Last week, I talked about how the Illinois series has been a horror show of weirdness, odd plays, curious officiating calls and much less lopsided than it should have been over the years. It is worse in the wind tunnel of Memorial Stadium than in the Horseshoe, as you’d expect, but the Fighting Illini haven’t gone quietly for the Buckeyes most years.
J.T. Barrett returned as the team’s starting quarterback after serving his suspension, so Ohio State fans probably felt pretty good about being able to move the football. Braxton Miller was back after sustaining an injury against Minnesota, too.
The Illini, meanwhile, entered the game on the cusp of bowl eligibility and nothing would look better on their resume then beating one of college football’s top teams and the defending national champions.
Would the offense return to its efficient ways behind Barrett? Could the Buckeyes avoid the typical Memorial Stadium weirdness? Would Miller be a factor after returning from injury? Could Ohio State retain the Illibuck Trophy?
Not really, no, no, and yes. Ohio State ran well but struggled in the passing game and made mistakes with penalties, turnovers and a missed field goal. The refs and replay officials somehow missed Barrett’s opening drive touchdown. Miller touched the ball twice and lost two yards both times. But, Ohio State came out with the win and the wooden turtle.
Here are your talking points from yesterday’s 28-3 win at Illinois:
WATER COOLER PREP (EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW…IN ONE PARAGRAPH)
The Buckeyes struggled to contain the Illinois defensive line and linebackers, despite rushing for 283 yards. Ohio State was just 4/13 on third down, allowed three sacks, a pressure that led to an interception, and had several passes batted down. Still, Zeke Elliott ran for 181 yards and two scores. Barrett was 15/23 for 150 and a touchdown, with one pick, and ran for a score. Defensively, Ohio State was stout, holding Illinois to 20 rush yards and keeping the Illini out of the end zone.
GIVE THAT MAN A BUCKEYE LEAF (PLAYER OF THE GAME)
I don’t normally do this, but I’m declaring this one a tie. On offense, Zeke was the man, topping 100 yards for the 15th consecutive game and running for more than 100 in the second half alone. Elliott was pretty much the offense for Ohio State on Saturday.
Defensively, Joey Bosa was a monster. He finished with seven tackles, three tackles for loss, and half a sack, but that doesn’t tell the full story of his dominance in both run stoppage and the passing game. Bosa was double- and even triple-teamed by Illini blockers. That didn’t seem to faze the junior, who threw guys around like rag dolls all game long.
DID YOU SEE THAT?! (PLAY OF THE GAME)
Ohio State’s prettiest play of the game came with 3:43 left in the first quarter, when Barrett dropped back to throw on 1st-and-10 from the Illini 24-yard line. Looking left, Michael Thomas was covered deep. Neither Barrett nor Thomas cared about that. J.T. threw a beautiful pass that Thomas went up and plucked out of the air for the game’s first touchdown.
SLOBBER KNOCKER OF THE GAME
It won’t officially go down as a sack or anything, but Sam Hubbard demolished quarterback Wes Lunt. With just over five minutes remaining, Illinois faced a 4th-and-12 at Ohio State’s 29. Lunt threw deep into the end zone for Dionte Taylor and just as he released the ball, Hubbard unleashed on the Illini signal caller. The ball sailed out of the back of the end zone and Ohio State took over on downs, thanks to Hubbard’s quarterback hurry (and hit).
Honorable mention to Elliott for several blocks and Tommy Schutt for his sack.
TALK IN THE AFTERMATH
Hey, we won a wooden turtle (again):
Ezekiel Elliott hoists the Illibuck Trophy following OSU's 28-3 win over Illinois. #OSUvsILL pic.twitter.com/Z3PvXo69g5
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) November 14, 2015
The offensive line was a hot topic of conversation:
One of the strange developments of this season is the OLine play. 4 starters back and not yet dominant. https://t.co/oMu3E8Gl1y
— BEAU BISHOP (@BeauBishop) November 14, 2015
And finally, are Ohio State fans going to be voted “Most Likely to Chant ‘Over-rated’ at Their Own Team?”
A lot of ignorance on my timeline defending another sloppy Ohio State contest.
— Dima (@suckatsports) November 14, 2015
Hey, people have the right to feel Ohio State should be playing better. They also have the right to feel like a 28-3 road win isn't a reason to mope and/or complain.
JIM TRESSEL'S LEAST FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE GAME
Not many know this, but Tressel is a master in the ancient art of tree shaping, or pooktre art. He excels in all its forms, including topiary and bonsai. He was listening to Paul Keels call the early stages of the game while working on his masterpiece — an elm that would spell out “O-H-I-O.”
The Buckeyes marched right down the field on their first possession and set up shop inside the 5-yard line. Because Tressel wasn’t watching on TV, he completely trusted that the officials got the two early replay reviews correct. He was a bit disappointed by the Marcus Baugh false start and slightly irked at the execution that led to a one-yard loss on a Barrett run, but when Sean Nuernberger missed a 24-yard chip shot, Tressel could take no more. He went to the garage for his chainsaw.
WHEN YOU SANK INTO YOUR CHAIR (THE MOMENT BUCKEYE FOOTBALL DISGRACED YOUR FAMILY)
It’s hard to pick one, so let’s just say the second or third time the Buckeyes called a quarterback run on third and long. It’s the same as admitting the old Bart Simpson adage, “can’t win, don’t try” is the correct way to live.
WHAT YOU TEXTED YOUR FRIEND AT THE END OF EACH QUARTER
First: “Should be 14-0. I hate Memorial Stadium.”
Second: “If not for play calling, this game could be over.”
Third: “This game is legit terrible.”
Fourth: “Survived. Gets real next week, tho.”
IT WAS OVER WHEN
When Ezekiel Elliott gave Ohio State a 21-3 advantage with a short touchdown plunge with 6:57 remaining in the third quarter, Illinois was realistically just playing out the remaining time. The Illini offense could not sustain much, stalling time and again whenever it crossed the OSU 30.
Next up, the road gets considerably tougher with a visit from Michigan State, which beat Maryland at home, 24-7. You can bet Mark Dantonio and the Spartans’ defensive line will enjoy watching Ohio State’s line play against Illinois on the game film this week.
