MY THOUGHTS.....Minnesota

 

Despite another slow start by the offense, the Ohio State Buckeyes got it in gear and overwhelmed the Minnesota Golden Gophers 42-3.  Minnesota took the opening drive 66 yards on 13 plays and got a field goal.  After that drive, the Gophers ran 38 plays for 96 yards, converting only 1 of 11 third downs.  Minnesota went three-and-out five times, with Ohio State’s defense getting seven tackles for loss and a sack.  Sonny Styles led the way with eight tackles and a TFL and newcomer Payton Pierce almost as good, with seven stops and Davison Igbinosun led the way in the secondary, with five tackles and excelled in pass coverage.

                Carnell Tate had his best game ever, with nine receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown.  Tate has evolved from a very good backup last year to being the clear second choice behind Jeremiah Smith.  He and Smith have accounted for sixty percent of Ohio State’s passing offense through the five games.  Smith accounted for seven catches and two scores and Max Klare has emerged as a good third receiver option, with five catches for 63 yards.  So, for opposing defenses, it’s been a pick your poison proposition.  If there was anything to nit-pick about, it would have to be not getting too much production out of the ground game.  They managed to net 133 yards, but 33 of those yards came on one run by James Peoples.  Once again, Bo Jackson led the way with 63 yards and a score.  C.J. Donaldson got only three carries the entire game, and only in short yardage situations, which was a surprise.  One went for Ohio State’s second touchdown of the game, and Lincoln “The President” Keinholz snuck it in from a yard out for the final score. 

                Ohio State faces a stern road test at Illinois next week, whose only loss was the debacle against Indiana.  Coach Brett Bielema has brough the Illini football program back to respectability, so the Buckeyes cannot afford to take them lightly.