If you've seen Ohio State play Indiana in the past, you had a good idea that this one was not going to be pretty. The Hoosiers never actually beat the Buckeyes, but they always seem to make it closer than it needs to be.
J.T. Barrett paid homage to Ohio State great Joe Bauserman with his 9-21 passing performance, the coaching staff outright refused to give Curtis Samuel the ball most of the game, and Cameron Johnston might have a legitimate case for most yards responsible for.
It wasn't pretty, but Ohio State got it done and stays undefeated for at least one more week.
The Short Story
Ohio State seems to always have trouble with Indiana, and this year was no exception. Though there was never any real concern that the Hoosiers would win, the game was never pretty. The passing game was far from fantastic, Curtis Samuel barely touched the ball and seven drives resulted in some form of a kick. Still, the Buckeyes held Indiana on a critical goal-line stand and pulled out a 38-17 win to improve to 5-0 on the season.
Who Earned a Buckeye Leaf?
Offense: J.T. Barrett
This was not his best game by any stretch, but J.T. Barrett was leaned on heavily to lead the Buckeyes to victory, and he ultimately delivered.
Barrett finished the day with 26 carries for 137 yards and a touchdown, making plays with his feet when the passing game just wasn't going his way. He was given far more work on the ground than Urban Meyer would typically like to see, but he deemed it necessary in this case.
“We had to win the damn game,” Meyer said. “He’s one of our best players.”
It was not his best passing day. He finished just 9 for 21 for 93 yards with an interception and a touchdown and missed a number of open receivers on what likely would have been deep touchdown passes.
“I think we would feel all much better about ourselves if we had about three of those passes downfield,” Meyer said.
All in all, Barrett gave the Buckeyes what they needed to come away with the victory – nothing more, nothing less.
Perhaps the most alarming thing is Curtis Samuel wasn't the offensive player of the game simply due to a lack of touches. The do-it-all player saw just nine touches on the day, accounting for 82 yards and a touchdown. Meyer said he'll look to get him more involved in the offense from the beginning.
Defense: Jerome Baker
Jerome Baker had a career day against the Hoosiers. The true-sophomore led the team with 11 total tackles (7 solo) and had two tackles for a loss – both career highs.
He also played a key role on Ohio State's clutch fourth-down stand against Indiana late in the game.
Plays of the Game
Offense
With a lackluster offensive performance, our "offensive" play of the game actually came on special teams as Parris Campbell broke loose for a 91-yard kickoff return.
So close to six. pic.twitter.com/HBkxybX3nc
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 8, 2016
Meyer raved about Campbell's return ability this week, saying he was due for a big one. Campbell proved him right.
"That was a dominating play," Meyer said. "The fourth down and that was the play of the day. And that's why we beat Indiana."
Defense
I will respectfully disagree with Urban Meyer on the defensive play of the game, because I am a huge fan of pick-sixes.
In a shocking turn of events, Malik Hooker picked off a pass and (kind of) took it to the house.
This didn't count because of a chop block on the return. But it was still beautiful. #MalikThorpe pic.twitter.com/mp4vgOy6tk
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 8, 2016
The most impressive part wasn't the interception itself, but the run afterwards. Hooker broke some tackles and some ankles, followed blocks and showed off his jets all the way to pay-dirt.
The score, of course, was negated by a creative chop-block call, but it counted in our hearts.
This pick gives Hooker four on the season already. The Ohio State school record is nine, held by Craig Cassady and Mike Sensibaugh. He'll have a chance to break that if he keeps this pace.
Biggest Surprise
Curtis Samuel got just nine touches during the game after establishing himself as one of the most electric players in college football with his play the previous four games.
The game plan appeared to call for fewer carries for the one person on the field who can't really touch the ball enough. Bold, bold strategy there.
Thankfully, Meyer acknowledged this after the game and said they'll make a point to get Samuel touches early and often.
Jim Tressel's Least Favorite Moment
Jim Tressel was in high spirits as the game wound down.
