COLUMBUS, Ohio – Beaten but not defeated again, Nebraska football players left the locker room Saturday at Ohio Stadium and headed into November in the same position they were in a year ago at 5-3, but this time with determination they began to do it. another thing.
Something that last happened 15 years ago. The Huskers look to close out the regular season with a win and fight for a bowl game.
They didn’t back down against No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday. Before a crowd of 104,830 stormed the field in the final minutes to throw water bottles, alcohol containers and at least one cup of cheese onto the field to protest a penalty against the Buckeyes, Nebraska had surpassed Ohio State in most of those 21 games played. 17 defeats.
Do you believe in the Huskers? That’s the question now. Because if they do, there’s an argument that they could win any or all of their last four games. A year after Nebraska finished with four straight losses, the team has a chance to make a statement about its progress after 20 games under coach Matt Rhule.
And yes, the Huskers are confident. Rhule saw it before it started in Columbus.
“I didn’t need to be a cheerleader,” she said. “They told me, ‘Get out of the way.’”
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Rhule has seen moments of such determination at Nebraska. But never for four quarters. For the first time under his direction, he said, Nebraska was playing with a championship mentality.
“I couldn’t be more proud of where we’re going,” rookie linebacker Dylan Raiola said.
One look into defensive end Ty Robinson‘s eyes told a story that couldn’t be explained by consecutive road losses, no matter how painful they were. In his six years at Nebraska, Robinson said he has never been prouder than he was on Saturday to show the direction of the Huskers.
“That’s a real team out there,” Robinson said.
If this is the case for Nebraska, and a 56-7 loss in one week against Indiana is considered an anomaly, then get ready for a fun ride over the next five weeks.
Nebraska can get a home win against UCLA in six days. The trips follow USC going undefeated against Nebraska and Iowa. In between, Wisconsin, undefeated against the Huskers in 12 years, visits Memorial Stadium.
So, yes, Nebraska could shake off a long list of demons before the calendar turns to December.
And why not? It was one touchdown, one interception, one missed opportunity in the red zone after posting the program’s biggest win on Saturday since 2001 against Oklahoma.
“Keep grinding,” linebacker MJ Sherman said. “One day it will go down.”
Nebraska Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (7) In the third quarter of the Huskers’ final loss, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard intercepted. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today via Imagn Images)
Rule said he was not happy or satisfied with The Horseshoe, but that it was “done.”
“We were hoping to come here and win the football game,” he said. “We expected to win. We are not here to lose. “We are the University of Nebraska.”
They got off to a terrible start when Quinten Ives abandoned the kick-off. Nebraska started at the 9-yard line and Raiola had his first touchdown while trying to hand it off to Dante Dowdell. Two plays later, Raiola had a sack and Brian Bushini made a bunt. Ohio State started at Nebraska 36.
But Nebraska’s defense, which was maligned last week, came up with a fourth-down stop when Sherman, a transfer from Georgia State, found TreVeon Henderson in the backfield for a loss. If Sherman didn’t send a message, Jimari Butler certainly did using Ohio State’s left tackle.
In fact, the Blackshirts often had their way with Ohio State’s potent offense. Nebraska produced five three-and-out drives and held the Buckeyes to 1 of 10 on third downs. Ohio State gained 2.1 yards per rush. Will Howard’s first-half touchdown passes to Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith accounted for 100 of the Buckeyes’ 285 total yards.
Big plays saved Ohio State.
Nebraska, however, was more resilient. Raiola broke free and ran 38 yards to set up the first of John Hall’s three field goals. Hall, who hasn’t kicked a field goal since Sept. 20, kicked field goals of 39, 54 and 47 yards.
The Huskers gained confidence and dominated the third quarter. However, Raiola missed Jahmal Banks to open up a touchdown on a drive that ended in a punt. And Dowdell couldn’t jump from the 1-yard line for a fourth down.
Dowdell ran into the end zone for a 74-yard touchdown with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Nate Boerkircher received a pass from Raiola for the two-point conversion. Nebraska led 17-14. The stadium was silent.
As championship-level teams do, Ohio State responded. And finally, Nebraska took control with 3:43 left and a chance to claim a monumental victory. Raiola, who had been injured on the previous drive, left the injury tent. He wanted it, Rule said.
After a call on linebacker Arvel Reese on Banks, boos came from the benches.
The landscape became wild.
But Raiola could not pass into the center of the field. Guard Justin Evans was penalized for a false start. Two passes were dropped to running back Emmett Johnson. Jordan Hancock intercepted Raiola on the third and 19th minute with 76 seconds left.
Oh, so close.
“We have two ways out of this loss,” Sherman said. “We can sit here and sink or grow from it. I feel like we are on a path of growth. “
Rhule’s postgame media session resembled an oral lecture. He spoke for 19 minutes, dismissing the idea of a quick exit as school officials watched and waited for the Hookers’ charter flight from Ohio.
The Huskers grew on Saturday, he said. Rhule made a number of statements about his approach to building the program.
“We’re trying to build something sustainable,” Rule said. “Maybe it will work. Maybe not.”
Fans and media members have seen other coaches come and go, Rule said.
“It didn’t work. So I’m going to try it another way.”
This game seems to show something important.
“For those who believe in the long road,” Rule said, “in the hard road, for those who have given us nothing, for those who believe in building, I hope that, even though they are disappointed, they are proud of what they saw ”. “.
Nebraska coach Matt Ruhl with freshman DB Amare Sanders as they walk off the field following a 21-17 loss against No. 4 Ohio. pic.twitter.com/2HGqiDsgdB
– Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) October 26, 2024
Rhule said he felt challenged by the Huskers’ loss to UCLA, which they walked away from on Saturday.
“If we go there next week and lead again,” he said, “then it will be for nothing. It’s a step. It has to be where we are now: we will play like this every week.”
Several Huskers said they hope it’s the final period that defines these Huskers.
“I hope that in November we will be the team we are today,” Sherman said, “but even better.”
They are still on the tree. One day, maybe someday next month, it will fall.
(Top photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today via Imagn Images)
