Urban Meyer happy with two-quarterback offense

Following their most impressive performance on offense of the season in Saturday’s 49-28 win over Maryland, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was very pleased with the Buckeyes offense.

For the first time this season, Meyer decided to go with a true two-quarterback system, with J.T. Barrett getting the red-zone snaps and Cardale Jones getting all the others. With Barrett as the better quarterback for read-option plays and Jones’ struggles in the red zone so far in 2015, the change paid off for the Buckeyes.

Just playing in the red zone, Barrett completed 2-of-2 passes for 26 yards and had 12 carries for 62 yards and three rushing touchdowns, while Jones finished 21-of-28 for 291 yards and two touchdowns, along with six carries for 19 yards.

The two quarterbacks said before the season that they did not want a rotating QB system, but both now seem willing to do whatever is needed to help the team win.

Meyer raved about Barrett’s red-zone efficiency against Maryland. The Buckeyes converted all six of their red-zone opportunities against the Terrapins, with all six possessions ending in touchdowns. Before Saturday, Ohio State was among the worst teams in the country in red-zone efficiency.

“[Barrett] provided an obvious spark for us in there,” said Meyer. “Of course, he’s a leader and a guy that needs to be on the field…Six-for-six, no turnovers, worked very hard with a bunch of good guys that listened very well and executed very good down there.”

When asked why Barrett doesn’t just start the game, considering he is the better red-zone quarterback, Meyer downplayed the question.

“We just won, man. I’m going to go enjoy a nice Gatorade tonight,” Meyer said. “That’s a good question, and J.T. is — they’re both very good quarterbacks. They both played well. I’m going to hug them both and say great job, well done. Let’s go to work tomorrow and find a way to get better.”

Jones may have lost his red-zone opportunities for the remainder of the season, but Meyer was very happy with the way he played against Maryland, particularly his efficiency.

“I think he was great. He played his best game since last year. Very efficient. I don’t have his stat. Very efficient, threw for 290 [yards] and some change,” the head coach said of his junior quarterback.

After Saturday’s performance, it looks as though Meyer will most likely go with a two-quarterback system for the rest of the season, with Barrett taking all of (or at least most of) the red-zone snaps. If a two-quarterback system means that the Buckeyes are going to be as efficient as they were against the Terrapins, Ohio State’s offense looks to be back on the right track.