Ohio State: Barrett, Ground Game Powers Past Penn State

Oct 17, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back

(15) changes direction against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The Ohio State football team finished a very successful black out night with a win over Penn State. Factory of Sadness has everything you need to know about the Buckeyes’ win!

Rapid Reactions: Ohio State’s 1st Half

It’s worth getting out of the way now, the black jersey’s are great, but the black helmets are even better. Sleek and modern, these are awesome. Even if it was just for one game.

For an offense that came into the season with such high expectations, it’s taken until mid-October to meet them. It also took a change in quarterback philosophy to make it happen. When you look at the 1st and 2nd quarters, Buckeye fans should feel vindicated about their displeasure with current starting quarterback Cardale Jones.

Jones started 5/10 for only 34 yards and badly missed multiple throws, including a couple of ugly ones that should have been intercepted en route to WR Jalin Marshall. The offense as a whole had only 57 total yards at the end of the first frame and Ohio State trailed at the end of the 1st quarter again.

Flash forward to the 2nd quarter, where the Buckeyes scored 21 unanswered points. But what changed? Two things stood out more than anything. First, QB J.T. Barrett gave the offense the best chance to score points. He had two rushing touchdowns in the quarter and his decision making on the read-option plays was exceptional.

Second, the Buckeyes offense looked faster and sharper with him on the field. There just seemed to be more life on the field, be it lineman or skill players. Sometimes, those intangibles do truly matter more than arm strength.

That tempo and smart play rattled off 21 points and got RB Ezekiel Elliott in the groove of the offense. ‘Zeke ran 13 times for 79 yards and a touchdown in the 1st half, showcasing his ability to make people miss or just run right through them.

Even when H-Back Braxton Miller was under center, the offense looked better and Elliott looked more confident running the ball. Elliott ran for 36 yards on 4 carries on the third scoring drive alone.

Next: Rapid Reactions: Penn State's 1st Half