In a prime-time Top 10 showdown in the Horseshoe, Ohio State made a statement Saturday night by beating the No. 10 Nebraska Cornhuskers, 62-3. The Buckeyes were dominant in every facet of the game. The questions with the passing game were answered, and the running game was solid. The defense was incredible.
Here are the grades!
The Buckeyes did not put the ball on the ground as much against Nebraska, but when they did, it was effective. Mike Weber had 11 rushes for 72 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown scamper. Curtis Samuel only had five carries, but did most of his damage in the receiving game. J.T. Barrett had eight carries, but he used his arm more than his legs.
If there were any questions about the Ohio State passing game, they were probably answered against the Cornhuskers. Barrett finished 26-of-38 for 290 yards and four touchdowns in only three quarters of work. Barrett had the passing game firing, which included a 75-yard strike for a touchdown to Samuel on the first play of the second half. Samuel had eight catches for 137 yards and a touchdown on the night, while Noah Brown and Terry McLaurin also added touchdown catches.
The Ohio State secondary got back to its ball-hawking ways in crazy fashion. The unit had two interceptions—both of which were returned for touchdowns. On Armstrong’s first pass attempt of the night, Damon Webb took the tipped ball back for the first score of the game.
With the game well out of reach in the fourth quarter, Malik Hooker showed off why he’s a candidate for the Thorpe award by getting a pick-six of his own off the Cornhuskers’ backup quarterback, Ryker Fyfe. The pass rush was a non-factor, but with the secondary shutting down passing lanes, it didn’t need to be.
Dontre Wilson was relieved of his punt returning duties after muffing a punt near midfield in the second quarter. Samuel and Demario McCall took turns fielding the punts from then on, and McCall made an impression with a decent punt return during his audition.
The smiles will be abundant in Columbus after the dismantling of a Top 10 opponent. Many of the naysayers will more than likely be hiding after Saturday night. Next, the Buckeyes will travel to Maryland to take on the Terps.
How do you think Ohio State looked against Nebraska? Let me know in the comment section below!
