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Nebraska football: 3 things to like, and dislike, about the Cornhuskers’ loss to Ohio State

Steve Marik

By Steve Marik

Published:

After hanging tough for one half against the best team in the B1G on Saturday, Nebraska was outscored 28-3 in the final two quarters.

Ohio State, however, was obviously the more talented team. Those tend to show it for four quarters, and that’s exactly what Justin Fields and the Buckeyes did. Their talent took over as expected.

The score showed 52-17, but the Huskers should come out of this one with their heads held high. Moral victories don’t count in the win column, but it was easy to see improvement. Ohio State had to work for touchdowns, which wasn’t the case in this game last year.

There was plenty to like if you were a Nebraska fan. And, yes, plenty to dislike, too. Here are three things to like and dislike about the Huskers’ game against Ohio State:

Like: The offensive line is improved

Nebraska rushed for 210 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Instead of feeding Dedrick Mills, who had only 25 yards on 9 carries, the Huskers leaned on the legs of quarterbacks Adrian Martinez (85 yards on 13 carries) and Luke McCaffrey (80 on 9).

Nebraska’s offensive line, which was an issue early last year before improving late, had a solid showing against the Buckeyes front. It seemed like center Cam Jurgens’ snaps were on target for the most part.

Credit offensive linemen Brenden Jaimes, Matt Farniok, Jurgens, Boe Wilson, Bryce Benhart, Ethan Piper and whoever else rotated in. That unit did work up front, which should give it confidence next week against an always-tough Wisconsin defense.

Like: The front 7 impressed

I’ll be honest — I thought Nebraska’s front seven wasn’t going to hold up against the Ohio State run, and it was going to look worse than last year’s game. But on Saturday, the Buckeyes rushed for 215 yards, and 54 of that came from Fields.

Master Teague III and Trey Sermon, Ohio State’s top two backs, combined for 23 carries for 89 yards. That’s just 3.8 yards per carry.

Nebraska’s front seven, which, outside of Ben Stille, is full of guys getting their first starting reps of their careers in Ty Robinson, Casey Rogers, Keem Green and Damion Daniels, held up for the most part.

They played tough. They acted like they belonged on the same field against that Ohio State offensive line. Did that happen last year? No. They hung in physically, which is a testament to the offseason work and dedication under strength and conditioning coach Zach Duval.

Nebraska linebackers Will Honas and Collin Miller acted like leaders out there, which is good for a couple of seniors. Both had 7 tackles and got in the backfield — Honas with 2 sacks, Miller with 1.5 tackles for loss.

Nebraska didn’t have the best quarterback in the country, though. That was the biggest problem the Huskers faced on Saturday. Not many defenses will contain Fields.

Like: The creativity on offense

After the game, FOX analyst Reggie Bush said Nebraska’s offense needed to be more creative. That can’t be further from the truth.

Scott Frost’s offense was about as creative as one can be with the tools that were available — just look at McCaffrey being used as a quarterback and running back (he caught a pass, too).

Nebraska’s down-field passing game needs work, that’s obvious. The Huskers didn’t have a threat in that area. Who will step up at receiver? That question wasn’t answered on Saturday. With defenses likely keying on Wan’Dale Robinson, someone needs to.

Dislike: The penalty problems

Nebraska committed 8 penalties for 90 yards. Ohio State had 3 for 14. On top of the flags, Nebraska had 2 targeting calls that resulted in ejections of Cam Taylor-Britt and Deontai Williams.

The penalty situation reared its ugly head once again. Nebraska has had problems in this department for a while now, and on Saturday it made a difference.

The back-breaker that comes to mind was late in the second quarter. Ohio State had just tacked on a field goal to go up 17-14, and Nebraska was called for a delay of game on their first play of the drive.

What happened next? A run for no gain, a sack and a run that lost 5 yards. The Huskers punted, and the Buckeyes promptly drove 46 yards on 5 plays and scored a touchdown.

Just like that, Ohio State led 24-14 at halftime, then took its opening drive of the third quarter for a touchdown — that’s the stuff that would make Bill Belichick proud.

What would Nebraska’s final drive of the first half produced if that delay had never happened?

Dislike: Where was Wan’Dale?

Was Ohio State’s defense focused on Robinson because it wasn’t scared of getting burned by someone else? That’s what it looked like to me.

Robinson finished with 6 catches for just 49 yards. For Nebraska’s passing attack to have life, Robinson needs to be involved. It seemed like the Huskers coaching staff was trying to get the ultra-talented sophomore from Kentucky the ball. The problem was that Ohio State knew it.

Someone else in the receiver room needs to rise to the occasion. Kade Warner had an opportunity to catch a touchdown, but he couldn’t haul in a pass from Martinez. Sure, the pass had some zip on it, but receivers are there to catch the ball. Warner needed to haul that one in.

Dislike: Taking care of the ball

I’m looking at you, Martinez and McCaffrey.

For Frost’s offense to work like he wants it, the quarterback run must be a part of it. There’s always going to be risk in that, as quarterbacks aren’t running backs and will put the ball on the turf from time to time, too.

But on Saturday, those fumbles stung. Martinez’s was picked up and returned for a touchdown.

McCaffrey’s came after the game had been decided, but his ball security will be something to watch as he gets more reps:

Mills had only 9 carries. Coming in, I’d say fans expected more for the bruising senior. That’s not a knock on the coaching, because Martinez and McCaffrey need to carry the ball and McCaffrey looks to be one of the better athletes on the team.

Mills needs more carries, though. He wants them, too.

Steve Marik

Veteran sportswriter Steve Marik covers Nebraska for Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @Steve_Marik.