COLUMBUS, Ohio >> Will Howard tossed three touchdown passes, but No. 4 Ohio State needed an interception by cornerback Jordan Hancock with 1:16 left to seal its 21-17 win over Nebraska on Saturday.

The Buckeyes (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) bounced back from their loss to Oregon two weeks ago but sure didn’t look like the well-oiled machine they are supposed to be in scuffling with a nearly four-touchdown underdog.

The takeaway

Nebraska: The Huskers surely played better than last week when they were drubbed 56-7 by Indiana but were denied a sixth win that would have made them bowl eligible for the first time since 2016. Nebraska has lost 27 straight against Top 25 opponents and 18 straight against ranked opponents on the road.

“I thought our defense was dominant all day, save three plays,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said, referring to Howard’s three touchdown passes.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes were largely one-dimensional, running for just 64 yards with no explosive plays from stars Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. They avoided their first home loss in 10 years against an unranked opponent (Virginia Tech).

Up next

Nebraska: hosts UCLA next Saturday.

Ohio State: visits No. 3 Penn State next Saturday.