Justin Fields completed 20 of 21 passes for two touchdowns and ran for another, Master Teague III rushed for a pair of scores and Ohio State rolled over Nebraska 52-17 Saturday on the opening day of the Big Ten's pandemic-delayed season.
Fields, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, completed his first 12 passes and threw for 276 yards. He ran for another 52 — including a stunning 17-yard third-quarter touchdown scramble around the left side that saw him spin past a defender into the end zone.
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Justin Fields completed 20 of 21 passes for two touchdowns and ran for another, Master Teague III rushed for a pair of scores and Ohio State rolled over Nebraska 52-17 Saturday on the opening day of the Big Ten's pandemic-delayed season.
Nebraska (0-1, 0-1 Big Ten) tied the score at 14 in the second quarter, but an Ohio State (1-0, 1-0 Big Ten) field goal, a defensive stop and Teague's second TD run gave the Buckeyes a 24-14 lead at the half. Then came Fields' nifty touchdown run and a 55-yard scoop and score by Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks, and Ohio State had it under control.
Ohio State: Once they knocked the rust off early, Fields made good decisions and Buckeyes receivers were terrific. The defense gave up some chunk plays that kept Nebraska in the game early.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith predicted a “weird” atmosphere in Ohio Stadium, and he wasn't kidding. Because of coronavirus restrictions, there were just 1,344 people in the 105,000-capacity venue, counting staff and media. Family and friends of players and coaches were spread out in the lower deck. Even with 4,700 cutouts the place looked empty. No cheerleaders, no marching band and no “script Ohio,” which has been tradition at home games for 84 years. It is believed to be the smallest crowd to watch an Ohio State game since sometime before 1910.
Ohio State: Faces No. 8 Penn State on the road.
Nebraska defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt, left, forces Ohio State running back Master Teague out of bounds during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, right, celebrates a touchdown against Ohio State with teammates during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Ohio State running back Master Teague celebrates his touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
The Ohio State defense took most of the first half to figure out a way to contain quarterback Adrian Martinez, who marched the Huskers down for a touchdown in the opening 2 minutes of the game.
Ohio State players run on to the field for the start of their NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Nebraska (0-1, 0-1 Big Ten) tied the score at 14 in the second quarter, but an Ohio State (1-0, 1-0 Big Ten) field goal, a defensive stop and Teague's second TD run gave the Buckeyes a 24-14 lead at the half. Then came Fields' nifty touchdown run and a 55-yard scoop and score by Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks, and Ohio State had it under control.
THE TAKEAWAY
Nebraska: Effective against the Ohio State defense to start the game, the Huskers couldn't keep up in the second half. But Martinez showed flashes of his excellent freshman season in 2018, rushing for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Nebraska linebacker Will Honas, left, tackles Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Ohio State: Once they knocked the rust off early, Fields made good decisions and Buckeyes receivers were terrific. The defense gave up some chunk plays that kept Nebraska in the game early.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Now that voters have finally gotten a look at the stacked Buckeyes, there could be some more love on the way.
Ohio State running back Master Teague, right, spins into the end zone against Nebraska defensive back Marquel Dismuke during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Ohio State players wore “Equality” helmet stickers and a specially designed pre-game tshirt. Stickers on Nebraska helmets paid tribute to George Flippin, the first African American football player for the University of Nebraska.
“WEIRD” ATMOSPHERE
Ohio State running back Trey Sermon, right, cuts up field against Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith predicted a “weird” atmosphere in Ohio Stadium, and he wasn't kidding. Because of coronavirus restrictions, there were just 1,344 people in the 105,000-capacity venue, counting staff and media. Family and friends of players and coaches were spread out in the lower deck. Even with 4,700 cutouts the place looked empty. No cheerleaders, no marching band and no “script Ohio,” which has been tradition at home games for 84 years. It is believed to be the smallest crowd to watch an Ohio State game since sometime before 1910.
UP NEXT
Nebraska: Hosts No. 14 Wisconsin.
Nebraska linebacker JoJo Domann, top, and defensive back Marquel Dismuke, left, tackle Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Ohio State: Faces No. 8 Penn State on the road.
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Ohio State defensive back Marcus Hooker, bottom, tackles Nebraska tight end Austin Allen during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Nebraska defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt, left, forces Ohio State running back Master Teague out of bounds during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, right, celebrates a touchdown against Ohio State with teammates during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)
Ohio State running back Master Teague celebrates his touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP PhotoJay LaPrete)