Rutgers Overmatched By Ohio State, Fall 42-9
Rutgers visited Ohio Stadium today to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. Rutgers was rudely treated as they lost 42-9. Coming into the game, the Rutgers rushing defense was the worst in college football. Maybe the worst in college football history.
Ohio State has struggled to run the ball this year, despite having four good, healthy running backs. Their struggle has mostly been on the offensive line. At any rate, this game against Rutgers was a chance to play the backups for more time. Do you think playing so many weak teams will hurt Ohio State going forward?
Rutgers Overmatched By Ohio State 42-9
Rutgers came into this game in Ohio Stadium 5-5, having beaten Maryland last week. Ohio State was without both Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. So, Ohio State did get to many of its backups, particularly at receiver. The goal of this game for the Buckeyes was to escape this game without injury. That did not exactly happen, as there were questions about the lingering injuries, particularly to Smith and Tate. In this game, Lorenzo Styles Jr. got hurt. He is a starting cornerback and returned a kickoff for a touchdown last week.
Here is a scoring summary from the game. In the first quarter, Bo Jackson rushed for a touchdown. That gave Ohio State a 7-0 lead. Then, Rutgers scored. Jai Patel kicked a 44-yard field goal. It was 7-3, Ohio State. That is how the first quarter ended.
In the second quarter, the only scoring was an Ohio State touchdown. Brandon Inniss caught a touchdown pass. That gave Ohio State a 14-3 lead. That was the score at halftime. In the third quarter, Ohio State scored two touchdowns. First, Max Klare caught a touchdown pass. That gave Ohio State a 21-3 lead. Then, Jackson ran for a 10-yard touchdown, giving Ohio State a 28-3 lead.
In the fourth quarter, C.J. Donaldson scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. That gave Ohio State a 35-3 lead. Then, Antwan Raymond scored a touchdown for Rutgers against the second-team Ohio State defense. Rutgers went for two points, so it was 35-9 Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights were aided by a defensive pass interference penalty against Jermaine Matthews. His second pass interference penalty of the day. Then, James Peoples scored on a 49-yard touchdown run. That made the score 42-9.
News and Notes
Ohio State came into the game 10-0 against Rutgers. Jim Tressel rang the victory bell before this game. Fitting for the last home game of the year and to kick off Michigan Week.
Today was the final home game for Ohio State, so it was Senior Day. Ohio State honored 16 seniors before the game today. The seniors are: QB Eli Brickhandler, LS Collin Johnson, CB Dianté Griffin, QB Mason Maggs, LB Joey Velazquez, RB CJ Donaldson, OL Ethan Onianwa, LS John Ferlmann, WR David Adolph, K Jayden Fielding, DT Tywone Malone Jr., DB Lorenzo Styles Jr., TE Will Kacmarek, CB Davison Igbinosun, DE Caden Curry, and LB Sonny Styles.
Coming into the game, Ohio State had held opposing rushers to under 100 yards in nine consecutive games. Through injury or because of the score, Ohio State was able to play many of its second-team players in this game.
Conclusion
This was a workman-like win for Ohio State, but the story here is not the Ohio State victory over Rutgers. It is Michigan week for Ohio State. The Buckeyes travel to Ann Arbor this year for a traditional noon kick-off. The Buckeyes will need their two starting wide receivers back from injury. The game takes place on Jeremiah Smith’s 20th birthday.
