on nebraska's first drive quarterback tommy armstrong jr. threw an interception to damon webb, who returned the interception for a touchdown to give the buckeyes an early 7–0 lead. the ensuing possession for the cornhuskers would be a 15-play, 72-yard drive that would result in a 20-yard field goal, nebraska's only points of the game. ohio state would score three more touchdowns and a field goal in the first half to give the buckeyes a 31–3 lead. with 6:03 left in the second quarter, tommy armstrong jr. ran for 11-yards but was hit while going out-of-bounds causing him to hit his head and briefly knocked unconscious. he was carried off of the field on a stretcher and transported to ohio state university wexner medical center for evaluation. he was quickly released and made an appearance back in the stadium in the third quarter to chants of "tommy! tommy!" from the ohio state student section.