WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — For all the accomplishments, there was a hole on Braxton Miller’s résumé that he had to address.
A Big Ten player of the year trophy sits on the shelf at his parents’ house. The Ohio State quarterback was productive enough last season to finish fifth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. And he is the starter for a team that hasn’t dropped a game in its last 21 tries.
+ EnlargeAP Photo/Michael ConroyCarlos Hyde racked up another 100-yard rushing performance in Ohio State’s win over Purdue.But he came up short in a wild overtime loss the last time the Buckeyes hit the road to take on Purdue. Miller was injured in the second half of last season’s game as Ohio State ultimately needed another extra session to win while he was being examined at the hospital. So for all those accolades, Miller still really didn’t have a win of his own to point to against Purdue, an omission he quickly addressed in a 56-0 rout for No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.
“Absolutely, this was self-comfort,” Miller said. “Two years ago was a hard-fought game with a crazy ending. Last year, just crazy how I got knocked out with my collarbone and things like that.
“After the last two years with this team … you just have to come back the next year stronger with a chip on your shoulder.”
Collectively, the Buckeyes played as if there was a boulder on their shoulders as they once again made quick work of a Big Ten opponent while doing everything they can to stay in the national title conversation by stacking up style points.
Ohio State still can’t do it all on its own at this point, but Miller & Co. are certainly building a more compelling argument for themselves.
And the quarterback wasn’t the only player or position group erasing a few résumé gaps in the blowout.
Tight ends: The Buckeyes always intend to involve their tight ends in the offense, but it usually amounts to little more than lip service. They certainly mean it this season. Purdue had no answer for Jeff Heuerman on Saturday as he was consistently left alone in the secondary and racked up 116 yards on five catches with a touchdown. The junior was the first Ohio State tight end to post 100 receiving yards since 1996. …
Continue reading this article at ESPN: Buckeyes filling holes on their resume
