Buckeyes smash Maryland in Columbus

J.T. Barrett threw three touchdown passes and was one of five Buckeyes to reach the end zone on rushing plays as Ohio State dominated Maryland, 62-14, in a Big Ten game in Columbus.

COLUMBUS » J.T. Barrett threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in the first half, and No. 10 Ohio State had its most dominant defensive effort in nearly 60 years, routing Maryland, 62-14, on Saturday.

The stingy Buckeyes held Maryland (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) to 66 total yards — their fewest yards allowed since

yielding 60 against Indiana in 1960.

“I thought the line of scrimmage was dominated,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said.

Barrett, a fifth-year senior and holder of most of the school’s passing records, was 20 for 31 for 261 yards before taking a seat near end of the third quarter. Barrett threw scoring passes to Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack and Terry McLaurin.

Ohio State (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten) overwhelmed quarterback Max Bortenschlager, holding the Terrapins to 16 passing yards and only six first downs. Bortenschlager, who was promoted to a starting role after injuries to the Terrapin’s top two QBs, was only 3-of-12 passing.

He didn’t complete a pass until the second quarter and was sacked four times before being shaken up and leaving the game in the third. Bortenschlager was hit in the head by cornerback Damon Arnette while sliding on a scramble, resulting in Arnette being ejected for targeting. Caleb Henderson played the rest of the way at QB, and Maryland managed a meaningless touchdown against Ohio State’s backups with 4:11 left in the game.

JAY LAPRETE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins is forced out of bounds near the goal line by Maryland’s Jalin Brooks.