Jeremiah Smith had another Heisman-worthy game for Ohio State (Photo by Ohio State Athletics)
A huge first half powers Ohio State past Maryland
Ohio State 45, Maryland 16
Ohio State had the ball first but stalled out near midfield. The Buckeye defense then forced a three-and-out. A few plays later, the Buckeyes struck, and to no one’s surprise, it was Jeremiah Smith. Even in the rain, he made it look easy. Smith took the crossing route 33 yards to the house for a touchdown.
The Buckeye defense would again get OSU the ball back, but Julian Sayin would turn the ball back over to Maryland. The Terps would start in Buckeye territory, but the Ohio State defense would hold them to a field goal attempt. The kick was good, and the score became 7-3. Ohio State would answer quickly, though, with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to tight end Nate Roberts. Roberts hit the seam route and was gone to the barn, and Ohio State would lead 14-3. Ohio State almost got the ball back again, but a penalty on a reserve defensive end gave the Terps a first down.
Second Quarter
The second quarter would begin with Maryland driving, and the Terrapins would work their way down to first and goal at the Ohio State nine-yard line. Ohio State penalties would fuel Maryland, who would get a touchdown and cut the lead to 14-10. The Buckeyes would get their next drive going on the ground. They’d finish it off with another Jeremiah Smith touchdown. This one was a pass Smith caught out of the backfield and took 40 yards, and Ohio State would lead 21-10.
Ohio State would get another three-and-out on defense. OSU went deep right away, and Chris Henry Jr. beat the one-on-one coverage to get the ball to the Maryland 12-yard line. The offense stalled after the 46-yard gain and settled for a field goal attempt. Connor Hawkins would drill the 40-yard field goal and Ohio State would lead 24-10. OSU would get the ball back again and move it. A circus catch by Jeremiah Smith would fuel this last drive of the half for Ohio State. Julian Sayin would find Mason Williams and get his fourth touchdown pass of the game and second touchdown catch by the tight ends for the Bucks. Ohio State would lead 31-10 at the half.
Second Half
Not much would happen in the third quarter, and then nothing good for the Buckeyes. Julian Sayin would throw a pick-six with pressure in his face because a third-string player missed a block. Maryland would go for two, miss, and the score would be 31-16 Ohio State. Ohio State would answer with a run-heavy drive that Bo Jackson would finish off with a 25-yard touchdown run. Jackson would go untouched up the middle and would have made it from 99 yards. Ohio State would lead 38-16 heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
For the second time in as many games, Ohio State would go on a long, time- and yardage-consuming drive in the fourth quarter. Ohio State would go 72 yards in 16 plays and take a whopping 9:59 off the clock before Bo Jackson punched in a two-yard touchdown run. Ohio State would lead 45-16.
Bucked Up
Jeremiah Smith had a quieter game, catching four for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Julian Sayin had 242 yards and four touchdowns passing, but almost all of it came in the first half. Bo Jackson and the rushing attack played well. Jackson had the first 100-yard rushing game of the season for an Ohio State back. He had 23 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was quiet but only allowed 10 points and less than 150 yards of total offense.
Up Next, at Indiana
The Hoosiers gutted out a 20-17 win over Nebraska in Lincoln. Indiana wide receiver Nick Marsh came up big with 187 yards and two touchdowns in the Hoosiers’ victory. Indiana has been my #1 team since the start of the season, and they had some rougher early games last year too. This will be a heavyweight fight, and with Indiana having the champion’s advantage, the Buckeyes are my very capable underdogs.
