The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Running QB problematic for Buckeyes’ defense
COLUMBUS — On the bright side of things, Ohio State doesn’t have to face a running quarterback next week.
For the second straight week, a dual-threat quarterback gave the Buckeyes’ defense problems.
Last week it was Indiana backup Zander Diamont, whose 79-yard touchdown run highlighted a spirited Hoosiers effort in a 37-27 Ohio State win. This week it was Maryland’s Perry Hills, who ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 49-28 win on Oct. 10.
The Buckeyes can take solace in that the quarterback they face next week — Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg — isn’t known for his running ability.
“Athletic quarterbacks are something that’s hurt us two weeks in a row,” Coach Urban Meyer said.
Senior linebacker Joshua Perry said the Buckeyes anticipated seeing Caleb Rowe under center for the Terrapins. While Hills specializes more in the running game, Rowe — the stronger passer — started three of Maryland’s first five games.
“We knew we were going to have to make adjustments on the sideline,” Perry said. “I think we did a good job of responding and adjusting.” It just took some time. Hills caught OSU’s defense out of synch on the first drive of the game, hitting wide open D.J. Moore for a 52-yard touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. He snapped off a 75-yard run late in the second quarter to set up his own 3-yard touchdown run, then scored on the first drive of the third quarter from four yards out to tie the game at 21.
“You go into the locker room and tell everybody to keep their damn heads up, that’s the first thing,” Perry said.
To OSU’s credit, aside from the 75-yard run, Hills had 95 yards on 24 carries (3.95 average), though four sacks for negative-25 yards also figured into that total.
“After a couple of them, we slowed it down and got them in some long yardage situations,” Meyer said.
Not happy
Meyer voiced his displeasure over his team’s execution in the final minutes of the game.
The Buckeyes had the ball deep in Maryland territory and could have scored again, which might have made it a 56-21 final. But a snap over the head of J.T. Barrett on fourth-andshort gave the ball back to Maryland, which went down for a late touchdown.
“That last quarter is not on our defense,” Meyer said. “We snap the darn thing like a high school team over the guy’s head. I’m not putting that on the defense at all.”
A little while later, while discussing some penalties on his offensive line, Meyer brought it up again.
“Really the only issue I saw, not discounting that last high school drive, was four issues by our offensive line in the first half,” Meyer said. “Four penalties. We’ll get that fixed.”
Miller time
Braxton Miller found his way back into the offensive game plan against Maryland, carrying the ball three times for 11 yards and catching five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.
The eight offensive touches equal the eight touches he got in the previous two games combined. Against Western Michigan and Indiana, Miller had eight touches for 43 yards, compared to eight touches for 90 yards against the Terrapins.
“It was great to get Braxton involved,” Meyer said. “I hope you get to see him, because he had a nice smile on his face. It’s not easy. We talk about those 50-year-old men sitting in front of grease boards, and you’ve got guys that deserve to touch the ball. And we’re doing the best we can.”
Hubbard intercepts
Defensive lineman Sam Hubbard harkened back to his days as a safety at Cincinnati Moeller with a fourthquarter interception of Hills.
“That felt good,” Hubbard said. “I was next to Gareon Conley and (Hills) threw it into double coverage and I got my hands on it and wouldn’t let go. It was a great moment for me, and I hope it wasn’t my last one.”
Squib kicks
• Ezekiel Elliott extended his streak to 11 consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He finished with 106 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 10 rushing touchdowns on the year.
• With his 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, Miller extended his Ohio State record to 87 touchdowns responsible for.
• Jalin Marshall’s 48-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter marked his second touchdown grab of the season and eighth of his career.
• Junior receiver Michael Thomas recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his career as he finished with 107 yards on a season-high seven receptions.
• Thomas has now caught a pass in 22 consecutive games in which he has played.
• Tyvis Powell notched his second interception of the season and the seventh of his career.
• Sophomore Tyquan Lewis had a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss in the game, including a career-high two sacks. He pushes his team highs in both categories to 5.5 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss on the year.
• Defensive end Joey Bosa notched his first solo sack of the year to go along with a career-high four QB hurries.
• Punter Cameron Johnston came into the game with a league-best 46.3 yards per punt and averaged 54.7 yards on his three kicks against Maryland.