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Rapid Reaction: Ohio State nearly perfect in one-sided victory over Nebraska
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Final score: No. 9 Ohio State 56 Nebraska 14
Quick recap
Ohio State punched Nebraska square in the jaw and the Huskers fell to the canvas. When they finally got back up, the Buckeyes delivered another knockout blow. Unlike boxing, though, Mike Riley couldn’t just throw in the towel.
Instead, Nebraska had to suffer another brutal beating on its home field. J.T. Barrett was as close to perfect as it gets, completing 27-of-33 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns. J.K. Dobbins was a threat, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. And the defense didn’t allow a score until the second half.
The Buckeyes were the better team in every facet on Saturday night, and this turned out to be one of the lowest points on the field in Nebraska football history.
Key play: J.K. Dobbins’ 52-yard touchdown run on Ohio State’s first possession
Dobbins just sprinted past the Nebraska defense and stiff-armed the only defender who could’ve made a touchdown-saving tackle. At that moment, it was clear the Cornhuskers had no business being on the same field as the Buckeyes.
Every score came too easy, including that one. It was just the play the started the avalanche of Ohio State touchdowns.
Stat of the game: Take your pick
Honestly, Ohio State was so impressive in every aspect that you could point to just about any statistical category as a the biggest difference, and you could make a solid argument.
Ohio State had 41 first downs and 633 yards. Nebraska rushed for fewer than 50 yards and committed nine penalties. There really isn’t just one outlier here.
What it means
We still haven’t learned much about Ohio State. Since the Oklahoma game, nobody on the schedule has give the Buckeyes a real challenge. Barrett was spectacular again and the defense contained Nebraska’s rushing attack well. Those are positive signs. But the question still remains, will they do it against better competition?
That will be answered in two weeks when Penn State rolls into Columbus for a huge showdown.
The loss for Nebraska almost certainly closes the Mike Riley chapter in Lincoln. After winning 20 straight home night games, the Huskers have dropped back-to-back contests in relatively lopsided fashion.
It’s not that the Huskers lost to the Buckeyes, but they weren’t even competitive. It’s just a matter of time before Riley is ousted now.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB