Pass defense
The effects of a disastrous start didn’t linger for Nebraska. A 68-yard catch and run from Ohio Poulos to Riley Neer accounted for more than half of Poulos’ passing yards until the fourth quarter. Andrew Marshall and Donovan Jones were both rock solid in coverage on an inefficient day for the Bobcats’ air attack.
Special teams
Nyziah Hunter made a mistake on a kick return in the first half when he lost yards backtracking to try to get around Ohio defenders. Nebraska was also flagged twice for the rarely-seen offsides on a kickoff. Kyle Cunanan made all of his kicks, and Archie Wilson averaged 40 yards per punt.
Play calling/game management
Colandrea demonstrated how much he opens up the playbook with his mobility, and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen gave him ample opportunity to showcase his legs. There weren’t any egregious game management mistakes.
Overall
Nebraska allowed Ohio to stay competitive for longer than a team like the Bobcats is generally supposed to, which is mildly concerning. Although to be fair, NU gained momentum throughout the afternoon. By the end of the game the disparity of speed and athleticism was more obvious than it had been when OU was pushing for an upset. For the Huskers, a win’s a win, but there’s plenty more to learn about this team.