COLUMBUS — An improved running game and a piecemeal defense led the way in Ohio State’s 36-31 win over Nebraska on Saturday.
Sophomore running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for a season-high 163 yards on 23 carries, scoring a career-high three touchdowns. He sealed the game late in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard touchdown run down the right sideline.
The Buckeyes rushed for 229 yards, which was the most they have mustered since the season opener against Oregon State.
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins had a subdued day, completing 18-of-32 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Despite the balanced offense for the Buckeyes, it was actually the Nebraska Cornhuskers who struck first on the day, as running back Devin Ozigbo scored from one yard out on Nebraska’s opening drive.
Ohio State’s first score would come a few minutes later, but the offense had nothing to do with it. Junior linebacker Keandre Jones blocked a Nebraska punt, sending the ball through the back of end zone for a safety, making it 7-2 Huskers halfway through the first quarter.
Following the free kick, the Buckeyes went 68 yards in six plays, capped by a 42-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Johnnie Dixon. Haskins rolled right, then threw back to a crossing Dixon who was so alone that he decided to adopt a dog.
Dixon and his dog then jogged the last 20 yards or so into the end zone.
Dixon led the Buckeyes with five receptions for 96 yards.
Ohio State made it 16-7 on their very next drive, as Dobbins scored his first of three touchdowns on the day. This one came from 10 yards out and followed a 16-yard run by Dobbins.
Following a Haskins fumble at the Huskers’ 26-yard line, Nebraska woke back up a bit. They would score on their next two possessions and lead 21-16 at the half.
The Buckeyes drove right down the field on their opening possession of the third quarter, but Haskins threw an interception to Lamar Jackson in the end zone. The pass was intended for true freshman wide receiver Chris Olave.
Ohio State then went 80 yards on their next possession, this time capping it with a Dobbins touchdown run from three yards out to make it 23-21 Buckeyes.
The next three drives saw the two teams trading three-and-outs, but OSU would add another touchdown on a short 47-yard drive that got started with a 37-yard run by Mike Weber. A 9-yard jet sweep to Parris Campbell finished the touchdown drive and made it 30-21 OSU.
Needing two scores, Nebraska head coach Scott Frost elected to kick a field goal from the Ohio State 1-yard line midway through the fourth quarter. Leading 30-24 then, Ohio State had the ball with 7:40 to play and decided to ride J.K. Dobbins to victory. His 42-yarder to seal the drive provided the winning points, but it didn’t end the scoring on the day.
The final points came via a pass into the flats to Nebraska slot receiver J.D. Spielman, who scored a touchdown from 17 yards out. It made the score 36-31 OSU with 2:57 to play. The Huskers chose to kick deep instead of onside kick. Dobbins was able to pick up two first downs to run out the clock and end the game.
The Ohio State defense allowed 450 yards on the day, but they did hold Nebraska under 4 yards per carry.
The Buckeyes were led on defense by junior linebacker Malik Harrison and sophomore safety Brendon White. They both had a game-high 13 tackles.
White, the son of former OSU safety William White, was called upon when starting safety Jordan Fuller was ejected in the first half due to targeting.
The Buckeyes were without starting cornerback Jeff Okudah and starting safety Isaiah Pryor for this game, which made White’s performance even more important. Without him on the field on Saturday, the Buckeyes may not have won the game.