It started off looking like the Ohio State Buckeyes’ minds were still on their bye. Finally, as the dust settled in Columbus on a cool Saturday, the Buckeyes dispatched the formerly undefeated Maryland Terrapins, 37-17. Josh Proctor and Marvin Harrison, Jr. stepped on their respective sides of the ball to answer the wake-up call for the Buckeyes.
This win will not go down as one of the most exciting for Ohio State but a strong second half propelled the Buckeyes past their Big Ten East foe. After getting into an early 10-0 hole, Ohio State had to claw back and eventually outscored Maryland 37-7 the rest of the way. Kyle McCord was not perfect. There were a few moments where he even missed wide-open receivers and cost the team points with underthrows. Despite that, he finished the day 19/29 with a career-high 320 yards and two touchdowns.
The bend-don’t-break defense was able to hold the talented Maryland offense to its worst offensive output in 2023. Taulia Tagovailoa had a few solid plays early but ended up 21/41 for just 196 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He even added a great rushing touchdown to his tally with a juke of Steele Chambers in the hole.
Ohio State Overcomes Early Struggles, Beats Maryland
Defense Continues to Dominate
Early returns on the defense were that it was not quite as good as advertised. It allowed a short-field touchdown, a long drive (albeit ended via turnover on downs), and a field goal. The Buckeyes started off in a 10-0 hole but the defense picked up the slack. On Maryland’s next drive following a weak OSU drive, Josh Proctor jumped a pass across the middle and returned it for a touchdown. After that, the defense was carved up for a 61-yard drive and was bailed out by terrible clock management by Mike Locksley and staff. Then, they evidently forgot to come out of the locker room because Maryland then went on a 75-yard touchdown drive to open the second half.
For as negative as it seemed at the time, the defense tightened up and finished the game with drives ending in an interception, punt, turnover on downs, three and out, and three and out. Of the 308 yards on offense, Maryland only managed 31 in their final five drives.
The biggest winners on the day for the Ohio State defense were Proctor and defensive tackle, Tyleik Williams. Proctor continues to provide the defense with his downhill, hard-hitting playstyle. In total, he finished with seven tackles, 1.5 for loss, and that pick-six. On the interior, Williams had a greater impact on the game than can be observed on the box score. On the stat sheet, he finished with three tackles, one for loss, and one pass breakup. However, he routinely won his matchups and flushed Tagovailoa or rushed his processing. In the run game, he was able to gum up the interior and caused the running backs to turn heel and pick a different gap.
All in all, Ohio State’s defense is doing what it was built to do. Yet again, they did not allow a single explosive play. While it’s not perfect, it’s light-years better than what Ohio State has had in a few seasons.
Second-Half Team
*Insert cliché tale of two halves here*
The Buckeyes have started slow a few times this year. Perhaps the game scripts are bad, Ohio State was not motivated, or the opponent was just more prepared. It certainly could be coaching. Regardless, it’s a trait that needs to be exorcised before they face either of the other two Big Ten contenders.
In the five drives prior to its field goal drive, Ohio State could not get anything going. They managed just 55 total offensive yards and punted four times. In the first drive of the game, it appeared like they ran a fake punt but it was so poorly executed that one has to wonder if it was just a bad snap. Overall, McCord started incredibly slow and the Ohio State run game could not get anything going.
Ohio State did not punt after that fifth drive. They closed out their first half with a field goal and then went on to score three touchdowns and two field goals in their final five drives. In those first five drives, McCord was 5/12 passing for 35 yards.
Finishing 12/17 for 285 yards and a pair of scores will re-enstill a little confidence in McCord.
WR1 is Still WR1
Death, taxes, and Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Despite being partially hobbled due to the ankle injury he suffered in the win over Notre Dame, Harrison was as efficient and explosive as ever. His running mate, Emeka Egbuka was knocked out of the game with his own ankle injury so Harrison had to step up. Each time his number was called, Harrison made a play.
On the day, 18 was targeted 13 times and hauled in eight for 163 yards and a touchdown. The most impressive part of his game this week was his ability to have a short memory. In reality, Harrison should have had a 90-yard touchdown if McCord had not underthrown him. The underthrow ultimately cost the Buckeyes four points as they had to settle for a field goal before the half.
Later, Harrison scored a 12-yard touchdown off of a pinpoint throw from McCord after working the pocket. That play got called back by a borderline illegal motion call. On the next play, he found the soft spot in the zone and scored a 17-yard touchdown anyway.
This game marked the fourth time Harrison went for at least 160 years and the second time this year. If Egbuka has to miss time, Harrison’s role will continue to be paramount in the success of this offense. With that likely top-five matchup with Penn State’s elite defense looming, now is the time for Harrison and this offense to get clicking.
A Glaring Weakness
It’s not uncommon to nitpick a 20-point home win by a CFP contender. The Ohio State offense had to wait a little while before its coffee kicked in. While McCord and the wide receivers eventually started cooking, the offensive line stayed sluggish. As it turns out, replacing three NFL draftees is not easy.
From left to right, the Buckeyes’ offensive line struggled. Given, Maryland’s defensive line had 13 sacks coming into the game. The three they recorded against Ohio State were just par for the course. Both tackles struggled in pass protection but the biggest issue was not in the pass game.
Even without TreVeyon Henderson, the Ohio State rushing attack could not get anything going. The coaching staff leaned on Chip Trayanum who, on a normal day, is enough. However, with Ohio State’s unusual reliance on boundary stretch runs, the team combined for just 1.9 yards per carry. It looks a bit better when ignoring the botched “fake” punt, kneel downs, and McCord. With those filters applied, Trayanum, Miyan Williams, and Egbuka recorded 3.2 yards per carry. Still not great.
Plain and simple, this unit needs to improve and improve quickly. Penn State and Michigan will not take it easy on them.
The Best Thing About Being 5-0…
All in all, Ohio State played one of its worst halves in the Ryan Day era and still managed to win by 20. It was not perfect nor was it particularly pretty for a while. The margin for error is shrinking week by week. The Buckeyes draw Purdue next week who have inexplicably played them tough. Since 2002, the “Spoilermakers” are tied with the most wins over Ohio State with five. Ohio State cannot overlook Purdue by focusing on Penn State.
