It was not always the prettiest game, but the end result is all that matters.
Ohio State's 56-21 victory over Rutgers has secured the Buckeyes' 14th double-digit win season in the last 15 years. The victory was headlined by a couple of firsts, including Justin Fields' first career game of over 300 passing yards and Chris Olave's first career game of over 100 receiving yards.
Binjimen Victor and Chris Olave combined for 207 receiving yards on nine receptions.
When Justin Fields throws for a career-high 305 yards, the receivers are going to put up some gaudy numbers. Binjimen Victor and Chris Olave were the main beneficiaries of Fields' big day, combining for 207 yards, nine catches, two touchdowns, and one fantastic snag.
CHRIS OLAVE GIVES NO DAMNS ABOUT YOUR PASS INTERFERENCE. pic.twitter.com/BjZNuTACJC
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 16, 2019
Victor earned 68 yards, two touchdowns, and a season-high five catches. Olave, on the other hand, recorded 139 yards and four catches. The sophomore's 139-yard performance was the most of any Buckeye this season and his yards per catch average was the third-best mark of any Ohio State receiver this year.
On the season, Olave is up to 593 yards, 37 receptions, and nine touchdowns while his counterpart has 459 yards, 27 receptions, and six touchdowns.
The Buckeyes struggled to get to the quarterback, recording just one sack and one hurry.
From the purely in-game perspective, Chase Young's absence against Maryland was unnoticeable. The Rushmen recorded a season-high seven sacks and made the Terrapin offensive line look more like a turnstile.
Against Rutgers, and I can not believe I am saying this, the Buckeyes missed Young. Ohio State had just one sack and one hurry, both of which were season-lows for the talented defense. Davon Hamilton recorded the team's only sack.
The Scarlet Knights scored 21 points on the local team, with two of their touchdowns coming off of turnovers. Rutgers is now tied for the most points scored against the Buckeyes this year.
Ohio State held its opponent to under 150 passing yards for the fourth game in a row.
While Ohio State could not get to the quarterback, the defense was more than capable of staying with its assignments. The Bucks allowed just 121 yards through the air and picked off Rutgers quarterback Johnny Langan twice. It was the fourth opponent in a row to pass for less than 150 yards against the Buckeyes.
The Silver Bullets picked off Rutgers twice, with cornerback Shaun Wade picking off Langan on his first pass attempt of the game and linebacker K'Vanaugh Pope deflecting and intercepting another one. It was Pope's second pick in as many games.
Ohio State is leading the nation in fewest passing yards allowed per game and is eighth in interceptions. The Buckeyes will get their first passing test of the season when Penn State, a team that averages 253.5 passing yards per game, comes to town next week.
