At Ohio State, it’s hard to find records that will be threatened in any given year. As a school with a storied history, there are a lot of records that are likely unbreakable. Dwayne Haskins’ 4,831 passing yards, Keith Byars’ 336 rushing attempts, Tom Cousineau’s 211 tackles won’t even be threatened, let alone broken.
But there are a few records that are within reach.
The way that offenses are becoming more and more explosive, Ryan Day might have a few record-breakers on his roster. Even though Haskins and J.T. Barrett have demolished most of Ohio State’s records on offense, there might be a few that they left within reach. Most of the records that will be threatened in 2020 will be on offense.
Most of the records on defense are likely untouchable. Chase Young’s sack record is the most realistic, but odds are that no one will get close this year.
Most career records are also out of reach this year. In order to break a career record at Ohio State, someone will need to start for three full years, if not four. No one on the current squad has the past success that they would need to pursue a career record.
There are four single-season records that are within reach by the end of the 2020 season.
Four Records That Will Be Threatened at Ohio State in 2020
50 Touchdown Passes
Currently held by Haskins
Justin Fields threw for 41 touchdowns in his first year as a Buckeye. After only one season of play in Columbus, it would only take 16 more passes for Fields to be second all-time.
In his second year in Day’s system, and with better chemistry with his top receivers, Fields’ passing numbers will only improve. While Haskins’ records all seemed unbreakable when he left Ohio State, Fields got surprisingly close to his touchdown mark. His personal best of 41 is second in Buckeye history. 50 is perfectly plausible.
54 Total Touchdowns
Currently held by Haskins
It seems like every quarterback that suits up for Ohio State sets the bar higher than one before him. Haskins broke Barrett’s record after Barrett broke Braxton Miller’s record. Fields could break Haskins’ record before all is said and done.
Fields had 51 total touchdowns in 2019, so getting only four more sounds easy.
Again, Fields’ passing production should improve, which would increase his total. His rushing production should also improve. Without J.K. Dobbins, more of the responsibility of the rushing attack will fall on Fields this year.
17 Receiving Touchdowns
Currently held by Terry Glenn
This is going to be a tough one, but Chris Olave is in the perfect situation to do it this year. He is a clear number one receiver this year, lining up opposite Garrett Wilson and a group of mostly freshmen receivers. In his second year with Fields, Olave is poised for a breakout year.
Olave scored 12 touchdowns in 2019 on 48 receptions, which was the fourth-highest total in school history. The addition of five more touchdowns is within reach. Three of Olave’s teammates at wide receiver are currently on NFL rosters, so now is Olave’s opportunity to break out.
90.0% Field Goal Percentage
Currently held by Drew Basil
In 2013, Basil made nine of the ten field goals he attempted. Blake Haubeil only missed two field goals in 2018 but attempted 15.
If Haubeil can attempt the same number of kicks, but miss one fewer, he will have the highest field goal percentage in school history. Haubeil already has the highest career field goal percentage at Ohio State. Getting the single-season record would be the icing on the cake.