Revisiting the 2019 Ohio State Football Schedule - Part 2
Before (hopefully) commencing another season of Ohio State football, we take a look back at a summary of the 2019 schedule. Here is a quick glance inside the second six games (7-12) of last season to continue our three-part weekend series!
Northwestern (W 52-3): The only thing OSU had to overcome in Evanston was the rough grass field. Despite the Wildcats only trailing 7-3 after one frame, Ohio State continued its “huge second quarter” theme by outscoring Northwestern 24-0 before halftime. Playing field position wasn’t going to help Northwestern in this contest either as five Buckeye scoring drives were 65-plus yards. Northwestern was 6 of 21 passing for 42 yards, while Malik Harrison had nine tackles.
Wisconsin (W 38-7): A top-15 matchup in the Horseshoe turned into a lopsided affair, although it was just a 10-7 game midway through the second quarter between the No. 3 Buckeyes and No. 13 Badgers. An eight play, 75-yard drive put OSU ahead by two scores and the Bucks rode J.K Dobbins from that point forward. He finished with 162 yards and two TD’s, while star counterpart Jonathan Taylor mustered just 52 yards on 20 carries for Wisconsin.
Maryland (W 73-14): Not close from the start. Ohio State scored 21 in the first, second and fourth quarters during this complete mismatch. Four different Buckeyes tallied a rushing score, including two from junior Demario McCall and another from fellow backup Marcus Crowley. OSU had a ridiculous 705-139 advantage in total offense. Whoof.
Rutgers (W 56-21): New Jersey in mid-November doesn’t sound like fun, but 594 yards of offense and forcing three turnovers on defense certainly is. The Scarlet Knights did match Florida Atlantic for the most points scored against OSU to date, but it wouldn’t matter. All but one Buckeye scoring drive was seven plays or less, with Justin Fields completing 15 of 19 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns.
Penn State (W 28-17): Ohio State’s third ranked opponent on the schedule provided the biggest challenge, as PSU admirably fought back after falling behind 21-0. The Nittany Lions countered with 17 unanswered in the third quarter, getting on the board with a 75-yard drive and then taking advantage of two short fields. Nevertheless, Fields found Chris Olave for a 28-yard TD early in the fourth to cap the scoring, as Penn State came up empty on its next three possessions with an interceptions and two turnovers on downs. Heisman finalist Chase Young’s memorable performance consisted of nine tackles, four TFL’s three sacks and two forced fumbles in his return from suspension.
Michigan (W 56-27): Shea Patterson and the Wolverines hung tough early, trailing 14-13 before a pair of short rushing touchdowns TD’s from Dobbins in the second quarter opened the gap. Harbaugh opted for a chip-shot FG to make it 28-16 just before the half, and Ohio State casually blew things open to 42-16 shortly after intermission. You don’t win in the Horseshoe by kicking field goals, Jimmy. Dobbins out-rushed Michigan 211-91 by himself and the Wolverines went 2 of 13 on third down.
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