MY THOUGHTS.....Michigan State

 

Ohio State played their most complete game thus far, scoring touchdowns on their first seven possessions, while holding Michigan State scoreless on their first nine possessions during an absolute beat down of a top-10 team.

            The offense put up some incredible numbers in the first half. The 49 points was the most in a half against a conference opponent since OSU put up 56 on Iowa in 1995. The offense averaged 10.2 yards per play leading to 500 yards of total offense in the first half. As part of those 500 yards of total offense, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson went for over 100 yards receiving. C.J. Stroud’s first-half performance ranks up there with the greatest individual performances I have witnessed. He was 32-of-35 for 432 yards and six touchdowns. His 91 percent completion rate ranks third all-time in a single game by an Ohio State quarterback and he tied the school record of 17 straight completions. Stroud spread the ball around, particularly to Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who led the way with 10 receptions for 105 yards and a score. Chris Olave led in receiving yards with 140 and hauled in two touchdown passes, setting the OSU career mark with 35 touchdown catches over David Boston’s 34. Garrett Wilson also hauled in seven catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Master Teague saw action late in his final home game and delighted the crowd with 95 yards and the final touchdown. TreVeyon Henderson got the start and averaged seven yards per carry against the usually stout MSU run defense, for 63 yards and Miyan Williams netted over eight yards per carry on his four tries and scored a touchdown.

            Not to be out-done, Ohio State’s defense also put on a show, limiting the B1G’s leading rusher Kenneth Walker III to just 24 yards and Michigan State’s offense to 3.8 yards per play. While the front seven recorded only two sacks, they got nine tackles for loss, forced a fumble, and broke up 11 passes. Five of Michigan State’s possessions went three-and-out and only three went for more than 20 yards. Kourt Williams was the leading tackler, with five solo stops, including two for loss and broke up a pass. Also playing well was LB Tommy Eichenberg, totaling seven tackles and a TFL. Zach Harrison had two of those 11 PBUs and Haskell Garrett and Tyleik Williams each recorded a sack. About the only downer of the day was Noah Ruggles missing a FG attempt for the first time this year. But, all-in-all, the Buckeyes are on a roll heading up to Ann Arbor next week.