OSU redshirt junior wide receiver Michael Thomas (3) dives towards the end zone during the first quarter of a game against Western Michigan at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 26. OSU won, 38-12. Credit: Samantha Hollingshead / Photo Editor
Ohio State’s defense performed well once again, but redshirt junior quarterback Cardale Jones got most of the headlines as the Buckeyes’ offense finally began to show signs of life again.
OSU racked up 511 yards of total offense and 25 first downs as the Buckeyes steamrolled a tough WMU side that really made the Scarlet and Gray work. Jones improved remarkably from his last outing as he threw for 288 yards on 19 of 33 attempts for two touchdowns and an interception. Ezekiel Elliott added 124 yards and a touchdown on the ground on 16 carries to lead the rushing attack.
OSU’s offense, which looked nothing short of horrible last week, made big plays throughout the game.
Jones threw two touchdowns of over 35 yards. The first was to redshirt junior wide receiver Michael Thomas and the second was to redshirt sophomore H-back Jalin Marshall.
Sophomore H-back Curtis Samuel had two plays of 40 yards: a reception in the second quarter and an electrifying rushing touchdown in the second half.
Senior defensive tackle Adolphus Washington added an interception return for a touchdown as the Buckeye defense scored for the third straight week.
WMU’s offense played very well throughout the game, racking up 338 yards of offense and 20 first downs while dominating the time of possession battle. However, it was unable to break down the OSU defense, save some spectacular plays by junior receiver Daniel Braverman, who OSU coach Urban Meyer admitted was the best receiver the Buckeyes have come across in the 2015 campaign so far.
Braverman tallied 10 receptions for 123 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown reception, to help lead the WMU offense. Freshman running back Jamauri Bogan added 93 yards on the ground on 23 carries, while junior quarterback Zach Terrell compiled 169 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
By the numbers:
9 – The number of consecutive games that Elliott has tallied 100 yards or more on the ground.
288 – Jones’ career high in passing yards, which he set on Saturday.
26 and 13 – WMU is the first common opponent that No. 2 Michigan State and OSU have played. MSU beat the broncos by 13 at home earlier this year, while the Buckeyes won by 26.
27 – Although WMU falls to 1-3 on the season, the future is bright for the program. Next year, WMU has the highest-ranked recruiting class outside of the Power 5 conferences at No. 27 (which is higher than teams like Wisconsin, Nebraska and Northwestern). OSU, meanwhile, has the top-ranked recruiting class for next year.
100 – The number of weeks all-time that OSU has been ranked No. 1 in AP poll, as the Week Five poll still has the Buckeyes in the top spot. Oklahoma holds the record, at 101 weeks.
