by 2nd Half
The third quarter began the same way the second ended, with a Buckeye touchdown. Good coverage by the Huskers forced Fields to scramble to his left. Fields showed his playmaking ability and a perfect spin move secured his first rushing TD of the season. That 17-yard score increased the OSU lead to 31-14.
The Huskers desperately needed a response and began picking up some yards running. Just into OSU territory, Jonathon Cooper forced a Martinez fumble which was recovered by Sevyn Banks. The new starting cornerback ran it back 55 yards. (38-14)
Martinez responded well with a monster 39-yard run to get deep into OSU territory. The Buckeye defense stood strong against the run with their backs to the goal line and also were fortunate that a wide open Kade Warner could not haul in a Martinez bullet. Connor Culp kicked a 22-yard field goal which would be the last points of the game for Nebraska. (38-17)
The best catch of the afternoon was courtesy of star freshman Jaxon Smith-Njigba. On first and goal from the five, Fields was rolling to his right and threw a high pass across his body towards the back of the endzone. Smith Njigba went up and snagged the ball but looked too far back to get a foot down. Instead, the freshman quickly extended his right leg and got a foot down while his momentum was carrying him the other direction. An outstanding play with a perfect example of body control and awareness. (45-17)
A question going into this game was who the main backup to Fields would be. Gunnar Hoak, CJ Stroud and Jack Miller all had arguments for their case. Miller was the one who got the nod and on a read option from two yards out, he decided to keep the ball and scored his first rushing TD of his young college career. That would wrap up the blowout of a second half at 52-17.
