Buckeyes bash Broncos in a shutout
COVER PHOTO: Ohio State true freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith outruns Western Michigan's defense on the way to a 70-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Picture by Sam Fahmi/Columbus Wired.
After having a brief 14-13 lead last weekend early in the fourth quarter against Wisconsin in Camp Randall Stadium, the Western Michigan Broncos were probably hoping to come somewhat close to that for a second weekend in a row.
Unfortunately, they played Ohio State in a night game at Ohio Stadium and that was pretty much the end of that.
The second-ranked Buckeyes (2-0) proved to be way too much for the Broncos (0-2) as they dominated in every aspect of the game, piling up 683 yards while holding Western Michigan to only 99 on the way to a 56-0 win.
It was exactly five years ago to the day that OSU had previously pitched a shutout, the last being 42-0 against Cincinnati in the Horseshoe. It was nearly seven years ago that the Buckeyes held an opponent to under 100 yards which was previously done against Maryland on Oct. 7, 2017.
Head coach Ryan Day said the dominant performance was all due to the week of practice they had.
“We practiced strong and physical and had good intent. We had a good Tuesday, had a really good Wednesday and I felt like we were about to kind of come into a game where we were going to dominate like this. I did, I just kind of had that feeling going into the game. But it came down to the players playing really hard.”
What was also good to see, Day said, was the fact they were able to play a healthy amount of guys.
“I really appreciated the fact that we continued to play the whole second half and guys kept getting in there and (having) the depth and we’re going to need that moving forward.”
The Buckeyes aired it out for 410 yards as quarterback Will Howard led the way with 292 on 18-of-26 passing, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also had his first rushing TD in a scarlet and gray uni, which came on a six-yard option-keeper with a little over four minutes to play in the first half.
Second-teamer Devin Brown went a perfect 5-of-5 for 57 yards but it was true freshman Julian Sayin who turned the most heads when he threw his first-ever collegiate touchdown which was a 55-yarder to junior tight end Bennett Christian with five minutes to play in the game. Sayin went 2-of-2 for 61 yards and the one TD. The catch was not only Christian’s first TD but it came on the first collegiate pass he had ever caught.
However, it was another true freshman that continues to have Buckeye Nation giddy with excitement as wide receiver Jeremiah Smith once again led the team in receiving yards, notching the first 100-yard game of his career with 119 yards. He tied fellow receiver Emeka Egbuka with a team-leading five catches and reeled in Howard’s lone TD toss of the game.
But it wasn’t just the fact that Smith caught his third TD of the season in only his second-ever game, it was the way he did it in tonight’s game.
On Ohio State’s second drive of the game, they were facing a 1st-and-20 from their own 30 yard line after Howard not only took a sack on the previous play but redshirt freshman left guard Austin Siereveld was called for holding. Howard responded by firing to Smith five yards up to the right side and Smith responded by turning upfield and turning on the jets for a 70-yard score.
“A big part of ‘run-after-catch’ is timing and location of throws and accuracy, and he (Howard) deserves credit on that,” said Day.
What seemed to be setting up Howard’s success was OSU’s ability to run the ball. Even though they rushed for 170 yards in last weekend’s win over Akron, the offensive line looked a tad unkempt. That ruffled appearance was smoothed out against the Broncos as the Buckeyes rambled for 273 yards on the ground which set up the ability for Howard and company to pull off several looky-loo fakes.
“Our O-line played outstanding tonight, I thought they stepped up and really, really played well and moved those (defensive) guys off the line,” said Howard.
Junior running back Quinshon Judkins led the team in rushing yards with 108 on nine carries with two touchdowns while senior TreVeyon Henderson tied for the team-lead in carries with 10, rushing for 66 yards and had two scores, as well.
Judkins said there was nothing different about his performance tonight compared to last weekend's game against Akron where he led the team with 13 carries but only had 55 yards.
"(It was) just the same routine that I have going into each and every week with the preparation and the tools that our coaches give us as far as what we game plan on these teams and looking at every team in the way that we prepare the same, so nothing different."
Howard said Judkins and Henderson are so interchangeable that there are times he doesn't even realize which back is lining up next to him.
“Sometimes it’s funny (because) I don’t even know which one of them is out there on the field until I look to my right and I’m like, ‘shoot, Q’s out here’ or ‘oh, it’s Tre’, like whoever. They’re so interchangeable, it’s unbelievable,” said Howard.
“They don’t care who gets all the rushes or who scores a touchdown. When you’ve got two running backs … that have a really good relationship and are as talented as those two are, I mean they’re both freaks, it’s really fun.”
Judkins said it's been the relationship off the field that has prospered their on-field camaraderie.
"When you spend so much time with someone (and) the effort that we put into each day as far as practice and preparation and just the moments that we have together, we cherish those moments. We realize how special this is and how special this team is so just to congratulate him on his touchdowns and his runs and to critique him and he can critique me on certain things and just continue to get each other better, I think that's what it's really all about."
True freshman James Peoples also toted the rock 10 times, rushing for 51 yards and one score. Pickerington true freshman Sam Williams-Dixon saw his first action of the year, carrying the ball three times for 40 yards and had the team’s longest run of the night for 31 yards.
One “disappointment” that could be belly-ached could be the fact that OSU’s defense didn’t force the Broncos into a turnover. Last weekend, they not only got three against the Zips but took two of them into the end zone.
Fifth-year senior captain linebacker Cody Simon said that’s the goal for their next game but not allowing the other team to score was an impressive feat.
“Now we just want to get another one, he said. “In all honesty, that’s really what it is. It’s not easy, that’s probably one of the hardest things to do but it’s a good goal to have as a defense because you’re showing your dominance. We just want to be that team that the offense can lean on because we don’t want the offense to have to score any points.”
Four Buckeyes led the team with four tackles including cornerback Davison Igbinosun who also had one pass break-up and a two-yard tackle for-loss. Senior defensive end Jack Sawyer ended the night with three tackles including his first sack of the season, a 10-yarder late in the second quarter.
Asked what was more impressive: holding their opponent to no points or under 100 yards, Simon said neither.
“Maybe the 700 yards on offense? I don’t know,” he said with a laugh. “Today was a really good team win and I’m just happy for everybody we can all enjoy this.”
Simon finished with three tackles, one pass break-up and a seven-yard sack.
The team has a bye next week with their next game on Sept. 21 at home against Marshall. A time and TV channel has yet to be announced.