After an uneven showing on the road against Penn State last week, No. 16 Ohio State (7-1) got back on track in a big way with a 55-14 rout of Illinois (4-5) Saturday night.
The Buckeyes dominated in all three phases of the game, outgaining the Illini by 302 total yards. In fact, Ohio State had a shutout going for much of the game, but Tim Beckman’s squad put together two touchdown drives against the Buckeyes’ second-team defense.
How did Ohio State grade out from its convincing 41-point victory?
Ohio State Buckeyes Grade Analysis
Pass Offense
J.T. Barrett saw just two quarters of action, but he made the most of his limited time by completing 15 of 24 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Cardale Jones closed things out in the second half as the Buckeyes totaled 249 passing yards and four touchdowns against no interceptions.
Devin Smith paced the receivers, hauling in three catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns. The Buckeyes spread it around, though, as nine different pass-catchers hauled in receptions.
Run Offense
The Buckeyes churned out yards on the ground at a high rate against the Illini. Ezekiel Elliott and Curtis Samuel led the way, combining for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, but Jalin Marshall was a surprising star. The H-back saw time as a wildcat quarterback and ran for 42 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Those three highlighted a Buckeyes rushing attack that totaled 296 yards and 6.7 yards per…
Continue Reading: Illinois vs. Ohio State: Game Grades, Analysis for the Buckeyes
