Ohio State manhandles Rutgers again, 56-0

J.T. Barrett threw three touchdown passes and became Ohio State’s career passing yardage leader in leading the 11th-ranked Buckeyes to a 56-0 victory over Rutgers on Sept. 30.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. » J.T. Barrett threw three touchdown passes and became Ohio State’s career passing yardage leader in leading the 11th-ranked Buckeyes to a 56-0 victory over Rutgers on Saturday night.

Mike Weber ran for a career-high three touchdowns and Ohio State (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) blanked Rutgers (1-4, 0-2) for the second straight year. The Buckeyes have won three straight after being upset by Oklahoma.

This marked the second meeting between Ohio Stata coach Urban Meyer and former defensive coordinator and now Scarlet Knights coach Chris Ash. It also marked the first time former Rutgers coach and current Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano returned to High Point Solutions Stadium for a game.

This one wasn’t much of a contest with Ohio State outgaining Rutgers 628-209.

The Scarlet Knights, who were beaten by the Buckeyes 58-0 last year, had an embarrassing end to their night as Andrew Harte’s 32-yard field goal attempt banged off the upright in the final minute.

Barrett threw touchdown passes of 70 and 39 yards to Johnnie Dixon in the first half in building a 35-0 lead. The fifth-year senior added a 22yard strike to Binjimen Victor in the third quarter for his eighth touchdown in the last two games.

Weber, a 1,000-yard rusher last year as a freshman, scored on runs of 1, 3 and 2 yards in showing signs that the hamstring injury is healed.

Barrett finished 14 of 22 for 275 yards. He has 7,622 yards passing, surpassing Art Schlichter (7,547) for the top spot in Buckeyes history. Barrett’s 364 yards in total offense (89 rushing) put him over 10,000 for his career (10,350).

Backup Dwayne Haskins threw a 35-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Demario McCall, who also had a 48yard scamper to close out the scoring.

Rutgers quarterback Kyle Bolin was 5 of 14 for 56 yards, while Johnathan Lewis was 3 of 10 for 21 yards and two interceptions.

MEL EVANS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Ohio State wide receiver Johnnie Dixon runs for a touchdown as Rutgers defensive back Isaiah Wharton cannot make a tackle during the first half Sept. 30 in Piscataway, N.J.