PISCATAWAY, N.J. — No. 3 Ohio State has been finding ways to win close games all season, adding another win against a team it has traditionally beaten.
Cornerback Jordan Hancock woke up the Buckeyes with a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second half, and Ryan Day’s team bounced back from its first halftime deficit of the season and improved significantly on Saturday. They defeated Rutgers 35-16.
“We weren’t worried. We were a second-half team all year long.” Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. said he caught two of Kyle McCord’s three touchdown passes on a day when he was limited to four catches for 25 yards. “It’s disappointing that we didn’t get the start we wanted, but we weren’t worried.”
Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten, No. 1 CFP) made a number of big plays in the final 30 minutes. In addition to the No. 6 pick, McCord and Harrison scored two TDs (4 yards and 2 yards) in the fourth quarter. Treveillon Henderson rushed for 128 yards in the second half for 78 runs as the Buckeyes defeated Rutgers (6-3, 3-3) for their 10th straight victory.
“Our goal is to ultimately be number one.” Day said. “What it means is we’re off to a good start and we beat some good teams. It doesn’t mean anything to us. It’s good for the fans. We all I knew I was going to take my best shot at it and I was able to do that today. Give credit to Rutgers.”
Gavin Wimsatt threw a touchdown pass to Ja’Que Jackson, Jay Petel made three short field goals, and Kyle Monangai ran for 159 yards for the Scarlet’s third straight year passing the century mark. The Knights beat the Buckeyes defense for 361 yards.
“We just aren’t there.” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said: “We’re getting better. I don’t know how to describe it other than to say we’re not there yet. We’re a work in progress. We’re getting better and better. We’re ranked as the No. 1 team in the country. We’re just not at the point where we’re competing against each other, we’re not quite there yet.”
This was the Buckeyes’ first game since being ranked No. 1 in the CFP, but they certainly didn’t look like the best team in the country. Trailing 9-7 at the half, Rutgers looked poised to extend its lead on its first kickoff drive to the Ohio State 20.
On second down, Wimsatt attempted a looping pass across the front seven to Monangai near the 5-yard line. Running back and safety Josh Proctor collided, sending the ball flying into the air. Hancock grabbed the ball as it soared, turned and headed it up the field and never stopped, giving Ohio State a 14-9 lead.
“We said we needed a turnover before the first possession of the second half and we got it.” Hancock said he credited Proctor and his blockers with getting the first touchdown.
Monangai said he was hit while trying to play with the ball.
“Thanks to the safety, we made a great play.” Monangai said. “It was a slanted ball.”
Henderson scored on a 9-yard run late in the third quarter, increasing the lead to 21-9. Rutgers got within five points on Jackson’s TD catch, kept the ball inside Ohio State territory, and then fumbled on a fourth-down pass.
Ohio State, which was limited to 328 yards, had a huge scoring differential in a game where it was clearly under threat.
Rutgers, which had never lost to Ohio State by less than 22 points in the previous nine meetings, was 9-7 at halftime after Patel made field goals of 22, 21 and 20 yards in the second quarter. and took the lead.
Mohamed Toure’s interception near midfield set up the final kick, but the play that woke up the SHI Stadium crowd was a fourth-and-4 in the second quarter with Ohio State leading 7-0 and the Scarlet Knights 43. It was a trick play.
Wimsatt took what appeared to be a sneak shot, but just as quickly gave the ball to Monangai on a second snap motion. This fooled the Buckeyes defense and Monangai broke to his right and ran 45 yards, the longest play against Ohio State this season.
McCord (19-of-26, 189 yards) completed a 14-yard TD pass to Gee Scott Jr. in the first quarter.
Main points
Ohio State: Ohio State has yet to give up more than 17 points this season. If we continue to play good defense, we can become number one. It was the first time in the last four games that the defense allowed over 260 yards.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have closed the gap on the Buckeyes. Greg Schiano’s team has proven it can play with anyone in the league.
Impact of public opinion polls
Ohio State is expected to hold on to No. 3 for another week, but it may be difficult to maintain No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
next:
Ohio State: Returns home to play Michigan State on Saturday night.
Rutgers: Travels to Iowa to play the Hawkeyes.