065 – Browns Back from Bye Week — Andy & Jarid, Cleveland & Beyond
October 26, 2019Instant Insights: Browns lose to Patriots, 27-13, to fall to 2-5
October 27, 2019Saturday’s game was supposed to be the Ohio State Buckeyes’ biggest test of the season so far. Facing the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers, it was not only a top-15 matchup but a pivotal game in the Big Ten standings as well. Much like they have all season, the scarlet and gray made it look easy, dominating the Badgers, 38-7, in what was a rout in Columbus.
With a steady or even downpour for much of the game, the first quarter started slow for both offenses. The teams combined to complete just four passes in the first quarter, which led to the score being 0-0 in the first 15 minutes of the game. Then, much like they have all season, Ohio State took over in the second quarter and never looked back.
Prior to Saturday, the Buckeyes averaged 22.6 points in the second quarter this season, outscoring their opponents in that quarter, 158-20. It’s by far the best scoring margin by any team in college football in any quarter. Against Wisconsin, Ohio State may not have scored more than 20 points in the second quarter, but they outscored the Badgers, 10-0 to take a 10-0 lead into halftime. It was the type of momentum that they needed.
With a 10-point lead, the Buckeyes had a bad start to the second half. The offense not only went three-and-out but on fourth-and-18, Wisconsin blocked the punt, giving the Badgers the ball at Ohio-State’s 30-yard line. Just three plays later, Jack Coan connected with A.J. Taylor for a 26-yard touchdown, cutting the score to 10-7.
The Buckeyes proceeded to dominate the rest of the game. Holding just a three-point lead, the scarlet and gray proceeded to score a touchdown on their next four drives (the fifth drive ended with quarterback kneels to finish the game). In that same span, Wisconsin turned it over twice (two Chase Young strip-sacks), and punted twice. The Buckeyes scored 28 unanswered points to finish the game and dominate the 13th-ranked Badgers.
Offensively, Justin Fields and company made it look easy in the final three quarters of the game, especially in the second half. The quarterback completed 12-of-22 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Fields also added 13 carries for 28 yards and a touchdown as well. J.K. Dobbins dominated once again, notching his fifth-straight game with over 100 rushing yards and seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season. Finishing with 163 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries (also added three catches and 58 yards), became just the second running back in Ohio State history to have three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, joining Archie Griffin. Decent company for the junior, eh? Keep in mind, this was against a Wisconsin team that had the best run defense in the country so far this season, allowing just 58.43 rushing yards per game through their first seven games.
While only three receivers had a reception on Saturday, Chris Olave led the group with a very dominant performance, finishing with seven catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Olave had four catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns.. just on third down plays. For the game, he had seven grabs (on eight targets) for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
— Chris Lauderback (@Chris11W) October 26, 2019
Defensively, well, Chase Young and the Silver Bullets didn’t let Wisconsin’s offense do much of anything for much of the game. Young has been very good all season, but he solidified himself as the best most dominant player in college football with the best game of his career on Saturday. In Ohio State’s biggest game of the season to date, the defensive end stepped up when his team needed him the most.
Young finished with four sacks, two forced fumbles (both strip-sacks recovered by Ohio State in the second half), and five tackles for loss. His four sacks against on Saturday not only tied him for the most sacks in a single game in program history but gives the junior 13.5 sacks on the season. Keep in mind, Vernon Gholston holds the single-season sack record in Columbus, notching 14 sacks in 2007. Young nearly has that number in just eight games. For those keeping track at home, the single-season sack record for a Division I player is 24, held by Terrell Suggs (2004). Oh, and Young is just the second Buckeye ever to have double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons, joining Mike Vrabel.
Ohio State’s defense also made Wisconsin running back look bad, which is quite a feat. Prior to Saturday, Taylor was not only considered the best running back in the country but a Heisman Trophy candidate as well. He finished with just 52 yards on 20 carries against the Buckeyes.
To make matters even worse for Wisconsin, their signature “Jump Around” song that they play at the end of the third quarter during home games, well, Buckeye Nation trolled them Saturday afternoon.
https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1188165991752257536
Now 8-0, the Buckeyes solidified themselves as one of the top teams in the country. Ohio State now has its second (and final) bye week of the season next weekend.