Fields runs show for Buckeyes
With coach sidelined, quarterback throws for two touchdowns and runs for two more as Ohio State easily remains unbeaten.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Justin Fields ran, passed and blocked for unbeaten Ohio State in its latest stylish victory.
And with coach Ryan Day away from the team following his positive COVID-19 test, Fields did his best to fill that role too.
“It was crazy. It kind of felt like I was almost our coach for the offense,” Fields said. “The guys with me, the leaders we have on offense, it made my job easier.”
Fields threw for two touchdowns and ran for two to lead No. 4 Ohio State to a 52-12 win over Michigan State on Saturday. Haskell
Garrett scored on an interception for the Buckeyes, who were able to take the field after a coronavirus-related cancellation the previous weekend.
Ohio State (5-0, 5-0 Big Ten) was without Day and a few other members of the coaching staff. The Buckeyes also had a list of 23 unavailable players. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson coached Ohio State in Day’s absence.
“It was never about me. It was about the team,“Johnson said. “It’s a great honor, but everything I do is for the players.”
Day was made available to reporters after the game.
“I took a lot of notes. I yelled a lot,“he said. “I got really, really excited. On Haskell’s play, I was running around the house. It was not easy. It’s all about the team, but it was a difficult day.”
The Buckeyes led 28-0 at halftime. Now the big question is whether Ohio State’s regular-season finale against Michigan next weekend will be played. The Wolverines did not play this weekend for virus-related reasons.
The concern for the Buckeyes is that they could fall short of the six-game threshold to be eligible for the Big Ten title game.
Michigan State (2-4, 2-4) was coming off a win over another undefeated team — Northwestern — but the Spartans were overmatched Saturday. Rocky Lombardi was shaken up and left the game after being sacked in the second quarter, and by that time, the rout was already on.
It was 21-0 when Michigan State was backed up near its own goal line. Lombardi’s pass was tipped and intercepted in the end zone by Garrett.
“Outings like this are not acceptable, and I don’t care who we’re playing,” Michigan State coach Mel Tucker said. “Even though that was a good team, when I turn on the film, I’m going to be sick to see some of the things that we did.”
Fields scored on two short runs in the first half, sandwiched around a 28-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. Fields also hustled down the field to throw a late block on Trey Sermon’s 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.