Buckeyes rout Sooners: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

For their first road game of the season, the young Ohio State Buckeyes faced a tough test in Norman, Oklahoma against the Sooners. They not only passed the test, they basically aced it. While dominating Oklahoma for the majority of the game in their 45-24 rout, the scarlet and gray had plenty of good things and not so many bad or even ugly things throughout the rout. Lets dig in:

The Good

Third game in, and there’s plenty of the same names that made the “good” list, along with the first two weeks of the season. With Ohio State playing like they have been so far this season, “good” will be filled with plenty of familiar names.

J.T. Barrett

For what seems like the first time all season, J.T. Barrett started off hot throwing through the air and didn’t look back, which was one of the many reasons why the Buckeyes took an early lead that they held throughout the game as well.

While completing 14-of-20 passes for 152 yards and four touchdowns, with plenty of help from Noah Brown, the redshirt junior had a very good game both with his arm and his legs. He also compiled  82 yard on 17 carries as well.

Barrett tied former Heisman quarterback Troy Smith for third all-time in school history with 54 passing touchdowns in his career.

Mike Weber

As Mike Weber’s first season continues to roll on, he looks better and better. Even in his true road game in his college career, the redshirt freshman shined against Oklahoma Saturday night.

Not only did he rack up 124 yards on 18 carries, but he blocked very well in the backfield, whether it was to give Barrett more time in the pocket or on a QB draw. The scary thing is, the more games Weber gets under his belt, the better he will get. Watch out, opposing defenses.

Curtis Samuel

What a playmaker Curtis Samuel is, wherever he is on the field. He can be lined up in the backfield or out wide, and No. 4 will not only make plays, but open up the field for the rest of his teammates as well.

Against the Sooners, Samuel had 11 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown and also had two receptions for 20 yards as well. While getting a touchdown, he also showed off his speed on a fourth-and-1 as well that led to a Buckeyes touchdown as well. The kid can do it all on offense, no matter where he is on the field.

Noah Brown

On the national television spotlight, Noah Brown showcased just how good he was and then some. Not only were his first four receptions all touchdowns, including one of the greatest catches we may ever see, but Brown was getting wide open against any cornerback Oklahoma put on him, all because of how good he truly is.

Here’s the incredible catch:

https://vine.co/v/5nzDa3uJ6hn

While he brought in five catches for four touchdowns, No. 80 showed why Urban Meyer has said all season (and preseason) that he will be Ohio State’s top receiver this year. Brown will not only bring in touchdowns, but if he continues to play like this and catch anything in his site, he will open up the run game along with allowing his teammates to get open all over the field as well.

His four touchdowns receptions tied a school record, which was part of the reason why he was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week.

Chris Worley

Chris Worley may not be a household name on the Silver Bullets, but he played a key role in the win over the Sooners. He was not only the Buckeyes leading tackler with 10 tackles to go along with 0.5 tackles for loss, but Worley also played a key role in controlling Oklahoma’s run game as well, at least for the most part.

Malik Hooker

In just three starts, Malik Hooker has already shown that he could be an All-American this season. Although he didn’t have a pick-six (for the first time this season), but he was making plays all over the field. Whether it was his eight tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, or one pass breakup, Hooker proved that he will be a key member of the Silver Bullets as the season goes forward. As a safety, he can be counted on to make plays either in the passing game or in the backfield, which shows just how good of a player he is.

Raekwon McMillan

The quarterback of the defense, Raekwon McMillan is one of the main reasons why the Silver Bullets have played as good as they have in this young season. With eight takles, and 1.5 tackles for loss against the Sooners, he is the type of linebacker that can do well both in the pass game and run game. No. 5 is one of the few linebackers in the country that can do well at both.

Jerome Baker

He may not have gotten the start, but Jerome Baker may have earned one with his performance Saturday night. Like McMillan and Hooker, he made plays all over the field, racking up seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. His playing time increased due to injuries, but Baker may have solidified himself in the Buckeyes lineup as the season rolls on.

Even though he didn’t start, Baker was named the co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for how well he performed against the Sooners.

Marshon Lattimore

Whether it’s his closing speed on passes already in the air or his coverage to keep opposing receivers from getting open, Marshon Lattimore is quickly making a name for himself around the college football world. Not only did he have yet another interception Saturday night, but Lattimore also tallied five tackles as well. And don’t forget how impressive his interception was as well. Behind the receiver when the ball left Baker Mayfield’s hands, he was able to use same incredible closing speed and pick off the pass.

Silver Bullets

Called a “basic defense” heading into Saturday night’s showdown by Oklahoma’s backup quarterback, Ohio State’s defense proved that they are the polar opposite. Although they allowed a touchdown for the first time this season, the Silver Bullets kept the Sooners offense in check while also bringing in another two intercepti0ns.

They not have eight interceptions on the season, including four pick-sixes. In just three games, their four touchdowns have tied a school record for an entire season, and to think they’ve only played three games thus far.

Cameron Johnston

Punters never really get any recognition, but Cameron Johnston played a key role against the Sooners. No matter where Ohio State’s offense left him on the field, the senior was able to reverse the field position on the Buckeyes favor. His five punts went for an average of 50.6 yards and all of them landed inside the 20-yard line.

Johnston may not get recognized very often just because of how good and consistent he is, but he was named the Ray Guy National Punter of the Week for how well he did against the Sooners.

The Bad, The Ugly

Urban Meyer and the coaching staff may have stated that they saw plenty of things that the Buckeyes can improve on, but I didn’t see much. With truly nothing that was “bad” or “ugly” in terms of the game, the only ugly thing for the Buckeyes – especially the fans – is that they have a bye week this upcoming weekend. They are off until they host Rutgers in their homecoming game October 8 at 12 p.m. ET.