Ohio State Led By Barrett’s Five TDs Crushes Rutgers
By Joe Russo
Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) turns up field during the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Reaction Continues: Barrett Was The Right Pick
Need more proof that Barrett was the right choice to start at quarterback? He now has 9 touchdowns over the Buckeyes’ last 10 quarters of football! Barrett also accounted for 221 of the teams’ 248 yards. He also hit two big plays in the air, a 50 yard catch and run by WR Michael Thomas for a touchdown and a 45 yard circus catch by H-Back Braxton Miller.
Barrett also threw a great deep pass to Thomas in the first quarter that probably should have been called pass interference. Not only has he been a better engine for the offense, the Buckeyes also haven’t held back their playbook.
Rutgers didn’t get on the scoreboard in the first half, but WR Leonte Carroo is the real deal. Playing at about 75% on a busted foot, Carroo badly beat CBs Gareon Conley and Eli Apple. With Rutgers down, you’ll see more Carroo in the second half. It’s a shame he isn’t 100% because Carroo really is as good as advertised.
He had 9 touchdown catches on the season coming into the game against Ohio State. That doesn’t happen by accident.
OSU HC Urban Meyer told ESPN at the half that he was pleased with his defense and we have to agree. Rutgers managed 145 total yards in the first half and only six first downs. Rutgers also went 1-8 on 3rd down. 64 of those yards came on the very first drive, which ended with a missed field goal.
Take away that first drive where the Silver Bullets looked like they would struggle against the run again, the defense played exceptionally well. Part of that has been due to a more frequent use of the blitz to mitigate the issues against the run. LBs Joshua Perry and Darron Lee were brought off the edge quite a bit. Doing that gave one on one matchups for DL Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington.
Next: Rapid Reaction: Second Half