

Date: Nov. 6, 2021
Where: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE)
Expected Weather: 57 degrees, mostly sunny
Kickoff: 12 p.m.

Current Betting Numbers

Spread: Ohio State (-15.5)
O/U Total: 67
Betting: Check out the new SISportsbook!

How to Watch/Listen

Television: FOX
Streaming: fuboTV (get a 7-day free trial)
Announcers: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst) and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter)

Local Radio: Ohio State Sports Network from Learfield IMG College
Flagship: WBNS 97.1 The Fan
Announcers: Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (analyst), Matt Andrews (sideline reporter), Skip Mosic (pregame/halftime/postgame host and producer)

Series History

Ohio State leads Nebraska, 8-1
* OSU record at home: 6-0
* OSU record on the road/neutral: 2-1

LAST TIME THEY MET
2020: Ohio State 52, Nebraska 17

Coaching Matchup

* Ryan Day
* At Ohio State: Third Season, Record: 30-3
* Overall: Same

* Scott Frost
* At Nebraska: Fourth Season, Record: 15-26
* Overall: 34-33

Ohio State Capsule

Day was clearly unhappy with Ohio State’s offensive performance against Penn State, as he declined to name an offensive player of the game and announced that just one player – sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba – had graded out a champion against the Nittany Lions.

"We can try to make you feel better, but that's not how this game works," Day said. "Every guy has to be held accountable."

The Buckeyes were held to a season-low 466 yards of total offense and scored just one touchdown on six trips into the red zone on Saturday night. They still scored 12 points behind the leg of fifth-year senior kicker Noah Ruggles, which ultimately made the difference in a nine-point game, but must bounce back inside the 20-yard line moving forward.

“I think we look back and we could have executed much better, certainly in some of the shorter yardage situations,” Day said, noting the Buckeyes committed seven false start penalties. “We got ourselves with a penalty a couple of times, and any time you do that down in the red zone, five yards seems like a mile away.

"That was part of it. I also think there were some schematic things we probably, looking back on, could have done a better job with.”

That said, Nebraska’s defense is very similar to Minnesota, which held Ohio State to 10 first-half points in a 45-31 loss in the season opener. The Cornhuskers allow just 4.97 yards per play and 20.3 points per game, good for 23rd and 26th nationally, and could give the Buckeyes fits on the ground.

“I think they’re very good on defense," Day said. They’re very well-coached, have a good scheme and good players. Several guys are NFL players, in my opinion. They mix up the looks, and then when you look at the way that they’ve played against most teams, they’ve played everybody tough. We’re going to have to earn it and do a good job on third down and do a good job in the red zone.”

Nebraska Capsule

For better or for worse, Nebraska is led by redshirt junior quarterback Adrian Martinez, who has thrown for 2,264 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions this season. He also leads the Cornhuskers with 451 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

“Anytime you play against a quarterback like this, you have to have a good plan,” Day said. “You have to make sure you’re accounting for him.

“It’s really like playing one of the service academies. It’s triple option. Assignment football is very, very important and some guys got the fullback, some guys got the quarterback and some guys got the pitch. We worked on that this week.”

Martinez played well against the Buckeyes as a true freshman in 2018, throwing for 266 yards and one touchdown and rushing 20 times for 72 yards and two more scores in a five-point loss.

He’s struggled through the in the last two meetings, however, throwing for just 152 yards and zero touchdowns with three interceptions combined – though he’s still made some plays with his legs, rushing for 238 yards and three scores.

“You can’t let him run wild and escape in the pass game,” Day said. “You still have to push the pocket and put pressure on him. But then also in the run game, you have to make sure you are accounting for him and getting him down in space.

“That changes a little bit how you play your techniques, whether it’s the defensive ends or the safeties coming down to attack him.”

Several of Nebraska’s losses this season have been sealed with a Martinez turnover, including a fumble in the final minutes of last week’s 28-23 home loss to Purdue. The Cornhuskers are minus-three in turnover margin for the season, and he’ll have to take care of the football in order to upset the Buckeyes.

Major Storylines

This will be Ohio State’s fourth trip to Lincoln but first where the game is played in the afternoon. The three previous visits were night games.

This will be the last meeting between the Buckeyes and Cornhuskers until 2024 after they played in six straight seasons. Ohio State will play Wisconsin in the protected cross-division matchup instead.

Former Ohio State cornerback Tyreke Johnson transferred to Nebraska this past offseason. He’s played in one game for the Cornhuskers this fall and has yet to record a statistic.

The Buckeyes have scored a nation-leading six defensive touchdowns this season, including defensive tackle Jerron Cage’s 57-yard fumble return in last Saturday’s win over Penn State.

Ohio State is averaging 8.23 yard per play, which ranks second nationally.

The Buckeyes are allowing just 1.9 yards per rush over the last six games, all wins. That includes a total of 67 yards on 66 carries against Indiana and Penn State.

Ohio State kicker Noah Ruggles, who was recently named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, has made 13 consecutive field goals dating back to his time at North Carolina.

The Buckeyes have won their last six games by scoring an average of 50.8 points per game. They’re also on pace to single-season records for yards and points scored.