Ohio State takes care of Nebraska in second half for 36-31 victory

A J.K. Dobbins 3-yard run put the Buckeyes on top 23-21 with 5:39 left in the third, and Parris Campbell scored from nine yards out less than four minutes later to extend the lead to nine points.

Nebraska drove to the Ohio State 1-yard line midway through the fourth quarter but had to settle for an 18-yard field goal by Barret Pickering.

The Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1) answered that with an impressive seven-play, 82-yard drive capped by Dobbins’ 42-yard touchdown run. That came one play after he converted a key third-and-4.

Nebraska was not about to go quietly into the night, though.

The Cornhuskers came back with a razor-sharp seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took only 1:55 off the clock.

J.D. Spielman scored from 17 yards out on a pass from Adrian Martinez to make it a one-score game again, but Ohio State was able to grind out a pair of first downs on Dobbins runs before running out the clock.

Dobbins finished with 163 yards on 23 carries. Mike Weber added 91 more yards on nine carries for the Buckeyes, who travel to Michigan State next week.

**HALFTIME UPDATE**

Nebraska turned two Ohio State turnovers into touchdowns in the second quarter to grab a 21-16 lead after 30 minutes at Ohio Stadium.

After falling behind 7-0 and turning the ball over on downs the first time they got the ball, the Buckeyes dominated a long stretch of the first half.

That started when Keandre Jones blocked a punt and watched it roll out of the end zone for a safety.

The Buckeyes took the ensuing possession and drove 68 yards for a score. Most of that came on Dwayne Haskins’ 42-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Johnnie Dixon.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Ohio State offense went back to work with a 57-yard drive capped by J.K. Dobbins’ 10-yard touchdown run.

But the Cornhuskers got back in the game after recovering a Haskins fumble at the Nebraska 36.

Adrian Martinez led a pair of scoring drives, capping both with 2-yard touchdown runs to give the Cornhuskers the lead.

Credit: Jamie Sabau

Credit: Jamie Sabau