Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) during the game against the Gophers. - Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Minnesota Gophers Football team faced a daunting task as they prepared to play the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus Ohio. Not only were they playing the third ranked team in the nation. But they were also coming off consecutive disappointing losses to Illinois and Purdue.
Gophers have a Rough Start
And the Gophers got off to a rocky start. After going three and out on their first possession, their defense was on their heels on the Buckeyes’ first drive of the game. Ohio State chewed up big chunks of yardage as they moved rapidly down the field.
To finish the drive off, Buckeyes’ running back TreVeyon Henderson slashed in for a touchdown from nine yards out for the first score of the game. And then the Gophers’ situation went from bad to worse.
Unfortunate Injury for the Gophers
On Minnesota’s next drive, running back Zach Evans ran left for an 11-yard gain and a Minnesota first down. Unfortunately for Evans and the Gophers, he was helped off of the field with an injury. Three Jordan Nubin runs netted very little yardage, and the Gophers were forced to punt the ball away.
Two possessions later, the Buckeyes would add to their lead. Fueled by Marvin Harrison Jr.’s 20-yard reception and a 26-yard catch by Emeka Egbuka, quarterback Kyle McCord marshaled the Buckeyes’ offense down to the Minnesota 29-yard line. On fourth down, Ohio State placekicker Jayden Fielding would nail a 47-yard field goal to increase the Buckeyes’ lead to 10-0.
Buckeye’s Passing Attack is Lethal
On Ohio States’ next drive, Egbuka would once again be a difference maker. McCord would hit him for passes of 8, 23, and 21 yards on an impressive drive that would culminate with a Fielding 26-yard field goal. This extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 13-0. And that is how the half would end.
Gophers’ punter Mark Crawford was Minnesota’s best player in the first half. His punts continually pinned the Buckeyes deep in their own territory forcing them to execute very long scoring drives.
Ohio State Pulls Away
And on the first play of the second half, Henderson and the Buckeyes would blow the game open. Henderson ran off left tackle, accelerated, and simply outran the Gophers defenders for a 75-yard touchdown.
On the Gophers’ next possession, quarterback Athan Kaliakmais suffered a strip sack by Buckeyes’ defensive end Jack Sawyer. The ball was picked up by JT Tuimoloua and returned to the Minnesota six-yard line. Three plays later, McCord would hit Harrison in the end zone for an Ohio State touchdown. All of sudden, the score was 27-0 Buckeyes.
Gophers Turn the Ball Over
The game continued to fall to pieces for the Gophers. On third and eight from their own 42-yard line, Kaliakmanis would throw a pass intended for tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford. But Buckeyes’ cornerback Jordan Hancock would jump the pass for an interception and once again the Buckeyes were in great field position.
The Minnesota defense stiffened, and the Buckeyes had to settle for a 32-yard Fielding field goal. Ohio State was on a roll.
Kesich with the Lone Gophers’ Score
The Buckeyes would add a fourth quarter touchdown and Dragan Kesich would boot a 32-yard field goal for Minnesota to end the scoring. The game would mercifully end for the Gophers and the Buckeyes would walk away with a 37-3 win.
The Gophers next host Wisconsin with their bowl game hopes hanging by a thread. Their defense has to find a way to stop their opponents’ ground game and their offense must develop some consistency. Gophers’ coach P.J. Fleck and his team have a lot to fix before they face the Badgers next Saturday.
