For the second straight Saturday, steady rain fell at Ohio Stadium and for the second straight week, Ohio State's offense kept the venue's scoreboard operator busy.
The Buckeyes rolled to a 52-3 win, one where fans got to see quarterbacks Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell both look like world-beaters while the team's defense showed a significant seven-day transformation.
Haskins, who's now completed 42-of-53 pass attempts this season for 546 yards alongside nine touchdowns and just one interception, left the game still wanting more.
"It's a whole lot of fun. I want to run so many series, so many plays that we ran out of time, and up so many points we can't do what we want. But it's like every series there's opportunity to go score, there's me throwing it, me running it or giving it to somebody else to do something with it. It's a lot of fun."
And he has fun no matter who's on the receiving end of a pass.
"The thing I told the receivers, doesn't matter what game it is or what day of practice it is, anybody can get the ball. And whether it's Terry (McLaurin) one week or anybody else another week, I just want them to run the routes like they're getting the ball every single time and calling the play."
Wide receiver Johnnie Dixon was Haskins' favorite deep target in the win, as he brought in four passes for 89 yards and two scores.
Acting head coach Ryan Day not only talked about Dixon's performance, but he also spoke to the respect he demands from his teammates.
"Johnnie is really a special young man. He gets up in front of the team, guys listen. He has the respect of his teammates. Very well thought out when he's around the team. So much respect for everybody. In terms of his ability, he's a big play guy. He's down the field and he can track the ball. On those plays, we were trying to take a shot."
When Haskins left Saturday's contest, it didn't look like the offense missed a beat with Martell under center. The redshirt freshman completed 10-of-10 pass attempts for 121 yards and a touchdown. He also carried the ball on eight occasions, led the team in rushing with 96 yards, and scored on a 47-yard scamper.
He was happy with his performance.
"I've been waiting for quite some time now ever since, I think, really the end of my senior year, after redshirting last year, it was just fun getting out there. I've improved a ton as a passer. And I want to be able to go out there and show that, and I just went out there and made plays with my legs when I had to."
Meanwhile, Ohio State's defense looked like a completely different group. After surrendering almost 400 yards of offense to Oregon State and several lengthy scoring plays, the Buckeyes buckled down, holding Rutgers to just 134 total yards – 69 on the ground and 65 through the air.
Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano praised the way his defense bounced back but also said that's what's expected.
"When you represent the Silver Bullets and when you represent the Buckeyes, there's only one way we play. So when you get in there, you have to represent. We didn't do a good job of that a week ago. I thought we did a much better job today."
The same could be said of Day, who reaffirmed Schiano's statement.
"Yeah, obviously Greg and all the guys on defense have a high standard that they hold themselves to on defense. And they didn't like to put up that number like that. You could see it during the game. They were in the backfield, I felt like, every other play, really creating havoc. I thought they played with an edge, which was great moving forward."
On the very first play of the game, defensive tackle Robert Landers created disruption in Rutgers' backfield, meeting running back Raheem Blackshear with a three-yard loss.
Landers spoke to not only his individual performance but also the depth his team has; something he says allows him to be a disruptive force.
"The depth that we have, it allows us to play fast and it allows us to be fresh. It helps put the tempo and the momentum of the game in our hands. At the end of the day, I think our performance all the way across the entire board kept the game in our hands."
Landers' linemate Dre'Mont Jones also had another good day. He kept it simple when speaking about the Buckeyes' dominant defensive line.
"We're all about making a legacy for this rush team. We're all about building our legacy, just showing everybody how, how much of a good d-line we are. It attributes to (defensive line) coach (Larry) Johnson. We take his teaching onto the field and enhance.
Starting safety Jordan Fuller missed last week's game with a hamstring injury. Fuller made a return Saturday, much to Schiano's pleasure.
"Big difference. (Fuller) is such a stabilizing force and what Rutgers does offensively, with all the shifts and motions, there's a lot of adjusting to do," Schiano said. "Our guys did a good job of adjusting."
As for next week, well ... it should be a good one. The No. 4 Buckeyes travel to Arlington, Texas where No. 16 TCU awaits at AT&T Stadium.
Haskins and the rest of the Buckeyes are up for the challenge.
"I'm very excited," Haskins said. "Team's very excited. We're going to use this week as a great preparation for TCU on Saturday, and we're ready for them."
