November in college football is often just about finding ways to win, and that’s exactly what Ohio State did Saturday on the road against a much-improved Rutgers squad.
After taking a 9-7 deficit into the locker room, the Buckeyes got a massive 93-yard pick-six from Jordan Hancock on a pass deflected by Josh Proctor and found their footing offensively in a 35-16 victory thanks to another big performance from TreVeyon Henderson and a quietly solid afternoon from Kyle McCord, interception notwithstanding.
More injury issues popped up for Ohio State, however, and its wide receiver production was limited by the Scarlet Knights’ scheme while a key “miscommunication” happened on a punt.
Stock Up
TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson racked up more than 200 combined rushing and receiving yards for the second week in a row, rushing 22 times for 128 yards and catching five passes for 80 yards with one rushing score. His day included a dazzling 65-yard catch-and-run that helped give Ohio State some separation from upset-hungry Rutgers.
Yeesh! pic.twitter.com/JEWJV6o1Rc
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 4, 2023
Kyle McCord
Yes, I’ll say it. McCord took a step forward on Saturday. Sure, he threw an interception on a really nice play from Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure. He also opened the game 11-of-11 through the air, setting a new school record with 18 consecutive completions after also completing his last seven passing attempts against Wisconsin. He also showed fantastic ball placement on each of his three touchdown passes.
What a catch and touchdown from Gee Scott Jr.! pic.twitter.com/9JM4Xv3Lah
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 4, 2023
McCord finished 19-of-26 with 320 yards despite a pair of drops from his receivers and a Rutgers defense that sold out to limit the passing game. He isn’t on the echelon that Buckeye fans have been spoiled by in a run of first-round quarterbacks with Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud. But outside the interception, McCord showed real signs of growth in Piscataway.
Young depth in the secondary
With Lathan Ransom and Denzel Burke both sidelined due to injury against Rutgers and Josh Proctor exiting the game after taking a shot to the head, freshmen Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Malik Hartford both stepped in to help hold the Scarlet Knights' passing attack to a season-low completion percentage of 40.
Red-zone defense
Rutgers drove inside Ohio State’s 10-yard line three times in the first half and all three times the Buckeyes held for a field goal. Thrice more the Scarlet Knights ventured to the OSU 20-yard line or further in the second half, and though they did come away with one touchdown, the other two trips resulted in a turnover on downs and the above-mentioned 93-yard pick-six.
GIMME DAT! - Jordan Hancock pic.twitter.com/VcKovxldFp
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 4, 2023
Alabama
The Crimson Tide, ranked No. 8 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings last week, were locked in a tight battle with No. 14 LSU through the first half but pulled away for a confident 42-28 victory in the final 30 minutes. Nick Saban’s bunch shouldn't be counted out of the playoff picture.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State handed No. 7 Oklahoma its second consecutive loss, thwarting the Sooners’ remaining playoff hopes with a second loss and leapfrogging them in the Big 12 standings with a 27-24 victory in what could be the final Bedlam rivalry game for some time.
Stock Down
Health, again
Another week brought another set of injuries for Ohio State. After Ransom, Julian Fleming, JT Tuimoloau and Emeka Egbuka all dealt with varying degrees of injury against Wisconsin on Oct. 28, the Buckeyes were down three starting defensive backs by the end of the Rutgers game while star linebacker Tommy Eichenberg suffered an arm injury late in the fourth quarter. Cade Stover also missed the contest while dealing with an apparent knee injury.
Julian Fleming
None of Ohio State’s wide receivers had a big day against Rutgers. The most receiving yards among the position group were produced by freshman Carnell Tate, who had only two catches for 31 yards. Marvin Harrison Jr. did have two touchdowns, at least.
Harrison is a Heisman candidate and it's fair to give Emeka Egbuka a pass given he’s just returned from injury and has proven he can produce in years past. Fleming hasn’t had the makings of a true threat for Ohio State this season, however, and that hasn’t been exemplified more than by his one-target, one-drop day against Rutgers. He played just 30 of the offense’s 54 snaps, as Tate has begun to eat into his role more and more. Nine games into the season, Fleming has just 19 receptions for 190 yards and no touchdowns.
Special teams communication
Jesse Mirco’s ill-fated attempt to run for a first down on a 4th-and-5 from Ohio State’s own 30-yard line in the second quarter gave the appearance of a called fake at first, with multiple players blocking at the line of scrimmage rather than running downfield in coverage. Ryan Day said after the game that it came as the result of a “miscommunication,” however, and was not called on the field. Either way, it continued what has become a troubling trend of special teams mistakes for the Buckeyes.
Notre Dame
One of Ohio State’s marquee wins took a hit this weekend when Notre Dame lost to a then-.500 Clemson team on the road by a 30-23 scoreline.
Wisconsin
Speaking of teams the Buckeyes beat that had a poor showing this past weekend, Wisconsin was handed a much uglier loss than the one the Fighting Irish received. Indiana bested the Badgers 20-14 for its first conference win of the season. Wisconsin didn’t score in the final 25 minutes of game time.
Alex Grinch
One-time Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has seen his tenure at USC end before the end of the season, as he was fired just hours after his defense allowed 52 points to Washington on Saturday. The Trojans rank 124th in scoring defense and 123rd in total defense this year, prompting Grinch’s dismissal.
