Well, this feels familiar doesn't it? Under Mike Riley Nebraska had not lost a game by more than 10 points. That changed tonight with the 62-3 loss.
This felt a lot like the seven years under Bo Pelini, where the Huskers spent the beginning of the season so full of confidence it felt like they would burst, and then they would do just that. Many thought those days were behind Nebraska.
This season felt different. It felt like no matter the adversity this team would face, it would keep things close. Fight. Claw. Not tonight. The worst loss in Nebraska school history was in 2004 to Texas Tech. The Huskers lost by 60. This was the worst loss since.
There were missed coverage assignments by the Nebraska secondary previously known as "Lockdown U". Nebraska defenders could not finish a tackle, the offensive line was dominated from the opening snap, receivers dropped balls, and some questionable play calling to top it all off.
Don't get me wrong, Ohio State has more talent than Nebraska does at almost every position. J.T. Barrett is a freakish athlete, and Curtis Samuel was running like a man possessed. But the end result was an embarrassing loss during a very promising season. But Ohio State did not punt once, all night. That kind of poor tackling and defense is unacceptable, no matter how tough the opponent.
Let's hope this is just an exception, and not the rule.
The good news for Nebraska is it is still very much alive in the Big Ten race. After falling to Ohio State, Nebraska falls into a three-way-tie for the Big Ten West at 4-2 with Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nebraska has a chance to jump ahead of the Gophers as it faces off against Minnesota at home next week.
Since the Huskers lost to Wisconsin last week, the Badgers hold the tie-breaker for the division. Wisconsin finishes out its season with home games against Minnesota and Illinois and a road game at Purdue. The Badgers will need to drop one of those games and Nebraska will need to win out to reclaim the lead in the Big Ten West.
Regardless of what happened on the field, Tommy Armstrong Jr. is a warrior. Armstrong was carted off the field in the first half of the game after his head collided with the turf, leaving him unconscious. It was a very scary moment for not only Husker fans, but for football fans nation-wide.
After heading to the hospital for further evaluation, Tommy was almost literally dropped off at the front gates of Ohio Stadium, still in his scrubs, and ran down to the sideline. You can't make this stuff up.
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Contact the writer:
Twitter: @TylerMartinOSI
Email: Tyler.Martin@KMTV.com
