COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s offense might have found its sweet spot last Saturday against Maryland.
Using starting quarterback Cardale Jones between the 20-yard lines and J.T. Barrett, last year’s starter, in the red zone, the top-ranked Buckeyes clicked for 499 yards of total offense in a 49-28 victory over Maryland in Ohio Stadium.
Jones, who boosted his record to 9-0 as the starter, threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns and Barrett utilized his running ability inside the 20s to rush for three touchdowns as coach Urban Meyer unveiled what appeared to be an effective system to deploy his two talented quarterbacks.
Asked whether the rotation is permanent, Meyer said, “I think so, but I’m not writing it in Sharpie yet. We’ll see how it goes. I think everyone on our team — to see (Barrett) and his energy … he’s a good player. He gives us that extra — Cardale can certainly run, but when you have that (running) threat, you saw it Saturday, and you have to defend that now.”
In addition to the quarterbacks, running back Ezekiel Elliott produced his 11th consecutive game of 100 or more rushing yards, wide receiver Michael Thomas caught a pass in his 22nd consecutive game (seven receptions for 107 yards) and H-back Braxton Miller contributed five catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
“Offensively, it was our best performance,” Meyer said. “The penalties, red zone production, four penalties offensive line in the first half. That was the only negative all day. High-end execution in the pass game. So I’m pleased with where we’re at.”
The Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0) will try to keep the offense rolling and extend winning streaks of 19 games overall and 26 regular-season Big Ten games on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET on ABC) against Penn State (5-1, 2-0).
The Nittany Lions have won five straight after losing their opener to Temple.
“Excellent defense. I think they’re top 10,” Meyer said of Penn State. “I haven’t seen the final stats but had a hard time moving them last year — very good defense. Offensively, seems to be they’re coming into their own. Started slow, but they’re really moving it. So, obviously, we have a lot of respect for Penn State and their players. They’re great players.”
The Buckeyes remember last year’s slugfest against Penn State in State College, Pa., all too well. They barely kept their Big Ten winning streak intact with a hard-fought, 31-24 win in double overtime before a raucous Nittany Lions crowd.
That game ended when Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa burst into the backfield, slammed into Penn State running back Akeel Lynch and pushed him back into quarterback Christian Hackenberg for a sack.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to top a moment like that this week,” Bosa said. “But, yeah, last year, like I said, I was just so exhausted and I didn’t even run the play right. I just shot the gap, but I was supposed to loop out. It ended up working out pretty well.”
The atmosphere in Ohio Stadium should be similar to last year’s scene at Penn State for what’s being billed as “Dark Night at the ‘Shoe.” Ohio State will be wearing black uniforms for the first time.
“I mean, it’s Penn State, so they’re going to get their stuff together,” Bosa said. “It’s always a big game. Night game, blackout.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Cardale Jones had arguably his best game of the season last week against Maryland, passing for 291 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in the 49-28 victory over Maryland. He connected with H-backs Jalin Marshall and Braxton Miler for 48- and 33-yard touchdowns. Jones gave way to QB J.T. Barrett when the Buckeyes entered the red zone and Barrett was equally effective. Coach Urban Meyer appears to have settled upon Jones as the quarterback outside the 20-yard-lines and Barrett inside the 20 going forward.
–RB Ezekiel Elliott turned in his 11th consecutive 100-yard game, rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries against Maryland. He leads the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns with 10 and is second in the conference in rushing and eighth nationally at 139.2 yards per game. As a receiver out of the backfield, the junior caught six passes for 47 yards last Saturday. Elliott continues to be Ohio State’s most consistent offensive player.
–H-back Braxton Miller had been relatively quiet since the season-opening win over Virginia Tech before making an impact again last week against Maryland. Ohio State was able to utilize Miller in space and allow him to display the elusiveness that makes him so dynamic. The converted quarterback caught five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown and ran three times for 11 yards.
–DE Tyquan Lewis played a solid game last week against Maryland with two sacks and 2 1/2 tackles for loss. Lewis’ emergence on a defensive line that includes Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington strengthens the Buckeyes up front and should be a bonus this week against Penn State. In the past two games, Lewis has six tackles for loss. He has 5 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for loss this season.