HASKIN KEEPS OSU PERFECT
QB sensational again, but Buckeyes can’t run — or stop others from running.
Ohio State improved to 7-0 with a 30-14 win over Minnesota on Saturday.
The third-ranked Buckeyes shut out the Golden Gophers in the second half, but issues that have bothered coach Urban Meyer’s team through much of the season persisted. So did the excellence of Meyer’s quarterback, though.
Here are five things to know about the game: 1. Haskins starred again.
Sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins made history against Minnesota, completing 33 of 44 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns. One week after coming 3 yards short of tying Art Schlichter’s single-game record of 458 passing yards, Haskins became not only the first Ohio State quarterback with back-to-back 400- yard games but the only one with two 400yard passing games.
2. The running game left a lot to be desired.
Ohio State ran for 92 yards on 32 attempts (including three sacks that cost them 19 yards), the first time the Buckeyes were held under 100 yards since they managed only 88 against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl two seasons ago.
“Somebody told me at one time we’ve rushed for more yards than any school in
the country for the last six, seven years,” said Meyer, who is in his seventh season at Ohio State. “It’s discouraging a little bit, but once again, 7-0, and look- ing down we’re throwing for 412. It is what it is. I just know the game of football, I’ve been around. At some point, you’ve got to line up and do what you do.”
3. The run defense strug- gled, too.
The Golden Gophers ran for 178 yards on 33 attempts, a 5.4-yard average.
Ohio State has allowed at least 100 yards rushing in five of seven games and has given up 178 or more yards four times already this year.
“There were a few missed gaps, people going straight up to the offensive linemen, not getting in their gaps com- pletely,” linebacker Pete Werner said. “Those little mistakes will give up big plays. I’ll have to watch the film on that, but I know we’ve got to stay in our gaps.”
Shutting out the Golden Gophers in the second half was nice for the defense, but Werner still sounded disappointed in the outcome.
“Although they did score zero points in the second half, we missed our keys on a few plays, things in practice we did well,” he said. “Yeah, they had zero points, but we’ve gotta learn from that.”
4. The secondary had an up-and-down day.
The running game humming, Minnesota was able to attack OSU’s man-to-man pass defense. QB Zack Annexstad made frequent use of run-pass options, pulling the ball out of the running back’s belly and throwing a slant to Tyler Johnson. That gave the linebackers some fits.
“Yeah it is tough,” Werner said. “We played it how we’re supposed to play it. We just don’t want them to catch the ball. That defender is supposed to stop them, but it is hard because the linebacker has to adjust. If he sees me run in, he’s obviously not going to run the ball. He’s going to pass it. But then if I stay back, he’s going to throw the ball and I’m too late there.”
Johnson had a big day, catching eight passes for 119 yards, but Ohio State kept him out of the end zone.
The Buckeyes also snagged a pair of interceptions to stymie Minnesota drives, including one by safety Isa- iah Pryor with 9:25 left in the fourth quarter and Ohio
State leading 23-14.
5. OSU is banged up.
Meyer pointed out the Buckeyes finished the game without five starters — defen- sive end Jonathon Cooper and linebacker Malik Harrison did not play (both concussions) while defensive tackle Robert Landers, cornerback Damon Arnette and offensive tackle Thayer Munford left before it was over.
The Buckeyes also con- tinue to be without defen- sive end Nick Bosa (core muscle injury).
Meyer said Munford rolled his ankle and has “a little hip issue, but I think he’s going to be OK.” He did not have updates on Landers, a junior from Wayne High School, or Arnette.