Ohio State survives thriller
Maryland’s gamble in overtime seals win for Buckeyes, who keep playoff hopes alive.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Relentlessly zipping up and down the field, 10th-ranked Ohio State and upstart Maryland were racking up yards and points at a dizzying pace. Finally, the Terrapins were presented with the chance to end it — one way or another.
A gutsy decision by Maryland interim coach Matt Canada did not achieve the desired results, and the Buckeyes avoided one of the most stunning upsets this season by squeezing out a 52-51 victory in overtime on Saturday.
After a five-yard touchdown run by Dwayne Haskins gave the Buckeyes a seven-point lead to start overtime, Tayon Fleet-Davis scored for the Terrapins. Canada opted to keep his offense on the field to attempt a two-point conversion, and Tyrrell Pigrome’s pass to Jeshaun Jones was off target.
“It was a gut call,” Canada said. “I felt like they were scoring, we were scoring. We had the ball, we had to make one play to win . ... I wasn’t trying to be aggressive. I was just trying to win.”
After watching his defense allow 535 yards and seven touchdowns, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer understood why Canada opted to win it right there.
“I would have probably done the same thing if I was their coach, the way they were gaining yards on us,” Meyer said. “I'm relieved we won.”
Favored by 141⁄2 points, Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) trailed by two touchdowns in the third quarter and 45-38 with under two minutes left before rallying. The victory kept the Buckeyes in the hunt for the Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State concludes the regular season next week in a game against Michigan that will decide the Big Ten East winner.
After describing the performance of his defense as “alarming,” Meyer said, “But we won. Let’s go back to work and get ready for next week.”
Freshman Anthony McFarland had touchdown runs of 81 and 75 yards in the first quarter and finished with 298 yards rushing for Maryland (5-6, 3-5), seven short of the school’s singlegame record.