Fresh off their most dominant win of the 2016 season, the Ohio State Buckeyes now must leave Columbus for two straight weeks with the most important game of the season looming on the horizon.
The Michigan game is already being discussed at a national level and fans but Urban Meyer and Ohio State cannot afford to slip up against Maryland this weekend or at Michigan State. The Terrapins are 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten after getting waxed by the Wolverines 59-3 on Saturday in Ann Arbor.
Kickoff on Saturday from College Park is set for 3:30 p.m. Meyer met with the media on Monday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to dissect his team's 62-3 win against Nebraska and talk turtles.
NOTES:
- Ohio State named 28 champions after its victory over the Cornhuskers. On offense, Curtis Samuel, J.T. Barrett, Mike Weber, Terry McLaurin, Parris Campbell, Noah Brown, K.J. Hill, Marcus Baugh, A.J. Alexander, Jamarco Jones, Pat Elflein, Billy Price, Michael Jordan and Isaiah Prince all earned champion grades. Samuel was Player of the Game.
- Defense: Malik Hooker, Sam Hubbard, Michael Hill, Jalyn Holmes, Dre'Mont Jones, Tyquan Lewis, Jerome Baker, Raekwon McMillan, Chris Worley, Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and Damon Webb. Hooker and Hubbard were co-Players of the Game. Meyer: "The defensive line is getting better and better."
- Freshman Jordan Fuller earned Special Teams Player of the Week and a champion grade. Meyer: "He's really coming along as a young freshman for us."
- Mike Weber's shoulder "should be fine," Meyer said. He won't see any contact in practice this week.
- Curtis Samuel will get the first chance at punt returner, Meyer said. Dontre Wilson, K.J. Hill and Demario McCall are all in the mix.
- Asked about Malik Hooker's ability to return interceptions for touchdowns, Meyer joked, "When I see it, I think about putting him over on offense and pitching it to him a couple times."
- On the two pick-sixes, Meyer credited the blocking on the returns: "Those guys doing that went after guys with their hair on fire."
- On his wide receivers: "That was their best game in a while. By far."
- Meyer hasn't talked with Luke Fickell about possibly redshirting Dante Booker this year. Said Booker is "on call" and when asked when that decision would be made, Meyer added "beat Maryland."
- Meyer on K.J. Hill: "He's a really good player. He's earning more and more playing time."
- On his offensive line, Meyer said the unit played much better the last two weeks: "The pass pro was outstanding. Just a lot of emphasis on that right now."
- Meyer has not been more involved in the offensive play-calling in recent weeks.
- Meyer on Maryland coach DJ Durkin: "I love him to death."
- Will Meyer lean on Durkin during Michigan week since the latter coached for Jim Harbaugh last season? "I don't think we're going to go there. Beat Maryland."
- Meyer said Saturday's game was the best possible outcome in terms of recruiting on Sunday: "It was the best it could possibly be. Taking pictures and eating, all that. It's great."
- "A group of players made a decision to play very well. Now you throw that one away and if you don't do it again it doesn't matter. That's the message."
- Meyer didn't think there was team chemistry issues or anything of that nature before the breakout against Nebraska: "Just needed to coach better and play better."
- Meyer did, however, admit he thought the team reached its ceiling too early in the season: "I felt like we had plateaued."
- Asked how he keeps his players focused on the next game and not let them look ahead to Michigan: "There is no chance of that. One thing is keep them from talking to you." (he was joking)
- A reporter brought up the election to Meyer. His response: "Beat Maryland." Did add that he hopes his players vote and think they will, crediting that the team is pretty mature right now.
- "The heartbeat of our team is pretty solid right now."
- What does McCall need to do in order to play more? "Get stronger, better ball security. Just physical strength and experience. Little loose with the ball but his future is bright here."
