Rutgers Recap

1. Ezekiel Elliott had 19 carries for 142 yards and 2 TDs. Elliott entered yesterday's game averaging 141.1 yards per game, which means that he was right on his average.

2. On the season, Zeke now has 1,130 yards rushing. He becomes just the 8th Buckeye running back to break the 1,000-yard mark two or more times in his career. The complete list is: Archie Griffin (1973, 1974, 1975); Tim Spencer (1981, 1982); Keith Byars (1983, 1984); Eddie George (1994, 1995); Antonio Pittman (2005, 2006); Chris Wells (2007, 2008); Braxton Miller (2012, 2013); and Ezekiel Elliott (2014, 2015).

3. For his career, Zeke now has 3,270 yards rushing, which is good for 5th place in Buckeye history. Yesterday, Zeke surpassed Carlos Hyde (3,198 yards), Keith Byars (3,200 yards), and his own teammate Braxton Miller (3,261 yards).

4. Elliott had a 55-yard touchdown run, his 8th touchdown run of 50+ yards in his career, which set a new Buckeye record. Braxton Miller has 7 touchdown runs of 50+ yards.

5. Michael Thomas had 5 receptions for 103 yards and a TD. It was Thomas's second career 100-yard game. He also broke the 100-yard barrier against Maryland earlier this season with a career-high 107 yards.

6. For his career, Thomas now has 1,367 yards receiving, which is good for 21st place in Buckeye history. Yesterday, Thomas surpassed Reggie Germany (1,268 yards), Buster Tillman (1,277 yards), Anthony Gonzalez (1,286 yards), and Brian Stablein (1,289 yards).

7. Thomas's 5 receptions also moved into 19th place in career receptions with 92. Yesterday, Thomas surpassed Anthony Gonzalez (87 receptions), Buster Tillman (88 receptions), Brian Hartline (90 receptions), and Bobby Olive (91 receptions).

8. The offense had three big play touchdowns - Ezekiel Elliott's 55-yard run, Michael Thomas's 50-yard reception, and Curtis Samuel's 30-yard reception - and four touchdowns from within the red zone. On the season, 20 of Ohio State's 41 touchdowns have bee of the big play variety (20+ yards, defense, special teams).

9. Ohio State was just 4/6 on red zone opportunities, with 4 TDs, a fumble on the opening drive, and a turnover on downs on the final drive with the Buckeyes nursing a 49-0 lead.

10. The Buckeyes are becoming a better ball control offense. Yesterday, they beat Rutgers in number of plays, 70 to 56; first downs, 27 to 12; and time of possession, 32:40 to 27:20.

11. Joey Bosa had 2.0 TFLs yesterday, giving him 44.5 for his Buckeye career. He is now tied with Ryan Shazier for 6th place in Buckeye history.

12. Bosa also had 1.0 sack, giving him 24.5 for his Buckeye career. He remains 0.5 sacks behind Matt Finkes for 3rd place in Buckeye history.

13. Bad news: Cameron Johnston averaged 29.0 yards per punt and had no punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

14. Good news: Cameron Johnston had to punt only once.

15. The defense held Rutgers to 7 points, 12 first downs, 5/15 third down conversions, and 293 total yards.

16. Rutgers got 90 yards, 3 first downs, 3/3 on third downs, and all 7 points during their final drive of the game, when they scored with 13 seconds left on the clock against the Buckeye second- and third-string defenders. The Scarlet Knights' scoring drive was aided by a 58-yard pass, the big play being a recurring problem with this Buckeye defense.

17. Ohio State had no penalties, while Rutgers had 7 for 55 yards. Entering the game, the Buckeyes had been averaging 7.3 penalties for 66.7 yards per game.

18. Ohio State lost a fumble but forced an interception. On the season, the Buckeyes are still -1 in turnover margin.

 

Awesome stuff, as always.

 

15. The defense held Rutgers to 7 points, 12 first downs, 5/15 third down conversions, and 293 total yards.

16. Rutgers got 90 yards, 3 first downs, 3/3 on third downs, and all 7 points during their final drive of the game, when they scored with 13 seconds left on the clock against the Buckeye second- and third-string defenders. The Scarlet Knights' scoring drive was aided by a 58-yard pass, the big play being a recurring problem with this Buckeye defense.

Additionally, another 64 yards came on the opening drive of the game for Rutgers.

The middle part of the game was a chokehold after that series (Aside from, I think, one 30+ yard pass when the Knights were inside their own 10 after a kickoff). Adjustments were made and the Buckeyes D played masterfully. Shame the shutout didn't get reflected for their performance, but such is life- reserves walk back to the hotel (I kid).

 

RUTGERS stood STRONG.

Fans NEVER left the stadium.

 

RUTGERS stood STRONG.

Fans NEVER left the stadium.

The Goodyear blimp told a different story, but STRONG post.

 

RUTGERS stood STRONG.

Fans NEVER left the stadium.

Skrong, Dude. Very skrong.

 

The student section didn't fill until 10 minutes into the game. It emptied at half time.

The non student section trickled out with them at the half then went for the exits like there was a bomb threat when the Buckeyes went up 35-0

Fans as a whole showed about like the team.

 

The weed that @mtm105 smokes sure isn't helping his glaucoma.

 

RUTGERS stood STRONG.

Fans NEVER left the stadium.

Bullshit. The stadium was completely devoid of Rutgers fans before the fourth quarter even started.

 

9. Ohio State was just 4/6 on red zone opportunities, with 4 TDs, a fumble on the opening drive, and a turnover on downs on the final drive with the Buckeyes nursing a 49-0 lead.

And running the ball straight into LOS the last four or five plays. I actually thought that was a bit unfair to Cardale.

 

RUTGERS stood STRONG.

Fans NEVER left the stadium.

I was sitting in the second deck on the end (Rutgers side) looking down at the student section. It was a freakin' ghost town by the end of the third quarter. Buckeye fans stood strong, as usual.

The stadium announcer saying "And that's another Rutgers first down!" Whenever they got one was REALLY annoying. Funny though, how on the last drive he stopped saying it. It was almost as if he figured "Oh, f**k it, it doesn't matter...."

 

I was sitting in the second deck on the end (Rutgers side) looking down at the student section. It was a freakin' ghost town by the end of the third quarter. Buckeye fans stood strong, as usual.

The stadium announcer saying "And that's another Rutgers first down!" Whenever they got one was REALLY annoying. Funny though, how on the last drive he stopped saying it. It was almost as if he figured "Oh, f**k it, it doesn't matter...."

Guys in front of me (Buckeyes) were killing it with that. One of them would yell out "and that's another Rutgers second and 25" type of thing on the non first down plays.

 

If only Zeke had breakaway speed...