Ohio State Dominates Michigan State, 52-12, Despite Absences of Ryan Day, Several Key Players

Ohio State had three new starters in on its offensive line with Thayer Munford, Josh Myers and Nicholas Petit-Frere all out, but Justin Fields still made plays all day with both his arm and legs, while the defense was dominant even without Tuf Borland, Josh Proctor and Tyler Friday, allowing the Buckeyes to a roll to an 52-12 win in East Lansing.

After forcing a 3-and-out on its opening defensive series, Ohio State drove 83 yards on 12 plays to score on its opening possession. After a 21-yard run by Master Teague got the Buckeyes to Michigan State’s 1-yard line, Justin Fields capped off the drive with a 2-yard scramble for a touchdown on 3rd-and-goal.

.@justnfields is just vibin'.

The @OhioStateFB QB decides to tuck it for the touchdown in East Lansing: pic.twitter.com/iPBtxzLRnN

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 5, 2020

Two drives later, Ohio State took a 14-0 lead when Fields ran for a 44-yard gain and followed that up with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson two plays later.

.@justnfields flashed the arm after dominating on foot so far.

And @GarrettWilson_V does the rest for @OhioStateFB: pic.twitter.com/5rg58qiFcY

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 5, 2020

Ohio State, which forced Michigan State to punt on its first five possessions, extended its lead to 21-0 on its next drive when Fields ran for his second touchdown of the day from one yard out. That followed up a 25-yard run by Trey Sermon on which he broke multiple tackles and delivered a stiff arm for his most impressive as a Buckeye so far.

Fields had an injury scare on Ohio State’s next possession, as he was forced to leave the game for one play – on which C.J. Stroud came in as the backup quarterback – after taking a hard hit on which Michigan State was called for roughing the passer. Fields ultimately returned to the field, though, for a drive that ended with Ohio State punting the ball from Michigan State’s 36-yard line.

That decision proved prudent when Chrisman hit a perfect punt to down the ball at the 1-yard line. Three plays later, Haskell Garrett tipped a Rocky Lombardi pass to himself and intercepted it in the end zone for a rare defensive tackle pick-six, extending Ohio State’s lead to four touchdowns.

Come for the pick six in the end zone, stay for the Big Man TD Celebration at the end. @Haskell_808 | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/yf7Bfz7HOa

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 5, 2020

Michigan State finally reached Ohio State territory on its final possession of the first half, but the Buckeyes took a 28-0 lead into halftime after a fumble by Payton Thorne – who replaced Lombardi in the second quarter after Lombardi suffered a head injury – was recovered by Javontae Jean-Baptiste with just 45 seconds to play in the second quarter.

Ohio State extended its lead to 35-0 in the third quarter when Trey Sermon broke away from the defense for a 64-yard touchdown run, the first touchdown of his Ohio State career, which also brought him over 100 rushing yards for the first time as a Buckeye.

The Saturday Sermon is in session. @treyera is GONE for a 64-yd @OhioStateFB score: pic.twitter.com/cWMhTPmGc7

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 5, 2020

Michigan State finally got on the board for its first points of the game on its second possession of the third quarter, when Thorne completed a 55-yard pass to Jayden Reed and ran for a 20-yard touchdown one play later.

A Chris Olave fumble was recovered by Michigan State on Ohio State’s next possession, and it looked like the Buckeyes might be about to let their opponent back into the game in yet another second half. But Shaun Wade came up with a clutch diving interception on the very next play – his second interception in as many games – to swing the momentum right back in Ohio State’s favor.

Ohio State drove inside Michigan State’s 10-yard line on its subsequent possession before settling for a 27-yard field goal by Blake Haubeil, who returned to action after missing the Buckeyes’ previous two games with a groin injury.

Michigan State also settled for a field goal in the red zone on its next possession, with Matt Coghlin converting from 32 yards out, after a 31-yard run by Thorne got the Spartans to Ohio State’s 15-yard line.

Ohio State extended its advantage to 35 points when Fields connected with Olave for a 41-yard touchdown pass, with 8:16 to play, on what would be both of their final play in the game, as Stroud replaced Fields on the Buckeyes' next possession – and promptly ran 48 yards for the first touchdown of his Ohio State career.

This is a throw certain trophy-winners make.

We're not saying, we're just saying. @justnfields and @OhioStateFB have been dominant today: pic.twitter.com/mhbmPa5uox

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 5, 2020

Fields finished the game with 199 passing yards and two passing touchdowns and 103 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Michigan State scored two points after Jack Miller, who came into the game at quarterback after Stroud's touchdown run, had to fall on the ball in the end zone following a snap over his head by Luke Wypler. But a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return by Michigan State was recovered by Ohio State, sealing a 40-point win for the Buckeyes to kneel out the clock.

Ohio State is now 5-0 on the season, and will look to improve to 6-0 next week when it hosts Michigan – assuming the game happens, as the Wolverines are currently on pause due to positive COVID-19 tests – in the annual rivalry game between the Buckeyes and Wolverines, which is scheduled for a noon kickoff at Ohio Stadium.

• #4 Ohio State 52, MICHIGAN STATE 12
• DEC. 5, 2020 • SPARTAN Stadium • EAST LANSING, MICH.
• • BUCKEYES DOMINATE SPARTANS, 52-12
• • “GREAT STATEMENT ABOUT WHO WE ARE”
• • ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH JUSTIN FIELDS
• • LARRY JOHNSON MAKES HISTORY
• • OHIO STATE POSTGAME • MSU POSTGAME • NOTEBOOK
• • HASKELL GARRETT PICk-SIX • SERMON'S 64-YARD TD