No drama on field for Buckeyes
Dwayne Haskins Jr. threw for a record five touchdowns as No. 5 Ohio State routed Oregon State 77-31 in the opener for both teams Saturday at Columbus, Ohio.
After a preseason fraught with drama, the Buckeyes shook off Urban Meyer’s first absence from the Ohio State sideline in six years, scoring on five of its first six possessions and overcoming some defensive sloppiness.
Acting coach Ryan Day wasn’t surprised the Buckeyes started strong.
“There was a quiet confidence about this team all along,” said Day, the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Haskins, who took the keys from four-year starter J.T. Barrett, was 22 for 30 for 313 yards. The five touchdowns and yards gained are records for a first-time Ohio State starter. Mike Weber rushed 20 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns for the Buckeyes.
Oregon State quarterback Conor Blount found some holes in the Ohio State defense, throwing for 169 yards and two touchdowns, but he also was sacked five times in the first half, twice by All American defensive end Nick Bosa. Running back Artavis Pierce ran for two long touchdowns in the second half.
“There’s lots of things to learn from, and be encouraged by,” Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith said. “We were in position to make some plays, we didn’t tackle all that well.”
at No. 24 Oregon 58, Bowling Green 24: Justin Herbert threw for five touchdowns and ran for another score as the Ducks rolled after spotting their foe an early lead.
Herbert completed 10 of 21 passes for 281 yards and also rushed for 41 yards.
Oregon has won 14 consecutive home openers..
Bowling Green, which went 2-10 last season, jumped in front 10-0 in the first quarter, but the Ducks scored 37 unanswered points.
at California 24, North Carolina 17: Patrick Laird rushed for one touchdown and caught another, Cal’s defense took advantage of a rocky outing from North Carolina quarterback Nathan Elliott, and the Golden Bears held off the Tar Heels.
Cameron Goode scored on a 38-yard interception return but left in the fourth quarter with a possible leg injury. Goode’s interception was one of four by the Golden Bears. Cornerback Jaylinn Hawkins had two.
Cal’s defense came up big on a day when the Bears rotated three quarterbacks all afternoon — often during the same series — and were limited to 119 passing yards.
Ross Bowers started for the Bears but was in and out of the game. Chase Garbers threw for one touchdown while Brandon McIlwain also split time running the offense.
Washington State 41, at Wyoming 19: Cougars coach Mike Leach had kept his starting quarterback a secret until the game started, but it’s no secret now. Graduate transfer Gardner Minshew threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns as Washington State won its opener.
Minshew, who transferred from East Carolina, completed 38 of 57 attempts with one interception.
He had touchdown passes of two yards to James Williams, six yards to Max Borghi and seven yards to Easop Winston.
at Arizona State 49, Texas San Antonio 7:
Manny Wilkins passed for 237 yards and four touchdowns, and the Sun Devils just missed their first shutout of a major college team since 2010.
Brigham Young 28, at Arizona 23:
Tanner Mangum, who turns 25 in a week, passed for 209 yards and the Cougars held Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate in check.