The special talent of Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is not being overlooked by Ohio State.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Monday that Barkley, who leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with 211.1 all-purpose yards per game, might be the best all-purpose running back he has faced in his entire coaching career.
"He's as good an all-purpose running back as we've seen," Meyer said Monday. "And that's 30 years."
Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano issued a similar sentiment on Tuesday, describing Penn State’s 5-foot-11, 230-pound running back – who leads the Big Ten with 12 touchdowns scored in seven games – as "a once-in-10-year guy."
"He’s that good," Schiano said. "Incredible ability to change direction on a dime. And it’s not a little guy that’s changing direction. Sometimes you see little scat backs at 175 pounds that can stop on a dime and change direction. This is a big man doing it, so you’re not going to arm-tackle this guy. When he changes direction, he goes from zero to 60, he’s something."
Ohio State linebacker Jerome Baker says Barkley, who is Penn State’s leader in rushing yards, kickoff returns and receptions, "can do it all."
"He can block, he can run, he can jump over you," Baker said.
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7-0, 4-0 B1G ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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3:30 P.M. – SATURDAY, OCT. 28 OHIO STADIUM COLUMBUS, OHIO |
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The Ohio State defense knows it is in for a challenge on Saturday, when Barkley and the Nittany Lions will play the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium, but Baker is among those who say they are looking forward to the challenge.
"Me personally, I just love watching him play," Baker said. "I’m definitely excited to play against him. I love to compete, so you see guys like that, you really just go out there and compete. He’s a great back, and it’s going to be fun."
How does a defense prepare to face a player as talented as Barkley?
"Be disciplined and hit him," said Ohio State defensive end Tyquan Lewis. "That’s the only way I know how to play. If you’re playing against someone that special, he’s a great player, you have to be disciplined as a defense."
Defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle said the Buckeyes have to "focus on rallying to the ball and getting a lot of hats on him."
"He’s a rare back," Sprinkle said. "He cuts back a lot, he makes a lot of people miss. We just know we got to rally the ball."
While Barkley is an obvious threat in the running game, having rushed for 757 yards and eight touchdowns already this season, an even bigger reason for concern for Ohio State’s defense – particularly its linebackers – might be Barkley’s ability as a pass-catcher. The Buckeyes had issues with defending receivers out of the backfield in their loss to Oklahoma, allowing Sooners fullback Dimitri Flowers to catch seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Barkley, a more dynamic athlete than Flowers who already has 32 catches for 448 yards and three receiving touchdowns this year, presents an even greater threat.
In order to keep Barkley covered and prevent him from breaking away for big plays, Baker said the Buckeyes have to "always be aware of where he’s at."
"I’m just going to keep it as real as possible," Baker said. "You know where he’s at every play, every down. And that’s just pure respect."
Focusing in on Barkley is easier said than done, however, because the Nittany Lions have plenty of other talented weapons around him. Trace McSorley isn’t just a talented downfield passer, who has a talented crop of pass-catchers including DaeSean Hamilton (the team’s leader in receiving yards) and Mike Gesicki (one of college football’s best tight ends), but also an athletic quarterback who presents a rushing threat of his own.
"They got a running quarterback and a good running back, so they probably have the best of both worlds," Baker said. "They can give it off and keep it. Either way, they’re good."
“I’m just going to keep it as real as possible. You know where he’s at every play, every down. And that’s just pure respect.”– Jerome Baker on Saquon Barkley
That said, Baker believes the way to contain Barkley while also defending the rest of the Nittany Lions’ weapons is making sure each individual Buckeye defender does his job the way he is supposed to.
"Every play’s pretty much a guy that has their own, their job is to look out for him or just like any defense, there’s always a guy calling for somebody. You just can’t be lazy on your job," Baker said. "So it’s somebody’s job to always look out for a receiver or a running back. Just don’t get lazy on your job."
Penn State’s results against Ohio State over the last two years haven’t necessarily been tied to Barkley’s production. The Nittany Lions suffered a 38-10 loss to the Buckeyes in 2015, when Barkley ran the ball 26 times for 194 yards. The Nittany Lions earned a 24-21 win against the Buckeyes last season, when Barkley had only 12 carries for 99 yards. But Barkley, who currently appears to be the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, has taken on an even bigger role for Penn State this year, especially as a receiver.
The Buckeyes know that if they want to turn the tables and beat the Nittany Lions this year, holding Barkley in check will be a top priority.
"It’s better for him not to have the ball in his hands," Baker said. "We are definitely aware of that. You can’t stop guys like that, you only can contain them. So we’re going to do our best to contain him."
