Nebraska beats Ohio 49-21 in season opener amid penalties
Nebraska opened its season with a 49-21 victory over Ohio, highlighted by quarterback Anthony Colandrea's 275 passing yards and three touchdowns, despite nine penalties and several miscues.
Nebraska defeated Ohio 49-21 in the Huskers' season-opening game. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed 18 of 32 passes for 275 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, and added 10 carries for 23 yards. He also ran for a rushing touchdown and led an 11-play, 73-yard drive that gave Nebraska an eight-point lead early in the second half.
The team committed nine penalties totaling 65 yards, including false starts, offside calls and a questionable block-in-the-back flag that negated a 57-yard touchdown. Nebraska also suffered a fumble on the opening drive and an intentional-grounding penalty that set up a third-and-31 situation.
Despite the miscues, Nebraska capitalized on big plays from receivers Kwazi Gilmer and Jacory Barney Jr., and running back Rule scored a short touchdown. Ohio briefly took a 7-0 lead after a 68-yard reception by Riley Neer, but Nebraska responded with sustained drives and defensive pressure that limited Ohio's scoring.
Nebraska's new class of single-digit jersey players was introduced before the game, adding 11 newcomers to the roster.