Punting, defense give Buckeyes leg up

from the outhouse to the penthouse within three hours on the frigid, windy day, shaking off an opening 4-yard punt into the stands to lobwedging five boots inside the MSU 6-yard line, the difference-making stat in the game. But Chrisman needed help from “gunners” Terry McLaurin and Johnnie Dixon and long snapper Liam McCullough to make sure three of those kicks did not become touchbacks. Ohio State linebacker Malik Harrison, left, celebrates with defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones after Jones’ touchdown on a fumble recovery during the fourth quarter against Michigan State.

mightily throwing the ball in the wind.

short of Joe Germaine’s school record (3,330 in 1998). Haskins is just three TD passes short of J.T. Barrett’s season school-record 36 (last year). a badge of honor that kept flickering the idea the run game has found late-season footing.

Tate Martell entered the game three times, to the delight of fans who have wanted to see him play. Only two of the moments counted. He had a 5-yard run during one series and later was unable to field a wide snap from center Michael Jordan, leading to a Spartans fumble recovery. Martell also went in on fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter at the MSU 35 with the Buckeyes leading just 7-6. An illegal procedure penalty wiped out Martell’s chance to run a play and Chrisman’s punt pinned MSU deep, leading to a safety. death of lineman Jordan McNair, who suffered heat stroke during a lateMay team workout, and the fallout. That included the suspension and eventual firing a couple of weeks ago of coach D.J. Durkin. Interim coach Matt Canada has kept the Terps focused for the most part — remember, they upset Texas on Sept. 1. But they’ve lost three of the last four, including 34-32 to Indiana on Saturday.

Fans, poll voters and CFP committee members want to see a complete game from a team that claims to be a contender. Of course, the great distraction is the showdown looming next week with Michigan that will answer all questions, one way or the other.