Buckeyes QB impresses again
Under interim coach Day, offense produces
A few days before Rutgers played Ohio State, Scarlet Knights football coach Chris Ash was asked whether it was an advantage to face the Buckeyes when Urban Meyer is on suspension.
“Well, considering he wasn’t on the sidelines and they put up 77 points (in Week 1), No, I don’t see it as an advantage,” said Ash, a former Ohio State assistant under Meyer.
Ash witnessed more evidence of that fact Saturday when the Buckeyes (2-0) rolled over Rutgers 52-3.
Here’s what we have learned about Ohio State on the field with one game remaining in Meyer’s three-game suspension for mishandling of allegations of domestic abuse involving one of his former assistant coaches.
Haskins Era launches impressively
In his first two games as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, Dwayne Haskins has completed 42 of 53 pass attempts for 546 yards and nine touchdowns. His arm strength, release, poise and touch look elite level.
Although it’s far too early to know where he fits into the Heisman Trophy rankings, he has demonstrated that his preseason placement on Heisman lists was not misguided.
Martell an attractive option
Backup quarterback Tate Martell is such a dynamic runner that it would have made sense to design a package of plays around his ability.
But in the first two games, Martell has shown that his skill set can be as effective in Ohio State’s normal offensive scheme.
Against Rutgers, Martell threw a 51yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin and scored on an exciting 47-yard touch- down run. Martell led Ohio State with 93 yards rushing against the Scarlet Knights.
While Ryan Day has gained more national recognition as acting head coach in Meyer’s absence, what Ohio State fans are more pleased about is how well he is performing in his real job as offensive coordinator.
The Buckeyes have piled up 1,300 yards of total offense in the first two games while scoring 129 points. Ohio State’s offense looks balanced, dangerous and less predictable than in the past.
Where Meyer might have made a difference
Ohio State amassed 11 penalties for 131 yards, and defensive end Chase Young was ejected against Rutgers for two personal foul calls.
It’s hard to know for sure whether the Buckeyes players would have been more disciplined with Meyer running the show, but everyone knows the class is always unrulier when there’s a substitute teacher.
The Buckeyes, however, did clean up the sloppy defensive play they showed in their season opener against Oregon State.
Timing of suspension mattered
Meyer’s suspension was made less harsh by the fact that it started at the beginning of the season.
The No. 4 Buckeyes were supposed to whip Oregon State and Rutgers, and they did.
This week’s game against No. 16 TCU will provide the only competitive test during the Meyer suspension.
He can still coach during the week, but he can’t be on the sideline at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (8 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC) when the two ranked teams tangle. TCU (2-0) has outscored opponents 97-19 in its first two games.