Iowa dominates Ohio State, 55-24

Many Ohio State fans knew the trap was set. The script is something college football fans have seen far too many times. A confident bunch coming off an emotional come from behind victory the week prior. Visiting a place the program hasn’t visited since 2010. No way Urban would let this group, a group on a mission, falter in Iowa City after everything it took to make last week’s magic happen. All the signs were there for a let down, but somehow Ohio State and it’s fans, still didn’t see this coming.

Quick Recap

This one was a back forth contest right off the bat. JT Barrett saw his first throw of the night intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Ohio State then answered as Barrett hit Terry McLaurin on a 29 yard touchdown strike to make the score 7-7 early in the first quarter. Both teams would exchange field goals to end the first quarter 10-10.

The second quarter featured another set of exchanged scores. First Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley found T.J. Hockenson on a 10 yard touchdown strike, and then Barrett answered with a connection to Johnnie Dixon for a 44 yard bomb to make the score even at 17-17.

The Turning Point

Then things fell apart quickly. Iowa scored 24 unanswered points, with all three touchdowns coming on passes from Stanley. Barrett, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction, throwing three more interceptions in that time. Iowa secured the victory after three quarters in all reality. The fourth quarter was just a formality.

Barrett tacked on some late touchdown throws to boost his line, but the senior quarterback clearly struggled all day. Barrett finished at 18 for 34 with three touchdowns and four interceptions. He was out-dueled by Iowa’s Stanley who played close to flawless football going 20 of 31 for five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Overall the Hawkeyes out gained the Buckeyes 487 to 371. This is a loss Buckeye fans won’t soon forget, as the team was dominated in a way that has become so rare in the 2000’s.

Top Performer

In a game where Ohio State was dominated on both sides of the ball in such rare fashion, not many players stood out. Here is the player of the game for the Buckeyes:

Johnnie Dixon: 4 catches, 81 yards, two touchdowns

Dixon made some big plays when Barrett needed him and it actually mattered in the game. Nice effort from the junior slot receiver.

Top Plays

The first play from scrimmage. Barrett let this one go without noticing Amani Hooker reading his eyes.

One of Barrett’s better throws here early in the game. Here he finds McLaurin for a 29 yard touchdown to even the score at 7-7.

With Iowa rolling, Stanley finds Noah Fant for a 3 yardtouchdown with an Ohio State defender hanging on his feet.

Barrett’s fourth interception of the day came on this incredible one-handed play from Josh Jackson. Jackson had 3 interceptions on the day.

On to the next one
Ohio State returns home to Ohio Stadium to take on Michigan State next week. The game is a noon kickoff.