Buckeyes weather storm, dominate Tulsa in 48-3 win

It may have been raining hard in Columbus, Ohio, including a downpour that led to a long weather delay at halftime, but in The Horseshoe, it was raining pick-sixes for the Buckeyes. The scarlet and gray may not have had a passing touchdown, but their run game and defense dominated for the second consecutive game and led them to a 48-3 victory over Tulsa Saturday night.

Quarter by Quarter

First Quarter

• 14:51 – First-and-10 – On the first play of the game, Marshon Lattimore’s intercepts Tulsa’s Dane Evans that went through the hands of a wide receiver, giving the Buckeyes the ball inside the red zone.
• 13:23 – Fourth-and-6 – Ohio State can’t take advantage of the turnover and good field possesion, but Tyler Durbin makes his first field goal attempt (29-yarder) of his college career, putting the Buckeyes on the board first. (3-0)
• 8:52 – First-and-10 – J.T. Barrett and Mike Weber fumble the read option, Golden Hurricane’s Jesse Brubaker recovered the fumble.
• 6:07 – Fourth-and-goal – The Silver Bullets stuff Golden Hurricane’s running back James Flanders inside the one-yard line to turn it over on downs.
• 3:22 – Fourth-and-4 – Tulsa’s Redford Jones puts his team on the board and ties the game with a 37-yard field goal. (3-3)

First Quarter Analysis

Unlike in last week’s opening quarter of the season, Ohio State did not play well on either side of the ball. Their offense not only did not capitalize on good field position at times, but they also had a turnover that was easily preventable. While they had a hard time moving the ball – only 40 yards of offense – and gaining any momentum, the Bucks were dominated in time of possession as well, 9:37 to 5:23.

Ohio State’s offense struggled, but their defense struggled as well. While they only allowed three points, they couldn’t find a way to stop Tulsa’s run game and short passes. Look for them to put much more pressure on the Golden Hurricane’s backfield and play tighter on the outside as well.

Even though Ohio State struggled early, they were still able to go into the second quarter tied 3-3. Lets be honest, there’s no way Ohio State offense continues to struggle like this and the Silver Bullets will eventually be able to stop the run up the middle of their defense.

Many may say that they didn’t, but it seemed as though the Buckeyes were looking past Tulsa and forward to next week’s game at Oklahoma, but they still weathered the storm even through their struggles.

Second Quarter

• 10:10 – Fourth-and-goal – Tyler Durbin connects on his second consecutive field goal, this one is a 22-yarder, giving the Buckeyes the lead. (6-3)
• 3:02 – First-and-10 – Malik Hooker picks off a Dane Evans’ pass and runs it back 26 yards for a touchdown, his second pick-six already this season (13-3)

https://vine.co/v/5Jg5KuMpxdL

• 1:51 – Third-and-26 – Tyquan Lewis gets to the quarterback and forces a fumble that is recovered by Jerome Baker.
• 0:33 – Third-and-6 – Rather than play it safe in a terrential downpour, Tulsa decides to throw the ball and this time, Marshon Lattimore intercepts it and runs it back 40 yards for yet another pick-six. (20-3)

https://vine.co/v/5Jg5teWd9hV

Second Quarter Analysis

Like the first quarter, the offense — specifically quarterback J.T. Barrett — continued to struggle in the second quarter. Luckily for the Buckeyes, before the long delay at halftime due to severe weather, Ohio State’s defense stepped up again, giving the Buckeyes plenty of scoring in place of the offense. The Silver Bullets had two pick-sixes in the final minutes of the first half, which gave them three already in just six quarters this season.

Through six quarters this season, the Silver Bullets have scored 21 points and have allowed just six (two field goals). Impressive.

— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) September 10, 2016

Although the Buckeyes struggled on both sides of the ball at times during the opening half, the Silver Bullets were able to bail out the Buckeyes and give them a three possession lead heading into halftime.

Third Quarter

• 9:42 – Third-and-5 – J.T. Barrett continues the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown run that was setup by some great blocking by Curtis Samuel and the offensive line. (27-3)
• 1:11 First-and-10 – Speaking of Samuel…

https://vine.co/v/5Jge3r95F1l

• 0:47 – First-and-goal – Mike Weber gets his first touchdown of his college career with a one-yard TD run. (34-3)

https://vine.co/v/5Jgi6P5ibYB

Third Quarter Analysis

After the long halftime delay, Ohio State simply dominated the third quarter, to say the least. They all but put the game away with a quarter remaining. For the first time in the game, the offense played very well the entire third quarter, while the defense continued to shutdown the Golden Hurricane.

Fourth Quarter

• 12:41 – First-and-10 – J.T. Barrett obviously likes his feet more than his arm today, runs for a five-yard touchdown this time around. (41-3)
• 5:58 – First-and-goal – Dontre Wilson gets on the scoreboard with a five-yard touchdown run. (48-3)

*Second-string offense and defense enters the game to finish off the win*

• 2:43 – First-an-10 – Just like his brother Joey, did for three years in Columbus, Nick Bosa forces Tulsa quarterback Joshua Alabi to fumble which was recovered by Dane Evans.

Fourth Quarter Analysis

What a boring quarter. But seriously, with the game already in the bag, there wasn’t much action in the final quarter outside of two short touchdown runs for Ohio State, not that I’m complaining. Giving the first-string offense and defense a break and the backups some playing time is always a positive.

Top Performers

• J.T. Barrett – 14-for-22, 149 yards; 16 carries, 55 yards, two touchdowns
• Mike Weber – 17 carries, 92 yards, one touchdown
• Curtis Samuel – eight carries, 78 yards; five catches, 62 yards
• Dontre Wilson – three carries, 30 yards, one touchdown; three catches, 38 yards
• Raekwon McMillan – eight tackles, one forced fumble
• Sam Hubbard – six tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss
• Jerome Baker – Robert Landers – four tackles, two tackles for loss
• Jalyn Holmes – four tackles, one tackle for loss
• Malik Hooker – four tackles, one interception (pick-six)
• Tyquan Lewis – four tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble
• Gaeron Conley – three tackles, one interception
• Marshon Lattimore – three tackles, two interceptions

Final Thoughts

For the second consecutive week, Ohio State’s offense struggled in the first quarter – and even the second quarter – in the win over Tulsa. Whether it was the rain or long delay at halftime, they played much better in the second half. Even though they had four rushing touchdowns, the fact that J.T. Barrett didn’t have a single passing touchdown is worrisome. But then again, in a downpour, what do you expect?

While the passing attack may have struggled, the Buckeyes continued to dominate the run game, whether it was Barrett, Mike Weber, Curtis Samuel, or Dontre Wilson. Being able to lean on the ground attack is a big advantage as the season goes on and the schedules gets much more difficult.

The Silver Bullets dominated once again. Whether it was their two pick-sixes or the fact that they didn’t allow a touchdown for the second consecutive game, they seem to be the real deal. With such a young, dominant defense, the offense can struggle at times because they will be able to lean on the other side of the ball. And to think that the defense will only improve with more game experience.

With their trip to Norman, Oklahoma looming, all eyes are now set on the Sooners following the Buckeyes two blowout victories to start the season.