LINCOLN, Neb. — C.J. Stroud threw for 405 yards and two touchdowns, and the Buckeyes escaped Nebraska with a 26-17 win.
Ohio State’s (No. 5 CFP) defense came up with a pair of stops after Nebraska had pulled within six points.
The Buckeyes’ nation-leading offense managed only two field goals in the second half, allowing the underdog Cornhuskers to make it a one-score game until Noah Ruggles kicked a 46-yard field goal with 1:29 left.
Ruggles is now 15-for-15 on the season and is the first Ohio State kicker to kick at least four fields in back-to-back games.
On a day when the offense struggled at times, the Buckeyes defense came through, limiting Nebraska’s offense to 361 yards, its lowest output of the season, sacking Cornhusker quarterback Adrian Martinez five times.
With receiver Garrett Garrett Wilson inactive for the game, Jaxon Smith-Njigba set the Ohio State school record with 15 receptions, breaking David Boston’s 1997 record.
Ohio State (8-1, 6-0 Big Ten) won its 24th straight game against a conference opponent.
Nebraska (3-7, 2-5) lost its fourth straight.
The Buckeyes return home Saturday to host Purdue (3:30 p.m./ABC).
The Boilermakers handed Michigan State its first loss of the season, 40-29, on Saturday.