The Buckeyes had punted six times for an average of 49.2 yards, they'd kicked one field goal, and got nearly all of their yardage on the ground.
Indiana, too, played solid fundamental football. The Hoosiers punted seven times, including once from the Ohio State 32 yard-line, and were 1-for-1 on field goals.
Things were going splendidly, and as time ticked away, it looked like Tyler Durbin would get one more chance for a field goal on fourth down. What a way to end the game, Tressel thought.
Just then, his storybook ending to a perfect game was ruined – Urban Meyer kept the kicker on the sideline and elected to go for it on fourth down. Tressel watched helplessly as the Buckeyes converted on fourth down while up 21 points.
"What's the matter, Jim?" asked his wife, noticing the distraught look on her beloved husband's face.
"He just doesn't get it, Ellen," sighed Tressel. "Time to go to Hobby Lobby."
Biggest Blunder
J.T. Barrett did not have a stellar day passing the ball, but his one interception was not really his fault. Barrett's pass to Marcus Baugh skipped right off the tight-end's hands into the arms of a waiting defender.
Spectator Quote-Book
First Quarter
- "Indiana is not bad, actually. I would enjoy going to medical school there. I have nothing to boo. They can stay."
- "Did Noah Brown just drop that? Is it because he used two hands?"
- "It looks like they're in wildcat every play. Why the hell is their quarterback wearing No. 21?"
Second Quarter
- "Is the hurricane going to hit us? I hate water. 100 percent of people who drink water die. 100 percent of serial killers drink water. I only drink beer and Mountain Dew."
- "Cameron Johnston is going to triple his punt total this game, isn't he?"
- "I'm usually not a fan of punting when your almost in the redzone, but Indiana has a way of changing a man."
Third Quarter
- "I need to leave everyone hates me because of my shirt," said an Indiana fan. "No, everyone hates you because of your personality," responded his friend.
- "Connor Cook got benched and Michigan State is losing," said one student. "You mean Tyler O'Connor?" replied another. "Wait, Connor Cook's real name is Tyler?"
- "When is Jalin Marshall going to score all of the touchdowns?"
Fourth Quarter
- "Wait, Dontre Wilson is still on the team?"
- "Urban Meyer is going to go for it on fourth down just so he can take a knee on the next play, isn't he?"
Underrated Moment
Robert Landers has been making a name for himself this season, leading the team in tackles for a loss and helping bolster a defensive tackle position that was perhaps the team's biggest question mark entering this season.
He's small compared to his peers at his position, but that seems to work to his advantage.
“A lot of times you’ve got a lot of offensive linemen who are 6-3-plus and it tends to be a little bit more difficult for them to bend down,” Landers said. “One thing about me, I’m quick off the ball and since I’m a little shorter I’m able to use my leverage to my advantage so I just try to play my game."
Landers used quickness and leverage to make a huge impact on what Meyer called the defensive play of the game. He was the first off the snap, flew past the center and blew up the right guard, forcing the run to the left where a throng of Buckeyes consumed the ballcarrier.
WIN COLUMN
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) October 9, 2016
LB Jerome Baker set career highs with 11 tackles and two tackles for loss vs. Indiana. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/TMLaOJJRVJ
“He’s a twitched up, quick-twitch guy that gets underneath pads,” Meyer said earlier this week. “You can’t have a whole defensive line like that, but he creates havoc in there.”
I'm sure Meyer was glad to have that havoc, Saturday.
You can read more about Landers, his domination in high school and his journey to Ohio State here, courtesy of our lovely TIm Shoemaker.
Bonus Underrated Thing
Ohio State still has not given up a rushing touchdown on the season – the only team in the nation not to have done so.
“I didn’t even know that was a stat, actually," Sam Hubbard said this week.
It Was Over When
Ohio State stopped Indiana on fourth and goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. Meyer called the goal line stand and Parris Campbell's kickoff return the plays of the game.
Biggest Question Going Forward
Can Ohio State throw the ball or nah? Relying on J.T. Barrett to carry the ball 26 times is not a great strategy for the future of the team or his body, in my humble opinion.
