The story of Ohio State’s game against Virginia Tech last season was the Buckeyes’ inability to block the Hokies as their defense stifled the Buckeyes, recording seven sacks of then-redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett.
On Monday night at Lane Stadium, that vaunted Virginia Tech unit recorded a total of zero.
Of course, Cardale Jones took the majority of the snaps at quarterbacks for the Buckeyes this time around and Ohio State’s offensive line — which brought back four starters from last year — has another full year of experience under its belt, but the Buckeyes’ ability to protect up front was a huge difference in this game, even if the head coach felt it could have been better.
“I thought we did average, to be honest with you,” Urban Meyer said following the 42-24 win. “They’re really good, but we’ve gotta play better.”
Overall, Ohio State racked up 572 yards of total offense. The Buckeyes gained 360 of those on the ground and 212 more through the air. All of that came against one of the top defenses in the country, but it was the zero Ohio State allowed in the sacks column that might be the most impressive number.
Grading Hubbard, Holmes In Bosa's Absence
The Buckeyes were without All-American defensive end Joey Bosa against Virginia Tech and each of the guys who filled in made timely plays for Ohio State’s defense.
Sam Hubbard earned the start in Bosa’s place, but Jalyn Holmes also saw plenty of run at defensive end. In the game’s first quarter, Hubbard recorded his first career sack and the redshirt freshman from Cincinnati finished the game with four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Holmes came on in a reserve role, but made his presence known in the third quarter when he forced a fumble that was recovered by Eli Apple. The Buckeyes led 21-17 at the time of the turnover and, on the very next play from scrimmage, Braxton Miller took the ball 53 yards to the house to give Ohio State an 11-point lead. Holmes finished the game with six tackles.
Conley Impressive in Debut
Another one of Ohio State’s biggest question marks coming into the 2015 season was at cornerback, where the Buckeyes would certainly miss All-Big Ten performer Doran Grant.
Gareon Conley won the job with his play in spring ball and throughout fall camp, but his only serious game action in the 2014 season came against Michigan State and Conley was quite exposed in that contest.
But in his first start at corner this season for the Buckeyes, Conley had a really good night opposite Apple. He recorded a team-high eight tackles from his corner position and also had a half-sack. His constant support in the run game was impressive, as was his work in pass coverage for the majority of the night.
Buckeyes Bit Again By Turnover Bug
It's hard to nitpick a team when it wins comfortably by 18 on the road, but if there's one constant with Ohio State over its recent games it is the Buckeyes are quite turnover prone.
Ohio State beat Oregon for the national championship despite committing four turnovers in that game against the Ducks. On Monday night against the Hokies, Ohio State coughed up the ball three additional times.
Jones made the first mistake when he made a poor decision in the second quarter and threw an interception that led to a Virginia Tech field goal. Then, shortly thereafter, Ezekiel Elliott gave the ball back to the Hokies when he muffed a punt. Virginia Tech followed that up with a touchdown.
The Buckeyes have yet to be officially bitten by the turnover bug in terms of it costing them a game, but it's certainly a pressing issue as Ohio State officially looks to defend its national title.
