Miyan Williams has been a constant in Ohio State's offense this season, and he continued his hot start with a record-setting outing against Rutgers.
On the opening drive for the offense, the third-year running back took a carry 32 yards to put Ohio State into the red zone. The Buckeyes then lined up in the I formation for the third consecutive contest, with Cade Stover and Gee Scott Jr. at tight end and Mitch Rossi at fullback, while Josh Fryar was also on the field as an extra blocker wearing No. 41. Those players, along with the offensive line, provided enough push for Williams to score.
FEED MIYAN. pic.twitter.com/NJtjfA0092
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
FEED. MIYAN.pic.twitter.com/IhNJq5Sgmt
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
On the next drive, Ohio State turned to Williams again for production. He passed the test with flying colors, providing the Buckeyes with their second touchdown of the game by running over a Rutgers defensive back Elijuwan Mack at the goal line.
Miyan Williams caught a body on his second touchdown run of the game.pic.twitter.com/POOanysTxV
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
Ohio State's defense was not devoid of highlights, either, as Zach Harrison forced a fumble while taking down Rutgers quarterback Evan Simon on the ensuing drive. Mike Hall Jr. recovered on the football near midfield, giving the Buckeyes prime field position for its next offensive possession.
You love to see this from Zach Harrison.pic.twitter.com/SX8DbyMHXk
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
That next possession would end with another touchdown for Ohio State. However, it wasn't Williams who was the beneficiary. This time, Julian Fleming provided the Buckeyes with six points as he caught his fourth touchdown in his first three games of 2022.
Julian Fleming just keeps catching touchdowns.pic.twitter.com/Un3LG5WENk
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
Ohio State's final score in the first half would be from Williams, who punched in a 1-yard touchdown that finished a 10-play drive that started on the Rutgers 39-yard line. The Buckeyes benefited from a holding penalty on the Scarlet Knights' secondary on third down that otherwise would have resulted in a loss from Stroud and likely a subsequent field goal attempt from Noah Ruggles.
With the extra set of downs, Ohio State was stuffed on C.J. Stroud bootleg, a Williams carry and a Stroud quarterback sneak before finally scoring on a Willaims carry off Dawand Jones' right shoulder.
A first-half hat trick for Miyan Williams.pic.twitter.com/hm69VGA8Yu
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
As the Buckeyes opened up the second half, Stroud threw an interception that set up a Rutgers field goal. However, Ohio State's offense responded on its next possession by relying on what worked well in the first half: handing the ball to Williams. Stroud took the first snap and handed to Williams, who carried the ball 70 yards to the end zone to put his team in front, 35-10.
Mama, there goes that man.pic.twitter.com/ogVPub8PkU
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
Williams' fifth touchdown came with 14:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. Ohio State's offense drove deep into the red zone when Marvin Harrison Jr. drew a pass interference penalty near the goal line. On the following play, Stroud handed the ball off to Williams for a 1-yard touchdown.
The fifth score tied Pete Johnson and Keith Byars for the most single-game rushing touchdowns in Ohio State history. Johnson was the first to score five times in a game against North Carolina in 1975, while Byars matched that production against Illinois in 1984.
Miyan Williams. Program record.pic.twitter.com/tEh5TfXyPq
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 1, 2022
Ohio State defeated Rutgers, 49-10, and will travel to East Lansing, Michigan, next weekend for a battle with the Spartans.
