Haskins adds another record to resume
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. had a record-setting day in the Buckeyes’ romp over Michigan, and on Monday he added another first by being named the Big Ten’s offensive player of the week for the sixth time in a season.
The third-year sophomore had shared the previous Big Ten record of five weekly honors with former OSU quarterback Troy Smith, who piled up his multiple awards in 2006 on the way to winning the Heisman Trophy.
“For me, the accomplishments this year have been great; it just shows how much work we put in in the offseason, as far as with the receivers and the offensive line,” Haskins said Monday.
“It’s been a blessing to go out and play the way we’ve played. I’m excited about all the stuff that we’ve Dwayne Haskins Jr. was named Big Ten offensive player of the week for a record sixth time this season, breaking the mark he shared with former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith.
done, the records that I’ve broken, but I’m more excited about winning this championship game, trying to find a way to beat Northwestern.”
The Buckeyes take on Northwestern at 8 p.m. Saturday in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship. Ohio State earned the East
Division title courtesy of a 62-39 win over Michigan on Saturday in which Haskins passed for 396 yards and a school recordtying six touchdowns.
Those upped his totals in both categories to Big Ten season records of 4,081 yards and 42 TD passes.
Haskins is No. 1 in the nation in TD passes and No. 2 in passing yards. Under his direction, the Buckeyes have the No. 2 offense nationally (543.9-yard average, behind Oklahoma’s 583.8), and Ohio State is on track to break the school total offense record for a season (a 511.9 average in 2013).
So although Haskins has had a major impact in his first year as the starter, he’s not ready to reflect on a season that isn’t finished.
“I probably won’t think about the records or the stats that I’ve broken until after the season,” he said. “I’m just focusing on trying to figure out how I can help my team win.”
Coach Urban Meyer has been the object of much scrutiny this season, especially since he revealed he is dealing with an arachnoid cyst inside his skull, which can cause sudden severe headaches.
In recent weeks, Meyer also has been a common target of television cameras that have recorded his every move, wince and touch of his head, leading to questions among the public and reporters about his well-being.
Asked several times about his health on Monday, Meyer delivered a one-word answer — “good” — before deflecting the conversation back to the game at hand.
Later in the news conference, however, when asked whether he planned to return as coach next season, Meyer offered a brief insight before turning back toward prep for Northwestern.
“I plan to coach. And their kickoff team is very good, too,” Meyer said, evoking laughter.