Ohio State Football: 3 takeaways from tight win over Nebraska

1. Freshman mistakes nearly cost Ohio State

Whenever you start a freshman quarterback, you know that risk is involved because of inexperience in big-time situations. CJ Stroud felt that pressure at Nebraska on Saturday.

The freshman quarterback showed poise for most of the game and played relatively well with over 400 yards passing, but he has two big interceptions and nearly lost a fumble on the Buckeyes’ drive late in the fourth quarter while up 23-17. Ohio State needed to get a first down to end the game, but Stroud rolled out, didn’t protect the ball well, and the Cornhuskers punched it out.

Fortunately, an offensive lineman jumped on the ball, averting disaster, but it was one of those mistakes you can’t even put yourself in late in the game.

Some of that blame for the late fumble which nearly gave Nebraska the ball back around the 50-yard-line down by six can be put on Ryan Day’s shoulders, but Stroud can’t be careless with the ball like that and an entire season on the line.

Ohio State has to feel good to escape this one with a win despite the mistakes.